http://kadeembry.com/blog/147/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ Selling your house this fall is absolutely doable. But there’s something you need to know about this time of year. Buyer activity typically starts to slow while the number of homes for sale climb – and you need the right strategy to get attention in this type of market.The good news? There’s a lot you can control.From how you price and present your house to how you negotiate and respond to feedback. Here are four things you’ll want to get right this fall. #1: Price To Get Buyers’ AttentionIn the fall, there are typically fewer buyers looking and more homes for them to choose from. So, you want to make the most of every buyer who comes across your house.And your price is one of the first things that can make them stop and take a closer look – or keep scrolling. That’s why this isn’t the time to start high “just to see what happens.”If buyers think your house is overpriced, they have plenty of other options to move on to. And that could leave you sitting and waiting.So, if you want to sell before year-end, work with your agent to find the right price for your house and today’s market. That may mean listing at market value – or even slightly below it – to grab buyers’ attention.Redfin explains how a seemingly small difference can change your buyer pool: “Buyers often search in round-number price brackets, so pricing at $499,000 instead of $505,000 can make your home appear in more searches and feel like a better deal.” #2: Make a Great First ImpressionWhen buyers had very few homes to choose from, they were often more willing to overlook dated finishes or a house that needed some work. That’s harder to count on now.With more choices, how your house looks online and in person can determine whether it makes a buyer’s shortlist at all.That doesn’t mean you need a full renovation before you sell, but you should take care of essential repairs, do what you can to boost curb appeal, and make sure your house photographs well. Maybe that’s some light staging, maybe it’s swapping out faucets or lights, or maybe a fresh coat of paint. Small details can help a lot.After all, you only get one chance to make that first impression. Make it count.#3: Stay Open To NegotiatingSome sellers are still expecting the kind of leverage they had a few years ago. But in many markets, buyers have more negotiating power today and there’s a lot more give and take.The latest data from Redfin shows 46.2% of sellers gave buyers some type of concession. So, consider throwing in a little help with closing costs or covering a repair. Almost half of sellers are.The takeaway? Playing hard ball may not get you what you want. But being flexible might. The key is not getting so focused on “winning” every individual negotiation that you lose sight of the bigger goal: making your move happen.Sometimes a small concession is what gets you to the closing table.#4: Know When It’s Time To AdjustSometimes your house tells you when something isn’t working. Maybe you’re getting plenty of online views but very few showings. Or buyers are coming through, but you’re not getting offers. Or maybe buyer feedback has one recurring theme.Pay attention to those signals. They can help you figure out what needs to change.Let’s say your price is the most common point of feedback. Talk to your agent about a price drop. It doesn’t have to be a big change to make a big difference. The average price cut right now is 4% according to HousingWire Data. That’s normal.Now, that doesn’t mean you should panic and slash your price after a week. It means you and your agent should pay attention to what buyers are telling you and adjust if you need to.Sometimes the smartest move isn’t waiting for the right buyer. It’s making sure you’re giving that buyer a reason to act.Bottom LineSelling this fall is absolutely doable. And now you know four of the biggest things to get right.If you want to sell before the end of the year, let’s make sure you have a winning strategy from day one. http://kadeembry.com/blog/147/10831/selling-this-fall?-you-want-to-get-these-4-things-right/ Mon, 28 Sep 2026 07:52:52 -0700 Most people think a newly built home costs more than an existing one. But right now, that’s actually backwards. Newly built homes are more affordable than existing ones in a lot of markets. And that’s because builders are cutting prices and stacking on incentives to try to keep their inventory moving.Here’s why that’s really important for any would-be homebuyer to know.Newly Built Homes Are the Better Deal Right NowAccording to the latest data from the Census and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), a newly built home now typically costs about $40,000 less than an existing one (see graph below):Builders aren’t like homeowners who can wait for the right offer. Unsold homes cost them money as long as they sit empty. So, builders cut prices and add incentives to keep them moving. That trend has carried into August. NAHB’s latest numbers:35% of builders cut prices, with an average reduction of 6%. 63% offered incentives like covering closing costs or buying down your mortgage rate. And those incentives can make a real dent in what you pay upfront and every month after. Plus, since everything is new and many builders offer warranties, you could save on home maintenance costs too. And with affordability where it is, every dollar counts.So, don’t cross new builds off your list just yet. Yes, you may think they cost more, but that’s not always the case. If you can get brand-new everything for less than buying an existing home, isn’t that at least worth looking into? Don’t Let the Builder Pick Your TeammateBut before you tour a single model home, there's one thing worth figuring out first – who's actually working for you once you walk through that door.That friendly rep in the builder's sales office works for the builder, not you. Their job is to protect the builder's bottom line, not yours. Your own agent flips that. They know the local market, so they can tell you if the builder's price and upgrades stack up against other options nearby. They'll negotiate on your behalf, whether that's a lower price, free upgrades, or a rate buydown. A good agent will also push for a home inspection. Builders won’t always bring it up, but it’s a step you shouldn’t skip, even on a new build. And your agent will be in your corner, so you know what you’re buying and get the best deal possible. Bottom LineNew homes may actually cost less than an existing home right now. And that’s opening up a window for you to get brand-new for less.If you want a list of new home communities near you that are currently offering incentives or doing price cuts, let’s connect. That way you have someone in your corner helping you get the best deal possible.   