Top 10 Opportunity Zones Where Median Home Price Nearly Doubled Annually

Megan HuntNotes

According to ATTOM’s newly released Q1 2025 Opportunity Zones Report, median single-family home and condo prices rose from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025 in 48 percent of Opportunity Zones with sufficient data—while the national median price held steady during the same period. WATCH ATTOM #figuresfriday: Top 10 Opportunity Zones Where Median Home Price Nearly Doubled Annually ATTOM’s latest opportunity zones report noted that median prices rose year-over-year in 59% of Opportunity Zones, during a period when the national median increased by 8%. The ATTOM analysis found that as the U.S. housing market boom continued into in its 14th year, median prices grew more than 10 percent annually in close to half the Opportunity Zones analyzed. The report stated that these trends in and around low-income neighborhoods—where federal tax incentives aim to promote economic revitalization—continue a multi-year pattern of home prices in Opportunity Zones closely mirroring national market movements. This alignment …

Happy Memorial Day 2025

Brad BeckettNotes

This Monday, May 26th is Memorial Day.  For most Americans the three-day weekend will mark the unofficial start of summer.  However, the solemn significance of the day is often forgotten.  It is actually a national day of remembrance for America’s military men & women who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending freedom & liberty around the globe.  Stay safe, remember to honor the fallen, and have a Happy Memorial Day Weekend!     The post Happy Memorial Day 2025 appeared first on Real Estate Investing Today.

FHA Cash-Out Refinance | Rates & Guide 2025

Tim LucasReal Estate

What is an FHA cash-out refinance? An FHA cash-out refinance lets you turn your home equity into cash by replacing your current mortgage with a larger, FHA-backed loan. It’s a straightforward way to access money for renovations, debt, or other big expenses—even if your credit isn’t perfect. Typically, you’ll need enough equity in your home and to meet FHA guidelines around credit and income, but it’s often easier to qualify for than conventional loans. Verify your FHA cash-out refinance eligibility. Start here In this article (Skip to…) How does a FHA cash-out refinance work? FHA cash-out refinancing works by allowing homeowners to refinance their existing mortgage for more than they owe and receive the difference as a lump sum of cash. This option is ideal for those who have built a significant amount of equity in their home. Verify your FHA cash-out refinance eligibility. Start here How much you can borrow with a …

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 …

West Virginia First-Time Home Buyer | Grants & Programs 2025

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in West Virginia If you’re a West Virginia first-time home buyer, you have an advantage in some ways. The cost of living is relatively lower than the national average, as are home prices. Even better, West Virginia provides home-buyer education classes, special mortgages, and down payment assistance programs that can offer cash assistance to qualified buyers. Are you ready to begin? Verify your home buying eligibility in West Virginia. Start here In this article (Skip to …) West Virginia first-time home buyer programs The West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) offers first-time buyers in the Mountain State two paths to homeownership. You can use either of these loan programs to purchase a single-family home, a townhome, a manufactured home, or units in approved condominiums called planned unit developments (PUDs). Verify your home buying eligibility in West Virginia. Start here WVHDF Homeownership Program The …

Vermont First-Time Home Buyer: 2025 Programs and Grants

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in Vermont Vermont home prices are rising at a rapid rate compared to many other states. This can be a real challenge for first-time home buyers.  Fortunately, Vermont can offer assistance in the form of mortgages with below-market rates, valuable tax breaks, and down payment assistance for eligible buyers. Here’s how to get started. Verify your home buying eligibility in Vermont. Start here In this article (Skip to…) Vermont first-time home buyer programs The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA)4 has three home buying assistance programs for first-time buyers: MOVE, MOVE MCC, and ADVANTAGE. Check your home buying eligibility in Vermont. Start here All three of these programs offer genuinely valuable help. They also knock $825 off your Vermont property transfer tax. Program details and savings are subject to change; check the relevant website before you apply.  To top it off, buyers using a …

South Dakota First-Time Home Buyer: 2025 Programs and Grants

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in South Dakota South Dakota’s average home prices are below the national median. But they saw big growth during the pandemic. Luckily, South Dakota offers valuable programs to help first-time home buyers, including special mortgages, down payment assistance, and tax breaks. Here’s how to get started. Verify your home buying eligibility in South Dakota. Start here In this article (Skip to…) South Dakota first-time home buyer programs The South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA)4 offers special mortgages to first-time buyers across the state. These offer the possibility of competitive interest rates or down payment assistance, together with a mortgage credit certificate (MCC). Verify your home buying eligibility in South Dakota. Start here The SDHDA explains, “SDHDA’s Tax Credit is available through a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC), which reduces the amount of federal income tax you pay, giving you more disposable income. With SDHDA’s …

Oklahoma First-Time Home Buyer | Programs & Grants 2025

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in Oklahoma As an Oklahoma first-time home buyer, you’re in a relatively lucky position. Average home prices statewide are substantially lower than in most other states.  Not to mention, Oklahoma has special programs to help first-time home buyers who need an extra hand saving up to buy a home. The state and other organizations offer special mortgages, homebuyer education courses, and sometimes even cash toward your down payment. Here’s what you should know about becoming a homeowner in the Sooner State. Verify your home buying eligibility in Oklahoma. Start here In this article (Skip to …) Oklahoma first-time home buyer programs The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA)4 provides first-time home buyers with up to 3.5% of the total loan amount in down payment assistance, but eligibility requires using one of OHFA’s mortgage programs: Gold or Dream.  Verify your home buying eligibility in Oklahoma. …

North Dakota First-Time Home Buyer | Grants and Programs 2025

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in North Dakota Good news if you’re a North Dakota first-time home buyer: Both home prices and home price inflation in the state are significantly lower than nationwide averages. On top of that, the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency provides eligible first-time buyers with special mortgages, often with below-market interest rates. It can also assist with your down payment and closing costs. Here’s how to get started. Verify your home buying eligibility in North Dakota. Start here In this article (Skip to …) ND first-time home buyer programs The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) offers a few different loan programs for first-time home buyers. Some of these loans have exceptionally competitive mortgage rates (or at least they did at the time this was written). You can check for yourself and compare NDHFA rates against current mortgage rates in North Dakota. Verify your …

New Mexico First-Time Home Buyer | Grants & Programs 2025

Peter WardenNotes

What to know about buying a house in New Mexico New Mexico has median home prices that are on par with the national median. However, New Mexico does provide help in the form of programs that can assist potential buyers.  If you live in New Mexico and are having trouble saving for your dream home, you may be eligible for one of several programs offered by the state’s Mortgage Finance Authority. Keep reading to learn more about that and other helpful resources for first-time buyers. Verify your home buying eligibility in New Mexico. Start here In this article (Skip to…) NM first-time home buyer programs The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) has two mortgage programs to help New Mexico first-time home buyers with low or moderate incomes. Both home loan programs offer competitive interest rates and come in the form of a fixed-rate loan. You’ll need to be in …