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When you finally find the home you want to buy, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. You’ve toured the place, imagined your furniture in it, maybe even pictured your morning coffee on the porch. The last thing you want is to slow down the process with more steps or lose out to another buyer’s offer because they skipped their inspection. But here’s the thing. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. And no matter how perfect that house seems, skipping a home inspection is a risk that could cost you a lot more than just time. What Exactly Is a Home Inspection? A home inspection gives you a detailed look at the home’s condition, usually after your offer’s accepted but before closing. While what’s covered varies by state, an inspector usually goes over the home’s major systems and structure, including things like the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more. Why an Inspection Is Worth It Here’s a quick rundown of some of the biggest benefits of getting an inspection. Helps you avoid unpleasant surprises. A house might seem move-in ready, but could have issues you didn’t see during your walkthrough. Knowing about these before closing day is important. That way, you have a better idea of what work may need to be done to the home. Gives you negotiating power. Depending on what the inspection turns up, you may want to re-negotiate with the seller. For that, lean on your agent. With their help, you can ask the seller to handle repairs before closing day or provide a credit so you can take care of them yourself. Offers you peace of mind. Buying a home is emotional, especially if you’ve been searching for a while. An inspection helps take some of the uncertainty off your plate, so you can move forward with confidence. A few hundred dollars upfront for the home inspection could save you thousands in surprise repairs later. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says : “Failure to obtain a home inspection could potentially cost you a great deal of money and hassles in the long run.”   Why You Don’t Want To Waive Your Inspection According to the latest data from NAR, nearly 1 in 4 buyers are waiving (or removing) the inspection contingency when they buy a home. And with spring being peak homebuying season and buyer activity already heating up, you may be thinking about doing that yourself. As Realtor.com points out: “ . . . if you're in a hot real estate market where homes are getting multiple offers, there might be a temptation to skip an inspection when you really want the house. However, waiving a home inspection comes with sizable risks .” But skipping the inspection is a gamble that doesn’t necessarily pay off. Just remember, there are other ways to make your offer attractive to sellers, like being flexible with the closing date. Before making an offer, talk to your agent about other ways to get a seller’s attention without sacrificing your peace of mind. Bottom Line Even if skipping an inspection sounds like a way to make your offer more competitive or speed things up, it’s risky. It’s not just extra time and documentation, it’s a smart step that protects your wallet, your investment, and your future. If you could ask a home inspector one question before buying, what would it be? Let me know and I’ll make sure it’s the first thing we bring up.

If buying a home is on your radar – even if it’s more of a someday plan than a right now plan – getting pre-approved early is still one of the smartest moves you can make. Why? Because, like anything in life, the right prep work makes things clearer. The best time to get serious about buying is before you’re ready to buy. Here’s why. Pre-Approval Helps You Understand Your Numbers One of the biggest benefits of pre-approval is how it helps you understand your buying power. As part of the pre-approval process, a lender will walk through your finances and tell you what you can borrow based on your income, debts, credit score, and more. That number is power. Once you have that clarity, you’re no longer guessing. You know what you’re working with. And that gives you the information you need to be able to plan ahead. That way, you’re not falling in love with homes that are outside of your price range – or missing out on ones that aren’t. Pre-Approval Helps You Move Quickly When You’re Ready You don’t have to be ready to buy to be ready to buy. It happens all the time – someone scrolls through listings just for fun, and then BAM – they fall in love with something they see online. But by the time they scramble to connect with an agent and then get pre-approved with a lender, someone else beats them to it, and they lose the home. And you don’t want that to happen to you. While you can’t control when the right home shows up – you can be ready for it. Pre-approval isn’t about jumping the gun or rushing your timeline. It’s about making sure you’re ready when it’s go-time. As Experian explains: “ Waiting too long to get a preapproval, however, could leave you at a disadvantage . . . you could find the perfect home, but another buyer could snatch it up while you're waiting for the lender to review your preapproval application. . . getting a preapproval just before you begin actively looking at homes may be your best option .” Instead of rushing to figure out your numbers, trying to get documentation for your home loan together, and watching the house you love slip away while you wait to hear from your lender, you’re already in the game. It’s like showing up to the starting line with your shoes tied and your warm-up done – while everyone else is still looking for parking. But pre-approvals do have an expiration date, so be sure to ask your lender how long it’s good for. Bankrate offers this insight: “Many mortgage preapprovals are valid for 90 days, though some lenders will only authorize a 30- or 60-day preapproval. If your preapproval expires, getting it renewed can be as simple as your lender rechecking your credit and finances to ensure there have been no major changes to your situation since the first time ‘round.” The thing is, if you’ve been pre-approved – even if you’re just thinking about casually looking – you have a much better sense of how to navigate your home search within your budget. Plus, you’ll be ready if the perfect home comes along. So why not make it happen? Bottom Line Getting pre-approved doesn’t mean you have to buy a house today. But it does mean you’ll know what you’re working with when the right one shows up. If you want to get pre-approved, connect with a lender to get that process started. In the meantime, let’s have a conversation about what’s on your mind and what you’re looking for. If the perfect house popped up tomorrow, would you be ready to make a move?

