• The Top 2 Things Homeowners Need To Know Before Selling

    The Top 2 Things Homeowners Need To Know Before Selling,Michael Bempah

    Here’s something you should know before you sell your house. The homeowners who win in today’s market aren’t the ones waiting it out or stepping back. They’re the ones who adapt from the start. A number of homeowners this year didn’t get the outcome they wanted. But it’s not because something’s wrong with the market. … Continue reading "The Top 2 Things Homeowners Need To Know Before Selling"

    Read More
  • The Housing Market Is Turning a Corner Going into 2026

    The Housing Market Is Turning a Corner Going into 2026,Michael Bempah

    After several years of high mortgage rates and hesitation from buyers, momentum is quietly building beneath the surface of the housing market. Sellers are reappearing. Buyers are re-engaging. And for the first time in what feels like forever, there’s movement happening again. No, it’s not a surge. But it is a shift – and it’s … Continue reading "The Housing Market Is Turning a Corner Going into 2026"

    Read More
  • Would You Let $80 a Month Hold You Back from Buying a Home?

    Would You Let $80 a Month Hold You Back from Buying a Home?,Michael Bempah

    A lot of buyers are stuck in “wait and see” mode right now. They’re watching rates hover a little above 6% and thinking, I’ll buy once they hit the 5s. Because who doesn’t want a better rate? But here’s the thing: that 5.99% number might not save you as much as you think. Affordability is … Continue reading "Would You Let $80 a Month Hold You Back from Buying a Home?"

    Read More
  • Are Builders Overbuilding Again? Let’s Look at the Facts.

    Are Builders Overbuilding Again? Let’s Look at the Facts.,Michael Bempah

    If it feels like you’re seeing new construction signs pop up everywhere, you’re not wrong. Builders have been busy. And it’s left some people wondering: Are we overbuilding like we did right before the 2008 housing crash? No matter what you may hear in the news, there’s no reason for alarm. In reality, data shows … Continue reading "Are Builders Overbuilding Again? Let’s Look at the Facts."

    Read More
  • The VA Home Loan Advantage: What Every Veteran Should Know Right Now

    The VA Home Loan Advantage: What Every Veteran Should Know Right Now,Michael Bempah

    If you’ve served in the military (or if your spouse has), you have access to one of the most powerful homebuying tools out there. The chance to buy a home without having a down payment. Unfortunately, 70% of Veterans (that's 7 out of every 10) don’t know about this benefit, according to Veterans United. And … Continue reading "The VA Home Loan Advantage: What Every Veteran Should Know Right Now"

    Read More
  • What a Government Shutdown Really Means for the Housing Market

    What a Government Shutdown Really Means for the Housing Market,Michael Bempah

    There’s been a lot of talk lately about how a government shutdown impacts the housing market. You might be wondering: Is it causing everything to grind to a halt? The short answer? No. The housing market doesn’t stop. It keeps moving. Homes are still being bought and sold, contracts are still being signed, and closings … Continue reading "What a Government Shutdown Really Means for the Housing Market"

    Read More
  • Why Your Home Equity Still Puts You Way Ahead

    Why Your Home Equity Still Puts You Way Ahead,Michael Bempah

    If you’ve seen headlines about home prices dropping, it’s easy to wonder what that means for the value of your home too. Here’s what you really need to know. Even with small price declines in some markets, data shows you’re likely still way ahead. And that’s thanks to your home equity. The Relationship Between Home … Continue reading "Why Your Home Equity Still Puts You Way Ahead"

    Read More
  • How To Make Sure Your Sale Crosses the Finish Line

    How To Make Sure Your Sale Crosses the Finish Line,Michael Bempah

    If there was one simple step that could help make your home sale a seamless process, wouldn't you want to know about it? There’s a lot that happens from the time your house goes under contract to closing day. And a few things still have to go right for the deal to go through. But … Continue reading "How To Make Sure Your Sale Crosses the Finish Line"

    Read More
  • Thought the Market Passed You By? Think Again.

    Thought the Market Passed You By? Think Again.,Michael Bempah

    If you stepped back from your home search over the past few years, you’re not alone – and you’re definitely not out of options. In fact, now might be the ideal time to take another look. With more homes to choose from, prices leveling off in many areas, and mortgage rates easing, today’s market is … Continue reading "Thought the Market Passed You By? Think Again."

