Category: Buying a Home

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

  • Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait?

    At some point, you’ve probably heard the saying: “Yesterday was the best time to buy a home, but the next best time is today.” That’s because homeownership is about the long game – and home prices typically rise over time. So, while you may be holding out for prices to fall or rates to improve,…

  • What’s Your House Worth Now? The Answer May Surprise You

    Let’s talk about something you might not check nearly as often as your bank account – and that’s how much your home is worth. But when it comes to your financial situation, it’s an important thing to remember. When’s the last time you had a professional show you the value of your home? Think about…

  • What You Can Do When Mortgage Rates Are a Moving Target

    Have you seen where mortgage rates have been lately? One day they go down a little. The next day, they go back up again. It can feel confusing and even frustrating if you’re trying to decide whether now’s a good time to buy a home. Take a look at the graph below. It uses data…

  • Pre-Approval Isn’t Commitment – It’s Clarity

    If buying a home is on your radar – even if it’s more of a someday plan than a right now plan – getting pre-approved early is still one of the smartest moves you can make. Why? Because, like anything in life, the right prep work makes things clearer. The best time to get serious…

  • Are You Saving Up To Buy a Home? Your Tax Refund Can Help

    You’ve been working on your savings and dreaming of that moment when you finally have keys to a place that’s truly yours. What you might not realize is that your tax return could give you a little extra cash to help you get there sooner. As Freddie Mac notes: “ . . . your tax…

  • 4 Ways To Make an Offer That Stands Out This Spring

    Now that spring is here, more and more buyers are jumping back into the market, and competition is heating up. If you’re serious about landing a home you’ll love, you need more than just a wish list. You need a smart strategy – and that starts with working with a great agent who can help…

  • Why You Don’t Want To Skip Your Home Inspection

    When you finally find the home you want to buy, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. You’ve toured the place, imagined your furniture in it, maybe even pictured your morning coffee on the porch. The last thing you want is to slow down the process with more steps or lose out to…

  • House Hunting Just Got Easier – Here’s Why

    If you’ve been frustrated by the lack of homes for sale over the past few years, here’s some good news. You have more options, so it may finally be time to kick off your home search again. As Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, explains: “Now is the best time to buy in the last…

  • Things To Avoid After You Apply for a Mortgage

    Some Highlights Once a lender has reviewed your finances as part of the homebuying process, you want to be as consistent as possible. Don’t make any big changes that could affect your mortgage application. Here are a few tips. Don’t change bank accounts or apply for new credit. And this one may surprise you, don’t…

  • Townhomes: A Smart Solution for Today’s First-Time Buyers

    Buying your first home in today’s market can feel tough. Between high home prices and mortgage rates, affordability is still a big challenge. And some buyers are making one simple trade-off that’s getting them in the door faster: square footage. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 35% of buyers are willing to…

  • Buyers Have More Negotiation Power – Here’s How To Use It

    You may have heard there are more homes for sale right now. And while that’ll vary depending on the market, it means that overall, things are starting to lean in a more balanced direction. As that happens, some sellers are a bit more open to compromise. Here’s what that means for you. You may be…

  • Why Pre-Approval Is More Important Than Ever This Spring

    Spring is here, and so is the busiest season in real estate. More buyers are out looking for homes, which means more competition for you. If you want to put yourself in the best position to buy, there’s one step you can’t afford to skip, and that’s getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Some buyers think…