The Advice First-Time Homebuyers Need To Hear

Buying your first home is a big milestone – and the right support is going to make it a whole lot easier.
Because while this process might be brand new to you, it’s not new to your agent. They’ve helped plenty of first-time buyers through it. They know what works, what actually matters, and how you can move through the process with a lot less guesswork.
Here are a few real-world tips based on that experience of helping other first-time buyers.
Tip #1: Get Pre-Approved First
Rocket Mortgage says this is one of the most common mistakes first-time buyers make. And it’s easy to see why. Looking at homes online is fun. But doing it before you know your numbers? That’s risky. You don’t want to fall in love with a house that’s way outside of your financial comfort zone. That’s a fast track for getting frustrated.
Instead, find your agent and talk to a lender early – before looking at any houses. With your lender’s help, you’ll be able to get pre-approved for your home loan. That’ll give you a better idea of what you’ll be able to borrow. And it helps you set a realistic budget. Then, your agent will be able to make you a customized list of homes, so you’re only seeing what’ll work for what you can spend. More clarity, less frustration.
Tip #2: Set a Budget and Stick To It
Remember, just because you can borrow up to a certain amount, chances are you won’t want to max that number out. It’s really important to avoid overextending your budget, especially in today’s market. Other housing expenses like home insurance, homeowners association (HOA) fees, and taxes are on the rise, and you need to factor those in. Bankrate offers this advice:
“When you’re building a budget to narrow your search for properties, don’t just think about how much house you can afford, but how much in recurring costs you can handle once you’ve purchased your home.”
So, lean on the pros for advice on expenses you may not be thinking of, so you can work them into your budget.
Tip #3: Don’t Skip the Inspection
When you find the right home, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. But skipping the inspection just to make your offer look stronger is a gamble that could cost you.
Instead, work with your agent to schedule a real inspection. They’ll connect you with local pros, make sure it’s booked, and help you understand the results so you can negotiate repairs or ask for money off at closing, if needed. It’s better to invest in this time up front to avoid what could be thousands in surprise repairs later.
Tip #4: Your First Home Doesn’t Have To Be Your Forever Home
For a lot of buyers, this is where unnecessary pressure creeps in. But remember, you don’t have to land your dream home right out of the gate. That’s why it’s called a starter home. It’s a starting point, not your final destination.
An agent will help you explore all your options, including ones you may not have thought about. For example, a well-kept condo, a townhouse in a great location, or a house with good bones can be a perfect first step into homeownership. The goal? Get in. Start building equity. Then, grow from there.
Bottom Line
Buying your first place is a big step, but it doesn’t have to feel like a step in the dark. Talk to an agent about where you’re starting from, what’s stressing you out (or holding you back), and what you actually need to know.
The Truth About Where Home Prices Are Heading

There are plenty of headlines these days calling for a housing market crash. But the truth is, they’re not telling the full story. Here’s what’s actually happening, and what the experts project for home prices over the next 5 years. And spoiler alert – it’s not a crash.
Yes, in some local markets, prices are flattening or even dipping slightly this year as more homes hit the market. That’s normal with rising inventory. But the bigger picture is what really matters, and it’s far less dramatic than what the doom-and-gloom headlines suggest. Here’s why.
Over 100 leading housing market experts were surveyed in the latest Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES) from Fannie Mae. Their collective forecast shows prices are projected to keep rising over the next 5 years, just at a slower, healthier pace than what we’ve seen more recently. And that kind of steady, sustainable growth should be one factor to help ease your fears about the years ahead (see graph below):
And if you take a look at how the various experts responded within the survey, they fall into three main categories: those that were most optimistic about the forecast, most pessimistic, and the overall average outlook.
Here’s what the breakdown shows:
- The average projection is about 3.3% price growth per year, through 2029.
- The optimists see growth closer to 5.0% per year.
- The pessimists still forecast about 1.3% growth per year.
Do they all agree on the same number? Of course not. But here’s the key takeaway: not one expert group is calling for a major national decline or a crash. Instead, they expect home prices to rise at a steady, more sustainable pace.
That’s much healthier for the market – and for you. Yes, some areas may see prices hold relatively flat or dip a bit in the short term, especially where inventory is on the rise. Others may appreciate faster than the national average because there are still fewer homes for sale than there are buyers trying to purchase them. But overall, more moderate price growth is cooling the rapid spikes we saw during the frenzy of the past few years.
And remember, even the most conservative experts still project prices will rise over the course of the next 5 years. That’s also because foreclosures are low, lending standards are in check, and homeowners have near record equity to boost the stability of the market. Together, those factors help prevent a wave of forced sales, like the kind that could drag prices down. So, if you’re waiting for a significant crash before you buy, you might be waiting quite a long time.
Bottom Line
If you’ve been on the fence about your plans, now’s the time to get clarity. The market isn’t heading for a crash – it’s on track for steady, slow, long-term growth overall, with some regional ups and downs along the way.
Want to know what that means for your neighborhood? Because national trends set the tone, but what really matters is what’s happening in your zip code. Connect with a real estate agent to have a quick conversation so you can see exactly what the local data means for you.
Should You Buy a Vacation Home?

