Get REAL with The Main Street Team

Mortgage purchase applications are rising year over year. Here’s what that means for homebuyers in 2025 and why the spring market could offer a window of opportunity. You’ve probably heard the headlines: mortgage rates are still high, and the market is tough. But here’s what most of those headlines miss: subtle signs of life in the housing market. Mortgage purchase applications are up year over year, and even though rates are still above 6.5%, demand is starting to stir. It’s not a boom. It’s not a frenzy. But it is something to take note of.  What Are Mortgage Purchase Applications? Mortgage purchase applications are exactly what they sound like: buyers applying for loans to purchase homes.  It’s a leading indicator that looks 30 to 90 days ahead of actual home sales, which makes it one of the best ways to spot a market shift before it shows up in the headlines. In the first 10 weeks of 2025, we've seen: 4 positive weeks 3 flat weeks 3 negative weeks That might not sound grou...

The best week to sell is almost here. Learn how you can get more views and better offers on your home this spring. Everyone knows that spring is typically the best season to sell a home. But, there’s a mistake I see sellers make every year based on that information. When most people think of spring, their mind skips to late in the season—or even early summer—when the weather is perfect, flowers are blooming, and buyers are out in full force.  By the time they list, they’re actually late to the game. They end up competing against a flood of other sellers and losing the leverage they could have had. The data actually says that you want to sell fast and for top dollar, listing right before the competition spikes is your best bet. And according to Realtor.com, the Best Week to Sell in 2025 is April 13-19.  Here’s the data to back it up: 1. Less Competition Means More Buyer Attention Think of the housing market like a popular restaurant. If you show up right when it opens, you get...

Thinking about buying a home? The key question isn’t when—but how long you’ll stay. See why homeowner tenure impacts your decision more than market timing. Thinking about buying a home this year?  You’ve probably heard all kinds of advice: “ Wait for rates to drop.” “Home prices are too high.” “Now’s the best time to buy!” Truth is, no one has a crystal ball. But if you’re trying to decide whether now is the right time to buy, there’s one thing you need to ask yourself… How long do you plan to stay? Because when it comes to real estate, time is your biggest asset. Let’s break it down. The Longer You Stay, The More You Gain If you’re only planning to live in a home for a year or two, buying probably isn’t the smartest move. Closing costs, property taxes, and maintenance add up fast, and you likely won’t see enough appreciation to make up for those costs. And that’s not factoring in taxes on capital gains if you make a move in less than two years. But what if you stay longer? Accordi...

The 2025 spring housing market is here. Explore expert insights on timing, mortgage rates, and local trends to understand what buyers and sellers need to know. The spring housing market is here, and if you’re thinking about buying or selling, you’ve probably heard plenty of predictions, opinions, and advice. Some of it is useful. Some of it, not so much. So, what’s the real story? Realtor.com’s Chief Economist, Danielle Hale, recently shared advice with her own neighbor about buying a home—advice that every buyer and seller needs to hear. Here’s what you actually need to know about the 2025 spring market, based on data from Zillow and expert insights from Hale herself. 1. Timing the Market? That’s a Risky Game Zillow’s latest research says that homes listed in late May sell for $5,600 more on average. That stat makes headlines every year, but here’s what most people miss: In 2022 , March was the best month to sell. In 2023 , it was June. In 2025 ? No one knows for sure, because mortg...