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.
How Much Does It Cost To Sell My House?
If you’re toying with the idea of selling your house, you’re probably wondering how much it’ll cost. To be honest, the final number will depend on several factors like the offer you accept, if you help with your buyer’s closing costs, how many repairs you tackle, and...
Two Reasons Why the Housing Market Won’t Crash
You may have heard chatter recently about the economy and talk about a possible recession. It's no surprise that kind of noise gets some people worried about a housing market crash. Maybe you’re one of them. But here’s the good news – there’s no need to panic. The...
Why Now’s Not the Time To Take Your House Off the Market
Has your house been sitting on the market longer than expected? If so, you’re bound to be frustrated by now. Maybe you’re even thinking it’s time to pull the listing and wait to see what 2025 brings. But what you may not realize is, the decision to hold off could...
Now’s the Time To Upgrade to Your Dream Home
If you’ve been wanting to sell your house and move up to a bigger or nicer home, you’re not alone. A recent Inman survey reveals the top motivator for today’s homebuyers is the desire for more space or an upgraded home (see graph below):But there’s also a good chance...
The Top 3 Reasons Affordability Is Improving
Some HighlightsAffordability is based on three key factors: mortgage rates, home prices, and wages.And today, it’s improving quickly as rates come down, prices level off, and wages climb. If you put your search on pause because it was too expensive to buy, connect...
Home Values Rise Even as Median Prices Fall
Recent headlines have been buzzing about the median asking price of homes dropping compared to last year, and that’s sparked plenty of confusion. And as a buyer or seller, it’s easy to assume that means prices are coming down. But here’s the catch: those numbers don’t...
Secrets To Selling Your House Quickly
Seeing your house sit on the market without any bites is the ultimate frustration. And unfortunately, some sellers are in that tricky spot today.According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average time a house spends on the market has...
This Is the Sweet Spot Homebuyers Have Been Waiting For
After months of sitting on the sidelines, many homebuyers who were priced out by high mortgage rates and affordability challenges finally have an opportunity to make their move. With rates trending down, today’s market is a sweet spot for buyers—and it’s one that may...
Buying Beats Renting in 22 Major U.S. Cities
That’s right—according to a recent study from Zillow, in 22 of the 50 largest metro areas, monthly mortgage payments are now lower than rent payments (see chart below):As mortgage rates have eased off their recent peak, home prices have moderated, and inventory has...
Buy Now, or Wait?
Some HighlightsIf you’re wondering if you should buy now or wait, here’s what you need to know. If you wait for rates to drop more, you’ll have to deal with more competition and higher prices as additional buyers jump back in. But if you buy now, you’d get ahead of...
Don’t Fall for These Real Estate Agent Myths
When it’s time to buy or sell a home, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is who you’ll work with as your agent. That choice will have an impact on your entire experience and how smoothly it goes.As you figure out who you’ll partner with, it’s important to...
Why Buying Now May Be Worth It in the Long Run
Should you buy a home now or should you wait? That’s a question a lot of people have these days. And while what’s right for you is going to depend on a lot of different factors, here’s something you’ll want to consider as you make your decision.As soon as you buy,...
The Down Payment Assistance You Didn’t Know About
Believe it or not, almost 80% of first-time homebuyers qualify for down payment assistance, but only 13% actually use it. And if you’re hoping to buy a home, this is a mission-critical gap to close – fast (see graph below):Here’s what you need to know to make the most...
Is Your House Priced Too High?
Every seller wants to get their house sold quickly, for as much money as they can, with as few headaches as possible. And chances are, you’re no different.But did you know one of the biggest things that could jeopardize your success is the asking price for your home?...
Lower Mortgage Rates Boost Your Buying Power
Some HighlightsMortgage rates are trending down and that’s great news for your bottom line.As rates drop, your monthly payment on your next home does too. Even a small change in mortgage rates can have a big impact on your purchasing power.If you put your search on...
Falling Mortgage Rates Are Bringing Buyers Back
If you’ve been hesitant to list your house because you’re worried no one’s buying, here’s your sign it may be time to talk with an agent.After months of high rates keeping buyers on the sidelines, things are starting to shift. Rates are already coming down due to a...
The Latest Builder Trend: Smaller, Less Expensive Homes
Even though affordability is improving, buying a home can still feel tough right now. But here’s some good news: builders are focusing their efforts on building smaller homes, and they’re offering key incentives to buyers. And both of these things can be a big help if...
Mortgage Rates Drop to Lowest Level in over a Year and a Half
Mortgage rates have hit their lowest point in over a year and a half. And that’s big news if you’ve been sitting on the homebuying sidelines waiting for this moment.Even a small decline in rates could help you get a better monthly payment than you would expect on your...
The Best Time To Buy a Home This Year
A shift is underway in the housing market this season. And if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right moment to jump back into your homebuying search, this is a great time to do it. That’s because the best week to buy a home this year is just around...
Checklist for Getting Your House Ready To Sell
Some HighlightsGetting your house ready to sell? Here’s a few tips on what you may want to do to prepare.Focus on making it inviting, showing it’s cared for, and boosting your curb appeal.If you want specific advice to help your house stand out in your local market,...
What To Know About Closing Costs
Now that you’ve decided to buy a home and are ready to make it happen, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the costs that are a typical part of the homebuying process. And while your down payment is probably the number one expense on your mind, don't forget about...
The Real Story Behind What’s Happening with Home Prices
If you’re wondering what’s going on with home prices lately, you’re definitely not the only one. With so much information out there, it can be hard to figure out your next move.As a buyer, you might be worried about paying more than you should. And if you're thinking...
Why Pre-Approval Should Be at the Top of Your Homebuying To-Do List
Since the supply of homes for sale is growing and mortgage rates are coming down, you may be thinking it’s finally your moment to jump into the market. To make sure you’re ready, you need to get pre-approved for a mortgage. That’s when a lender looks at your finances,...
The Surprising Amount of Home Equity You’ve Gained over the Years
There are a number of reasons you may be thinking about selling your house. And as you weigh your options, you may find you’re unsure how you’re going to deal with one thing about today’s housing market – and that’s affordability. If that’s your biggest concern,...