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Here’s the Next Best Time To Sell Your Home This Spring
Back in March, Realtor.com reported that the best time to list your house in 2025 was April 13–19. With that week now behind us, you may be wondering if you missed your chance this year. Fortunately, you still have plenty of time, if another source’s prediction holds true this spring.
Realtor.com may be one of the biggest property search sites, but others have their own data, studies, and methodologies. This means that they sometimes receive different results and reach different conclusions. This means that they sometimes receive different results and reach different conclusions, which may be good news for you. Because according to Zillow, the ideal spring house selling window hasn’t passed yet.
Reports on the Best Spring Selling Period
New research from Zillow has found that sellers who list their homes in late May tend to see higher sale prices. Based on home sales from 2024, homes listed in May had the highest sale premium of about $5,600. According to Zillow‘s study:
“Search activity typically peaks before Memorial Day, as shoppers get serious about house hunting before their summer vacation and the new school year in the fall. By targeting late spring, sellers can get their home listed when the most shoppers are looking. When more buyers are competing for homes, sellers can command a higher price.”
But Zillow isn’t the only one declaring May as the best time for home sellers to list. Using data from 59 million home sales over the past 13 years, ATTOM Data completed a similar study. In this case, it was found that sellers who list in May net an 11.1% higher closing price on average.
“Freshly compiled sales statistics from ATTOM demonstrate that home sellers continue to reap significant benefits from listing their properties during the month of May. Examination of home sales trends spanning thirteen years reveals that, on average, sellers are commanding 11.1 percent premium above the estimated market value.”
Meanwhile, a report from Bankrate states that listing at any time in April or May is ideal. In fact, it found that homes listed in May on average sell for about 13.1% above market value:
“Some patterns and trends usually do hold true throughout the year, and one is that spring continues to be the best time to sell. Sellers can net thousands of dollars more if they sell during the peak months of April and May. . .”
If these reports are accurate, then there’s still time to list during peak home selling season. Closing your home sale in May could get you a sizable increase in your final sale price.
Of course, the best week to list your house ultimately depends on your own local real estate market. Prices are driven by buyer demand and home supply, and these can vary wildly from market to market. This is why working with an experienced local agent can be so helpful, especially in uncertain markets.
Conclusion
Even though Realtor.com‘s recommended spring selling window has passed, other sources say there’s still plenty of time this year. Spring is always a busy time in real estate, and you can take advantage without listing during a specific week.
The true best time to sell your house will be determined by your own unique local market this spring. Working with an agent can help remove some of the guesswork, and get you the best closing price possible.
Many Fear a Housing Market Crash in 2025 – Will It Happen?
Between every economic uncertainty underpinning this year so far, Americans are understandably trepid about the future. Amid market lows and rising prices, many are asking if we’re heading for a housing market crash in 2025.
If talk of tariffs and mercurial markets are giving you pause about your plans, you’re not alone. In fact, new data from Clever Real Estate has found that 70% of Americans are worried about a housing crash in 2025. But how likely is this, and what does the latest data say?
Low Inventory Prevents a Crash in Prices
Before you put your plans to buy or a sell a home on hold, let’s look at the facts. The reality is that the trends in the housing market we’re seeing aren’t signs of crashing, only of shifting. As Chief Economist at First American Mark Fleming explains:
“There’s just generally not enough supply. There are more people than housing inventory. It’s Econ 101.”
Consider the basic laws of supply and demand. If the supply of something is low, its prices are bound to go up, and homes are no exception. And even though housing inventory is up in 2025, high demand from buyers is still driving home prices higher.
According to recent data from Realtor.com, the number of homes for sale in 2025 is climbing, but still below normal levels. Even still, home supply is at its highest since pre-pandemic levels, showing a positive trend in the right direction.
That ongoing low supply is what’s stopping home prices from dropping at the national level. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:
“… if there’s a shortage, prices simply cannot crash.”
Home Prices Normalize as Inventory Increases
As more homes are listed on the market, upward pressure on home price growth normalizes. Prices may not be falling, but they’re rising at a rate closer to what we’d consider normal for the market.
Even though prices aren’t declining nationally, increased inventory means they’re rising more slowly than they were. The trend we’re currently seeing is what’s considered price moderation.
