How to Get a HELOC on a Second Home

Craig BerryReal Estate

Can you get a HELOC on a second home? Yes, you can get a HELOC on a second home, but it’s tougher than getting one for your first home. If the home you are using for a HELOC is a second home or a vacation home, lenders will be more stringent in their requirements. Still, a HELOC on a second home can be a smart way to fund renovations, cover unexpected costs, or debt consolidation. It lets you tap into your home’s value without refinancing or risking your primary residence. But expect higher interest rates compared to a HELOC on your first home. Here’s what you need to know about obtaining a HELOC for a second home and whether it aligns with your financial situation. Check your home equity loan options. Start here In this article (Skip to…) Understanding HELOCs for second homes A HELOC on a second home gives …

How Much Home Can You Afford With a 7% Mortgage Rate?

Craig BerryReal Estate

Mortgage rates aren’t what they used to be, and if you’ve been keeping an eye on the housing market, you’ve probably noticed that 7% seems to be the new normal. For many first-time homebuyers, that number raises one big question: How much house can I afford? This guide will break down how mortgage rates affect your budget, explain the formulas lenders use, and give you smart strategies to stretch your buying power, even when interest rates are high. You’ll get real examples, expert-backed tips, and practical context to help you move forward with confidence. Find your lowest mortgage rate. Start here In this article (Skip to…) Why mortgage rates matter for affordability When mortgage rates go up, your monthly payment does too—and that limits the loan size you can qualify for.  It’s not just a small bump. In 2020, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was around 3.10%. In January …

S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Sees 3.9% Annual Gain in February

Brad BeckettNotes

The latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index reported a 3.9% annual increase for February, 2025.  Their 10-City Composite increased 5.2% and their 20-City Composite increased 4.5%, year-over-year. “Even with mortgage rates remaining in the mid-6% range and affordability challenges lingering, home prices have shown notable resilience…Buyer demand has certainly cooled compared to the frenzied pace of prior years, but limited housing supply continues to underpin prices in most markets. Rather than broad declines, we are seeing a slower, more sustainable pace of price growth”   Said Nicholas Godec, CFA, CAIA, CIPM, Head of Fixed Income Tradables & Commodities at S&P Dow Jones Indices. Click here to read the full report at S&P Dow Jones Indices.   The post S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Sees 3.9% Annual Gain in February appeared first on Real Estate Investing Today.

Zumper’s National Rent Report for April ’25

Brad BeckettNotes

Rental information site Zumper recently released their latest monthly National Rent Report for April, 2025.  According to their data, median rent for 1-bedroom apartments was $1517 (down 0.5%) and $1,901 (down 0.1%) for two-bedrooms. Be sure to check out their list of the top 100 metro areas. “With so much new supply coming online over the past 12 months, we’re seeing renters able to move up market…That movement frees up inventory at lower price points, creating a ripple effect of affordability. However if demand holds steady while new construction continues to taper off, we could see rents pick back up in the second half of the year.”  Said Zumper CEO Anthemos Georgiades Click here to read the full report at Zumper.   The post Zumper’s National Rent Report for April ’25 appeared first on Real Estate Investing Today.

Wyoming First-Time Home Buyer | Grants & Programs 2025

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in Wyoming If you’re a Wyoming first-time home buyer, you’re aware that home prices in the Equality State have been rising fast — even more quickly than nationwide. That can be a real challenge when saving for a down payment. Fortunately, Wyoming offers some excellent help, including low-interest mortgages, home buyer education courses, and, if you’re eligible, down payment assistance of up to $15,000. Here’s how to get started. Verify your home buying eligibility in Wyoming. Start here In this article (Skip to…) Wyoming first-time home buyer programs The Wyoming Community Development Authority (WCDA)4 says its Standard First-Time Homebuyer product offers special mortgages with low fixed-interest rates. Your loan may also come with down payment assistance (more on that below). Verify your home buying eligibility in Wyoming. Start here As is usual with state-backed mortgage programs, these loans have income and purchase price …

Wisconsin First-Time Home Buyer | Grants & Programs 2025

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in Wisconsin Wisconsin first-time home buyers have a leg up over buyers in some other states. Both home prices and home price inflation are well below national averages. Of course, saving for your down payment and getting a home loan can still be a challenge. But Wisconsin has loan programs to help. The Badger State offers special mortgages and education to first-time buyers in Wisconsin. It also has several down payment assistance programs that can help you meet your down payment and closing cost needs. Here’s what you can expect. Verify your home buying eligibility in Wisconsin. Start here In this article (Skip to …) Wisconsin first-time home buyer programs The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) has two main types of mortgages: WHEDA Advantage Conventional: A type of conventional mortgage conforming with Fannie Mae’s rules. This is a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage …

D.C. First-Time Home Buyer | Grants & Programs 2025

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in Washington D.C. Washington D.C. first-time home buyers face steep housing prices on average — well above the national median. But there’s good news, too. You might be in line for all sorts of help, from special mortgages to home buyer education courses and even down payment assistance. Explore all your options to find out how you can buy a house in D.C. more affordably. Verify your home buying eligibility in D.C. Start here In this article (Skip to…) D.C. first-time home buyer programs The D.C. Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) has a range of home buyer assistance programs. Its offerings are mainly designed to help moderate and low-income families purchase a single-family home sooner than they thought possible. Verify your home buying eligibility in D.C. Start here DC Open Doors (DCOD) The DC Open Doors promises “competitive interest rates and lower mortgage insurance …

ATTOM Honored as Bronze Stevie® Award Winner in 2025 American Business Awards®

ATTOM TeamNotes

ATTOM recognized among the companies powering innovation in data delivery IRVINE, Calif. – May 5, 2025 – ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property data, and real estate analytics, is pleased to announce that ATTOM has been named a recipient of a Bronze Stevie® Award in the 2025 American Business Awards®. The award honors ATTOM’s New Products and Solutions in the category of Business Information or Data Delivery Solution, highlighting its role in transforming how real estate and related industries access and act on property data. The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.’s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations – public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large and small. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning “crowned,” the awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Tuesday, June 10. Tickets are now …

Pending Home Sales Up 6.1% in March

Brad BeckettNotes

The National Association of Realtors is reporting that pending home sales rose 6.1% in in March, 2025. The NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index (a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings) came in at 76.5 in March. “Home buyers are acutely sensitive to even minor fluctuations in mortgage rates…While contract signings are not a guarantee of eventual closings, the solid rise in pending home sales implies a sizable build-up of potential home buyers, fueled by ongoing job growth.”  Said the NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. Click here to read the full report at the NAR.   The post Pending Home Sales Up 6.1% in March appeared first on Real Estate Investing Today.

U.S. Homeownership & Rental Vacancy Rates for Q1 2025

Brad BeckettReal Estate

The U.S. government is reporting that the national vacancy rates for Q1 2025 were 7.1% for rental housing and 1.1% for homeowner housing.  The national homeownership rate for Q1 2025 was 65.1%.  In addition, approximately 89.5% of the housing units in the United States in Q1 were occupied and 10.5% were vacant. Owner-occupied housing units made up 58.2% of total housing units, while renter-occupied units made up 31.2% of the inventory.  Vacant year-round units comprised 8.1% of total housing units, while 2.4% were vacant for seasonal use. Click here to read the full release at the U.S. Census Bureau.   The post U.S. Homeownership & Rental Vacancy Rates for Q1 2025 appeared first on Real Estate Investing Today.