Retirement isn’t just a milestone. It's the beginning of something really special. After years of hard work, it’s finally time to slow down, explore new passions, and live life on your own terms. But with this exciting chapter comes some big choices. And one of the biggest is this: does your current home still make sense for the lifestyle (and budget) you want in this next phase of life? That’s an especially important question right now. Just in the past five years, the cost of living has jumped by 23% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is how changes are tracked in the average price consumers pay for goods and services ( see graph below ): When you’re thinking about how to make your retirement savings last, those rising expenses matter. And if you’ve started to wonder whether your money will stretch as far as you need it to go, don’t worry. You may have more control than you think. One way many retirees are protecting their savings is by relocating. Because your dollars do go further in some places. Moving to an area with a lower cost of living can help you save on regular expenses like your housing, utilities, and taxes – especially if you downsize at the same time. And that can free up room in your budget for the things that make retirement some of the best years of your life: travel, hobbies, spoiling your grandkids, or any of the other things you’ve been dreaming about doing in this next phase. That’s not to say you have to move. It just means you’ll want to think about where you plan to live and make sure you’ve got enough savings to cover actually living there. It's all about planning. As Go Banking Rates explains: “How much you should have saved for retirement depends on a few key factors, including your location. Where you choose to spend your golden years is critical .” And you don’t always have to go far. Sometimes it’s out of state, but other times moving to the suburbs instead of living near the city can make a big difference. And that’s worth thinking about as you plan for your next chapter. Whether you’re considering downsizing, moving closer to your grandkids, or heading to an area where you can stretch your savings, a real estate agent can help. They’ll work with you to explore the options that make sense for your goals – and can help make selling your current house easier. They can also connect you with trusted agents in other parts of the country if you're considering a big move. Bottom Line You’ve worked hard to build a future you can enjoy. If your current home or location no longer supports that, it may be time to explore what’s next. What does your ideal retirement look like? And could a move help make it even better? Let’s talk about how to make that vision a reality.

Headlines are talking about the inventory of new homes and how we’re back at the levels not seen since 2009. And maybe you’re reading that and thinking: oh no, here we go again. That’s because you remember the housing crash of the late 2000s and you’re worried we’re repeating the same mistakes. But before you let fear take hold, remember: headlines are designed to be clickbait. And a lot of the time, they do more to terrify than clarify. That’s because they don’t always give you all the context you need. So, let’s take a step back and look at what the data really says. Why This Isn’t Like 2008 While it’s true the number of new homes on the market has reached its highest level since 2009, that’s not a cause for alarm. Here’s the context that matters most. When the data is turned into a graph, it’s clear the amount seen in 2009 wasn’t the peak of oversupply – not even close. That high point came earlier in 2007-2008. If anything, 2009 was when the number of new homes being built was really starting to slide back down ( see graph below ): The overbuilding that contributed to the housing crash happened in the years leading up to 2008. Not in 2009. At that point, construction was already slowing down. So, saying we’ve hit 2009 levels isn't the same thing as saying we’re overbuilding like we did the last time. Builders Have Actually Underbuilt for Over a Decade Here’s some more data to prove it to you. After the crash, builders pulled production way back. As a result, they built far fewer homes than the market needed. And that was a consistent problem that lasted for over a decade. That long stretch of underbuilding created a major housing shortage, which is still a challenge today. The graph below uses Census data to show the number of new homes built each year over the past 52 years. You can clearly see the overbuilding leading up to the crash ( in red ), the period of underbuilding that followed ( in orange ), and how we’re only now getting back to a more normal level of construction: Today’s situation is different. Builders aren’t overbuilding – they’re catching up. In a recent article, Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, highlights this deficit and speaks to why the recent ramp-up in construction is actually good for today’s market, especially buyers: “ This means more homes on the market and more options for home buyers, which is good news for a housing market that has been underbuilt for over a decade.” Of course, like anything else in real estate, the level of supply and demand will vary by market. Some markets may have more newly built homes, some less. But, nationally, there’s nothing to worry about. This isn’t like the last time. Bottom Line No matter what you’re reading or seeing, the growing number of newly built homes on the market isn’t a red flag nationally – it's a sign builders are starting to make up for years of underbuilding. If you want to talk about what’s happening in our market, let’s connect.

