{"id":399,"date":"2026-04-14T12:25:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T17:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/?p=399"},"modified":"2026-04-14T12:25:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T17:25:30","slug":"wondering-if-you-should-still-buy-a-home-right-now-heres-what-to-keep-in-mind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/?p=399","title":{"rendered":"Wondering If You Should Still Buy a Home Right Now? Here\u2019s What To Keep in Mind"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div class=\"pt-8 px-8\">\n<h2 class=\"profile-color-text text-3xl\">Wondering If You Should Still Buy a Home Right Now? Here\u2019s What To Keep in Mind.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mt-6 text-base-content flex items-center flex-wrap gap-x-4 gap-y-2\"><span class=\"flex items-center flex-wrap gap-1\"><time class=\"text-base-content\" datetime=\"2026-04-13T10:30:00Z\">Monday April 13th, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-6 text-base-content flex items-center flex-wrap gap-x-4 gap-y-2\"><span class=\"flex items-center flex-wrap gap-1\"><a class=\"text-base-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/en\/category\/buyers\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">.<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-6 text-base-content flex items-center flex-wrap gap-x-4 gap-y-2\"><span class=\"flex items-center flex-wrap gap-1\"><a class=\"text-base-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/en\/category\/buyers\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">For Buyers,<\/a><a class=\"text-base-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/en\/category\/first-time-buyers\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">First-Time Buyers,<\/a><a class=\"text-base-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/en\/category\/mortgage-rates\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">Mortgage Rates,<\/a><a class=\"text-base-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/en\/category\/affordability\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">Affordability<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div>.<\/div>\n<div>Article from Keeping Current Matters<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"p-6 px-8\">\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-3 sm:flex gap-1 flex-wrap w-fit sm:w-full my-4\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-6 flex flex-col gap-4 mb-8\">\n<div class=\"mb-2\">\n<p>With economic headlines, global events, and near constant talk about affordability, you may be wondering if this is the right time to move. But here\u2019s what you need to remember if you are Wondering If You Should Still Buy a Home Right Now and Here\u2019s What To Keep in Mind<\/p>\n<p><strong>While recent events do have some impact on the housing market, they don\u2019t take buying off the table. You just have to use a different strategy.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Mortgage Rates Have Been Up Slightly \u2013 Here&#8217;s Why<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>After trending down for most of 2025, mortgage rates have been higher again for over roughly a month now. And experts say it\u2019s a result of what&#8217;s happening overseas and in the broader economy. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at\u00a0<em>First American<\/em>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.firstam.com\/economics\/affordability-reached-best-level-since-2022-in-january\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">explains<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>\u201cMortgage rates have recently moved higher, driven by geopolitical uncertainty and rising energy costs that are contributing to inflation concerns.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>But what does that\u00a0<em>really\u00a0<\/em>mean for you? Should you wait for everything to settle back down before you buy a home?<\/p>\n<p>The short answer is\u00a0<strong>no<\/strong>. You don\u2019t have to wait.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Your Window To Buy Didn\u2019t Close<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>It\u2019s true that a month or so ago, when rates were just shy of 6%, buying felt a bit more affordable. And now that\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mortgagecalculator.net\/%E2%80%8B\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">rates<\/a>\u00a0are hovering around the mid-6s, monthly payment costs\u00a0<em>are\u00a0<\/em>higher.<\/p>\n<p>But zoom out for a second.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s say you\u2019re taking out a loan for $500k. Even with rates in the mid 6s, you\u2019re still saving roughly $300 on your monthly payment compared to buyers who made their purchase early last year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>That means this recent increase in rates hasn\u2019t erased the progress we\u2019ve seen. Buying is still more affordable than it was just one year ago\u00a0<\/strong>(<em>see below<\/em>):<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/files.keepingcurrentmatters.com\/KeepingCurrentMatters\/content\/images\/20260410\/20260413---Affordability-Is-Still-Better-original.png\" alt=\"a blue and green chart with white text\" \/>Sure, your monthly payment would\u2019ve been a little less expensive a few weeks back. But hindsight is always 20\/20.<\/p>\n<p>The goal moving forward shouldn\u2019t be to perfectly time the market. Things change too quickly for that. Instead, the real goal is to make the best decision you can based on where things are today. And the best advice anyone can give is: brace for volatility.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>When It Comes To Rates, Expect the Unexpected<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Mortgage rates are going to continue to be move around in the weeks or months ahead as new information and economic reports come out.<\/p>\n<p>Try to remember, you can\u2019t control global events or where rates go next week (or even next month). But you can\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/2026\/03\/25\/you-cant-control-whats-happening-with-mortgage-rates-but-you-can-control-this\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">control<\/a>\u00a0how you prepare. If you do that, it becomes less about the headlines, and more about your situation.