The good news for buyers is that this price moderation is expected to continue throughout the rest of the year, according to a January report from Freddie Mac:
“In 2025, we expect the pace of house price appreciation to moderate from the levels seen in 2024, while still maintaining a positive trajectory.”
This means that home prices will continue rising in most markets, but not as quickly as they did in 2024. This is great news for anyone who’s been priced out of the market thanks to rapid price appreciation these past few years.
These numbers represent national trends, so the true story will vary in individual markets. A local real estate agent can give you the latest details on the market trends in your your own unique area.
Conclusion
Fears of a housing market crash in 2025 abound, but don’t let this worry you. While a little caution is healthy, experts are confident that a housing market crash is unlikely in 2025. As a recent report from Business Insider says:
“. . . economists who study housing market conditions generally do not expect a crash in 2025 or beyond unless the economic outlook changes.”
In reality, this year’s housing market is stabilizing thanks to decreasing price growth and increasing home supply. If you’re curious about the market trends in your local area, contact us today to connect with an agent who can reassure you with the facts.
Selling Your Home? Avoid This Mistake When Setting Your Asking Price
When selling your house, the typical goal is to sell quickly at the best price possible. Naturally, ever since home prices took off around 5 years ago, most sellers have been aiming high. But housing inventory is making a comeback, and some sellers haven’t considered what this shift means for their asking price. As a result, buyers are becoming choosier, and price cuts on overpriced listings are increasing alongside home supply.
According to February 2025 data from Realtor.com, home price cuts this February reached their highest number since 2019. That’s the highest number of price cuts in 6 years, and a real return to pre-pandemic market levels.
Given that 2019 is considered the housing market’s last normal year, this demonstrates a major, substantial shift. The market is finally starting to normalize, and may quickly break out of the post-pandemic slump it’s been stuck in.
However, this is a distinctly different trend from the hot seller’s market of 2021 and should be treated differently. You may not sell your house for top dollar like you would have at the pandemic’s peak, but that’s okay. By setting a smart asking price and tempering your expectations, you can still sell quickly, and at a great price.
You may be planning to price your listing high and cut it later if necessary, but this has its drawbacks. Pricing too high and lowering later means you may actually end up with lower offers in the end. Pricing right the first time is the best way to avoid this, and a local agent can make the difference.
How a Local Agent Can Find Your Perfect Asking Price
A true expert real estate agent doesn’t set an asking price without good reason. These agents consider real data and trends unique to your market, setting a price specific to your home. This way, you set a realistic price based on your home’s true value to attract as many buyers as possible.
Depending on your local market and your agent’s analysis, they may even recommend strategically pricing slightly below market value. While this may sound counterintuitive, it can be a strategic move to attract more attention to your listing, earning you more competitive offers. Here are a few ways a local agent will determine the best price for your listing:
- Researching recent home sales. What price did homes similar to yours finally sell for? Were these homes initially listed higher before dropping in price to sell?
- Analyzing local market trends. The true value of your home isn’t based on the price you’d like to sell it at. It’s the price that potential buyers are willing to pay. A local agent will have a strong idea of this number based on experience.
- Strategizing to sell. A great agent will price your home to attract attention, creating a sense of urgency among buyers and increasing demand.
How Overpricing Your Home Can Backfire
Unfortunately, some sellers still ignore their agent’s advice and prefer to start high just to see what happens. The hope being maybe they get their full asking price, or they at least have more wiggle room for negotiation. But pricing high usually ends up costing you, and here’s why:
- Buyers may ignore it. The market’s past few years – and the direction it’s headed – have made buyers more budget-conscious than ever. If a home listing looks overpriced, buyers are more likely to ignore it and move on than consider negotiating.
- It could stay on the market too long. The longer your home sits on the market without selling, the more buyers will assume something is wrong with it. This can make it harder and harder to sell as time goes on, and makes a price cut almost inevitable.
- You may sell for less in the end. Price cuts often lower a listing’s final selling price below its best, most realistic market value. Listing at the right price to begin with gives sellers the best chance of selling quickly at a great price.
The graph below demonstrates how these factors play out in the market. Using data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), it shows how time on the market lowers final selling price.
According to the data, if a house sells within its first 4 weeks after listing, it usually sells for full price. Homes that are priced at or just below current market value typically sell quickly in this same window. When a home is priced right, it attracts truly interested buyers who are willing to buy at your asking price. In a hot market, buyers may even compete with other buyers, or even make an offer above your listing price.
