You may have heard there are more homes for sale right now. And while that’ll vary depending on the market, it means that overall, things are starting to lean in a more balanced direction. As that happens, some sellers are a bit more open to compromise. Here’s what that means for you.

You may be regaining some negotiating power. That can translate into savings, perks, or even better terms on your purchase – if you know what levers to pull during negotiation.

Why an Agent Is an Essential Part of the Negotiation Process

The complicated part is knowing what is and isn’t on the table. That’s where your agent comes in. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), besides finding the right home, buyers want their agent to help negotiate the terms of the sale, followed by negotiating the price.

Here’s why. Agents are skilled negotiators and are trained for moments like this. Since your agent is an expert on the local market, they’ll also know what’s working for other buyers (and what’s not), which can help you better understand what’s realistic to ask for.

What’s on the Negotiation Table?

Here are some of the most common concessions an agent can help you negotiate:

• Sale Price: The most obvious concession is the price of the home, and that lever is being pulled more often today. Buyers don’t want to overpay when affordability is already so tight, and sellers who aren’t realistic about their asking price may have to consider adjusting their price.
• Closing Costs: Closing costs are usually about 2-5% of a home’s purchase price and include fees for things like the appraisal, title insurance, and underwriting of your loan. To offset the cash you must bring, you can ask the seller to pay for some or all of these expenses. According to NAR, this was the most common concession sellers made in 2024.
• Home Warranties: If you’re worried about the maintenance costs that may pop up after you get the keys, you can ask the seller to pay for a home warranty. Since this concession usually isn’t expensive for the seller, it can be a good negotiation tool for a buyer. It’s not a significant cost for them, but it can be a big perk for you.
• Home Repairs: Based on the inspection, you can ask the seller to make repairs. If the seller doesn’t want to, they could offer to drop the home price or cover some closing costs, so you have more room in your budget to take care of the repairs yourself.
• Fixtures: Do you want that washer and dryer to stay? Maybe the stainless-steel fridge, too? In many cases, you can ask for appliances or even furniture to be included in the deal, which will save you money when you move in.
• Closing Date: The closing date is also negotiable. Based on your timeline, you may request a faster or extended closing window. Depending on the seller’s needs, this could also be great for their situation.

Of course, negotiating is a complex process. And not every seller will be willing to offer concessions. Again, lean on your agent for expert advice about what’s realistic to ask for and what could turn sellers off.

Because once you’ve found a home you love, you don’t want to risk losing it. But you also want to get the best terms on your purchase – and that’s where an agent can make all the difference.

Bottom Line

As inventory grows, buyers are finding they have a bit more leverage. Having the right agent by your side, who can help you approach negotiations strategically, is key.

What’s your biggest concern when negotiating with a seller? Let me know, and we’ll create a solid plan to make things less stressful.

Spring is here, and so is the busiest season in real estate. More buyers are out looking for homes, which means more competition for you. If you want to put yourself in the best position to buy, there’s one step you can’t afford to skip: getting pre-approved for a mortgage.

Some buyers think they can wait until they’ve found a home they love before talking to a lender. But in a season where homes can sell fast, that’s a risky move. Getting pre-approved before you start your search is a much better bet.

Here’s what you need to know about this early step in the buying process.

What Is Pre-Approval?

Pre-approval lets you know how much a lender will let you borrow for your home loan. A lender starts by looking at your financial history to determine that number. Here are some of the things that can have an impact, according to Yahoo Finance:

• Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is how much money you owe divided by how much you make. Usually, you can borrow more if you have a lower DTI.
• Your income and employment status: They’re looking to verify you have a steady income coming in – that way, they feel confident in your ability to repay the loan.
• Your credit score: If your score is higher, you may qualify to borrow more.
• Your payment history: Do you consistently pay your bills on time? Lenders want to know you’re not a risky borrower.

After their review, you’ll get a pre-approval letter showing what you can borrow. Having this peace of mind is a big deal – it helps you feel a lot more confident in your ability to get a home loan. And the fringe benefit is that it can also speed up the road to closing day because the lender will already have much of your information.

It Helps You Figure Out Your Budget

Spring is a competitive season, and emotions can run high if you go up against other buyers. Having a firm budget in mind is so important. You don’t want to get too attached and end up maxing out what you can borrow. As Freddie Mac explains:

“​Keep in mind that the loan amount in the pre-approval letter is the lender’s maximum offer. Ultimately, you should only borrow an amount you are comfortable repaying.”

