"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill - As we head into the last month of the last quarter of 2025, what a strange year it's been for the post-pandemic housing market! With the current market all but frozen over it's no wonder that more people are choosing to rent rather than buy. In "normal times"--if there is such a thing anymore-- this increased demand for rentals usually leads to rental prices going up. And in some major metros that is still the case (think New York City, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley). But even as the demand for rentals has increased many rental prices continue to drop. This flies in the face of "normal" and indicates further troubles ahead for the housing market. But … [Read more...] about How a Strong Rental Market Is Good News for Agents
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Ways to Celebrate Winter Solstice with Hygge
Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere typically occurs on December 21st or 22nd and is recognized as the shortest day (and longest night) of the year. As such, there is no better way to beat the winter blues than with the practice of "hygge." Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) hails from Denmark and is a cultural practice that embraces feeling warm, cozy and safe. In fact, the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen claims that it is because of Danes' adherence to everything "hygge-ly" that they are rated as the happiest country in the world. Following are some tips on how to celebrate winter solstice with hygge: … [Read more...] about Ways to Celebrate Winter Solstice with Hygge
Ways to Avoid Deal Cancellations
Owning a home has many advantages, such as being able to call your own shots and building equity over time. After all, it's a foundational part of the American Dream. But it can also be expensive, especially when it comes to maintenance and repairs. Meanwhile, would-be homeowners are being further spooked with high interest rates, high property taxes, expensive insurance and an uncertain employment market. As such, many buyers are priced out of the market altogether or choosing to sit on the sidelines in the hope that prices will ratchet down. In today's market dynamics, renting often makes more sense than buying. Recent statistics show that almost 15% of pending home sales fell through in the month of June alone. A good number of buyers are choosing to back out of deals as they sense a … [Read more...] about Ways to Avoid Deal Cancellations
7 Timely Home Maintenance Tips for July
Staying on top of home maintenance projects is always a great habit. The best way to prevent "deferred maintenance"--a dreaded term in real estate--is to attend to problems as soon as you notice them. For example, letting those gutters stay plugged will eventually lead to roof and foundation problems, both of which are much more serious and costly than a clogged gutter. As they say, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." So, in the spirit of efficient home maintenance here are 7 timely home maintenance tips for July: … [Read more...] about 7 Timely Home Maintenance Tips for July
How to Make a Good First Impression with Your Home
Whether you're looking to sell or just want to show pride of ownership, here's how to make a good first impression with your home: … [Read more...] about How to Make a Good First Impression with Your Home