housing affordability: Remote Work Could Be Your Affordability Answer
- 09/07/26 07:52 AM
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 LiveRemote job openings are on the rise. According to FlexJobs, remote job postings climbed 22%from … (6 comments)
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housing affordability: Thinking About Tapping into Your 401(k) To Buy a Home? Read This First.
- 08/31/26 07:19 AM
Lately, headlines have floated an eye-catching idea about tapping into your 401(k) to cover a down payment on a home. Maybe you've caught the buzz and wondered whether that money could get you into a home faster, especially with affordability as tough as it is.
Here’s what you need to remember. Pulling from your retirement savings is a big decision, so take time to weigh all your options first and be sure to talk with a financial expert before you do anything.
Why Dipping into a 401(k) Can Be TemptingData from Empower shows many Americans have built up considerable retirement savings. The median … (0 comments)
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housing affordability: 14 Years Running: Why Real Estate Is Still America’s Favorite Investment
- 07/16/26 08:08 AM
Quick gut reaction. Which investment do Americans trust more than stocks, gold, savings accounts, and bonds? The answer hasn't changed in 14 years.
It's real estate. And this year, that answer comes with even more conviction behind it. New data shows people aren't just saying homeownership is a smart move, they're feeling better about it than they have in years. Let's dig into why.
Real Estate Takes the Top Spot – AgainEvery year, Gallup asks Americans to name the best long-term investment. And for the 14th year in a row, real estate came out on top (see graph below):
That's not a fluke or … (3 comments)
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housing affordability: Think Nobody's Buying Homes Right Now? Think Again.
- 07/15/26 08:53 AM
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 … (2 comments)
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housing affordability: What To Expect from the Housing Market in the Second Half of 2026
- 07/09/26 09:03 AM
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 … (2 comments)
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housing affordability: That House That’s Been Sitting Could Be Your Best Shot at a Deal
- 06/22/26 07:38 AM
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 DealsIf 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. … (2 comments)
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housing affordability: Could Co-Buying Be the Answer for Some First-Time Buyers?
- 05/07/26 08:25 AM
For a lot of would-be first-time buyers, affordability is the thing that’s standing in the way. But some buyers are getting creative and finding a way to still make the numbers work – and that’s through co-buying.
The Dream Is Still Alive. The Math Just Isn’t Working for Everyone.Young people haven’t given up on the dream of owning a home – not even close. According to FirstHome IQ, homeownership still ranks among the top life goals for the next generation.
The problem? 73% of Gen Z and millennial buyers cite affordability as the reason for not making homeownership a priority. And it shows. … (3 comments)
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housing affordability: Thinking About an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? Here’s What You Need To Know.
- 04/08/26 07:04 AM
If you’ve been looking for a home lately, you’ve probably felt how tough affordability still is. And that's exactly why more buyers are opting for adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs.
Here's what you need to understand about how they work, and whether they make sense for you.
What Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage?Since a lot of people aren’t familiar with this type of loan, let’s start with a definition. This is how Business Insider explains the main difference between a fixed-rate mortgage and an adjustable-rate mortgage:
“With a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate remains the same for the entire time you have the loan. This keeps … (1 comments)
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housing affordability: Don’t Let Home Prices Headlines Fool You
- 04/01/26 06:46 AM
Spend about 5 minutes online searching for news about the housing market, and odds are you’ll see something pop up about home prices. You may even stumble onto social media influencers saying we’re headed for a crash. Let’s get you the context you need.
The truth is prices are going to vary depending on where you live. But they're not crashing.
Here’s what you need to know.
The Local Perspective: Home Price Trends by AreaThe biggest thing feeding into the confusion online is how different home price trends are by area right now. Take a look at this data from ResiClub and Zillow (see … (1 comments)
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housing affordability: Affordability Has Improved in All 50 States
- 03/19/26 07:32 AM
For the past few years, affordability has been what’s stopped a lot of buyers in their tracks. Maybe it stopped you, too.
At some point you probably did the math, looked at the monthly payment, and decided to pause your search and wait for things to get better. But here’s something you may have missed while you’ve been sitting on the sidelines.
Over the last year, housing affordability has improved in all 50 states. Yes, you read that right. It’s gotten better in every single state.
That’s based on new research coming out of First American. And while housing is still fairly expensive compared … (3 comments)
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housing affordability: The Best Affordability in 2.5 Years
- 11/18/25 01:59 PM
Big news for homebuyers. Affordability has hit a 2.5-year high.
And here’s why.
Mortgage rates have been trending down and home prices are moderating.
That means the math on buying a home looks a lot better than it did the past couple of years.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign that it’s time to take another look, this is it. The affordability challenge isn’t solved, but it is better.
Let’s see what’s possible now. DM me if you want to see how this changes your buying power.
Contact us:
PHP Houses
142 W Lakeview Ave
Unit 1030
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Ph: (407) 641-1531
Fax: (407) 205-1951
email: info@phphouses.com
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The information contained, and the opinions expressed, … (0 comments)
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housing affordability: Would You Let $80 a Month Hold You Back from Buying a Home?
