Recent U.S. housing headlines may seem contradictory. Home sales are declining, yet home prices are still rising. According to data released by the National Association of Realtors® on August 11, existing-home sales in the U.S. fell 1.7% in July 2026 from the previous month to an annualized rate of 4.06 million homes. Sales declined for the second consecutive month, and the Midwest also saw a decrease in sales. The biggest factor is, once again, mortgage rates. According to F

When buying a home, you do not necessarily have to put 20% down. Depending on the borrower and loan program, a Conventional Loan may allow as little as 3% or 5% down, an FHA Loan typically requires 3.5%, and qualified buyers may even be able to purchase a home with no down payment through a VA Loan. Even so, if you have enough funds available, putting 20% down can still be an attractive option. According to a Keeping Current Matters article published on August 10, 2026, buyer

If you've been shopping for a home over the past few years, you've probably experienced this frustration. You find a home you love, submit an offer, and then lose it to an all-cash investor. Competing against buyers who waive inspections, financing contingencies, and close quickly has been a major challenge for many families trying to purchase a home. But the market is beginning to shift. Large institutional investors are buying fewer homes, creating new opportunities for own

Hello, this is Sang Chul Han with Chicago BDB. Over the past year, real estate headlines have focused on higher mortgage rates, increasing inventory, and price adjustments in certain markets. As a result, many buyers have wondered, "If I wait a little longer, will home prices finally drop?" However, recent data suggests that home price appreciation may have already bottomed out and could begin accelerating again. Home Prices Didn't Fall—Their Rate of Growth Slowed According t

One of the biggest real estate stories over the past week has been the combination of rising mortgage rates and an increase in homes with price reductions. On July 29, 2026, the Federal Reserve announced that it would leave the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50%–3.75%. Yet despite no change in the Fed's benchmark rate, mortgage rates continued to rise. According to Freddie Mac's July 30, 2026 report, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed from 6.58% to 6.66%, the

One of the most common questions homeowners ask when planning to move is: "Should I find my next home first, or sell my current home first?" The answer isn't the same for everyone. It depends on several factors, including your available home equity, cash reserves, income, financing options, moving timeline, and the level of competition in both the market where you're selling and the one where you're buying. In most cases, however, the first step isn't searching for your dream