Ready to Buy in 2025? Five Steps to Help You Plan

If 2025 is the year you have decided to purchase a new home, whether as a first-time buyer or a seasoned home owner, the best time to start preparing is now. Following these five simple strategies will help place you in an ideal position to find a home that is a good fit for you and your family.


Take a Closer Look at Your Credit Score. The first step toward purchasing a new home is to examine your finances closely. Start by making sure you know your credit score. Your credit score will help determine the interest rate and associated costs you pay on a mortgage loan. In general, the higher your credit score, the lower the interest rate you will qualify for.


Examine Your Finances. Before you search for a home, you must know how much house you can afford. Experts recommend talking to a qualified lender to help you determine your price range. As the buyer, you are the best judge of what you can realistically afford, so you should not set your home buying budget based on your maximum loan approval amount.


Plan for a Down Payment and Associated Costs. Once you figure out how much you’re willing to spend, you need to set a down payment goal. The longstanding myth is that you must put down 20 percent to purchase a home. You can move forward with a home purchase with a much lower down payment. Two factors that primarily impact your down payment amount are the home’s price and the type of home loan you secure. In addition to your down payment, you must budget for loan fees and closing costs.


Evaluate Your Needs. Put pen to paper, outline what you need and want in a new home and create a “must have” list. Start by thinking about why you’re ready to purchase a new home. Maybe you need a bigger space or want to move to a school district that fits your family’s needs. Creating a list of what you need in your new home will save you time when you are ready to start looking. Your next home may not meet every item on your priority list, so you must decide what factors you can compromise on and how you can stay within your budget. 


Sell Your Current Home. If buying your home this year is contingent upon selling your home, you should be prepared if the timing doesn’t align perfectly. Another consideration is to ensure you have sufficient funds on hand if you cannot have concurrent home closings. A real estate agent can help you navigate the transitions. A buyer or seller market makes a difference in timing the transaction, and a real estate agent and HBA of Columbia can shed light on local market factors. 


Contact Jami Clevenger (jami.clevenger@columbiahba.com) to learn about homeownership opportunities in the Columbia, MO area. 

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Major EPA Refrigerant Changes Take Effect in 2025

By Jami Clevenger • September 25, 2025
The heating and cooling industry is undergoing a significant transformation as new Environmental Protection Agency regulations take effect to combat climate change. Here's what you need to know about the upcoming refrigerant changes and how they may impact you. What's Changing? Beginning January 1, 2025, manufacturers can no longer produce new HVAC systems using R-410A refrigerant, the most common cooling agent in residential air conditioners and heat pumps. This phase-out is part of the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning away from high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants. R-410A has a GWP of 2,088, meaning it contributes significantly to climate change when released into the atmosphere. The new regulations require all refrigerants in new systems to have a GWP of 700 or less. The New Refrigerants Two environmentally friendly alternatives are replacing R-410A: R-454B (Opteon XL41 or Puron Advance): Provides up to a 78% reduction in global warming potential while maintaining similar cooling performance to R-410A. Most major manufacturers including Carrier, Trane, and Lennox have chosen this as their primary replacement. R-32: Offers up to 12% better efficiency than R-410A systems and has a GWP of approximately 675. Daikin and some other manufacturers have selected R-32 for certain applications. Impact on Homeowners If you have an existing system: You can continue using your current HVAC system without any immediate changes required. Existing equipment is not subject to EPA regulations and can continue to be used through equipment end-of-life. R-410A will remain available for servicing existing systems, though supplies may become more expensive over time. If you're buying a new system: Systems manufactured before January 1, 2025, can still be installed through December 31, 2025, giving consumers a one-year transition period. However, new EPA-compliant systems are expected to cost at least 20% more than current models due to advanced technology and manufacturing requirements. Safety Considerations The new refrigerants are classified as A2L, meaning they have low toxicity but are mildly flammable—much less so than propane or natural gas. New systems include advanced leak detection sensors that automatically shut off the unit and activate ventilation if a leak is detected. Benefits of the Transition Beyond environmental protection, the new refrigerants offer several advantages: Potential utility bill savings of 5-10% due to improved energy efficiency EPA estimates this transition will result in emissions reductions equivalent to up to 876 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from 2025 through 2050 Long-term cost savings through reduced energy consumption Planning Ahead While there's no immediate need to replace functioning systems, homeowners should consider their options carefully. If your current system is aging or inefficient, upgrading before 2025 might offer cost savings, while waiting allows you to invest in the latest environmentally friendly technology. HVAC contractors are receiving specialized training to safely handle the new refrigerants, ensuring professional installation and service continue without interruption. For more information about how these changes might affect your specific situation, consult with a qualified HVAC professional who can assess your current system and discuss your options.

What to Know about “No Tax on Overtime” and “No Tax on Tips”

By Jami Clevenger • July 21, 2025
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) marks progress on two key promises from President Trump’s campaign: eliminating taxes on overtime and on tips. NAHB members may be wondering how these tax changes affect them, whether they’re business owners or employees.

Beat the Heat with Summer Home Preparation

By Jami Clevenger • June 23, 2025
Before summer temperatures climb, it’s a smart idea to check that your home is ready to handle the heat. Catching small issues now, like a sluggish air conditioner, can help you avoid bigger problems when the weather really warms up.
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