http://kadeembry.com/blog/147/10829/think-new-homes-cost-more?-not-right-now/ Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:08:58 -0700  If buying a home is on your radar, you've probably been keeping an eye on mortgage rates and home prices. But don’t forget about homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance has always been part of owning a home. But over the past few years, it's become a larger expense for many homeowners – something that's especially frustrating when affordability already feels tight.The good news? While premiums are still rising, the latest data shows those increases are beginning to slow. Here's what buyers should know.Home Insurance Costs Have Gone UpYou've probably heard stories from friends or family about their premiums going up. And that’s not really a surprise when you consider data from the Pew Research Center shows 71% of homeowners say their insurance costs have gone up over the past few years.While no one likes rising costs, knowing what to expect can help you plan ahead. Your first insurance payment is typically included in your closing costs, but after that it'll become part of your monthly housing expenses.Getting an insurance quote early can help you build a more realistic budget and avoid surprises later.Premiums Are Rising, But Not as Fast as They WereMost of the headlines focus on how home insurance is getting more expensive. And that's true. But here’s the part that’s easy to miss.Insurance premiums are still rising.But they're not rising as fast as they were.According to the latest report from Rate Insurance, 2025 saw the first slowdown in annual premium increases since 2019 (see graph below): That doesn't mean premiums are getting cheaper. It simply means the rapid increases of the past several years may finally be starting to ease – a small but welcome step in the right direction.But what you’ll pay in one part of the country can look very different from what someone pays somewhere else.Where You Buy Can Make a Big DifferenceInsurance costs vary because some parts of the country experience more claims than others. That's why it's important to look at what's happening locally.Your premium will depend on things like where you're buying, the home itself, and the coverage you choose.Forbes data can give a rough idea of your state’s typical premiums. Check out the map below – the darker the blue, the higher the costs tend to be in that state:Ways To Lower Your CostsWhile you can't control every cost that comes with buying a home, you can control how prepared you are. If you’re crunching the numbers and trying to find ways to save, Insurify and NerdWallet offer these tips that can help you get the best insurance price possible:Shop Around – Compare quotes from multiple companies.Bundle Policies – Combine home and auto to see if a bundle price is cheaper.Ask If There Are Discounts – Don’t miss out on savings you may qualify for.Highlight Upgrades – Features like a new roof or storm windows can cut costs.Improve Your Credit – A stronger credit score can mean better premiums.One of the smartest things you can do is get an insurance quote before you make an offer. That way, you'll know what your monthly housing costs are likely to be before you commit.An insurance professional can walk you through your options and help you find coverage that fits both your needs and your budget.Bottom LineHomeowners insurance has become a bigger part of the homebuying conversation. But it doesn't have to become a bigger source of stress.The key is knowing what to expect before you buy. Get an insurance quote early, factor it into your budget, and lean on trusted local professionals to help you make the most informed decision possible. http://kadeembry.com/blog/147/10826/buying-a-home?-here's-what-you-should-know-about-home-insurance-costs/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:13:03 -0700  Saving for a down payment can feel like the hardest part of buying a home. And with affordability as tight as it’s been lately, it’s fair to wonder how anyone manages it right now. Here’s something you may not have seen coming. Some people are getting their foot in the door with a smaller down payment.According to Realtor.com, the typical buyer put down about $23,400 in early 2026 – that's around $5,000 below what was typical the year before (a 19% drop year over year). That’s the lowest down payments have been since 2021 (see graph below):So why are buyers putting less money down, and how can you put less down, too? Here’s your answer.Why Down Payments Are Getting SmallerThere are a few things driving the trend:Less competition between buyers. Part of it comes down to a more balanced market. With buyers facing less competition than they did a few years ago, there’s less pressure to put a big sum down just to stand out.More moderate home prices. Your down payment is a percentage of the purchase price. So, as price growth cools, the amount you need to put down may change too. In a lot of markets, prices have slowed or leveled off, and some areas are even seeing slight dips. That can translate into smaller down payments.Buyers opting for loans with lower down payments. More buyers are also turning to government-backed loans, like FHA and VA, which often need little or no money down. FHA loans have made up more than 24% of purchase mortgages for five straight quarters, and VA loans recently hit their highest share in over a decade, according to Mortgage Professional America.But even a smaller down payment is still a significant chunk of cash, and saving it can be hard. So where does the rest come from? For many buyers, two things make the difference: programs built to help, and a hand from loved ones.Help You May Not Know You Qualify ForDown payment assistance is one of the most overlooked tools out there. Looking at the 10 largest U.S. metros, Urban Institute and Down Payment Resource found nearly 44% of recent buyers already qualified for a down payment program, but many of them closed on their loan without tapping the help (see chart below):The options are broader