15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage: Payment, Equity and Risk
A 15-year mortgage can save interest and build equity faster, while a 30-year mortgage offers lower monthly payments.
Latest News
The latest real estate news, market data, and expert insight from RealtyWire.
Mortgage Rate Lock Strategy in 2026: When Buyers Should Lock or Float
A mortgage rate lock can protect buyers from rising rates before closing. Here’s when locking or floating may make sense.
What to Ask Before Signing a New-Construction Contract
Before signing a new-construction contract, buyers should ask about deposits, financing, warranties, changes, delays and inspections.
Spec Homes Explained: Why Builders Discount Completed Inventory
Spec homes are move-in-ready or nearly finished builder homes. Here’s why builders may discount completed inventory.
New-Home Supply vs. Resale Supply: Why Buyers See Two Different Markets
New-home supply and resale supply are sending different signals in 2026. Here’s why buyers see two different housing markets.
Housing Starts in 2026: Why Construction Pullbacks Matter for Future Supply
Housing starts fell in May 2026. Here’s why construction pullbacks matter for future housing supply, buyers, builders and prices.
Builder Incentives Explained: Rate Buydowns, Credits and Upgrade Packages
Builder incentives can lower costs, but buyers need to compare rate buydowns, closing credits, upgrades and total price carefully.
New Construction vs. Existing Home: Which Is the Better Deal in 2026?
New construction may offer incentives, while existing homes may offer better locations. Here’s how buyers should compare both in 2026.
Contingencies Explained: Inspection, Financing and Appraisal Clauses
Real estate contingencies can protect buyers, but they also affect offer strength. Learn inspection, financing and appraisal clauses.
Earnest Money Explained: How Much Buyers Risk When Making an Offer
Earnest money shows sellers a buyer is serious, but buyers can risk losing it if they miss deadlines or break contract terms.
Closing Costs Explained: What Buyers and Sellers Pay in 2026
Closing costs can surprise buyers and sellers. Learn what closing costs include, who pays them and how to review them.
Appraisal Gap Explained: What Buyers and Sellers Should Know
An appraisal gap happens when the appraised value is lower than the purchase price. Here’s what buyers and sellers should know.
Home Inspection Checklist 2026: What Buyers Should Not Skip
A practical home inspection checklist for 2026 buyers, including roof, foundation, HVAC, plumbing, electrical and safety issues.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator Guide: What Most Online Calculators Miss
Rent vs. buy calculators can help, but many miss taxes, insurance, repairs, time horizon and selling costs.
Buying vs. Renting in 2026: Which Makes More Financial Sense?
Buying vs. renting in 2026 depends on location, time horizon, mortgage rates, rent levels and ownership costs.
Down Payment Guide 2026: How Much Buyers Are Really Putting Down
How much are buyers putting down in 2026? Down payments fell to a four-year low, but cash still matters.
First-Time Homebuyer Checklist 2026: From Preapproval to Closing
A practical first-time homebuyer checklist for 2026, from budgeting and preapproval to inspections, insurance and closing.
What Sellers Should Fix Before Listing in 2026
What should sellers fix before listing? Focus on repairs, cleaning, curb appeal and buyer confidence before expensive remodels.
Why Homes Sit on the Market: 7 Reasons Listings Go Stale
Why do homes sit on the market? These seven factors often explain stale listings, from pricing to repairs and weak buyer demand.
Seller Concessions vs. Price Cuts: Which Strategy Works Better in 2026?
Seller concessions and price cuts solve different problems. Here’s when each strategy may help sellers attract buyers in 2026.
How to Price a Home in a Slower Housing Market
Pricing a home in a slower market takes more than comps. Learn how sellers should use inventory, buyer feedback and concessions.
Contract Cancellations in 2026: Why More Buyers Are Walking Away
Contract cancellations remain elevated in 2026 as buyers face affordability, inspection and financing concerns.
Pending Home Sales in 2026: What Contract Activity Says About Buyer Demand
Pending home sales rose in May 2026, but contract activity is only one signal. Here’s what buyers, sellers and agents should watch.
AI in Real Estate Tech: What Is Actually Useful for Agents and Brokers
AI is entering real estate workflows fast. Which tools actually save agents and brokers time — and which are mostly hype.
Fair Housing and AI in Real Estate: What Agents Should Watch in 2026
AI tools can create fair housing violations in seconds. What agents, brokers and landlords should watch in 2026.
Mortgage Points Explained: When Buying Down the Rate Makes Sense
Mortgage points can lower your interest rate, but they only make sense if the upfront cost is worth the monthly savings.
Rate Buydown vs. Price Cut: Which Helps Buyers More?
A rate buydown and a price cut help buyers in different ways. Here’s how to compare monthly savings, cash to close and long-term value.
Home Price Cuts in 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Should Watch
Home price cuts remain common in 2026, but they do not always mean distress. Here’s what buyers and sellers should watch.
Office Conversions in 2026: Where Adaptive Reuse Actually Works
Office-to-residential conversions work only when floor plates, prices and zoning align. Where adaptive reuse actually pencils.
Mixed-Use Real Estate Explained: Why Developers Still Like Live-Work-Play Projects
Mixed-use development is more than apartments over retail. Why live-work-play projects still attract developers in 2026.