Some Highlights
- Now that summer’s here, you may be planning your next getaway. But what if you didn’t have to?
- Buying a vacation home means having a built-in escape you can use year after year. It gives you the chance to generate rental income and have a go-to retirement destination in the future.
- If you’re dreaming of owning your own slice of paradise, connect with an agent to see if you can make it happen this summer.
What You Should Know About Getting a Mortgage Today

If you’ve been putting off buying a home because you thought getting approved would be too hard, know this: qualifying for a mortgage is starting to get a bit more achievable, but lending standards are still strong.
Lenders are making it slightly easier for well-qualified buyers to access financing, which is opening more doors for people ready to make a move.
So, if strict requirements were holding you back, this shift could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, without repeating the risky lending practices that led to the housing crash back in 2008.
Lenders Are Opening More Doors
Banks are offering credit to more people in an effort to boost activity in the housing market, including buyers who have lower credit scores or smaller down payments. And that means more people are getting approved for mortgages.
But it doesn’t mean we’re heading for another crash like 2008. Even with the slight easing lately, lending standards today are still much tighter than they were back then.
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) has been going up. This index shows how easy or hard it is for people to get a mortgage.
When the index rises, it means banks are easing their lending standards. And in May, credit availability hit its highest point in almost three years (see graph below):
Why does this matter to you? It means you may now be able to qualify for a mortgage that you wouldn’t have just a few months ago. The National Association of Underwriters (NAMU) explains:
“Mortgage credit availability surged in May, reaching its highest level since August 2022. The uptick signals that lenders are increasingly willing to loosen underwriting standards, providing borrowers with greater access to financing options . . .”
But What About 2008?
Now, you might be thinking, “Didn’t looser lending standards play a role in the 2008 housing crash?” That’s a smart question – and an important one. But here’s the difference. While credit availability is rising, lending standards are still under control.
Based on MCAI data going all the way back to 2004, today’s lending levels are still way below what they were leading up to the housing bubble (see graph below):
So, increasing mortgage credit availability right now isn’t a concern. It’s just a good thing for anyone looking to buy a home. As Brett Hively, SVP of Mortgage, Finance, and Strategy at Ameris Bancorp, recently said:
“This uptick is opening the door for many borrowers to move forward with a home purchase or a refinance program.”
Bottom Line
So, if you’ve been holding back because you thought you couldn’t get approved for a mortgage, it’s worth finding out what’s possible today. Talk with a lender about your options to see if you’re ready to take that next step toward homeownership.
Why Big Investors Aren’t a Challenge for Today’s Homebuyer

Remember the chatter in the headlines about all the homes big institutional investors were buying? If you were thinking about buying a home yourself, you may have wondered how you’d ever be able to compete with that. Here’s the thing. That’s not the challenge so many people think it is – especially right now.
Let’s break down what’s really going on and why the recent shift in the approach investors are taking could tip the scales in your favor.
Large Investors Are Pulling Back
The truth is institutional investors never represented as big a share of the housing market as people think. And now, they’re backing off even more.
Today, big real estate investors aren’t buying as many homes. In fact, they’re actually selling more than they’re buying.
According to data from Parcl Labs, 6 out of 8 of the largest institutional single-family rental investment companies in America sold more homes than they bought in the second quarter of 2025 (see graph below):
And here’s the stat that really puts it in perspective. According to Dominion Financial, for every home being bought by big investors, about 1.75 are being sold.
What’s Causing Big Investors To Change Course?
The reason institutional investors aren’t buying as many homes now compared to recent years is actually pretty simple. It’s because home values aren’t rising as fast as they were a few years ago, but the costs associated with rental maintenance are.
Since most institutional investors buy homes to rent them out, those higher costs eat into their margins. Remember, to investors, homebuying is a business.
But you’re not buying a home just for this year or next. You’re buying a place to build a life, and that’s a long-term play.
Historically, home values tend to rise over time. So, while investors may be sidelined by what’s happening right now, you’re in a different position entirely. You have the chance to buy while competition is lower and benefit from potential long-term price appreciation – something most investors are choosing not to wait for as they focus on shorter-term returns.
What Does All This Mean for You?
According to a recent survey, about 55% of real estate investors have no plans to grow their rental portfolios now or in the near future. With big investors stepping back, that means less competition from deep-pocketed buyers. And since they’re adding to today’s for-sale inventory, it also creates more options for you.
Bottom Line
If you’ve been holding off on buying, now might be the time to take another look. Connect with a local real estate agent so you can get expert guidance on what’s available and what might be a good fit for you.
What kind of home would you be excited to make yours this year?
Top 5 Reasons To Hire a Real Estate Agent When You Sell

Some Highlights
- The right agent doesn’t just list your house – they help you sell smarter, faster, and with fewer surprises.
- With an agent’s help, you’ll know what’s happening in your local market and how to price your house right. You’ll feel confident filling out complex legal documents and at the negotiation table. And that’s priceless.
- Connect with an agent so you have that expertise on your side.