So, use this time to buckle down on your numbers. And be sure to factor in other homeownership costs – like property taxes, insurance, and maybe even homeowners’ association fees – so you know what you can comfortably afford.

Then, partner with your agent to tailor your search to homes that match your budget. That way, you don’t fall in love with a house out of your financial comfort zone.

It Helps Your Offer Stand Out During the Busy Season

Spring buyers aren’t just competing for homes. They’re competing for the seller’s attention, too. And a pre-approval letter can help you stand out by showing sellers you’ve already received a financial check. Zillow explains it like this:

“Having a pre-approval letter handy while you’re shopping for a home can also help you act quickly once you’ve found a home you love. The letter shows potential sellers that you’re a serious buyer who has the financial means to close on the home. In a competitive market, an offer with a pre-approval letter attached will stand out among other offers that don’t include one — increasing the chances of your offer being accepted.”

That means when sellers choose among multiple offers, yours could rise to the top simply because you’ve already taken this step.

And here’s one final tip for you. After you receive your letter, avoid switching jobs, applying for new credit cards or other loans, co-signing for loans, or moving money in or out of your savings. That’s because any changes to your finances can affect your pre-approval status.

Bottom Line

Getting pre-approved should be your first move if you’re considering buying a home this spring. It’ll help you understand your budget, show sellers you’re serious, and keep you from falling in love with a house out of reach. Talk to a lender to get started.

What’s your plan to stand out in this competitive market? Let’s chat about ensuring you’re fully ready to buy.

If selling your house is on your to-do list this year, the time to start prepping is now. Experts say the best week to list your house is coming up fast.

A recent Realtor.com study analyzed years of housing market trends (excluding 2020 since it was an outlier) and found that April 13–19 is expected to be the ideal window to put your house on the market this year:

“. . . we’ve identified April 13-19 as the best week to list for sellers . . . a seller listing a well-priced, move-in ready home is likely to find success. Because spring is generally the high season for real estate activity and buyers are more plentiful earlier rather than later in the year, listing earlier in the spring raises a seller’s odds of a successful sale.”

What Makes This Week Stand Out?

As the quote mentions, spring is almost always a strong seller season. But this particular week could give you an even more significant advantage this year. Realtor.com goes on to say what listing during this sweet spot could mean for you:

• More buyers are looking at your home since demand is high this time of year.
• A faster sale since serious buyers are eager to move before summer.
• A better chance of selling for top dollar. According to the study, you could get an average of $4,800 more this week (and $27,000 more than you would earlier in the year).

If You Want Your House on the Market for that Window, Act Now

With just a few weeks left before this prime listing window, you’ll need to make a plan to work smart and act fast. That’s where working with a great real estate agent comes in. They can help you:

• Figure out precisely what you need to do to get your house ready.
• Prioritize the tasks that’ll make the most significant impact in the shortest time.
• Decide if there are any quick fixes or minor upgrades that could help you attract buyers.

Assuming your house is already in good shape, your focus should be on quick, high-impact updates. As Investopedia explains:

“You won’t have time for any major renovations, so focus on quick repairs to address things that could deter potential buyers.”

Here are a few examples of small projects that can make a big difference, according to Redfin:

What If You’re Not Ready Just Yet?

Don’t worry – it’s okay if you don’t think you’ll be ready for this week. Just because April 13–19 is projected to be the ideal week by Realtor.com, that doesn’t mean it’s the only good time to sell. Even if you need more time to prepare your home list, there’s still plenty of opportunity this homebuying season.

Bottom Line

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to sell, this could be it. But timing isn’t the only thing that matters – how well you prep and price your home is just as important.

What’s one thing you’d need to do before you’d feel ready to list? Let’s connect and figure out the best plan to make it happen.

Spring is in full swing, and the housing market is picking up. And if you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to buy or sell, here’s the inside scoop on why this spring may be a great time to make your move.

1. There Are More Homes for Sale

After a long stretch of tight inventory, the number of homes for sale is finally improving. According to recent national data from Realtor.com, active listings are up 27.5% compared to last year.

Look at the graph below and follow the green line for 2025. You can see even though inventory levels still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic norms (shown in gray), that number is higher than it has been going into the spring market over the past few years (see graph below):

Buyers: This means you have more choices and can be more selective.

Sellers: With more homes available than in recent years, you’re more likely to find what you want when you move. Knowing that inventory is still below normal levels means there will be demand for your home when you sell it, too.

