• Is It Better To Rent or Buy a Home?

    Is It Better To Rent or Buy a Home?,Monet Yarnell

    You’ve probably asked yourself lately: Is it even worth trying to buy a home right now? With high home prices and stubborn mortgage rates, renting can seem like the safer choice right now. Or maybe your only choice. That’s a very real feeling. And perhaps buying today isn’t your best move; it’s not

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  • The Secret To Selling Your House in Today’s Market

    The Secret To Selling Your House in Today’s Market,Monet Yarnell

    A few years ago, homes were flying off the shelves and getting multiple offers well over their asking price. It felt like you could name your price and still have buyers lined up at the door. But today’s housing market is different. Buyers are getting more selective now that inventory has grown. Hom

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  • Many Veterans Don’t Know about This VA Home Loan Benefit

    Many Veterans Don’t Know about This VA Home Loan Benefit,Monet Yarnell

    For 80 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped countless Veterans buy a home. But even though a lot of Veterans have access to this powerful program, the majority don't know about one of its core benefits. According to a report from Veterans United only 3 in 10 Veterans are aware they ma

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  • Why Inventory Is Still Tight—and What Sellers Can Do About It

    Why Inventory Is Still Tight—and What Sellers Can Do About It,Monet Yarnell

    Despite high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty, the U.S. housing market—and especially in states like Maine—continues to experience tight inventory. Buyers are still house hunting, but there simply aren’t enough homes available to meet demand. So why is inventory so low in 2025, and what can s

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  • Thinking about an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? Read This First.

    Thinking about an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? Read This First.,Monet Yarnell

    If you’ve been house hunting lately, you’ve probably felt the sting of today’s mortgage rates. And it’s because of those rates and rising home prices that many homebuyers are starting to explore other types of loans to make the numbers work. And one option that’s gaining popularity? Adjustable-rate

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  • More Homes for Sale Isn’t a Warning Sign – It's Your Buying Opportunity

    More Homes for Sale Isn’t a Warning Sign – It's Your Buying Opportunity,Monet Yarnell

    Maybe you’ve heard the number of homes for sale has reached a recent high. And it might make you question if this is the start of another housing market crash. But the reality is, the data proves that’s just not the case. In most areas, more inventory isn’t bad news. It’s actually a sign of the mark

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  • What Buyers Need To Know About Homeowners Association Fees

    What Buyers Need To Know About Homeowners Association Fees,Monet Yarnell

    When buying a home, you’re probably thinking about mortgage rates, home prices, your down payment, and maybe even your closing costs. But you may not be thinking about homeowners association (HOA) fees. While you won’t necessarily have these, you should know it’s a possibility, depending on where yo

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  • You Could Use Some of Your Equity To Give Your Children the Gift of Home

    You Could Use Some of Your Equity To Give Your Children the Gift of Home,Monet Yarnell

    If you’re a homeowner, chances are you’ve built up a lot of wealth – just by living in your house and watching its value grow over time. And that equity? It’s something that could help change your child’s life. Since affordability is still a challenge, a lot of first-time buyers are struggling to bu

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  • Why You Shouldn’t Wait Until Summer to List Your Home

    Why You Shouldn’t Wait Until Summer to List Your Home,Monet Yarnell

    When it comes to selling your home, timing matters—and many sellers believe that summer is the best season to make a move. But in 2025, there are strong reasons to consider listing your home earlier, especially during the spring market. Here's why waiting until summer could mean missed opportunities

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  • Why Would I Move with a 3% Mortgage Rate?

    Why Would I Move with a 3% Mortgage Rate?,Monet Yarnell

    If you have a 3% mortgage rate, you’re probably pretty hesitant to let that go. And even if you’ve toyed with the idea of moving, this nagging thought may be holding you back: “why would I give that up?” But when you ask that question, you may be putting your needs on the back burner without realizi

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  • Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership

    Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership,Monet Yarnell

    Did you know? According to a recent study, 72% of people with student loans think their debt will delay their ability to buy a home. Maybe you’re one of them and you're wondering: Do you have to wait until you’ve paid off those loans before you can buy your first home? Or is it possible you could st

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  • Why Buyers Are More Likely To Get Concessions Right Now

    Why Buyers Are More Likely To Get Concessions Right Now,Monet Yarnell

    Especially in areas where inventory is rising, both homebuilders and sellers are sweetening the deal for buyers with things like paid closing costs, mortgage rate buy-downs, and more. In the industry, it’s called a concession or an incentive. What Are Concessions and Incentives? When a seller or bui

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  • Home Projects That Boost Value

    Home Projects That Boost Value,Monet Yarnell

    Whether you’re planning to move soon or not, it’s smart to be strategic about which home projects you take on. Your time, energy, and money matter – and not all upgrades offer the payoff you might expect. As U.S. News Real Estate explains: ". . . not every home renovation project will increase the r

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  • Should You Wait Until Fall to List Your Home? Pros and Cons

    Should You Wait Until Fall to List Your Home? Pros and Cons,Monet Yarnell

    If you’re thinking about selling your home, timing is key. While spring and summer are traditionally hot real estate seasons, fall is becoming increasingly attractive for some sellers. So, should you wait until fall to list your home? Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide. Pros

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  • Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of the Year

    Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of the Year,Monet Yarnell

    From rising home prices to mortgage rate swings, the housing market has left a lot of people wondering what’s next – and whether now is really the right time to move. There is one place you can turn to for answers you want the most. And that’s the experts. Leading housing experts are starting to rel

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  • Why Some Homes Sell Faster Than Others

    Why Some Homes Sell Faster Than Others,Monet Yarnell

    As you think ahead to your own move, you may have noticed some houses sell within days, while others linger. But why is that? As Redfin says: “. . . today’s housing market has been topsy-turvy since the pandemic. Low inventory (though rising) and high prices have created a strange mix: Some homes ar

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  • Stocks May Be Volatile, but Home Values Aren’t

    Stocks May Be Volatile, but Home Values Aren’t,Monet Yarnell

    With all the uncertainty in the economy, the stock market has been bouncing around more than usual. And if you’ve been watching your 401(k) or investments lately, chances are you’ve felt that pit in your stomach. One day it’s up. The next day, it’s not. And that may make you feel a little worried ab

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  • The 20% Down Payment Myth, Debunked

    The 20% Down Payment Myth, Debunked,Monet Yarnell

    Saving up to buy a home can feel a little intimidating, especially right now. And for many first-time buyers, the idea that you have to put 20% down can feel like a major roadblock. But that’s actually a common misconception. Here’s the truth. Do You Really Have To Put 20% Down When You Buy a Home?

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  • Navigating the Affordable Housing Shortage in the U.S.

    Navigating the Affordable Housing Shortage in the U.S.,Monet Yarnell

    The U.S. is in the grip of an ongoing affordable housing shortage, a crisis that’s affecting millions of Americans across income levels and geographic locations. As rents rise and home prices remain high, both buyers and renters are finding it harder than ever to secure a place they can afford. What

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  • What an Economic Slowdown Could Mean for the Housing Market

    What an Economic Slowdown Could Mean for the Housing Market,Monet Yarnell

    Talk about the economy is all over the news, and the odds of a recession are rising this year. That’s leaving a lot of people wondering what it means for the value of their home – and their buying power. Let’s take a look at some historical data to show what’s happened in the housing market during e

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