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How Does Refinancing a Mortgage Work? A Homeowner Planning Guide

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Maybe you’ve been opening your mortgage statement each month and wondering if there’s a better way forward. Perhaps you’re thinking about tackling a renovation , consolidating debt, lowering your monthly payment, or paying off your home sooner. As your finances, goals, and life circumstances change, it’s natural to take a fresh look at your mortgage and whether it still fits your needs. If you’ve started exploring your options, you may be wondering: How does refinancing a mortgage work? Check Your Home Value First Before you refinance, use HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator to quickly see what your home might be worth right now. It gives you a clearer picture of your equity so you can make smarter refinancing moves with less guesswork. Get Estimate While some homeowners have put those plans on h...

10 Things to Know Before Moving to Chicago

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Moving to Chicago comes with a lot to look forward to, but like any big move, it helps to know what you’re getting into before packing boxes. Beyond the skyline and lakefront views, Chicago is a city of distinct neighborhoods, great local pride, and a pace of life that varies block by block. Whether you’re looking for a home in Chicago for work, school, or a fresh start, understanding what daily life is really like in Chi-town can help you settle in faster and make the most of your move.  1. The cost of living One of the most crucial things to know before moving to Chicago is the cost of living in Chicago . The expenses in Chicago can be extensive, which is common in larger cities. In fact, the cost of living is 18% higher than the national average. Housing costs in particular are 45% more than the national average and tend to be most expensive in desirable neighborhoods like the Loop , River North , or Lincoln Park .  In terms of moving costs, MoveAdvisor shares direc...

Should I Remodel or Move? How to Decide in Today’s Housing Market

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Key Takeaways: Many homeowners are choosing to renovate instead of move: Elevated home prices, higher mortgage rates, and moving costs are making renovation a practical alternative. Remodeling isn’t always cheaper than moving: Major renovations can rival the cost of selling and buying another home. Moving vs renovating depends on your situation: Take into account your home’s current limitations, then your budget, timeline, and local market conditions. For many homeowners across the country, deciding whether to remodel or move has become more complicated in today’s housing market. Home prices remain elevated, mortgage rates are still above 6%, and there are roughly 47% more home sellers than buyers nationwide. According to a recent Redfin survey , 43% of homeowners chose to renovate in the last year, and two-thirds of renovators did so as a deliberate alternative to buying. “Many Americans are choosing to stay put and make the home they alr...

How Long Does It Take to Sell a House in 2026?

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Key takeaways A home spends a median of 49 days on the market before an offer is accepted. A record number of homes are sitting on the market for over 60 days, forcing many sellers to offer concessions or drop their prices. Due to economic uncertainty, high mortgage rates, and elevated home prices, buyers currently hold significant bargaining power. Working with an experienced agent and looking beyond traditional MLS listings can significantly speed up your sale and mitigate the risk of canceled contracts. One of the most common questions homeowners ask when preparing to sell is, how long does it take to sell a house? While every market is different, recent Redfin data shows the national median days on market for a home is 49 days , with an additional 30 to 60 days typically required to close the sale once an offer is accepted. Selling a home in 2026 requires more patience and flexibility than it did just a few years ago. Inventory has been rising in many markets, giving buyer...

How Much Down Payment Do You Need for a House? What Buyers Are Putting Down in 2026

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Key takeaways: The typical U.S. homebuyer puts down $64,000, equal to 15% of the purchase price. Most buyers put down less than 20%, with low-down-payment loan programs helping more buyers enter the market. The right down payment depends on your loan options, budget, and financial goals. Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest obstacles between renters and homeownership, and in today’s market, it’s easy to see why. Home prices remain near historic highs, and the widespread assumption that you need 20% down makes ownership feel even further out of reach for many buyers. But most buyers aren’t putting down 20%. The typical U.S. homebuyer put down $64,000 in March 2026, representing just 15% of the purchase price, down from 16.1% a year earlier. FHA and conventional low-down-payment loans now make up a growing share of purchases, reflecting how buyers are actively adapting to affordability pressures rather than waiting on the sidelines. So how much do you...

Comprehensive Closing Checklist for Home Sellers

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Selling a home might feel like the hard part is over once you accept an offer , but closing day can still bring its own set of moving pieces. Between buyer requests, document prep, final walkthroughs, and escrow timelines, there’s still a lot that has to line up just right. Even small oversights at this stage can lead to delays or last-minute stress you weren’t expecting. That’s where a closing checklist can make a big difference. It helps you stay organized, track what still needs to be done, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks. With a clear plan in place, you can move toward closing with fewer surprises and a lot more peace of mind. Connect with a Top Agent to Sail Through to Closing Working with a top agent can help you get to closing day faster — and can get you more for your home sale. Make finding a top real estate agent in your area #1 on your home selling checklist. ...

Lower Asking Prices Are a Win for Today’s Buyers

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If affordability has been the biggest thing standing between you and a home, there's a little good news. from Keeping Current Matters https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2026/06/10/lower-asking-prices-are-a-win-for-todays-buyers/