Each month, we publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners -- money-saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, etc. Whether you currently are in the market for a new home, or not, we hope that this information is of value to you. Please feel free to pass these articles on to your family and friends.
Real Estate Newsletter – September 2026
In This Issue:
How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent for You
Learn what to look for before choosing the professional who will guide your move.
Read More »Disclosures That Keep You Protected and Informed
Understand why disclosure matters and how it can protect buyers and sellers during a transaction.
Read More »Why Schools and Amenities Matter Even If You Don’t Have Kids
See how neighborhood features can influence lifestyle, demand, and long-term resale value.
Read More »
How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent for You
Choosing the right real estate agent can have a major impact on your buying or selling experience. The right agent does more than open doors or place a sign on the lawn. They help you understand the market, make confident decisions, avoid unnecessary risk, and negotiate with strategy. Whether you are buying your first home, selling a long-time property, or moving into a new community, the professional you choose should match your goals, communication style, and expectations.
1. Start With Experience That Matches Your Situation
Not every real estate transaction is the same. A first-time buyer needs a different level of education and guidance than an experienced investor. A seller with a rural property has different concerns than a condo owner. A family relocating to a new area may need detailed neighborhood insight, while someone downsizing may need support with timing, staging, and transition planning. The best agent for you is not simply the busiest agent or the one with the most advertising. It is the one with experience that fits the type of move you are making.
2. Look For Local Market Knowledge
Real estate is local. Prices, buyer demand, inventory, competition, and neighborhood expectations can vary from one community to another. A strong agent should be able to explain recent sales, active competition, pricing trends, and what buyers or sellers are doing in your specific area. General market headlines are useful, but they do not replace local insight. You want an agent who can explain what is happening on the street level, not only at the national or regional level.
3. Pay Attention To Communication Style
A real estate transaction often involves deadlines, documents, decisions, and emotion. Good communication matters. Before choosing an agent, notice how they respond. Do they answer clearly? Do they explain without making you feel rushed? Do they listen to your concerns? Do they follow up when they say they will? The right agent should communicate in a way that gives you confidence, not confusion. If communication feels difficult before you hire them, it may become more stressful during the transaction.
4. Ask About Strategy, Not Just Activity
Many agents can describe what they do, but the stronger question is why they do it. For sellers, ask how they determine pricing, prepare the home, position the listing, attract qualified buyers, and handle negotiations. For buyers, ask how they identify value, structure offers, protect your interests, and help you avoid overpaying. A good agent should have a strategy, not just a checklist. Activity is helpful only when it is connected to a clear plan.
5. Review Marketing Carefully When Selling
If you are selling, marketing can influence both exposure and buyer perception. Look at the agent’s listing photos, descriptions, online presentation, social media use, video, floor plans, and property preparation process. Buyers often decide whether to visit a property based on what they see online. Poor marketing can weaken interest before buyers ever walk through the door. Strong marketing should make the property look attractive while still being accurate and trustworthy.
6. Understand Their Negotiation Approach
Negotiation is one of the most important parts of real estate. The right agent should understand price, terms, conditions, timing, buyer motivation, seller motivation, and risk. A strong negotiator does not simply push for a win at all costs. They protect your position while keeping the transaction realistic and moving forward. Ask how the agent handles multiple offers, low offers, inspection issues, appraisal problems, financing concerns, or difficult closing timelines.
7. Look For Honesty, Even When It Is Not What You Want To Hear
A valuable agent will tell you the truth, not just what sounds good. Sellers may need honest feedback about price, condition, staging, or market expectations. Buyers may need to hear that a property is overpriced, risky, or not aligned with their goals. Advice that feels uncomfortable at first can prevent expensive mistakes later. Choose an agent who is willing to protect your long-term interest, even when the message is not the easiest one to deliver.