On the other hand, a home that’s overpriced will take longer to sell, if it sells at all. As the graph demonstrates, after that first 4 weeks on the market, final selling price starts to drop. And as buyer interest declines over time, the more likely a seller will accept a low offer, or cut their price.
Conclusion
The housing market is normalizing thanks to increasing housing inventory, causing price cuts to rise with increasing buyer power. For sellers, setting the right asking price is more important than ever, and overpricing could make your listing sit on the market. Advice from a local agent can help you avoid this mistake and sell quickly without having to lower your price.
Interested in selling but need help pricing your home for your local market? Get in touch with us today. We can connect you with a local agent who can sell your home at the best price possible.
Get Ready: The Best Time to List Your House This Year Is Coming Soon
If you’re waiting for the best time to list your house this year, then wait no longer. Experts have looked at the data, and the best week to list your house in 2025 is almost here.
A recent study from Realtor.com analyzed years of housing market trends and found that April 13–19 is expected to be the best week this year to list your house:
“. . . we’ve identified April 13-19 as the best week to list for sellers . . . a seller listing a well-priced, move-in ready home is likely to find success. Because spring is generally the high season for real estate activity and buyers are more plentiful earlier rather than later in the year, listing earlier in the spring raises a seller’s odds of a successful sale.”
Why Is This the Best Time?
Spring is typically a strong season for sellers and when the housing starts to really take off every year. But according to Realtor.com, this window could be particularly advantageous in 2025 thanks to a few key factors. Here are the biggest influences that make April 13-19 the ideal week for new listings:
- More potential buyers are looking at your home since demand is usually highest in the spring and summer every year.
- A faster, easier sale since many serious, committed buyers are eager to move before summer.
- Higher chances of getting the best offer. According to Realtor.com, you could get $4,800 more on average this week, and $27,000 more than earlier in the year.
Want Your House Listed at the Best Time? Start Now
Only a couple weeks are left before the year’s prime listing week, but you can still make the deadline. If you’ve been planning to list for a while, a smart plan and quick action can make it happen. This is where working with a great local real estate agent can make all the difference between selling and not. An expert agent can help you:
- Figure out exactly what you need to do to get your home ready to list and, eventually, sold.
- Prioritize the tasks to make the biggest impact on your listing and chances of selling in the shortest time.
- Identify any quick fixes or easy upgrades to help you attract as many potential buyers as possible.
If your house is already in good repair and condition, your focus should be on quick, value-adding updates. The idea is to eliminate any potential dealbreakers for interested buyers, as Investopedia says:
“You won’t have time for any major renovations, so focus on quick repairs to address things that could deter potential buyers.”
With the April 13-19 window fast approaching, the quicker you can finish these projects, the better. Here are some small projects recommended by Redfin you can do that can make a big difference to interested buyers:
What if You’re Not Ready to List?
If you don’t think you’ll be ready to list before this windows passes, then don’t worry. Even though Realtor.com expects April 13–19 to be the best time to list, it’s not the only good time to sell. What’s most important is getting your home ready to maximize its attractiveness to buyers when you do decide to list. Even if you list a bit late, there’s still plenty of opportunity before prime homebuying season is over.
Conclusion
If you’ve been waiting for just the right moment to sell, April 13-19 could be the perfect time. Realtor.com projects this as the best time to list your house this year, but there’s a bit more to consider. Making sure your home is fully prepped and priced competitively for your local market can make the difference.
Ready to list but need a real estate agent’s advice and expertise first? Reach out today and we’ll connect you with a local expert who can help you list and sell your home fast.
The Spring 2025 Housing Market: 4 Things To Expect
Spring is in full swing, and the spring 2025 housing market is swinging along with it. Wondering whether now is the right time to finally buy a house or sell your home? Here are four trends you can expect in the market this year, and what they mean for you.
1. More Homes on the Market
After years of housing shortages nationwide, the number of homes for sale is finally improving. According to recent national data from Realtor.com, active home listings are up 27.5% compared to this time last year. Housing inventory took a tremendous dive in 2020, but at long last, it’s close to reaching pre-pandemic levels this spring.
The graph below shows monthly active listing count for each year dating back to 2017. As you can see, even though inventory levels still haven’t quite returned to pre-pandemic norms, they’ve improved over last year. In fact, they’re almost at 2020 levels, and will likely exceed them this summer if their upward trend continues.