2. Home Price Growth Is Moderating

As inventory grows, home price growth is slowing down, which will continue into the spring market. This is because prices are driven by supply and demand. When there are more homes for sale, buyers have more options, so there’s less competition for each house. Rising supply and less buyer competition cause price growth to slow, but it should still remain positive in most markets. As Freddie Mac says:

“In 2025, we expect the pace of house price appreciation to moderate from the levels seen in 2024, while still maintaining a positive trajectory.”

And while prices aren’t dropping nationally, every market is different. Some areas are seeing stronger prices more substantial, while others are cooling off or even seeing some price declines.

Buyers: The slower pace of growth means prices aren’t rising as quickly as before – and that’s a relief. Any home you buy now will likely appreciate over time as you build equity.

Sellers: While prices rise, you might need to adjust your expectations. Overpricing your house in a more balanced market could mean it takes longer to sell. Pricing your home competitively is going to be key to attracting offers.

3. Mortgage Rates Are Stabilizing

Over the past couple of years, one of the biggest hurdles for buyers has been high, volatile mortgage rates. But there’s some good news – overall, they’ve stabilized in recent weeks – and have even declined a bit since the beginning of this year. And while that decrease hasn’t been a big drop, stabilizing mortgage rates has helped make buying a home a bit more predictable. According to Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic:

“With the spring homebuying season upon us, the recent improvements in mortgage rates may help invite homebuyers back into the market.”

Buyers: When mortgage rates are more stable, it’s easier to plan ahead because you have a better idea of your future payment. But remember, rates will continue to be volatile. So, lean on your agent and your lender to ensure you know what the latest mortgage rate means.

Sellers: Slightly lower rates that are starting to stabilize are encouraging more buyers to move forward with their plans. That’s good for demand when you’re planning to sell your house.

4. More Buyers Are Returning

With more inventory, slowing price growth, and stabilizing mortgage rates, buyers are gaining confidence and returning to the market. Demand is picking up, and data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) shows an increase in mortgage applications compared to the start of the year (see graph below):

Buyers: Acting sooner rather than later could be smart before your competition heats up even more.

Sellers: This is great news. It is excellent– more buyers mean a better chance of selling your house quickly.

Bottom Line

Do you have questions about what the spring market means for you? Let’s connect and talk about how to craft your plan this season.

With more homes for sale, slowing price growth, and stabilizing mortgage rates, how will this impact your decision to buy or sell this spring?

Whether buying or selling a house, here’s something to think about that most people don’t. Your decision doesn’t just impact your life and your family’s; it sparks a ripple effect that positively impacts your entire community.

Every year, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) publishes a report that breaks down the financial impact of home buying and selling.

The data shows that if you buy an existing (previously lived-in) home, you’re giving the local economy a boost of just over $60K. And if you buy a newly built home, that number goes up to over $125K (see visual below):

That’s because of all the people needed to build, fix up, and sell homes. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), explains how the housing industry adds jobs to a community:

“. . . housing is a significant job creator. In fact, for every single-family home built, enough economic activity is generated to sustain three full-time jobs for a year . . .”

When you think about it, it makes sense. Behind every home sale is a network of people involved, including contractors, city officials, real estate agents, lawyers, specialists, and more. Everyone has a job to help ensure your deal goes through.

When you buy or sell a home, you’re helping out your neighbors. So, your decision to move doesn’t just meet your needs; it supports their families, strengthens your town, and shapes the future of your community.

Imagine walking through the front door of your next home, knowing your decision helped a local contractor keep their crew working or a small business thrives. Remember that feeling as you make your decision this year.

Bottom Line

Moving isn’t just a personal milestone – it’s an investment in your community. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect. You’ll make a difference for more people than you know.

What’s most important to you as you prepare to buy or sell your house this year?

Homeowner’s insurance is necessary to protect your most significant investment – your home. And while you never want to think about worst-case scenarios, the right coverage is your safety net if something goes wrong. Here’s how it helps you.

• Covers Repairs and Rebuilding Costs: If your home is damaged by fire, storms, or other covered events, your policy helps pay for repairs or even a complete rebuild.
• Protects Your Belongings: Many policies can also cover personal items like furniture, electronics, and clothing if stolen or damaged.
• Provides Liability Coverage: Homeowner’s insurance can help cover medical bills or legal expenses if someone gets injured on your property.

