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Keeping Current Matters

Keep up with the latest real estate news.
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For Sellers

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February 19, 2026

The Price You Set Can Make (or Break) Your Sale

There’s one decision you're going to make when you sell that determines whether your house sells quickly, or it sits. Whether buyers make an offer, or scroll past it. Whether you walk away with the maximum return, or you end up cutting the price later. And that’s your asking price. The #1 Mistake Sellers Make Today: Trusting the Wrong Number If you’re thinking of moving and trying to figure out what your house may sell for, it’s tempting to start with an online home value tool. They’re fast, free, and easy. And you don’t have to talk to anyone. But here’s the problem: they don’t know your house. And that can be a bigger drawback than you realize. Where Online Estimates Fall Short Online tools often lag behind the market. They look in the rearview mirror, relying on closed sales and delayed information. And in that sense, they’re using incomplete data. That’s not a miss in how these systems are built. Some information just isn’t available online. Bankrate explains: “While these tools can be a useful starting point, keep in mind that they typically do not provide the most accurate pricing. Algorithms can only rely on the information available; they can’t account for things like a home’s condition or renovations made since the last public information was updated.” They can’t see: The unique features that make your house special All the work you’ve put in to keep it in good condition Or, how in-demand your specific neighborhood is right now So, while they may do a good job in some cases, they can’t be as accurate as a local agent who has boots on the ground day in and day out. In a market where buyers have more options, a seemingly small margin of error can cost you thousands if you price too low, or weeks of lost momentum and time if you price too high. If you want to sell for the most money and in the least amount of time, you don’t want the fast answer on how to price your house. You want the right one. That’s why the savviest homeowners today don’t rely on algorithms when it actually matters. They rely on people, specifically trusted local agents. What an Expert Agent Brings to the Table According to 1000WATT, sellers overwhelmingly believe real estate agents have the best sense of a home’s true value, far more than any automated tools. That confidence isn’t accidental. As Bankrate puts it: “A professional appraiser or real estate agent can visit the home in person, assess the neighborhood as a whole as well as the individual property, perform more thorough market research, and consider subjective details.” And those details matter. A skilled local agent doesn’t just pull reports. They know what’s happening right now: What buyers are paying this month, not last month, or even last year How your home compares to the current competition in your neighborhood Which features add value based on what buyers are willing to pay for today How to price your house to create urgency in this market And once an agent steps foot in your house, they may even find your online estimate undershot your value. So, if you stuck with the estimate you got online, you’d actually be leaving money on the table. And no one wants that. Bottom Line While online tools can give you a rough starting point, only a local expert can give you a price that actually works. If you want to know the right number for your house, not just the easiest one to find, connect with a local real estate agent.

By KCM Crew

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For Sellers

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February 18, 2026

The Real Reason Home Sales Slowed in January. And It’s Not What You Think.

If you saw headlines that talked about how “home sales fell sharply in January,” it probably raised an eyebrow – especially if you’re thinking about selling your house. But context matters. Yes, in January, home sales declined. But that has more to do with seasonality and the weather than it does with any big drop off in demand. What’s Really Behind the Decline? Reports coming out of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) say the pace of home sales fell roughly 8.4% last month compared to the month before. And that’s true. But it isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. Data show it’s normal for sales to dip in January. In the last 4 years, that pattern has held true all but once. And sure, the decline we saw this year was a steeper drop off than the norm (the yellow bars on the right), but that can be explained too. More on that in a moment. The really important part you’re not going to get from the headlines is this: typically speaking, the pace of home sales picks back up in February as the spring market starts to take off. That’s shown in the green bars below. So even though the market slowed a bit momentarily, it should start to pick back up. And just in case you’re wondering, why the bigger drop this year, especially with mortgage rates being lower than last year? Here’s your answer. As Realtor.com explains: “Winter storm Fern, which dumped snow and ice across large swaths of the country, likely disrupted some closings, weighing on the data and making it difficult to pick out the housing market momentum trend from the weather noise.” This January, 40 states were hit with widespread winter weather according to the National Weather Service. And in real estate, that slows down the momentum. Here’s why. Existing home sales data tracks closed transactions, not new contracts. So, if inspections, appraisals, or final walk-throughs get delayed by storms, those deals often slide into the next month instead of falling apart – especially when buyers and sellers are still trying to move forward. Will Home Sales Pick Back Up? January’s missing sales are more likely “postponed” than “lost.” They haven’t disappeared. They’re just taking a little longer to close. The rest of the data still points to a market that has traction heading into spring. Affordability has improved for the 7th month in a row, and buyers are regaining negotiating power in many markets throughout the nation. So, this one monthly report doesn’t mean buyers aren’t buying. It just means, as weather warms up, activity should too. Bottom Line Don’t confuse a weather-impacted month with a market losing steam. If anything, improving affordability is an indicator of more activity to come, not less. If you have questions about what you’re hearing online or in the news, reach out to a local real estate agent. Because the truth is, a little context can give you back your peace of mind.

