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30-year fixed rate mortgage remains flat

Mortgage Interest Rates

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.76 percent as of May 8, 2025, unchanged from the previous week, according to the Freddie Mac. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 7.09 percent.

“Mortgage rates stayed flat this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “At this time last year, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 30 basis points higher and purchase applications were declining. Today, rates are lower and have remained stable for weeks, sparking continued increases in purchase applications.”

The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.89 percent, down from last week when it averaged 5.92 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 6.387 percent.

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Real estate is still the best long-term investment

Real estate is still the best long-term investment

With all the headlines circulating about home prices and mortgage rates, you may be asking yourself if it still makes sense to buy a home right now, or if it’s better to keep renting. Here’s some information that could help put your mind at ease by showing that investing in a home is still a powerful decision.

According to the experts at Gallup, real estate has been crowned the top long-term investment for a whopping 12 years in a row. It has consistently beat out other investment types like gold, stocks, and bonds. Just take a look at the graph below – it speaks volumes:Continue Reading

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What’s next for home prices and mortgage rates?

What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?

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 Fannie Mae – a survey of over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists.

According to the most recent release, experts are projecting home prices will continue to rise at least through 2028 (see the graph below):Continue Reading

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Is your house on a Buyer’s Wish List this holiday season?

Is your house on a Buyer’s Wish List this holiday season?

This time every year, homeowners who are planning to move have a decision to make: sell now or wait until after the holidays? Some sellers with homes already on the market may even remove their listing until the new year.

But the truth is, many buyers want to purchase a home for the holidays, and your house might be just what they’re looking for.

“ While a majority of people take a step back from the real estate market during the holiday months, you may find when the temperature drops, your potential for a great real estate deal starts to rise,” according to Fortune Builders.

To help prove that point, here are four reasons you shouldn’t wait to sell your house.

1. The desire to own a home doesn’t stop during the holidays. While a few buyers might opt to delay their moving plans until January, others may need to move now because something in their life has changed. The buyers who look for homes at this time of year are usually motivated to make their move happen and are eager to buy.

“Anyone shopping for a new home between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is likely going to be a serious buyer,” reports Investopedia. “Putting your home on the market at this time of year and attracting a serious buyer can often result in a quicker sale.”
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Filed Under: Market Trends, Tips for Home Sellers

3 myths that are hurting home buyers and sellers

Myths about today's market that are hurting buyers and sellers

There’s no denying that it’s a tough market, with challenges for both buyers and sellers. But myths and misconceptions floating around about this market and what’s going to happen next aren’t making things any easier.

So what, exactly, are those myths and misconceptions, and why are they incorrect? Here are some of the common myths in today’s housing market that are hurting both buyers and sellers, including:

Myth 1: Owners with low mortgage rates will never sell.

Many buyers that purchased a home a few years ago locked in record low interest rates on their mortgages. And with interest rates significantly higher today, there’s a belief that those homeowners will never give up their low interest rates and sell. But the truth is, there are a ton of life circumstances that could force a person to list and sell their home — like a new job, growing family, or change in their financial situation — no matter what kind of interest rate they have on their mortgage.Continue Reading

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Are home prices going up or down? That depends…

Are Home Prices Going Up or Down? That Depends…

Media coverage about what’s happening with home prices can be confusing. A large part of that is due to the type of data being used and what they’re choosing to draw attention to. For home prices, there are two different methods used to compare home prices over different time periods: year-over-year (Y-O-Y) and month-over-month (M-O-M). Here’s an explanation of each, and why it’s important to consider the differences:

Year-over-Year (Y-O-Y):

  • This comparison measures the change in home prices from the same month or quarter in the previous year. For example, if you’re comparing Y-O-Y home prices for April 2023, you would compare them to the home prices for April 2022.
  • Y-O-Y comparisons focus on changes over a one-year period, providing a more comprehensive view of long-term trends. They are usually useful for evaluating annual growth rates and determining if the market is generally appreciating or depreciating.

