Affordability Has Improved in All 50 States

For the past few years, affordability has been what’s stopped a lot of buyers in their tracks. Maybe it stopped you, too.

At some point you probably did the math, looked at the monthly payment, and decided to pause your search and wait for things to get better. But here’s something you may have missed while you’ve been sitting on the sidelines.

Over the last year, housing affordability has improved in all 50 states. Yes, you read that right. It’s gotten better in every single state.

That’s based on new research coming out of First American. And while housing is still fairly expensive compared to historical standards, the pressure buyers felt over the last few years is finally starting to ease.

Some Areas Are Seeing Bigger Improvements…

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It’s Getting More Affordable To Buy a Home

There’s finally a little good news for anyone who’s been priced out or sitting on the sidelines.

Buying a home is getting more affordable.

Monthly payments have started to come down, and the squeeze buyers have been feeling for the past few years is slowly loosening. Now, that doesn’t mean everyone can suddenly afford a home, but with how tough the market’s been, the improvement we’re seeing matters.

Affordability Is Finally Moving in the Right Direction

One of the best ways to see this shift is by looking at how much of a household’s income it takes to buy a home.

According to Zillow, housing is typically considered affordable when it takes 30% or less of your monthly income to cover your expenses.That includes your mortgage…

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Mortgage Rates Pulled Back Again: What a Small Dip Means for Brookings Home Buyers

If you’ve been watching mortgage rate headlines lately, you probably noticed something important this past week: rates dipped again. Not drastically—but enough to get buyers talking.

And here’s the truth we’re seeing every day at Home Team 605 pwrd by Krogman & Company Real Estate: even a small change in mortgage rates can have a big impact, especially here in Brookings, South Dakota.

Let’s break down what’s happening and what it really means for local buyers and sellers.

What Happened with Mortgage Rates This Week?

Over the past week, national mortgage rates eased slightly after holding steady for a while. We’re not talking about a massive drop—but even a quarter-point change can shift buying power and monthly payments.

This type of…

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Expert Forecasts Point to Affordability Improving in 2026

Wondering what to expect from the housing market in 2026? You’re not the only one. For the past few years, affordability has been the biggest barrier standing between most people and their next move. And a lot of buyers and sellers have been holding their breath waiting for things to get better. The good news? It’s finally happening.

In 2025, affordability was the best it’s been in 3 years. And experts agree the momentum will keep going in 2026. And that’s based on their analysis of the key factors shaping the housing market in the year ahead: mortgage rates, inventory, and home prices.

Lower Mortgage Rates Are Already Here 

Mortgage rates have already come down from their peak. By some counts, they dropped by almost a full percentage…

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What Trump’s New Housing Recommendation Could Mean for Homebuyers in South Dakota

If you’ve been following housing news lately, you may have heard about President Trump’s recent recommendation involving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac—specifically, a request for them to purchase up to $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities.

That’s a big headline, and naturally, it raises a big question for buyers and homeowners here in South Dakota:

Could this actually lower mortgage rates and make homes more affordable?

At the Home Team 605, we keep a close eye on national housing policy because even big-picture decisions can eventually affect local markets like Brookings. Let’s break this down in plain English.

What Is Being Proposed?

President Trump has recommended that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two…

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Turning a House Into a Home: The Benefits You Can Actually Feel

There’s a lot of conversation about home prices, mortgage rates, and affordability right now – and those things are important. But if you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s worth remembering something the headlines rarely talk about: people don’t buy homes just for financial reasons. They buy them for their lives.

Because while homeownership can absolutely be a smart long-term financial move, it also comes with some emotional benefits spreadsheets just can’t capture. Maybe that’s why a 2025 survey from Fannie Mae notes:

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Why More Buyers Are Choosing Small-Town Living (And Why Brookings Is on the Radar)

Over the past few years, one of the biggest real estate trends across the United States has been a noticeable shift away from big-city living and toward suburban and small-town communities. And no, this isn’t just a temporary phase.

At Brookings Home Team, we’re seeing this trend show up locally in real ways — from out-of-area buyers relocating to Brookings, to longtime renters finally making the jump into homeownership here.

So what’s driving this movement, and why does it matter if you live in or are considering Brookings, South Dakota?

Let’s break it down.

What’s Fueling the Shift to Small-Town Living?

1. Remote and Hybrid Work Changed the Game

More Americans can now work from home or commute only a few days a week. That…

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Why Buying a Home Still Pays Off in the Long Run

Renting can feel much less expensive and much simpler than buying a home, especially right now. No repairs, no property taxes, no worrying about mortgage rates – you just pay the bill and move on with your life.

But here’s the part people don’t talk about enough: renting doesn’t help you build your financial future. Meanwhile, homeowners grow their net worth just by owning a home.

So, if you’ve been wondering whether buying is still worth it, the long-term math is clearer than you might think.

Renting vs. Owning: How the Costs Really Compare

Let’s break down one of the key differences between renting and buying. When you rent, your payment goes to your landlord, and then it’s gone. When you own, part of your payment comes back to you…

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The Housing Market Is Turning a Corner Going into 2026

After several years of high mortgage rates and hesitation from buyers, momentum is quietly building beneath the surface of the housing market. Sellers are reappearing. Buyers are re-engaging. And for the first time in what feels like forever, there’s movement happening again.

No, it’s not a surge. But it is a shift – and it’s one that could set the stage for a stronger year in 2026.

So, what’s driving the comeback? Here are three big trends that are slowly breathing life back into the housing market right now.

1. Mortgage Rates Have Been Coming Down

Mortgage rates are always going to have their ups and downs – that's just how rates work. Especially with the general economic uncertainty right now, some volatility is to be expected.…

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Would You Let $80 a Month Hold You Back from Buying a Home?

A lot of buyers are stuck in “wait and see” mode right now. They’re watching rates hover a little above 6% and thinking, I’ll buy once they hit the 5s. Because who doesn’t want a better rate?

But here’s the thing: that 5.99% number might not save you as much as you think.

Affordability is still a challenge. There’s no question about that. But the market has given savvy buyers a head start. Mortgage rates have already come down over the past few months. And the drop we’ve seen saves you more than you’d think.

How Much You’ve Already Saved, Without Realizing It

Let's put some real numbers to it. Rates peaked for the year in May when they inched above 7%. But since then, they’ve been slowly declining. Now, they’re sitting in the low 6s.…

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