In the simplest sense, it gives you peace of mind. Knowing you have protection against unexpected events helps you worry less. And with such a big purchase, having that reassurance is a big deal.

While your first insurance payment will be included in your closing costs, you should also include it in your budget beyond closing day. That’s because it will be a recurring expense once you get the keys to your home.

Here’s what you need to know to help you budget for this vital part of homeownership today.

Costs and Claims Are Rising

In recent years, insurance costs have been climbing. According to Insurance.com, there are four big reasons behind the jump in premiums:

• More severe weather events and wildfires are leading to higher claims.
• Insurance companies are pulling out of high-risk areas, reducing options for homeowners in some states.
• Past rate increases haven’t kept up with the rise in claims.
• The cost to rebuild or repair homes has increased due to higher material and labor costs.

Disasters happen more often, repairs cost more, and insurers must adjust their rates. Data from ICE Mortgage Technology helps paint the picture of how the average yearly premium has climbed over the last decade (see graph below):

What You Can Do About It

Homeowner’s insurance is a must to protect your home and your investment. But with costs rising, you’ll want to do your homework to balance the best coverage you can get at the best price possible.

Homeowner’s insurance rates vary widely based on location, provider, and coverage. Shop around and compare quotes before settling on a policy. And don’t forget to ask about discounts. Things like security systems or bundling with auto insurance could help lower your insurance costs.

Bottom Line

When planning to buy a home, looking beyond just your mortgage payment is essential. You’ll also want to budget for your homeowner’s insurance policy. It gives you a lot of protection against the unexpected. And while it’s true those costs are rising, there are things you can do to try to get the best price possible.

What’s your biggest concern about budgeting for homeownership? Let’s discuss it and make sure you’re set up for success.

If you took your house off the market in late 2024, you’re not the only one. Newsweek reports that data from CoreLogic and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) says nearly 73,000 homes were pulled from the market in December alone – that’s more than any other December going back to 2017 (see graph below):

Whether it was because offers weren’t coming in, the timing around the holidays felt overwhelming, or they wanted to see if the market would improve in the new year – many other homeowners decided to press pause, too.

But now, with spring fast approaching, it’s time to reassess. The market is already picking up, and waiting longer to jump back in may only mean you’d face more competition from other sellers.

Why Now Could Be the Right Time 

Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, explains that some of those sellers may have pulled their listings late last year to try again this spring:

“Another reason for a step back could be that sellers wanted to wait and see how spring home buying season goes, and if mortgage rates fall, which would bring more home buyers and competition back in the market.”

That’s because buyer demand is typically at its highest point in spring. More people start their home search once the weather warms up. They’re eager to close on a home so they can move in during the summer. So, it’s an excellent window for sellers. It means more buyers.

And while mortgage rates haven’t fallen dramatically, they have come down in recent weeks. Early signs already show buyers are becoming more active as a result. Demand has increased since January, which should continue as spring draws closer.

What To Do Differently This Time

Start by checking the status of your listing agreement. Because even if you pulled your listing, you may still be under contract. Until your listing expires, your agent or brokerage is your best resource for what else you could try to sell. Realtor.com offers this advice:

“If you aren’t sure of the status of your listing, whether active, expired, or withdrawn, take a look at your listing agreement and talk to your real estate agent.”

If your contract is still active, now’s the perfect time to reconnect with your agent to explore strategies to get your home sold this time around. If your contract has expired and you’re considering other options, contact a trusted real estate professional who can help you figure out where to go.

Either way, take some time to reflect on your last experience. What held you back from getting it sold before? And what can you do to improve your chances this time around?

Be sure to include your current agent in this thought process. They’ll give you an objective point of view and some advice based on what may have gone wrong last time, like:

• Your Pricing Strategy: Did buyers overlook your house because it was priced too high? Your real estate agent can help you analyze your area’s latest sales to ensure you hit the correct number. Believe it or not, you could be leaving money on the table by not pricing competitively when your house is priced appropriately for the market, your opportunities for multiple offers and buyer competition increase.
• Your Marketing Approach: Was your home staged to look its best? Did you use a skilled photographer for your listing photos? Minor tweaks can make a big difference in how buyers see your house. Something as simple as taking new photos now that it’s spring can help your home show better than in the winter listing.
• Offering Concessions: Were you willing to offer incentives to buyers? As the supply of homes for sale grows, more sellers are entertaining the idea of concessions or incentives to get the deal done. If you weren’t open to those conversations, that may have been a factor, too.
• Showings and Flexibility: Did you limit when buyers could see the home? If your house is accessible and available, you’ll likely get more offers.

