Inflation continues to trend lower while home prices continue to be supported by the ongoing dynamic of high demand and tight supply. Here are the takeaways:

When you think of a mortgage loan, you typically think of interest costs. But if you consolidate other debts into your mortgage, you can start thinking of interest savings instead.

WIRE FRAUD IS A $30 TO $50 BILLION ANNUAL PROBLEM

When you work with Highlands, you can be confident that we are taking steps regularly to protect your personal, financial, and transaction-related information. We partner only with approved, experienced, and well-vetted service providers.

Existing Home Sales, (closings on existing homes) showed sales were down 2.7% in March at a 5.77 million unit annualized pace. Note that this likely measured activity in January and February when rates were rising but not at the levels they are today. On a year-over-year basis, sales were only down 4.5%, which is still quite strong considering higher rates, higher home prices, and tight inventory.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation on the consumer level, rose by 1.2% in March. This pushed the year-over-year reading higher from 7.9% to 8.5%, which is the hottest reading in 41 years. Core (CPI), which strips out volatile food and energy prices, rose by 0.3%.

Take a look at our latest update on Mortgage rates anticipated to increase several times this year. See video and commentary below. This could cause a significant impact on mortgages. Increasing the supply and removing the largest buyer simultaneously is like doubling down on upward pressure on rates. Stay tuned.

Home affordability declines quickly when rates and prices rise together. Buyers who are waiting to purchase may not qualify for the same price home today in 6 months! In a rising market, you usually can't out-save appreciation.

Busy week ahead of us. New home sales are predicted to increase by 1% while pending home sales will decrease by 10%.

Home average sales prices are up +10% YTD with days on market down -12% YTD. It's a great time to list your home and take advantage of its appreciation.

Higher inflation increases interest in holding durable assets like real estate. In doing so this also affects the cost of money creating increases; both affect the impact prices.

As you can imagine, numerous factors are involved and one size often does not fit all, but there are many advantages to homeownership. Here are the top 3 in our opinion!