Northern Illinois Real Estate Videos & Market Updates

The Fed raised the Federal Funds Rate again, but does that automatically mean mortgage rates are going higher? Not exactly. The Federal Funds Rate and mortgage rates are two different things. Fed policy can influence the overall interest-rate environment, but mortgage rates also react to inflation, the bond market, economic data, and investor expectations. For homebuyers, the better strategy usually isn’t trying to perfectly time mortgage rates. Build a plan that works with today’s numbers and know what your options are if rates change later. Thinking about buying a home in Chicagoland? Reach out to The Kombrink Team and let’s talk through the numbers.

You may have more negotiating power than you think. Right now, about 60% of homes are selling below their original asking price. That means your chances of getting a home for less than the seller originally wanted are better than a coin flip. But how much can you negotiate? That depends on the home, the neighborhood, how long it’s been on the market, and what buyers are doing locally. The Kombrink Team keeps a close eye on the Chicagoland market so you can make a strong offer without unnecessarily overpaying. Thinking about buying? Let’s figure out what kind of offer makes sense.

Are you thinking of buying a home? Avoid these 3 common mistakes that many buyers are making in today’s market: trying to time the market, buying more house than they can afford, and missing out on assistance programs. Let The Kombrink Team help you navigate the process smoothly!

Worried about the cost of buying your first home? You’re not alone—saving for a down payment and handling monthly payments are top concerns for first-time buyers. That’s where FHA loans come in. With lower down payment requirements and typically lower mortgage rates, FHA loans are designed to make homeownership more accessible. Talk to a lender to see if it’s the right fit for you.

Thinking about skipping the home inspection? Don’t. It’s like a health checkup for your future home. Here’s what inspectors typically check: Roof, plumbing, electrical Heating & cooling systems Structure, exterior, and more A home inspection can: Uncover hidden issues Help you renegotiate or request repairs Give you peace of mind before closing If you could ask a home inspector one question before buying, what would it be? Drop it in the comments—we'll make sure it's at the top of the list! The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty has your back!

Pre-qualification is a guess. Pre-approval is a game-changer. If you're serious about buying a home, you need to be pre-approved — not just to win the house, but to avoid nasty surprises down the road. Sellers want solid offers backed by proof, not vibes. Learn why pre-approval can give you the edge in a competitive market and how to get started.

Thinking about buying your first home but worried your credit score isn’t high enough? You’re not alone—and you may be overestimating what it takes. In this video, we break down the median credit scores by loan type and explain why there’s no one magic number. Your credit doesn’t have to be perfect to qualify! The best step? Talk to a lender to explore your options. Let’s get you on the path to homeownership.

Think closing costs are the same everywhere? Nope. They can vary from $1,500 to over $10,000 depending on your location, price point, and even attorney fees. Know what to expect before you start house hunting—especially here in the Fox Valley. Reach out to The Kombrink Team for local guidance!

Buying a home soon? The market is giving buyers something they haven’t had much of lately: options. There are now more homes on the market than at any point since 2019, bringing inventory closer to normal levels. That means buyers have a better chance to find a home that fits their needs and budget, while also having more room to negotiate on price and terms. If you’re thinking about buying in Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, or anywhere in the Fox Valley, The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty can help you sort through the options and focus on the homes that are actually worth your time.

Renting might feel cheaper now, but rent always goes up. Meanwhile, home values rise too, but as a homeowner, that works in your favor. When you buy: Lock in your monthly payment Build wealth through home equity Ditch rising rents for good! If you're ready to explore starter homes, The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty can help.

Mortgage rates may be making headlines again, but the rate you see quoted online isn’t necessarily the rate you’ll actually get. Your mortgage rate depends on your individual financial picture, including your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, down payment, loan type, loan term, and other factors. That means your actual rate could look different from the number making headlines. If higher rates have you putting your home search on hold, talk with a trusted local lender or loan officer and find out what you could actually qualify for. A quick conversation may give you a much clearer picture of what’s possible.

Think student loans are holding you back from buying a home? Think again. Around one in three first-time buyers in the Fox Valley have student debt — and they’re still becoming homeowners. What matters most is your full financial picture: income, credit, and the right loan options. Talk to a great local lender and see where you really stand. You might be closer to owning in Geneva, Batavia, or St. Charles than you think.

Mortgage rates have ticked higher again, but waiting around for the perfect rate isn’t always the best strategy. One option buyers sometimes overlook is new construction. Buyers of newly built homes have recently been getting lower mortgage rates than buyers of existing homes, in part because builders can offer incentives like mortgage rate buydowns. That lower rate could mean a noticeably smaller monthly payment. If you're buying in the Fox Valley or Chicagoland suburbs, The Kombrink Team can help you find new construction communities and see which builders are currently offering buyer incentives.

