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According to Google Trends, online searches for down payment information recently hit an all-time high. And that’s a clear sign more buyers are trying to figure out what they really need to save before making a move (see graph below): If you’re wondering the same thing, you can always turn to the internet for answers. But a lot of the time, it’s better to ask a local expert. Because here’s what a pro would tell you. The 20% Down Payment Myth The idea that you need 20% down to buy a home is one of the biggest misconceptions around the homebuying process. And the data debunks the myth. While there are benefits to putting that much money down, most first-time buyers put down far less. Here’s why. Unless it’s stated by your lender, you typically don’t have to have a 20% down payment. There are even some loan options designed to help you get into a home with a much smaller upfront cost. As the Mortgage Reports explains: “The amount you need to put down will depend on a variety of factors, including the loan type and your financial goals. If you don’t have a large down payment saved up, don’t worry—there are plenty of options available, and you don’t need to put down the traditional 20% . . . many homebuyers are able to secure a home with as little as 3% or even no down payment at all. . .” For example, FHA loans allow down payments as low as 3.5%, while VA and USDA loans offer zero down payment options for qualified applicants, like Veterans. And those options are just one reason so many first-time buyers are able to buy without a 20% down payment. What Buyers Are Actually Putting Down So, if buyers aren’t doing 20%, how much do they actually put down? According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median down payment for first-time homebuyers is only 10%. That’s half of what you probably expected. That means if you’re aiming to save 20% because you think you have to, you may be setting a timeline that’s longer than necessary. And here’s some more good news. It’s not only that you may be able to buy with less money down than you thought, but there are also options to help you get to your down payment goal even faster. Why You Should Look into Down Payment Assistance Programs There are a lot of programs designed to help you save for a down payment – and they can make a big difference in how fast you hit your savings target. Unfortunately, buyers don’t realize how many there are, or that they may qualify for help. Research from Realtor.com shows almost 80% of first-time homebuyers qualify for down payment assistance (DPA), but only 13% actually use it (see chart below): And that’s another big miss holding would-be buyers like you back. In the U.S., there are over 2,600 homeownership programs available, many offering significant financial support. As Down Payment Resource shares: “With an average benefit of $18,000, down payment assistance (DPA) remains one of the most essential tools for addressing the nation’s affordability challenges. Programs continue to expand in scope, serving a broader range of incomes, property types and borrower needs, including first-generation, military and repeat buyers.” Imagine how much further your savings could go with an extra $18,000 you can use to buy. In some cases, you may even be able to stack multiple programs, giving what you’ve saved an even bigger boost. Bottom Line The simple truth is: most first-time buyers don’t put 20% down. And if you’ve been waiting to buy until you have that saved, you may be setting a timeline that’s longer than necessary. To find out what you really need to save and if you qualify for any help, connect with a trusted lender who can walk you through your options. You may be able to buy sooner than you thought.
There’s a lot of uncertainty right now and that’s leading to some dramatic headlines. And if you’re thinking about buying a home, that can make you feel a little less sure about your decision. A recent study by CNBC asked homebuyers what they’re most worried about, and three themes kept coming up again and again: Mortgage rates The number of homes for sale Home prices But a lot of what you may be hearing on those is based more on misconceptions. Not facts. So, let’s break it down and separate fact from fiction. Misconception #1: “I’ll Just Wait, Because Mortgage Rates Are Going To Fall Dramatically” One idea doing its rounds on social is that mortgage rates are going to drop dramatically soon. So, it’s better to wait to buy. But is that really what’s expected? While mortgage rates have come down a bit in the last few weeks, forecasts don’t show a major drop ahead. The most likely scenario is that rates stay somewhere in the low 6% range this year. And that’s not a big change from where rates are now (see graph below): Of course, this depends on where inflation and the economy go from here. But, based on what we know today, waiting for a big drop in rates may not work out the way some people hope. As U.S. News explains: “Mortgage rates aren't expected to change much over the next several quarters . . .” Not to mention, even with rates where they are today, it’s already more affordable than a year ago. So, even if they don’t change much, it’s still better than it was. Misconception #2: "There