Social Feed
Why More Buyers Are Turning To Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Today
What if you could save $150–$300 a month on your mortgage payment just by choosing a different type of loan?
For some homebuyers, that could be a game changer. And it's one reason adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are getting more attention.
According to Bankrate, ARM rates recently came in more than a full percentage point lower than traditional fixed-rate mortgages. That's potentially hundreds of dollars in monthly savings on a median-priced home.
And buyers are taking notice. About 1 in 10 mortgage applicants are now choosing an ARM, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
So, what's the catch?
Unlike a fixed-rate mortgage, an ARM gives you a lower introductory rate for a set number of years. After that, your rate can adjust up or down based on market conditions.
That means you could save money upfront, but you'd also need to be comfortable with the possibility of higher payments later.
And here's something worth knowing: Today's ARMs have more borrower protections than the risky loans that made headlines during the 2008 housing crisis.
The bigger takeaway? A traditional 30-year fixed mortgage isn't your only option.
If today's rates are making your homebuying budget feel tight, there may be financing options you haven't explored yet.
Curious whether an ARM could help make your next home more affordable? Connect with a trusted lender who can run the numbers.
💁🏻♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 andiekatzrealtor@gmail.com
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442
Are home prices going up or down? It depends on where you look.
Over the past year, prices in Chicago climbed almost 7%. In Seattle, they dipped about 1.6%. That’s a nearly 9-point gap between two major cities.
Look at little closer, though. Home prices are rising in 13 of the 19 major cities on this chart. And where prices are down, the dips are small (less than 2%).
So, this isn’t a crash. It’s just a market normalizing after overheating during the pandemic. And that’s hitting some areas differently than others.
Here’s what it really means. Your local market matters.
If you’re selling where prices are still rising, you may not need to cut your price. And if you’re buying where prices are softer, you may have more room to negotiate.
National headlines can’t tell you which side your neighborhood is on. Local data can. Let’s look at how prices are moving in your area, so you can set your price or make your offer with confidence.
💁🏻♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 andiekatzrealtor@gmail.com
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are making a comeback, and it's easy to see why.
In October, starting rates for ARMs were running almost a full percentage point below fixed-rate loans. On a median-priced home, that can mean your payment could be roughly $150-300 less per month.
For buyers struggling with affordability, that’s worth considering. Just know that they do come with some trade-offs – the biggest of which is that your rate (and your payment) could rise after a set timeframe.
And just in case you’re thinking…aren't ARMs risky? You should know today's ARMs aren't like the ones from 2008. But they do work differently than a fixed-rate mortgage, so it pays to understand them first.
A trusted lender can help you explore how these loans work, how they can help, and walk you through the what-ifs.
💁🏻♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 andiekatzrealtor@gmail.com
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442
Newly built homes now cost less than existing ones in about a third of major markets.
And nationally, the gap is pretty big. A newly built home typically sells for about $35,000 less than an existing one.
Prices can look very different from one area to the next, though. So, what neighborhoods do you have your eye on? Let’s tour a new home and an existing one, and see how they compare.
💁🏻♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 andiekatzrealtor@gmail.com
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442
Today, a growing number of homeowners who set out to sell end up as landlords instead. About 9% of homes for rent were up for sale first. In the industry, we call it “accidental landlords.”
And if you’re watching the market and trying to decide between selling or renting, here’s what you need to know…
While renting out your house can be a great fit for some people, being a landlord is a job of its own. Suddenly, you’re fielding weekend calls about a leaky dishwasher and you’ve got a plumber on speed dial. And you’re still on the hook for the mortgage any month the house sits empty.
That doesn’t mean renting is a bad option, it just means you have to know what you’re getting into. And if you’d rather sell, let’s talk. Because with the right price and a strong marketing plan it is still doable today.
💁🏻♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 andiekatzrealtor@gmail.com
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442
Buyers, this is big.
The housing market is giving you a level of negotiating power we haven't seen since the years following the housing crash.
According to Redfin, there are now 63% more sellers than buyers nationwide, and 41 of the 50 largest metros favor buyers. That means, in most places, you have more say in what you're willing to pay, what you're willing to accept, and what you want to negotiate.
And sellers have more reason to listen.
Of course this varies market to market, but this shift is creating opportunities for buyers who are ready to jump in – even with today’s higher rates.
DM me, and let's make sure you know how to take advantage of it.
💁🏻♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 andiekatzrealtor@gmail.com
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442
To Sell or Rent? How To Choose the Best Path for Your House.
Renting can be a good fit for the right person with the right house, but it isn’t the only option. A smart sales strategy can help your house stand out to buyers from day one.
So, if you’re on the fence, let’s sit down and compare what selling and renting would each look like for you.
💁🏻♀️ Andie Katz, Assoc. Broker | REALTOR®
📲 570-627-6017
📧 andiekatzrealtor@gmail.com
🌍 www.katziskey2poconoliving.com
🏛️ REAL of Pennsylvania
☎️ 855-450-0442
View More
