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The True Cost of Homeownership: What You Pay Beyond the Mortgage

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  The True Cost of Homeownership: What You Pay Beyond the Mortgage 06   Feb   2026    by Charles Barwis When most homebuyers calculate whether they can afford a new home, they focus almost exclusively on one number: the monthly mortgage payment. It’s the figure lenders qualify them for, the number discussed during showings, and the benchmark used to determine budgets. The average annual cost of owning and maintaining a single-family home in the U.S., excluding the mortgage itself, is estimated at around $21,400 in 2025—roughly $1,800 per month. 1  When you factor in these national average ownership expenses, a $2,500 monthly mortgage can grow to over $4,000 in total housing costs. Qualifying for a mortgage answers one question: “Can a bank trust you with this loan?” It doesn’t answer the more important one: “Can you comfortably maintain this lifestyle?”  In today’s market, where nearly 45% of homeowners report post-purchase regrets (most commonly becau...
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2026 Housing Market Forecast: Will the Market Find Its Footing?

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  2026 Housing Market Forecast: Will the Market Find Its Footing? Dec 31,   2025    by Charles Barwis Will 2026 be the year buyers stop waiting? Forecasters are split, predicting anywhere from 1.7% 1  to 14% 2  growth in home sales. That 12-point gap reveals the central question facing the housing market: how much will slightly lower mortgage rates and slowly eroding lock-in effects actually unlock pent-up demand? Nearly every major forecaster agrees the market will be more active than 2025. But beyond that consensus, predictions diverge sharply on pace and scale. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) expects robust 14% sales growth. Realtor.com sees a modest 1.7% bump. Both could be right for different markets and price points. For anyone planning to buy, sell, or simply understand their home equity position in 2026, these diverging forecasts matter less than the underlying fundamentals. Mortgage rates should settle slightly lower. Inventory will impr...
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Planning Your 2026 Real Estate Moves: A Guide to the Best Buying and Selling Seasons

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            Planning Your 2026 Real Estate Moves: A Guide to the Best Buying and Selling Seasons                                                  01   Dec   2025    by Charles Barwis Timing isn’t everything in real estate, but it can mean the difference between saving $20,000 or paying a premium, selling in 30 days or waiting three months, and negotiating from a position of strength or uncertainty. As we look toward 2026, understanding seasonal patterns has become more critical than ever. With inventory levels normalizing and market conditions continuing to evolve, knowing when to make your move can dramatically impact your outcome. Whether you’re a first-time buyer watching every dollar or a seller trying to maximize your profit, the season you choose matters. The challenge? Not everyone can wait for the “per...
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