What if you didn’t have a mortgage payment on your next house? It may sound a little unrealistic. But for a number of homeowners, it’s actually doable.
Nearly 3 in 10 homes purchased today are bought in cash, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). That’s far more than the pre-pandemic norm (see graph below):

So, how are so many buyers pulling that off? The answer is simple: home equity.
Back in 2020-2021, mortgage rates and the number of homes for sale were both at all-time lows. And that combination pushed home prices up, fast.
If you owned a home during that time, it likely gained significant value – maybe even enough to buy your next house in cash. NAR explains:


“. . . rising home equity has armed many existing homeowners with the financial leverage to make cash offers, allowing them to convert years of price appreciation into immediate purchasing power.”

Here’s why yo ...

For a lot of parents or grandparents, watching a family member struggle to buy their first home right now is hard. That’s because you saw firsthand how homeownership gave your life more stability and helped grow your net worth – and you want your loved ones to have those same opportunities.
But with all the affordability challenges in recent years, that can feel like an uphill battle – even though it’s slowly improving lately. Here’s what you may not realize. You may be in a unique position to help (thanks to the equity in your current house).
The Equity Advantage You May Not Be Thinking About
You’ve likely owned your home for years, maybe even decades. And during that time, two things happened:

Home values rose
Your mortgage balance shrank (or you paid it off entirely)

That combination has created substantial equity for many homeowners like you.
And while you may think of that equity as something you want to hav ...

If a move is on your radar for 2026, there’s a lot more working in your favor than there has been in a while.
After a stretch where may people felt stuck, 2026 is shaping up to be a year with more balance, more options, and more clarity for people who want to make a move. Not because the market is suddenly “easy,” but because several key conditions are shifting.
Here’s what the experts are saying you have to look forward to.
Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com:

“After a challenging period for buyers, sellers and renters, 2026 should offer a welcome, if modest, step toward a healthier housing market.”

The National Association of Realtors (NAR):

“Top economists have one word to sum up the housing market for 2026: opportunity. Lower mortgage rates and a rising supply of homes are expected to open up the housing market . . . something the real estate industry and potential home buyers and sellers have bee ...

Why Experts Say Mortgage Rates Should Ease Over the Next Year
If you’re keeping an eye on the housing market, you’ve probably noticed that mortgage rates have started to ease slightly. But will this trend continue into next year? According to industry experts, there’s a good chance we’ll see further relief ahead. Let’s break down why.

The Connection Between Mortgage Rates and the 10-Year Treasury Yield
For more than 50 years, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate has closely tracked the movement of the 10-year Treasury yield — a key benchmark for long-term interest rates.
When the Treasury yield rises, mortgage rates typically follow. When it falls, mortgage rates tend to drop as well.
The relationship between these two numbers is known as the spread, which normally averages around 1.76 percentage points (or 176 basis points).

Why the Spread Matters
Over the past few years, that spread has been much wider than usual. Why? Economic uncertainty.
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Now that buyers have more options for their move, you need to be a bit more intentional about making sure your house looks its best when you sell. And proper staging can be a great way to do just that.
What Is Home Staging?
It’s not about making your house look super trendy or like it belongs in a magazine. It’s about helping it feel welcoming and move-in ready, so it’s easy for buyers to picture themselves living there.
It’s important to understand there’s a range when it comes to staging. It can include everything from simple tweaks to more extensive setups, depending on your needs and budget. But a little bit of time, effort, and money invested in this process can really make a difference when you sell – especially in today’s market.
A study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows staged homes sell faster and for more money than homes that aren’t staged at all (see below):


Which Rooms Matter M; ...