Next Generation's Blog Posts

Where Will You Go If You Sell? You Have Options.There are plenty of good reasons you might be ready to move. No matter your motivations, before you list your current house, you need to consider

Why It Makes Sense To Move Before SpringSpring is usually the busiest season in the housing market. Many buyers wait until then to make their move, believing it’s the best time to find a home.

Why You Shouldn’t Fear Today’s Foreclosure HeadlinesIf you’ve seen recent headlines about foreclosures surging in the housing market, you’re certainly not alone. There&rsquo

The 3 Factors That Affect Home AffordabilityIf you’ve been following the housing market over the last couple of years, you’ve likely heard about growing affordability challenges. But

Want To Sell Your House? Price It Right.Last year, the housing market slowed down in response to higher mortgage rates, and that had an impact on home prices. If you’re thinking of &

What’s Really Happening with Home Prices? [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsIf you’re thinking about selling your house, recent headlines about home prices falling month-over-month

Pre-Approval in 2023: What You Need To KnowOne of the first steps in your homebuying journey is getting pre-approved. To understand why it’s such an important step, you need to

Think Twice Before Waiting for 3% Mortgage RatesLast year, the Federal Reserve took action to try to bring down inflation. In response to those efforts, mortgage rates jumped up

What Past Recessions Tell Us About the Housing MarketIt doesn’t matter if you’re someone who closely follows the economy or not, chances are you’ve heard whispers of an upcoming

Key Terms To Know When Buying a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsBuying a home is a major transaction that can seem even more complex when you don’t understand the terms used

Is It Time To Sell Your Second Home?During the pandemic, second homes became popular because of the rise in work-from-home flexibility. That’s because owning a second home, especially in the

Today’s Housing Market Is Nothing Like 15 Years AgoThere’s no doubt today’s housing market is very different than the frenzied one from the past couple of years. In the

The Truth About Negative Home Equity HeadlinesHome equity has been a hot topic in real estate news lately. And if you’ve been following along, you may have heard there’s a

What Experts Are Saying About the 2023 Housing MarketIf you’re thinking about buying or selling a home soon, you probably want to know what you can expect from the housing&

Tips To Reach Your Homebuying Goals in 2023 [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsIf you’re planning to buy a home in 2023, here are a few things to focus on.Work on your credit and

3 Best Practices for Selling Your House This YearA new year brings with it the opportunity for new experiences. If that resonates with you because you’re considering making a move, you

Avoid the Rental Trap in 2023If you’re a renter, you likely face an important decision every year: renew your current lease, start a new one, or buy a home. This year is no different. But

Wondering How Much You Need To Save for a Down Payment?If you’re getting ready to buy your first home, you’re likely focused on saving up for everything that purchase involves. One cost

What Are Your Goals in the Housing Market This Year?If buying or selling a home is part of your dreams for 2023, it’s essential for you to understand today’s housing market, define your

What To Expect From the Housing Market in 2023The 2022 housing market has been defined by two key things: inflation and rapidly rising mortgage rates. And in many ways, it's put the market into

Starter Home or Forever Home: How to Choose Your First HouseConsider your budget, the real estate market and long-term goals to decide whether to buy a starter home now or wait until you can afford

Saving enough money to buy a house might seem like scaling Mount Everest, but don't let that stop you from taking the first steps. Once you get moving, you might find the peak more accessible than

Mortgage Rates Are Dropping. What Does That Mean for You?Mortgage rates have been a hot topic in the housing market over the past 12 months. Compared to the beginning of 2022, rates have risen

Planning to Retire? It Could Be Time To Make a Move.If you’re thinking about retirement or have already retired this year, you may be planning your next steps. One of your goals could be 

Planning to Retire? It Could Be Time To Make a Move.If you’re thinking about retirement or have already retired this year, you may be planning your next steps. One of your goals could be 

You May Have More Negotiation Power When You Buy a Home TodayDid the frequency and intensity of bidding wars over the past two years make you put your home search on hold? If so, you

What Every Seller Should Know About Home PricesIf you’re trying to decide whether or not to sell your house, recent headlines about home prices may be top of mind. And if those stories

What’s Going on with Home Prices? Ask a Professional.If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home this year, you may have questions about what’s happening

Prioritizing Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer in Today’s MarketThere’s no denying mortgage rates are higher now than they were last year. And if you’re thinking about

Your House Could Be the #1 Item on a Homebuyer’s Wish List During the HolidaysEach year, homeowners planning to make a move are faced with a decision: sell their house during the