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Oops! Home prices didn’t crash after all

Oops! Home prices didn’t crash after all

During the fourth quarter of last year, many housing experts predicted home prices were going to crash this year. Here are a few of those forecasts:

“I expect housing prices fall 10% to 15%, and the housing prices are accelerating on the downside,” said Jeremy Siegel, Russell E. Palmer Professor Emeritus of Finance at the Wharton School of Business.

“Buckle in,” said Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics. “Assuming rates remain near their current 6.5% and the economy skirts recession, then national house prices will fall almost 10% peak-to-trough. Most of those declines will happen sooner rather than later. And house prices will fall 20% if there is a typical recession.”

And from Goldman Sachs: “Housing is already cooling in the U.S., according to July data that was reported last week. As interest rates climb steadily higher, Goldman Sachs Research’s G-10 home price model suggests home prices will decline by around 5% to 10% from the peak in the U.S. … Economists at Goldman Sachs Research say there are risks that housing markets could decline more than their model suggests.”Continue Reading

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Three reasons to buy a home in today’s shifting market

The housing market is moving away from the frenzy of the past year and it’s opening doors for you if you’re thinking about buying a home. Housing inventory is increasing, which means more options for your search. Plus, the intensity of bidding wars may ease as buyer demand moderates, leading to fewer homes selling above asking price.

Three reasons to buy a home in today’s shifting market

If you’re ready to buy a home, now may be the moment you’ve been waiting for. Let’s connect to start the home buying process today.

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4 key trends that define today’s real estate market

Today’s real estate market explained through 4 key trends

As we move into the second half of the year, one thing is clear: the current real estate market is one for the record books. The exact mix of conditions we have today creates opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Here’s a look at four key components that are shaping this unprecedented market.

A Shortage of Homes for Sale

Earlier this year, the number of homes available for sale fell to an all-time low. In recent months, however, inventory levels are starting to trend up. The latest Monthly Housing Market Trends Report from realtor.com says:

“In June, newly listed homes grew by 5.5% on a year-over-year basis, and by 10.9% on a month-over-month basis. Typically, fewer newly listed homes appear on the market in the month of June compared to May. This year, growth in new listings is continuing later into the summer season, a welcome sign for a tight housing market.”

This is good news for buyers who crave more options. But even though we’re experiencing small gains in the number of available homes for sale, inventory remains a challenge in most states. That’s why it’s still a sellers’ market, giving homeowners immense leverage when they decide to make a move.

Buyer Competition and Bidding Wars

Today’s ongoing low supply, coupled with high demand, creates a market characterized by high buyer competition and bidding wars. Buyers are going above and beyond to make sure their offer stands out from the crowd by offering over the asking price, all cash, or waiving some contingencies. The number of offers on the average house for sale broke records this year – and that’s great news for sellers.

In fact, the latest Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says the average home for sale receives five offers.

For buyers, the best way to put a compelling offer together is by working with a local real estate professional. A Buyer’s Agent can act as your trusted advisor on what terms are best for you and what’s most appealing to the seller.Continue Reading

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Infographic:
Your home equity can take you places

The amount of wealth Americans have stored in their homes has increased astronomically. On average, homeowners gained $33,400 in equity over the last 12 months, and the average equity on mortgaged homes is now $216,000. When it’s time to sell, your home equity can help accomplish your goals.

INFOGRAPHIC: Your home equity can take you places

Let’s connect to discuss how you can take advantage of today’s sellers’ market to get the most out of your home sale.

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Russ Fortuno, Associate Broker

I'm a Southern Arizona native and Quail Creek resident. Whether you’re buying or selling a home in Quail Creek, you’ll experience unsurpassed service and professionalism at all stages of your real estate transaction. I welcome the opportunity to assist in your next home sale or purchase.
Meet Russ

Tierra Antigua Realty

18745 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Ste. A105
Green Valley, AZ 85614
(520) 333-0446
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