Mortgage rates kept going down on Thursday, hitting a 12-week low just before the holiday weekend. This was because markets were waiting for important economic data before the next Federal Reserve policy meeting.
Freddie Mac said that the average rate on 30-year fixed home loans fell from 6.77% last week to 6.67% for the week ending July 3. During the same time in 2024, rates were 6.95% on average.

It was the greatest drop in mortgage rates in a week since March, and the lowest level since early April, when President Donald Trump's announcement of the Liberation Day tariff sent long-term bond yields crashing.

This week, though, there weren't many headlines that would have made mortgage rates go down. Investors may have just been moving their money around in preparation for the end of the month and the second quarter.

The financial markets were also becoming more hopeful that the Federal Reserve will drop rates later this month. However, those aspirations were crushed on Thursday morning when the June jobs report showed strong job growth that was better than expected.

No matter why they are going down, the drop in mortgage rates before Independence Day will be good news for anyone who want to purchase a home but can't find one that fits their budget.

"Mortgage rates going down is a good sign, and even though there are still problems with affordability, we are seeing more sellers enter the market, which gives buyers an edge," says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac's chief economist.

According to the Realtor.com® economic research team's weekly housing analysis, new listings and active inventory continued to grow on an annual basis for the week ending June 28. Homes also spent longer on the market.

According to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, mortgage purchase applications rose 16% last week compared to the same time last year. This shows that buyers are once again interested following a poor spring season.

The increase comes after a slow May, when sales of new homes fell 6.3% from the same month last year and sales of existing homes fell 0.7% year over year.

"Sales are going down, which is causing inventory levels to rise a little. This will help make the housing market more buyer-friendly, but the process is expected to be slow because the economy is still uncertain," says Anthony Smith, Senior Economist at Realtor.com.

How to figure out mortgage rates

A complicated math problem that takes into account the state of the economy and a person's financial health decides mortgage rates. The 10-year Treasury bond yield is the best indicator of how they are doing. It shows how the economy is doing and how people expect inflation to rise. Before adding their own margin to cover costs, risks, and profit, lenders look at this benchmark.

When the economy shows signals of growing inflation, Treasury yields usually go up, which makes mortgage rates go up as well. On the other hand, indicators of declining inflation or a sluggish job market usually make Treasury yields go down, which makes mortgage rates go down.

But the mortgage rates that a lender offers you are based on more than just these benchmarks. They also take into account some of your own circumstances.

Your lender will look closely at your credit score, loan amount, kind of property, quantity of down payment, and loan duration to figure out how risky you are. People with better credit scores are seen as less risky and usually get lower rates. People with worse credit scores are seen as more risky and earn higher rates.

Need a lender to get qualified to purchase a home? Reach out to the Hersey Group for recommendations.

Independence Day weekend in Cincinnati is always an explosion of patriotic fun, and 2025 is shaping up to be no exception! From dazzling fireworks to vibrant festivals and family-friendly activities, the Queen City offers a plethora of ways to celebrate America's birthday. Get ready to plan your ultimate July 4th weekend with our top 10 recommendations:

1. Ault Park Independence Day Celebration (July 4th): A Cincinnati classic, Ault Park's celebration is one of the largest free community events. Start the day with a charming Children's Parade, then enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and a spectacular fireworks display by Rozzi's Famous Fireworks. This all-day event is a must for families!

2. MadTree Red, White & Blue Ash at Summit Park (July 4th): Head to Summit Park for a lively celebration featuring a free concert (this year with Judah & the Lion and Motherfolk!), local food vendors, a MadTree Beer Garden, carnival rides, games, and an impressive fireworks show synchronized to music from Warm 98.5. It's a fantastic blend of music, food, and fun for all ages.

3. Red, White & BOOM! with the Cincinnati Pops at Riverbend Music Center (July 4th): Experience a truly unforgettable Fourth of July with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. This year, enjoy the soul-stirring vocals of three-time Tony nominee Joshua Henry and the rich Americana sound of folk-rock band The Steel Wheels, followed by a spectacular post-concert fireworks display. Don't forget their Family Fun Zone beforehand!

