• Thinking about Selling Your House As-Is? Read This First.

    Thinking about Selling Your House As-Is? Read This First.,Michael Bempah

    If you’re thinking about selling your house this year, you may be torn between two options: Do you sell it as-is and make it easier on yourself? No repairs. No effort. Or do you fix it up a bit first – so it shows well and sells for as much as possible? In 2026, that … Continue reading "Thinking about Selling Your House As-Is? Read This First."

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  • Why Pre-Approval Should Be Your First Step – Not an Afterthought

    Why Pre-Approval Should Be Your First Step – Not an Afterthought,Michael Bempah

    Finding the right home feels exciting – but being pre-approved for your loan is what makes it possible. Whether you’re planning to buy soon or still just thinking about it, getting pre-approved is one of the best moves you can make. Here’s why. 1. What Is Pre-Approval, Really? Pre-approval is much more than a guess. … Continue reading "Why Pre-Approval Should Be Your First Step – Not an Afterthought"

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  • Why Pre-Approval Should Be Your First Step – Not an Afterthought

    Why Pre-Approval Should Be Your First Step – Not an Afterthought,Michael Bempah

    Finding the right home feels exciting – but being pre-approved for your loan is what makes it possible. Whether you’re planning to buy soon or still just thinking about it, getting pre-approved is one of the best moves you can make. Here’s why. 1. What Is Pre-Approval, Really? Pre-approval is much more than a guess. … Continue reading "Why Pre-Approval Should Be Your First Step – Not an Afterthought"

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  • More Buyers Are Planning To Move in 2026. Here’s How To Get Ready.

    More Buyers Are Planning To Move in 2026. Here’s How To Get Ready.,Michael Bempah

    Momentum is quietly building in the housing market. New data from NerdWallet shows more Americans are starting to think about buying a home again. Last year, 15% of respondents said they planned to buy a home in the next 12 months. This year, that number rose to 17%. That 2% increase might not sound like … Continue reading "More Buyers Are Planning To Move in 2026. Here’s How To Get Ready."

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  • Not Sure If You’re Ready To Buy a Home? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions.

    Not Sure If You’re Ready To Buy a Home? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions.,Michael Bempah

    If you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to become a homeowner in the next twelve months, there’s probably a lot on your mind. You’re thinking about your finances, today’s mortgage rates, home prices, the current state of the economy, and more. And, you’re juggling how all of those things will impact the choice you’ll make. It’s a … Continue reading "Not Sure If You’re Ready To Buy a Home? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions."

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  • Reasons To Be Optimistic About the 2026 Housing Market

    Reasons To Be Optimistic About the 2026 Housing Market,Michael Bempah

    If a move is on your radar for 2026, there’s a lot more working in your favor than there has been in a while. After a stretch where many people felt stuck, 2026 is shaping up to be a year with more balance, more options, and more clarity for people who want to make a … Continue reading "Reasons To Be Optimistic About the 2026 Housing Market"

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  • Turning a House Into a Home: The Benefits You Can Actually Feel

    Turning a House Into a Home: The Benefits You Can Actually Feel,Michael Bempah

    There’s a lot of conversation about home prices, mortgage rates, and affordability right now – and those things are important. But if you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s worth remembering something the headlines rarely talk about: people don’t buy homes just for financial reasons. They buy them for their lives. Because while homeownership can … Continue reading "Turning a House Into a Home: The Benefits You Can Actually Feel"

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  • Your House Didn’t Sell. What Now?

    Your House Didn’t Sell. What Now?,Michael Bempah

    When your house doesn’t sell, it does more than disrupt your plans, it hits close to home. You prepared for the next chapter. You told people you were moving. You pictured where you’d go next. And then nothing happened. It’s normal to feel frustrated, confused, or even a little embarrassed. But here’s the part you … Continue reading "Your House Didn’t Sell. What Now?"

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  • Headlines Have You Worried about Your Home’s Value? Read This.

    Headlines Have You Worried about Your Home’s Value? Read This.,Michael Bempah

    Hearing talk about home prices falling? That may leave you worried about whether your house is losing value. But here’s what you need to know. While some local markets have seen small price dips this year, home prices are not falling nationally. So, don’t let the headlines scare you. The vast majority of the country … Continue reading "Headlines Have You Worried about Your Home’s Value? Read This."

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  • Is January the Best Time To Buy a Home?

    Is January the Best Time To Buy a Home?,Michael Bempah

    You may not want to put your homebuying plans into hibernation mode this winter. While a lot of people assume spring is the ideal time to buy a house, new data shows January may actually be the best time of year for budget-conscious buyers.  Kind of surprising, right? Here’s why January deserves a serious look. … Continue reading "Is January the Best Time To Buy a Home?"