Are Too Many Homes for Sale Right Now” You’ve probably heard inventory is up. And nationally, it is. The number of homes for sale is 8% higher than this time last year. But that's not a bad thing. In fact, it’s one of the reasons buyers have a bit more breathing room right now. The problem is the headlines are making something good, sound bad. They’re focusing on how this is the most inventory we’ve had since 2019 or how many homes builders are building. And that can make it sound like the number of homes for sale is rising too far, too fast. But that’s not what the bigger picture shows. Data from Realtor.com proves that, even though inventory is up compared to last year, it’s still nearly 14% lower than it was during the last normal housing market (2017-2019): While it can vary a lot based on where you live, only 9 states have more inventory than pre-pandemic today. That’s a key reason why there still aren’t enough homes for sale to trigger something like the crash back in 2008. Misconception #3: “Home Prices Are About To Crash” You’ve probably seen this one, too. The confusion is coming from the fact that some metros are experiencing slight price declines. And influencers are running with that and saying prices are crashing. But that’s not the reality. Most areas are seeing prices rise, not fall. And that’s because: Many homeowners aren’t selling because they don’t want to give up the low mortgage rate they locked in a few years ago. And that’s keeping a lid on how much inventory can grow. Since inventory is still below pre-pandemic norms, there aren’t enough homes for sale to cause a price crash. And even in markets with more inventory, some sellers are choosing to pull their homes off the market instead of cutting prices. And those are 3 big reasons prices aren’t headed for a crash. And even in the markets experiencing mild declines, the drops aren’t enough to cancel out the big gains most homeowners have seen in the last 5 years (see graph below): That’s not a crash. That’s just prices moderating after a few record-breaking years. Bottom Line Online posts are going to make things sound worse than they are. If you want a true, data-bound look at what’s really happening in today’s market, lean on a real estate agent. Connect with a local agent so you have someone to separate fact from fiction today.
Did you try to buy a home last year, but you ended up pressing pause? Maybe you couldn’t find a home that really fit your needs. Or maybe the ones you liked just weren’t affordable. According to a recent survey from NerdWallet, those were the top two reasons buyers gave up on their search in 2025. But this Spring, there's one trend that could help fix both of those frustration points: more homes are hitting the market. The Number of Fresh Listings Is Almost 2x Higher Than a Few Months Ago Data from Realtor.com shows there are nearly 2x as many new listings hitting the market today as there were just 3 months ago. Those are homes the seller just put up for sale (see graph below): That’s a significant rise. And while we usually see an uptick as we head into the busiest time of the year, this increase was bigger than normal. Jake Krimmel, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, explains: “New listings jumped 21.2% from February to 439,000, a larger-than-typical seasonal surge . . . March typically sees the biggest month-over-month jump in new listings of the entire buying season, averaging an 18% increase since 2017; this year it exceeded 20%.” That means more sellers are jumping back into the market, and that’s giving buyers more fresh options to choose from. So, if you’d felt like you’d seen everything out there and still nothing was quite right, this may be your moment. With that many “just listed” homes, one of them could be exactly what you’ve been searching for. Where You Have More Options And this trend is happening across most of the country, so you should have more options pretty much whereever you are. Earlier this year, the Northeast had fewer new listings because winter storms delayed sellers from putting their homes on the market. But now, that region is catching up fast. In March, new listings jumped across nearly every state, especially in the Northeast, helping drive a strong national rebound. What Rising Inventory Means for You Right now, there are almost a million homes for sale nationwide. That’s up over 8% compared to last year. With that many homes on the market, there’s a much better chance something will fit what you’re looking for, especially with so many fresh options being added right now. As Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, explains: “One of the most encouraging signals heading into the spring home-buying season is the improvement in for-sale inventory levels compared with last year. . . More homes on the market give buyers greater choice and, combined with improved buying power, expand the range of homes they can realistically consider.” In other words, your search may feel very different this year. Bottom Line More fresh listings are hitting the market right now, and that’s creating real opportunity. If you put your search on hold last year, this Spring may be the time to jump back in. Connect with a local real estate agent to see what’s newly available in your area.