If buying a home is still on your 2026 to-do list, circle September 27 through October 3. According to Realtor.com, that’s expected to be the best week of the year to buy a home nationally, with a combination of more inventory, lower seasonal prices, less competition, and more time to make a decision. Even better for local buyers, Realtor.com identifies that same week as the best buying window for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro. That doesn’t mean you need to rush into a purchase. The right time to buy still depends on your budget, goals, and the local market. But if you’re considering a move in Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, Elgin, or elsewhere in the Fox Valley, this fall could be worth watching closely.

Waiting for mortgage rates to come down might seem like the safest move, but it doesn’t always play out that way. A recent survey found that 41% of buyers who waited for lower rates wish they had bought sooner. With inflation, the economy, and global events all influencing mortgage rates, there’s no guarantee a big drop is coming anytime soon. That doesn’t mean you should rush into buying. It means you should know what the numbers look like right now before deciding to wait. A trusted lender can help you understand today’s rates, available loan programs, and what payment actually works for your budget.

Mortgage rates get most of the attention, but fall can bring some important changes for home buyers too. Historically, buyers may see more homes to choose from, lower asking prices, and sellers who are more willing to negotiate as the end of the year approaches. If affordability has kept you on the sidelines, the seasonal shift could create opportunities that weren’t there a few months ago.

Thinking about tapping your 401(k) for a down payment? It can be tempting, especially when saving enough cash feels like the biggest hurdle to buying a home. But accessing retirement savings early can come with taxes, potential penalties, and the bigger long-term cost of missing out on future investment growth. Before touching your retirement account, explore other possibilities. Qualified buyers may be able to use an FHA loan with as little as 3.5% down, and down payment assistance programs may also be available. Talk with a qualified financial advisor about the financial side, and if you're wondering what home-buying options are available in Northern Illinois, contact The Kombrink Team at 630-402-0021.

If you’ve owned your home for several years, you may have built more buying power than you realize. The typical repeat buyer is putting around 23% down on their next home, often using equity from the home they’re selling. That larger down payment can mean a smaller mortgage, lower monthly payments, less interest over time, and potentially no private mortgage insurance. So if today’s mortgage rates have you wondering whether your next move is still possible, don’t assume the answer is no. Your current home equity could change the math quite a bit.

Still waiting for mortgage rates to fall? The 10-year Treasury yield and the mortgage “spread” help explain why a major drop may not be coming anytime soon. The spread is the gap between the 10-year Treasury yield and mortgage rates. That gap has narrowed significantly since 2023, which is actually helping keep today’s mortgage rates from being even higher. Before putting your home search on hold hoping for dramatically lower rates, let’s run the numbers and see what makes sense for you.

A lot of buyers are putting their plans on hold until mortgage rates come down. But historically, today’s rates are closer to normal than many people realize. The ultra-low rates during the pandemic were the exception, not the rule. Waiting for those record-low rates to return could mean missing opportunities that are available right now. If buying a home is important to you, The Kombrink Team can help you explore strategies that make today’s market work for your budget.

Feel like your home search has been showing you the same options over and over? There’s a reason. Housing inventory is still higher than last year, but the pace of growth has slowed dramatically. Last spring, the number of homes for sale was up about 31% year-over-year. Today, that increase is closer to 2%. But recent trends suggest inventory growth may be starting to stabilize. And if homes continue taking longer to sell, more listings could begin piling up again. If your home search has felt a little stale, don’t give up. New opportunities are hitting the market every day.

Worried that big investors are buying up all the homes? The latest data shows the largest institutional investors are now selling more properties than they’re purchasing, adding more homes back to the market. Many of these homes fall within price ranges where first-time buyers are shopping. That could mean less competition and more options for buyers who have been waiting for an opportunity.

Moving soon but not sure whether to sell your current house or buy your next home first? Selling first can help you avoid carrying two mortgages, give you a clear picture of the money available for your next purchase, and make your offer more attractive to sellers because it isn’t dependent on another home selling. The best order depends on your finances, timeline, and the local housing market. Reach out to The Kombrink Team, and let’s create a moving plan that keeps the stress and surprises to a minimum.

Nearly half of buyers aged 18–26 are getting down payment help from family — and here’s how they’re doing it. The average homeowner has $300K+ in equity Some are using a portion of that equity to help their kids buy a home It’s a smart way to pass down generational wealth Thinking about doing something similar? Talk to your lender & a trusted advisor — then reach out to The Kombrink Team at One Source Realty to see what’s possible for your family.