If you’ve been frustrated by the lack of homes for sale over the past few years, here’s some good news. You have more options, so it may finally be time to kick off your home search again. As Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, explains: “Now is the best time to buy in the last two years. Mortgage rates are comparable to what they were two years ago, and prices remain high. However, there is significantly more inventory . . .” The number of homes for sale has grown compared to last year, and even more options are on the way. While this is typical for the busy spring season, here’s why this is so important right now. Homeowners are listing their houses at the highest pace we’ve seen in a while. New Listings Are on the Rise Over the past few months, the number of new listings, or homes that have recently been put on the market for sale, has been steadily rising (see graph below): Basically, more people are putting their homes on the market each month – whether they’re moving up, downsizing, or relocating. And this trend is a positive sign for the housing market. Sellers who may have been on the fence the past few years are starting to jump back in. That’s helping to boost overall inventory and create better opportunities for both buyers and move-up sellers alike. But it’s not just that the number of fresh options is up month-over-month; there’s also been a jump compared to last year. According to Realtor.com, new listings in March were 10.2% higher than last year, making it the biggest March for new listings since 2021 (see graph below): For anyone who’s been waiting for more choices, this is exactly what you’ve been hoping for – because more homes coming onto the market means more options and a better shot at finding one that fits your needs. To make sure you don't miss out on any of the latest listings for your area, lean on a local real estate agent. Bottom Line If you're thinking about making a move this spring, now may be the time to start exploring your options. With more fresh listings hitting the market, you may find a home you love waiting for you. What features or neighborhoods are at the top of your wish list?

When you put your house on the market, you want to sell it quickly and for the best price possible; that's generally the goal. But too many sellers are shooting too high right now. They don’t realize the market has shifted as inventory has grown. The side effect? Price cuts are on the rise, but they really don’t have to be. Here’s why. According to data from Realtor.com, in February, price cuts were the highest they’ve been in any other February since 2019 (see graph below): If you consider that 2019 was the last true normal year for the housing market – that's a big deal. We’re getting back to what’s typical for the market. This isn’t the same frenzied seller’s market we saw a few years ago. You may not get the same price your neighbor did at the height of the pandemic. And that means you may need to reset your expectations. Because here’s the reality. If you shoot too high and have to lower your price after the fact, you could actually end up walking away with lower offers than if you’d priced it right from the start. So, how do you avoid that? You lean on your agent . How an Agent Helps You Nail the Right Price A great agent doesn’t just pull a number out of thin air. They’ll use real data and market trends to make sure your house is priced based on what your specific home is valued at today. So, you’re setting a realistic price – one that’ll draw in serious buyers. And based on your agent’s analysis of your local market, they may even recommend strategically pricing slightly below market value to help your house attract more eyes and more competitive offers. Here’s how your agent will determine the right number for your house: They look at recent sales. What did similar homes in your area actually sell for? Not list for, sell for. They analyze local market trends . Your home’s value isn’t just about what you want for it, it’s about what buyers in your area are willing to pay. They craft the right strategy. They’ll make sure your home is priced to attract attention and create a sense of urgency among buyers. Why Overpricing Backfires Unfortunately, some sellers still ignore their agent’s advice and prefer to start high just to see what happens. The hope being maybe they get their full asking price, or they at least have more wiggle room for negotiation. But pricing high usually ends up costing you, and here’s why: Buyers may not even look at it . Today’s buyers are more budget-conscious than ever. If they see a home that seems overpriced, they’re likely to skip it completely rather than try to negotiate. It could sit on the market for too long . The longer your home sits unsold, the more buyers will assume something’s wrong with it. That can make it even harder to sell down the line. You might end up getting less . Homes that require a price cut often sell for less than they would have if they had been priced right from the start. You can see that shake out in the graph below. It uses data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to show that the longer a house sits, the less it’ll sell for: This graph shows that if a house sells within the first 4 weeks it is listed, it usually goes for full price. Based on experience, that's what usually happens to homes that are priced at or just below current market value. If it’s priced right, buyers will be interested, and, ultimately, willing to pay the asking price – or compete with other buyers and even go over asking. But if a house isn’t priced right, it doesn’t sell as quickly. And this graph shows that, after the first 4 weeks on the market, the price starts to drop from there. That’s because buyer interest falls off the longer it sits. So, it becomes more likely a seller will either accept a lower offer because that’s all they have, or opt to do a price drop to draw people back in. Bottom Line The last thing you want is to list too high, watch your house sit, and then have to drop the price just to get attention. Let’s connect so that doesn’t happen to you. Want to make sure your home sells quickly and for the best price? Let’s go over the right pricing strategy for your house.