8. Choose Fit, Not Just Popularity
Reviews, referrals, and recognition can be helpful, but personal fit still matters. You should feel comfortable asking questions, expressing concerns, and relying on your agent’s guidance. A good fit includes trust, professionalism, responsiveness, knowledge, and shared expectations. The best real estate relationship is a partnership. You bring your goals, and the agent brings the expertise to help you reach them.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right real estate agent is one of the most important decisions you make before buying or selling. The right professional should understand your goals, explain the market clearly, communicate well, negotiate strategically, and tell you the truth. A strong agent does not simply help you complete a transaction. They help you make better decisions from start to finish.
Disclosures That Keep You Protected and Informed
Disclosures play an important role in real estate because they help buyers understand what they are purchasing and help sellers communicate known information about the property. A disclosure is not simply paperwork. It is part of creating a transparent transaction. Buyers benefit because they can make better decisions, ask better questions, and evaluate risk more clearly. Sellers benefit because proper disclosure can reduce misunderstandings and help protect them after the sale.
1. Understand What Disclosure Means
Disclosure means sharing important information that may affect a buyer’s decision or the value, condition, or use of the property. This can include known defects, past repairs, water issues, structural concerns, renovations, permits, boundary issues, environmental concerns, or other material facts. Exact requirements vary by location, but the principle is simple. Relevant known information should not be hidden from the other party.
2. Why Buyers Should Read Disclosures Carefully
Buyers sometimes rush through disclosure documents because they are eager to secure a home. That is a mistake. Disclosures can reveal past leaks, insurance claims, repairs, additions, renovations, appliance issues, or neighborhood factors. These details may not automatically mean the buyer should walk away, but they should be reviewed carefully. A disclosure can help the buyer decide what questions to ask, what inspections to order, and what risks to consider before removing conditions or moving forward.
3. Why Sellers Should Be Honest And Thorough
Sellers may worry that disclosing problems will scare buyers away. In reality, hiding known issues can create bigger problems later. Buyers are often more comfortable with a property when they feel the seller is being transparent. A known issue that is clearly explained, documented, or already repaired may be less damaging than a surprise discovered during inspection. Honest disclosure supports trust and can reduce the risk of disputes after closing.
4. Disclosure Is Not The Same As A Warranty
A disclosure statement is not usually a guarantee that nothing is wrong with the property. It is a statement of what the seller knows or has experienced, depending on the form and legal requirements in the area. Buyers should not treat disclosure as a replacement for due diligence. Inspections, professional advice, document review, and careful questioning still matter. Disclosure is one source of information, not the only source.
5. Renovations And Permits Deserve Attention
Renovations can add value, but they can also create risk if they were completed without permits, inspections, or proper workmanship. Buyers should ask whether major work was done, when it was completed, who completed it, and whether documentation is available. Sellers should gather permits, receipts, warranties, contractor invoices, and inspection records before listing. Good documentation can strengthen buyer confidence and support the property’s value.
6. Water And Moisture Issues Should Be Taken Seriously
Water is one of the most important disclosure categories. Past basement leaks, roof leaks, plumbing issues, drainage problems, mould concerns, or foundation moisture should be reviewed carefully. A past issue does not always mean an ongoing problem, especially if repairs were completed properly. However, buyers should understand what happened, what was done to correct it, and whether there is supporting documentation. Sellers should be prepared to explain known history clearly.
7. Buyers Should Ask Follow-Up Questions
A disclosure may raise questions that need clarification. Buyers should not hesitate to ask for more detail. For example, if a seller discloses a past leak, the buyer may ask when it happened, what caused it, who repaired it, and whether the issue returned. If a renovation was completed, the buyer may ask for permits or invoices. Asking questions does not mean the buyer is being difficult. It means the buyer is making an informed decision.
8. Good Disclosure Supports A Smoother Transaction
Transparent disclosure can prevent surprises during inspection, reduce negotiation tension, and help both sides move forward with clearer expectations. Sellers who prepare disclosure information before listing often appear more organized and credible. Buyers who review disclosure carefully are less likely to feel blindsided later. In a real estate transaction, clarity is valuable.
