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Buying Tips

Could a 55+ Community Be Right for You?

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If you’re thinking about downsizing, you may be hearing about 55+ communities and wondering if they’d be a good fit for you. Here’s some information that could help you make your decision.

What Is a 55+ Community?

It’s important to note that these communities aren’t just for people who need extra support – they can be pretty vibrant, too. Many people who are downsizing opt for this type of home because they’re looking to be surrounded by people in a similar season of life. U.S. News explains:

“The terms ‘55-plus community,’ ‘active adult community,’ ‘lifestyle communities’ and ‘planned communities’ refer to a setting that caters to the needs and preferences of adults over the age of 55. These communities are designed for seniors who are able to care for themselves but may be looking to downsize to a community with others their same age and with similar interests.”

Why It’s Worth Considering This Type of Home

If that sounds like something that may interest you, here’s one thing to consider. You may find you’ve got a growing list of options if you look at this type of community. According to 55places.com, the number of listings tailored for homebuyers in this age group has increased by over 50% compared to last year.

And a bigger pool of options could make your move much less stressful because it’s easier to find something that’s specifically designed to meet your needs.

Other Benefits of 55+ Communities

On top of that, there are other benefits to seeking out this type of home. An article from 55places.com, highlights just a few:

  • Lower-Maintenance Living: Tired of mowing the lawn or pulling weeds? Many of these communities take care of this for you. So, you can spend more time doing fun things, and less time on maintenance.
  • On-Site Amenities: Some feature lifestyle amenities like a clubhouse, fitness center, and more, so it’s easy to stay active. Plus, others offer media rooms, libraries, spas, arts and craft studios, and more.
  • Like-Minded Neighbors: Additionally, these types of homes usually offer clubs, outings, meet-ups, and more to foster a close-knit community.
  • Accessible Floor Plans: Not to mention, many have first-floor living options, ample storage spaces, and modern floor plans so you can have a home tailored to this phase in your life.

Bottom Line

If this sounds appealing to you, reach out to a local real estate agent. They’ll be able to walk you through what’s available in your area and the unique amenities for each community. You may find a 55+ home is exactly what you’ve been searching for.

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Affordability

The $280 Shift in Affordability Every Homebuyer Should Know

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If you paused your plans to move because of high rates or prices, it may finally be time to take a second look at your numbers. Affordability is improving in 39 of the top 50 markets, according to First American. And that’s the 5th straight month where buying a home has started to get a little bit easier.

Let’s break this down into real dollars, so you can see the difference this could make for you (and your move).

Monthly Payments Are Coming Down

One of the clearest signs of this shift is in monthly payments. The latest data from Redfin shows mortgage payments on a median-priced home are now $283 lower than they were just a few months ago (see graph below):

a graph of a graph of moneyThis kind of monthly savings adds up fast, and totals nearly $3,400 over the course of a year.

While this isn’t enough to completely change the affordability game overnight, think about it this way. When you’re putting together a homebuying budget, a few hundred dollars could be the difference between being comfortable buying and feeling like money’s a bit tight.

And from a home-search perspective, it could even be enough to change the price point you can look at. According to Redfin:

“A borrower with a $3,000 monthly budget can now afford a $468,000 home, about $22,000 more than in June.”

And that’s a big deal if you haven’t found a home you love in your price range yet. It gives you a little more flexibility to find the one that’s right for you.

Either way, that’s a big win.

What’s Behind the Shift?

Two key factors are working in your favor right now:

  • Mortgage rates have eased from their high earlier this year
  • Home price growth is slowing in many markets

Both of those things help your bottom line and give you a bit of breathing room if you’re buying a home. As Andy Walden, Head of Mortgage and Housing Market Research at ICE Mortgage Technology, says:

“The recent pullback in rates has created a tailwind for both homebuyers and existing borrowers. We’re seeing affordability at a 2.5-year high . . .”

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or someone looking to move-up into a bigger house, the shifts happening this year could make your move possible. Connect with a trusted agent or lender to see what your monthly payment would look like at today’s rates.

For you, the savings could be the difference between “not yet” and “let’s go.”

Bottom Line

Affordability is improving in many markets. And that resets the math on your move.

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, this is your cue to start looking again. Connect with a local agent or trusted lender to run the numbers together so you can get a rough estimate of how much more buying power you may have than you did just a few months ago.

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Affordability

Why More Buyers Are Turning to New Construction This Year

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There’s a trend taking hold in real estate right now: more buyers are choosing newly built homes. And it’s not just about getting the latest technology or modern floorplans. It’s because they may be able to get a better deal.

Builders are offering serious incentives today, and people are jumping on them. In fact, new home sales just hit their highest level in over two years (see graph below):

Why Builders Are Throwing in Perks

There are more newly built homes for sale right now than there have been in years. And as a buyer, that can help you in two big ways. It gives you more options to choose from on the market, and it motivates builders to sell their inventory before they build more.

That’s exactly why more buyers are scoring incentives like these:

  • Mortgage rate buydowns to shrink your monthly payment
  • Price cuts that make homeownership more attainable
  • Help with closing costs and even upgrades in some communities

The best part is, a lot of builders are offering these perks right now. According to Zonda, nearly 6 out of 10 new home communities are doing incentives on to-be-built homes. And over 75% are doing the same for quick move-ins, which are homes that are already built and ready to move into. As real estate analyst Nick Gerli explains:

. . . builders are adjusting to the realities of the current housing market. They’ve cut prices 13 percent from peak, and are giving generous mortgage rate buydowns on top of that.”

The big takeaway is: builders are motivated to sell. So, you could snag a lower price and maybe even a lower mortgage rate if you buy new. If you’ve been feeling priced out, these offers might be your way back in.