Buying your first home in today’s market can feel tough. Between high home prices and mortgage rates, affordability is still a big challenge. And some buyers are making one simple trade-off that’s getting them in the door faster: square footage. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 35% of buyers are willing to purchase something smaller to make homeownership happen. And one place you can usually find a smaller footprint (and sometimes better affordability) is in townhomes. Why Townhomes Are Gaining Popularity Townhomes typically cost less than single-family homes due to their more limited size. And that’s a big plus for today’s budget-conscious buyer. As Realtor.com says: "In today's market, affordability remains a key priority for homebuyers, making townhomes an attractive option because they are often priced more reasonably than single-family homes . It makes them especially appealing to first-time homebuyers on a tighter budget . . ." So, if you're trying to buy but feeling stuck because of rising prices, shifting your focus to townhomes could be one way to get into homeownership without maxing out your budget. Builders Are Responding to the Demand Builders have seen buyers’ appetite shift to smaller homes, and they’re adjusting to meet the demand. As Joel Berner, Senior Economist at Realtor.com , explains: "Builders are making a concerted effort to provide smaller, more affordable inventory to the market in a way that the existing-home market cannot. Townhomes are a significant portion of that effort . " And the numbers back it up. According to data from Realtor.com , townhomes now make up a bigger share of new construction listings than they did just a couple of years ago ( see graph below ): That means, if you’re interested in this type of house, you have more choices than you would have had over the last few years. And more options that are potentially more affordable are definitely a good thing. It should make your search for your first home a bit easier. Is a Townhome Right for You? If you’ve been focused only on more traditional homes with their own yards, an agent can help you explore whether a townhome could work for you. Who knows, you may find out you love the lifestyle. A lot of people do. As an article from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains : “Townhomes tend to cost less than single-family detached homes and can be appealing to young professionals who may desire medium-density, walkable neighborhoods.” That’s because they’re lower maintenance, they can provide a sense of community with other residents, and they have their own unique amenities. Not to mention, they give you the chance to start building wealth through homeownership without the upkeep that comes with having your own detached, single-family home. And that can be great for first-time buyers who are a bit worried about the maintenance anyway. But they also come with some other considerations, like dealing with noise through shared walls. If you’re a renter right now, maybe you’re used to that already. But these are the types of things you’ll want to think about. And that’s where an agent’s expertise comes in. They’ll help you weigh the pros and cons, so you understand how a townhome fits into your lifestyle and long-term goals before making your decision. Bottom Line If you're struggling to find a home within your budget, it may be time to expand your search and consider options you haven’t before, like townhomes. Sometimes, compromising a little bit on space is worth it to get your foot in the door. What matters most to you — space, location, or budget? Let’s figure out where you can flex to make homeownership happen.