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  • Is Buyer Demand Picking Back Up? What Sellers Should Know.

    Is Buyer Demand Picking Back Up? What Sellers Should Know.,Michael Bempah

    The housing market hasn’t felt this energized in a long time – and the numbers backing that up are hard to ignore. Mortgage rates have eased almost a full percentage point this year, and that shift is starting to wake up buyers. Home loan applications have risen. Activity has picked up. And sellers who step … Continue reading "Is Buyer Demand Picking Back Up? What Sellers Should Know."

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  • How To Stretch Your Options, Not Your Budget

    How To Stretch Your Options, Not Your Budget,Michael Bempah

    One of the biggest homebuying advantages you can give yourself today is surprisingly simple: a flexible wish list. Think of it like this. Your wish list and your budget are the guardrails of your search. And when your budget needs to hold firm, there’s another lever you can pull. That’s seeing if you truly need … Continue reading "How To Stretch Your Options, Not Your Budget"

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  • Your Equity Could Change Everything About Your Next Move

    Your Equity Could Change Everything About Your Next Move,Michael Bempah

    A lot of people are asking the same thing right now: “Is it even a good time to sell?” And the truth may come as a bit of a surprise… For many homeowners, the answer is a strong yes. Why? Because of one major factor working in your favor: your equity. Odds are, if you’ve … Continue reading "Your Equity Could Change Everything About Your Next Move"

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  • Why Selling Your House This Winter Gives You an Edge

    Why Selling Your House This Winter Gives You an Edge,Michael Bempah

    Spring gets all the attention, but it’s not always the best time to sell a house. Yes, more buyers show up, but so do a lot of other sellers. Winter is different. With fewer homes on the market, your house has a much better chance of standing out. And that one advantage can make a … Continue reading "Why Selling Your House This Winter Gives You an Edge"

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  • This May Be the Best Time To Buy a Brand-New Home

    This May Be the Best Time To Buy a Brand-New Home,Michael Bempah

    New home construction today is giving buyers something it feels like they haven't gotten much lately: a real shot at both the home they want and the deal they need. More brand-new options are on the market right now, and builders are rolling out incentives that make these homes more affordable than many people expect. … Continue reading "This May Be the Best Time To Buy a Brand-New Home"

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  • Why More Homeowners Are Giving Up Their Low Mortgage Rate

    Why More Homeowners Are Giving Up Their Low Mortgage Rate,Michael Bempah

    If you’re like a lot of homeowners, you’ve probably thought: “I’d like to move… but I don’t want to give up my 3% rate.” That’s fair. That rate has been one of your best financial wins – and it can be hard to let go. But here’s what you need to remember… A great rate … Continue reading "Why More Homeowners Are Giving Up Their Low Mortgage Rate"

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  • The 3 Housing Market Questions Coming Up at Every Gathering This Season

    The 3 Housing Market Questions Coming Up at Every Gathering This Season,Michael Bempah

    Whether it’s at a family gathering, your company party, or catching up with friends over the holidays, the housing market always finds its way into the conversation. Here are the top three questions on a lot of people’s minds this season, and straightforward answers to help you feel more confident about the market. 1. “Will … Continue reading "The 3 Housing Market Questions Coming Up at Every Gathering This Season"

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  • How To Find the Best Deal Possible on a Home Right Now

    How To Find the Best Deal Possible on a Home Right Now,Michael Bempah

    Want to know how to find the best deal possible in today’s housing market? Here’s the secret. Focus on homes that have been sitting on the market for a while. Because when a listing lingers, sellers tend to get more realistic – and, more willing to negotiate. And that’s where the savviest buyers are finding … Continue reading "How To Find the Best Deal Possible on a Home Right Now"

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  • Why So Many People Are Thankful They Bought a Home This Year

    Why So Many People Are Thankful They Bought a Home This Year,Michael Bempah

    Homebuyers are weighing their options right now, and they certainly have a lot on their minds. With everything going on in the job market, the economy, and more – there's a lot to think about these days. And maybe that’s making you wonder if it really makes sense to buy a home right now. But … Continue reading "Why So Many People Are Thankful They Bought a Home This Year"

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  • Why Buying a Home Still Pays Off in the Long Run

    Why Buying a Home Still Pays Off in the Long Run,Michael Bempah

    Renting can feel much less expensive and much simpler than buying a home, especially right now. No repairs, no property taxes, no worrying about mortgage rates – you just pay the bill and move on with your life. But here’s the part people don’t talk about enough: renting doesn’t help you build your financial future. … Continue reading "Why Buying a Home Still Pays Off in the Long Run"

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