Interest rates remain elevated and with higher home prices buyers still remain on the sidelines.  Even with the spring season in many markets being the busiest home prices are still flat in many markets.  Check out the great real estate reads from May 2026 to keep up to date on the real estate market. 

Benefits of the USDA Mortgage

Buying a home in a rural area means being able to access the USDA mortgage which has a whole plethora of benefits to the home buyer as this article explores.  From zero down payment, less restrictive credit requirements and no mortgage insurance there are benefits to be had not typically available with a conventional mortgage.  The location of the home is an important factor as if it is not in an area designated as rural then the home will not qualify.  Additionally, there are income limits which if one is above would also make a home buyer not eligible to use this loan as this article explores.

Getting a Mortgage After Bankruptcy

Yes, those wanting to buy a home can get an FHA mortgage after bankruptcy.  It is not an instant process though as the home buyer does need to wait a certain amount of time as Luke Skar explains about the waiting periods and requirements for getting an FHA mortgage after bankruptcy.  The usual rules for getting a mortgage will apply so it is wise for post-bankruptcy home buyers to use that waiting period to get their financial situation in order for the best results.

Property Management Selection Tips

When it comes to investing in real estate the property manager can make or break the investment.  Choosing the wrong property manager can mean having a company who prioritizes their own bottom line versus helping the investor get the best tenants with a well-maintained rental unit.  In this article by Chris Highland he provides some smart tips for how the best property managers run their business and some red flags to be on the lookout for. Real estate investors should start off on the right foot by making sure they select the best property manager for their property.

Down Payment Myths

The question of how much one really needs to put down to buy a home is one confronted by many new home buyers.  The answers are smartly explained here in this article by Paul Sian that explores the different down payment amounts along with the mortgage loans that provide low down payments.  While the 20% down payment can be ideal as the article explains, home buyers can put down less than 20% and can get as low as zero percent down based on certain mortgage types that the home or the home buyer need to qualify for.

Getting a Mortgage After Going From 1099 to W2

With a W2-based job a person has a much more consistent paper trail of how much they are earning on a biweekly or monthly basis.  Lenders often favor the W2 applicants because it is much easier to account for their income with the regular W2s.  For those who transitioned from a 1099 to W2 job this article from Eric Jeanette provides some great guidance as to what mortgage lenders will be looking at for the mortgage approval process.  Depending on the time frame, the 1099 still can come into play as Eric explains.  

Where Are Condo Prices at Today?

Whether you are buying a condo for a more convenient or low maintenance lifestyle, understanding where condo prices are and where they may go is important for the condo buyer.  Some real estate investors prefer buying condos over the separate single family home due to the lower maintenance, since the exterior maintenance is handled by the HOA.  In this article by Wolf Richter, he looks at condo prices in some of the large markets in the US.

What other articles did you find helpful for the month of May 2026? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Check out this other real estate round-up as MassRealEstateNews.com.

The Real Estate Roundup for May 2026 was provided by Greater Cincinnati Area Luxury Realtor Paul Sian with Home Connections in Cincinnati, Ohio. Paul is a licensed real estate agent in the states of Ohio and Kentucky and has over 18 years of experience. Feel free to contact Paul for all your Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky real estate needs.