How to Use Your End-of-Year Bonus to Buy a Home 1. Strengthen Your Down Payment Putting your bonus directly toward your down payment: Reduces your monthly mortgage payment Helps you qualify for better interest rates Can get you above key thresholds (3%, 5%, or 20%)   Tip: Even an extra $5k–$10k can

Now’s the Time for Smart Buyers in November 2025!  Prices are still climbing-three percent year-over-year-but here’s the twist: over half of deals now come with seller concessions like closing cost help or rate buydowns. Inventory’s ticking up too; Baltimore rowhouses sit nine days longer than last