If retirement is on the horizon, now’s the time to start thinking about your next chapter. And you probably want to make sure you’re set up to feel comfortable financially to live the life you want in retirement.

You may not realize that you likely have a hidden goldmine of cash you’re not thinking about — and that’s your home. Data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) shows that home values have gone up nearly 60% over the last 5 years alone (see graph below):

And that appreciation gave your net worth a big boost. According to Freddie Mac, over the same five-year period:

“ . . . Boomer overall wealth increased by $19 trillion, or $486,000 per household, half of which is due to house price appreciation.”

So, if you’ve been in your house ever longer than that, chances are you have even more equity in your home. If you want access to more wealth you’ve built up throughout the years, it’s worth considering selling your house to downsize.

Why Downsizing Might Be the Right Move

Selling now so you can downsize into a smaller home, or maybe one in a more affordable area could free up your home equity so you can use a portion of it to help you feel confident retiring. Whether you want to travel, spend more time with family, or feel financially secure, accessing the equity in your home can make a huge difference. As Chase says:

“Retirement is an exciting time. Selling your home to take advantage of the equity or to downsize to a more affordable home can open up additional options for your future.”

Here are just a few of the ways a smaller home can fuel your retirement:

1. Cut Your Cost of Living

Data from the AARP shows that the reason adults aged 50 and older should reduce their cost of living is to reduce their cost of living. Downsizing to a smaller house or relocating to a more affordable area can help lower monthly expenses, such as utilities, property taxes, and maintenance costs.

2. Simplify Your Life

A smaller home often means less upkeep and fewer responsibilities. That can free up your time and energy to focus on what matters most in your retirement.

3. Boost Your Financial Flexibility

Selling your current house gives you access to your equity, turning it into cash you can use however you like. Whether investing, paying off debt, or creating a financial cushion, it can open up new opportunities for your future.

The First Step Toward Your Next Chapter

If you think you may be interested in downsizing, working with a real estate agent is your next step. Your agent will help you understand how much equity to have and how to use it. But they’ll do more than that. They’ll also help you navigate the entire process of selling your current home and finding one so you can transition smoothly into a new home and a new phase of life.

Bottom Line

If you plan to retire in 2025, now may be the perfect time to downsize and unlock the equity you’ve built up in your home. Let’s start planning your move now, so you’re set up to make every day feel like a Saturday.

Let’s face it — buying a home can feel like a challenge with today’s mortgage rates. You might even think, “Should I wait until spring when more homes hit the market and rates might be lower?”

But here’s the thin: no one knows where mortgage rates will go from here, and waiting could mean facing more competition, higher prices, and much more stress.

What if buying before the spring rush might give you the upper hand? Here are three reasons why that might be the case.

1. Less Competition from Other Buyers

The winter months tend to be quieter in the real estate market. Fewer people are actively looking for homes, so you’ll likely face less competition when you offer. This makes the process feel less rushed and less stressful.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes sit on the market longer in winter compared to spring and summer (see graph below):

Fewer buyers in the market means you’ll likely have more time to make thoughtful decisions. It also means you may have more negotiating power. According to the Alabama Association of Realtors:

“A significant benefit of buying a home in winter is the reduced competition. Because of the perceived benefits of spring, many buyers delay the start of their house hunt. As a result, you will find fewer people competing for the same properties during winter. Less demand can translate into more negotiating power as sellers may be more willing to entertain offers or agree to concessions to get a deal closed quickly.”

2. More Negotiating Power

With homes staying on the market longer, sellers may be more willing to negotiate. This can lead to better deals for you as a buyer, whether that means a lower price or added incentives, like sellers covering closing costs or making repairs. As Chen Zhao, an Economist at Redfin, points out:

“. . . buying during the off season means less competition from other buyers. That means potentially negotiating a better deal.”

In addition, sellers often feel more pressure to work with serious buyers when demand is lower. This could give you an edge when negotiating the best possible solution for your situation.

3. Lock in Today’s Prices Before They Rise

Historically, home prices have also been at their lowest point in winter. According to data from NAR, home prices last year were at their lowest in January, February, and March — right before the spring buying season kicked in (see graph below):

This trend isn’t new — Bright MLS shows that between 2010 and 2024, home prices in January and February were, on average, 15% lower than during peak home prices (typically June). Buying in the off-season means you’re more likely to avoid paying the premium prices that come with the high spring demand.

