Monika Rydzak's Blog Posts

If you’re feeling a bit muddy on what’s happening with home prices, that’s no surprise. Some people are still saying prices are falling, even though data proves otherwise.

For more than 79 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped millions of veterans buy their own homes. If you or someone you care about has served in the military, it's essential

The new year is right around the corner, and you might be wondering if 2024 will be the right time to buy or sell a home. If you want to make the most informed decision possible, it

Life is a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, like the excitement of welcoming a new addition, retiring and starting a new adventure, or the bittersweet feeling of an empty nest. If

Are you dreaming of buying your own home and wondering about how you’ll save for a down payment? You're not alone. Some people think about tapping into their 401(k) savings

Are you wondering if it makes sense to buy a home right now? While today’s mortgage rates might seem a bit intimidating, here are two compelling reasons why it still may be

Home Price Growth Is Returning to Normal [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsIf you're wondering what’s happening with home prices, know they’re still rising, just at a slower pace

Are you thinking about making a move? If so, all the speculation that home prices would crash this year may have you feeling a bit on edge about your decision. Let the data and the

Selling your house is a big decision. And that can make it feel both exciting and a little bit nerve-wracking. But the key to a successful sale is finding the perfect listing agent to work with

Are you considering buying your first home? If so, it can be helpful to know what led other people to make that decision. According to a recent survey of first-time homebuyers by 

If you’re thinking about buying a home soon, higher mortgage rates, rising home prices, and ongoing affordability concerns may make you wonder if it still makes sense to buy a home

If you’re looking to buy a home this fall, there are a few things you need to know. Affordability is tight with today’s mortgage rates and rising home prices. At the same

The way Americans work has changed in recent years, and remote work is at the forefront of this shift. Experts say it’ll continue to be popular for years to come and project that;

An important factor shaping today’s market is the number of homes for sale. And, if you’re considering whether or not to list your house, that’s one of the biggest

Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023. That led to a lot of fear and questions about whether there was

If you’re thinking of buying a home, chances are you’re paying attention to just about everything you hear about the housing market. And you’re getting your information from a

When it comes to buying a home, especially with today’s affordability challenges, you’ll want to be strategic. Mortgage rates impact how much it costs to borrow money for your home loan.

Selling your house is no simple task. While some homeowners opt to sell their homes on their own, known as a FSBO (For Sale by Owner), they often encounter various challenges without the guidance of

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you should know your credit score’s a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to qualifying for a home loan. Lenders review your credit to

Are you planning to sell your house? If so, you may be surprised to hear just how much buyers value energy efficiency and eco-friendly features today. This is especially true as summer officially

If you’re trying to decide if now’s the time to sell your house, here’s what you should know. The limited number of homes available right now gives you a big advantage. That&rsquo

Homeowners Have Incredible Equity To Leverage Right NowEven though home prices have moderated over the last year, many homeowners still have an incredible amount of equity. But what is equity? In

There’s been some concern lately that the housing market is headed for a crash. And given some of the affordability challenges in the housing market, along with a lot of recession talk in the

If you own a property in Monroe County, Florida, particularly in Key West, you may have heard of the Substantial Improvement and 50% Rule. These regulations are designed to help reduce the risk of

Think Twice Before Waiting for 3% Mortgage RatesLast year, the Federal Reserve took action to try to bring down inflation. In response to those efforts, mortgage rates jumped up

Is It Time To Sell Your Second Home?During the pandemic, second homes became popular because of the rise in work-from-home flexibility. That’s because owning a second home, especially in the

The Truth About Negative Home Equity HeadlinesHome equity has been a hot topic in real estate news lately. And if you’ve been following along, you may have heard there’s a

What Experts Are Saying About the 2023 Housing MarketIf you’re thinking about buying or selling a home soon, you probably want to know what you can expect from the housing&

3 Best Practices for Selling Your House This YearA new year brings with it the opportunity for new experiences. If that resonates with you because you’re considering making a move, you

