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One in Five
Sobering data on veterans’ buying options
#113
WELCOME
Want to answer like an expert? Read this. 👇
By now you’ve probably seen some of the buzz around the potential for a 50-year mortgage and what it could mean for buyers looking for lower monthly payments. That’s why HousingWire put together this clear, unbiased breakdown to help agents understand the implications of a 50-year loan and answer client questions with confidence.
If this topic is popping up in your inbox or DMs, their article is a great resource to read, share, or use in your client communication this week.
Cindy Ambuehl staged one of the most successful career transitions on record, pivoting from comedy actress to sought-after, award winning, top-producing luxury real estate agent to the stars. It’s a shift she pulled off largely on her own, with the support of a very small, extremely specialized team. In this episode of Glennda’s Guru, Cindy shares why she approaches team building with a picky mentality—and why she believes this attention to every hire is exactly why her career has skyrocketed.
TRACK THE MARKET: For one group of buyers, affordability is on the rise
Affordability for veteran homebuyers has improved for two years in a row as average income grew slightly faster than home prices. Since hitting a historic low in 2023, affordability—for both veterans using VA loans and those using conventional loans—has steadily improved, positioning veterans for greater homebuying opportunities and more inventory options than non-veterans.
But even with that progress, most homes on the market remain out of reach, especially compared to a decade ago when veterans could afford more than half of all listings. VA loans continue to offer an easier path into homeownership with little to no down payment, but the higher monthly costs that come with zero-down financing still limit purchasing power in many expensive markets.
The latest data shows that:
21.8% of listings are affordable to the typical veteran using a VA loan, and 26.5% are affordable to veterans using a conventional loan, compared to 22.8% of listings for the typical non-veteran buyer.
53% of listings were affordable to VA buyers in 2015—more than double today's share of listings.
7.3% of mortgaged buyers used a VA loan in August, the highest share for that month in six years.
For agents, it’s important to note that the gap between where veterans can afford to buy and where they want to buy may not be shrinking. These are national trends, but veterans remain locked out of many high-priced markets where affordability is particularly strained.
DIVE IN
The Friday Five
📖 The 50-year mortgage. Glennda’s honest take on the hottest debate in real estate this week.
👀 Hollywood Hills. See inside Zedd’s casual and classy mansion, now on the market for $5.5M.
👀 Billionaires Row. Mark Wahlberg’s new mansion is James Bond meets ultra-luxe hotel.
💡 Zillow under fire. Another Zillow lawsuit raises questions about incentives, transparency, and corporate influence.
💡 The 10% rule. Four strategies for building a profitable database and consistent deals pipeline.
WHAT’S NEW FROM ESTATE MEDIA
Every listing has a story. But for some luxury homes, the behind-the-scenes details may be even more incredible than the property itself. Luxury real estate expert Eric Lavey has more than a few unbelievable stories only he can tell—and in the latest episode of Behind the Listings, he’s sharing the best of the best.
Tap now for a tour through Eric’s most memorable listings, including a Prohibition-era home with hidden hallways, a historic art deco-style Hollywood mansion, Tom Cruise’s former ski-in mountainside chalet, and more.
FEATURED LUXURY LISTING
TIPS & TAKEAWAYS
How to stay competitive in any market
Short-term success is achieved by developing a specific set of patterns and habits that work for you in this real estate market. But what do you do when the cycle changes?
Chris Heller, former CEO of Keller Williams, says agents have two options: keep doing what you were doing, or be willing to unlearn your old ways and develop new ones.
Short-term success may be built on what works now, but long-term success takes a willingness to adapt and change.
HANGS & HAPPENINGS
NAR NXT 2025 | Houston, TX | November 14 - 16
Gain laser-focused business intelligence and insights on AI, interest rates and inventory. Access strategic insights, tactical tools, and innovative solutions to highlight your mission-critical role for today’s ever-changing market.
Inman Connect | New York City, NY | February 3 - 5, 2026
The biggest names in real estate share their secrets to success with our attendees in curated sessions that will equip you with the skills to level up.
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