If you're a homeowner getting ready to move, one question usually comes first: should you buy your next home before you sell, or sell your current house before you start looking? There's no single right answer. The best call depends on your finances, your local market, and your timeline. And a trusted agent can help you weigh all of it. But in a lot of cases these days, selling first puts you in the stronger spot. The Advantages of Selling First Selling is usually the trickie

If you own a luxury house, you're in a stronger spot than most sellers right now. While much of the market has cooled, the high-end tier hasn't. Sale prices and buyer demand are both up. So if you're considering selling, now could be a great time to make your move. Luxury Is Leading on Price Let’s start with prices. But before we get into it – what actually counts as a luxury home? Generally, these are homes in the top 5% price range for the area, so it varies depending on wh

If you’ve thought about buying a home in the past few years, you may have run into two frustrations: asking prices that kept climbing and too few homes to choose from. In many places, both sticking points are letting up this summer, with lower asking prices and more homes for sale. Let’s look at the trends, and what they mean for your search. Sellers Are Pricing To Attract Buyers According to Realtor.com, the national median asking price was $430,000 in June, nearly $11,000 u

Negotiations are back. More buyers are asking for better deals, and more sellers are giving them. Builders are throwing in extras, too. That’s why whether you’re buying or selling today, there are two terms you’ll hear a lot: concession and incentive. A concession is something a seller agrees to during negotiations to get a deal done. An incentive is a perk a builder (or a seller) advertises upfront to attract buyers. Let’s run through what you need to know about both and ho

Buying or selling a home is a big financial decision. And right now, it feels even bigger. Inflation is high, costs are high, and you want to be sure the timing is right before you make your move. But if you do decide to go for it, whether you're buying or selling, here's something reassuring to hold onto. Not only does your move change your own life, but it also gives your whole community a boost. Real estate is a huge part of the economy. In 2025, it added up to about $5.6

You've probably heard that home prices are cooling off. And that's true – nationally. But zoom in on individual markets across the country, and the picture looks completely different depending on where you are. Some areas are still seeing solid price growth. Others have gone flat. A few have actually dipped slightly negative. So, what's causing all of that variation? It All Comes Down to Inventory Here's the simple version: When there are more homes for sale, buyers have opt

Open up a home search, and you'll see them. Listings that have been on the market for two months. Three. Some even longer. Most buyers scroll right past these homes, assuming something’s wrong with them. But that instinct could be costing you. The longer a home sits, the more motivated the seller usually becomes. Where Some Buyers Are Finding Better Deals If affordability has been your biggest hurdle to buying, here’s a surprisingly simple strategy that could help you get you

Buying a home is a big step, and if you’re carrying student loan debt, it might feel even more challenging. I get it - balancing monthly loan payments while trying to save for a down payment can seem overwhelming. But here’s the good news: owning a home is still within reach. With the right approach and some practical tips, you can make your dream of homeownership a reality, even with student loans. Let’s walk through what you need to know and do to confidently move forward.

A few years ago, sellers could get away with saying "no" to just about everything. No repairs. No concessions. No negotiation. If buyers wanted the house, they pretty much had to take it on the seller's terms. But now that inventory’s grown, negotiations are becoming a normal part of the process again. That's why one of the most important things sellers need to understand right now is this: The goal isn't to “win” every negotiation. Sometimes, it’s worth meeting buyers where

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming. One of the biggest steps is choosing the right mortgage lender. With so many options out there, how do you know which lender will offer the best terms, support, and guidance? I’m here to help you navigate this important decision with clear, practical advice. Let’s explore what makes a great lender for first-time buyers, what types of mortgages might suit you best, and how to find the right fit

Whether you're dreaming about buying your first home or wondering if it’s time to move on from the one you're in, affordability is probably weighing on your mind. Home prices are still high in many markets, and even though things have improved a bit over the past year, making the numbers work can still feel like a stretch. But the people finding ways to move right now usually have one thing in common. They didn't wait for affordability to come to them. They went looking for i

Why building a smaller home may be better

Selling your house this season? You’ve probably heard that staging is essential before it hits the market. But what does that really mean? Is it worth the effort? The short answer is “yes,” especially right now. With more houses for sale this year, you might be wondering how to maximize your profit without your house sitting on the market. The answer is staging. It can help your house stand out, attract stronger offers, and sell faster. As Nadia Evangelou, Principal Economist

Looking to buy a home this season? Here's what you should know. Buyers have more leverage today than they’ve had in years. There are more homes to choose from and, in many areas, sellers are more open to negotiation. But that doesn’t mean competition is gone completely. These days, it varies a lot depending on where you’re hoping to move. If you’re buying in a popular neighborhood, or in a market where there aren’t many homes for sale, you may still find yourself competing

Thinking about buying a home in Maryland but not sure if now is the right time? Dan Freshley breaks down the current market conditions, mortgage rates, home prices, and inventory levels to help you make a confident decision. NMLS #196245.