You Have More Brand-New Options Than Normal

Since there are more new homes on the market than usual, that gives you more options than you’ve had in years. Whether you’re looking for something turnkey or want to personalize a build, odds are there’s more available near you than you may realize.

Even though the number of new homes for sale is up throughout the country, there are pockets where you have an even better chance to find a better price. According to Census data, here’s a high-level look at which parts of the country are seeing the biggest boost in newly built homes (see graph below):

a graph of blue squaresBoth the South and West have more new homes available, so you may find builders are even more willing to negotiate in these regions.

Just know that this opportunity won’t last forever. Recent data shows builders are slowing down their production efforts. And a lot of that is to avoid having too many homes for sale. As Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), explains:

“The slowdown in single-family home building has narrowed the home building pipeline. There are currently 621,000 single-family homes under construction, down 1% in July and 3.7% lower than a year ago. This is the lowest level since early 2021 as builders pull back on supply.”

Moving forward, the number of new options may start to shrink as builders focus more on selling what’s already built before they add more. So, the best time in years to buy a new home may actually be right now.

Bottom Line

With builders cutting prices and maybe even helping you score a lower monthly payment, that’s not something to overlook.

If you want to see how active builders are in your target area and what they’re offering, here’s your power move: before you even begin looking, connect with your own agent.

That way, you have someone to help you compare incentives from multiple builders and negotiate on your behalf, making sure you get the best deal possible.

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Buying Tips

Why October Is the Best Time To Buy a Home in 2025

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If you’ve been watching from the sidelines, now’s the time to lean in. It’s officially the best time to buy this year. According to Realtor.com, this October will have the most buyer-friendly conditions of any month in 2025:

“By mid-October, buyers across much of the country may finally find the combination of inventory, pricing, and negotiating power they’ve been waiting for—a rare opportunity in a market that has been tight for most of the past decade.”

So, if you’re ready and able to buy right now, shooting for this month means you should see:

  • More homes to choose from
  • Less competition from other buyers
  • More time to browse
  • Better home prices
  • Sellers who are more willing to negotiate

Just remember, every market is different. For most of the top 50 largest metros, that sweet spot falls in October. But the peak time to buy may be slightly earlier or later, depending on where you live. As Realtor.com explains:

“While Oct. 12–18 is the national “Best Week,” timing can shift depending on the local markets. . .”

Best Week To Buy for the Top 50 Largest Metro Areas

  • Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA: September 28 – October 4
  • Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX: September 28 – October 4
  • Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD: October 12 – 18
  • Birmingham, AL: October 19 – 25
  • Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH: October 26 – November 1
  • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY: October 12 – 18
  • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC: November 2 – 8
  • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN: September 28 – October 4
  • Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN: October 12 – 18
  • Cleveland, OH: October 12 – 18
  • Columbus, OH: October 12 – 18
  • Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX: September 28 – October 4
  • Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO: October 12 – 18
  • Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI: October 12 – 18
  • Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI: September 28 – October 4
  • Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT: September 21 – 27
  • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX: October 12 – 18
  • Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN: October 26 – November 1
  • Jacksonville, FL: October 26 – November 1
  • Kansas City, MO-KS: October 12 – 18
  • Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV: October 5 – 11
  • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA: October 12 – 18
  • Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN: November 2 – 8
  • Memphis, TN-MS-AR: September 21 – 27
  • Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL: November 30 – December 6
  • Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI: September 7 – 13
  • Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI: October 26 – November 1
  • Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN: October 12 – 18
  • New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ: September 14 – 20
  • Oklahoma City, OK: October 12 – 18
  • Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL: October 26 – November 1
  • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD: September 7 – 13
  • Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ: November 2 – 8
  • Pittsburgh, PA: October 12 – 18
  • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA: October 26 – November 1
  • Providence-Warwick, RI-MA: October 19 – 25
  • Raleigh-Cary, NC: October 12 – 18
  • Richmond, VA: October 26 – November 1
  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA: September 28 – October 4
  • Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA: October 12 – 18
  • San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX: October 12 – 18
  • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA: October 12 – 18
  • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA: October 12 – 18
  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: October 19 – 25
  • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA: October 19 – 25
  • St. Louis, MO-IL: October 12 – 18
  • Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL: November 30 – December 6
  • Tucson, AZ: October 12 – 18
  • Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC: September 21 – 27
  • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV: October 12 – 18

What the Experts Are Saying

And Realtor.com isn’t the only one saying you’ve got an opportunity if you move now. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:

Homebuyers are in the best position in more than five years to find the right home and negotiate for a better price. Current inventory is at its highest since May 2020, during the COVID lockdown.”

Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, puts it like this:

Nationally, now is a good time to buy, if you can afford it . . . with falling mortgage rates and significantly more inventory, buyers have an upper hand in negotiations.”

And NerdWallet says:

“This fall just might be the best window for home buyers in the past five years.”

How To Get Ready for this Golden Window

To make sure you’re ready to jump in whenever your market’s best time to buy arrives, talk to a local agent now. They’ll be able to give you more information on your market’s peak time, why it’s good for you, and the steps you’ll need to take to get ready.

Bottom Line

If you’re serious about buying, getting prepped for this October window is a smart play.

Want help lining up your strategy? Have a quick conversation with a local agent so you’ve got the information you need to be ready for this prime buying time.

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Copyright © 2020-2025 Mark Sincavage. All rights reserved.  
The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in these article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Let's Talk Real Estate, Mark Sincavage, and Keeping Current Matters, Inc. do not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Let's Talk Real Estate, Mark Sincavage and Keeping Current Matters, Inc. will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.