• Are These Myths About Buying a Newly Built Home Holding You Back?

    Are These Myths About Buying a Newly Built Home Holding You Back?,Michael Bempah

    If you’ve been skipping over newly built homes in your search, you might be doing so based on outdated assumptions. Let’s clear up a few of the most common myths, so you don’t miss out on a solid opportunity. Myth 1: New Homes Are More Expensive It’s easy to assume a new build will cost … Continue reading "Are These Myths About Buying a Newly Built Home Holding You Back?"

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  • What You Need To Know About Concessions

    What You Need To Know About Concessions,Michael Bempah

    Some Highlights Now that there are more homes for sale, buyers have more options. And sellers need to be more flexible to close the deal. That’s why almost half of homeowners are making some type of concession. This can include covering closing costs, paying for repairs, or dropping the price. Not sure which concessions to … Continue reading "What You Need To Know About Concessions"

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  • Online Home-Buying Search Terms Recently Hit 2-Year High

    Online Home-Buying Search Terms Recently Hit 2-Year High,Michael Bempah

    Believe it or not, there are clear signs buyer interest is heating up again. Let’s talk about what’s really going on behind the scenes, and why the housing market might not be as quiet out there as it seems.  Buyers Are Looking, and Search Trends Prove It One of the clearest ways to measure what … Continue reading "Online Home-Buying Search Terms Recently Hit 2-Year High"

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  • Why Selling Without an Agent Can Cost You More Than You Think

    Why Selling Without an Agent Can Cost You More Than You Think,Michael Bempah

    Cutting out the agent might seem like a smart way to save when you sell your house. But here’s the hard truth. Last year, homes that sold with an agent went for almost 15% more than those that sold without one. That gap is pretty hard to ignore. And with more homes on the market … Continue reading "Why Selling Without an Agent Can Cost You More Than You Think"

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  • A Second Home Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Retirement Plan

    A Second Home Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Retirement Plan,Michael Bempah

    Are you wondering if you’re on track to retire someday? According to Intuit, 69% of people say today’s financial environment makes it tough to plan for the future, and 68% aren’t sure they’ll ever be able to retire. That’s why many people are exploring new ways to build stability and long-term income. And that’s where … Continue reading "A Second Home Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Retirement Plan"

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  • 3 Advantages of Buying a Newly Built Home Today

    3 Advantages of Buying a Newly Built Home Today,Michael Bempah

    Some Highlights Prices, rates, and finding the right home are three of the biggest challenges for buyers today. You may find better luck with all 3 if you look at newly built homes. There are more available. Builders are more flexible on prices right now. And people who buy new homes tend to get lower … Continue reading "3 Advantages of Buying a Newly Built Home Today"

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  • The Truth About Down Payments (It’s Not What You Think)

    The Truth About Down Payments (It’s Not What You Think),Michael Bempah

    Buying a home is exciting… until you start thinking about the down payment. That’s when the worry can set in. “I’ll never save enough.” “I need a small fortune just to get started.” “I guess I’ll just rent forever.” Sound familiar? You’re not alone. And you’re definitely not out of luck. Here’s the thing: a … Continue reading "The Truth About Down Payments (It’s Not What You Think)"

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  • The 3 Things You Risk by Pricing Too High

    The 3 Things You Risk by Pricing Too High,Michael Bempah

    When selling your house, the price you choose isn’t just a number, it's a strategy. And in today’s market, that strategy needs to be sharp. The number of homes for sale is climbing. And that means buyers have more choices and can be more selective. If your price doesn’t line up with what else is … Continue reading "The 3 Things You Risk by Pricing Too High"

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  • What Credit Score Do You Really Need To Buy a Home?

    What Credit Score Do You Really Need To Buy a Home?,Michael Bempah

    According to Fannie Mae, 90% of buyers don’t actually know what credit score lenders are looking for, or they overestimate the minimum needed. Let that sink in. That means most homebuyers think they need better credit than they actually do – and maybe you’re one of them. And that could make you think buying a home is out of reach … Continue reading "What Credit Score Do You Really Need To Buy a Home?"