4. Newport Blast at Newport on the Levee (July 3rd): Kick off your celebrations across the river with Newport Blast. This Wild West-themed event offers carnival-style attractions, live music, games, and a dazzling fireworks display over the Ohio River. You can even enjoy a special BB Riverboats cruise that coincides with the fireworks!

5. Northside 4th of July Parade and Rock N' Roll Carnival (July 3rd-5th): For a truly unique and quirky experience, dive into Northside's multi-day celebration. The Rock N' Roll Carnival at Jacob Hoffner Park will feature live music, leading up to the main event on July 4th: the colorful and lively Northside 4th of July Parade, a local favorite known for its creative floats and community spirit.

6. Kings Island Star-Spangled Nights (July 4th & 5th): For thrill-seekers and families alike, Kings Island offers two days of excitement. Enjoy all the roller coasters and water slides you can handle, then stick around for their enormous fireworks show that lights up the sky both nights.

7. Washington Park Fourth of July Celebration (July 4th): Enjoy a vibrant celebration in the heart of Over-the-Rhine at Washington Park. With live music from Soul Pocket and plenty of activities for the kids, it's a great urban setting to enjoy the holiday festivities.

8. Inwood Park All American Block Party + Fireworks (July 3rd): Get an early start on your Independence Day fun at Inwood Park. This block party promises games, picnics, Kona Ice, and a fantastic fireworks show to end the night.

9. Fort Thomas Independence Day Celebration at Tower Park (July 4th): Head south to Fort Thomas for a day of patriotic fun. Start with their morning festivities, then enjoy live music from The Sly Band, tasty eats from local food trucks, and plenty of activities, all culminating in a dazzling fireworks display at 10 p.m.

10. Explore Cincinnati's Summer Fun: Beyond the official Independence Day events, Cincinnati offers a wealth of ongoing summer activities. Consider a visit to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, explore the interactive exhibits at the Cincinnati Museum Center, or enjoy a stroll and play at Smale Riverfront Park with its iconic swings and water features. Many local breweries are also family-friendly and host live music throughout the weekend.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, Cincinnati promises an unforgettable Independence Day weekend filled with patriotic spirit, community fun, and spectacular fireworks! Be sure to check individual event websites for the most up-to-date information on times, specific activities, and any potential changes. Happy Fourth of July!

Want to move to a home in time for next July 4? Contact the Hersey Group.

Pet owners would do whatever to make their pets happy, even making sure that their outdoor environments are just as nice as their inside ones. This has led to the creation of the petio, which is a part of the backyard, balcony, or porch that is just for pets.
Are you ready to spoil your own dogs or cats? Here's all you need to know to make your own pet-friendly environment in your backyard, on your balcony, or in any outdoor place.

What are petios?
A petio is like a patio for animals. It gives your pet a place to play and get some fresh air. Kevin Lenhart, design director of Yardzen, adds, "Outdoor spaces are extensions of the home, and that includes every member of the household, pets very much included." Designing for pets, whether they are cats or dogs, entails making a space that keeps them safe, healthy, and able to act naturally while also fitting in with the homeowner's lifestyle and stylistic goals. Your pets have to share the area with you, too!

"Catios," which are enclosed outdoor enclosures that let indoor-only cats get some fresh air, started the craze. You can thank cat owners for that. Melissa Handy, senior vice president at Lowe's, adds, "There is a growing interest in safe, stimulating outdoor spaces for cat owners." The store sells petio designs to help you plan pet-friendly zones in your yard. "The 'catio' trend has led to other ideas, like the petio." In fact, 65% of pet owners say they have made decisions about how to build their yards depending on their dogs. Many of them have developed areas where their pets may be outside and still be safe.

Outdoor Things Your Pets Will Love
Hardy explains, "To make a good petio, you need to think about what your pets need and want." "We're seeing people put both play and practicality first, with everything from raised potty patches and artificial turf zones to agility parks and shaded splash areas."

Lenhart says that some frequent petio traits are:

Pet relief places with surfaces that are easy to clean and drain well

Shade structures and cooling areas, such as pergolas or umbrellas, to keep people cool in the summer.

