Tag: housing market (Page 1 of 6)

Home Prices Just Ticked Down for the First Time in 3 Years. Is Fall Still a Window?

November 2, 2026 / Tom Bonetto / 0 Comments

For the first time in more than three years, U.S. home prices have recorded a year-over-year decline.

For prospective homebuyers who have been waiting on the sidelines, this could be an encouraging development.

The decline comes as mortgage rates remain elevated, buyer demand weakens, and sellers face a housing market that looks very different from the bidding wars of just a few years ago.

Home Prices Are Finally Showing Signs of Weakness

According to an October 29 report from Redfin, the median home-sale price fell to $389,601, down 0.1% from a year earlier. That may not sound like much, but it’s a meaningful shift after years of steadily rising home prices.

But let’s keep things in perspective. A 0.1% decline doesn’t mean home values are suddenly collapsing, nor does it mean every market is experiencing falling prices. In fact, Redfin’s separate Home Price Index showed prices still increasing in September.

However, the latest weekly sales data suggests that the balance of power may be shifting. The bigger story isn’t necessarily that home prices are falling. It’s that buyers are gaining negotiating leverage they haven’t enjoyed in years.

And as we head deeper into the fall season, that leverage could translate into some meaningful opportunities.

Rising Inventory Is Giving Buyers More Choices

One of the most important developments in today’s housing market is the growing number of homes available for sale. Redfin reports that active listings increased 2.2% compared with a year earlier, with approximately 1.51 million homes on the market nationally.

Meanwhile, pending home sales have fallen sharply, declining nearly 16% year over year. With fewer buyers competing for available properties, homes are taking longer to sell.

The typical home now spends approximately 50 days on the market, and more than 21% of sellers have reduced their asking prices. Those are encouraging numbers for buyers who remember when homes were selling within days, often with multiple offers.

This is particularly interesting because fall has traditionally been a slower season for real estate. Families with school-age children have generally completed their moves, the spring and summer buying rush is over, and some sellers become increasingly motivated to complete a transaction before the holidays or year-end.

A home that’s been sitting on the market for 60 or 90 days may present a very different negotiating opportunity than one that was listed yesterday. Sellers who need to relocate, have already purchased another property, or simply want to move on may be more willing to consider offers they would have rejected earlier in the year.

Of course, local conditions matter enormously, but buyers willing to do their homework may find some excellent opportunities.

The Best Negotiation May Not Be a Lower Price

Here’s something I frequently discuss with my mortgage clients: Negotiating a lower purchase price isn’t always the smartest financial move. Sometimes, asking the seller to contribute toward your closing costs or a mortgage rate buydown can provide a greater immediate financial benefit.

For example, imagine purchasing a $450,000 home. Rather than negotiating a $10,000 reduction in the purchase price, you might ask the seller for a $10,000 closing-cost credit. Depending on your loan program and financing structure, those funds could potentially cover much of your closing costs, reduce the cash you need at closing, or help you obtain a lower mortgage interest rate.

A $10,000 price reduction on a 30-year mortgage might save only about $60 per month, depending on the down payment and interest rate. A well-structured seller concession could provide considerably more immediate value.

There are other negotiating opportunities worth exploring, too. Buyers can request repairs following a home inspection, negotiate for appliances or other personal property, ask for a home warranty, or seek flexibility with closing dates.

And don’t overlook new construction! Builders with completed inventory may be particularly motivated to offer incentives, including closing-cost assistance, upgrades, and mortgage rate buydowns. The key is understanding which concessions deliver the greatest financial benefit for your particular circumstances.

An experienced real estate agent working alongside a knowledgeable mortgage professional can help you evaluate those options before you submit an offer.

Should You Buy This Fall or Wait for Better Conditions?

That’s the question many prospective homebuyers are asking, especially with mortgage rates remaining stubbornly high.

