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What To Expect if You Buy or Sell a Home This June

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June is a busy month in the housing market because a lot of people buy and sell this time of year. So, if you’ve got a move on your mind and you’re looking to make it happen this month, here’s a snapshot of what you need to know to make sure you’re ready.

If You’re Buying This June

A lot of homebuyers with children like to move after one school year ends and before the next one begins. That’s one reason why late spring into summer is a popular time for homes to change hands. And whether that’s a motivator for you or not, it’s important to realize more buyers are going to be looking right now – and that means you’ll want to be ready for a bit more competition. But there is a silver lining to a move this time of year. This is also when more sellers will list – so you should find you have more options. As an article from Bankrate says:

Late spring and early summer are the busiest and most competitive time of year for the real estate market. There’s usually more inventory listed for sale than other times of year . . . This is a double-edged sword for a buyer, as you will be met with more opportunities but [also] much more competition.”

During this busy season, it’s extra important to work with a trusted real estate agent. Your agent will help you stay on top of the latest listings, share expertise on how to make a strong offer in a competitive market, and give you insight into things like what the home is actually worth so you can make an informed decision when you buy. As Forbes says:

Approaching the market confidently, armed with good information and grounded expectations will take you far. Don’t let the hustle of the market convince you to buy something that’s not in your budget, or not right for your lifestyle.”

If You’re Selling This June

Because there are more buyers this time of year, you’re in a great spot as a seller. Many of those buyers are highly motivated to make their move happen before the next school year kicks off – so they’ll likely put in strong offers to try to make that possible. That means, if your house shows well and is listed at market value, you could see your house sell faster or for a higher price. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

“Warmer weather and the end of the school year encourage more people to buy and sell, respectively. Buyers are looking to move and settle before the new school year begins, contributing to increased competition and, consequently, higher prices.”

You want to be sure you’ve got a great agent on your side to help you with the contingencies on those offers and any negotiations that take place so you can pick the best offer. Make sure you go over closing dates with your agent. Buyers trying to time their move with the school year may need to delay a bit or move faster. This can depend on the school calendar where you live. As U.S. News Real Estate explains:

“ . . if your house goes under contract in early summer, the buyer may ask for a delay in closing or move-in until the school year finishes or their current home has sold. Alternatively, a buyer later in summer may be looking to close quickly and move in under a month. Remain flexible to keep the deal running smoothly, and your buyer may be willing to throw in concessions, like covering some of your closing costs or overlooking the old roof.”

Bottom Line

If you’re looking to make a move this June, chat with a real estate agent so you know what to expect and how to plan for current market conditions.

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First-Time Buyers

What You Should Know About Getting a Mortgage Today

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If you’ve been putting off buying a home because you thought getting approved would be too hard, know this: qualifying for a mortgage is starting to get a bit more achievable, but lending standards are still strong.

Lenders are making it slightly easier for well-qualified buyers to access financing, which is opening more doors for people ready to make a move.

So, if strict requirements were holding you back, this shift could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, without repeating the risky lending practices that led to the housing crash back in 2008.

Lenders Are Opening More Doors

Banks are offering credit to more people in an effort to boost activity in the housing market, including buyers who have lower credit scores or smaller down payments. And that means more people are getting approved for mortgages.

But it doesn’t mean we’re heading for another crash like 2008. Even with the slight easing lately, lending standards today are still much tighter than they were back then.

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) has been going up. This index shows how easy or hard it is for people to get a mortgage.

When the index rises, it means banks are easing their lending standards. And in May, credit availability hit its highest point in almost three years (see graph below):

a graph showing a line graphWhy does this matter to you? It means you may now be able to qualify for a mortgage that you wouldn’t have just a few months ago. The National Association of Underwriters (NAMU) explains:

“Mortgage credit availability surged in May, reaching its highest level since August 2022. The uptick signals that lenders are increasingly willing to loosen underwriting standards, providing borrowers with greater access to financing options . . .

But What About 2008?

Now, you might be thinking, “Didn’t looser lending standards play a role in the 2008 housing crash?” That’s a smart question – and an important one. But here’s the difference. While credit availability is rising, lending standards are still under control.

Based on MCAI data going all the way back to 2004, today’s lending levels are still way below what they were leading up to the housing bubble (see graph below):

a graph showing the cost of a mortgageSo, increasing mortgage credit availability right now isn’t a concern. It’s just a good thing for anyone looking to buy a home. As Brett Hively, SVP of Mortgage, Finance, and Strategy at Ameris Bancorp, recently said:

“This uptick is opening the door for many borrowers to move forward with a home purchase or a refinance program.”