By KCM Crew

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For Buyers

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February 16, 2026

Move-Up Buyers Are Choosing New Construction

At some point, a house that once felt perfect just… doesn’t anymore. Maybe you need more space. Maybe working from home turned your dining room into a permanent office. Maybe the layout just doesn’t match how you live now. If your current house is starting to feel like it’s holding you back instead of supporting your life, it’s natural to think about making a move. But that brings up the next big question: once you sell, where do you go? For a growing number of buyers, the answer is something brand new. New Construction Is a More Popular Choice Lately According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), more people are buying new homes than they have in years. The latest annual data available shows 16% of homes purchased were newly built. At first glance you may not see why that’s a big deal. But that’s actually the highest share of new home purchases in almost two decades. Why More Buyers Are Choosing a Brand-New Construction For many buyers, especially move-up buyers, new construction isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about lifestyle, convenience, and peace of mind. 1. Everything Is Brand New You’re not inheriting someone else’s projects. No wondering how old the roof is. No budgeting for a new HVAC right after move-in. No big surprises when the previous owners patch job fails. For move-up buyers who’ve been dumping money into updating their current house, that’s a win. 2. You Can Customize Before Move In If you choose a home that's still under construction, you could have the chance to pick the flooring, counters, cabinets, hardware, lighting, and so much more. That level of personalization can be a draw for move-up buyers like you, because it allows you to hand pick the fit and finishes you've been wanting for so long. 3. A Home Designed for How People Live Today Most new construction homes are built to current building standards and buyer preferences, which means you could see built-in smart home features, better energy efficiency (which can lower utility bills), and even more modern floor plans and features. And if your layout just isn’t working for you anymore, you may find exactly what you need now in a new home. 4. Neighborhood Amenities New developments often include shared community spaces like walking trails, parks, playgrounds, or even pools and gyms. For families and active households, that’s a big bonus to have that just a few steps out of their front door. 5. Builder Incentives Not to mention, since there are more new homes on the market than the norm, builders are motivated to sell what they have. So, you may find they’re more willing to negotiate than you’d expect on things like price, upgrades, and more. Bottom Line If your current house isn’t meeting your needs anymore, don’t assume your only choice is an existing home. New construction is becoming a real contender, especially for move-up buyers who want space, features, and a home that works for how they live now. Curious whether new construction might be a fit for you? Talk to a local real estate agent.