According to Redfin’s latest report, the average weekly mortgage rate was approximately 7.32%, and the typical buyer’s monthly mortgage payment was $2,786. Affordability remains a genuine challenge, and there’s no guarantee that rates or home prices will decline significantly in the coming months.

But consider the other side of the equation: if mortgage rates eventually fall enough to bring more buyers back into the market, today’s negotiating advantages could disappear.

More competition could mean fewer seller concessions, fewer price reductions, and potentially higher purchase prices. The ideal buying opportunity isn’t necessarily when mortgage rates are at their lowest. It may be when you can negotiate the best overall financial arrangement.

My advice is to focus less on trying to predict the perfect moment to buy and more on determining whether today’s market can work to your advantage.

If you find the right home, can comfortably afford the payment, and negotiate favorable terms, buying this fall could make excellent financial sense. And if mortgage rates improve in the future, refinancing may provide an opportunity to reduce your payment further, although refinancing is never guaranteed.

In Conclusion

As The Lending Coach, my job isn’t simply to help you obtain a mortgage. It’s to help you understand your options, structure your financing intelligently, and make decisions that support your long-term financial goals.

If you’re considering purchasing a home this fall, let’s talk about how we can use today’s changing housing market to your advantage.

Whether you’re purchasing your first home, moving into another property, or looking to expand your real estate investment portfolio, I can help you evaluate the numbers and identify the financing strategy that makes the most sense.

And sometimes, the right mortgage strategy can help turn a challenging real estate market into a valuable opportunity.

Reach out to me directly—I’d be happy to go over the specifics to help you figure out the best plan of action.

As always, you can set up an appointment with me here…

The blog postings on this site represent the positions, strategies or opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the positions, strategies or opinions of Starlight Mortgage. Each loan is subject to underwriter final approval. All information, loan programs, interest rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Always consult an accountant or tax advisor for full eligibility requirements on tax deductions.

Should I Wait for Mortgage Rates to Drop Before Buying a Home? – Navigating Home Buying in a Mid-6% Interest Rate Market

August 24, 2026 / Tom Bonetto

There’s a lot of energy right now in the media and the real estate world around one question: How do you navigate buying and selling homes (primary residences, second homes, or investment properties) when interest rates are in the mid-6s?

The most common version of that question is: “Should I wait for rates to come down?” The underlying assumption seems plain — lower rates mean lower cost on the loan…but it’s truly not that simple.

I’ve covered this topic before in podcasts and blog posts, but the conversation keeps coming up, so I want to dig into it with a real-world example and some clear numbers.

A Quick but Important Disclaimer

The interest rates I use below are samples only. I am not advertising them, not suggesting they are available today, and not inviting anyone to call me expecting these exact rates. They are simply tools to illustrate how to evaluate the decision of waiting versus buying now.

I’m also using a conventional conforming 30-year fixed loan (Fannie or Freddie) with an 80% loan-to-value ratio, so there is no mortgage insurance in the example. The principles hold either way.

Why the Interest Rate Alone Is Not the Full Story

Most people focus almost exclusively on the rate. That’s understandable, but incomplete.

When I evaluate the true cost of a loan, one of the most important numbers I look at is the principal balance remaining at years 5, 7, and 10 (sometimes year 3 depending on the situation).

Why? Because it is near a statistical certainty that the average loan in the United States is retired—through sale or refinance—somewhere between years 7 and 10. Very few people take a 30-year mortgage all the way to term.

During those early years, the vast majority of each payment is interest. Lenders know this. Most of the public does not.

If we accept that the loan will likely be refinanced or paid off in that window, then the remaining principal balance becomes a critical part of the overall cost equation.

The question is not simply “What is my payment for the next few years?” It is “How do I own this home in the shortest effective duration possible?”

A Concrete Example

Let’s assume a $500,000 home with 20% down—a $400,000 loan.

Buy today at a sample rate of 6.75%. Five years later, the remaining principal balance is approximately $375,503.

