Why Homeownership Can Still Be a Smart Move, Even in Today's Market

With today’s fluctuating mortgage rates and rising home prices, it’s natural to wonder if now is the right time to buy a home. While current market conditions certainly play a role in the decision, it’s important to zoom out and consider the bigger picture: the long-term advantages of owning a home.

Think about it this way: If you know people who bought homes 5, 10, or even 30 years ago, chances are you’ll have a hard time finding someone who regrets their decision. Why? Because, over time, home values tend to rise, and as a result, so does a homeowner’s net worth. Let’s take a closer look at how homeownership can pay off in the long run.

Home Price Growth Over Time
Over the past five years, home prices have increased significantly, with national prices rising by more than 57%. While these changes vary by region, the overall trend is clear: home prices have seen substantial. ...

A common question everyone is asking right now is: when will mortgage rates start to come down? After a period of rising rates and significant fluctuations in 2024, we’re all hoping for some relief.
While no one can predict mortgage rates with absolute certainty or pinpoint exactly when they’ll drop, experts are offering insights on what we might expect in the year ahead. Here’s what the latest projections are saying.
Mortgage Rates Are Expected to Ease and Stabilize in 2025
After a period of volatility, the latest forecasts indicate that mortgage rates should start to stabilize over the next year, with a slight decrease compared to where they are now.
As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), notes:
“While mortgage rates remain elevated, they are expected to stabilize.”
Key Factors Affecting Mortgage Rate Movements
It’s important to recognize that predicting when and how mortgage rates will change is one . ...

If you're considering making a move in the housing market right now, you’ve probably noticed something: it feels a bit unpredictable. Home prices, mortgage rates, and overall market trends seem to be shifting more than usual. The truth is, we’re in a period of increased volatility, and understanding why can help you make smarter decisions.
Let’s break it down and explore the key factors influencing the market today, and how you can navigate this uncertainty.
What’s Causing the Market Volatility?
There’s a mix of factors driving the unpredictability of the market right now. Economic data, unemployment trends, decisions from the Federal Reserve, and even political events (like the presidential election) are all playing a role. These factors create uncertainty—and uncertainty, as we know, leads to market volatility.
A prime example of this is mortgage rates. New economic reports or global events can lead to sudden shifts in rates, even though expert ...

You’ve probably heard a lot of chatter about the Federal Reserve (the Fed) lately and how their actions might affect the housing market. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, you’re probably wondering how the Fed’s decisions could impact mortgage rates—and when we might see rates come down.
The Fed is meeting again this week to decide what to do with the Federal Funds Rate, which is the interest rate at which banks borrow from each other. While this rate isn’t directly tied to mortgage rates, it plays a key role in influencing them. So, if you’re following the market closely, you’re probably asking: what’s going to happen next?
Let’s break it down. The Fed’s decisions are based on three key economic indicators, and understanding them can help you anticipate what might happen with mortgage rates in the coming months.
1. The Direction of Inflation
By now, you’ve probably noticed that the cost of ever. ...

Recent headlines have been buzzing about a decline in the median asking price of homes compared to last year, leading to confusion among buyers and sellers alike. It’s easy to assume that this signals a drop in prices, but there's more to the story than what those numbers suggest.
The Bigger Picture: Home Values Are Rising
Despite a slight decrease in median prices, national home values are actually on the rise. Let’s break down the situation to help you navigate the market without falling prey to sensational headlines.
Smaller Homes Are Influencing Median Prices
One major factor contributing to the dip in the median price is the size of homes currently on the market. The median price reflects the midpoint of all homes for sale, and changes in the mix of homes available can significantly affect this figure.
To illustrate this concept, consider a simple example of three coins: if you have one nickel and two dimes, the median value is 10 cents. But if the mix changes to . ...