Owen Lahey of First Federal Bank, NMLS 728835

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Owen Lahey of First Federal Bank, NMLS 728835

Equal Housing Lender
NMLS #728835

02/06/2026

Buying your first home can feel like a tough matchup today – which is why so many first-time buyers stay on the sidelines, waiting for an assist from the market.

But the buyers who actually win don’t wait for the market to help them out. They take the ball and run. And here are some ways you can do that.

With the right prep, maybe you’re not watching the big game at someone else’s house next year. You’re watching it from your own living room.

If buying before next season is on your radar, let’s build a game plan to help make it possible.

© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902
All loans subject to credit and property approval. Programs may vary by eligibility and location.

01/30/2026

Big news for homebuyers! 🎉
Mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest point in nearly 3 years - and experts predict they’ll stay favorable through 2026. (Source: Mortgage News Daily, 30 Year Fixed Mortgage Rates, January 2026)
What could this mean for you?
Potentially lower monthly payments
Improved affordability for qualified borrowers
Increased purchasing power, depending on loan terms and credit profile
If you’ve been waiting to explore your options, now may be a good time to revisit your homebuying plans. Let’s connect to review current rates and see what options may be available to you.
© First Federal Bank | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS #408902

01/17/2026

Many first-time buyers hit the same wall: saving enough for their down payment.

In fact, a study found 31% of first-time buyers say it’s the hardest part of the entire homebuying process.(Source: Help exists for cash-strapped homebuyers — but many don’t know it, Housingwire, September 2025)

But here’s something that could make that a whole lot easier.

Even though most people aren’t aware, there are 2,624 down payment assistance programs available right now. And, qualified buyers could receive an average of $17k to use toward their purchase.

That’s real money that can help you buy sooner than you ever thought possible.

Want to see what you could qualify for? Contact me today!

© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902

01/08/2026

The 2025 housing market continued to evolve:

Inventory expanded nationwide, average rates shifted lower than the prior year, homeowners gained more equity, and millions of families made a move.

I’m continuing to track these changes closely – reach out anytime for local housing trends.
(Source: Cotality, U.S. Home Equity Dips Further This Fall, December 2025)

©First Federal Bank | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS #408902

12/17/2025

Your next home doesn’t need to check every box on your wish list. It just needs to check the right ones.

Even though affordability is improving, it still could be tight for many buyers. And the people who are moving right now could realize one thing can make the process a whole lot easier: a flexible wish list.

Cotality found 70% of buyers ended up compromising on one or more wish list item. And for those buyers, that simple shift opened up more homes that fit both their needs and their budget. (Source: From House to Home-Cotality Report, December 2025)

When was the last time you took a look at your wish list and sorted it into what's truly a must-have and what's a nice perk?

If you want help or want an expert’s insights (based on general market trends) on what to prioritize in our local market, contact me today.

A little flexibility can open up a lot more opportunity.

© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902

12/09/2025

Online searches for “homes for sale” are up more than 20% since last year. (Source: Redfin Reports Pending Home Sales Slip As Would-Be Buyers Wait For Lower Rates and Economic Clarity, November 2025)

Now, that doesn’t mean buyers are flooding the market. But it does suggest interest may be picking back up.

If you’ve been wondering whether anyone’s even looking right now, this may be a good sign the market isn’t frozen.

There are buyers out there doing their homework and preparing for their next move.

If you're thinking about your own next steps and want to make sure you're prepared, let’s talk strategy.

© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902

11/20/2025

Buying a home when you have student loans is possible.
Data shows 32% of first-time buyers have student debt. And the typical amount is $30,000 (Source: 2025 Homebuyers and Sellers Generational Trend Report, NAR, November 2025).

So, if you’ve been holding off on buying your first home because you thought you had to pay off those loans first.

Or, because you assumed it just wasn’t possible for you to buy, let's chat today.

All loans are subject to credit approval and program eligibility.
© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902

10/29/2025

Think investors are driving up home prices? Recent data suggest other factors may be at play.

Last year, just 2.8% of homes were bought by large investors. That means the vast majority were purchased by regular buyers, not big corporate giants.

So, what’s really affecting prices? A long-term housing shortage.
Simply put, there haven’t been enough homes available for everyone who wants to buy one.

Curious what that means for our area? Let's connect!
© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902

10/03/2025

What would make you feel more comfortable making a move?

63% of would-be homebuyers say lower home prices.
50% say more affordable financing options.

If that’s what you want too, this may be the update you’ve been looking for.
Experts project that many markets could see single-digit price increase this year. Some areas might experience slight declines. That’s a far cry from the 20% rise we saw just a few years ago.

At the same time, mortgage rates have eased from their recent highs.

While it’s not enough to completely change the game on affordability, both trends should stick around going into 2026.
If you want to talk through how this could help your budget, contact me today.
© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902

09/25/2025

While you’ve been out and about living your life, your house has been quietly building your wealth in the background.

And that hidden wealth is called equity. When prices go up over time and as you pay your mortgage, that number climbs.

According to the latest data (NAR, Homeowners Enjoy Record Equity Gains, September 2025), the average homeowner has around $300K in equity right now. That’s six figures of potential wealth-though every homeowner's situation is different, and depends on their loan balance, property location, and local markets.

When was the last time you had a professional provide you with an estimate of what your home may be worth, and how much equity you might have?

Contact me and we’ll run your personalized numbers, so you know exactly what you’re working with. It might be exactly what you need to fuel your next move.
© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902

09/10/2025

If you’ve owned your home for a while, you might have some serious equity.

Right now, over two-thirds of homeowners have either paid off their mortgage entirely or have at least 50% equity. (Source: ATTOM, Home Equity Holds Steady Around U.S. During Fourth Quarter as Housing Market Remains Strong, July 2025)

That’s a strong position to be in. Because that much equity may provide a financial cushion and could give you options for your long-term goals, subject to eligibility.

If you're thinking about moving, downsizing, or just curious what your home’s really worth, contact me and I’ll give you a personalized estimate, because your equity might be able to get you there sooner rather than later.
© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902

09/03/2025

If you tried to sell your house this year, but couldn't get the price you were hoping for, you’re probably feeling frustrated. Maybe you even feel like today’s market let you down. But here’s what you need to know.

Historically, the housing market has experienced cycles of slowdowns and recoveries. In the ’80s, during the 2008 crisis, and even in 2020, sales dropped, then recovered.

Industry forecasts (Fannie Mae, MBA, NAR) suggest the market may begin to improve over the next few years if conditions like mortgage rates ease, though timing is uncertain and not guaranteed.

The takeaway: while today’s market is slower, it may change in the future depending on economic factors.

My job is to watch the market for you and help you be ready when the time is right for your goals.

So, let me know: as activity picks up again, will you be ready to put your house back on the market, or do you need to move sooner?
© First Federal Bank |Equal Housing Lender| NMLS #408902

Address

3010 Royal Boulevard South, Suite 100
Alpharetta, GA
30022

Telephone

+16789879868

Website

https://apply.ffbf.com/#/loan-officers/laheyo@ffbf

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