For a while, buying your first home hasn’t just felt hard. It may have felt out of reach. Not because you weren’t ready. Not because you weren’t trying. But because every time you ran the numbers, they didn’t work. That’s why so many first-time buyers stepped back. But after years of sitting on the outside looking in, this Spring could give buyers like you an opening again – especially in some markets. Metros Where Buyers May Have an Easier Time Breaking into the Market Zillow just released a list of the top 50 metros for first-time buyers this Spring. And here’s a quick snapshot of the top 10 (see chart below): According to Zillow, in these top-ranked markets, median-income households can afford 68% of all homes for sale. Let that sink in. Not long ago, it felt like you could barely afford anything. Now, you may actually have some options again. That doesn’t mean every home is suddenly going to fit your budget. But it does mean the door that felt closed for so many buyers is starting to crack back open. And in a number of cities, first-time buyers may finally be getting a shot at buying. Why This Is Starting To Open Up These cities are rising to the top not because of any one big change, but from a few smaller ones finally lining up. As Orphe Divounguy, Senior Economist at Zillow, explains: “First-time buyers are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Affordability is still a challenge, but rising incomes, stabilizing prices and improving inventory are creating real opportunities in parts of the country. In the strongest markets for first-time buyers, they'll find more choices, less competition and a clearer path to homeownership than they've had in years.” Basically, three big things are working in your favor: More homes are hitting the market. Realtor.com says inventory is up 8.1% compared to last year. That gives you more choices, less pressure, and more chances to find a place that fits your budget. Price growth is moderating, so homes aren’t moving further out of reach as quickly. Some may even be falling back within your target price point. Incomes are rising. If you make more money, that can offset some of the affordability challenges too. And even though mortgage rates have been higher lately, that combination can still make a difference. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains: “Income growth has outpaced house price growth for 19 straight months, boosting house-buying power even as mortgage rates remain elevated.” How To Find the Opportunities in Your Local Market But what if your city didn’t make the top 10 list, or even the top 50 markets? Here’s what you really need to remember. There’s going to be opportunities in every market, if you know where to look. Even in the same city, two buyers can have completely different experiences. And a big part of that is who they choose as their partner. The right agent knows how to find pockets of opportunity in any market. That could mean: A neighborhood where prices haven’t climbed as quickly A part of town with more inventory, or A new build community offering incentives so builders can sell their inventory So, even if your city didn’t make the list, that’s okay. There’s still an opening for you, you just need your agent to help you find it. Bottom Line For a long time, first-time buyers have felt stuck, waiting for their turn to buy. But for some buyers, this Spring might be the first time in a while where things start to feel more within reach again. Want to see which neighborhoods could give you the best shot at buying right now? Talk to a local agent.
You’ve probably asked yourself lately: Is it even worth trying to buy a home right now? It’s a question a lot of people are asking. With today’s home prices and mortgage rates, renting can feel like the easier path. In some cases, it might even seem like the only realistic option right now. And if that’s where you are, there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you’re weighing the decision, there’s one part of the conversation that doesn’t get talked about enough. It’s what each choice does for your future. What Renting Really Gets You (And What It Doesn’t) Depending on your situation, renting does have some advantages: Lower upfront costs. Less responsibility. More flexibility to move when you want. But even with those benefits, a Bank of America survey found 70% of aspiring homeowners worry about what long-term renting means for their future. And that concern comes down to one thing: you’re not building anything for your future. As Yahoo Finance explains: “Paying rent doesn't build equity. You get a place to live, but no ownership stake, no price appreciation, and no asset to leverage for future borrowing or investment.” So, while renting may feel easier, the flexibility you get comes at a cost. How Homeownership Builds Your Wealth Over Time On the other hand, owning a home is one of the most consistent ways people build wealth over time. Why? When you’re a homeowner, you gain something called equity. That’s the difference between what your home is worth and what you owe. That