The Housing Affordability Report Card: How Virginia Stacks Up

Spoiler alert: Housing affordability isn’t as simple as the headlines make it sound. Depending on who you ask, the real issue isn’t just home prices, or even the number of homes on the market. It’s about access. It’s about opportunity. And most of all, it’s about what affordable really means for th

Still Renting in Your 30s? You’re Right on Time.

Buying your first home doesn’t look anything like it did 30 years ago.  The average first-time buyer in 2024 is 38 years old. Compare that to 33 in 2020 and 31 between 1993 and 2018. So if you’re renting in your 30s or 40s, it’s easy to wonder: Did I miss my window? The short answer is not at all. 

What History Tells Us: Home Prices & Mortgage Rates During a Recession

Every time the word "recession" starts popping up in headlines, it brings a wave of uncertainty—especially for anyone thinking about buying or selling a home. You might be wondering: Are home prices going to crash? Will mortgage rates skyrocket? Should I wait to make a move? Totally fair questions

How Your Home Can Pay You Back at Tax Time

Most people think of homeownership as one big expense. And I get it, between mortgage payments, maintenance, insurance, taxes… the list seems never-ending. But what often gets overlooked is the way your home can pay you back when tax season rolls around. If you're a homeowner, you may be sitting on