Paths and open spaces, especially along the edge of the yard, where dogs can run or patrol

For pets who are likely to run away, there are enclosed areas like catios or fences with dig guards.

Water features that serve both as a source of water and as a way to improve the environment

Plants that are safe for pets, last a long time, and can tolerate some rough play

How to Make the Best Petio
You don't have to spend a lot of money on a huge renovation to make your yard pet-friendly. Just a few simple changes may make sure that everyone can enjoy the space, including your pets.

Learn about what your pet likes to do
"Think about what your pet does naturally, like lying in the sun, running laps, or just watching the world go by. Then make zones that reflect those habits while still feeling good for you," Handy advises. "That could be a cozy place to sit next to a patch of turf or a play area with shade and plants all around it." For example, if your pet doesn't want to take a bath, you probably don't need a whole pet pool for them to cool off in; a water feature that lets them drink should be enough.

Pick a ground cover that is tough
If you have dogs, you know that an energetic dog can really tear up an area of grass, either by playing rough or digging. You should pick something that can handle a lot of puppy play and is tough. Lenhart explains, "That could mean using tough, pet-safe ground covers like clover or no-mow grass alternatives." "We often suggest using decomposed granite or fake grass in areas that get a lot of use to cut down on wear and tear." Lenhart says that if you do choose artificial turf, you should make sure it has good drainage and an antimicrobial infill to keep dog smells to a minimum. And if you choose gravel or mulch, be sure it's safe for pets. He warns, "Don't use cocoa mulch because it's poisonous."

Make sure your pets are safe.
You don't want your pet to get wounded or lost when they're having fun outside. Make sure your pets can't get out by digging through the gap between the fence and the ground. The breach should be too small and too secure for them to get out. A lot of pet rescues need a six-foot-high fence, especially for big or very active breeds.

Cats should be able to climb and watch, but they shouldn't be able to jump over the fence. Lenhart writes, "A catio is a screened-in patio extension that lets cats go outside while keeping them safe from predators or traffic." "These areas that are closed off or raised up provide enrichment and peace of mind."

Give them a place to relax and get better.
Your pets will love a nice place to nap, much like you do when you lie down in a hammock or on the couch. In the summer, elevated pet beds help keep pets cool, and putting them in a shady spot keeps them from getting too hot.

You should also make sure that your pets can get to water while they're outside so they can cool off after playing. If you won't be there to constantly filling a bowl, you may choose a water fountain feature that holds more water so it won't run out. Just keep it moving so it doesn't become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Think about what your pets like to do.
If your dogs love to play around in water, you should absolutely get them a kiddie pool or some other fun place to do it. But that probably won't make cats like you. Lenhart explains, "For cats, the focus is more on safety and exploration." "Cats like to climb and look around, so we might add vertical things like shelves."

Choose plants that are safe for pets.
You want to make sure your pets can't access to plants that could hurt them. Lenhart notes that there are a lot of common outdoor plants that are poisonous to pets, such as sago palm, hydrangea, oleander, and some varieties of lilies.

Some plants that are safe for pets are herbs like oregano, lavender, rosemary, and thyme, as well as camellia, crape myrtle, forsythia, sunflowers, and petunias. A patch of catnip or cat grass might be a nice touch for cats' spaces.

Include it in the design of your own yard.
Your yard doesn't have to be only for birds (or cats or dogs). You may often find nice pet beds, shelters, and water features that fit with your style. Handy explains, "These features don't have to look like what you'd find at the dog park." "These features can fit in perfectly with the rest of the house if you choose the right materials and products."

Find your petio space with the Hersey Group.

If you're going to sell your house soon, you've probably heard the phrase "curb appeal" a lot. In other words, you need to make your well-loved, lived-in home look as good as possible to someone who might want to buy it.
"Buyers decide whether to buy your listing in the first seven seconds of arriving," explains Tiffany Szakal, who is both an agent and the managing broker at The Local Element in Grand Rapids, MI.

But it usually takes a lot of hard work and a big check to have your house ready to sell.

What should a seller do if they don't have the money to replace the old '90s linoleum floor in the bathroom with new, expensive tile? (Or maybe you don't want to spend money on things that will never make you happy.)