Now suppose your gut tells you rates will drop by half a percentage point within a year to 6.25%. You wait.

In that year, the home appreciates 3% (I’ll address appreciation in a moment), so the new purchase price requires a loan of about $412,000.

Buy one year from now at 6.25%. Five years after that purchase (six years from today), the remaining principal balance is approximately $384,549.

From a principal-balance perspective alone, you would have been better off buying today at the higher rate.

What About Home Appreciation?

Across the country, the best current estimates for national average home-price appreciation this year land somewhere in the 1.5%–3% range. Prices have been relatively stable and continue to rise in many markets.

Are there neighborhoods where values are flat or declining? Absolutely—especially certain pockets inside large metropolitan areas. That is why you need a strong real estate agent who can speak in numbers, not just anecdotes. Ask them:

What has this specific property or neighborhood done historically?
What do the data suggest for the next 12 months?

Historically, year-over-year depreciation is rare, but it can happen. Even if you believe values will decline, a competent lender can run the same model with a negative appreciation assumption so you can see the math clearly.

Other Costs That Often Matter More Than the Rate

Waiting for rates also means giving up the negotiating environment we have today. Inventories have improved. The market is slower. Sellers are more willing to offer concessions. Competitive bidding is far less intense than it was a few years ago.

Here’s a practical tip many buyers overlook:

If a seller offers, say, $10,000 in concessions, in many cases, the smarter move is not to use that money to buy down the rate. Instead, have the seller cover a large portion of your closing costs, take a slightly higher rate from the lender (which generates a lender credit), and then use the net cash advantage to increase your down payment or shorten the term while keeping the payment roughly the same.

If you still believe rates will fall later, this approach can leave you in a stronger position to refinance. The decision is nuanced. A blanket “I’m waiting for rates to drop” is, in many (if not most) cases, a costly gut-level choice rather than an analytical one.

happy couple holding and showing a house key

What You Should Do Next

Mortgage and real-estate decisions are subtle. They require a team that can run the numbers.

Work with a real estate agent who can discuss both experience and data on current values, historical performance, and reasonable expectations for the next year.
Work with a lender who can build simple but solid models that incorporate rate scenarios, appreciation (or depreciation), remaining principal balances, closing-cost credits, and term options.

If your lender cannot or will not do that kind of math, find one who will. In a higher-rate environment, the analytical work becomes more important, not less.

When rates were 2.75%, the risk profile was different. Rates in the mid-6s still demand clear-eyed analysis alongside gut feel.

Let’s Talk

I hope this discussion helps you think more clearly about the true cost of waiting.

If you’re trying to figure out whether a particular house or refinance makes sense in this market, do contact me. I’m happy to run the numbers, walk through the trade-offs, and help you see the full picture.

Reach out to me directly—I’d love to talk strategy and explore how we can best take advantage of market conditions to help you succeed.

As always, you can set up an appointment with me here…

Mortgage Affordability in 2026: 7 Things You Can Control Before Buying a Home

July 28, 2026 / Tom Bonetto

Lately I’ve been getting the same question in conversations with clients: “Tom, how do we make housing affordable right now?”

It’s late July 2026. The first half of the year has been tough. Things looked a little better late last year and into January, but affordability remains the dominant conversation.

I wanted to address it directly—first the things none of us control, then the things you can control starting today.

A Quick Word on Perspective

Before we dig in, let’s hold two-time horizons at once.

In the long run I do believe rates are coming down. If that’s true, today’s payment is not necessarily your permanent payment. You can refinance later, shorten the term, or increase principal payments as your income and circumstances improve.

Short-term affordability and long-term affordability are related, but they are not the same calculation. Keep both in view.

The Things You Can’t Control About Affordability

When elected officials and media talk about “making housing more affordable,” I have to be honest—I often shake my head. Not because the problem isn’t real, but because the solutions they discuss rarely touch the actual cost drivers.

