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 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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Wednesday, November 12, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Are Builders Overbuilding Again? Here’s What the Data Actually Shows
If you’ve noticed more new construction around town, you’re not alone. But does that mean we’re heading for another 2008-style housing crash? Not even close.
Let’s break down what’s really happening in today’s market and why the slowdown in builder activity is actually a smart move — not a red flag.
Builders Are Tapping the Brakes, Not Slamming the Gas
One of the best leading indicators of future home construction is building permits - basically, permission to break ground. And right now, that number is on the decline.
According to recent U.S. Census data, builders are pulling back, not charging forward. Take a look at the chart below:
Back before the 2008 crash, overconfident builders flooded the market with new homes - far more than buyer demand could support. That oversupply helped fuel the housing crisis.
But today? Builders are more cautious. They& ...
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Wednesday, October 1, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
What Buyers Say They Need Most - and How the Market Is Finally Responding
If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for the market to feel a little more realistic - you’re not alone.
According to a new survey by Bank of America, two things top the list for today’s homebuyers:
63% want lower home prices
50% want lower mortgage rates
Sound familiar?
The good news is — the housing market is finally starting to deliver on both.
Let’s break down how today’s market is adjusting and what it means for your next move.
Home Prices Are Moderating (Finally)
Over the past few years, prices moved fast — sometimes so fast it pushed buyers out of the game.
But today?
That red-hot pace is cooling. Nationally, price growth has slowed to low single digits, compared to the 20%+ surges we saw from 2020 to 2022.
For buyers, that shift changes everything:
It’s easier to plan your budget
You won’t feel rushed to & ...
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