On top of that, home prices generally appreciate over time, meaning they tend to go up year after year. That means if you’re ready to buy and you can make it happen, you’re not only taking advantage of the lowest prices of the year but also locking in today’s price before it increases in the future.

Bottom Line

While spring may seem the apparent time to buy, moving before the peak season can offer significant advantages, such as less competition, more negotiation power, and lower prices.

If you’re ready to explore your options, let’s connect.

Some Highlights

• Last year, as many as one in three sellers took their homes off the market because they weren’t selling.
• If this happened to you, you shouldn’t be embarrassed. What you need are answers. A local real estate agent can help you determine whether the property was priced too high, needs some repairs, or didn’t get the correct exposure.
• If you still want to move, let’s discuss a new strategy and work together to sell your house.​

One big mistake you must avoid when selling your house this year is setting your price too high. While it might seem like overpricing gives you room to negotiate or could reduce your profit, it usually backfires.

Inaltor.com says almost 20% of sellers — that’s one in five — have to reduce their price to get their house sold. And you don’t want to be one of them. Here’s why starting too high can lead to trouble and how to avoid it.

Overpricing Pushes Buyers Away

With mortgage rates and home prices where they are right now, buyers are already stretching their budgets to make a move. So, when they see a house priced too high, they do not think, “I can negotiate.” They’re more likely to believe, next” and skip over your house entirely. An article from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

“Some sellers are pricing their homes higher than ever just because they can, but this may drive away serious buyers . . .”

If they skip over your listing, you’ll miss out on getting them through the door. That’s the last thing you want because fewer showings mean fewer chances to receive an offer.

The Longer Your House Sits, the More Skeptical Buyers Will Get

Here’s the other issue. An overpriced house tends to sit on the market longer. And the longer a house lingers, the more buyers wonder what’s wrong with it. Is there a problem with the house itself? Are you difficult to work with? Even if the only issue is the price, that extra time creates doubt. As U.S. News says:

“. . . setting an unrealistically high price with the idea that you can come down later doesn’t work in real estate . . . A home that’s overpriced in the beginning tends to stay on the market longer, even after the price is cut, because buyers think there must be something wrong with it.”

At that point, you’ll have no choice but to lower your price to drum up interest. However, that price reduction has its downside: buyers may see it as another red flag that the house has an issue.

The Key To Finding the Right Price for Your House

So, what’s the secret to avoiding all these headaches? It’s simple: Work with a local real estate agent who knows the market inside and out and will be honest with you about how much to price your house.

You don’t want to partner with someone who agrees with whatever number you throw out there. That’s not an expert who will get you the best results.

You want an agent who recommends a price based on their expertise. The right agent will use real-time data from your local market to help you land a price that makes sense — one that grabs attention, attracts buyers, and still enables you to walk away with a great return. Someone who has been there and done that – and done it well. That’s the agent you want to work with.

Bottom Line

Remember, if the price isn’t compelling, it won’t sell. Instead of shooting too high and scaring off buyers, work with a local agent who can price it right.

Let’s team up and make sure your house hits the market with the right price, gets noticed, and gets sold.

Today, 17% of homebuyers choose multi-generational homes — that’s when you buy a house with your parents, adult children, or distant relatives. What makes that noteworthy is that 17% is the highest level ever recorded by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). But what’s driving the recent rise in multi-generational living?

Top Benefits of Choosing a Multi-Generational Home

In the past, homebuyers often opted for multi-generational homes to make it easier to care for their parents. While that’s still a key reason, it’s not the only one. Right now, there’s another powerful motivator: affordability.

According to the latest NAR data, cost savings are the main reason more people are choosing to live with family today.

The rising cost of homeownership makes it harder for many people to afford a home. As a result, more families arepooling their resources to make bhome buyingpossible.

By combining incomes and sharing expenses like the mortgage, utility bills, and more, multi-generational living offers a way to overcome financial challenges that might otherwise put homeownership out of reach. As Rick Sharga, Founder, and CEO at CJ Patrick Company, explains:

“There are a few ways to improve affordability, at least marginally. . . purchase a property with a family member — there are a growing number of multi-generational households across the country today, and affordability is one of the reasons for this.”

You may even find it helps you afford a bigger home than you could have on your own. So, if you need more room but can’t afford it with today’s rates and prices, this could be an option to get still the space you need.