Thank You for Your

What Buyers Need To Know About the Inventory of Homes Available for SaleIf you’re thinking about buying a home, you’re likely trying to juggle your needs, current mortgage rates,

What Homeowners Want To Know About Selling in Today’s MarketIf you’re thinking about selling your house, you’re likely hearing about the cooling housing market and wondering

Mortgage Rates Will Come Down, It’s Just a Matter of TimeThis past year, rising mortgage rates have slowed the red-hot housing market. Over the past nine months, we’ve seen fewer

More People Are Finding the Benefits of Multigenerational Households TodayIf you’re thinking of buying a home and living with siblings, parents, or grandparents, then multigenerational living

Top Questions About Selling Your Home This WinterThere’s no denying the housing market is undergoing a shift this season, and that may leave you with some questions about whether it still

VA Loans Can Help Veterans Achieve Their Dream of HomeownershipFor over 78 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have provided millions of veterans with the opportunity to purchase homes

What’s Ahead for Mortgage Rates and Home Prices?Now that the end of 2022 is within sight, you may be wondering what’s going to happen in the housing market next year and what that may

The Majority of Americans Still View Homeownership as the American DreamBuying a home is a powerful decision, and it remains a key part of the American Dream. In fact, the 2022 Consumer

Do You Believe Homeownership Is Out of Reach? Maybe It Doesn’t Have To Be.It turns out, millennials aren’t the renter generation after all. The 2022 Consumer

Sell Your House Before the HolidaysAs you look ahead to the winter season, you’re likely making plans and thinking about what you want to achieve before the year ends. One of those key

Pre-Approval Is a Critical First Step on Your Homebuying JourneyIf you’re planning to buy a home this year, one of the first steps on your journey is getting pre-approved.

What Happens to Housing when There’s a Recession?Since the 2008 housing bubble burst, the word recession strikes a stronger emotional chord than it ever did before. And while there’s

Should You Still Buy a Home with the Latest News About Inflation?While the Federal Reserve is working hard to bring down inflation, the latest data shows the inflation rate 

The Emotional and Non-financial Benefits of HomeownershipWith higher mortgage rates, you might be wondering if now's the best time to buy a home. While the financial aspects are

Two Questions Every Homebuyer Should Ask Themselves Right NowRising interest rates have begun to slow an overheated housing market as monthly mortgage payments have risen dramatically

The Long-Term Benefit of HomeownershipToday’s cooling housing market, the rise in mortgage rates, and mounting economic concerns have some people questioning: should I still buy a

How To Prep Your House for Sale This FallToday’s housing market is different than it was just a few months ago. And if you’re thinking about selling your house, that may

How an Expert Can Help You Understand Inflation & Mortgage RatesIf you’re following today’s housing market, you know two of the top issues consumers face are inflation and mortgage

Buyers Are Regaining Some of Their Negotiation Power in Today’s Housing MarketIf you're thinking about buying a home today, there's welcome news. Even though it’s still a sellers

Getting Your House Ready To Sell? Work with an Agent for Expert AdviceIn a market that’s shifting as fast as it is today, many homeowners wonder what, if anything, needs to be

Why It’s So Important To Hire a Pro [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsIf you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, you’ll want a trusted real estate

Should I Sell My House This Year?There’s no denying the housing market is undergoing a shift this season as buyer demand slows and the number of homes for sale grows. But that

The U.S. Homeownership Rate Is GrowingThe desire to own a home is still strong today. In fact, according to the Census, the U.S. homeownership rate is on the rise. To illustrate the

Why It’s Still a Sellers’ MarketAs there’s more and more talk about the real estate market cooling off from the peak frenzy it saw during the pandemic, you may be

3 Graphs To Show This Isn’t a Housing BubbleWith all the headlines and buzz in the media, some consumers believe the market is in a housing bubble. As the housing market shifts, you

Why Are People Moving Today?Buying a home is a major life decision. That’s true whether you’re purchasing for the first time or selling your house to fuel a move. And if you&rsquo

A Real Estate Professional Helps You Separate Fact from FictionIf you’re following the news, chances are you’ve seen or heard some headlines about the housing market that don’t

Is Homeownership Still the American Dream?Defining the American dream is personal, and no one individual will have the same definition as another. But the feelings it brings about – success,

Is the Housing Market Correcting?If you're following the news, all of the headlines about conditions in the current housing market may leave you with more questions than answers. Is

Why Home Loans Today Aren’t What They Were in the PastIn today’s housing market, many are beginning to wonder if we’re returning to the riskier lending habits and borrowing options

What Does the Rest of the Year Hold for the Housing Market?If you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, you’re at an exciting decision point. And anytime you make