Bottom Line

Spring may be your second chance if your house didn’t sell last year. With buyer activity rising, it’s the perfect time to talk to an agent about returning to the market with a fresh strategy.

What do you want to do differently this time around? Talk to your agent to go over your options and make a plan.

Want to know two reasons this spring might finally be your time to buy? Inventory has grown, and sellers may be more willing to negotiate. That means you’ve got more options and power than buyers have had in years. Let’s break it down.

1. You Have More Homes To Choose From

The number of homes for sale this February was higher than in any of the past five Februarys – and that’s great news for your home search. The graph below uses the latest data from Realtor.com to show the supply of homes on the market has grown by 27.5% in just the last year:

More choices for your search is a good thing – and experts also say that inventory is projected to continue rising this year, which is even better. It means finding something that checks your most important boxes should be easier. But that’s not all this does for you. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, explains some of the other perks of more inventory beyond just having more homes to consider:

“Buyers will not only have more home options . . . but they are also likely to find somewhat lower asking prices and more time to make decisions – all buyer-friendly factors as we inch closer to the busy homebuying season.”

2. You May Find Sellers Are Doing Price Cuts

Now that buyers have more options, some homes are sitting on the market a little longer—especially those that were priced too high from the start. As a result, more sellers are having to drop their prices to draw buyers back in. Just take a look at the numbers.

According to Realtor.com, the number of listings with price reductions has gone up compared to the last few years (see graph below):

This is a sign sellers are more willing to compromise today. If you look back to more normal years in the market (2017–2019), you’ll see that the number of price cuts happening today is much closer to what’s typical – and for most buyers, that’s a significant relief.

What does that mean for you? It could give you a better chance to negotiate – whether that’s on price, closing costs, or even repairs. While not every seller will adjust their price, more are willing to do it – giving you more leverage than buyers have in quite a while.

Bottom Line

If you’ve been on the sidelines, waiting for the right time to buy, this spring could be the opening you’ve been hoping for.

Of course, every market is different, and working with a local expert can help you work through your options. If you want to talk about what’s happening in our area or get started on your home search, let’s connect.

How does today’s rising inventory impact your homebuying plans?

For years, sellers have had the upper hand in the housing market. With so few homes for sale and so many people wanting to purchase them, buyers faced tough competition to accept an offer. But now, inventory is rising, and things are starting to shift in many areas.

So, is the market finally balancing out? And does that mean buyers will have it a bit easier now? Here’s what you need to know.

What Makes It a Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s Market?

It all comes down to how many homes are for sale in an area compared to how many buyers want to buy there. The number of homes for sale ultimately determines who has the most leverage.

• A Seller’s Market occurs when there are more buyers than homes available, so sellers hold the power. This leads to rising prices, multiple offers, and homes selling quickly—often above the asking price—because there isn’t enough to go around.
• A Buyer’s Market occurs when there are more homes than buyers. In this case, the tables turn. Sellers may have to offer concessions and incentives or negotiate more to close a deal. That’s because buyers have more choices and can take their time making decisions.

You can see this play out over time using data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the graph below:

Where the Market Stands Now

While it’s still a seller’s market in many places, buyers in specific locations have more leverage than in previous years. And that’s thanks to how much inventory has grown lately. As Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, explains:

“Among the nation’s 200 largest metro area housing markets, 41 markets ended January 2025 with more active homes for sale than they had in pre-pandemic January 2019. These are the places where homebuyers will be able to find the most leverage or market balance in 2025.”

Here’s a look at some of the strongest seller’s markets and buyer’s markets today, according to that research:

Do you know how to adjust your plans based on who’s got the most negotiating power? Because an agent does.

Clever strategies can make buying in a seller’s market easier – and vice versa. That’s precisely why you need to hire a pro. A local real estate agent knows their market like the back of their hand. They’re super familiar with the supply and demand balance and how to help their clients get a deal done either way. So, as long as you have a skilled pro by your side, it doesn’t matter if your town is on the list.

With their expertise, you can plan ahead and buy (or sell) no matter the market’s conditions.

Bottom Line

With inventory rising, the market may be starting to balance out – but it all depends on where you want to buy or sell.

Are you wondering if buyers or sellers have the upper hand in our area? Let’s connect so you can find out.