Property Taxes – A perpetual tax on an asset you already own and paid for with after-tax dollars is a strange policy. The property-tax structure is one of the biggest levers on true housing cost. If we were serious about affordability, this would be near the top of the list.
Capital Gains – At the federal level (and in many states) the tax friction on selling a property keeps inventory locked up. Reform here would increase supply and improve market function.
Over-Regulation of the Mortgage Industry – Yes, we need regulation. I am not arguing for a return to the pre-2008 environment. But the compliance burden that landed on mortgage companies, loan officers, and investors after the financial crisis is enormous. I spend a significant amount of time and money every year simply staying compliant. Those costs do not disappear—they get passed through to the borrower in the form of higher fees and higher rates.
Third-party Fees – Eleven years ago a credit pull cost roughly $30–$35. Today it routinely runs $150 or more. Automated verification of employment can add hundreds more. On a recent closing I saw more than $500 in combined credit and VOE costs alone. That’s a roughly 320% Cost of Credit Inquiries – There is no competition or efficiency gain being forced into that system, so the borrower pays.

These are macro and structural issues. Outside of voting and advocating, most of us cannot change them overnight. So let’s talk about what you can control.

What You Can Control Right Now About Affordability

1. Get the right mortgage product—and the right structure.

Not every loan is the same. Conventional conforming (Fannie/Freddie), FHA, VA, USDA, and non-QM products all carry different cost structures, different mortgage-insurance rules, and different long-term implications. The term matters too.

A 29-year loan is almost always less expensive over the life of the loan than a 30-year loan, even though the monthly payment is slightly higher. Down-payment amount changes both rate and monthly cost.

Work with a loan officer who will run the actual numbers side-by-side instead of defaulting to the product that is easiest to sell.

2. Negotiate the contract like it matters—because it does.

Three, four, five years ago almost every contract I saw came in above asking price. Appraisals were routinely waived. Inspection items were often left unaddressed. The interest rate was low, so the payment looked affordable—but buyers were financing a higher purchase price and accepting more risk.

Today the rate is higher, which makes the payment feel harder. But I almost never see a contract without meaningful seller concessions. Appraisals are not being waived. Inspection issues are being negotiated and frequently repaired.

Those concessions can be used to pay closing costs, buy down the rate, or both. A skilled real-estate agent who knows how to structure the offer is one of the highest-leverage tools you have for affordability right now.

3. Be careful with down-payment assistance.

roll of american dollar banknotes tightened with band

These programs can be excellent for the right buyer. They can also be expensive. In eleven years I have never seen a “grant” that truly never gets paid back in some form—either through a higher rate, a second lien, or repayment on sale or refinance.

If you need the assistance to close, use it. If you don’t, the extra cost is rarely worth it. Ask your loan officer to show you the true all-in cost before you commit.

4. Master your credit profile deliberately.

I hear this story constantly: “We paid off all our credit cards so we could buy a house.” In many cases that decision does two harmful things at once—it reduces the cash available for down payment and closing costs, and it can actually lower the credit score because of how utilization and length of credit history are calculated.

I am not advocating consumer debt. I dislike it. But before you start paying things off in the name of becoming a stronger buyer, sit down with a loan officer who has access to credit simulators.

We can model the effect of paying down one card versus another, or keeping balances where they are, against your debt-to-income ratio, available cash, and the pricing of the loan. Randomly “cleaning up” credit is one of the most common self-inflicted wounds I see.

5. Build the right team and understand their incentives.

Buying or refinancing a home is a complicated transaction. The people around you matter:

A real-estate agent who can negotiate price, concessions, inspections, and timeline.
A mortgage lender who will put you in the correct product and structure—not just the one that closes fastest.
A CPA who will help you understand the tax implications.
A financial advisor who can place real estate inside your broader plan for building wealth and legacy.

Every one of those professionals has a bias. A CPA is paid to minimize taxes. A financial advisor is often compensated for assets under management. A good loan officer is paid when the loan closes.