By KCM Crew

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For Sellers

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February 12, 2026

Four Ways Your Home Equity Can Work for You

You may have heard homeowners today have a lot of equity built up. But what does that really mean? Let’s break it down. Because your equity isn’t just a number, it’s a powerful asset that can help you take your next big step in life. How Much Equity Does the Typical Homeowner Have? Here’s how it works. As you pay down your loan and home prices rise through the years, the share of your home that you own free and clear grows. That’s your equity. And according to data from the Census and ATTOM, two-thirds of homeowners have a substantial amount of it today. 39% own their home outright without owing anything on it. And another 27% have at least 50% equity in their homes (see chart below): That’s a big deal. And just in case you’re wondering how that translates into real dollars, Cotality says the typical homeowner has almost $300k in equity today. That’s six figures. And whether you have that much, even more, or a bit less, here are a few examples of how you can use it. Ways You Could Use Your Home Equity 1. Move Into a Home That Better Fits Your Life Your needs change over time. Maybe your home is starting to feel cramped, or maybe you have more space than you need now that your adult children have moved out. Either way, you can use your equity as a down payment on a home that’s a better fit for what you need now, and going forward. You may even have enough equity to buy your next house in cash. 2. Upgrade Your Current Home And if you’re not ready to move just yet, you could reinvest it in your current home instead. Renovations like a kitchen refresh or updated bathrooms could add value when it’s time to sell down the line. Just be sure to talk to a real estate agent before you tackle your project list, so you can prioritize updates that’ll give you the biggest return later on. 3. Fund a Major Life Goal Equity can also help fund your life goals – whether it’s starting a business, saving for retirement, covering education costs, or helping out someone you love. Some homeowners are even passing down some of that wealth to help fund a loved one's down payment on a home. 4. Avoid Foreclosure in Tough Times If you’re struggling with payments, your equity can also be a lifeline. Many homeowners who hit financial hardships can sell their homes and walk away with money in their pockets instead of facing foreclosure. If that’s something on your mind, talk to a real estate expert about your options and how your equity can help. Your Next Steps If you’re interested in using your equity for one of the reasons above, here’s what to do: Step 1: Ask a local agent for a personalized equity assessment on your home. Step 2: Meet with a financial advisor if you’re interested in using that equity. Because when it comes to tapping into this resource, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind – like making sure you still have a good loan-to-value ratio (LTV) even if you use some of your equity. That means, as a general rule of thumb, you want to maintain at least 20% equity in your home as a financial cushion – something many homeowners didn’t know back in the crash of 2008. The good news is, according to the Intercontinental Exchange, most of today’s equity meets that guideline: “As of Q4, mortgage holders have $17.3T in home equity, including $11.2T in tappable equity ‒ accessible via cash-out refinances or home equity lines while maintaining 20% equity in the property . . . ” Bottom Line Your home equity is one of the biggest financial assets you have. Whether you’re thinking about moving, remodeling, or working toward a big goal, it’s worth exploring your options. Reach out to a financial advisor to learn more. What’s one goal you have that you'd go after right now, if you had the funds for it?

By KCM Crew

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For Buyers

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February 11, 2026

Inventory Is Making a Comeback in 2026

After a long stretch where buyers were competing for too few homes, inventory has made a comeback over the past year. And depending on where you live, that’s opening up your options in a meaningful way. According to Realtor.com, the number of homes available for sale in January was the highest it’s been since 2020. Here’s why that’s such a big deal. Getting back to pre-pandemic levels signals a slow and steady return to what’s typical: Now, it’s worth noting, nationally we’re not there yet – and having more inventory improving won’t suddenly “fix” the market. But the growth we’ve seen lately still changes how competitive the market feels. When there are more homes for sale, buyers gain time, options, and leverage. When there aren’t, the pressure ramps up quickly. In the years since 2020, there weren’t enough homes for sale, and that made the market feel different. Rushed. Stressful. Intimidating. But now it’s finally getting better. A Growing Portion of the Country Is Getting Back to Normal Depending on where you live, inventory growth is going to vary. Some places are bouncing back faster than others. According to Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, in January 2025, just a little over one year ago, only 41 of the 200 largest metros were back to normal inventory-wise. But around the end of year, almost half (90) of the largest 200 metro areas were back at or above typical levels. That’s a big improvement in roughly a year. And it’s not done yet. Inventory Is Expected To Keep Growing Looking ahead, forecasts suggest the number of homes for sale could rise another 10% this year, which means even more markets should join the list of places where supply has rebounded. Here’s a graph that shows what an extra 10% would do for the market this year. You can see that projected growth (shown in the dotted line) hits inventory levels seen in 2017-2019 by roughly this fall (the gray lines). That means we may reach normal by end of year, nationally: And that changes your home search in a good way. As Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com, puts it: “. . . housing market conditions are gradually rebalancing after several years of extreme seller advantage. Buyers are beginning to see more options and modest negotiating power as inventory improves . . .” In other words, the market is starting to work with buyers again — not against them. Bottom Line Inventory isn’t fully back to normal everywhere. But it’s moving in the right direction. And, in some areas, it’s already there. If you’ve been waiting for a moment when you have options and a little breathing room, this is the strongest setup buyers have seen in a long time. If you want to know what’s happening in your local market, talk to an agent.