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>If You Want or Need To Move, You Still Can<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The simple truth is, if you want or need to move, you still can.<\/p>\n<p>Some buyers are choosing to move forward right now because their needs haven\u2019t changed. A growing family, a job relocation, a lifestyle shift \u2013 those things still matter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>And for buyers who do decide to move forward, there are ways to make it work.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For example, you could explore options like\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/2026\/04\/08\/thinking-about-an-adjustable-rate-mortgage-heres-what-you-need-to-know\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">adjustable-rate mortgages<\/a>\u00a0(ARMs) to get a lower rate upfront. That may or may not be the right fit for you, but it highlights an important point: there are strategies that can help you move, even now.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>What matters most is having a plan.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>And working with the right agent and lender is a big part of that. With expert help, you\u2019ll:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Understand your budget and what the math looks like at today&#8217;s rates.<\/li>\n<li>Explore your financing options, including ARMs and assistance programs.<\/li>\n<li>Have trusted guidance from experts who&#8217;ll keep you up to date throughout the process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"text-xl mb-2\">Bottom Line<\/h3>\n<p>Even though there\u2019s some uncertainty, that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re out of options.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you need to move, you still can.\u00a0<\/strong>Let\u2019s connect so we can explore all your options and make your move happen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"251\" data-end=\"390\"><strong data-start=\"251\" data-end=\"279\">Twila Bertrand, REALTOR\u00ae<\/strong><br data-start=\"279\" data-end=\"282\" \/><strong data-start=\"282\" data-end=\"308\">CENTURY 21 Cota Realty<\/strong><br data-start=\"308\" data-end=\"311\" \/>\ud83d\udccd Serving Lufkin, Huntington, Nacogdoches, and all of Angelina County, Texas<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"392\" data-end=\"750\">Helping buyers and sellers navigate the East Texas real estate market with confidence. Whether you&#8217;re searching for homes for sale in Lufkin, TX, looking to sell your property quickly, or seeking the <strong data-start=\"592\" data-end=\"626\">best REALTOR\u00ae in Lufkin, Texas<\/strong>, I provide expert guidance, local market knowledge, and personalized service to ensure a smooth and successful transaction.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"752\" data-end=\"1027\">\ud83d\udcde <strong data-start=\"755\" data-end=\"772\">Call or Text:<\/strong> (936) 208-7631<br data-start=\"787\" data-end=\"790\" \/>\ud83c\udf10 <strong data-start=\"793\" data-end=\"805\">Website:<\/strong> <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"806\" data-end=\"844\">https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/<\/a><br data-start=\"844\" data-end=\"847\" \/>\ud83d\udd0d <strong data-start=\"850\" data-end=\"861\">Search:<\/strong> <em data-start=\"862\" data-end=\"896\">Twila Bertrand REALTOR Lufkin TX<\/em><br data-start=\"896\" data-end=\"899\" \/>\ud83c\udfe1 <strong data-start=\"902\" data-end=\"918\">Specialties:<\/strong> Residential Homes, Land &amp; Acreage, Lake Sam Rayburn Properties, First-Time Buyers, and Relocation Services<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1029\" data-end=\"1051\">\u2b50 <strong data-start=\"1031\" data-end=\"1049\">Why Choose Me?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1052\" data-end=\"1280\">\n<li data-section-id=\"fqrae6\" data-start=\"1052\" data-end=\"1118\">2024 <strong data-start=\"1059\" data-end=\"1082\">Realtor of the Year<\/strong> \u2013 Lufkin Association of REALTORS\u00ae<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"14ma3ic\" data-start=\"1119\" data-end=\"1162\">Trusted Local Expert in Angelina County<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"4c8540\" data-start=\"1163\" data-end=\"1218\">Dedicated to Faith, Family, and Exceptional Service<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"zbopzs\" data-start=\"1219\" data-end=\"1280\">Proven Marketing Strategies and Strong Negotiation Skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1282\" data-end=\"1464\"><em data-start=\"1282\" data-end=\"1464\">If you\u2019re searching online for the <strong data-start=\"1318\" data-end=\"1358\">best real estate agent in Lufkin, TX<\/strong> or need expert advice on buying or selling a home in East Texas, I\u2019m here to help every step of the way.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wondering If You Should Still Buy a Home Right Now? Here\u2019s What To Keep in Mind. Monday April 13th, 2026 . For Buyers,First-Time Buyers,Mortgage Rates,Affordability . Article from Keeping Current Matters With economic headlines, global events, and near constant talk about affordability, you may be wondering if this is the right time to move. But [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":194391,"featured_media":400,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[27,107,148,105,141,51,28,50,21,19,13,39,15,46,58],"class_list":["post-399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-estate","tag-angelina-county-real-estate","tag-best-real-estate-agent","tag-best-real-estate-agent-in-lufkin-tx","tag-best-realtor-in-lufkin","tag-best-realtor-in-lufkin-tx","tag-buyers-mistakes","tag-buying-a-home","tag-buying-smart","tag-real-estate-agent","tag-real-estate-lufkin","tag-real-estate-lufkin-huntington","tag-real-estate-trends","tag-realtor","tag-trust-the-pros","tag-trusted-realtor"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/399","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/194391"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=399"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/399\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":402,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/399\/revisions\/402"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=399"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=399"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=399"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}