Category: Buying a Home

Practical guidance for Utah homebuyers, from preparation and financing through offers and closing.

  • How Growing Inventory Benefits Today’s Buyers

    Some Highlights While the number of homes for sale varies by local area, nationally we’re up over 36% year-over-year, but still down almost 29% compared to what’s normal.​ Here’s what that means when you buy: more options for your search, more negotiation power for you, it’s more likely sellers will make select repairs, and more…

  • How Mortgage Rate Changes Impact Your Homebuying Power

    If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, you’ve probably got mortgage rates on your mind. That’s because you’ve likely heard that mortgage rates impact how much you can afford in your monthly mortgage payment, and you want to factor that into your planning. Here’s what you need to know. What’s Happening with Mortgage…

  • What Credit Score Do You Really Need To Buy a House?

    When you’re thinking about buying a home, your credit score is one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle. Think of it like your financial report card that lenders look at when trying to figure out if you qualify, and which home loan will work best for you. As the Mortgage Report says: “Good credit…

  • Are There More Homes for Sale Where You Live?

    One of the biggest bright spots in today’s housing market is how much the supply of homes for sale has grown since the beginning of this year.  Recent data from Realtor.com shows that nationally, there are 36.6% more homes actively for sale now compared to the same time last year. That’s a significant improvement. It…

  • Mortgage Rates Down a Full Percent from Recent High

    Mortgage rates have been one of the hottest topics in the housing market lately because of their impact on affordability. And if you’re someone who’s looking to make a move, you’ve probably been waiting eagerly for rates to come down for that very reason. Well, if the past few weeks are any indication, you may…

  • Why the Sandwich Generation Is Buying Multi-Generational Homes

    Are you a part of the Sandwich Generation? According to Realtor.com, that’s a name for the roughly one in six Americans who take care of their children and their parents or grandparents at the same time. If that sounds familiar to you, juggling all the responsibilities involved certainly must have its challenges. But it turns…

  • How the Economy Impacts Mortgage Rates

    As someone who’s thinking about buying or selling a home, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates – and wondering what’s ahead. One thing that can affect mortgage rates is the Federal Funds Rate, which influences how much it costs banks to borrow money from each other. While the Federal Reserve (the Fed) doesn’t…

  • The Biggest Mistakes Homebuyers Are Making Right Now

    Some Highlights Want to know the biggest mistakes homebuyers are making today? They include everything from putting off pre-approval for too long, holding out for the perfect home, buying more than they can afford, and skipping out on hiring a pro.  Connect with a real estate agent to make sure you have a pro on…

  • Unlocking Homebuyer Opportunities in 2024

    There’s no arguing this past year has been difficult for homebuyers. And if you’re someone who has started the process of searching for a home, maybe you put your search on hold because the challenges in today’s market felt like too much to tackle. You’re not alone in that. A Bright MLS study found some…

  • How To Determine if You’re Ready To Buy a Home

    If you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to buy a home, there’s probably a lot on your mind. You’re thinking about your finances, today’s mortgage rates and home prices, the limited supply of homes for sale, and more. And, you’re juggling how all of those things will impact the choice you’ll make. While housing market conditions are definitely…

  • The Price of Perfection: Don’t Wait for the Perfect Home

    In life, patience is a virtue – but in the world of homebuying, waiting too long in hopes of finding the perfect home actually isn’t wise. That’s because the pursuit of perfection comes at a cost. And in this case, that cost may be delaying your dream of homeownership. As Bankrate explains: “One of the…

  • Real Estate Still Holds the Title of Best Long-Term Investment

    With all the headlines circulating about home prices and mortgage rates, you may be asking yourself if it still makes sense to buy a home right now, or if it’s better to keep renting. Here’s some information that could help put your mind at ease by showing that investing in a home is still a powerful…