Why Summer Is a Great Time To Buy a Vacation HomeYou may be someone who looks forward to summer each year because it gives you an opportunity to rest, unwind, and enjoy more quality time with your

Sellers Have an Opportunity with Today’s Home PricesAs mortgage rates started to rise this year, many homeowners began to wonder if the value of their homes would fall. Here’s

Work With a Real Estate Professional if You Want the Best AdviceBecause buying or selling a home is such a big decision in our lives, the need for clear, trustworthy

The One Thing Every Homeowner Needs To Know About a RecessionA recession does not equal a housing crisis. That’s the one thing that every homeowner today needs to know. Everywhere you look,

How Homeownership Can Bring You JoyIf you're trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home, you're probably weighing a few different factors. The financial benefits of homeownership might

What You Actually Need To Know About the Number of Foreclosures in Today’s Housing MarketWhile you may have seen recent stories about the volume of foreclosures today, context is important.

Today’s Home Price Appreciation Is Great News for Existing HomeownersIf you’re planning to sell your home this season, rising prices are great news for you. But it’s

What You Need To Know About Selling in a Sellers’ MarketEven if you haven’t been following real estate news, you’ve likely heard about the current sellers’ market. That

Is It Enough To Offer Asking Price in Today’s Housing Market?If you’re planning to buy a home this season, you’re probably thinking about what you’ll need to do to

Why This Housing Market Is Not a Bubble Ready To PopHomeownership has become a major element in achieving the American Dream. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors )

Is It Time To Buy a Smaller Home?Life events can have a major impact on what you need from your home, and retirement is one of the biggest changes many of us face. This period of your life can mean

Using Your Tax Refund To Achieve Your Homeownership Goals This YearIf you’re buying or selling a home this year, you’re likely saving up for a variety of expenses. For buyers, that

The Future of Home Price Appreciation and What It Means for YouMany consumers are wondering what will happen with home values over the next few years. Some are concerned that the recent run-up

Remote Work Trends Mean Flexibility for First-Time HomebuyersToday's low inventory can be challenging for homebuyers, especially if you’re looking to purchase your first home. But if

What’s Happening with Mortgage Rates, and Where Will They Go from Here?Based on the Primary Mortgage Market Survey from Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has

The Best Week To List Your House Is Just Around the CornerAre you thinking about selling your house? If so, you may want to make it a priority to start the process soon. According to 

What You Can Expect from the Spring Housing MarketAs the spring housing market kicks off, you likely want to know what you can expect this season when it comes to buying or selling

What You Need To Know if You’re Thinking About Building a HomeIf you’re ready to move up, you may be trying to decide whether you want to buy a home that's already on the market or

The Many Benefits of HomeownershipThe past two years have taught us the true value of homeownership, especially the stability and the feeling of accomplishment it can provide. But homeownership

The Average Homeowner Gained More Than $55K in Equity over the Past YearIf you’re a current homeowner, you should know your net worth just got a big boost. It comes in the form of rising home

Did Your Dream Home Just Come on the Market?For the first time in a long time, the number of newly listed homes is beginning to rise. In their latest monthly release, realtor.com 

Don’t Get Caught Off Guard by Closing CostsAs a homebuyer, it’s important to plan and budget for the expenses you’ll encounter when you purchase a home. While most people

This Spring Presents Sellers with a Golden OpportunityIf you’re thinking of selling your house this year, timing is crucial. After all, you’ll want to balance getting the most

Key Terms for Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsKnowing key housing terms and how they relate to today’s market is important. For example, when mortgage rates and 

How To Navigate a Market Where Multiple Offers Is the New NormalIf you’re thinking of buying a home today, you already know that the number of homes available for sale is low. But

Key Factors That Impact Affordability TodayYou can’t read an article about residential real estate without the author mentioning the affordability challenges that today’s buyers face.

Why It’s Critical To Price Your House RightWhen you make a move, you want to sell your house for the highest price possible. That might be why many homeowners are eager to list in

Supply and Demand in Today’s Market [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsToday’s housing market is the direct result of low supply and high buyer demand. Here’s

Are Home Prices Continuing To Rise?Many analysts projected home price appreciation would slow dramatically in the fall of 2021 and then continue to soften throughout 2022. So far, that hasn

Down Payment Assistance Programs Can Help You Achieve HomeownershipFor many homebuyers, the thought of saving for a down payment can feel daunting, especially in today’s market. That’s

The #1 Reason To Sell Your House TodayAlmost every industry is currently struggling with supply chain disruptions. This also applies to the current U.S. housing market, where buyer demand far