equity grows with every monthly payment you make. It also gets a boost as home values go up through the years – and it adds up quicker than you may think. Today, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says the average homeowner’s net worth is 43X greater than that of a renter: The dollars in the visual don’t lie. On average, here’s how net worth compares: Homeowners: $430k Renters: $10k And it’s not because homeowners make wildly different decisions day to day. It’s because over time, one path builds something, and the other doesn’t. So sure, buying comes with some upfront costs and more responsibility. But it’s basically a savings account you can live in. The Gap Is Growing Over Time And here’s something else interesting. That net worth gap between renters and homeowners has been widening over time, not shrinking. If you look back at the reports on net worth through the years, you can see the gap is growing as homeowners gain wealth and renters stay stuck in the rental trap (see graph below): Even in 2025, when home prices were moderating, homeowners still gained even more ground. And that tells you something important: When you can afford it and you’re ready for the responsibility, history shows buying is usually worth it in the long run. Because either way, you’re paying for someone’s mortgage and building someone’s net worth. When you rent, it’s your landlord’s mortgage – not yours. But when you buy? Your monthly payments help build equity. The question is: whose do you want to pay? Yours or theirs? So, Should You Buy a Home Now? The short answer is, it depends on your situation. While the long-term benefits of buying are clear, that doesn’t mean the timing is right for everyone right now. And that’s okay. You should only buy a home once you’re ready and the numbers work for you. But whether you’re looking to buy now or planning for the future, the first step is the same. You should have a quick conversation with a local real estate agent about your goals, timeline, and budget. They can help you run the numbers and see what’s realistic. You may find buying is closer than you thought. And if not, you’ll at least know exactly what it will take to get there. Because the sooner you have a plan, the sooner you can decide when it makes sense, instead of wondering if it ever will. Bottom Line Renting may feel more do-able today. But over time, it could cost you. If you want to ditch renting and start building something for your future, it starts with a simple conversation. Connect with a real estate agent to talk about your specific goals, and explore your options – so you’re ready when the time is right for you.
If you’re getting a tax refund this year, here’s something worth thinking about. That money could actually help you get closer to buying a home. It may not be something you’ve factored into your plan yet, but it can give your savings a nice boost right when you need it most. And whether your refund is a few thousand dollars or more, there are some smart ways to put that money to work as you get ready to buy. Your Refund May Be Even Bigger This Year Let’s start with the good news. People are getting even more money back in their refunds than they did last year. The visual below uses data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to show the average individual’s refund is 11.1% higher this year: Of course, your exact refund will vary. But any extra money you get is a good thing, especially when affordability is still tight. How You Can Use Your Tax Refund So, how can you put that money to work? Here are a few smart ways to use your refund when buying a home, according to Freddie Mac: Put it toward your down payment. Data shows saving for a down payment is one of the biggest hurdles for first-time homebuyers. Using your refund can help you build that up faster. And the good news? You may not need to put as much down as you think. Use it for your closing costs. Closing costs usually range from about 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price. Using your refund here can make things feel a lot more manageable on closing day. Lower your mortgage rate. You may have the option to buy down your mortgage rate. That means paying a little more upfront to get a lower monthly payment. If you’re looking for ways to make the numbers work a little better, this is something that could be worth asking about. You Don’t Have To Figure This Out Alone If you have a tax refund coming, it’s a great time to take another look at your homebuying savings. Maybe you’re almost at your goal and you can buy sooner than you expected. A trusted real estate agent and lender can help you map out what you need, what your options are, and how to make the most of what you already have, including your tax refund. Bottom Line If buying a home is on your radar this year, don’t overlook your tax refund. It could be the extra push that helps you go from almost there to actually ready. Want to see how far your savings could take you right now? Talk with a local real estate agent and build a plan that fits your situation.