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  • Home Price Forecasts for the Second Half of 2025

    Home Price Forecasts for the Second Half of 2025,Michael Bempah

    Some Highlights With all the headlines circulating recently, you may be wondering what’s next for home prices? Here’s what the expert forecasts say. Home prices are still forecast to rise nationally this year, just at a much slower pace. But price trends are going to vary by area. To have a quick conversation about what’s … Continue reading "Home Price Forecasts for the Second Half of 2025"

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  • Today’s Tale of Two Housing Markets

    Today’s Tale of Two Housing Markets,Michael Bempah

    Depending on where you live, the housing market could feel red-hot or strangely quiet right now. The truth is, local markets are starting to move in different directions. In some places, buyers are calling the shots. In others, sellers still hold the power. It’s a tale of two markets. What’s a Buyer’s Market vs. a … Continue reading "Today’s Tale of Two Housing Markets"

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  • Housing Market Forecasts for the Rest of 2025

    Housing Market Forecasts for the Rest of 2025,Michael Bempah

    If you’ve been watching the market, you’ve likely noticed a few changes already this year. But what’s next? From home prices to mortgage rates, here’s what the latest expert forecasts suggest for the rest of 2025 – and what these shifts could mean for you. Will Home Prices Fall? Many buyers are hoping home prices … Continue reading "Housing Market Forecasts for the Rest of 2025"

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  • The U.S. Foreclosure Map You Need To See

    The U.S. Foreclosure Map You Need To See,Michael Bempah

    Foreclosure headlines are making noise again – and they’re designed to stir up fear to get you to read them. But what the data shows is actually happening in the market tells a very different story than what you might be led to believe. So, before you jump to conclusions, it’s important to look at … Continue reading "The U.S. Foreclosure Map You Need To See"

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  • The Latest Mortgage Rate Forecasts

    The Latest Mortgage Rate Forecasts,Michael Bempah

    Some Highlights If you’re tempted to delay your move in hope that mortgage rates will come down, you may want to rethink that strategy based on the latest forecast. Experts say mortgage rates are projected to stay in the 6s this year. So don’t expect a big drop. If you want to talk about what … Continue reading "The Latest Mortgage Rate Forecasts"

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  • Don’t Make These Mistakes When Selling Your House

    Don’t Make These Mistakes When Selling Your House,Michael Bempah

    Are you thinking about selling your house? Some common mistakes today can make the process more stressful or even cost you money. Fortunately, they’re easy to avoid, as long as you know what to watch for. Let’s break down the biggest seller slip-ups, and how an agent helps you steer clear of them. 1. Overpricing … Continue reading "Don’t Make These Mistakes When Selling Your House"

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  • Why a Newly Built Home Might Be the Move Right Now

    Why a Newly Built Home Might Be the Move Right Now,Michael Bempah

    Are you looking for better home prices, or even a lower mortgage rate? You might find both in one place: a newly built home. While many buyers are overlooking new construction, it could be your best opportunity in today’s market. Here’s why. There are more brand-new homes available right now than there were even just … Continue reading "Why a Newly Built Home Might Be the Move Right Now"

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  • Mortgage Rates Are Stabilizing – How That Helps Today’s Buyers

    Mortgage Rates Are Stabilizing – How That Helps Today’s Buyers,Michael Bempah

    Over the past few years, affordability has been the biggest challenge for homebuyers. Between rapidly rising home prices and higher mortgage rates, many have felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. But, something pretty encouraging is happening. While affordability is still tight, mortgage rates have shown signs of stabilizing in recent months. And … Continue reading "Mortgage Rates Are Stabilizing – How That Helps Today’s Buyers"

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  • The 5-Year Rule for Home Prices

    The 5-Year Rule for Home Prices,Michael Bempah

    Some Highlights If recent home price headlines have you feeling worried, here’s some perspective.​​ Home values almost always go up in the long run. ​And the long-term gains offset any short-term dips. Basically, if you plan to live there for 5 or more years, you should be able to buffer yourself against any short-term declines. … Continue reading "The 5-Year Rule for Home Prices"

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  • The Advice First-Time Homebuyers Need To Hear

    The Advice First-Time Homebuyers Need To Hear,Michael Bempah

    Buying your first home is a big milestone – and the right support is going to make it a whole lot easier. Because while this process might be brand new to you, it’s not new to your agent. They’ve helped plenty of first-time buyers through it. They know what works, what actually matters, and how … Continue reading "The Advice First-Time Homebuyers Need To Hear"

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  • The Truth About Where Home Prices Are Heading

    The Truth About Where Home Prices Are Heading,Michael Bempah

    There are plenty of headlines these days calling for a housing market crash. But the truth is, they’re not telling the full story. Here’s what’s actually happening, and what the experts project for home prices over the next 5 years. And spoiler alert – it’s not a crash. Yes, in some local markets, prices are … Continue reading "The Truth About Where Home Prices Are Heading"

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