Is it time to think about rent-to-own homes? After all, 2026 is shaping up to be a chaotic year, with an uncertain economy, political pandemonium roiling every market, and a falling dollar. And in real estate, everyone seems to be hurting. For the first time in over a decade, it's seemingly a buyer's market, with housing stock finally exceeding those looking to make a purchase.
Buyers in many areas have more options than they did during the pandemic-era frenzy, with inventory rebounding from historic lows and competition easing. At the same time, home prices remain high and renovation costs are elevated. With more homes available but at higher price points, the real question for buyers is: Do you buy a fixer-upper that needs work, or pay more for a move-in ready, turnkey home and skip the projects?
A 57-year-old woman and her 68-year-old husband were doing everything right by conventional standards - investing 35% of their take-home pay into retirement accounts. But this aggressive retirement strategy created an unexpected problem: they couldn't save enough for a down payment on their first home. On a January 2026 episode of The Dave Ramsey Show, the couple received counterintuitive advice that challenged standard financial wisdom.
Homebuying > retiring? Currently, 401(k) participants must pay an additional 10% tax on funds withdrawn from their account before the age of 59-and-a-half-also known as an early distribution-for any number of reasons, including buying a home. Rules are different under Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), which allow qualified first-time homebuyers to withdraw up to $10,000 without incurring the 10% penalty.
One of these options is buying a home at auction. Buying at auction can move faster than a traditional sale, but it also offers fewer protections for buyers. If you've never heard of buying a house at auction, this Redfin article will outline the process for you. We'll answer your questions about how real estate auctions work and what to bring on auction day.
A 2-1 buydown can be a useful option for buyers who want lower mortgage payments in the first years of homeownership-especially in today's higher-rate market. Whether you're buying a house in Austin, TX or searching for a home in Denver, CO , this temporary rate-reduction option can make the early years of a mortgage more affordable.
They rented for about a year, settling into their respective careers: White is in PR, and Harper works in the flower department at Trader Joe's. They were happy in their rental, but White aimed to become a homeowner as soon as possible. As she looked at available homes in their area, she realized she and Harper could likely afford to buy a home if they pooled their incomes.
Today's buyers aren't just looking for a house they're looking for a sense of community, said Chris Lim, REMAX's chief growth officer. It's the job of real estate professionals to help prospective buyers find homes and neighborhoods that meet their financial needs while also supporting the way they want to live. Economic uncertainty and rising housing costs remained the top barriers among respondents. About three-quarters (78%) said more affordable home prices would prompt them to buy within six months.
We relied on search filters to define queries for years, but people share more about their preferences when it's a conversation. According to Redfin, early testing shows that users of the new system view nearly twice as many listings as those using standard search tools. They were also 47% more likely to request home tours or other services. When you're buying a home, the options can be overwhelming, said Abhishek Singh, a homebuyer who tested the feature.
My husband and I live in a very high cost area. I am currently unemployed in a highly competitive field, though with many promising prospects that could coalesce in the next few months (or not! we live in unprecedented economic times!). His very low six-figure income supports us both, plus a special needs pet. The thing is, he wants us to buy a house. My husband is tired of renting, which he considers "paying off someone else's mortgage," and wants to get serious about buying a home.
Contingencies are an important part of the homebuying process, giving buyers a safety net during the transaction. They are conditions written into the purchase agreement that must be satisfied for the sale to move forward, allowing either party to back out without penalty if specific terms aren't met. Although not required, contingencies are standard in most real estate contracts, and some are especially important depending on the location.
Buying a house while renting means keeping your apartment lease active while you search for and close on a home. Instead of moving out before you've secured a property, you maintain your rental so you have stable housing during the process. Why rent while buying a house? Flexibility: You're not pressured to buy the first house you see. Housing security: If closing takes longer than expected, you won't be left without a place to live. Peace of mind: You can focus on the home search without worrying about short-term housing.
Fort Worth is drawing attention with its mix of charm and affordability. The market is somewhat competitive, with homes typically selling in about 49 days and averaging 2 offers each. In July 2025, the median sale price was $340,000, down 2.8% from last year but still 23% lower than the national average. About 18% of homes sold above list price, while more than 40% saw price drops, showing plenty of movement in the market.
Know your priorities. Before you begin your home search, be clear on your needs, wants, negotiables and nonnegotiable. There's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to finding the right house for you, so it's vital to ask yourself some key questions, For example: How long do you plan to stay in the house? Do you expect your family to grow? Are you open to buying a fixer-upper?
Austin's market is moving at a measured pace. In July 2025, the median sale price was about $555,000-up modestly year over year-while typical days on market stretched to roughly two months. Buyers have a bit more time to compare options, and well‑presented homes with on‑trend finishes still stand out, per Austin's recent home‑trends data. Latest Austin listings (49 listings available) Jasica is a seasoned content marketer at Redfin with over five years of real estate experience.
Unemployed at the start of the pandemic, Ms. Pennick returned to Chicago and lived with her mother. She landed a job and saved diligently for a down payment, always planning to return to New York. This city is the place where I can be my authentic self, she said. Plus, my friends and church home are here. I am of the New York or nowhere' ilk.
Swatosh's homebuying experience in Nashville revealed challenges linked to age and marital status, facing skepticism from real estate agents concerning her ability to purchase property alone.
A homeowners association (HOA) is a legal entity formed by a community's residents or developer to enforce property standards, maintain shared spaces, and uphold a neighborhood's appearance and value.
Title professionals serve as guardians of one of the most important moments in people's lives, providing assurance in the midst of uncertainty and building confidence in what is often the most significant financial commitment they will ever make.