By KCM Crew

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First-Time Buyers

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February 9, 2026

Why Townhomes Are Popular with Today’s First-Time Buyers

Buying your first home can feel frustrating when the numbers don’t line up the way you expected. You may know you’re ready but finding something that fits your life and your budget is the hard part. That’s where townhomes come in. Townhomes are becoming a bigger part of today’s housing supply, and that shift is opening doors for first-time buyers in a way we haven’t seen in years. That’s because they offer a more realistic path to step into homeownership without stretching yourself too thin, especially in a market where affordability can still feel tight. There Are More Townhomes To Choose From Builders are building more townhomes than they have in decades. In fact, when you look at data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), nearly 1 in 5 new single-family homes being built today is a townhome. That's the highest share on record (see graph below): To put that in perspective, just a decade ago, townhomes made up closer to 1 in 10 new construction homes. That gives today’s buyers far more townhome options than they had in the past. And that’s a really good thing. Townhomes are one of the best ways for first-time buyers to finally get their foot in the door. And seeing that there’s more available for sale means one thing: you may have more opportunity to break into the market than you think. Here’s why they’re such a popular choice for buyers like you. Townhomes Tend To Be More Affordable While prices vary by market, Redfin data shows townhomes are typically priced lower than detached single-family homes nationally. And that gap has grown in recent years as the supply of this type of home has grown too (see graph below): There are two main reasons you may find a better deal on a townhome today. Reason #1: Size Townhomes are usually smaller by design. Most modern townhomes fall in the 1,300–1,500 square foot range, which helps keep prices, and monthly payments, lower. Basically, it works like this. Since they usually have a smaller footprint, they’re cheaper to build, and that makes them less expensive to buy, too. Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at NewHomeSource, explains how this helps buyers: “With the high cost of housing across the country, townhomes have emerged as a vital, more accessible entry point into homeownership. They are often priced lower than detached houses, offering buyers – especially first-timers, young professionals, and those downsizing – the chance to build equity without breaking the bank.” Reason #2: Builder Motivation And here’s another thing working in your favor. With more inventory than in recent years, homebuilders are motivated to sell what they’ve already built. So, many may be more willing to negotiate, whether that means price flexibility, closing cost help, or potentially throwing in upgrades. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “. . . home builders say they’re ready to attract more first-time home buyers. They’re responding to affordability pressures through lower cost homes and builder incentives. About 40% of builders cut prices on newly built homes at the end of last year . . . Roughly two-thirds of builders also offered additional incentives, like mortgage rate buydowns.” Bottom Line If buying your first home feels just out of reach, the right option might not be a different timeline. It might be a different type of home. If you want to talk through whether a townhome makes sense for you or see what’s available in your area, connect with a local real estate agent.