You may have heard there are more homes for sale right now. And while that’ll vary depending on the market, it means that overall, things are starting to lean in a more balanced direction. As that happens, some sellers are a bit more open to compromise. Here’s what that means for you. You may be regaining some negotiating power. That can translate into savings, perks, or even better terms on your purchase – if you know what levers to pull during negotiation. Why an Agent Is an Essential Part of the Negotiation Process The complicated part is knowing what is and isn’t on the table. That’s where your agent comes in. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), besides finding the right home, the top thing buyers want from their agent is help negotiating the terms of the sale, followed by negotiating the price. Here’s why. Agents are skilled negotiators and are trained for moments like this. Since your agent is an expert on the local market, they’ll also know what’s working for other buyers (and what’s not), and that can help you get a better understanding of what’s realistic to ask for. What's on the Negotiation Table? Here are some of the most common concessions an agent can help you negotiate: Sale Price : The most obvious concession is the price of the home. And that lever is being pulled more often today. Buyers d on’t want to overpay when affordability is already so tight. And sellers who aren’t realistic about their asking price may have to consider adjusting their price. Closing Costs: Closing costs are usually about 2-5% of a home’s purchase price and include fees for things like the appraisal, title insurance, and underwriting of your loan. To offset the cash you have to bring to the table, you can ask the seller to pay for some or all of these expenses. This was the most common concession sellers made in 2024, according t o NAR. Home Warranties : If you’re worried about the maintenance costs that may pop up after you get the keys, you can ask the seller to pay for a home warranty. Since this concession usually isn’t terribly expensive for the seller, it can be a good negotiation tool for a buyer. It’s not a big cost for them, but it can be a big perk for you. Home Repairs : Based on the inspection, you're within your rights to ask the seller to make repairs. If the seller doesn’t want to, they could offer to drop the home price or cover some closing costs, so you have more room in your budget to take care of the repairs yourself. Fixtures : Want that washer and dryer to stay? Maybe the stainless-steel fridge, too? In many cases, you can ask for appliances or even furniture to be included in the deal, which will save you money when you move in. Closing Date : The closing date is also negotiable. Based on your timeline, you may also request a faster or extended closing window. Depending on the seller’s needs, this could be great for their situation, too. Of course, negotiating is a complex process. And not every seller will be willing to offer concessions. Again, lean on your agent for expert advice about what’s realistic to ask for and what could turn sellers off. Because once you’ve found a home you love, you don’t want to risk losing it. But you also want to get the best terms possible on your purchase – and that’s where an agent can make all the difference. Bottom Line As inventory grows, buyers are finding they have a bit more leverage. And having the right agent by your side – who can help you approach negotiations strategically – is key. What’s your biggest concern when it comes to negotiating with a seller? Let me know and we’ll put together a solid plan that makes things less stressful.

Spring is here, and so is the busiest season in real estate. More buyers are out looking for homes, which means more competition for you. If you want to put yourself in the best position to buy, there’s one step you can’t afford to skip, and that’s getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Some buyers think they can wait until they’ve found a home they love before talking to a lender. But in a season where homes can sell fast, that’s a risky move. Getting pre-approved before you start your search is a much better bet. Here’s what you need to know about this early step in the buying process. What Is Pre-Approval? Pre-approval gives you a sense of how much a lender is willing to let you borrow for your home loan. To determine that number, a lender starts by looking at your financial history. Here are some of the things that can have an impact, according to Yahoo Finance: Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: This is how much money you owe divided by how much money you make. Usually, you can borrow more if you have a lower DTI. Your income and employment status: They’re looking to verify you have a steady income coming in – that way they feel confident in your ability to repay the loan. Your credit score: If your score is higher, you may qualify to borrow more. Your payment history: Do you consistently pay your bills on time? Lenders want to know you’re not a risky borrower. After their review, you’ll get a pre-approval letter showing what you can borrow. Having this peace of mind is a big deal – it helps you feel a lot more confident in your ability to get a home loan. And the fringe benefit is it can also speed up the road to closing day because the lender will already have a lot of your information. It Helps You Figure Out Your Budget Spring is a competitive season, and emotions can run high if you find yourself up against other buyers. Having a firm budget in mind is so important. You don’t want to get too attached and end up maxing out what you can borrow. As Freddie Mac explains: “​Keep in mind that the loan amount in the pre-approval letter is the lender’s maximum offer. Ultimately, you should only borrow an amount you are comfortable repaying.” So, use this time to really buckle down on your numbers. And be sure to factor in other homeownership costs – like property taxes, insurance, and maybe even homeowner’s association fees – so you know what you can comfortably afford. Then, partner with your agent to tailor your search to homes that match your budget. That way, you don’t fall in love with a house that’s out of your financial comfort zone. It Helps Your Offer Stand Out During the Busy Season Spring buyers aren’t just competing for homes. They’re competing for the seller’s attention, too. And a pre-approval letter can help you stand out by showing sellers you’ve already gone through a financial check. Zillow explains it like this: “Having a pre-approval letter handy while you’re shopping for a home can also help you act quickly once you’ve found a home you love. The letter shows potential sellers that you’re a serious buyer who has the financial means to close on the home. In a competitive market, an offer with a pre-approval letter attached will stand out among other offers that don’t include one — increasing the chances of your offer being accepted." That means when sellers are choosing among multiple offers, yours could rise to the top simply because you’ve already taken this step. And here’s one final tip for you. After you receive your letter, avoid switching jobs, applying for new credit cards or other loans, co-signing for loans, or moving money in or out of your savings. That’s because any changes to your finances can affect your pre-approval status. Bottom Line If you’re thinking about buying a home this spring, getting pre-approved should be your first move. It’ll help you understand your budget, show sellers you’re serious, and keep you from falling in love with a house that’s out of reach. Talk to a lender to get started. What’s your plan to stand out in this competitive market? Let’s chat about how to make sure you’re fully ready to buy.

