Buying a home in today’s market can feel like an uphill battle – especially with home prices and mortgage rates putting pressure on your budget. If you’re feeling stuck, co-buying could be one way to help you get your foot in the door. Freddie Mac says:
“If you are an aspiring homeowner, buying a home with your family or friends could be an option.”
But there are some things you'll want to consider first. Let’s explore why co-buying is gaining popularity right now among some buyers and see if it may make sense for you too.
What Is Co-Buying?
Co-buying means buying a home with someone like a friend, sibling, or even a group of people. And, with today’s high home prices and mortgage rates, it’s an option more people are turning to.
According to a survey done by JW Surety Bonds, nearly 15% of Americans have already co-purchased a home with someone, and another 48% would consider. ...

Let’s be real – buying a home right now is tough. You’re scrolling through listings, rushing to open houses, and maybe even losing out to more competitive offers. Somewhere along the way, you might’ve heard the reason it’s so hard to find a home is because big Wall Street investors are swooping in and snatching up everything in sight.
But here’s the thing: that’s mostly a myth. While investors are part of the market, according to Redfin, they’re a relatively small part:
Here’s what that means. Five out of every six homes are being purchased by everyday homebuyers like you – not big investors.
So, before you get discouraged, let’s take a look at what’s really going on. You might be surprised to learn that Wall Street isn’t the competition you may think it is.
Most Investors Are Small Mom-and-Pops
Most investors aren’t the mega corporations you’ve probably heard ab; ...

No one likes making mistakes, especially when they happen in what’s likely the biggest transaction of your life – buying a home.
That’s why partnering with a trusted agent is so important. Here’s a sneak peek at the most common missteps buyers are making in today’s market and how a great agent will help you steer clear of each one.
Trying To Time the Market
Many buyers are trying to time the market by waiting for home prices or mortgage rates to drop. This can be a really risky strategy because there’s so much at play that can have an impact on those things. As Elijah de la Campa, Senior Economist at Redfin, says:
“My advice for buyers is don’t try to time the market. There are ?a lot of swing factors, like the upcoming jobs report and the presidential election, that could cause the housing market to take unexpected twists and turns. If you find a house you love and can afford to buy it, no. ...

You may have heard chatter recently about the economy and talk about a possible recession. It's no surprise that kind of noise gets some people worried about a housing market crash. Maybe you’re one of them. But here’s the good news – there’s no need to panic. The housing market is not set up for a crash right now.
Real estate journalist Michele Lerner says:
“A housing market crash happens when home values plummet due to a lack of demand for homes or an oversupply.”
With that definition in mind, here are two reasons why this just isn’t on the horizon.
1. Demand for Homes Is Higher than Supply
One of the biggest reasons the housing market crashed back in 2008 was an oversupply of homes. Today, though, it’s a very different story.
It’s a general rule of thumb that a market where supply and demand are balanced has a six-month supply of homes. A higher number means supply outpaces demand, and a lower number means de. ...

After months of sitting on the sidelines, many Virginia Beach homebuyers who were priced out by high mortgage rates and affordability challenges finally have an opportunity to make their move. With rates trending down, today’s market is a sweet spot for buyers—and it’s one that may not last long.
So, if you’ve put your own move on the back burner, here’s why maybe you shouldn’t delay your plans any longer.
As you weigh your options and decide if you should buy now or wait, ask yourself this: What do you think everyone else is going to do?
The truth is, if mortgage rates continue to ease, as experts project, more buyers will jump back into the market. A survey from Bankrate shows over half of homeowners would be motivated to buy this year if rates drop below 6% (see graph below):
With rates already in the low 6% range, we’re not terribly far off from hitting that threshold. The bottom line is, that. ...