Avoid the Rental Trap in 2023If you’re a renter, you likely face an important decision every year: renew your current lease, start a new one, or buy a home. This year is no different. But

Market Updates The real estate market has been slowing down recently in the Florida Keys, giving buyers a much-needed break from the high prices of years past. It’s now possible to find

Wondering How Much You Need To Save for a Down Payment?If you’re getting ready to buy your first home, you’re likely focused on saving up for everything that purchase involves. One cost

What Are Your Goals in the Housing Market This Year?If buying or selling a home is part of your dreams for 2023, it’s essential for you to understand today’s housing market, define your

Planning To Sell Your House? It’s Critical To Hire a Pro.With higher mortgage rates and moderating buyer demand, conditions in the housing market are different today. And if you’re

Applying For a Mortgage? Here’s What You Should Avoid Once You Do.While it’s exciting to start thinking about moving in and decorating after you’ve applied

What Makes a House a Home?There’s no denying the long-term financial benefits of owning a home, but today’s housing market may have you wondering if now’s still the time

What To Expect From the Housing Market in 2023The 2022 housing market has been defined by two key things: inflation and rapidly rising mortgage rates. And in many ways, it's put the market into

Homeowners Still Have Positive Equity Gains over the Past 12 MonthsIf you’re a homeowner, your net worth got a big boost over the past few years thanks to rapidly rising home prices. Here;

Mortgage Rates Are Dropping. What Does That Mean for You?Mortgage rates have been a hot topic in the housing market over the past 12 months. Compared to the beginning of 2022, rates have risen

You May Have More Negotiation Power When You Buy a Home TodayDid the frequency and intensity of bidding wars over the past two years make you put your home search on hold? If so, you

Ready To Sell? Today’s Housing Supply Gives You Two Opportunities.At first glance, the increase in housing supply compared to last year may not sound like good news for prospective ,

What Every Seller Should Know About Home PricesIf you’re trying to decide whether or not to sell your house, recent headlines about home prices may be top of mind. And if those stories

Reasons To Sell Your House This Season [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsIf you’re planning to make a move but aren’t sure if now’s the right time, here are a few reasons why you shouldn

Homeownership Is an Investment in Your FutureThere are many people thinking about buying a home, but with everything affecting the economy, some are wondering if it’s a smart decision to

Key Advantages of Buying a Home TodayThere’s no doubt buying a home today is different than it was over the past couple of years, and the shift in the market has led to advantages

What’s Going on with Home Prices? Ask a Professional.If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home this year, you may have questions about what’s happening

VA Loans Can Help Veterans Achieve Their Dream of HomeownershipFor over 78 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have provided millions of veterans with the opportunity to purchase homes

What’s Ahead for Mortgage Rates and Home Prices?Now that the end of 2022 is within sight, you may be wondering what’s going to happen in the housing market next year and what that may

The Majority of Americans Still View Homeownership as the American DreamBuying a home is a powerful decision, and it remains a key part of the American Dream. In fact, the 2022 Consumer

Key Factors Affecting Home Affordability TodayEvery time there’s a news segment about the housing market, we hear about the affordability challenges buyers are facing today. Those headlines

Homeownership Wins Over Time [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsIf you’re questioning whether or not to buy a home this year due to today’s cooling market, consider the long-term

Do You Believe Homeownership Is Out of Reach? Maybe It Doesn’t Have To Be.It turns out, millennials aren’t the renter generation after all. The 2022 Consumer

Sell Your House Before the HolidaysAs you look ahead to the winter season, you’re likely making plans and thinking about what you want to achieve before the year ends. One of those key

While higher mortgage rates are creating affordability challenges for homebuyers this year, there is some good news for those people still looking to buy a home.As the market has

If you’re planning to buy a home, knowing what to budget for and how to save may sound scary at first. But it doesn’t have to be. One way to take the fear out of budgeting is