By KCM Crew

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For Buyers

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February 5, 2026

Top 3 Reasons To Buy a Home Before Spring

If you’re planning to buy a home this year, you may be focused on the spring market. And hoping that when spring does hit, you’ll see: Mortgage rates drop a little more. More homes hit the market. But here’s what most buyers don’t realize. Buying just a few weeks earlier could mean paying less, dealing with less stress, and feeling less rushed. Here are three reasons why accelerating your timeline over the next few weeks could actually be a better play. 1. Holding Out for Lower Rates May Pay Off A lot of buyers are hoping mortgage rates will fall even further. But that’s not the best strategy. Here’s why. Experts are pretty aligned on this: rates are expected to stay roughly where they are. Forecasts throughout the industry all point to the same thing: rates are projected to be in the low-6% range this year (see graph below): That's not a bad thing, especially if you consider how much rates have already come down. Over the past 12 months, they’ve dropped roughly a full percentage point. And for many buyers, that means affordability has already improved more than they may realize. So why wait a few more weeks just for more buyers to jump in and act as your competition? You already have a window right now. As Chen Zhao, Head of Economics Research at Redfin, explains: “House hunters should know that this may be near the lowest mortgage rates fall for the foreseeable future.” 2. Spring Means More Competition + More Stress Speaking of competition, the spring market is popular for a reason, but with popularity comes pressure. With more buyers active at that time of year, you’ll have to move faster once you find a home you like. And no one likes feeling rushed. But buy now and you have more time to browse. Fewer people are looking, so homes sit longer. You can see this play out in the data from Realtor.com (see graph below). In winter months, it takes an average of about 70 days for a home to sell. In spring? That drops to about 50 days. That’s a 20-day swing – and that pace is going to be more stressful. Homes sell faster in the spring, and slower in the winter. And that can be a worthwhile perk for buyers who want to get ahead before their decisions start to feel rushed. 3. Prices Tend To Rise When Competition Heats Up And here’s something most buyers forget to factor in. Prices usually respond to demand. So, when demand is higher, prices are too. Bankrate explains: “Spring and early summer are the busiest and most competitive time of year for the real estate market . . . home prices tend to be steeper to reflect the increased demand.” In fact, data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that in 2025, buyers who purchased in the beginning of the year saved roughly $30,000–$35,000 compared to those who bought when prices peaked in the spring or early summer. And let’s be honest, for a lot of buyers today, every little bit of savings helps. That’s why buying just a few weeks earlier, before prices ramp up, will be better for you and your wallet. Bottom Line Buying a few weeks before spring isn’t about rushing. It’s about choosing to be ahead of the curve and knowing you want more leverage, less stress, and meaningful savings. If you’re ready and able to buy now and want to get the ball rolling, connect with a local agent.

By KCM Crew

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For Buyers

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February 4, 2026

It’s Getting More Affordable To Buy a Home

There’s finally a little good news for anyone who’s been priced out or sitting on the sidelines. Buying a home is getting more affordable. Monthly payments have started to come down, and the squeeze buyers have been feeling for the past few years is slowly loosening. Now, that doesn’t mean everyone can suddenly afford a home, but with how tough the market’s been, the improvement we’re seeing matters. Affordability Is Finally Moving in the Right Direction One of the best ways to see this shift is by looking at how much of a household’s income it takes to buy a home. According to Zillow, housing is typically considered affordable when it takes 30% or less of your monthly income to cover your expenses. That includes your mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, and basic maintenance. For the past few years, the math was well above that threshold, and it made buying a home unachievable for many. But now, we’re slowly moving back toward a balance. Zillow research shows it’s taking less of a typical household’s income to buy a home than it did just a few years ago (see graph below): Now, we’re not all the way back to Zillow’s threshold of 30% of your income or less, so affordability is still tight. But things are trending in the right direction. Why Affordability Is Improving So, what’s driving the change? A lot of the focus lately has been on mortgage rates and how much they’ve come down over the course of the past year. But that’s not the only factor working in favor of buyers right now. Here are three trends benefiting buyers today: 1. Mortgage rates have eased. Rates are near their lowest level in more than three years, which helps lower monthly payments (see graph below): 2. Home price growth has cooled. Prices aren’t falling nationally, but they’re growing much more slowly than they were a few years ago. That means buyers today aren’t facing the same sharp jumps in purchase prices, which helps keep monthly payments more manageable – and buying more predictable. 3. Wages are growing faster than home prices. This one matters a lot. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains: “When income growth exceeds house price growth, house-buying power improves—even if mortgage rates don’t decline meaningfully.” None of this makes buying cheap, but it does explain why the math is starting to work a little better for buyers than it did even a just a year ago. Put simply, the forces that hurt affordability over the past few years are finally easing. Fleming again explains it well: “Affordability remains challenging, but for the first time in several years, the underlying forces are finally aligned toward gradual improvement. Mortgage rates may drift down only slowly, but income growth exceeding house price appreciation will provide a boost to house-buying power — even in a higher-rate world. Affordability won’t snap back overnight, but like a ship finally catching a steady tailwind, it’s now sailing in the right direction.” These three factors combined are why economists expect affordability to keep improving in 2026. Where Homes Are Becoming Affordable First But how much is affordability really going to improve? In some places, noticeably. Zillow says some markets are expected to fall back under their affordability threshold (30% of your income or less) by the end of the year: But that doesn’t mean you have to be in one of these markets or wait until year-end to buy. Other places are already seeing big improvements in affordability. So, talk to a local agent about what’s happening in your market. You may find you’re able to buy after all. Bottom Line For the first time in quite a whole, affordability is easing. That’s a meaningful shift. And because this improvement isn’t happening everywhere at the same speed, understanding what’s changing locally is what really makes a difference. If you want to see how these trends show up in your area, talk with a local real estate agent.

