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 Latest Mortgage Rate Forecasts
Some HighlightsIf you’re tempted to delay your move in hope that mortgage rates will come down, you may want to rethink that strategy based on the latest forecast.Experts say mortgage rates are projected to stay in the 6s this year. So don’t expect a big drop.If you...
Don’t Make These Mistakes When Selling Your House
Are you thinking about selling your house? Some common mistakes today can make the process more stressful or even cost you money.Fortunately, they’re easy to avoid, as long as you know what to watch for. Let’s break down the biggest seller slip-ups, and how an agent...
Why a Newly Built Home Might Be the Move Right Now
Are you looking for better home prices, or even a lower mortgage rate? You might find both in one place: a newly built home. While many buyers are overlooking new construction, it could be your best opportunity in today’s market. Here’s why.There are more brand-new...
Mortgage Rates Are Stabilizing – How That Helps Today’s Buyers
Over the past few years, affordability has been the biggest challenge for homebuyers. Between rapidly rising home prices and higher mortgage rates, many have felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.But, something pretty encouraging is happening. While affordability...
The 5-Year Rule for Home Prices
Some HighlightsIf recent home price headlines have you feeling worried, here’s some perspective.Home values almost always go up in the long run. And the long-term gains offset any short-term dips. Basically, if you plan to live there for 5 or more years, you should...
The Advice First-Time Homebuyers Need To Hear
Buying your first home is a big milestone – and the right support is going to make it a whole lot easier.Because while this process might be brand new to you, it’s not new to your agent. They’ve helped plenty of first-time buyers through it. They know what works, what...
The Truth About Where Home Prices Are Heading
There are plenty of headlines these days calling for a housing market crash. But the truth is, they’re not telling the full story. Here’s what’s actually happening, and what the experts project for home prices over the next 5 years. And spoiler alert – it’s not a...
Selling and Buying at the Same Time? Here’s What You Need To Know
If you're a homeowner planning to move, you're probably wondering what the process is going to look like and what you should tackle first:Is it better to start by finding your next home? Or should you sell your current house before you go out looking? Ultimately,...
Should You Buy a Vacation Home?
Some HighlightsNow that summer’s here, you may be planning your next getaway. But what if you didn’t have to? Buying a vacation home means having a built-in escape you can use year after year. It gives you the chance to generate rental income and have a go-to...
What You Should Know About Getting a Mortgage Today
If you’ve been putting off buying a home because you thought getting approved would be too hard, know this: qualifying for a mortgage is starting to get a bit more achievable, but lending standards are still strong.Lenders are making it slightly easier for...
Think No One’s Buying Homes Right Now? Think Again.
If you’ve seen headlines saying home sales are down compared to last year, you might be thinking – is it even a good time to sell? Here’s the thing. Sure, the pace of the market has cooled compared to the frenzy we saw just a few years ago, but that’s not a red flag....
Why Big Investors Aren’t a Challenge for Today’s Homebuyer
Remember the chatter in the headlines about all the homes big institutional investors were buying? If you were thinking about buying a home yourself, you may have wondered how you’d ever be able to compete with that. Here’s the thing. That’s not the challenge so many...
Top 5 Reasons To Hire a Real Estate Agent When You Sell
Some HighlightsThe right agent doesn’t just list your house – they help you sell smarter, faster, and with fewer surprises.With an agent’s help, you’ll know what’s happening in your local market and how to price your house right. You’ll feel confident filling out...
Multi-Generational Homebuying Hit a Record High – Here’s Why
Multi-generational living is on the rise. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 17% of homebuyers purchase a home to share with parents, adult children, or extended family. That’s the highest share ever recorded by NAR (see graph below):And what’s...
What Every Homeowner Needs To Know In Today’s Shifting Market
Here’s something you need to know. The housing market is getting back to a healthier, more normal place. And even though it may not sound like it, this shift is actually a good thing.It’s what you should expect. It’s just that our expectations have been skewed by the...
Think It’s Better To Wait for a Recession Before You Move? Think Again.
Fear of a recession is back in the headlines. And if you’re thinking about buying or selling sometime soon, that may leave you wondering if you should reconsider the timing of your move.A recent survey by John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current...
Why Your Home’s Asking Price Matters More Today
Some HighlightsA growing number of homeowners are overestimating today’s market. And that’s why the number of sellers dropping their price is back at normal levels.A lot of the time this is happening because they’re not paying attention to current conditions. The...
Why Homeownership Is Going To Be Worth It
Life can feel a bit unpredictable these days. What’s happening with inflation? The economy? The housing market? But in the middle of all that uncertainty, there’s one thing a lot of people still crave – a place to call their own.Because when everything else feels up...
3 Reasons To Buy a Home This Summer
Are you thinking about buying a home, but not sure if now’s the right time? A lot of people are waiting and wondering what the market’s going to do next. But here’s something only the savviest buyers realize:This summer might actually be the best time to buy in years....
Why More Sellers Are Choosing To Move, Even with Today’s Rates
It’s hard to let go of a 3% mortgage rate. There’s no question about it. It’s the main reason why so many homeowners have delayed their move in recent years. But here’s something to consider.While your low rate might be ideal, it doesn’t make up being too cramped,...
What You Really Need To Know About Down Payments
Some HighlightsThere’s a misconception going around that you have to put 20% of the purchase price down when you buy a home. But the truth is, many people don’t put down that much unless they’re trying to make their offer more competitive.And if you want to give your...
Why Most Sellers Hire Real Estate Agents Today
Selling your house without an agent as a “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO) may be something you’ve considered. But you should know that, in today’s shifting market, more homeowners are deciding that’s just not worth the risk.According to the latest data from the National...
You May Have Enough Equity To Downsize and Buy Your Next House in Cash
Some HighlightsHave you been holding off on downsizing? If so, you should know your equity could make your move possible.Homeowners today have so much equity that a record number are buying their next house in all cash. And that has some big benefits like making their...
Your House Didn’t Sell. Here’s What To Do Now.
When your house doesn’t sell, it doesn’t just feel frustrating – it feels personal. You put time, money, and emotional energy into this move. You told your friends and family it was happening. And now that your listing has expired without a buyer? You’re left feeling...