You’ve been working on your savings and dreaming of that moment when you finally have keys to a place that’s truly yours. What you might not realize is that your tax return could give you a little extra cash to help you get there sooner. As Freddie Mac notes:

“ . . . your tax refund from the IRS can be a useful supplement to your homebuying budget.” 

So, if you’re getting a tax refund this year, you can use it to help you pay for some of the upfront costs that come with buying a home, like the down payment and closing costs. And here’s the best part.

On average, people are getting even more money back in their refunds than they did last year. While it’s not a big increase, the visual below uses data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to show…

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Now that spring is here, more and more buyers are jumping back into the market, and competition is heating up.

If you’re serious about landing a home you’ll love, you need more than just a wish list. You need a smart strategy – and that starts with working with a great agent who can help you put together a strong offer.

Here are some top tips your agent will share with you that are helping buyers stand out (and win) in today’s market.

1. Don’t Lowball on Price

It’s tempting to start with a super low offer in an attempt to save money. But in a competitive spring market, that could backfire. If the price isn’t reasonable, you could offend the seller and lose out to a better bid. As NerdWallet says:

“If you really want the property, you should…

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a screenshot of a graph

Some Highlights

  • There’s a lot of talk about a recession lately and how the odds of one are rising. If you’re wondering what that means for the housing market, here’s what the data tells us.
  • While you may remember the price crash in 2008, that’s not the norm. Looking back all the way to 1980, home prices usually rise and mortgage rates tend to fall.
  • If you have questions about buying or selling a home in today’s market, let’s have a conversation.

Originally posted at Simplifying The Market.

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213 Barn Owl Dr, Hampshire, IL

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$ CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE 3 BEDROOMS 2 BATHROOMS 0.36 acres Lot Welcome to your dream ranch in Hampshire Meadows! This custom-built 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom gem sits proudly on a landscaped and fenced corner lot, complete with a charming front porch, backyard patio, concrete driveway, and a coveted 3-car garage. Step inside and you'll find an open floor plan designed for comfortable living and stylish entertaining. The living room features a soaring cathedral ceiling and a brick fireplace with gas logs-cozy and grand all at once. The eat-in kitchen is a…

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When you finally find the home you want to buy, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. You’ve toured the place, imagined your furniture in it, maybe even pictured your morning coffee on the porch. The last thing you want is to slow down the process with more steps or lose out to another buyer’s offer because they skipped their inspection.

But here’s the thing. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. And no matter how perfect that house seems, skipping a home inspection is a risk that could cost you a lot more than just time.

What Exactly Is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection gives you a detailed look at the home’s condition, usually after your offer’s accepted but before closing. While what’s covered…

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Retirement isn’t just a milestone. It's the beginning of something really special. After years of hard work, it’s finally time to slow down, explore new passions, and live life on your own terms.

But with this exciting chapter comes some big choices. And one of the biggest is this: does your current home still make sense for the lifestyle (and budget) you want in this next phase of life?

That’s an especially important question right now. Just in the past five years, the cost of living has jumped by 23% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is how changes are tracked in the average price consumers pay for goods and services (see graph below):

a graph with a line going upWhen you’re thinking about how to make…

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Headlines are talking about the inventory of new homes and how we’re back at the levels not seen since 2009. And maybe you’re reading that and thinking: oh no, here we go again. That’s because you remember the housing crash of the late 2000s and you’re worried we’re repeating the same mistakes.

But before you let fear take hold, remember: headlines are designed to be clickbait. And a lot of the time, they do more to terrify than clarify. That’s because they don’t always give you all the context you need. So, let’s take a step back and look at what the data really says.

Why This Isn’t Like 2008

While it’s true the number of new homes on the market has reached its highest level since 2009, that’s not a cause for alarm.

Here’s the context that…

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501 S Grace St, Lombard, IL

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$ CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE 2 BEDROOMS 1 BATHROOMS 0.17 acres Lot Charming, updated, and completely move-in ready-welcome to 501 S Grace St in Lombard! This beautifully maintained 2-bedroom, 1-bath ranch blends vintage character with stylish modern upgrades. Inside, you'll find original hardwood floors, detailed trim work, and a sun-drenched living room with brand-new windows (2024) that flows effortlessly into the formal dining room, conveniently located right next to the kitchen. The kitchen pops with quartz countertops, subway tile backsplash, and…

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If you’ve been frustrated by the lack of homes for sale over the past few years, here’s some good news. You have more options, so it may finally be time to kick off your home search again. As Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, explains:

“Now is the best time to buy in the last two years. Mortgage rates are comparable to what they were two years ago, and prices remain high. However, there is significantly more inventory . . .”

The number of homes for sale has grown compared to last year, and even more options are on the way. While this is typical for the busy spring season, here’s why this is so important right now.

Homeowners are listing their houses at the highest pace we’ve seen in a while.

New Listings Are on the Rise

Over the…

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2919 Church Rd, Aurora, IL

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$ CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE 2 BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS 0.07 sqft Lot Don't miss this beautiful Campbell model townhome in the sought-after Savannah Crossing neighborhood! Built in 2014, this 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath end unit offers an open-concept layout with stylish wood laminate flooring, a cozy gas log fireplace, and soaring vaulted ceilings. The spacious primary suite features a private bath and a walk-in closet, while the second-floor loft provides flexible space for a home office or lounge. Step outside to your private deck, perfect for morning coffee or evening…

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