From our friends at the kcm blog
If buying a home is on your radar, you’ve probably been keeping an eye on mortgage rates and home prices. But don’t forget about homeowners insurance.
Homeowners insurance has always been part of owning a home. But over the past few years, it’s become a larger expense for many homeowners – something that’s especially frustrating when affordability already feels tight.
The good news? While premiums are still rising, the latest data shows those increases are beginning to slow. Here’s what buyers should know.
Home Insurance Costs Have Gone Up
You’ve probably heard stories from friends or family about their premiums going up. And that’s not really a surprise when...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Remember how exciting it was to buy your first place? It felt like crossing a long-awaited finish line. It gave you a place to build your life. Maybe it’s where you lived when you got married. Or where you welcomed a child or a pet into the family.
But that was just the beginning.
For most people, your first house was never meant to be your forever home. It’s a stepping stone for what comes next.
And if your life looks different today than it did when you got the keys, you’re not stuck. Moving may be more realistic than you think.
Starter Home Inventory...
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How do I list my parents' home for sale online? Confirm legal authority, gather key docs, and choose the right platform — Zillow, flat-fee MLS, or agent....
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From our friends at the kcm blog
If you’ve been thinking about selling, you’ve probably seen plenty of headlines suggesting buyers have just about disappeared. But there’s a big difference between a slow market and a stalled one.
Yes, mortgage rates are still higher than most people would like. Homes aren’t selling as fast as they were. And every week seems to bring another headline about buyers sitting on the sidelines. But here’s what you haven’t heard.
Despite everything going on, buyer demand has been remarkably resilient.
In fact, more sellers are getting to put up the “pending sale” sign now than during the last two years. What’s even more surprising is...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Saving for a down payment can feel like the hardest part of buying a home. And with affordability as tight as it’s been lately, it’s fair to wonder how anyone manages it right now. Here’s something you may not have seen coming.
Some people are getting their foot in the door with a smaller down payment.
According to Realtor.com, the typical buyer put down about $23,400 in early 2026 – that’s around $5,000 below what was typical the year before (a 19% drop year over year). That’s the lowest down payments have been since 2021 (see graph below):
So why are buyers putting less money down, and how can you put...
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