Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

  Today’s Tale of Two Housing Markets 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 Seller’s Market? In a buyer’s market , there are more homes for sale and not as many buyers. That means homes sit longer, buyers have more negotiating power, and prices tend to soften as a result. It’s simple supply and demand. On the flip side, a seller’s market happens when there aren’t enough homes available for the number of people looking to buy them. Because buyers have to compete with each other to get the house they want, that leads to faster sales, multiple offers, and rising prices. Right now, both of these scenarios are playing out, depending on where you are. So, how do you know what kind of market you’re in? Lean on a lo...

  What Credit Score Do You Really Need To Buy a Home? 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 for you right now, even if that’s not necessarily true. So, let’s look at what the data really says about credit scores and homebuying. There’s No One Magic Number There’s no universal credit score you absolutely have to have when buying a home. And that means there’s more flexibility than most people realize. Check out this graph showing the median credit scores recent buyers had among different home loan types: Here's what’s important to realize. The numbers vary, and there’s no one-size-fits-all threshold. And that could open doors you thought were closed for you. The bes...

  Don’t Make These Mistakes When Selling Your House 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 Your House It’s completely natural to want top dollar for your house, especially if you’ve put a lot of work into it. But in today’s shifting market, pricing it too high can backfire. Investopedia explains: “Setting a list price too high could mean your home struggles to attract buyers and stays on the market for longer. ” And your house sitting on the market for a long time could lead to price cuts that raise red flags. That’s why pricing your house right from the start matters. A great real estate agent will look at what other homes nearby have sold for, the condition of your house, and what’s happening in your market ...

  The Truth About Where Home Prices Are Heading 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 flattening or even dipping slightly this year as more homes hit the market. That’s normal with rising inventory. But the bigger picture is what really matters, and it’s far less dramatic than what the doom-and-gloom headlines suggest. Here’s why. Over 100 leading housing market experts were surveyed in the latest Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES) from Fannie Mae . Their collective forecast shows prices are projected to keep rising over the next 5 years, just at a slower, healthier pace than what we’ve seen more recently. And that kind of steady, sustainable growth should be one factor to help ease your fears about the years ...

  Mortgage Rates Are Stabilizing – How That Helps Today’s Buyers 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 that may finally make it a bit easier to plan your move. Mortgage Rates Have Stabilized – For Now Over the past year, mortgage rates have had their share of ups and downs, making it tough for buyers to know what to expect. But recently, rates have started to level out and have settled into a more narrow range ( see graph below ): As the graph shows, rates have stayed within that half-percentage-point since late last year. Yes, there’s been movement within that range, but wild swings and sudden ups and downs just haven’t been the story lately. And that’s a bigger deal t...

  Indoor-Outdoor Living Upgrades That Could Attract a Luxury Buyer to Your Listing By  Anna Baluch July 1, 2025 Getty Images A basic backyard won’t cut it anymore, especially if you're looking to attract a wealthy buyer. Jason Waugh , president of Coldwell Banker Affiliates, tells  CNBC’s Inside Wealth newsletter  that indoor-outdoor living upgrades are all the rage. According to Waugh,  buyers  are now on the lookout for high-end features. Think top-of-the-line smart fridges,  spa amenities , and indoor-outdoor upgrades such as fireplaces and  full outdoor kitchens . While these upgrades are attractive to buyers across all price ranges, they're especially appealing in properties on the market for higher-end buyers. The most in-demand indoor-outdoor upgrades—and what they’ll cost you Every buyer’s lifestyle, needs, and personal preferences will influence the indoor-outdoor upgrades they desire. However, here are several of the most popular options...

  Top 5 Reasons To Hire a Real Estate Agent When You Sell Some Highlights The  right agent  doesn’t just list your house – they help you sell smarter, faster, and with fewer surprises. With an agent’s help, you’ll know what’s happening in your local market and how  to price  your house right. You’ll feel confident filling out complex legal documents and at the negotiation table. And that’s priceless. Connect with an agent so you have that expertise on your side.​