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, November 5, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Why Your Home Equity Still Puts You Way Ahead (Even If You’ve Heard Prices Are Dropping)
Have you recently seen headlines warning about home prices dropping and started to wonder, “Is my home losing value?”
If you're planning to sell your home soon, that kind of news can feel unsettling. But here's what most of those headlines miss: even if prices have softened in some markets, your home equity is likely still in great shape—and may actually be higher than ever.
Let’s walk through why.
Home Equity Has Grown Significantly Since 2020
Here’s the reality: home equity tends to move in sync with home prices. When home prices go up, your equity grows. When prices level out, so does equity—but that doesn’t mean it vanishes.
After the intense home price surge of 2020–2021, it was inevitable that things would slow down. But that slowdown has not erased years of equity gains.
Even in cities that have seen recent declines, like Aus ...
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Wednesday, October 29, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Why Today’s Mortgage Rates Might Be Better Than You Think (For Buyers AND Sellers)
Let’s face it — mortgage rates have been the elephant in the room for a while now. Whether you're buying your first home or thinking about selling and moving up, you've probably found yourself hesitating.
If you're a homebuyer, maybe you're telling yourself: “I’ll wait until rates drop below 6%... THEN I’ll start looking again.”
And if you're a home seller, you might be thinking:“Buyers are waiting on lower rates — I should hold off until next year.”
But here’s the truth: waiting could cost you — and not just emotionally, but financially, too.
The Numbers Tell a Different Story
We all love the idea of snagging a 5.99% mortgage rate. But what’s the real impact on your wallet?
Take a look at this:
The difference between today’s rate (6.19%) and 5.99% on a $400,000 mortgage?Just $51.65 per month.
That&rsquo ...
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Thursday, October 23, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Planning To Sell in 2026? Here's Why Now Is the Time To Start Prepping
Let’s be honest - if you’re thinking about selling next spring, the idea of tackling everything at once is probably already stressing you out. And you're not alone.
A lot of homeowners feel overwhelmed when they wait until the last minute to get their house ready. Between cleaning, repairs, painting, and figuring out what buyers actually care about, it's enough to make anyone panic.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to rush - if you start now.
Why Starting Early Matters (A Lot)
Spring is the hottest time of year to sell. But waiting until January to start prep work can leave you scrambling — and possibly paying more for rushed jobs.
Starting now gives you:
Time to spread out projects
Space to hire good contractors (without rush fees)
Less pressure and more control over your budget
Even small things - like repainting the front door or touching up baseboards - make a hu ...
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