Buyer questions. Seller questions. Holiday-table debates about Zillow alerts and Aunt Sally’s slow-moving condo. The past few weeks have served up all of it. And here is the good part. When you cut through the headlines and look at the real data, buyers sit up straighter and homeowners stop worrying about every blip in their Zestimate. Below is a clear, easy to skim Q&A that breaks down what is actually happening in the housing market […]
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The 2026 housing market is already taking shape, and buyers and homeowners want to know one thing: Will the road finally get smoother? National forecasts from NAR, Realtor.com, and Zillow hint at gradual but meaningful progress. Nothing dramatic. No sudden reset. But definitely a slow slide back toward balance. Below is a clear breakdown of what the experts see coming and how it could influence your next move. Sales Activity: Slow Improvement, Not a Surge […]
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Back in 2020 and 2021, we reimagined home life overnight. Dining rooms turned into offices, spare bedrooms became classrooms, and backyards took on a new role as sanctuaries. Fast-forward to the end of 2025, and the conversation has shifted. It’s no longer about reacting to life at home. It’s about refining it. Today’s buyers are paying closer attention to how a home feels and functions day to day. Light, flow, efficiency, and comfort matter more […]
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The headlines love drama. NAR lawsuits, new commission rules, and endless online shouting matches can make it seem like real estate as we know it is collapsing. The truth looks very different once you dig into the data. This year, a record 91% of home sellers hired a real estate agent. That is the highest share ever reported. FSBO sales dropped to just 5 percent. Nearly every seller chose professional guidance because the results speak […]
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If it feels like first-time buyers are getting older, you’re right. The 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of REALTORS® found that the median age of a first-time home buyer is now 40 years old—the highest ever recorded. That’s up from 38 last year and far beyond the late 20s typical in the 1980s. What’s behind the shift? Let’s unpack it. Buying a Home Really Is Harder Only 21% of […]
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When you’re buying a home, your smartest financial move might not be what you buy—it’s who you borrow from. A Realtor.com® analysis of nearly two million loans found that borrowers who compared multiple lenders saved an average of $44,000 over the life of a 30-year mortgage. That’s right—just a few extra quotes could mean tens of thousands in long-term savings. If you’re planning to buy a home in Northern Virginia or the Eastern Panhandle and […]
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Some homes rise fast and sell in days. Others? They quietly fade, buried under price cuts and low traffic. If your listing in Northern Virginia or the Eastern Panhandle has gone cold this fall, don’t panic—it’s not cursed. It’s just out of sync with the market. According to Realtor.com, delistings are up 47% as sellers pull their homes out of frustration. But most of those homes didn’t need to die; they needed a different strategy. […]
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You don’t need ghosts to scare off a buyer. Sometimes it’s not the supernatural—it’s the smell of cat litter, cluttered counters, or a door that just won’t open. According to a Real Estate Witch survey, 52% of Americans would buy a haunted house if the price was right. But in reality, it’s not spirits that send buyers fleeing—it’s the small, overlooked details sellers forget to fix, clean, or disclose. Here are the top red flags […]
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Every October, haunted houses aren’t the only things scaring people. Real estate myths have been haunting social feeds and open houses for years—and some just won’t die. Let’s put a few of these to rest. Below, we’re separating fact from fiction on some of the most common myths we hear in today’s market. Myth #1: You need 20% down to buy a home Truth: You don’t need a full 20% to buy. The real horror […]
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Fixer-uppers are hotter than ever. Searches for homes in need of TLC have tripled since 2021, and these listings now rack up 50% more online views than similar properties. The appeal is clear: lower prices and the chance to customize. But with those benefits come risks that can drain your wallet and patience if you’re not prepared. So—is a fixer-upper worth it? Let’s break down the rewards, risks, and what you should watch for before […]
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