Thursday, January 8, 2026 / by Vic Markarian
Why Housing Affordability Is Finally Improving in 2026 (According to the Data)
If the last few years have felt like a waiting game, you’re not imagining it.High mortgage rates, limited inventory, and fast price growth forced a lot of buyers and sellers to hit pause. Many people wanted to move, they just couldn’t make the numbers work.
Now, for the first time in years, the math is starting to change.
According to leading economists and housing analysts, 2026 is shaping up to be the most balanced market we’ve seen in quite some time. Not perfect, but meaningfully better. And that improvement comes down to three key shifts happening at the same time: mortgage rates, inventory, and price growth.
Mortgage Rates: Stability Beats Waiting
Mortgage rates have already come down from their recent peak. While many buyers are still hoping for a dramatic drop, the reality is more measured, and more realistic.
Most major forecasts now show 30-year mortgage rates hovering in ...
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Thursday, December 18, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Why Buying a Home in January 2026 Could Save You Thousands
Is January 2026 the Best Time To Buy a Home?
If you’ve been thinking about buying a home but waiting for the "right" time, here’s something that may surprise you: January may actually be one of the best months to make your move, especially if you're trying to save money.
Let’s break down why winter, and specifically January, gives you a powerful edge in today’s market.
1. January Offers Some of the Lowest Prices of the Year
Data from LendingTree and ATTOM shows that January consistently has the lowest median price per square foot of any month. In fact, in 2024, buyers who closed in January paid just $178.60 per square foot, compared to $194.20 in May.
For a typical 1,500 sq ft home, that difference amounts to over $23,000 in savings. Imagine using that toward your down payment, renovations, or keeping more cash in your pocket.
With affordability still top-of-mind for 2026 homebuyers ...
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Monday, December 15, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Top Real Estate Agent in Montrose, CA, Reports Growing Number of First-Time Buyers Successfully Purchasing Homes Despite Student Loan Debt
Montrose, CA – Student loan debt no longer has to be a barrier to homeownership. The Vic Markarian Realty Group is seeing a significant increase in first-time buyers successfully purchasing homes despite carrying substantial student loans, thanks to strategic planning and expert guidance that helps buyers navigate today’s lending landscape.
With over three decades of experience helping renters become homeowners, Vic Markarian, a respected Realtor agent in Montrose, CA, has developed proven strategies to help buyers overcome financial obstacles. “We’ve worked with countless first-time buyers who thought student loans disqualified them from homeownership,” Vic explains. “The truth is, with the right approach and proper debt-to-income calculations, many buyers discover they’re in a better positi ...
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Thursday, December 11, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Your Home Might Be Holding the Key to Your Next Chapter
Stuck in a house that no longer fits your life… but feel trapped by rising mortgage rates?You’re not alone, it’s one of the most common pain points among homeowners right now.
But what if the answer was already in your home , literally?
Your equity could change everything about your next move.
The Wealth You’ve Built May Be Bigger Than You Think
Let’s talk about equity: the real, often hidden, wealth that builds as you pay down your mortgage and as home values increase over time.
Each mortgage payment reduces your loan balance. At the same time, home prices tend to rise steadily. Put those two together, and you’ve been growing wealth every single month, likely without even realizing how much.
And if you've owned your home for over a decade, the amount of equity you’ve built might surprise you.
According to Realtor.com:
“Nearly half (45.2%) of today’s homeowners ...
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Thursday, December 4, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Why More Homeowners Are Giving Up Their Low Mortgage Rate
If you’re one of the many homeowners sitting on a 2–3% mortgage rate, you’ve likely thought:“I’d love to move… but not if it means giving up this great rate.”
You're not alone — that low rate may feel like your best financial asset. But here’s the reality:A low rate doesn’t help if the home no longer fits your life.
And as the data shows, more and more homeowners are reaching the same conclusion.
Homeowners Are Giving Up Their Low Rates
The “lock-in effect” — where homeowners stay put to hold on to their low mortgage - has been strong. But it’s starting to ease.
According to the latest data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the share of homeowners with rates below 3% is trending down, while more are taking on 6%+ rates — despite the cost.
And it's not just a blip.
In fact, the number of mortgages with a rate ...
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