If selling your house is on your to-do list this year, the time to start prepping is now. That’s because experts say the best week to list your house is coming up fast. A recent Realtor.com study analyzed years of housing market trends (excluding 2020 since it was an outlier) and found that April 13–19 is expected to be the ideal window to put your house on the market this year: “. . . we’ve identified April 13-19 as the best week to list for sellers . . . a seller listing a well-priced, move-in ready home is likely to find success. Because spring is generally the high season for real estate activity and buyers are more plentiful earlier rather than later in the year, listing earlier in the spring raises a seller’s odds of a successful sale.” What Makes This Week Stand Out? As the quote mentions, spring is almost always a strong season for sellers. But this particular week could give you an even bigger advantage this year. Realtor.com goes on to say what listing during this sweet spot could mean for you: More buyers looking at your home since demand is high this time of year. A faster sale since serious buyers are eager to move before summer. A better chance of selling for top dollar. According to the study , you could get an average of $4,800 more this week (and $27,000 more than you would earlier in the year). If You Want Your House on the Market for that Window, Act Now With just a few weeks left before this prime listing window, you'll need to make a plan to work smart and act fast. That’s where working with a great real estate agent comes in. They can help you: Figure out exactly what you need to do to get your house ready. Prioritize the tasks that’ll make the biggest impact in the shortest time. Decide if there are any quick fixes or small upgrades that could help you attract buyers. Assuming your house is already in good shape, your focus should be on quick, high-impact updates. As Investopedia explains: “You won’t have time for any major renovations, so focus on quick repairs to address things that could deter potential buyers.” Here are a few examples of small projects that can make a big difference according to Redfin : What If You’re Not Ready Just Yet? Don’t worry – it’s okay if you don’t think you’ll be ready for this week. Just because April 13–19 is projected to be the ideal week by Realtor.com , that doesn’t mean it’s the only good time to sell. Even if you need a bit more time to get your home list ready, there’s still plenty of opportunity this homebuying season.  Bottom Line If you’ve been waiting for the right time to sell, this could be it. But timing isn’t the only thing that matters – how well you prep and price your home is just as important. What’s one thing you’d need to do before you’d feel ready to list? Let’s connect and figure out the best plan to make it happen.

