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.
The Biggest Perks of Buying a Home This Winter
Waiting for perfect market conditions often means missing out. Because what you may not realize is, if you’re ready and able to buy, this time of year could actually give you an edge. Here’s why. As the weather cools down, the housing market can too – and that works...
More Starter Homes Are Hitting the Market
More entry-level homes – also known as starter homes – are popping up on the market. And after several years with very few homes available to buy and prices rising, there are finally some more options for first-time buyers.Inventory Is Increasing – Especially at Lower...
Only an Expert Agent Can Give You an Accurate Value of Your Home
In today’s digital age, it’s tempting to rely on automated tools for everything — including figuring out how much your house is worth. But be careful. The automated estimates you’re seeing online often miss key details that affect the true market value of your...
The Top 2 Reasons To Look at Newly Built Homes
When planning a move, a newly built home might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But with more brand-new homes on the market and builders focusing on smaller, more affordable options, this type of home may just be the key to crossing the homebuying finish...
Why Moving to a More Affordable Area Makes Sense
Moving to a more affordable area could be the fresh start you need to get ahead financially. While some markets are certainly more affordable than others, know that working with a trusted real estate agent to find what fits your budget and your desired location – no...
What Will It Take for Prices To Come Down?
You may be wondering if home prices are going to crash. And believe it or not, some people might even be hoping this happens so they can finally purchase a more affordable home. But experts agree that's not what's in the cards – and here's why.There are more people...
Why More Sellers Are Hiring Real Estate Agents
Putting your house for sale on your own – often called “For Sale by Owner” or FSBO – might be on your mind. But you should know that it gets complicated very quickly, especially in today’s complex market.That’s why data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR)...
Why This Winter Is the Sweet Spot for Selling
Some HighlightsThinking about selling your house? Here are a few reasons why you may want to do it this season.Buyers looking right now are serious about moving and the number of homes for sale is typically lower this time of year – helping your house stand out.While...
Why Owning a Home Is Worth It in the Long Run
Today’s mortgage rates and home prices may have you second-guessing whether it's still a good idea to buy a home right now. While market factors are definitely important, there’s also a bigger picture to consider: the long-term benefits of homeownership. Think of it...
When Will Mortgage Rates Come Down?
One of the biggest questions on everyone’s minds right now is: when will mortgage rates come down? After several years of rising rates and a lot of bouncing around in 2024, we’re all eager for some relief.While no one can project where rates will go with complete...
Sell Your House During the Winter Sweet Spot
A lot of people assume spring is the ideal time to sell a house. And sure, buyer demand usually picks up at that time of year. But here’s the catch: so does your competition because a lot of people put their homes on the market at the same time.So, what’s the real...
Should You Sell Your House As-Is or Make Repairs?
A recent study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows most sellers (61%) completed at least minor repairs when selling their house. But sometimes life gets in the way and that’s just not possible. Maybe that’s why, 39% of sellers chose to sell as-is...
Investors Are Not Buying Up All the Homes
Some HighlightsThere’s a misconception Wall Street is buying all the homes on the market. But data proves that isn’t true.Experts agree the share of homes bought by investors is declining – and most are smaller investors, like your neighbor who owns a second home,...
Make Your House the Top Thing on Every Buyer’s Wish List This Season
With the holidays right around the corner, homeowners planning to move have a decision to make: sell now or wait? Some may even consider taking their house off the market until next spring. But is that the best choice? Because at this time of year, your home can...
Control the Controllables If You’re Worried About Mortgage Rates
Chances are you’re hearing a lot about mortgage rates right now, and all you really want to hear is that they’re coming back down. And if you’ve seen headlines about the early November Federal Funds Rate cut by the Federal Reserve (The Fed), maybe you got hopeful...
How Co-Buying a Home Helps with Affordability Today
Buying a home in today’s market can feel like an uphill battle – especially with home prices and mortgage rates putting pressure on your budget. If you’re feeling stuck, co-buying could be one way to help you get your foot in the door. Freddie Mac says:“If you are an...
Why Today’s Mortgage Debt Isn’t a Sign of a Housing Market Crash
One major reason why we’re not heading toward a foreclosure crisis is the high level of equity homeowners have today. Unlike in the last housing bubble, where many homeowners owed more than their homes were worth, today’s homeowners have far more equity than...
How To Get Your House Ready To Sell in 2025
Some HighlightsIf you’re planning to list your house in 2025, it’s already time to start working on any repairs. But where do you start?Your local agent will be able to help you prioritize projects that will help you get the best return on your investment and appeal...
Don’t Miss Out on the Growing Number of Down Payment Assistance Programs
With rising home prices and volatile mortgage rates, it’s important you know about every resource that could help make buying a home possible. And one thing you’ll want to be aware of is just how much the number of down payment assistance (DPA) programs has grown...
What’s Behind Today’s Mortgage Rate Volatility?
If you’ve been keeping an eye on mortgage rates lately, you might feel like you’re on a roller coaster ride. One day rates are up; the next they dip down a bit. So, what’s driving this constant change? Let’s dive into just a few of the major reasons why we’re seeing...
Is Wall Street Really Buying All the Homes?
Let’s be real – buying a home right now is tough. You’re scrolling through listings, rushing to open houses, and maybe even losing out to more competitive offers. Somewhere along the way, you might’ve heard the reason it’s so hard to find a home is because big Wall...
Don’t Let These Two Concerns Hold You Back from Selling Your House
If you’re debating whether or not you want to sell right now, it might be because you’ve got some unanswered questions, like if moving really makes sense in today’s market. Maybe you’re wondering if it’s even a good idea to move right now. Or you’re stressed because...
The Big Difference Between Renter and Homeowner Net Worth
Some HighlightsIf you’re torn between renting or buying, don’t forget to factor in the wealth-building power of homeownership.Unlike renters, homeowners gain equity as they pay their mortgage and as home values rise. That’s why, on average, a homeowner’s net worth is...
Should You Sell Your House or Rent It Out?
When you’re ready to move, figuring out what to do with your house is a big decision. And today, more homeowners are considering renting their home instead of selling it. Recent data from Zillow shows about two-thirds (66%) of sellers thought about renting their home...