None of that is inherently bad—just know the incentives so you can weigh the advice!

Short-Term and Long-Term Affordability

If you cannot make the payment today, do not buy the house. That is non-negotiable.

But if the payment is workable and you believe—as decades of data support—that residential real estate remains a resilient long-term asset, then you also have tools for the years ahead: refinancing when rates allow, shortening the term as income grows, and making additional principal payments.

Affordability is not only the payment on day one. It is the total cost of ownership over the time you hold the property and the equity you build along the way.

Final Thought

As The Lending Coach, I enjoy talking to people on the phone, explaining the nuances, and helping clients make decisions that support the life and legacy they actually want. Honesty, transparency, and long-term relationships are the only way this business works for me.

Reach out to me directly—I’d love to talk strategy and explore how we can best take advantage of market conditions to help you succeed.

As always, you can set up an appointment with me here…

Should You Give Up Your 3% Mortgage Rate? 5 Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask Before Deciding to Stay Put

June 9, 2026 / Tom Bonetto

Over the past several years, one phrase has become increasingly common among homeowners: “I’d love to move, but I can’t give up my mortgage rate.”

It’s an understandable concern.

Millions of homeowners purchased or refinanced their homes when mortgage rates were at historic lows, and many now enjoy rates in the 2% to 4% range.

When current mortgage rates are significantly higher, it’s easy to feel as though moving simply isn’t an option.

While a low mortgage rate is certainly valuable, it shouldn’t be the only factor driving a major life decision.

A home is more than a loan attached to a piece of property. It’s where you raise a family, work remotely, entertain friends, pursue hobbies, and build your future.

Sometimes homeowners become so focused on the rate that they lose sight of the bigger picture.

If you’ve been considering a move but feel stuck because of your current mortgage, here are five important questions worth asking before deciding to stay put.

Does Your Current Home Still Meet Your Needs?

When many homeowners purchased their current home, their lives looked very different than they do today. Perhaps you were newly married, had young children, worked in an office every day, or simply had different priorities than you have now.

Fast forward a few years, and your situation may have changed dramatically. Maybe your family has grown.

Perhaps your children are teenagers who need more space. You may now work remotely and need a dedicated home office. Or maybe you’re approaching retirement and would prefer a single-story home that better suits your future needs.

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is allowing a mortgage rate to dictate their lifestyle.

While a 3% mortgage is attractive, it doesn’t create an extra bedroom, shorten your commute, provide a larger backyard, or place you in a neighborhood that better fits your goals.

Ask yourself a simple question: If interest rates were exactly the same today as they were when I bought my current home, would I still want to move?

If the answer is yes, then your desire to move may be based on legitimate lifestyle needs rather than market conditions. The reality is that homes should support your life, not the other way around.

How Much Equity Have You Built?

Many homeowners underestimate how much equity they’ve accumulated over the past several years. Between principal reduction and home appreciation, some homeowners are sitting on a substantial amount of wealth without fully realizing it.

That equity may create opportunities that didn’t exist when you purchased your current home. A larger down payment on your next property could significantly reduce the size of your new mortgage.

stack of coins in front of a porcelain house

In some cases, homeowners are able to put down enough money to avoid mortgage insurance, lower their monthly payment, or purchase a home that better fits their needs without dramatically increasing their housing expense.

I’ve had conversations with homeowners who initially assumed moving was financially impossible because of today’s rates. After reviewing their equity position, they discovered they had far more flexibility than expected.

Equity can also provide options beyond simply purchasing another home. Some homeowners use their accumulated equity to pay off other debt, create an emergency fund, or improve their overall financial position while making a move.

The key is understanding your numbers before assuming that a higher mortgage rate automatically makes moving a bad financial decision.

Have You Compared Payments or Just Interest Rates?

This may be the most important question on the list.

Many homeowners focus almost exclusively on the interest rate itself. While rates certainly matter, the monthly payment often matters more.

