Waiting for mortgage rates to drop before buying (example done in Fairfax County)? The math might surprise you. With the median home price at $813,000 and rising, a one-year delay could cost you $32,520 more on the purchase price, $6,500 more for your down payment — and your monthly payment may still be higher even if rates fall. Here's what the numbers actually say.

Your credit score could cost — or save — you tens of thousands of dollars on your mortgage. A new study by A&D Mortgage analyzed all 50 states to find out how long it takes to reach a 760 FICO score and exactly how much interest borrowers save when they get there. The gap ranges from $9,547 in West Virginia to $46,206 in Hawaii. Find out where your state lands.

The Federal Reserve meets on June 17, and this meeting is especially significant. The Fed has a new chairman, and the market is watching closely for any shift in interest rate policy.

Two scenarios are on the table:

• If the Fed signals rate cuts: Mortgage rates could ease, giving buyers a window of opportunity.

• If the Fed holds or hints at hikes: Rates could climb further, raising monthly payments for new borrowers.

Before you tour a single home or sign with a realtor, there's one step that separates serious buyers from everyone else: getting pre-approved. It tells you exactly what you can afford, signals to sellers that you're ready to close, and gives you a real edge in a competitive market. Skip it, and you risk losing the home you want to a buyer who simply came more prepared.

Normally, a buydown is paid for by the seller, builder, or borrower as a lump sum at closing. With this exclusive program through the nation's largest wholesale lender, the cost of the buydown is covered for you. No extra fees. No points. No tricks.

The U.S. tax code is loaded with benefits for property investors — and in 2026, they're better than ever. From depreciation and 1031 exchanges to the permanent QBI deduction and restored bonus depreciation, real estate offers 10 powerful ways to legally slash your tax bill and grow generational wealth. Here's what every investor needs to know.