The Personal Joys of Having a Home To Call Your Own

There’s no doubt that owning a home comes with significant financial benefits. And this time of year is a great time to reflect on the other reasons why owning a home is so meaningful.A house is more than four walls and a roof – it’s a place where memories are made, connections are built, and life happens. From the sense of accomplishment that comes with owning your own home to the joy of creating a space that’s uniquely yours, the emotional connections we have to our homes can be just as important as the financial ones. Here are some of the things that turn a house into a happy home.1. It’s an Accomplishment You Can Be Proud OfBuying a home is a significant milestone, whether it’s your first or your fifth. You’ve worked hard to make it happen and achieving this goal is a reason to celebrate. There’s nothing quite like stepping through the door of a home that’s yours and knowing you’ve accomplished something truly special.2. It’s a Place You Can Call Your OwnCompared to renting, owning a home can give you a much greater sense of security and privacy. It’s your own place – not your landlord’s – and that just feels different. No one else has the keys but you and that gives you your own personal safe place to retreat to at the end of a long day.3. It’s a Space That’s Yours To CustomizeOwning a home means you have the freedom to personalize it however you like. While there can be HOA guidelines you may have to follow depending on where you buy, you can still make it a reflection of your style and create a space that feels just right for you. As Freddie Mac explains:“As the homeowner, you have the freedom to adopt a pet, paint the walls any color you choose, renovate your kitchen, and more. You can customize your own space without approval from landlords.”4. It’s a Foundation for Building a Sense of CommunityHomeownership often means putting down roots in a neighborhood and becoming a part of the local community. According to groups like Habitat for Humanity, owning a home increases your interest in getting involved with your neighbors and local organizations. Whether it’s through joining a neighborhood group, volunteering, or simply getting to know the people next door, a home is a great foundation for building meaningful connections.Bottom LineOwning a home is about so much more than financial benefits – it’s about the pride, well-being, and sense of belonging it can bring. When you’re ready to take the next step toward buying a home, connect with a local real estate agent.

The #1 Reason People Move: To Be Closer to Family and Friends

Have you ever thought about packing up and moving to be closer to the people who mean the most to you? Maybe you’re tired of long drives to see your family or wish your kids could spend more time with their grandparents. Clearly, a lot of other people feel the same way.According to recent data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the desire to be near family and friends is the #1 reason people move (see graph below):That’s because moving isn’t just about finding a new house – it’s about living a life where you’re surrounded by the people who matter most. Whether it’s catching up over weeknight dinners, watching your kids play with their cousins, or just knowing someone’s there when you need them, living near loved ones changes everything.Let’s dive into why so many people are making this move and how it could be the best decision for you, too.Why Family Comes FirstLiving near family and friends is a universal motivator that cuts across all types of buyers, whether you’re buying your first home or making a big lifestyle change.But it’s especially important to repeat buyers. Unlike first-time homebuyers, who may be more focused on looking in more affordable areas, repeat buyers often have more flexibility on where they live. Many Baby Boomers, for example, have built significant equity in their homes, giving them the freedom to prioritize what matters most – like retiring near their grandkids. As Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at Zonda, says:“25% of Baby Boomer households plan to retire near their children and grandchildren . . .”Making a move to be closer to friends and family is all about creating a meaningful next chapter in your life where loved ones are just around the corner.The Benefits of Living Near Loved OnesBut moving closer isn’t just a lifestyle choice – it’s a decision that offers real benefits:Spending More Time Together Whether it’s joining family dinners, going to weekend activities, or simply having someone nearby to talk to, these moments strengthen relationships and make life more fulfilling.Sharing Resources Living close to family can provide practical advantages, too – like sharing childcare, tools, or household items.Cutting Down on Travel Instead of spending hours on the road to spend time together, you can enjoy more spontaneous visits. This not only enhances your quality of life, but it also provides peace of mind in case of emergencies.Being There for Big Moments It also offers both emotional and practical support during life’s milestones. From graduations to tough times, being close to loved ones helps you feel connected and cared for.Ready To Make Your Move?At the end of the day, home isn’t just a place you live – it’s where your people are. Whether you’re looking to spend more quality time with family or enjoy the practical benefits of being closer to loved ones, the decision to move closer to those you care about is a deeply personal one.Bottom LineIf you’re thinking about making a change, a local real estate agent would love to help. Together, you can explore neighborhoods that brings you closer to the people and places you love most.

How Home Equity May Help You Buy Your Next Home in Cash

Building equity in your house is one of the biggest financial advantages of homeownership. And right now, homeowners across the country are sitting on record amounts of it.Here’s a look at how that equity could be a game changer for you, and why it’ll flip your perspective from “Why would I move right now?” to “Why wouldn’t I?”Home Equity: What Is It?Home equity is the difference between how much your house is worth and how much you still owe on your mortgage. For example, if your house is valued at $400,000 and you only owe $200,000 on your mortgage, your equity would be $200,000.Why Equity Is Such a Big Deal for Homeowners Looking To SellRecent data from the Census and ATTOM shows how significant today’s home equity really is. In fact, more than two out of three homeowners have either completely paid off their mortgages (shown in green in the chart below) or have at least 50% equity in their homes (shown in blue in the chart below):And that’s a big deal. Think about it: 2 out of 3 homeowners have at least 50% equity in their homes. To put a more tangible number on it so you can think about what that really means for someone like you, CoreLogic shows the average homeowner has $311,000 worth of equity built up. That kind of net worth can go a long way if you’re trying to make a move.And that’s part of the reason why the share of all-cash buyers recently reached a new high. According to an annual report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 26% of buyers were able to buy without a mortgage (see graph below):Imagine buying your next house in cash. No mortgage. No monthly payment. No interest rate to mess with. If you want to find out how much equity you have to see if that’s an option for you, connect with a real estate agent and ask for a professional equity assessment report (PEAR).Who knows, you may find out you have enough equity to buy your next place outright– and with today’s mortgage rates, not having to take out a home loan is pretty incredible. Even if you don’t have enough equity to buy in all cash, you may still have enough to make a larger down payment, which has its own benefits too.Bottom LineHomeowners have an incredible amount of equity today – and that’s why the share of all-cash buyers is on the rise. To see how much equity you have and talk through how it can help fuel your next move, connect with an agent.

The Truth About Down Payments

Some HighlightsThere’s a misconception going around that you have to put 20% of the purchase price down when you buy a home. But the truth is, many people don’t put down that much unless they’re trying to make their offer more competitive.And if you want to give your savings a boost, look into down payment assistance. There are thousands of programs that offer an average benefit of nearly $17,000.To learn more about loan options or down payment assistance programs, connect with a trusted lender and check out downpaymentresource.com.