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

Over the past year, we've heard plenty of headlines suggesting that the U.S. housing market has cooled and home price growth has slowed. Some even interpreted that as a sign that home prices were about to fall—or that the market was headed for a major correction. But the latest data tells a different story. According to Keeping Current Matters (July 29, 2026), national home price appreciation may have already reached its low point and could begin accelerating again during the

At first glance, today's housing market seems full of contradictions. Mortgage rates are climbing again, yet new home sales have increased. With home prices still elevated and borrowing costs higher than many buyers would like, you may be wondering: Who's buying homes right now? The answer reveals where today's buyers may still find opportunities. Mortgage Rates Reach Their Highest Level in 11 Months According to Reuters (July 24, 2026), the average 30-year fixed mortgage rat