Hard work truly pays off—if it were easy, everyone would do it.

As we step into the new year, it’s a time to set priorities and define expectations. For some, this might mean pursuing goals like buying a home or switching careers, both of which tie into the challenges of the affordability.

In September, the national average mortgage rate was just above 6%, sparking renewed energy in the housing market. While rates have risen since then, we anticipate a decline as we move into 2025.

Are you a Job Stayer or a Job Changer? On average, people stay in a job for about four years, with 30% of the workforce having been in their current role for less than two years.

According to ADP, job changers saw their incomes grow by 7.2% year-over-year, compared to a 4.8% increase for job stayers.

With inflation stabilizing and wages on the rise, the affordability question is becoming more straightforward.