- 11/14/25 08:08 AM
A lot of buyers are stuck in “wait and see” mode right now. They’re watching rates hover a little above 6% and thinking, I’ll buy once they hit the 5s. Because who doesn’t want a better rate?
But here’s the thing: that 5.99% number might not save you as much as you think.
Affordability is still a challenge. There’s no question about that. But the market has given savvy buyers a head start. Mortgage rates have already come down over the past few months. And the drop we’ve seen saves you more than you’d think.
How Much You’ve Already Saved, Without Realizing ItLet's put … (2 comments)
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housing affordability: 4 Ways To Make an Offer That Stands Out This Spring
- 04/14/25 07:21 AM
Now that spring is here, more and more buyers are jumping back into the market, and competition is heating up.
If you’re serious about landing a home you’ll love, you need more than just a wish list. You need a smart strategy – and that starts with working with a great agent who can help you put together a strong offer.
Here are some top tips your agent will share with you that are helping buyers stand out (and win) in today’s market.
1. Don’t Lowball on Price It’s tempting to start with a super low offer in an attempt to … (3 comments)
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housing affordability: What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025
- 10/21/24 08:43 AM
Curious about where the housing market is headed in 2025? The good news is that experts are offering some promising forecasts, especially when it comes to two key factors that directly affect your decisions: mortgage rates and home prices.
Whether you're thinking of buying or selling, here’s a look at what the experts are saying and how it might impact your move.
Mortgage Rates Are Forecast To Come DownOne of the biggest factors likely affecting your plans is mortgage rates, and the forecast looks positive. After rising dramatically in recent years, experts project rates will ease slightly throughout the course of 2025 (see … (0 comments)
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housing affordability: Could a 55+ Community Be Right for You?
- 09/02/24 07:13 AM
If you’re thinking about downsizing, you may be hearing about 55+ communities and wondering if they’d be a good fit for you. Here’s some information that could help you make your decision.
What Is a 55+ Community? It’s important to note that these communities aren’t just for people who need extra support – they can be pretty vibrant, too. Many people who are downsizing opt for this type of home because they’re looking to be surrounded by people in a similar season of life. U.S. News explains:
“The terms ‘55-plus community,’ ‘active adult community,’ ‘lifestyle communities’ and ‘planned communities’ refer to … (2 comments)
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housing affordability: What Mortgage Rate Are You Waiting For?
- 08/26/24 08:29 AM
You won’t find anyone who’s going to argue that mortgage rates have had a big impact on housing affordability over the past couple of years. But there is hope on the horizon. Rates have actually started to come down. And, recently they hit the lowest point we’ve seen in 2024, according to Freddie Mac (see graph below):
And if you’re thinking about buying a home, that may leave you wondering: how much lower are they going to go? Here’s some information that can help you know what to expect.
Expert Projections for Mortgage Rates Experts say the overall downward trend should … (2 comments)
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housing affordability: Is Affordability Starting To Improve?
- 08/13/24 06:55 AM
Over the past couple of years, a lot of people have had a hard time buying a home. And while affordability is still tight, there are signs it's getting a little better and might keep improving throughout the rest of the year. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:
“Housing affordability is improving ever so modestly, but it is moving in the right direction.”Here’s a look at the latest data on the three biggest factors affecting home affordability: mortgage rates, home prices, and wages.
1. Mortgage RatesMortgage rates have been volatile this year, bouncing around from the mid-6% … (4 comments)
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housing affordability: More Than a House: The Emotional Benefits of Homeownership
- 06/03/24 01:42 PM
With all the headlines and talk about housing affordability, it can be tempting to get lost in the financial side of buying a home. That’s only natural as you think about the dollars and cents of it all.
And while you ultimately need to be able to afford a home you buy, don’t lose sight of why homeownership was so important to you in the first place. That’s because buying a home is so much more than just a financial transaction. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says:
“The benefits of purchasing and owning your place of residence are both … (2 comments)
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housing affordability: What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?
- 05/20/24 07:27 AM
If you’re thinking of making a move this year, there are two housing market factors that are probably on your mind: home prices and mortgage rates. You’re wondering what’s going to happen next. And if it’s worth it to move now, or better to wait it out.
The only thing you can really do is make the best decision you can based on the latest information available. So, here’s what experts are saying about both prices and rates.
1. What’s Next for Home Prices?One reliable place you can turn to for information on home price forecasts is the Home Price Expectations Survey from … (3 comments)
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housing affordability: Is It Getting More Affordable To Buy a Home?
- 04/18/24 08:56 AM
Over the past year or so, a lot of people have been talking about how tough it is to buy a home. And while there’s no arguing affordability is still tight, there are signs it’s starting to get a bit better and may improve even more throughout the year. Elijah de la Campa, Senior Economist at Redfin, says:
“We’re slowly climbing our way out of an affordability hole, but we have a long way to go. Rates have come down from their peak and are expected to fall again by the end of the year, which should make homebuying a little more … (1 comments)
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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. 
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