Don't worry about it. We have some cheap tips from experts that would make your home very appealing to buyers.

Choose the proper rooms to paint
Do you have a small budget for paint? You don't have to paint the whole house in the current popular colors to wow buyers, so don't panic. But you should pay special attention to the spaces that homebuyers are most interested in.

Wendy Gladson, a real estate consultant with Compass in Los Angeles, adds, "I think about kitchens and bathrooms." "There's usually more cabinets than wall space, so it doesn't take much paint."

It's always a good idea to paint the living room, too, because it's the first thing people see when they come inside.

Gladson says, "Surprisingly, the garage door should also be high on the list of things to do." "In some situations, it takes up 40% of the front of the house. A short coat of new paint will also help the house look better straight away.

And while you're at it, purchase some paint for the front door as well. Tip: Cherry red and yellow colors draw in customers.

Get help on staging for less
Many homebuyers can't get past what's in front of them, such the paint colors or the strange arrangement of the furniture, and see how they would make their home instantly appealing.

Staging services can be expensive, but home staging takes away the uncertainties. A lot of stagers, nevertheless, provide a consultation or hourly charge.

Gladson says, "It's a cheaper way to use all of their products, and sometimes just moving the sofa to a different spot in the house makes a big difference."

Also, get your closets and pantries ready for the show.
Staging isn't simply about art and furnishings. Put things in your closets, pantries, and cabinets to show how much they can hold. And since you can accomplish this on your own, it won't cost you anything!

Martha Gaffney, a strategic real estate adviser with Real Estate Bees in Pelham, NY, says, "An extra-full pantry and closet don't let a buyer see the space, especially in dark rooms or areas."

Take out half to a third of the things in your cabinets, pantry, and closet. Most of the floor and ceiling should be visible to people looking to buy a home.

Make dull and boring wood flooring look better
It costs a lot to refinish hardwood flooring.

You can simply bring old floors back to life and even fill in scratches by mopping them with a water-based polyurethane wood floor restorer. This will give you the rich, high-gloss sheen of a newer floor.

And one application should last through all the people who come to your open houses.

Cleaning upholstery yourself
You would probably prefer do something else on a Saturday than move a rental carpet and upholstery cleaner from room to room. But it's worth it, especially if you have dogs.

As soon as they step in the door, homebuyers can smell pets. But the sellers are usually nose-blind and don't know how horrible Fido smells in the house.

So, once you clean up all the pet places, have your brutally honest pals over. If they still smell like pets, discover the source and get rid of the stench.

There should be light
Natural light helps a house feel bigger, cleaner, and more welcoming. If your home doesn't get enough natural light, there's a quick and easy way to let more in right away.

Gladson says, "Take off the screens and wash your windows because they block light." Put in full-spectrum light bulbs that look like the sun at noon in spaces that don't get enough natural light.

Cheap home improvements
If you want to make some changes but don't have a lot of money, think about going to a second-hand store.

Szakal, from The Local Element, adds, "I highly recommend your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore."

"They have a lot of cheap renovation supplies, like paint, cabinets, hardware, appliances, tile, and more," Szakal explains. "And a big plus is that your purchase helps make homeownership more affordable in your area."

Also, don't forget about the yard. Get some tools and gloves for the garden and clean up.

"This is a high-impact, low-cost investment area where a seller can make a big difference," she says.

Want some staging tips from a great realtor that can sell your house? Contact the Hersey Group.

For first-time homebuyers, purchasing a fixer-upper can be a route to homeownership; for repeat buyers, it might be a means of affording a larger home in a better community.
It might be challenging to find a move-in ready property these days due to the comparatively small number of available properties, particularly if you're on a tight budget.

According to Dan Bawden, president and CEO of Legal Eagle Contractors in Houston, Texas, fixer-upper houses—existing single-family homes that require repairs or renovations—typically fetch less per square foot than well-maintained properties.

Renovations are more complicated than they appear on television, so you should know what you're getting into before you start looking for deals. Once the demolition process begins, seemingly straightforward jobs can become complex, and if the final cost turns out to be more than expected, it may take longer than expected to complete your to-do list.