Bottom Line

So, if you’ve been holding back because you thought you couldn’t get approved for a mortgage, it’s worth finding out what’s possible today. Talk with a lender about your options to see if you’re ready to take that next step toward homeownership.

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First-Time Buyers

Why Big Investors Aren’t a Challenge for Today’s Homebuyer

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Remember the chatter in the headlines about all the homes big institutional investors were buying? If you were thinking about buying a home yourself, you may have wondered how you’d ever be able to compete with that. Here’s the thing. That’s not the challenge so many people think it is – especially right now.

Let’s break down what’s really going on and why the recent shift in the approach investors are taking could tip the scales in your favor.

Large Investors Are Pulling Back

The truth is institutional investors never represented as big a share of the housing market as people think. And now, they’re backing off even more.

Today, big real estate investors aren’t buying as many homes. In fact, they’re actually selling more than they’re buying.

According to data from Parcl Labs, 6 out of 8 of the largest institutional single-family rental investment companies in America sold more homes than they bought in the second quarter of 2025 (see graph below):

a graph of sales and purchase

And here’s the stat that really puts it in perspective. According to Dominion Financial, for every home being bought by big investors, about 1.75 are being sold.

What’s Causing Big Investors To Change Course?

The reason institutional investors aren’t buying as many homes now compared to recent years is actually pretty simple. It’s because home values aren’t rising as fast as they were a few years ago, but the costs associated with rental maintenance are.

Since most institutional investors buy homes to rent them out, those higher costs eat into their margins. Remember, to investors, homebuying is a business.

But you’re not buying a home just for this year or next. You’re buying a place to build a life, and that’s a long-term play.

Historically, home values tend to rise over time. So, while investors may be sidelined by what’s happening right now, you’re in a different position entirely. You have the chance to buy while competition is lower and benefit from potential long-term price appreciation – something most investors are choosing not to wait for as they focus on shorter-term returns.

What Does All This Mean for You?

According to a recent survey, about 55% of real estate investors have no plans to grow their rental portfolios now or in the near future. With big investors stepping back, that means less competition from deep-pocketed buyers. And since they’re adding to today’s for-sale inventory, it also creates more options for you.

Bottom Line

If you’ve been holding off on buying, now might be the time to take another look. Connect with a local real estate agent so you can get expert guidance on what’s available and what might be a good fit for you.

What kind of home would you be excited to make yours this year?

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Affordability

Multi-Generational Homebuying Hit a Record High – Here’s Why

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Multi-generational living is on the rise. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 17% of homebuyers purchase a home to share with parents, adult children, or extended family. That’s the highest share ever recorded by NAR (see graph below):

a graph of sales growthAnd what’s behind the increase? Affordability. NAR explains:

“In 2024, a notable 36% of homebuyers cited “cost savings” as the primary reason for purchasing a multigenerational home—a significant increase from just 15% in 2015.”

In the past, caregiving was the leading motivator – especially for those looking to support aging parents. And while that’s still important, affordability is now the #1 motivator. And with current market conditions, that’s not really a surprise.

Pooling Resources Can Help Make Homeownership Possible

With today’s home prices and mortgage rates, it can be hard for people to afford a home on their own. That’s why more families are teaming up and pooling their resources.

By combining incomes and sharing expenses like the mortgage, utility bills, and more, multi-generational living offers a way to overcome financial challenges that might otherwise put homeownership out of reach. As Rick Sharga, Founder and CEO at CJ Patrick Company, explains:

“There are a few ways to improve affordability, at least marginally. . . purchase a property with a family member — there are a growing number of multi-generational households across the country today, and affordability is one of the reasons for this.”

But this strategy doesn’t just help with affordability. It may even allow you to get a larger home than you’d qualify for on your own and that gives everyone a bit more breathing room. As Chris Berk, VP of Mortgage Insights at Veterans United, explains:

“Multigenerational homes are more than a trend: They are a meaningful solution for families looking to care for one another while making the most of their homebuying power.”

And momentum may be growing. Nearly 3 in 10 (28%) of homebuyers say they’re planning to purchase a multi-generational home.

Maybe it’s a solution that would make sense for you too. The best way to find out? Talk to a local real estate agent who can help you decide if this option would work for you.

Bottom Line

If your budget feels tight, buying a multi-generational home could be a smart solution. 

Would you ever consider buying a home with a family member? Why or why not? 

Connect with an agent to talk through your options.

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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, Landshark Mark, LLC 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.