A homeowner might look at a 3% mortgage and compare it to a 6.5% mortgage and immediately conclude that moving doesn’t make sense. But that comparison only tells part of the story.

What if the homeowner has enough equity to make a much larger down payment?
What if they are moving to an area with lower property taxes?
What if they can negotiate seller-paid closing costs or a mortgage rate buydown?
What if their income has increased significantly since purchasing their current home?

All of these factors can influence the overall financial impact of a move.

attentive young couple packing stuff while relocating in new flat

I’ve seen homeowners assume their payment would increase dramatically, only to discover that the actual difference was far less than they expected.

I’ve also seen situations where a homeowner’s payment did increase, but the benefits of the new home justified the additional expense.

The lesson is simple: don’t compare interest rates in isolation. Compare the entire financial picture.

Could Your Current Home Become an Investment Property?

For some homeowners, the decision isn’t necessarily between staying and moving. Sometimes there is a third option.

Depending on your financial situation, you may be able to keep your current home and convert it into a rental property while purchasing another primary residence.

This strategy allows some homeowners to retain their existing low-rate mortgage while continuing to benefit from potential rental income and future appreciation.

Of course, becoming a landlord isn’t the right choice for everyone. Rental property ownership comes with responsibilities, risks, and additional financial considerations.

Some homeowners prefer the simplicity of selling their current home and moving on.

real estate investment and currency exchange concept

However, for those who have sufficient equity, stable finances, and an interest in long-term real estate investing, keeping a low-rate mortgage on a rental property can be an attractive wealth-building strategy.

The important thing is understanding that you may have more options than you initially think.

Before automatically assuming your current home must be sold, it’s worth discussing all available possibilities with your mortgage professional and financial advisors.

What Is the Cost of Waiting?

When people talk about moving, they often focus on the cost of taking action. Far fewer people consider the cost of doing nothing.

Waiting can be the right decision in some situations. But waiting is not free.

If your current home no longer fits your needs, every year spent delaying a move may mean another year of compromise. If you’re commuting farther than you’d like, working in an inadequate home office, or living in a space that no longer supports your family, those costs may not appear on a spreadsheet—but they’re still real.

There are also financial considerations. No one knows exactly where mortgage rates, home prices, or inventory levels will be in the future. Waiting for the “perfect” market environment can sometimes result in missed opportunities.

Many homeowners who delayed purchases in previous years because they expected rates to fall or prices to decline discovered that markets don’t always move as predicted.

The goal shouldn’t be to perfectly time the market. The goal should be to make a housing decision that aligns with your family’s needs and long-term financial objectives.

The Bottom Line

A low mortgage rate is a valuable asset. There’s no question about that. But it should be viewed as one piece of a much larger puzzle.

Before deciding that you’re permanently locked into your current home, take time to evaluate your lifestyle needs, your equity position, your monthly payment options, and your long-term goals. The best housing decision is rarely based on a single number.

The key is making the decision based on a complete analysis rather than allowing one factor—your current interest rate—to make the decision for you.

As with most financial decisions, clarity comes from understanding all of your options. And sometimes, what appears to be a mortgage rate trap may simply be an opportunity to take a closer look at the bigger picture.

Reach out to me directly—I’d love to talk strategy and explore how we can best take advantage of market conditions to help you succeed.

As always, you can set up an appointment with me here…

Mortgage Rate Shopping Mistakes

May 5, 2026 / Tom Bonetto

Mortgage markets don’t sit still. Rates can shift daily, sometimes even multiple times within the same day.

At the same time, lenders structure loans differently. What looks like a lower rate on one quote may come with higher fees, fewer credits, or stricter terms. Without a consistent framework for comparison, you’re not evaluating apples to apples—you’re juggling entirely different financial products.

a pink piggy bank beside a stack of wooden scrabble blocks

Most homebuyers assume that collecting more mortgage quotes automatically leads to a better deal. On paper, it sounds logical. More options should mean more savings, right?