To determine whether purchasing a fixer-upper is the correct choice for you, weigh these factors.

Options for fixer-upper mortgages
Mortgages that allow you to finance both improvements and a home at the same time are known as renovation loans. Compared to other forms of financing, a renovation loan allows you to pay off upgrades over a longer time period and at a cheaper interest rate. Among the options are:

FHA 203(k): Provided by the Federal Housing Administration, FHA 203(k) loans permit credit scores and incomes that are lower than those of traditional mortgages. They can be used for a variety of home renovation tasks, such as creating a garage, fixing a swimming pool, or making the house more accessible.

HomeStyle: Unlike FHA 203(k) loans, HomeStyle mortgages, which are guaranteed by Fannie Mae, demand higher credit scores. However, practically any enhancement is acceptable, even "luxuries" like landscaping or a pool.

With a minimum down payment of 5% (or 3% for first-time homeowners), borrowers can finance the purchase and renovation of a house with a CHOICE Renovation loan, which is guaranteed by Freddie Mac.

VA renovation loan: Although this product might be hard to find, especially among lenders that specialize in VA loans, VA borrowers can finance the purchase and remodeling of a property with a single loan. Work must be finished within 120 days of the loan closing, a VA-approved contractor is needed, and there are some restrictions on the projects that qualify.

In addition to providing additional funds in the event that work prove more expensive than anticipated, a fixer-upper mortgage may assist in paying your mortgage if you must relocate while renovations are being made.

How to calculate your budget and the amount of effort required
1. Speak with an expert

Before you make an offer on a fixer-upper, have a qualified contractor estimate the cost of the necessary work. The ideal home for you will rely on your abilities, timetable, and how you want to pay for the upgrades.

According to Carolyn Morganbesser, assistant vice president of mortgage originations at Affinity Federal Credit Union in New Jersey, "there's less-than-perfect shape and then there's total disrepair."

2. Select the appropriate mode of payment for your job.

For simpler fixes, you might be able to continue with a conventional mortgage and begin remodeling as soon as the closing date by using cash, a credit card, or a personal loan to pay for the improvements. These bootstrapped financing choices may have a higher interest rate and place a low ceiling on your budget.

3. Be prepared for obstacles

Don't be shocked if there are obstacles in your path, whether you want to do it yourself or hire an expert. "Remodeling always takes longer than you anticipated because that's just the way it is," Bawden explains.

Morganbesser adds, "Be prepared for delays during the mortgage offer process if you're looking at foreclosed homes, which often need work." You will be negotiating with the lender who owns the property when it comes to bank-owned properties, and it may turn down your offer more than once, she explains. That results in a sluggish beginning to a project that may take several months to complete.

4. Get ready for more oversight and evaluations.

In order to safeguard both your investment and the lender's, renovation loans frequently call for further consultations, inspections, and home appraisals.

For instance, a typical FHA 203(k) loan necessitates the employment of a Department of Housing and Urban Development consultant who will oversee contractor payments, approve your plans, and conduct a property inspection at the conclusion of each stage of construction.

Although these extra challenges can be annoying, they guarantee that the repair is completed on schedule, within budget, and that the house gains value.

Even worn-out DVDs and T-shirts that we haven't viewed in ten years or more somehow manage to make us happy, so any attempt to get rid of items is bound to be difficult.
In order to eventually declare at least some of those goods ready to go, perhaps we needed a more moderate push. The slow-roll shakeup is our most recent effort to clear out a bit more clutter. Instead of immediately putting anything out the door, we put it in a "holding zone" bin to give ourselves time to adjust to the concept of releasing it.

Try these suggestions to see if you can use this decluttering technique to get rid of some of your obstinate clutter keepers or persistent cluttered areas.

How This Method of Decluttering Operates
Whether you want to organize a drawer or shelf or a complete room, this strategy may be used for any kind of decluttering job. How to incorporate it into your decluttering regimen is shown here.

When setting up your decluttering session, include a "holding zone" box or bin.

