4/21/2025 – Emily Stine Bought a Single Family home in 2025 in McCordsville, IN.
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“Shawna was recommended to us by a friend, and we could not have asked for a better realtor to help us find our first home. She is very quick to respond, organized, knowledgeable, and personable. She spent extra time to help us find the right location and neighborhood for us. Her passion for her work shows, and we would love to use her again in the future! “
More people are taking steps to buy a home. And, if you’ve been waiting for the right time to move, this may be the sign you’ve been looking for.
For the past few years, a lot of would-be homebuyers hit pause on their plans. With rising mortgage rates and affordability challenges, buying just didn’t seem doable. But now, more of them are getting back out there. That’s because they’re getting used to the fact that this may be the new normal for the market – especially as forecasts show mortgage rates may be starting to stabilize. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):
“Home buyers seem to be getting over the shock of mortgage rates in the mid- to upper-6% range.”
And that’s good for you and your plans to sell. While there isn’t going to be a big rush of buyers flooding the market all at once, this does mean motivated buyers are re-starting their searches. And here’s the data to prove it.
3 Signs Buyers Are Ready To Make Their Move
1. Mortgage Applications Are on the Rise: According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), mortgage applications are up 37% since the start of the year. That’s a big jump and a clear sign more buyers are more active lately. Don’t miss out on that. Serious buyers who are getting their finances in order are great potential buyers for your house.
2. Buyer Demand Is Picking Up: The Homebuyer Demand Index from Redfin shows demand is up 3% since late January. While that’s not a huge spike, momentum is building.
3. More Home Showings:ShowingTimedata says home showings are up 13% since the beginning of the year. This added foot traffic is exactly what you want to see if you’re about to sell your house. It signals more serious interest in buying. More buyers out there looking means more potential eyes on your house. And more eyes could translate to more offers.
And chances are, this activity is only going to pick up from here. We’re headed into the busiest season of the year for housing. Spring is when more people choose to buy or sell than any other time of year. So, now is a great time to list and get in on the action.
Bottom Line
As buyers re-enter the market, you have the chance to do the same thing. And the increase in buyer activity is definitely something you’ll want to take advantage of. To make sure your house gets in front of these motivated buyers, connect with a local agent.
If the right buyer walked through your door tomorrow, would you be ready to sell?
When you finally find the home you want to buy, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. You’ve toured the place, imagined your furniture in it, maybe even pictured your morning coffee on the porch. The last thing you want is to slow down the process with more steps or lose out to another buyer’s offer because they skipped their inspection.
But here’s the thing. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. And no matter how perfect that house seems, skipping a home inspection is a risk that could cost you a lot more than just time.
What Exactly Is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection gives you a detailed look at the home’s condition, usually after your offer’s accepted but before closing. While what’s covered varies by state, an inspector usually goes over the home’s major systems and structure, including things like the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more.
Why an Inspection Is Worth It
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the biggest benefits of getting an inspection.
Helps you avoid unpleasant surprises. A house might seem move-in ready, but could have issues you didn’t see during your walkthrough. Knowing about these before closing day is important. That way, you have a better idea of what work may need to be done to the home.
Gives you negotiating power. Depending on what the inspection turns up, you may want to re-negotiate with the seller. For that, lean on your agent. With their help, you can ask the seller to handle repairs before closing day or provide a credit so you can take care of them yourself.
Offers you peace of mind. Buying a home is emotional, especially if you’ve been searching for a while. An inspection helps take some of the uncertainty off your plate, so you can move forward with confidence.
A few hundred dollars upfront for the home inspection could save you thousands in surprise repairs later. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says:
“Failure to obtain a home inspection could potentially cost you a great deal of money and hassles in the long run.”
Why You Don’t Want To Waive Your Inspection
According to the latest data from NAR, nearly 1 in 4 buyers are waiving (or removing) the inspection contingency when they buy a home. And with spring being peak homebuying season and buyer activity already heating up, you may be thinking about doing that yourself. As Realtor.com points out:
“ . . . if you’re in a hot real estate market where homes are getting multiple offers, there might be a temptation to skip an inspection when you really want the house. However, waiving a home inspection comes with sizable risks.”
But skipping the inspection is a gamble that doesn’t necessarily pay off. Just remember, there are other ways to make your offer attractive to sellers, like being flexible with the closing date. Before making an offer, talk to your agent about other ways to get a seller’s attention without sacrificing your peace of mind.
Bottom Line
Even if skipping an inspection sounds like a way to make your offer more competitive or speed things up, it’s risky. It’s not just extra time and documentation, it’s a smart step that protects your wallet, your investment, and your future.
If you could ask a home inspector one question before buying, what would it be? Let your agent know so it’s the first thing they bring up when the time comes.
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