Wednesday, September 30, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
If you're trying to buy a home, affordability is probably what keeps you up at night. And as you watch mortgage rates tick up again lately, it’s fair to wonder if you should just hit pause and wait for them to go down.
For now, though, they’re headed the other way. Mortgage News Daily data shows how rates have risen this year (see graph below):
And if you’re wondering why? There are actually a number of reasons.
Mortgage rates are impacted by the situation overseas, economic data, inflation numbers, oil prices, and even decisions from the Federal Reserve (who recently decided to hike their Fed Funds Rate – which often affects mortgage rates too). As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, explains:
“The pressure on mortgage rates was here even before the Fed rate hike, and it doesn’t show signs of relenting. . .”
Now, that’s probably not what you wanted to hear. But, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing yo ...
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for buyers, mortgage rates, buying tips, affordability, new construction
Friday, September 11, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
For most first-time buyers, the hardest part of buying a home is making the numbers work. You budget, you save, and the finish line still feels far away.
But your salary is only half the equation. Where you live shapes what you can afford just as much. And if you can work remotely, you have an advantage a lot of buyers don't.
You're not tied to living where the jobs are, so you can look where your money goes further.
Where You Work Doesn’t Have To Dictate Where You Live
Remote job openings are on the rise. According to FlexJobs, remote job postings climbed 22% from the quarter before. That’s the second quarter in a row of double-digit growth.
More remote roles mean more people can choose a home base around the life they want to build. As Forbes puts it:
“Remote employees, freelancers, consultants, entrepreneurs, and business owners have the flexibility to choose a home base based on the life they want to build, whether that means more space, a lo ...
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for buyers, first time home buyers, buying tips, agent value, affordability
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
Today's home prices have a lot of buyers – especially first-time buyers – wondering if there’s even anything out there that’s in their budget. But owning a home may be more within reach than you think. Sometimes, it just means considering a different type of home.
Condos and townhomes can be a great way to buy without stretching every last dollar. And right now, two things make them worth a serious look.
There Are More Condos and Townhomes To Choose From
Maybe you feel like there’s just nothing out there for you, and you’ve exhausted all your options. But have you considered condos or townhomes? A lot of buyers start by looking for a single-family, detached home without even realizing what that search omits from their pool of choices.
According to HousingWire Data, there were 233,030 condos and townhomes for sale this June. That's more than any June in at least the past decade, and more than double the number available back in 2022 (see gr. ...
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for buyers, first time home buyers, buying tips, affordability, downsize
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
If the first half of this year has left you feeling stuck, you're not the only one. Mortgage rates stayed higher than people wanted. Affordability remained tight. And uncertainty overseas added another layer of pressure nobody saw coming.
That's why so many people are asking the same question: Will the second half of the year be any better for the housing market?
While nobody has a crystal ball, there are a few encouraging signs things could start moving in a better direction. Here's what to watch.
Mortgage Rates Could Be Near a Turning Point
One of the biggest reasons mortgage rates haven't come down yet is inflation. And higher energy prices and uncertainty overseas are at least part of the reason inflation is still elevated. The encouraging news?
Oil prices have already started coming back down.
That may not sound like it has much to do with buying a home. But historically, mortgage rates and oil prices tend to move in the same direction.
Take a look at the graph belo. ...
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for buyers, for sellers, pricing, mortgage rates, housing forecast, affordability
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
Open up a home search and you'll see them. Listings that have been on the market for two months. Three. Some longer.
Most buyers scroll right past them, assuming something’s wrong with the house. But that instinct could be costing you, since the longer a home sits, the more motivated the seller usually gets.
Where Some Buyers Are Finding Better Deals
If affordability has been your #1 hurdle to buying, here’s a surprisingly simple strategy that could help you finally get your foot in the door. Start with the homes that have been sitting the longest. That’s often where the best deals are.
Here’s why. Data from Realtor.com shows there’s a connection between longer time on the market and lower sales prices. Basically, the longer a house sits, the more likely it is that the seller will reduce the price (see graph below):
The blue line tracks how long homes stay on the market, while the green line tracks the share of homes getting a price reduction. As on ...
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for buyers, first time home buyers, buying tips, affordability