Sorting into many piles or bins—to keep, to give away, and to trash—is the first step in the majority of decluttering techniques. The "maybe later" or holding zone bin is your fourth choice if you choose the slow-roll method. That's where you put those items that you're not entirely sure you want to keep or that you know deep down you can probably get rid of, like the board game you love but can't get your family to play with you or the jeans you haven't been able to fit into for the last five years.

You can avoid the obstacles and the exhaustion of letting go immediately by keeping that "maybe later" bag.

Put the trashcan away—for a short time.

While you adjust to life without those things, find a discreet location to store your holding zone bin. It is obvious that an object must remain in storage if you find yourself having to remove it while it is there.

Establish a due date.

Put it in your calendar, write it on the box, and display it on your refrigerator: There should be a clear shelf life for that "maybe later" bucket. It goes without saying that the sooner, the better, but try to limit it to no more than three months so you don't keep these things forever (just in a more secret location).

Give away or sell everything.

Everything that is remaining in the box needs to be removed by the deadline. Whether you sell the items at a garage sale, donate them to a charity, or give them away on a Buy Nothing group, send them out into the universe. Don't even look inside the box if you're worried about fumbling with the contents when it's time to bid them a final goodbye. Have a family member or acquaintance who is less sentimental go through everything and prepare the items for donation or sale.

Advantages of This Method of Decluttering

If you have a very difficult time getting rid of things or have already made an initial pass and still have too much stuff, this might be the best option to get rid of everything. You might be able to break that connection and release the things by temporarily placing them in limbo.

Because you won't have to cope with the feelings that come with parting with something you love, you might also discover that you breeze through your next decluttering session.

Drawbacks to Take Into Account

The holding zone has limitations, much like any other decluttering technique. The important point is that if you're a procrastinator, the "maybe later" box might remain there indefinitely, and that stuff will just keep collecting dust in your house rather than being used.

Finding a place to store all those things is another problem. Additionally, as you wait for the delay to work its magic, the holding zone will still take up a lot of room in your house if you've sorted more goods there than anyplace else.

However, if you're willing to get rid of the clutter after the allotted period has elapsed, it may be worth the brief expense.

Are you considering purchasing a home but unsure if this is the correct moment? Many are anticipating and speculating on the next move of the market. However, only the most astute purchasers are aware of this:

The best moment to buy in years may be this summer. Here are three main explanations.

1. Your negotiating power is greater

Things are beginning to change after sellers had all the leverage for a number of years. Take a look at the graph below. It illustrates that there are currently more sellers than buyers in the market using data from Redfin:

Examine the events that occurred from 2021 to about 2023. During that time, there were significantly more purchasers (the blue line) than available residences (the green line). That was the driving force behind the fierce bidding wars, fierce competition, and the market's explosive price growth at the time.

Due to a change in the market, buyers are now regaining their bargaining power. Sellers can be more inclined to cover some of your closing costs, pay for repairs, or reduce their asking price if there are more sellers than buyers. A much healthier and more sustainable market is indicated by the return of this type of normal balance. According to National Association of Realtors (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, "homebuyers in almost every region of the country are in a better position to negotiate more favorable terms with housing inventory levels reaching five-year highs."
Here are some things to consider if you're concerned that there are too many houses for sale. There isn't a national surplus or crash to be concerned about because overall inventory is still lower than usual.

2. You Have More Options

There are now a lot more houses for sale. According to the graph below, more homes were listed in May of this year than in May of 2024 or 2023, according to the most recent statistics from Realtor.com:

There are more options when there are more houses for sale. Your ideal match may have recently entered the market or may do so in the near future. Therefore, now is a fantastic moment to discover what's available. According to Realtor.com economist Jake Krimmel, "buyers have better opportunities to find a home that fits their needs with more fresh inventory hitting the market."

3. There might be more price flexibility.

Homes aren't selling as quickly as they did a few years ago because there are more homes for sale.
Some sellers are deciding to reduce their asking prices in an attempt to attract buyers again or expedite the process because homes are taking longer to sell. And that is to be anticipated. This May, 19.1% of properties saw a price reduction, per Realtor.com (see graph below):

For the fifth consecutive month, more vendors have lowered their prices. Additionally, the number of price reductions has returned to normal as of May. This is another indication that the market is becoming more balanced again.
You might discover that dealers are a little more accommodating at the moment, but don't expect a significant reduction. "Although sellers have had the upper hand in the housing market over the past few years, houses are now staying on the market for longer, shifting negotiating power back to homebuyers," according to a recent piece from The Street.

