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Avoid common homeowner pitfalls in 2025—save money, maintain your home’s value, and make smarter decisions for a stress-free year ahead. With the start of a new year, resolutions often focus on what we should do—exercise more, save money, or finally tackle that home project. But what about the things we shouldn’t do? For homeowners, avoiding certain pitfalls can be just as important as setting ambitious goals. This "Reverse Resolutions" list is here to guide you through what NOT to do in 2025. Whether you’re a new homeowner or a seasoned pro, keeping these don’ts in mind can save you time, money, and stress in the year ahead. 1. Don’t Skip Regular Maintenance Your home is your biggest investment, and ignoring basic upkeep can lead to costly problems down the road. Small issues, like a loose roof shingle, may seem insignificant, but they can spiral into expensive repairs if neglected. For example, clogged gutters can cause water damage to your roof or foundation, leading to ...

Home buyers expect to pay $27,000 less than sellers want in 2025. Explore the reasons behind the piercing gap and how to navigate the housing market with confidence. If you're planning to buy or sell a home in 2025, there's something you should know: buyers and sellers aren't seeing eye to eye on price. According to a recent survey by Clever Real Estate, there's a $27,000 gap between what buyers think they’ll pay and what sellers expect to get. Buyers are budgeting an average of $386,507, while sellers are eyeing $413,976. So, what’s behind this pricing mismatch, and what does it mean for you? Let’s break it down. What’s Driving the Pricing Gap? The $27,000 gap is rooted in how buyers and sellers view the market.  1. Sellers Are Riding High on Confidence After years of rising home prices, sellers are entering 2025 feeling pretty good. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of sellers believe their property will sell at or above the asking price—but as market conditions stabilize,...

Discover what homeownership really means, as Zillow's Chief Economist shares how owning a home goes beyond numbers to offer freedom, vision, and personalization. Recently, I came across a podcast featuring Skylar Olsen , Zillow’s Chief Economist. Much of the conversation was what you might expect— housing market predictions for 2025 , what Zillow got wrong about 2024, and a breakdown of trends shaping real estate across the country.  In other words, the kind of data I live for. But as the conversation wrapped up, Olsen was asked a question that shifted the focus: “What does homeownership mean to you?” Her response? It wasn’t about numbers or investments—it was about something far more personal. And it made me stop and think about how we, as homeowners (or future homeowners), define the meaning of home. Here’s what she said—and why it stuck with me. Beyond the Numbers Olsen started by acknowledging her analytical side. As an economist, she’s naturally drawn to crunching numbers—com...

The 2025 housing market is set for steady growth and more inventory, but wild cards could shift the game. Discover expert forecasts and the factors that may impact buyers and sellers alike. The 2025 housing market is shaping up to be an interesting one—steady growth, more inventory, and a bit of breathing room for buyers. But let’s be real: behind every steady forecast lies a handful of wild cards that could shift the game. From unexpected mortgage rate swings to federal policies that could either boost supply or throw a wrench in the system, there’s plenty to keep an eye on this year. Let’s break it all down—what the experts predict and what could really shake things up. The Big Picture: What Experts Are Saying About 2025 Before diving into the wild cards, let’s take a look at what the forecasts say about home prices, sales, inventory, and mortgage rates. 1. Home Prices: Modest Increases Ahead Analysts forecast modest home price growth in 2025, with projections ranging from 2% to near...