    Read More
  • Why You Don’t Need To Be Afraid of Today’s Mortgage Rates

    Why You Don’t Need To Be Afraid of Today’s Mortgage Rates,Michael Bempah

    Mortgage rates have been the monster under the bed for a while. Every time they tick up, people flinch and say, “Maybe I’ll wait.” But here’s the twist. Waiting for that perfect 5-point-something rate could end up haunting your wallet later. The Magic Number According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “. . . … Continue reading "Why You Don’t Need To Be Afraid of Today’s Mortgage Rates"

    Read More
  • Why Some Homes Sell Quickly – and Others Don’t Sell at All

    Why Some Homes Sell Quickly – and Others Don’t Sell at All,Michael Bempah

    A few years ago, inventory hit a record low. Just about anything sold – and fast. But now, there are far more homes on the market. Listings are up almost 20% from this time last year. And in some areas, supply is even back to levels we last saw in 2017–2019. For sellers, that means … Continue reading "Why Some Homes Sell Quickly – and Others Don’t Sell at All"

    Read More
  • The Reason Homes Feel Like They Cost So Much (It’s Not What You Think)

    The Reason Homes Feel Like They Cost So Much (It’s Not What You Think),Michael Bempah

    Scroll through your feed and you’ll see plenty of finger-pointing about why homes cost so much. And according to a national survey, a lot of people believe big investors are to blame. Even though data shows that’s not true, nearly half of Americans surveyed (48%) think investors are the top reason housing feels so expensive … Continue reading "The Reason Homes Feel Like They Cost So Much (It’s Not What You Think)"

    Read More
  • Planning To Sell in 2026? Start the Prep Now

    Planning To Sell in 2026? Start the Prep Now,Michael Bempah

    You’ve got big plans for 2026. But what you do this year could be the difference between a smooth sale and a stressful one. If you’re thinking of selling next spring (the busiest season in real estate), the smartest move you can make is to start prepping now. As Realtor.com says: “If you’re aiming to … Continue reading "Planning To Sell in 2026? Start the Prep Now"

    Read More
  • Is the Housing Market Going To Crash? Here’s What Experts Say

    Is the Housing Market Going To Crash? Here’s What Experts Say,Michael Bempah

    If you’ve seen headlines or social posts calling for a housing crash, it’s easy to wonder if home values are about to take a hit. But here’s the simple truth. The data doesn’t point to a crash. It points to slow, continued growth. And sure, it’s going to vary by local area. Some markets will … Continue reading "Is the Housing Market Going To Crash? Here’s What Experts Say"

    Read More
  • The $280 Shift in Affordability Every Homebuyer Should Know

    The $280 Shift in Affordability Every Homebuyer Should Know,Michael Bempah

    If you paused your plans to move because of high rates or prices, it may finally be time to take a second look at your numbers. Affordability is improving in 39 of the top 50 markets, according to First American. And that’s the 5th straight month where buying a home has started to get a … Continue reading "The $280 Shift in Affordability Every Homebuyer Should Know"

    Read More
  • 2026 Housing Market Outlook

    2026 Housing Market Outlook,Michael Bempah

    After a couple of years where the housing market felt stuck in neutral, 2026 may be the year things shift back into gear. Expert forecasts show more people are expected to move – and that could open the door for you to do the same. More Homes Will Sell With all of the affordability challenges … Continue reading "2026 Housing Market Outlook"

    Read More
  • Why More Buyers Are Turning to New Construction This Year

    Why More Buyers Are Turning to New Construction This Year,Michael Bempah

    There’s a trend taking hold in real estate right now: more buyers are choosing newly built homes. And it’s not just about getting the latest technology or modern floorplans. It’s because they may be able to get a better deal. Builders are offering serious incentives today, and people are jumping on them. In fact, new … Continue reading "Why More Buyers Are Turning to New Construction This Year"

    Read More
  • Don’t Let Unrealistic Pricing Cost You Your Move

    Don’t Let Unrealistic Pricing Cost You Your Move,Michael Bempah

    These days, you’re going to want to get your price right when you get ready to sell your house. Honestly, it’s more important than ever. Why? While you may want to list high just to see what happens, that’s a plan that can easily backfire, and it’s going to cost you in today’s market. And … Continue reading "Don’t Let Unrealistic Pricing Cost You Your Move"

    Read More
  • Why Home Prices Aren’t Actually Flat

    Why Home Prices Aren’t Actually Flat,Michael Bempah

    If you’ve been following real estate news lately, you’ve probably seen headlines saying home prices are flat. And at first glance, that sounds simple enough. But here’s the thing. The reality isn’t quite that straightforward. In most places, prices aren’t flat at all. What the Data Really Shows While we’ve definitely seen prices moderate from … Continue reading "Why Home Prices Aren’t Actually Flat"

    Read More
  • Why Experts Say Mortgage Rates Should Ease Over the Next Year

    Why Experts Say Mortgage Rates Should Ease Over the Next Year,Michael Bempah

    You want mortgage rates to fall – and they've started to. But is it going to last? And how low will they go? Experts say there’s room for rates to come down even more over the next year. And one of the leading indicators to watch is the 10-year treasury yield. Here's why. The Link … Continue reading "Why Experts Say Mortgage Rates Should Ease Over the Next Year"

    Read More