Just keep in mind that the majority of sellers are still not changing their prices; only those who initially overvalued are. This indicates that some sellers have out-of-date expectations in a changing market, not a crash.
The bottom line is the greater number of properties to pick from, less competition, and greater price flexibility from sellers make this summer a potent combination for buyers.

Speak with a Hersey Group if you're prepared to move. They would be delighted to assist you in moving forward.

Redfin says that the housing market is showing signs that haven't been seen since before the pandemic housing boom. This is the best time to buy a house.

It's taking longer for items to sell because there are more sellers than buyers, and sellers are offering incentives to help close deals. Redfin says that these factors are coming together more and more to make the market a buyer's market.

For one thing, the percentage of US homes that sell for more than the asking price has dropped to a springtime low of 28%. That number was 32% at this time last year, and it was 53% at the housing peak after the pandemic in 2022. The number tends to go up in the spring because that's when most people buy homes, from March to June.

The percentage of homes that sell for more than the asking price is a key indicator of the housing market because it shows how much desire there is among buyers. When the market is hot, buyers fight and bid above the list price. However, it looks like sellers are losing their pricing power and can't ask for as much more for their homes.

According to Redfin, this is happening almost everywhere in the country. The number of homes selling above asking price is going down year-over-year everywhere except in the five most populous metro areas.

The number of homes sold is going down, and the ones that do sell are staying on the market longer. So now we'll talk about potential home sales. They dropped 1.1% last year, to 87,720 for the four weeks ending June 8, 2025.

Third, the number of sales that are almost certain to happen within two weeks has dropped from over 40% this time last year to 37.6%. The last time these numbers were this low for the spring buying season was in 2020.

In the home market, there are about 500,000 more sellers than buyers. As homeowners move for job changes and return to work, the benefit of the mortgage rate lock-in slowly wears off.

People who bought homes during the pandemic boom paid a lot of money for them. They want to get their money back, but they're quickly learning that buyers aren't willing to pay prices from 2022. Affordability of housing is still a problem because owners are worried about the economy and a possible recession.

This means that there is a difference between the median list price and median sale price, which is Redfin's fourth cue. People are selling homes for an average of $425,950, but people are buying them for an average of $397,000. This is a 7% savings. In 2021 and 2022, it was the other way around: the median sale price was often higher than the list price.

When the market slows down, sellers have to lower their prices or offer other benefits to get people to buy.

It's good for buyers when those who buy lose: Redfin thinks that by the end of the year, home prices could drop by 1%.

Ready to make a purchase in the Cincinnati area? Contact Hersey Group.

You want to cool down quickly when it's hot outside. It's possible that your air conditioner will take longer than you'd like to cool down the room.

We talked to experts in HVAC to help you learn how to cool your AC faster.

Turn on the fans

To begin, turn on all of your home's lights.

"Any kind of fan will help," says Rob R. Terry, owner of Terry's A/C & Heating. "A ceiling fan, a reciprocating fan, or a box fan."

You should even turn on the vent fan in the bathroom and the hood fan in the kitchen, especially if someone just took a shower or is cooking.

Terry says this plan doesn't help the air conditioner cool down faster. Evaporative cooling or wind chill, on the other hand, will make you feel cooler.

Keep the house cooler.

It fights against all the hot air in your house when your AC unit goes on. The walls, floors, furniture, and other parts of the house are also very hot.

In this video, Terry talks about how you can help the AC unit fight.

"A/C units can only cool as fast as they can." It will take longer for the AC to cool down if there is a big temperature difference to deal with because your house is warm inside, he says.

Keep the temperature fixed, with only a few degrees of change. Terry says that this helps the AC unit reach the right temperature more quickly.

Close the blinds.

