Tips for Consumers

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone—but it's also full of surprises. These real-life stories from first-time buyers highlight some crucial lessons that can save you time, money, and stress.

That “perfect” house might hide costly issues. One buyer discovered damaged appliances, poor craftsmanship, and even an old underground oil tank—only because he got a professional inspection.
Lesson: Always get a home inspection. It’s your best line of defense against unexpected (and expensive) problems.

Scrolling listings and using mortgage calculators is a great start, but real progress begins with a mortgage pre-approval.
Lesson: A lender will give you a true picture of what you can afford—and help you move forward with confidence.

One buyer nearly lost their deal by missing key paperwork deadlines. From sending your deposit to signing loan documents, every step is time-sensitive.
Lesson: Stay organized and responsive throughout the process. Miss a deadline, and you might miss the house.

A great agent can’t make up for a bad lender. One buyer was stuck with an unresponsive lender who almost torpedoed the transaction.
Lesson: Choose a lender who communicates clearly, acts quickly, and makes you feel supported.

After a string of rejections, one couple finally found their dream home—thanks to their agent’s hustle and persistence.
Lesson: Don’t let early disappointments get you down. The right home is worth waiting (and working) for.

Bottom Line:
The road to your first home might have a few bumps, but with the right guidance and mindset, it can be a smoother—and more rewarding—journey. Work with a trusted agent, ask questions, and be ready to adapt. Your perfect home is out there!

Source: Realtor.com

Is Now the Right Time to Buy?

With mortgage rates staying elevated and home prices still high, many are asking: Is now the right time to buy a home—or should I wait? The answer isn’t black and white. It depends on your personal finances, goals, and the current market conditions in your area.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening in today’s market and how to decide if buying makes sense for you.

• Inventory is growing: Active listings are up 30% year-over-year, giving buyers more options.
   
• Homes are sitting longer: Median time on market is 50 days—4 days longer than last year.
   
• More price cuts: 18% of listings had reductions, signaling more room to negotiate.
   
• Affordability is tight: The income needed to afford a median-priced home has jumped to $114,000 annually.
   

👉 Bottom line: There’s more inventory, but many homes remain out of reach for middle-income buyers.

Rates between 6% and 7% may seem high, but experts remind us this is still within historically normal levels.

Some buyers are moving forward now and planning to refinance later, betting on future rate drops.

"If rates fall, competition will spike. You might end up paying more even if rates are lower." — Blake Blahut, Realtor
 

Inventory is up—especially in areas like Texas, Florida, Colorado, and California. But the majority of new listings are priced above $300,000, making affordable housing still scarce for many.

✅ If you're buying in high-inventory markets, this could mean:

• Less competition
   
• More negotiating power
   
• Better opportunities to act strategically
   

• You have steady income and stable employment
   
• Your credit score and savings are in good shape
   
• You plan to stay put for at least 3–5 years
   
• You're buying for life reasons (e.g., family, job, stability)
   

• Your income or job situation is uncertain
   
• You're still building savings or working on your credit
   
• You’re banking on a “perfect market moment” to buy
   

Trying to time the market can backfire. Instead, ask:
Is buying right now aligned with my life plans and financial readiness?

“Rather than trying to time the market, I encourage clients to focus on life milestones.” — Sarah Strohschein, Realtor
 

Whether you’re expanding your family, relocating, or simply ready to stop renting, those personal drivers often matter more than fluctuating rates or headlines.

If you're ready—financially and personally—this market has opportunities, especially with rising inventory and less buyer competition.

If you're not ready, that's OK too. Use this time to strengthen your finances and make a plan for the future.

Want help figuring out what’s right for you? Let’s talk through your goals, budget, and market options together.

Source: Realtor.com

When buying or selling a home, you’ll often hear two numbers: assessed value and market value. While they both relate to what a home is “worth,” they serve very different purposes—and knowing the difference can save you money and confusion.

Market value is the price a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to accept in today’s real estate market. It’s influenced by:

• Curb appeal and exterior condition
   
• Interior layout, size, and features
   
• Comparable sales (comps)
   
• Supply and demand
   
• Neighborhood location and desirability
   

Why it matters:
Market value determines listing prices, purchase offers, and appraisals. It’s what drives real-world transactions—and what ultimately decides how much a home sells for.

Assessed value is determined by your local government to calculate property taxes. It’s based on:

• Recent area sales
   
• Property condition and upgrades
   
• Replacement cost estimates
   
• Local tax exemptions and assessment ratios
   

Example:
If a home’s market value is $500,000 and your city uses an 80% assessment ratio, the assessed value would be $400,000. That’s the number used to calculate your annual property tax.

Yes—and it often is. In hot markets, laws may cap how quickly assessed values can increase, even if the market surges. That’s good news for homeowners—it usually means lower taxes despite rising home equity.

• Sellers may use rising assessed values to support their asking price.
   
• Buyers might point to a lower assessed value to negotiate—but in a competitive market, this rarely works.
   

Ultimately, the only number that really matters is the final agreed-upon price between buyer and seller. But understanding assessed vs. market value helps you set expectations—and make smarter financial decisions.

Pro tip: Use assessed value for tax planning. Use market value to make buying, selling, and negotiation decisions.

Source: Realtor.com

Running a holiday sale or weekly special? Definitely promote it here to get customers excited about getting a sweet deal.