How Supply and Demand Can Impact Your Buying and Selling GoalsIn today’s housing market, there are far more buyers looking for homes than sellers listing their houses. Based on the

What’s Driving Today’s High Buyer Demand? [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsThere’s an influx of buyers looking for homes today, and that means your house is in high demand. Here

4 Simple Graphs Showing Why This Is Not a Housing BubbleA recent survey revealed that many consumers believe there’s a housing bubble beginning to form. That feeling is,

More People Are Planning To Buy a Home SoonWhile some homeowners may be tempted to hold off until spring to list their houses, you should know – homebuyers aren’t waiting. Demand is

What Every Seller Needs To Know About Renovating This YearIf you’re planning to sell this year, you’re probably thinking about what you’ll need to do to get your house ready to

How To Win as a Buyer in a Sellers’ Market [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsEven in today’s sellers’ market, there are still ways for buyers to win big.Build a team of trusted

Want Top Dollar for Your House? Now’s the Time To List It.When you’re selling any item, you usually want to sell it for the greatest profit possible. That happens when there’s a

Don’t Let Student Loans Delay Your Homeownership DreamsIf you’re looking to buy a home, you may be wondering how your student loan debt could impact those plans. Do you have to wait

How Remote Work Impacts Your Home Search [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsIf your workplace is delaying its return to office plans or is allowing permanent work from home options, that may open

Millions of Americans Have Discovered the Benefits of Multigenerational HouseholdsIf your needs are changing, you may be thinking about sharing a home with additional loved ones, such as,

The Top Indicator if You Want To Know Where Mortgage Rates Are HeadingMortgage rates have increased significantly since the beginning of the year. Each Thursday, Freddie Mac releases its

Why a Move Could Bring You More Happiness This YearOver the past two years, we’ve lived through one of the most stressful periods in recent history. Because of the health crisis, many of us

Owning Is More Affordable than Renting in the Majority of the CountryIf you were thinking about buying a home this year, but already pressed pause on your plans due to rising home prices 

Why Right Now Is a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for SellersIf you’re thinking about selling your house in 2022, you truly have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at your fingertips. When

Are You a Homeowner Thinking About Climate Change?Americans are more aware than ever of the effects climate change and natural disasters can have on their homes. According to a report from

Why Pre-Approval Is Key for Homebuyers in 2022You may have heard that it’s important to get pre-approved for a mortgage at the beginning of the homebuying process, but what

With Mortgage Rates Climbing, Now’s the Time To ActLast week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac jumped from 3.22% to 3.45%. That’s the;

Buyers Want To Know: Why Is Housing Supply Still So Low?One key question that’s top of mind for homebuyers this year is: why is it so hard to find a house to buy? The truth is, we

With Mortgage Rates Climbing, Now’s the Time To ActLast week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac jumped from 3.22% to 3.45%. That’s the;

Achieving the Dream of HomeownershipHomeownership has long been considered the American Dream, and it’s one every American should feel confident and powerful pursuing. But owning a home is

Real Estate Professionals Are Experts at Keeping You Safe When You SellIf you’re on the fence about whether or not you want to sell your house this year, there’s good news. For nearly

Avoid the Rental Trap in 2022Are you one of the many renters thinking about where you’ll live the next time your lease is up? Before you decide whether to look for a new house or another

Selling your house is no simple task. And when you sell on your own – known as a FSBO (or For Sale by Owner) – you’re responsible for handling some of the more difficult

As we move into 2022, both buyers and sellers are wondering, what’s next? Will there be more homes available to buy? Will prices keep climbing? How high will mortgage rates

If you’re thinking of buying a home for the first time, you’re probably wondering, “What does it cost to buy a house?”Written by: Ben LuthiLet’s take a closer

Hardwood floors are highly desirable for most homeowners, but they come with their share of challenges when it comes to cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. After a few months or years of heavy use

We’re well into the fall season and winter is right around the corner. This is the time of year when it’s especially important to make sure your home is properly sealed. Air leaks can

The Dirtiest Items In the Home and how to Clean ThemOf course, one of the dirtiest objects in anyone’s home is the toilet. But, that’s not the only place where dirt and germs accumulate.

Going green is great for the environment, but that’s not the only benefit. When you make green upgrades in your home, it can also lead to some major savings.Solar panels: The upfront cost is

An accent wall can totally transform a room, taking it from boring and drab to bold and exciting. Accent walls create a new focal point for your space, add liveliness and contrast, and are typically

Moving into a new home is an exciting time, and you’re probably daydreaming about decor and paint schemes and new furniture. But before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basics you

Negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a