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.
Unpacking the Long-Term Benefits of Homeownership
If you’re thinking about buying a home soon, higher mortgage rates, rising home prices, and ongoing affordability concerns may make you wonder if it still makes sense to buy a home right now. While those market factors are important, there's more to consider. You...
![Explaining Today’s Low Housing Supply [INFOGRAPHIC]](https://housingcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Explaining-Todays-Low-Housing-Supply-KCM-Share-400x250.png)
Explaining Today’s Low Housing Supply [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some HighlightsWondering why the supply of homes for sale is limited today? There are a few factors at play.Lack of building over time, the mortgage rate lock-in effect, and people staying in their houses longer are three of the main reasons why supply is low.But real...
Why Your House Didn’t Sell
If your listing expired and your house didn’t sell, you’re likely feeling a little frustrated. Not to mention, you're also probably wondering what went wrong. Here are three questions to think about as you figure out what to do next.Did You Limit Access to Your...
Why Today’s Housing Inventory Shows a Crash Isn’t on the Horizon
You might remember the housing crash in 2008, even if you didn't own a home at the time. If you’re worried there’s going to be a repeat of what happened back then, there's good news – the housing market now is different from 2008.One important reason is there aren't...
The Return of Normal Seasonality for Home Price Appreciation
If you’re thinking of making a move, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? Despite what you may be hearing in the news, nationally, home prices aren’t falling. It’s just that price growth is beginning to...
Beginning with Pre-Approval
If you’re looking to buy a home this fall, there are a few things you need to know. Affordability is tight with today’s mortgage rates and rising home prices. At the same time, there’s a limited number of homes on the market right now and that’s creating some...
![How Remote Work Helps with Your House Hunt [INFOGRAPHIC]](https://housingcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/How-Remote-Work-Helps-with-Your-House-Hunt-KCM-Share-400x250.png)
How Remote Work Helps with Your House Hunt [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some HighlightsWhile remote work peaked during the pandemic, many people still work from home today.If you’re one of them, it could have an unexpected benefit when you’re looking to buy a home.If you can work from home, you might have more choices for where to live....
The Many Non-Financial Benefits of Homeownership
Buying and owning your own home can have a big impact on your life. While there are financial reasons to become a homeowner, it's essential to think about the non-financial benefits that make a home more than just a place to live.Here are some of the top non-financial...
Remote Work Is Changing How Some Buyers Search for Their Dream Homes
The way Americans work has changed in recent years, and remote work is at the forefront of this shift. Experts say it’ll continue to be popular for years to come and project that 36.2 million Americans will be working remotely by 2025. To give you some perspective,...
Your Home Equity Can Offset Affordability Challenges
Are you thinking about selling your house? If so, today’s mortgage rates may be making you wonder if that’s the right decision. Some homeowners are reluctant to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate on their next home. If you’re worried about this too, know that...
Are More Homes Coming onto the Market?
An important factor shaping today’s market is the number of homes for sale. And, if you’re considering whether or not to list your house, that’s one of the biggest advantages you have right now. When housing inventory is this low, your house will stand out, especially...
![Plenty of Buyers Are Still Active Today [INFOGRAPHIC]](https://housingcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Plenty-of-Buyers-Are-Still-Active-Today-KCM-Share-400x250.png)
Plenty of Buyers Are Still Active Today [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some HighlightsHolding off on selling your house because you believe there aren’t any buyers out there?Data shows buyers are still active, even with higher mortgage rates. This goes to show, people still want to buy homes, and those who can are moving now.Don’t delay...
Why Is Housing Inventory So Low?
One question that’s top of mind if you’re thinking about making a move today is: Why is it so hard to find a house to buy? And while it may be tempting to wait it out until you have more options, that’s probably not the best strategy. Here’s why.There aren’t enough...
Should Baby Boomers Buy or Rent After Selling Their Houses?
Are you a baby boomer who’s lived in your current house for a long time and you’re ready for a change? If you’re thinking about selling your house, you have a lot to consider. Will you move to a different state or stay nearby? Is it time to downsize or do you want...
What Experts Project for Home Prices Over the Next 5 Years
If you're planning to buy a home, one thing to consider is what experts project home prices will do in the future and how that might affect your investment. While you may have seen negative news over the past year about home prices, they’re doing far better than...
Planning to Retire? Your Equity Can Help You Make a Move
Reaching retirement is a significant milestone in life, bringing with it a lot of change and new opportunities. As the door to this exciting chapter opens, one thing you may be considering is selling your house and finding a home better suited for your evolving...
![Home Price Forecasts Revised for 2023 [INFOGRAPHIC]](https://housingcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Home-Price-Forecasts-Revised-for-2023-KCM-Share-400x250.png)
Home Price Forecasts Revised for 2023 [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some HighlightsLast year, some housing experts projected a decline in home prices by the end of 2023. But that didn’t happen – inventory was just too low.While it’s normal for experts to re-forecast throughout the year, the good news for 2023 is that prices are no...
Get Ready for Smaller, More Affordable Homes
Have you been trying to buy a home, but higher mortgage rates and home prices are limiting your options? If so, here’s some good news – based on what Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at Zonda, has to say – smaller, more affordable homes are on the way:“Buyers should expect...
Mortgage Rates: Past, Present, and Possible Future
If you’re hoping to buy a home this year, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates. Since mortgage rates impact what you can afford when you take out a home loan – and affordability is a challenge today – it’s a good time to look at the big picture of...
Expert Home Price Forecasts Revised Up for 2023
Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023. That led to a lot of fear and questions about whether there was going to be a repeat of the housing crash that happened back in 2008. But the...
Why It’s Still a Seller’s Market Today
Even though activity in the housing market has slowed from the frenzy that was the ‘unicorn’ years, it’s still a seller’s market because the supply of homes for sale is so low. But what does that really mean for you? And why are conditions today so good if you want to...
![Homeowners Have a Lot of Equity Right Now [INFOGRAPHIC]](https://housingcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/20230901-Homeowners-Have-a-Lot-of-Equity-Right-Now-KCM-Share-400x250.png)
Homeowners Have a Lot of Equity Right Now [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some HighlightsYour equity grows as you pay down your home loan and as home prices increase. With home prices rising again, your equity is getting an extra boost.Almost half of homeowners are equity rich because they have at least 50% equity in their homes. If you’ve...
How Inflation Affects the Housing Market
Have you ever wondered how inflation impacts the housing market? Believe it or not, they’re connected. Whenever there are changes to one, both are affected. Here’s a high-level overview of the connection between the two.The Relationship Between Housing Inflation and...
Buyer Traffic Is Still Stronger than the Norm
Are you putting off selling your house because you’re worried no one’s buying because of where mortgage rates are? If so, know this: the latest data shows plenty of buyers are still out there, and they’re purchasing homes today. Here’s the data to prove it.The...