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.
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):
Why 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 . . .”
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):
So, 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.”
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.
If you’ve seen headlines saying home sales are down compared to last year, you might be thinking – is it even a good time to sell?
Here’s the thing. Sure, the pace of the market has cooled compared to the frenzy we saw just a few years ago, but that’s not a red flag. It’s a return to normal. And normal doesn’t mean nothing’s happening. Buyers are still out there – and homes are still selling.
Why? Because real life doesn’t pause for perfect conditions. There are always people who need to buy – and this year is no exception. Buyers who are in the middle of a big change in their lives, a new marriage, a growing family, or a new job still need to move, no matter where mortgage rates are. And they may be looking for a home just like yours.
Let’s break it down using the latest sales data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Based on the current pace, we’re on track to sell 4.03 million homes this year (not including new construction).
That means in the time it takes to read this, another 8 homes will sell. Let that sink in. Every minute, buyers are making moves – and sellers are closing deals.
If you’ve been holding off on selling your house because you think buyers aren’t out there, let this reassure you – there are still buyers looking to buy.
But since the market is balancing out, selling today takes more than just putting up a sign in the yard. You’ve got to price your house right, market it well, and know how to reach the buyers who are ready to act. That’s where a trusted local agent comes in.
They’ll help you navigate this market, position your home to stand out, and guide you through every step.
The market hasn’t stopped. Buyers are still buying. Life is still happening. And if selling your home is part of your next chapter, you can make it happen.
Roughly 11,000 homes are selling every day – and yours could be next. When you’re ready to take the next step, connect with a trusted local real estate agent so you have an agent to create that perfect strategy.
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.
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):
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.
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.
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.
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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