For Buyers: More housing inventory means you have more options and choices. Having options means you can be more selective, and that sellers may be more willing to negotiate with you.
For Sellers: With more homes available, you’re more likely to find the right house to move into. With inventory still below normal levels, your current home will stay in higher demand, at least until home supply normalizes.
2. Home Price Growth Is Slowing
As inventory increases, the rate of home price growth is slowing down as prices respond to buyer demand. This will continue through the spring 2025 housing market and beyond into 2026 if the current trend holds steady. With more homes for sale, eager buyers are less pressured to compete for limited inventory. Price growth will continue to slow as supply rises and buyers enjoy more options, but it will generally remain positive. A recent projection from Freddie Mac says:
“In 2025, we expect the pace of house price appreciation to moderate from the levels seen in 2024, while still maintaining a positive trajectory.”
Every housing market is different, so while home prices are rising nationally, this may not be true everywhere. Some markets are actually seeing stronger price growth, while others are slowing or even seeing home prices decline.
For Buyers: Slower home price growth means prices aren’t rising as quickly as before. Still, any home you buy now is likely to appreciate in value over time, helping you build equity.
For Sellers: Home prices are still rising, but you may need to temper your expectations in terms of pricing your home. Pricing too high in a more competitive market could mean your house takes longer to sell. Listing at a price point competitive with your local market is going to become a key factor as prices normalize.
3. Mortgage Rates Are Falling and Stabilizing
One of the biggest obstacles for buyers – especially new ones – since the pandemic has been higher, less predictable mortgage rates. Fortunately, rates have been slowly stabilizing so far in Q1 of 2025, and have even dropped faster than experts anticipated. These aren’t the 3% rates of 2020, but less volatile rates give buyers more reason to buy with confidence. As Chief Economist at CoreLogic Selma Hepp says:
“With the spring homebuying season upon us, the recent improvements in mortgage rates may help invite homebuyers back into the market.”
For Buyers: When mortgage rates are stable, planning ahead is easier because your future payments are likely to be more predictable. But keep in mind that even though mortgage rates are stabilizing, they’re still far from being completely static. When buying, consult your agent and lender to stay current with rates and how they might affect your plans.
For Sellers: Lower rates starting to stabilize means more buyers are becoming active – especially those who have been patiently waiting. This means increases in housing demand and more potential interested buyers for your house.
4. More Buyers Are Entering the Market
With more inventory, slowing price growth, and stabilizing mortgage rates, buyers are gaining confidence and finally reentering the market. Demand is increasing, and recent data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) shows an uptick in mortgage applications compared to the start of the year.
For Buyers: The spring 2025 housing market buying season is quickly heating up. Making your move now and getting a leg up on your competition could be a wise strategy this spring.
For Sellers: Eager buyers wanting to buy a home in the spring or summer are entering the market quickly. Naturally, this is great news for you: more buyers means a better chance of selling your home fast.
Conclusion
Between more homes for sale, slowing price growth, and stabilizing mortgage rates, there’s plenty reason to be positive this spring. Buyers can expect higher housing inventory at more reasonable rates, while sellers can count on a busier market with more activated homebuyers. If you’re wondering how this spring’s trends might affect you, contact us today to get started with an expert agent in your area.
Spring Home Inventory Hits Highest Level in Five Years
The spring 2025 housing market is shaping up to be a great time for buyers. Home inventory has risen to the highest level in five years, which puts more pressure on sellers to negotiate. This grants buyers more power and more options to get the home they really want at a fairer price. Here are just a couple promising things that more houses on the market could mean for you as a buyer.
1. More Homes on the Market To Choose From
The number of homes for sale in February this year was higher than it’s been in five years, dating back to February 2020. This is the strongest home supply seen since the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s great news for any hopeful homebuyer. The following graph shows new data from Realtor.com illustrating a significant 27.5% increase in home inventory since last year.
While inventory hasn’t returned to pre-2020 levels yet, experts say that inventory is expected to continue rising this year. More houses available means more choices, more options, and more chances to find the house you want. And according to Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, more inventory will bring other welcome changes to the market.
“Buyers will not only have more home options . . . but they are also likely to find somewhat lower asking prices and more time to make decisions – all buyer-friendly factors as we inch closer to the busy homebuying season.”
