5 Home Staging Tips on a Budget: Affordable Ways to Make Your House Shine for Buyers

Selling your home doesn’t have to mean spending thousands of dollars on upgrades. With the right home staging tips on a budget, even small, affordable changes can make your space feel brighter, cleaner, and potentially speed up the selling process.  In this Redfin and Angi article, we explore practi

When is Your First Mortgage Payment Due After Closing?

Key takeaways Your first mortgage payment is usually due on the first of the month, one full month (30 days) after the closing date. Add 30 days to your closing date and find the first day of the next month. For example, if you close on June 15, your first payment is likely due on August 1.  As a fi

Days on Market Real Estate: What It Means and How Buyers Can Use It to Their Advantage

Key Takeaways Days on market show how competitive a listing is: Days on market (DOM) measures how long a home takes to sell. The national median is about 66 days as of early 2026. Longer OM can create negotiation opportunities: Ifa home sits on the market longer than comparable listings, sellers may

Highest Refi Demand in 4 Years After Last Week's Rate Rally

Mortgage application activity surged last week in response to headlines of mortgage rates stably holding multi-year lows. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported an increase of 11.0% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending February 27. Refi applications once again led the charge,