Is Now the Right Time to Buy? Kolter Homes Webinar with Joel Berner, Senior Economist at Realtor.com
With today’s housing headlines often sending mixed signals, it’s natural to wonder when to make your move. To bring clarity, Kolter Homes hosted a special webinar series with Joel Berner, Senior Economist at Realtor.com. A nationally recognized expert regularly featured on CNN, Fox, and Yahoo Finance, Joel is known for translating complex market data into clear, actionable guidance for homebuyers. Below are key questions and market topics from the session. Watch the videos under each to hear the full insights.
Is now a good time to buy a house in 2025?
Timing depends on local inventory, buyer demand, and price trends. In this segment, Joel outlines the current housing market landscape and the indicators buyers should watch to decide if conditions align with their goals.
Is it better to rent or buy a home in 2025?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Joel compares renting and owning across different markets, explaining how equity growth, payment stability, and total cost of housing influence the long-term financial picture.
What is the cost of renting vs. owning a home in 2025?
While renting may have lower upfront costs, owning a home builds equity over time and can offer greater financial stability. This segment compares average monthly rent payments with typical mortgage payments, factoring in property taxes, insurance, and maintenance to give buyers a clear picture of the long-term cost differences.
Should I renovate my current home or buy a new one?
With labor and materials costs elevated, remodels can be more expensive—and slower—than expected. Joel shares scenarios where purchasing a move-in ready or new construction home may be the more cost-effective path.
What’s the smartest strategy for homebuyers in 2025?
Success starts with readiness: a clear budget, pre-approval, and a plan for trade-offs. Joel offers practical steps to help you move decisively when the right home and financing align.
Why should I buy new construction?
New construction homes offer modern layouts, energy efficiency, and the ability to personalize finishes—benefits older homes often can’t match. Joel explains how these features can add long-term value and improve quality of life.
What are new construction premiums, and how common are they?
This segment reviews how much buyers typically pay above existing home prices for new builds, what share of listings are new construction, and how these figures shift with market demand.
How do new construction home prices compare to existing homes?
Price gaps between new and resale homes vary by location. This video breaks down current averages, the factors behind them, and how buyers can decide which offers better value.
What do housing market listing counts tell us?
From active listings to pending sales, this segment explains how inventory levels affect competition and pricing, and what they signal about market health.
How do housing inventory levels and buyer demand shape the market?
Supply and demand drive home prices. Joel discusses how to interpret these metrics so you can act when the market conditions work in your favor.
Why do new construction listing prices change?
Price adjustments can open up opportunities. This video explains when and why builders lower prices, and how to spot these moments as a buyer.
What is home price appreciation and price per square foot?
This segment explores how tracking appreciation rates and price-per-square-foot data helps buyers understand a home’s value growth potential.
What are the current home price trends?
Market-wide price shifts affect affordability and timing. This video provides an overview of recent patterns and expectations for the near future.
What is the mortgage rate forecast for 2025?
Interest rates impact monthly payments and budgets. Joel shares his projections for the year ahead and how buyers can plan for changes.
How do interest rates affect the bigger housing market picture?
Rates influence more than mortgages—they affect builder activity, investor behavior, and overall market momentum. Joel connects these factors for a full view.
How do tariffs and labor shortages impact housing?
From higher material costs to longer build times, this segment explains how global supply issues and workforce shortages ripple into the housing market.
Should I sell my home before I buy a new one?
Coordinating both transactions can be tricky. This video offers strategies to manage risk, maintain flexibility, and reduce stress in the process.
What are the most popular Kolter Homes features?
From open-concept designs to low-maintenance living, these features resonate most with today’s buyers and can enhance a home’s resale value.
What financing options are available for new homes?
From builder incentives to specialized loan programs, there are a variety of financing tools available that can make purchasing new construction more attainable.
What are the key economic indicators for the housing market?
GDP, job growth, and consumer sentiment all shape housing demand. This segment highlights the data points buyers should monitor closely.
What are the long-term housing trends to watch?
Looking beyond this year, this video shares insights on demographics, migration, and technology that will define housing for years to come.
Key Insights to Remember
There’s no universal answer to “Is now the right time to buy?” but Joel Berner’s nationally recognized analysis offers a dependable framework. Understand your local market, monitor rates, and align your decision with your financial plan. With the right preparation and expert insight, you can buy with confidence—now or when the moment is right.
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