2. Sellers Are More Likely To Accept Price Cuts
When buyers have more options, some homes tend to stay on the market for longer than they otherwise would. This is especially true of homes that are initially priced too high and out of some buyers’ ideal range. When this happens, sellers are forced to drop prices to keep their listing competitive with other houses on the market. And combined with falling mortgage rates, it means a more normalized market and better deals for buyers.
Based on data from Realtor.com, the number of listings with price reductions has increased over the last few years. In fact, price reductions have even risen above the levels seen in 2020, as the graph below illustrates.
Price reductions are a great sign that sellers are more willing to negotiate and compromise today. Compared to the market’s more normal years of 2017–2019, today’s number of price cuts is much closer to what’s typical. For most buyers, this is a welcome relief, and a promising sign of where the market is headed.
For you, this could mean fewer compromises and a better chance to negotiate on price, closing costs, or even repairs. Not every seller is willing to adjust their price, but a higher home inventory means many more will. Either way, healthier inventory levels mean you have more leverage in the market than buyers have had in years.
Conclusion
If you’ve been watching the market and waiting for the right moment to buy, this spring could be the perfect time. Home supply is up, mortgage rates are down, and more sellers are cutting prices to attract eager buyers. Best of all, these trends are expected to continue into the spring, making for a stronger, healthier market for everyone.
For help navigating your unique local housing market, consider connecting with an expert real estate agent. They can talk to you about what’s happening in your area and get you started on your home search. Reach out today and we’ll connect you with a local expert who can find the home you’re looking for.
What’s Your Real Home Value in the 2025 Market?
If you’ve checked home prices in the past few years, you know too well that they’re always rising. But if you’re a current homeowner, have you considered what this might mean for your own home value? It may be that your home is worth far more than you think in 2025.
While rising prices are expected, the home value increases of the post-Pandemic housing market have been dramatic. And if you’re a seller waiting to list, this could mean a huge payoff when you finally close. If you’re eager to know much your own house could sell for, finding out is easier than you think.
The Post-Pandemic Home Value Launch
Home prices typically rise around 2-5% per year, but in 2021-2022 that number rose to double-digit levels. In the spring of 2022, year-over-year percentage growth finally peaked at over 20% nationally. The sheer number of buyers in the market during this time sent home prices soaring as housing supply lagged. And though price growth has settled since then, the home value accrued by homeowners in that time remains.
The lingering effects of that volatile period have caused difficulties for buyers, but they’ve also produced great opportunities for sellers. There’s a good chance your house has gained tremendous value since then, and that means more wealth for you.
The map below references data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to illustrate that home prices have risen by nearly 60% in just the past 5 years alone nationally. The most extreme increases have taken place in states marked with a darker blue, like Maine, New Hampshire, and Florida.
If worries about today’s rates and prices have stopped you from selling your home, let these numbers reassure you. Your home’s risen value may be exactly what you need to close the affordability gap and purchase your next house.
Even better, if you’ve owned your home for 10 years or more, your value is likely even higher. You can stack the incredible gains of the past five years on top of five years of healthy appreciation too. And an agent can help you figure out what that really looks like.
How To Find Out What Your House Is Really Worth
Percentages will help you ballpark an estimate, but you need specific numbers to make real, actionable decisions. To help, you can get a free home valuation estimate from us right now using the tool below. You can even sign up for a full valuation report.
Home valuations can be great tools, but only a local real estate agent can give you the best, most accurate look at your house’s real market value. An agent will know the state of your local housing market and the factors driving it. They can provide insights about current housing inventory, pricing of comparable homes, and unique contributors to value like renovations.
By knowing what’s happening where you live, an agent can stack their market knowledge against the unique condition and features of your home and give you an accurate estimate of your home’s current value in your area.
Conclusion
Home values have taken off in just the past few years, and that’s great news for current homeowners. Knowing what your house is worth in today’s real estate market will help you plan your next move. A local agent can give you a great idea of how much your home might realistically sell for.
If you’re a homeowner considering a move, get your free home valuation from us at Century 21 Affiliated now. Ready to sell? Reach out now and we’ll connect you with a local expert real estate agent who can get your house sold.
Mortgage Rates Drop to the Lowest Point in 2025 So Far
If you’ve been holding off on buying a home for a lower mortgage rate, take another look at the market. Mortgage rates are trending downward, and they just hit their lowest point of the year so far.
