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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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 15, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
2026 Housing Market Outlook: Is This Your Year to Buy?
After a couple of years where the housing market felt out of reach, 2026 is shaping up to be the year things finally shift — and it might just open the door for you.
Whether you’ve been waiting for rates to drop or home prices to ease, here’s what the latest expert forecasts say is coming — and how it may help you buy with more confidence.
1. More Homes Are Expected to Sell
With affordability stretched thin, many buyers (and sellers) have stayed on the sidelines. But forecasts show that’s about to change.
Experts are projecting more home sales in 2026 than in the past two years. Why? Because life doesn’t wait — people still need to move, and more of them will finally feel like they can.
2. Mortgage Rates May Keep Slipping Lower
If high rates have been your biggest barrier, this part is for you.
After peaking near 7% earlier this year, mortgage rates are finally showing signs of ...
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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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