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Thinking About Selling Your Luxury Home? The Market May Be Working in Your Favor
If you own a luxury home in Omaha, Lincoln, Chicago, Naperville, Overland Park, Kansas City, St. Louis, Des Moines, Central Iowa, Florida, or nearby communities, you may be in a stronger position than many sellers in today’s housing market. While some segments of the market have experienced affordability challenges and slower activity, luxury real estate…
Read MoreYour First Home Could Be the Key to Your Next One
Do you remember buying your first home? It was a major milestone. Maybe it was where you started your career, raised a family, adopted a pet, or created memories that will last a lifetime. But for most homeowners, a first home isn’t meant to be a forever home. Life changes. Families grow. Work situations evolve.…
Read MoreFinancial Literacy for Future Homebuyers: Smart Money Habits That Can Bring You Closer to Homeownership
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you may ever make. Whether you are searching in Kansas City, St. Louis, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Chicago, or a Florida community, understanding how to manage your money can help you prepare for the responsibilities of homeownership. Financial literacy does not mean knowing everything about…
Read MoreWho Has the Advantage in Today’s Housing Market?
Is today’s housing market better for buyers or sellers? The most accurate answer is: it depends on where you are buying or selling. A homebuyer in Kansas City may face different conditions than someone shopping in Chicago. The balance of power may also vary between Omaha and Lincoln, across neighborhoods in St. Louis or Des Moines,…
Read MoreWhy Are Mortgage Rates Where They Are Today?
If you are waiting for mortgage rates to fall significantly before buying a home, it may help to understand what actually drives those rates. Mortgage rates do not move for just one reason, and they do not necessarily fall every time the Federal Reserve changes its benchmark interest rate. Instead, mortgage pricing is influenced by…
Read MoreBuying a Home? Don’t Overlook Homeowners Insurance Costs
For Buyers | Affordability | Home Insurance | Buying Tips When preparing to buy a home, it is natural to focus on the purchase price, down payment, and mortgage rate. But another expense can have a meaningful impact on affordability: homeowners insurance. Insurance is part of the total cost of owning a home, and premiums have…
Read MoreThinking About Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates? Here’s What Homebuyers Should Consider
If mortgage rates are the main reason you’ve put your home search on pause, you’re certainly not alone. It’s easy to think,“Maybe I’ll just wait until rates come down.” But the more important question may be: What if they don’t come down as much, or as quickly, as you’re hoping? Mortgage rates have continued to fluctuate,…
Read MoreThe Secret to Selling Fast in Today’s Market
If you’re thinking about selling your home in markets like Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Overland Park, Omaha, Lincoln, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, or Naples, one question is probably top of mind: How do I sell quickly without leaving money on the table? With more homes coming onto the market in many areas, buyers have…
Read MoreAre Home Prices Going To Fall? Here’s What Buyers Need To Know
One of the biggest questions buyers are asking right now is: “What if I buy a home and prices go down?” It’s a fair concern. With so many headlines focused on market uncertainty, it’s easy to wonder if waiting might be the safer move. But before you put your homeownership plans on hold, it helps to…
Read MoreRecord Mortgage Debt? Here’s What Homeowners in the Midwest and Florida Need to Know
If you’ve seen recent headlines about mortgage debt reaching an all-time high, you might be wondering what that means for the housing market. The truth is, the headline is accurate—but it doesn’t tell the whole story. While mortgage debt has increased over the years, homeowner equity has grown even faster. And that’s an important distinction…
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