Conclusion:
Disclosures help create informed, transparent real estate transactions. Buyers should read them carefully, ask questions, and use them alongside inspections and professional advice. Sellers should be honest, organized, and prepared to provide supporting documentation when possible. Disclosure is not just about legal protection. It is about building trust and reducing avoidable problems before they become expensive ones.
Why Schools and Amenities Matter Even If You Don’t Have Kids
Many buyers assume schools only matter to families with children, but schools and amenities can influence much more than daily convenience. They can affect neighborhood demand, resale value, quality of life, and long-term market strength. Even if you do not have children, the features around a property can shape how desirable that home will be to future buyers. This report explains why schools, parks, transit, shopping, recreation, and community services deserve attention in almost every buying decision.
1. Amenities Shape Daily Life
A home is not only the building you live in. It is also the life that surrounds it. Grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, parks, trails, gyms, medical services, transit, and community centres all affect convenience. A property that offers easy access to daily needs can save time and reduce stress. Even buyers who love privacy or quiet should still consider how far they are from the services they use most.
2. Schools Influence Buyer Demand
School reputation can influence demand even for buyers who do not have children. Many future buyers may care deeply about school access, and that can affect resale. Homes near desirable schools often attract broader interest because families may prioritize those locations. A buyer who ignores schools completely may overlook an important resale factor.
3. Resale Value Is About Future Buyers
When buying a home, it is easy to focus only on your personal needs. However, resale value depends on what future buyers will want. Even if schools, parks, or transit do not matter much to you today, they may matter to the person who eventually buys the property from you. A home with broad appeal is often easier to sell when market conditions change.
4. Walkability Can Increase Appeal
Walkability is attractive to many buyers because it supports convenience, lifestyle, and community connection. Being able to walk to coffee shops, parks, schools, shops, or transit can make a property more desirable. Walkability can be especially important for downsizers, young professionals, families, and buyers who want to reduce driving. Even in car-focused communities, nearby amenities can add value.
5. Transportation Access Matters
Commute time affects quality of life. Access to highways, public transit, major employment areas, and regional routes can influence buyer decisions. A beautiful home can become frustrating if daily travel is difficult. Buyers should evaluate not only the distance to work or school, but also traffic patterns, transit options, parking, and future transportation plans.
6. Parks And Recreation Add Lifestyle Value
Green space, trails, sports facilities, playgrounds, waterfront areas, and recreation centres can improve day-to-day living. These features support wellness, social connection, and outdoor activity. They also make neighborhoods more appealing to a wide range of buyers. Properties near valued community features may hold stronger long-term interest.
7. Future Development Can Change A Neighborhood
Amenities are not only about what exists today. Planned infrastructure, commercial development, schools, parks, and transit improvements can change the desirability of a neighborhood over time. Buyers should look at current amenities and future plans. A neighborhood with improving services may offer long-term upside, while one facing congestion or poorly planned growth may require more caution.
8. Balance Amenities With Affordability
The most amenity-rich neighborhoods often cost more. Buyers need to decide which features are worth paying for and which can be compromised. Some buyers may prefer a smaller home in a convenient area. Others may prefer more space farther from services. The right decision depends on lifestyle, budget, and long-term plans. A thoughtful buyer weighs both convenience and financial comfort.
Conclusion:
Schools and amenities matter because they influence lifestyle, demand, and future resale value. Even buyers without children should consider how neighborhood features affect the property’s long-term appeal. A strong location is not only about the house itself. It is about the services, convenience, and community around it. Buyers who evaluate schools and amenities carefully are better positioned to choose a property that works today and remains attractive tomorrow.