According to a report from Freddie Mac, mortgage rates have been falling for seven straight weeks. The average weekly rate for a 30-year-fixed mortgage is now at the lowest level its been in 2025.
This may not sound significant on its own, but it outlines a remarkable trend. A drop in rates from over 7% to the mid-6’s can make all the difference when buying a home. What’s most significant is that experts previously predicted that rates wouldn’t fall this low until Q3 of this year.
Why Are Mortgage Rates Dropping?
According to Joel Kan, VP and Deputy Chief Economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), ongoing economic uncertainty is a driving force in pushing rates lower:
“Mortgage rates declined last week on souring consumer sentiment regarding the economy and increasing uncertainty over the impact of new tariffs levied on imported goods into the U.S. Those factors resulted in the largest weekly decline in the 30-year fixed rate since November 2024.”
The timing of this rate drop is great for buyers moving into the Spring 2025 market. But remember that mortgage rates can change quickly, and always expect some volatility in markets driven by uncertainty. With that said, this small window of rates dropping into prime buying season might be exactly wait you’ve waited for.
What Falling Mortgage Rates Mean for Your Buying Power
Even a small reduction in your mortgage rate can make a huge difference in your monthly housing payment. The chart below shows what a monthly payment (principal and interest) would look like on a $400K home loan if you purchased a house when rates were 7.04% back in mid-January (this year’s mortgage rate high). The right side shows what it could look like if you buy a home now at current rates.
In just the past few weeks, the expected payment on a $400K loan has come down by over $100 per month. That’s a significant savings that can make a world of difference when deciding to buy a house.
Recent economic shifts have driven rates down faster than expected, and that’s great news. But remember that this could change at any time in the coming days and months for better or worse. So if you’re waiting for rates to fall further before you buy, think hard about the current window of opportunity before making a decision.
Conclusion
Mortgage rates have dipped to their lowest point in 2025 so far. This grants buyers a great position moving into the spring buying season, especially for those who have been waiting. The unpredictability of the market and larger economy mean volatility, so get expert advice and consider before making a decision.
Can You Buy a Home in 2025 Without Waiting for Lower Rates?
Like many homebuyers, you may be waiting for rates to drop before you finally buy a home this year. The latest expert reports predict that rates will continue to fall, but not as low as many hope. While this may be discouraging, the good news is that there are still ways you can buy a home in 2025 without waiting for lower rates.
Will Rates Keep Dropping?
Near the end of 2024, experts were predicting that mortgage rates could dip below 6% by the end of 2025. More recent projections are suggesting that rates will continue to fall but hover somewhere above 6%.
Recent projections from Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and Wells Fargo now predict that mortgage rates will stabilize around 6.5% by the end of the year.
If you’re holding out for mortgage rates to drop below 6% before buying, you may need to keep waiting into next year at least. But what if you’re a buyer who can’t wait to move because of a major life event, like a new job, a new baby, or a marriage? Don’t panic—you’ll still be able to move this year, but you may need to take advantage of some alternative financing options.
How to Finance a Home in Today’s Market
With rates predicted to hold more stubbornly than expected this year, it’s worth researching different financing options, especially if your move is a non-negotiable one. Here are three unique financing strategies that may be helpful to you depending on your situation. If you’ve already chosen a lender, discuss each of these options with them to decide if any are a good fit. It may make all the difference you need to buy a house in 2025.
1. Mortgage Buydowns
A mortgage buydown allows you to pay an upfront fee—sometimes called “discount points”— to lower your mortgage rate temporarily or sometimes permanently. This can be an especially helpful option if you want or need a lower monthly mortgage payment early on. Of course, the obvious downside is a higher upfront cost.
A recent survey by HomeLight found that 27% of real estate agents day first-time homebuyers are increasingly requesting mortgage buydowns from sellers. This is a new program called RateReduce Sell that allows sellers to pay an upfront cost to lock in a lower mortgage rate for buyers. However, a real estate agent can help negotiate this with a seller, so be sure to mention it if you’re actively looking to buy a house.
2. Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are loans that combine a fixed-rate period with an adjustable-rate period. ARMs typically start with a lower rate than a traditional 30-year fixed mortgage then fluctuate with the market once the fixed-rate period ends. This can make them an attractive option if you expect rates to drop in the future, or plan to refinance your home later.
