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Navigating the path to homeownership can look very different depending on where you live. Recent research found a $30,000 difference in the amount needed to save for a 5% down payment across various states—a gap shaped by factors like local income levels, housing costs, taxes, and available homes. Some states manage a better balance, making…

US 30-yr conforming rates sat near 7% recently, while 15-yr fixed loans stayed in the high-5% range, giving buyers a clear payment-versus-interest tradeoff. Other US options also clustered in the 6% range: jumbo near 7%, FHA low-6%, VA low-6%, and USDA low-6% with little day-to-day change. On a $300K loan, a 30-yr mortgage meant ~$398K…

Ever wondered why mortgage rates can feel like a moving target? One important factor is the spread between the 30-year fixed mortgage rate and the 10-year US Treasury yield. This gap essentially shows how much more lenders are charging over a trusted benchmark. Traditionally, the spread has hovered in the high-1% range, but lately, we’ve…

Land contracts—there were 715,000 recorded nationwide—are often used when buyers can’t qualify for a traditional mortgage. As a team that’s spent years helping families navigate financing options, we know these contracts tend to show up most with low-cost homes, manufactured housing, rural properties, and older fixer-uppers—places where standard mortgage options are harder to secure. Research…

Labor Day in the United States celebrates the contributions of workers everywhere, while also unofficially marking the final big summer weekend before fall takes over. It’s known for backyard barbecues, road trips, and that classic tradition of buying things you didn’t know you needed because “it’s on sale.” Beaches, parks, and grills reach peak activity…

30-year mortgage rates have dropped to 6.48%, the lowest since October 2024, following a recent three-day decline. The Federal Reserve is expected to cut rates multiple times this year due to weak job reports, but these cuts mainly affect short-term borrowing, not long-term mortgage rates. Mortgage rates are influenced by inflation, demand, housing supply, and…

Commercial and multifamily lending grew 16% year-over-year in Q2 2026, driven by strong office (47%) and retail (61%) loan originations. CMBS and depository lenders led the surge, while government-sponsored enterprises and life insurers reduced activity. Industrial lending rose 38% quarter-over-quarter, but health care property originations fell 19%. The recovery shows improving capital flows and selective…

Mortgage rates are closely tied to the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield, typically about 2 percentage points higher. Forecasts predict Treasury yields will gradually ease to around 3.9%-4.3% by 2030, suggesting mortgage rates near 6% in five years. A "bull" scenario could see rates near 5%, while a "bear" case might push rates up to 7%.…

Mortgage rates are now expected to remain elevated into 2027, meaning financing costs could continue influencing buyer decisions. A slower decline in rates could keep demand below historical norms even if economic conditions improve. Buyers may increasingly focus on rate buydowns, adjustable products, and other financing strategies to manage borrowing costs. Home-price growth could remain…

In the current market, homeownership costs extend beyond mortgages, insurance, maintenance, and taxes, with HOA assessments becoming a key expense buyers should review carefully. For homes in managed communities, aging infrastructure and higher insurance costs have been pushing assessments upward, making association budgets and reserve planning more important. Experts said boards need to maintain assessments…