What To Know About Closing CostsNow that you’ve decided to buy a home and are ready to make it happen, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the costs that are a typical part of the homebuying process. And while your down payment is probably the number one expense on your mind, don't forget about closing costs. Here’s what you need to know.What Are Closing Costs?Simply put, your closing costs are...

The Best Time To Buy a Home This YearA shift is underway in the housing market this season. And if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right moment to jump back into your homebuying search, this is a great time to do it. That’s because the best week to buy a home this year is just around the corner. Your sweet spot is here. The experts at Realtor.com study seasonal trends to...

Mortgage Rates Drop to Lowest Level in over a Year and a HalfMortgage rates have hit their lowest point in over a year and a half. And that’s big news if you’ve been sitting on the homebuying sidelines waiting for this moment.Even a small decline in rates could help you get a better monthly payment than you would expect on your next home. And the drop that’s happened recently isn’t small. As Sam...

Choosing a health care proxy is one of the most significant decisions you can make when preparing your advance care directive. This person will have the power to make life-changing decisions for you in times of need. But how do you make sure you’re choosing the right person? Let’s walk through what to consider when making this important choice.What is a Health Care Proxy, and What Does it Do?A health...

Picture this: You’re in a hospital waiting room, and the doctors ask you to make a critical decision for a loved one who’s unable to speak. What would you do? How could you possibly know what they would want? This painful scenario can be avoided with a tool many overlook: the Advance Care Directive.What Exactly Is an Advance Care Directive?An advance care directive is a legal document that allows you...

Larry and Sandra Martinez had been chasing the California dream of homeownership since the pandemic began. Like many young families in Los Angeles, they watched helplessly as home prices skyrocketed by 45% and mortgage rates doubled, pushing their dream further out of reach. But the couple wasn't ready to give up.Larry, a truck driver with a non-traditional schedule, and Sandra, a remote worker for a...

If you haven’t already heard, homebuyers are regaining some negotiating power in today’s market. And while that doesn’t make this a buyer’s market, it does mean buyers may be able to ask for a little more. So, sellers need to be ready for that possibility and know what they’re willing to negotiate.Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a house, here’s a quick rundown of potential...

If you’re planning to sell your house and move, you probably know there’s been a shortage of options available after your house is sold. But here’s the good news: the supply of homes for sale has grown in a lot of markets this year – and that’s not just existing, or previously-owned, homes. It’s true for newly built homes too. So how do you decide which route to go? Do you buy an existing...