Spring is in full swing, and the housing market is picking up along with it. And if you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to buy or sell, here’s the inside scoop on why this spring may be a great time to make your move. 1. There Are More Homes for Sale After a long stretch of tight inventory, the number of homes for sale is finally improving. According to recent national data from Realtor.com, active listings are up 27.5% compared to this time last year. Look at the graph below and follow the green line for 2025. You can see, even though inventory levels still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic norms (shown in gray), that number is higher than it has been going into the spring market over the past few years (see graph below): Buyers: This means you have more choices, and you can be more selective. Sellers: With more homes available than in recent years, you’re more likely to find what you’re looking for when you move. And knowing that inventory is still below more normal levels means there will be demand for your home when you sell it, too. 2. Home Price Growth Is Moderating As inventory grows, the pace of home price growth is slowing down – and that will continue into the spring market. This is because prices are driven by supply and demand. When there are more homes for sale, buyers have more options, so there’s less competition for each house. Rising supply and less buyer competition causes price growth to slow, but it should still remain positive in most markets. As Freddie Mac says: “In 2025, we expect the pace of house price appreciation to moderate from the levels seen in 2024, while still maintaining a positive trajectory.” And while prices aren’t dropping at the national level, every market is different. Some areas are seeing stronger price growth, while others are cooling off or even seeing some price declines. Buyers: The slower pace of growth means prices aren’t rising as quickly as before – and that’s a relief. Any home you buy now is likely to appreciate in value over time, helping you build equity. Sellers: While prices are still rising, you might need to adjust your expectations. Overpricing your house in a more balanced market could mean it takes longer to sell. Pricing your house competitively is going to be key to attracting offers. 3. Mortgage Rates Are Stabilizing One of the biggest hurdles for buyers over the past couple of years has been high, volatile mortgage rates. But there’s some good news – overall, they’ve stabilized in recent weeks – and have even declined a bit since the beginning of this year. And while that decrease hasn’t been a big drop, stabilizing mortgage rates has helped make buying a home a bit more predictable. According to Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic: “With the spring homebuying season upon us, the recent improvements in mortgage rates may help invite homebuyers back into the market.” Buyers: When mortgage rates are more stable, it’s easier to plan ahead because you have a better idea of what your future payment might be. But remember, rates will continue to be volatile. So, lean on your agent and your lender to make sure you know what the latest mortgage rate means for you. Sellers: Slightly lower rates that are starting to stabilize are encouraging more buyers to move forward with their plans. That’s good for demand when you’re planning to sell your house. 4. More Buyers Are Returning With more inventory, slowing price growth, and stabilizing mortgage rates, buyers are gaining confidence and coming back into the market. Demand is picking up, and data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) shows an increase in mortgage applications compared to the start of the year (see graph below): Buyers: Acting sooner rather than later could be a smart move before your competition heats up even more. Sellers: This is great news for you – more buyers mean a better chance of selling your house quickly. Bottom Line Do you have questions about what the spring market means for you? Let’s connect and talk about how to craft your plan this season. With more homes for sale, slowing price growth, and stabilizing mortgage rates, how will this impact your decision to buy or sell this spring?

Last year, 70% of buyers abandoned their home search – and maybe you were one of them. It makes sense. Inventory was low, prices were high, and mortgage rates were up and down like a rollercoaster. All of that made it really hard to find a home you loved – and could afford. But guess what? The market is shifting. So, if you paused your moving plans in 2024, it might be time to hit play again. Here’s why. More Inventory Opens Up More Options Even if you could make the numbers work, the lack of available homes in recent years probably made it hard to come by something that fit your needs. But inventory is rising, which means you have more options now. According to Realtor.com, inventory has jumped 27.5% since this time last year (see graph below): So, if you were reluctant to list your house because you weren’t sure where you’d go if it sold, you have more choices than you did a year ago. That’s a big win. Homes Are Staying on the Market Longer, Too When the supply of homes for sale is low, they’re snatched up quickly because there just aren't enough of them to go around. And a few years ago, that meant your house could sell overnight. While that’s not always a bad thing, if you’re planning a move and also need to find your next home, a slower pace isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it’s welcome relief. Now that inventory has grown, homes are staying on the market longer, meaning you don’t have to feel as rushed in the process (see graph below): The latest data shows the typical time homes spent on the market went up by about 8% this year – that’s higher than we’ve seen since 2020, but still a faster pace than before the market ramped up. And it’s about a week longer than last year. Talk about a sweet spot for movers. It may seem like just a few days, but it gives you more flexibility and time to be thoughtful about your decisions. As Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com, notes: “There are more homes for sale than in the last few years, which means the market pace is a bit more manageable–with longer days on market–and many sellers are more flexible . . . Though buyers face still-high housing costs, they may find a bit more give in the market, which could give them more time to make a decision, even in the busy spring and summer months.” And if you’re thinking – but wait – doesn’t that mean it will be harder to sell my house? Don’t worry. With inventory still almost 23% below the pre-pandemic norm, well-priced homes are selling , especially as more buyers step back into the game this season. Bottom Line With growing inventory, sellers who want to upgrade, downsize, or relocate have more choices. Plus, with less pressure to rush into an offer, it could be a great time to revisit your home search if you’ve put it on hold. W ith more homes on the market and more time to make decisions, what else do you need to see in order to kickstart your home search again? Let’s talk about what’s happening in our local market right now.