In reality, rate shopping without a clear strategy often creates confusion, delays decisions, and can even cost you the home you want.

While you’re busy collecting quotes and trying to decode them, the market keeps moving.

Sellers aren’t waiting around for buyers who are still “figuring things out.” In competitive situations, they tend to favor buyers who are fully prepared, pre-approved, and backed by a lender who can move quickly and confidently.

This is where many buyers get it wrong. The best deal doesn’t always go to the person who found the lowest advertised rate.

It goes to the buyer who is organized, informed, and ready to act at the right moment.

The Right Lending Coach

A strong loan officer plays a much bigger role than simply quoting numbers. They analyze your full financial picture, guide you through different loan structures, and help you decide when to lock your rate based on market conditions.

That kind of guidance can make the difference between securing a home or losing it to another buyer.

Instead of chasing the lowest rate blindly, it’s more effective to focus on the overall strategy behind your loan. That includes timing, structure, and execution—not just the headline number.

Common Rate Shopping Mistakes:

Comparing inconsistent quotes – Different lenders present rates, fees, and credits in ways that aren’t directly comparable, leading to misleading conclusions.
Focusing only on the interest rate – A slightly lower rate can be offset by higher closing costs or less favorable loan terms.
Waiting too long to decide – Delays can cause you to miss favorable market conditions or lose out in competitive home-buying situations.
Ignoring lender reliability – A low quote doesn’t help if the lender can’t close on time or communicate effectively.
Overlooking rate lock timing – Locking too early or too late without guidance can impact your final cost.
Spreading your efforts too thin – Working with too many lenders at once can create unnecessary complexity and slow you down.

A Smarter Approach

Work with a trusted loan officer who understands your full financial picture
Focus on total loan cost, not just the rate
Be ready to act quickly when the right opportunity appears
Prioritize reliability and execution over minor rate differences

At the end of the day, buying a home isn’t about winning a rate-shopping contest. It’s about securing the right loan, at the right time, with a professional who can help you navigate the process smoothly.

The lowest number on paper doesn’t always win. The best-prepared buyer does.

Let’s talk. Reach out directly—I’d love to run your personalized scenarios and explore how we can best take advantage of market conditions to help you succeed.

As always, you can set up an appointment with me here…

Tag: housing market (Page 1 of 6)

Home Prices Just Ticked Down for the First Time in 3 Years. Is Fall Still a Window?

Home Prices Are Finally Showing Signs of Weakness

Rising Inventory Is Giving Buyers More Choices

The Best Negotiation May Not Be a Lower Price

Should You Buy This Fall or Wait for Better Conditions?

In Conclusion

Should I Wait for Mortgage Rates to Drop Before Buying a Home? – Navigating Home Buying in a Mid-6% Interest Rate Market

A Quick but Important Disclaimer

Why the Interest Rate Alone Is Not the Full Story

A Concrete Example

What About Home Appreciation?

Other Costs That Often Matter More Than the Rate

What You Should Do Next

Let’s Talk

Mortgage Affordability in 2026: 7 Things You Can Control Before Buying a Home

A Quick Word on Perspective

The Things You Can’t Control About Affordability

What You Can Control Right Now About Affordability

Short-Term and Long-Term Affordability

Final Thought

Should You Give Up Your 3% Mortgage Rate? 5 Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask Before Deciding to Stay Put

Does Your Current Home Still Meet Your Needs?

How Much Equity Have You Built?

Have You Compared Payments or Just Interest Rates?

Could Your Current Home Become an Investment Property?

What Is the Cost of Waiting?

The Bottom Line

Mortgage Rate Shopping Mistakes

The Right Lending Coach

Common Rate Shopping Mistakes:

A Smarter Approach

Apply Now – Online Application

Schedule Appointment With Tom

Starlight Mortgage

Contact Tom

About The Coach

Categories

BLOG ARCHIVES