In addition to the financial benefits, spending more quality time together could bring your family closer and strengthen your bonds.

Bottom Line

Buying a multi-generational home might be worth exploring if you’re considering a move, especially if your budget is stretched too thin.

Let’s discuss your needs and find a unique home for your family

It’s easy to get caught up in waiting for the perfect moment to make your move – especially in today’s market. Maybe you’re holding out and hoping mortgage rates will drop or home prices will fall. But here’s what you need to realize: trying to time the market rarely works. And here’s why.

There is no perfect market.

No matter when you buy, there’s always some benefit and some trade-off – and that’s not bad. That’s just the reality of it. If you’re unsure you buy into that, think back to the last 5 years in housing.

Just a few years ago, mortgage rates hit a historic low. To take advantage of that, a ton of buyers rushed to buy a home and lock in those lower rates. The side effect? With such a significant increase in how many buyers were purchasing, the homes on the market snapped up fast. Since that resulted in so few homes left, being soldiers became the norm, and home prices went down the roof. Those buyers got a great rate but had other things to contend with.

Now, with higher rates and higher prices, it’s more expensive to buy. You can’t argue that. Simultaneously, the number of homes for sale has reached its highest point in several years. That means you have more options and are less likely to find yourself in a pull-out-all-the-stops bidding war. Again, there are benefits and trade-offs in any market.

So, if you have a reason to move and can afford to do so, you’ve got to take advantage of the trends that work in your favor and lean on a pro to help you navigate the rest. As Bankrate says:

“The complexities of the current conditions mean that, now more than ever, it’s smart to lean on the guidance of an experienced local real estate agent. If you want to enter the housing market in 2025, whether as a buyer or a seller, let a pro lead the way for you.”

While achieving your goals may feel like an uphill battle in today’s complex market, it is doable. But you’ll need the help of a trusted real estate agent and a lender.

Your agent will help you explore creative solutions – looking into different housing types (like smaller condos), considering homes that need some elbow grease, or casting a wider net for your search area. And your lender will walk you through different loan options and down payment assistance programs so you know what you need to do to make the numbers work for you. As Yahoo Finance says:

“Buying a house at a time when both mortgage rates and home prices are favorable is a challenge. You probably shouldn’t try to time the housing market . . . Buy when it makes sense for you personally.”

Bottom Line

There’s no perfect time to move—every market has pros and cons. The key is knowing how to maximize the factors in your favor. If you need to move and can afford it, let’s connect so you’ll have the guidance and tools to make it possible.

The latest 2025 forecasts show mortgage rates are projected to come down

slightly, prices are forecast to rise, and more homes will be available for sale.

Want to know more about what this could mean for your plans this year?

Let’s connect.

You may not know much about one essential step in the home-buying process: pre-approval. Here’s a rundown of what it is and why it’s necessary.

What Is Pre-Approval?

Pre-approval is like getting a green light from a lender. It lets you know how much they will let you borrow for a home. To determine that number, a lender looks at your financial history. According to Realtor.com, these are some of the documents a lender may ask you for during this process:

• W-2s from the last two years
• Tax returns from the previous two years
• Pay stubs from the previous 30 days
• Bank statements from the last 60 days
• Investment account statements (if applicable)
• Two years of history of where you’ve lived

The result? You’ll get a pre-approval letter showing what you can borrow. Remember that any changes in your finances can affect your pre-approval status. So, after you receive your letter, avoid switching jobs, applying for new credit cards or other loans, or taking out large sums of money from your savings.

How It Helps You Determine Your Borrowing Power

This year, home prices are expected to rise in most places, and mortgage rates are still showing some volatility. So, since affordability is still tight, it’s a good idea to talk to a lender about your home loan options and how today’s changing mortgage rates will impact your future monthly payment.

The pre-approval process is the perfect time for that. Because it determines the maximum amount you can borrow, pre-approval also helps you determine your budget. You should use this information to tailor your home search to what you’re comfortable with regarding a monthly mortgage payment. That way, you don’t fall in love with a house out of your comfort zone.

How It Helps You Stand Out

Once you find a home you want to offer, pre-approval has another big perk. It strengthens your offer and shows sellers you’ve already undergone a credit and financial check.

