Buying a Home in 2025: How to Be a Better Buyer

WSJ Your Money Briefing

The Wall Street Journal

News, Business News

3.8 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 6 April 2025

⏱️ 14 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

If you think you’re ready to take the plunge but feel overwhelmed by rising costs and the competitive landscape of the housing market, this episode is for you. In the second episode of our special series, “Buying a Home in 2025: Navigating the Crunch,” we’ll hear from a woman who recently closed on a house in Virginia. Host Ariana Aspuru will be joined by Wall Street Journal reporter Veronica Dagher and financial coach Bernadette Joy to discuss the steps you can take to prepare, whether as a buyer or a seller: what’s in your control, what isn’t, and other unexpected expenses. If you missed episode one, listen here. The final episode of our series airs next Sunday. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Further reading: Home Sales Rose 4.2% in February, Beating Expectations If You Want to Buy a House, First Figure Out All the Hidden Costs Home Buyers Start to Come Off Sidelines Even as Rates, Prices Stay Stuck - WSJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Americans love using their credit cards, the most secure and hassle-free way to pay.
0:04.0	But DC politicians want to change that with the Durban Marshall Credit Card Bill.
0:08.0	This bill lets corporate megastores pick how your credit card is processed,
0:13.0	allowing them to use untested payment networks that jeopardize your data security and rewards.
0:18.0	Corporate megastores will make more money and you pay the price.
0:22.1	Tell Congress to guard your card because Americans lose when politicians choose. Learn more at
0:28.1	guardycard.com.
0:34.4	Dominique Ross knew exactly what she wanted when she was searching for her first home.
0:40.2	We wanted a single family home. That was like a non-negotiable because we wanted land. We have
0:47.1	dogs and we like to be outside. We didn't think it was too outrageous to ask for the things
0:52.4	that we were looking for, at least in our market.
1:00.4	And she got them. Dominique and her fiancé recently closed on a home in Virginia. It was built in the 60s and checked off enough of her boxes, including the coziness factor.
1:06.2	We've only moved in, like, the past, we've been in here for maybe like three weeks, but one thing we've
1:11.4	definitely done is sit down in the din next to the fireplace with like some hot chocolate.
1:15.6	It's very, very vivy.
1:18.4	So how did she land her new home, despite the tough housing market?
1:22.4	And what can her story tell us about what other buyers can expect this year?
1:29.7	Here's your money briefing for Sunday, April 6th.
1:32.9	I'm Arianna Aspuru for the Wall Street Journal,
1:35.3	and this is the second installment of our three-part series,
1:38.9	buying a home in 2025, navigating The Crunch.
1:42.9	Last week, we took a snapshot of the housing market to see how interest rates, inventory, and the economy are affecting prospective buyers.
	...

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