With economic headlines, global events, and near constant talk about affordability, you may be wondering if this is the right time to move. But here’s what you need to remember. While recent events do have some impact on the housing market, they don’t take buying off the table. You just have to use a different strategy. Mortgage Rates Have Been Up Slightly – Here's Why After trending down for most of 2025, mortgage rates have been higher again for over roughly a month now. And experts say it’s a result of what's happening overseas and in the broader economy. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains: “Mortgage rates have recently moved higher, driven by geopolitical uncertainty and rising energy costs that are contributing to inflation concerns.” But what does that really mean for you? Should you wait for everything to settle back down before you buy a home? The short answer is no. You don’t have to wait. Your Window To Buy Didn’t Close It’s true that a month or so ago, when rates were just shy of 6%, buying felt a bit more affordable. And now that rates are hovering around the mid-6s, monthly payment costs are higher. But zoom out for a second. Let’s say you’re taking out a loan for $500k. Even with rates in the mid 6s, you’re still saving roughly $300 on your monthly payment compared to buyers who made their purchase early last year. That means this recent increase in rates hasn’t erased the progress we’ve seen. Buying is still more affordable than it was just one year ago (see below): Sure, your monthly payment would’ve been a little less expensive a few weeks back. But hindsight is always 20/20. The goal moving forward shouldn’t be to perfectly time the market. Things change too quickly for that. Instead, the real goal is to make the best decision you can based on where things are today. And the best advice anyone can give is: brace for volatility. When It Comes To Rates, Expect the Unexpected Mortgage rates are going to continue to be move around in the weeks or months ahead as new information and economic reports come out. Try to remember, you can’t control global events or where rates go next week (or even next month). But you can control how you prepare. If you do that, it becomes less about the headlines, and more about your situation. If You Want or Need To Move, You Still Can The simple truth is, if you want or need to move, you still can. Some buyers are choosing to move forward right now because their needs haven’t changed. A growing family, a job relocation, a lifestyle shift – those things still matter. And for buyers who do decide to move forward, there are ways to make it work. For example, you could explore options like adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) to get a lower rate upfront. That may or may not be the right fit for you, but it highlights an important point: there are strategies that can help you move, even now. What matters most is having a plan. And working with the right agent and lender is a big part of that. With expert help, you’ll: Understand your budget and what the math looks like at today's rates. Explore your financing options, including ARMs and assistance programs. Have trusted guidance from experts who'll keep you up to date throughout the process. Bottom Line Even though there’s some uncertainty, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. If you need to move, you still can. Connect with a trusted agent and lender so you can explore all your options and make your move happen.
For a lot of people, the math on buying a home just doesn’t really work right now. Maybe that’s how it feels for you too. You look at the cost of buying. Then you look at the cost of childcare. And it starts to feel like you have to choose one or the other. But some families are finding a way to make both work by doing something a little different: teaming up to purchase a multi-generational home. One Reason This Is Becoming More Common It’s no secret that affordability has been a challenge in recent years. But for families with young kids, there’s an added layer that can make it feel even harder: childcare. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, childcare should take up no more than 7% of your monthly income. But in reality, the average married couple spends closer to 10% (see map below): When you combine that with the cost of buying a home, it’s easy to see why things can feel stretched. That’s exactly why more families are starting to rethink how they approach both. The Solution More People Are Turning To: Multi-Generational Living One option gaining traction? Multi-generational living. That’s when parents, grandparents, or other relatives buy a house together and live under the same roof. And it’s not just about convenience anymore. It’s becoming a go-to strategy. You can see it in the data. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), almost 1 in 7 homebuyers (14%) bought a multi-generational home in 2025 (see graph below): And for the first time, childcare is showing up as a key reason why they chose this option. As NAR explains: “This year’s report features two new primary reasons for purchasing a multi-generational home: grandchildren living in the home (12%) and to help reduce the cost of childcare (6%).” Why It Works Buying a multi-generational home solves two big challenges at the same time. First, it shares the financial responsibility. If you pool multiple incomes together, you may be able to afford a home you couldn't have on your own. Second, it can also solve the childcare puzzle. When grandparents or other relatives live in the home, they may be able to help with daily care – which can significantly reduce or even eliminate daycare costs. And for many people, that combination is what finally makes their move possible. If the costs of childcare and housing together have made buying feel out of reach right now, it may be worth exploring creative options like buying a home with your loved ones. Bottom Line If you want more information on multi-generational homes, talk to a local agent about what’s available in your area. Sometimes the path to homeownership isn’t doing it alone. It’s doing it together.
Their passion for this place shows in their enthusiastic marketing of their client’s homes, and when it comes to finding a piece of this paradise for their buyers. Come to the Wine Country and enjoy the good life. Kathleen and her team are here to help you make your move.
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