reporter jenn sullivan explains what prospective buyers need to know. >> many first time home buyersere shut out of the housing market in 2024 because of soaring sticker prices, few choices and high interest rates. but this year is looking better for buyers more choices, more inventory that will lead to boosts in home sales roughly by 10% in 2025. lawrence yun, with the national association of realtors, says now is the time to start getting your finances in order so you're ready to make a competitive offer. when you do find the right home, first, make sure your credit is in good standing. second, figure out how much you can afford. third, find a mortgage lender. >> look for the mortgage lender who offers the best rates, and even consider adjustable rate mortgage. >> be prepared to pay a higher rate for your mortgage. as of last week, the national average for a 30 year fixed mortgage rate was 6.85%, according to freddie mac. >> if you are in the market for a home, you're going to pay a pretty steep interest rate, and i wouldn't necessarily count on interest rates to come down a lot in

. >> i'm jenn sullivan. >> all right. things to keep in mind. right.hank you so much for joining us today. world news tonight with david muir starts right now. and i'll see you back here at four. >>> tonight, we have several breaking stories as we come on the air. dangerous cold tomorrow in the northeast. and this historic snowstorm. int interstates and highways shut down tonight. multiple accidents. >>> also breaking, president trump, after pardoning 1,500 january 6th defendants, explaining just moments ago why he did this. >>> first tonight, the brutal cold from the northeast, all the way to the south. the images coming in. whiteout conditions around

. >> i'm jenn sullivan. >> all right. things to keep in mind. right. thank you so much for joining us today. world news tonight with david muir starts right now. and i'll see you back here at four. >>> tonight, we have several breaking stories as we come on the air. dangerous cold tomorrow in the northeast. and this historic snowstorm. int interstates and highways shut down tonight. multiple accidents. >>> also breaking, president trump, after pardoning 1,500 january 6th defendants, explaining just moments ago why he did this. >>> first tonight, the brutal cold from the northeast, all the way to the south. the images coming in. whiteout conditions around new orleans. parts of louisiana and texas seeing the most snow in more than a century. multiple accidents tonight on the highways. more than a dozen airports closed in multiple states, including both airports in houston. and then, the extreme and dangerous cold across 80% of the u.s. right into the northeast tomorrow morning. those wind chills below zero, and ginger zee is standing by with the forecast