When a seller sees you as a serious buyer, they may be more attracted to your offer because it seems more likely to go through. As Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, says:

“Preapproval carries more weight because it means lenders have actually done more than a cursory review of your credit and your finances, but have instead reviewed your pay stubs, tax returns and bank statements. A preapproval means you’ve cleared the hurdles necessary to be approved for a mortgage up to a certain dollar amount.”

Bottom Line

If you plan on buying a home, getting pre-approved for a mortgage should be one of the first things on your to-do list. It will give you a better understanding of your borrowing power and put you in the best position possible to make a strong offer when you find a home you love. Connect with a trusted lender to learn more.

Are you hesitant to sell your house because you worry no one will buy at current rates and prices? Here’s some perspective that can help.

The market isn’t at a standstill. While there were fewer sales last year than in a normal market, roughly 4 million homes still sold (not including new construction), according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The number is expected to rise in 2025. That means more people will likely move this year and need homes to buy—like yours.

But even if we only match last year’s sales pace, here’s what that looks like.

Every Minute Homes Are Selling – Literally

• 4.15 million homes ÷ 365 days in a year = 11,370 homes sell each day
• 11,370 homes ÷ 24 hours in a day = 474 homes sell per hour
• 474 homes ÷ 60 minutes = roughly 8 homes sell every minute

Think about that. Just in the time it took you to read this, 8 homes sold.

If you’ve eighteen holding off on selling your house because you think buyers aren’t out there, let this reassure you – there are still buyers looking to buy.

Thousands of people need to buy homes every day. While higher home prices and mortgage rates have slowed the market and forced some buyers to the sidelines, that doesn’t mean the market isn’t active. Many buyers are still eager to move because life doesn’t require perfect market conditions.

With the right agent by your side, you can get your house in front of those buyers while other hesitant homeowners still pause their plans because they’re worried buyer demand has disappeared. Let’s get your home sold.

Bottom Line

On average, over 11,000 homes sell daily; you could be one of them. In the time it took you to read this, another 8 homes sold.

When you’reight ready to take the next step, let’s connect so you can hire an agent to create the perfect strategy.

Have you ever considered how much wealth you’ve built as a homeowner? As home values rise, so does your net worth. And, if you’ve been in your house for a few years (or longer), there’s a good chance you’re sitting on a pile of equity — maybe even more than you realize.

What Is Home Equity?

Home equity is the difference between what your house is worth and what you owe on your mortgage. For example, if your house is worth $500,000 and you still owe $200,000 on your home loan, you have $300,000 in equity. It’s essentially the wealth you’ve built through homeownership. Right now, homeowners across the country are seeing record amounts of equity.

According to Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the average homeowner with a mortgage has $319,000 in home equity.

Why Have Homeowners Gained So Much Equity?

The rise in home equity over the years can be credited to two key factors:

1. Significant Home Price Growth

Home prices have climbed dramatically in recent years. In fact, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), over the past five years, home prices nationwide have risen by 57.4% (see map below):

This appreciation means your house is likely worth much more now than when you first bought it.

2. Longer Tenure in Homes

Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows people are staying in their homes for a decade (see graph below):

This increased tenure means homeowners benefit more from home values growing over time. That’s because the longer someone has lived in their house, the more that home’s value has grown, directly increasing equity.

And if you’re one of those people who’s been in their home for 10 years or more, know this – according to NAR:

“Over the past decade, the typical homeowner has accumulated $201,600 in wealth solely from price appreciation.”

The Benefits of Having Home Equity

What does that mean for you? It means your house might be your most significant financial asset — and it could open up some exciting opportunities for your future. Let’s break it down.

• Moving to Your Next Home

Your equity could help you cover the down payment for your next home. Sometimes, it might even mean you can buy your next house all cash.

• Financing Home Improvements

Are you considering upgrading your kitchen, adding a home office, or tackling other projects? Your equity can provide the funds to make those improvements happen, increasing your home’s value and making it more enjoyable to live in.

• Getting a Business Going

If you’ve been dreaming about starting your own business, your equity could be the kickstart you need. Leveraging your home’s value, whether for startup costs, equipment, or marketing, can help bring your entrepreneurial goals to life.

Bottom Line

Whether you are considering selling, upgrading, or wanting to understand your options, your home equity is a powerful resource. Let’s connect and explore the possibilities if you’re wondering how much equity you’ve built or how you can use it to meet your goals.