Terry says that closing the blinds and curtains on windows that get a lot of sun will make you feel a little cooler. Even better, this will keep your room from getting too hot. When there is less heat gain, it is easier for an AC unit to cool down.

Put blackout shades that block the sun on the warm side of the house. These keep at least 80% of the sun from coming into the house.

Really cool at night

Terry says that you can make your home even cooler at night by lowering the thermostat. This means that the AC will not have to work as hard the next day to cool the house down.

During the day, keep the temperature inside between 75°F and 78°F. Turn the temperature down to 60 to 67°F at night to really cool down your home.

Not only does it make the unit less busy, but studies show that beds that are cooler help people sleep better. 1.

Always have the AC on.

Terry says that you should leave your air conditioner on all the time, even when you're not home. Keep the house ice-cold all the time, but that's not always necessary. Instead, it means leaving the unit on all the time.

Clean the AC condenser coils on the outside.

Jeff Ring, owner of Modern Heating & Cooling, says that a simple way to get your AC to cool down faster is to make sure that the outside condenser coils are clean.

The box outside the house with vents on the sides and a fan on top is the condenser. It is made of metal and is square. It takes longer for the AC to cool the house when the coils inside the box are dirty.

A fin comb, a few common tools, and two cans of foaming A/C condenser coil cleaner are all you will need to clean the heater's condenser coils.

After taking off the top cover, hoover up the big pieces of dirt and use the coil cleaner. The cleaner is a solvent, and it takes a while for it to break down the rust. Finally, rinse off the cleaner with water.

Clean the filter on the inside.

As you try to quickly cool down your home when the AC filter is jammed, it's like pulling water out of a hose that is tight. It does run, but not as fast.

"Verify the indoor AC filter is clean and there is minimal interference of airflow," Ring points out.

Fill in the empty air supply duct

Randal Fuller, owner of Fuller Services, says, "One less well known way to help your central air cool your home faster has to do with how your air supply ductwork is set up."

An air supply duct access panel for the AC is hidden behind a big area. There needs to be some room, but older systems often have extra-large gaps.

"When the system starts, cold air fills that void before moving through the ductwork," Fuller adds. "This delays things." That is why it takes longer for cooler air to get to homes.

Fill in some of that empty space to get rid of the delay and speed up the flow of cool air to the vents in the room.

"It's a small adjustment, but it can noticeably improve how fast your home cools down," Fuller adds.

AC on the fritz? Contact Hersey Group for HVAC repair recommendations.

If you're buying a home for the first time right now, you might feel like the odds are against you. If you know where to look, though, there are tools and apps that can help. And one thing that can make it easier to become a homeowner? A loan from the FHA.

They're made to help you get past some of the biggest financial problems that come up when you buy a house, which is why so many first-time buyers use them.

An FHA home loan could help you get the house you want faster than you think, whether you want to stop renting and settle down, plant roots, or just make it your own.

It probably doesn't feel easy to buy your first home right now.

Many people still want to buy a home, but it's hard for them to do so because of the high cost. According to a poll by 1000WATT, the two things that worry first-time buyers the most are saving enough for the down payment and being able to afford the monthly mortgage payments at the prices and rates of today.

That's where FHA loans come in.

Many first-time buyers are able to get around these problems with FHA loans.

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) says that the usual first-time buyer with an FHA loan only puts down $16,000. The down payment they're making on a normal mortgage is $77,000, so that's a big change.

For the most part, people who use an FHA loan might not need to pay as much cash up front. There are more benefits, though. You might also be able to pay less each month.

That's because FHA loans often have lower interest rates. This is what Bankrate says:

"The rates for FHA loans are about the same as or slightly lower than rates for conventional loans."

So, if you want to buy your first home, you might want to look into an FHA loan.

It could help first-time buyers with the two biggest problems they face right now: saving enough money up front and being able to make the monthly payment. This is because the down payment requirements might go down and the mortgage rate might even go down.

Someone you can trust can help you understand the details, weigh your choices, and choose the type of loan that fits your needs best.

In the end

It might be easier than you think to become a renter if you get the right loan and get the right help.

Would you like to know more about your choices? Hersey Group is ready to help you find a lender.