By KCM Crew

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For Buyers

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February 2, 2026

Home Insurance Costs Are Rising: What Buyers Should Plan For

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. And homeowner’s insurance is what protects that investment. Think of it as your safety net. NerdWallet explains it: Covers Repairs and Rebuilding Costs: If your home is damaged by fire, storms, or other covered events, it helps pay for repairs and possibly even a full rebuild, if that’s deemed necessary. Protects Your Belongings: It can also cover personal items like furniture, electronics, jewelry, and clothing if they’re stolen or damaged. Provides Liability Coverage: And, if someone gets injured on your property, your policy can help cover medical bills or legal expenses. But that peace of mind does come with a cost, and lately those costs have been rising. Why Home Insurance Premiums Are Going Up There are a number of factors causing insurance premiums to rise today. But, in the simplest sense, here’s what’s driving prices up according to the Insurance Research Council (IRC). Severe weather events and natural disasters are happening increasingly often, leading to more claims. At the same time, homebuilding materials and labor are more expensive. So, when it comes time to work on those claims, insurers have to manage higher costs to repair or rebuild the affected homes. That combination adds up to higher premiums. You can see how it’s climbed recently in the graph below. Each bar marks the percentage increase in insurance costs for that calendar year. The good news is, the annual pace of the increase may be starting to ease according to ResiClub and Cotality. By their count: In 2023 and 2024, insurance costs went up 14% a year. In 2025, they rose about 10%. And in 2026 and 2027, it’s expected to go up about 8% each year. That’s still an increase, but at least the pace is slowing down. And here's another silver lining. While insurance costs are rising, mortgage rates are falling. And that can help offset some of this expense. As Michael Gaines, Senior VP of Capital Markets, Cardinal Financial, explains: “Rising taxes and insurance do create pressure, but they don’t erase the benefits of a lower rate . . . A small rate improvement, paired with the right loan program and smart planning, can still make homeownership possible. . . It’s less about one factor canceling another out, and more about helping buyers layer the right solutions together.” Costs Are Going To Be Different Depending on Where You Buy So how much do you need to budget for this? It depends on the price point and location of house, the coverage you need, and more. And just like with everything else in real estate, costs vary by area. You can get a rough idea of your state’s typical premiums in the map below: So, What Can You Do About It? Generally speaking, your first insurance payment will be wrapped into your closing costs. But after that, it’ll become a recurring expense. That’s why knowing these premiums are rising is so important. It helps you factor that into your budget, so you go in with a full picture of what you can comfortably afford. If you’re crunching the numbers and trying to find other ways to save, here are a few tips from Insurify and NerdWallet that can help you get the best insurance price possible: Shop Around – Compare quotes from multiple companies. Bundle Policies – Combine home and auto for discounts. Ask About Discounts – Don’t miss out on savings you may qualify for. Highlight Upgrades – Features like a new roof or storm windows can cut costs. Improve Your Credit – A stronger credit score can mean better premiums. Bottom Line If you’re thinking about buying a home, don’t forget to plan ahead for your homeowner’s insurance. While costs are rising, knowing what to expect and how to shop around can make a big difference as you’re budgeting for your purchase. Because this isn’t coverage you’ll want to skimp on. It’s your best protection for what’s likely your biggest investment.

By KCM Crew

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Buying or selling a home is an important business decision, but it’s also a time of meaningful transition in your life. From your first home to downsizing for retirement, and all the changes life brings in between, every client deserves a knowledgeable and caring agent who appreciates what this move means to you and helps you achieve your goals and dreams.

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