If you remember the 2008 housing crash, it may be reassuring to know that today’s ARMs aren’t like the volatile loans from back then. Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, describes modern ARMs this way:
“. . . ARM products today are different from many of the products issued in the mid-2000s. Before 2008, lenders often approved ARMs based on borrowers ability to pay the initial lower interest rates. And sometimes they didn’t even check that (remember Ninja loans). Today, adjustable-rate borrowers qualify based on their ability to cover a higher monthly payment, not just the initial lower payment.”
Before 2008, banks used to give loans without checking to see if buyers could realistically afford them. These days, lenders verify income, assets, and employment, reducing the risks previously associated with loans like ARMs.
3. Assumable Mortgages
An assumable mortgage allows you to take over a seller’s existing loan, usually including its lower mortgage rate, repayment period, and remaining balance. This can be a great option if the seller was locked into a low mortgage rate, but few are willing to offer it by default. According to U.S. News, more than 11 million homes qualify for an assumable mortgage, so it’s always worth bringing up with your agent or seller.
Conclusion
With mortgage rates looking unlikely to fall below 6% in this year, waiting for a drop may not work out if you’re eager to buy a house in 2025. Consider options like mortgage buydowns, ARMs, or assumable mortgages depending on what makes the most sense for you. Connect with a local lender or expert agent today to explore your options and get the help you need.
3 Questions About Selling Your House You May Be Asking
Selling a house is one of the most significant financial and emotional decisions a homeowner can make, and unanswered questions about the market make this decision even harder. Sometimes, sellers’ concerns are based on misconceptions or outdated info, but can be quickly alleviated with a trustworthy agent’s help.
If your own uncertainty about the market is keeping you from selling your house, don’t wait to get the answers you need. Despite rising home prices and stiff demand, the 2025 real estate market is active, and recent reports prove it. If you’re uncertain about selling your house, here are the answers to three you may be asking.
1. Is It a Good Idea To Move Right Now?
If you’re a homeowner itching to make a move, you might be waiting to sell because you don’t to take on a higher mortgage rate on your next house. Between interest rates, inflation, and the job market, it’s both wise and responsible to consider your own finances and the greater state of the economy. The good news is that moving may be a lot more feasible than you think, mainly thanks to how much your house has likely grown in value.
Consider if there’s anyone in your neighborhood who sold their house recently. If so, do you know what it sold for? Considering how much home values have increased since 2021, the final closing price may surprise you. According to Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the typical homeowner has gained almost $150,000 in housing wealth in the last five years alone.
That’s a significant gain depending on your house’s initial value when you bought. When you decide to sell, the increased value of your home along with the equity you’ve built can make all the difference you need to lock down your new home.
2. Will I Be Able To Find a Home I Like?
If finding the right house is stopping you from selling your house, it’s probably because you remember how hard it’s been to find a home these past few years due to low housing inventory. But thanks to positive inventory trends in today’s market, finding a good home is becoming easier.
According to a January 2025 report from from Realtor.com, home supply has increased nearly 25% since this time last year.
Housing inventory still hasn’t risen to pre-pandemic levels, but it’s improved significantly in the past year since January 2024. Even better, real estate experts say the supply of homes will continue to grow another 10 to 15% in 2025. More houses on the market means more options for you as a buyer, and a better chance of finding the perfect home.
3. Will My House Sell?
Lastly, if you’re worried that buyers aren’t buying thanks to home prices and mortgage rates, here’s some encouraging info. While last year’s home sales were still below normal, about 4.24 million homes sold according to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Experts expect that number to rise in 2025, but here’s how 2024’s break down over time:
- 4.24 million homes ÷ 365 days in a year = 11,616 homes sold each day.
- 11,616 homes ÷ 24 hours in a day = 484 homes sold per hour.
- 484 homes ÷ 60 minutes = 8 homes sold every minute.
To apply some perspective: in the minute it took you to read this paragraph, 8 homes sold last year. And homes are expected to sell even faster in 2025, so rest assured that buyers are still buying. The market may not be back to pre-pandemic levels, but there are thousands of active buyers looking for homes like yours.
Conclusion
Selling your house is a major decision just like buying, but there are plenty of reasons for optimism in 2025. Home inventory is increasing, buyers are becoming more active, and your current home is likely worth more than you think.
Are you thinking of selling but have unanswered questions holding you back? Reach out today and we’ll connect you with an expert local real estate agent who can help.
