"Zillow" ... I get it ... it's addicting looking at houses (whether you are even seriously considering a move), BUT, when you're ready to purchase a home, it would be in your best interest to have a real estate agent set up a search through the multiple listing service (MLS) for you.
 
Why? You're truly missing opportunities: homes are listed in the MLS (agent access for serious clients) with certain status types that do not get displayed on any other websites.
Zillow and other home search sites get their information FROM the MLS ... which means that the most accurate and up-to-date information will be in the search your agent sets up. Homes are sold from the private MLS (based upon the listing status) before they are published on syndicate portals
It's equally as important to work with a buyer's agent you trust to represent you. Your agent also has access to coming soon and off-market homes, that Zillow does not.
So if you are thinking about starting to seriously look at hw ...

What do we see for mortgage rates. If you can believe it, the year is just a quarter of the way through ... and it’s already been an eventful one for mortgage rates!

In case you haven't heard, interest rates are up more than 1.5% since the start of the year, as the Federal Reserve has begun to tighten financial conditions as a monetary policy in order to cool demand in the economy amid high inflation.
FED policymakers anticipate a series of interest rate hikes until the end of this year — 6 more, to be exact — as they seek to bring down inflation through a variety of financial moves. The bottom line for prospective homebuyers is this: the historically low mortgage rates of 2020 and 2021 are not coming back in 2022, however, rates are likely to remain relatively low, historically speaking. Most economists are expecting that rates will increase to (at least) 5.5% by the end of the year.
If you’ve been on the fence about buying a house, now might be a good tims ...

Most homeowners are unlikely to ever file a claim through their homeowner's insurance. With that in mind, most will buy their first policy with minimal coverage + endorsements and then renew each year without updating or "shopping their policy" for a better premium. But what if something does happen?

It is important to check with your insurance agent at least once a year to make sure your policy provides adequate coverage, and to maximize savings. Adding central air, finishing a basement, getting a new roof/windows, and other improvements will likely add value to your home ... And also increases replacement cost.
Another factor to consider, especially this year, is the increased cost of materials which could add significantly to your replacement costs.
Example: you may have insured the home for $300,000 when you first bought it, but over time and with a few improvements your home may cost $500,000 to rebuild that's a $200,000 gap in coverage, which could leave you without the ...

While I always advise my clients to get a home inspection, this competitive seller's market has been challenging when up against multiple offers, and it is prompting buyers to waive contingencies.

However, that doesn't mean that buyers need to go into one of their largest purchases without an understanding of the property's condition. A consultation inspection, also known as a "walk-and-talk" inspection is a shortened inspection that is typically done during a showing, and is one of my secret weapons in this market. This type of inspection is typically reduced to 30 minutes to an hour, and conveniently fits into the allotted time that is reserved for a showing. The inspector will go over any areas of concern, as well as the home's major components. The one main difference is that an inspection report typically is not provided. The cost and scope of the walk-and-talk inspection depend on the home and the buyer's preference but expect to pay a few hundred dollars. These types of "inst ...