The HousingCoach Blog
Important and useful information about Home Buying, Home Selling and the Chicagoland Real Estate market, to help you make the most of Your Personal American Dream. Explore, Learn, and Take Action.
14 Years Running: Why Real Estate Is Still America’s Favorite Investment
Quick gut reaction. Which investment do Americans trust more than stocks, gold, savings accounts, and bonds? The answer hasn't changed in 14 years. It's real estate. And this year, that answer comes with even more conviction behind it. New data shows people aren't...
Think Nobody’s Buying Homes Right Now? Think Again.
If you've been thinking about selling, you've probably seen plenty of headlines suggesting buyers have just about disappeared. But there's a big difference between a slow market and a stalled one.Yes, mortgage rates are still higher than most people would like. Homes...
The “Take It or Leave It” Attitude Is Fading from the Market – What That Means for You
Negotiations are back. More buyers are asking for better deals, and more sellers are giving them. Builders are throwing in extras, too. That’s why whether you’re buying or selling today, there are two terms you’ll hear a lot: concession and incentive.A concession is...
What To Expect from the Housing Market in the Second Half of 2026
If the first half of this year has left you feeling stuck, you're not the only one. Mortgage rates stayed higher than people wanted. Affordability remained tight. And uncertainty overseas added another layer of pressure nobody saw coming.That's why so many people are...
Student Loans Are Back in the News. Don’t Let It Put Your Homeownership Plans on Hold.
Student loans are back in the spotlight. And whether you've been following the headlines closely or just catching bits and pieces here and there, there's a good chance they've been on your mind lately.And if you’re questioning whether you have to hit pause on your...
What Buying or Selling a Home Gives Back to Your Community
Buying or selling a home is a big financial decision. And right now, it feels even bigger. Inflation is high, costs are high, and you want to be sure the timing is right before you make your move. But if you do decide to go for it, whether you're buying or selling,...
Down Payments Are Smaller Than They’ve Been Since 2021
Saving for a down payment can feel like the hardest part of buying a home. And with affordability as tight as it’s been lately, it’s fair to wonder how anyone manages it right now. Here’s something you may not have seen coming. Some people are getting their foot in...
The Housing Market Is Stronger Than You Think
You've probably heard plenty of doom and gloom about the housing market lately. High rates. Stretched budgets. Headlines that make buying or selling sound like a terrible idea. But the data tells a very different story. This isn't 2020 or 2021. It was never going to...
The 1 Factor That Explains Everything Happening with Home Prices Right Now
You've probably heard that home prices are cooling off. And that's true – nationally. But zoom in on individual markets across the country, and the picture looks completely different depending on where you are.Some areas are still seeing solid price growth. Others...
Your House Didn’t Sell. Here’s How To Turn It Around.
When your house doesn’t sell, it’s not just disappointing. It messes with your timing. Your plans. Your confidence. You start second-guessing everything, including the decision to move in the first place. And that raises 2 big questions: Do you try again?Is that even...
More Sellers Are Taking Their Homes off the Market. Here’s What You Need To Know.
You may be hearing that a near-record number of homeowners are pulling their houses off the market. And if that headline has you thinking, “Wait… is something bad about to happen?” You’re not alone.Because when people start stepping to the sidelines, it sounds like a...
That House That’s Been Sitting Could Be Your Best Shot at a Deal
Open up a home search and you'll see them. Listings that have been on the market for two months. Three. Some longer.Most buyers scroll right past them, assuming something’s wrong with the house. But that instinct could be costing you, since the longer a home sits, the...
Is It Still a Seller’s Market? Here’s What the Data Says.
Remember a few years back when sellers held all the power and buyers were stuck offering way over asking or waiving inspections just to get a chance at the house? In many markets, those days are behind us.While it’s going to vary by area, more metros are slowly...
Think Home Prices Will Crash? Here’s What the Experts Actually Expect.
One of the biggest reasons buyers are still sitting on the sidelines is because they think home prices are going to come down.Some believe a crash is coming and they'll get a better deal if they hold off.Others worry they'll buy now and watch their home's value fall...
Should You Pay for Your Buyer’s Closing Costs? What Sellers Need To Know.
A few years ago, sellers could get away with saying "no" to just about everything. No repairs.No concessions.No negotiation.If buyers wanted the house, they pretty much had to take it on the seller's terms. But now that inventory’s grown, negotiations are becoming a...
Two Big Reasons To Move This Summer
A lot of people who want to move are telling themselves the same thing: "Maybe I'll just wait until later this year once things calm down." While waiting sounds like a good plan, there's something worth knowing before you decide. Rates aren’t expected to change much,...
Lower Asking Prices Are a Win for Today’s Buyers
If affordability has been the biggest thing standing between you and a home, there's a little good news. Asking prices have started to come down.The typical seller listed their house for a median of $429,500 in May. That’s 2.4% lower than a year ago, according to...
Could Moving a Bit Further Out Change Everything About Your Budget?
Whether you're dreaming about buying your first home or wondering if it’s time to move on from the one you're in, affordability is probably weighing on your mind. Home prices are still high in many markets, and even though things have improved a bit over the past...
What Rising Inflation Means for Your Move
Data shows inflation is moving in the wrong direction. But before the headlines send anyone into a panic, here's what's actually going on, why it matters for the housing market, and what it means if you're thinking about buying or selling.Inflation Went Up – Here’s...
The Mid-Year Housing Market Update: Why Forecasts Changed in 2026
If the housing market feels confusing right now, you’re not alone.Mortgage rates have risen. Home sales haven't picked up like expected. And many buyers and sellers are wondering when things are going to feel easier or be more affordable.The truth is: a lot changed...
Less House, More Home: Why Smaller Homes Are Paying Off for Today’s Buyers
You started shopping with a specific mental image of your future home in your mind. Then the houses in your budget came in smaller than you pictured.That’s the reality for a lot of buyers right now. Affordability is tight.But don’t let that discourage you. Going...
The Real Reason Some People Are Still Moving Right Now
You may be telling yourself you’re going to wait to move – maybe you’re hoping mortgage rates will come down, prices will fall, or the market will feel a little easier.And honestly? A lot of people feel that way right now. But here’s what some are starting to...
The Truth About Affordability Today
Let's be real with each other for a second about affordability. Because you deserve someone who will be honest and transparent about what’s going on, especially if you’ve got a move on your mind.Here’s the full picture of what’s happening and why. The good – and the...
What Most Veterans Don’t Know About Their VA Home Loan Benefit
Nearly half of Veterans (49%) feel homeownership is currently out of reach, according to a recent survey from NewDay USA.But many are closer than they think. And you might be, too.If you’re a Veteran, you probably know the Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan benefit...