than you might assume, too. According to Down Payment Resource:There are more than 2,600 down payment assistance programs availableMore than half (62%) are designed to help first-time buyers38% have no first-time buyer requirement, so you may qualify even if you've owned before62% are open to buyers earning $100,000 or moreA Boost from Loved OnesFor a growing number of buyers, help comes from closer to home. Research from Veterans United shows about 59% of parents have provided or plan to provide financial support to help their child buy a home.That support most often goes toward the down payment, followed by help qualifying for a mortgage and covering closing costs. Chris Birk, VP of Mortgage Insight at Veterans United, puts it this way:“For many families, helping a child buy a home has become less of an optional gesture and more of a practical response to today’s affordability challenges.”If your loved ones are in a position to help, it can make a real difference in how soon you can buy.Bottom LineDown payments are smaller than they’ve been in years, and that opens the door for more buyers.And with added help from assistance programs and a little help from loved ones, you may have more ways forward than you realized. Connect with a trusted lender to talk through your options. http://kadeembry.com/blog/147/10824/down-payments-are-smaller-than-they’ve-been-since-2021/ Thu, 09 Jul 2026 01:59:17 -0700 If the housing market feels confusing right now, you’re not alone.Mortgage rates have risen. Home sales haven't picked up like expected. And many buyers and sellers are wondering when things are going to feel easier or be more affordable.The truth is: a lot changed over the first half of this year.Back at the end of 2025, economists were forecasting a much stronger housing market for 2026. They expected mortgage rates to come down, affordability to improve more dramatically, and home sales to rebound.But lingering inflation, economic uncertainty, and growing geopolitical tensions overseas pushed mortgage rates higher than expected. And because rates stayed elevated for longer, many buyers continued to hold off.That’s why experts recently revised their housing forecasts for the rest of the year (see graph below):So, what does this actually mean for you? Let’s break it down.Mortgage Rates May Remain ElevatedWhile just about everyone wants mortgage rates to go back to the uppers 5s or low 6s we saw at the start of the year, as of right now, the experts don’t think that’s likely to happen this year.Instead, forecasts have been updated from the low 6s they originally projected. Many industry organizations are saying rates will stay in roughly the mid 6s this year. The good news is, that’s still lower than rates were a year ago.Of course, this is based on what we know today. If the conflict overseas comes to an end or inflation drops, this could change. But if you’re waiting for lower rates, it may not pay off in the way you expect.Existing Home Sales Revised LowerBack in late 2025, experts expected we’d sell an average of 4.5 million homes this year. Now? That’s dropped down a bit to 4.2 million.That tells us something important: buyers are still hesitant because affordability remains challenging.Higher mortgage rates have made monthly payments harder to manage, especially for first-time buyers. And that’s slowed the pace of the market compared to what was originally expected. But even though the forecast was revised down, we’re still expected to sell more homes than last year. Once geopolitical tensions resolve and rates begin to settle down, many experts believe that group of buyers will be ready to jump back in. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, explains:“There is sizable pent-up demand that could be released into the market.”There has already been a few glimmers of renewed hope lately. In recent months, pending homes sale have been improving month-over-month despite higher rates.So, if you’re able to afford a home at today’s rates, it could still make sense to buy now. Because otherwise, if you wait, you’ll have more competition (and potentially fewer homes to choose from) when those others buyers jump back in.New Home Sales Also SlowedBuilders also expected to have a stronger year. Earlier forecasts projected new home sales would top 700k in 2026. Now, economists expect we'll be just shy of that number.Again, mortgage rates are a major reason why.But the upside for buyers is that builders may be even more motivated to sell. That means builder incentives, negotiation opportunities, and pricing flexibility may continue in many markets. So, if you live somewhere where there’s more new construction, this may actually be a bright spot for you.Builders could be more ready to negotiate, and that gives you more leverage to get a better deal.Home Prices Are Still Expected To RiseThis is one of the most important takeaways from the entire forecast. Even though sales activity is slower, on average, experts did not revise their home price forecast downward.They still expect prices to rise nationally this year.Why? Because while buyer demand has softened, the number of homes for sale is still relatively limited overall. That imbalance is helping support prices, even in a slower market.Of course, conditions vary depending on where you live. Some markets are cooling more than others. But nationally, experts are still projecting steady price growth — not a major decline. And that should be a comfort whether you’re buying or selling.Because sellers don’t want a major drop in prices. And while buyers may think they do, generally you feel better about a big purchase when it doesn’t depreciate right away.Bottom LineThe housing market hasn’t rebounded as quickly as experts originally hoped. But that doesn’t mean it’s stalled.Higher inflation and lingering economic uncertainty caused economists to revise their forecasts for this year. But importantly, when those two things settle down, many experts believe the market will regain its momentum.So don’t see this revision in forecasts as a sign of trouble. See it as a temporary reaction to overall conditions and uncertainty.If you want to know what’s happening in our local market, and what it could mean for your plans for the rest of this year, let’s connect. http://kadeembry.com/blog/147/10821/the-mid-year-housing-market-update:-why-forecasts-changed-in-2026/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 02:15:43 -0700