The Home Insurance Move That Could Save You $440 a Year

 November 2, 2026

· 2 min read

When you’re planning a move, every monthly cost counts. That’s why it can be frustrating to see home insurance keep creeping up. According to Intercontinental Exchange, it now makes up 9.6% of the average monthly mortgage payment. 

But the latest numbers show some progress on that front – as the increases start to slow down. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do about it.

Premiums Are Rising More Slowly Now

A look at the past two years shows how much things have cooled down. In mid-2024, home insurance premiums rose 4.3% in a single quarter. By the second quarter of this year, that was down to 1.8%. That’s the smallest quarterly growth in almost 3 years – and that’s a good thing (see graph below):

As Andy Walden, Head of Mortgage and Housing Market Research at Intercontinental Exchange, explains:

“Property insurance has been a fast-growing component of the monthly mortgage payment, but this quarter’s data shows the pace of increase is finally slowing.”

While your premium will likely still go up over time, it may not climb as quickly as it did a couple of years ago. And that’s, at the very least, a step in the right direction.

Shopping Around Can Pay Off

Here’s where you have some say in what you pay. Let’s take current homeowners as an example. Intercontinental Exchange found that when homeowners shopped around and switched insurance companies, their premiums went down 6.6% on average. Those who stayed with their current company saw an increase of 10.4% (see graph below):

Think about that. That’s a big difference and it goes to show that looking for a new provider can literally pay off. 

That works out to about $440 a year in savings for the people who switched. And they didn’t have to give up coverage to get it. Their deductibles dipped 1.4%, and their coverage limits actually rose 7.3%.

While this example is current homeowners, the same general idea applies for first-time buyers too. Shop around and get multiple quotes before you pick your insurance provider. Then, once you’re settled in, review your policy each year when it comes up for renewal. You’re not locked into the first price you get.

The Home You Choose Can Help, Too

The home itself plays a role as well. According to John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC), newly built homes are 10% to 15% less expensive to insure than older ones nationally.

And while a brand-new home won’t necessarily be the right fit for every buyer, if you’re open to one, it could be one more way to keep your monthly insurance costs down.

Bottom Line

Home insurance is certainly a bigger part of the monthly costs than it used to be, and that can feel like just one more thing to juggle when you’re buying a home or moving. But knowing you have ways to keep it in check can take some of the pressure off. 

Compare a few options before you buy, revisit your policy each year, and lean on trusted local professionals as you plan for your next move.

Why Builders May Be More Motivated To Sell Than Homeowners

 October 26, 2026

· 3 min read

Here's something most homebuyers don't think about. When the housing market slows down, homeowners and builders don't always respond the same way.

Think about it. If you're selling your house and aren't getting the offers you want, you could make the choice to take it off the market and stay put, and wait for things to improve.

But builders? They may be more motivated to stay the course.

They've already invested money in building those houses. And every completed home that sits unsold means money tied up in a property, plus ongoing costs that can add up.

That's why some builders may be more motivated to negotiate right now. And that could work in your favor.

Fewer Buyers Are Making Moves. And Builders Are Feeling It.

You’ve probably seen the headlines. According to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), pending home sales – homes that have gone under contract but haven't closed yet – fell 7.3% in September and 11.3% compared to last year.

Why? Higher mortgage rates are making it harder for buyers to make the numbers work. Now, that report tracks existing homes, not new construction. But we're seeing signs of the same slowdown on the builder side, too. 

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), builder confidence dropped to 29 in October, its lowest level since June 2012. Traffic from prospective buyers also dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade, excluding the start of the pandemic.

As Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at NAHB, explains:

"Demand persists, but higher mortgage rates, elevated construction costs and weaker consumer confidence are keeping more buyers on the sidelines."

Here's why that matters for you. 

A homeowner may be able to wait for the right offer. But a builder with several finished houses sitting unsold may have more reason to get those homes sold sooner rather than later.

And that means they may be more willing to work with you than you think.

Builders Are Already Making Moves To Win Buyers Over

If you’ve always assumed builders don't negotiate, take a look at what they're actually doing. According to the latest survey from NAHB, in October:

• 65% of builders are offering sales incentives.

• 43% are cutting prices, the highest share recorded between 2020 and 2026.

• And 6% is what they’re typically taking off the price.

So, yes. Builders absolutely do negotiate. And with demand slowing, there's good reason to explore just how flexible they may be right now.

That could mean asking for a lower price. But it could also mean asking for a mortgage-rate buydown, help with closing costs, or upgrades that would otherwise cost you extra. 

And here's a tip that could make a real difference.

Don't just look at the newest communities or the prettiest model homes. Look for builders with completed houses that haven't sold yet.

Those are sometimes called quick move-in homes or spec homes. And the longer one of those move-in ready homes sits unsold, the more reason a builder may have to consider an offer that helps get it off their books.

Don't Just Ask What's Available. Ask What's Negotiable.

Don't assume the advertised price or incentive package is the best they'll do.

This is where having your own agent can really pay off. An agent who knows the local market can help you compare what builders are offering, identify communities with more available homes, and understand where there's room to negotiate.

Of course, not every builder will offer the same incentives. And some may be more flexible on closing costs or mortgage rates than on the price itself.

But that's exactly why it pays to ask. 

The trick is knowing where to look, what to ask for, and how much room there may be to negotiate. And that’s where having your own agent is key.

Bottom Line

A homeowner who isn't ready to accept a lower offer may be able to wait. But a builder with finished houses to sell has a different set of priorities. And that could work in your favor.

If you're ready to buy, let's look at which builders have completed homes sitting on the market in our area and see what they're willing to offer to get them sold.