There’s encouraging news for anyone thinking about buying a home. Mortgage rates have recently fallen to their lowest levels in more than three years, creating new opportunities for buyers who may have been waiting for a better time to enter the market. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has dropped to around the 6% range. …
Category: News
Mar 04
The True Cost of “Affordable”
That 30% rule—you know, the one that says you shouldn’t spend more than a third of your income on housing—still gets tossed around like gospel. But in today’s market of higher rates, rising prices, climbing insurance premiums and escalating property taxes, it deserves a closer look. Here’s the truth: 30% isn’t a magic number. It’s …
Mar 03
Price Cuts Are Popping Up — Here’s Why That’s Good News for Buyers
The housing market is doing something we haven’t seen much of lately: cooling its jets. According to a recent report from National Association of REALTORS®, more homes across the country are seeing price reductions — and that shift is giving buyers something they’ve been missing for years: leverage. After a long stretch of bidding wars …
Mar 02
Why So Many Americans Are Leaning on Their Homes to Retire
Retirement savings in America? Not exactly crushing it. The typical working adult has about $1,000 saved for retirement. Yes, really. And that number stretches across people in their 20s through their early 60s. Meanwhile, ask Americans how much they think they’ll need to retire comfortably and the answer often lands north of $1 million. That’s …
Feb 27
A Home Away From Home — The 2026 Version
In 2026, “home away from home” means more than a spare bedroom or vacation spot. It’s about belonging. It’s about creating spaces — and communities — where people feel safe, supported, and seen. That idea sits at the core of what members of the National Association of REALTORS® represent. Yes, real estate is about contracts, …
Feb 26
What REALTORS® Are Fighting For in Washington in 2026
Every year, members of the National Association of REALTORS® head to Capitol Hill with one mission: protect property rights, expand opportunity, and keep housing strong for the communities they serve. In 2026, the message is focused, practical, and urgent. 1. Keep the Internet Fair and Competitive Real estate runs on digital access. Listings, virtual tours, …
Feb 25
The Gentrification Talk in 2026: Growth, Change, and Responsibility
Neighborhood change isn’t new — but in 2026, the gentrification conversation feels louder, faster, and more personal than ever. Across the country, communities are evolving. New cafés open. Old warehouses become apartments. Home values climb. Investment flows in. On the surface, it can look like progress — and in many ways, it is. Revitalization can …
Feb 24
Why First-Time Buyers in 2026 Are More Work — and More Worth It
First-time buyers aren’t the easiest clients in today’s market. But for agents willing to lean in, they may be the most rewarding. A commentary originally featured by the National Association of REALTORS and highlighted in REALTOR Magazine spotlighted how serving first-timers requires more patience, education, and emotional investment. That insight rings even louder in 2026. …
Feb 20
Selling With Style: A 2026 Take on Kandis Palmer’s People-First Approach
In 2026, real estate is powered by technology, data, and fast communication. But even in this modern market, one thing still matters most — people. That’s what makes Kandis Palmer’s story so relevant today. Her success isn’t built on trends or flashy marketing. It’s built on connection. Before real estate, Kandis owned and operated a …
Feb 19
A Rude Bird, Real Challenges, and a Real Estate Journey
In 2020, REALTORS® Jill Wright and Corey Wright had an unexpected guest during filming for the National Association of REALTORS video series First-Time Buyer. Every time the cameras started rolling outside, a loud, unseen bird interrupted the scene. When filming stopped, the bird went silent. The crew laughed through multiple takes, but the mystery bird …
Feb 18
Veterans Day 2026: A Call for Realtors® to Serve Those Who Served
Every Veterans Day, we pause to honor the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who defended our country. But for real estate professionals, appreciation can go beyond words. It can show up in the work we do every day. Leaders like Kenneth Cano have demonstrated what it truly means to continue serving after …
Feb 17
Reenvisioning “The One” in Today’s Market (2026 Edition)
Finding “the one” — that perfect home — can feel overwhelming in today’s housing market. Inventory remains limited in many areas, prices are still elevated compared to pre-2020 levels, and interest rates continue to influence affordability. But the idea of a perfect home may need a modern update. According to Twijana Echols-Jones, a REALTOR® featured …