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The 3 Things You Risk by Pricing Too HighWhen selling your house, the price you choose isn’t just a number, it's a strategy. And in today’s market, that strategy needs to be sharp. The number of homes for sale is climbing. And that means buyers have more choices and can be more selective. If your price doesn’t line up with what else is out there, they’ll scroll right past it and go on to the next one. Pricing right from the start is your best move – and a great agent can help make sure you do. And more sellers are finding that out the hard way. They list their house based on how things were a year ago – or based on a neighbor’s sale that happened under completely different circumstances. Then, when their house doesn’t sell, they’re left with three tough choices: None of those options were part of the original plan. And honestly, none of them are where you should end up if you wanted to sell. Here’s a look at how a local agent’s expertise can help you avoid these headaches. Let's use price cuts as an example. While the number of price cuts is up nationally, data shows some parts of the country are seeing far more of them than others. It all comes down to how much inventory has grown in that area (see map below): That means pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all. What’s happening nationally might not reflect what’s happening in your zip code, and that’s why you shouldn’t try to determine your list price on your own. A skilled agent doesn’t just toss out a number. As Zillow says: And that’s all knowledge your agent will have. They study your local market, compare recent sales, and factor in your goals and buyer behavior. Based on what’s happening where you live, sometimes the best play will be pricing right at current market value. Other times pricing a little lower actually will spark more offers and ultimately get you a better final sale price. So don’t skimp on the strategy or on your agent. With their local market know-how, you’ll be able to sell quickly, even in a shifting market. Overpricing can lead to tough choices you never want to face. But with the right price, and the right guidance, you can skip the stress and sell with confidence. Let’s connect so you have a pricing strategy that works for today’s market and gets you where you want to go.
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Why Most Sellers Hire Real Estate Agents TodaySelling your house without an agent as a “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO) may be something you’ve considered. But you should know that, in today’s shifting market, more homeowners are deciding that’s just not worth the risk. According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the number of homeowners selling without an agent has hit an all-time low (see graph below): A recent survey finds three out of every four homeowners who don’t plan to use an agent have doubts about whether that’s actually the right decision. And here’s why. The market is changing – not in a bad way, just in a way that requires a smarter, more strategic approach. And having a real estate expert in your corner really pays off. Here are just two of the ways an agent's expertise makes a difference. One of the biggest hurdles when selling a house on your own is figuring out the right price. It’s not as simple as picking a number that sounds good or selling your house for what your neighbor’s sold for a few years back – you need to hit the bullseye for where the market is right now. Without an agent’s help, you’re more likely to miss the mark. As Zillow explains: Basically, they know what’s really selling, what buyers are willing to pay in your area, and how to position your house to sell quickly. That kind of insight can have a big impact, especially in a market that’s balancing out. There’s also a mountain of documentation when selling a house, including everything from disclosures to contracts. And a mistake can have big legal implications. This is another area where having an agent can help. They’ve handled these documents countless times and know exactly what’s needed to keep everything on track, so you avoid delays. And now that buyers are including more contingencies again and asking for concessions, your agent will guide you through each form step by step, making sure it’s done right and documented correctly the first time. Now that the number of homes for sale has grown, homes aren’t selling at quite the same pace they were. But you can still sell quickly if you have a proven plan to help your house stand out. Just remember, homeowners don’t have the same network or marketing tools an experienced agent does. So, if you want the process to happen fast, you’ll likely want a pro by your side. Having the right agent and the right strategy is key in a shifting market. Let’s connect so you don’t have to take this on solo – and so you can list with confidence, knowing you’ve got expert guidance from day one.
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Newly Built Homes May Be Less Expensive Than You ThinkDo you think a brand-new home means a bigger price tag? Think again. Right now, something unique is happening in the housing market. According to the Census and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median price of newly built homes is actually lower than the median price for existing homes (ones that have already been lived in): 1. Builders Are Building Smaller Homes Builders know that buyers are struggling with affordability today. So, instead of building big houses that may not sell, they’re building smaller ones that will. According to the Census, the average size of a newly built single-family home has dropped considerably over the past few years (see graph below): 2. Builders Are Offering Price Cuts and Incentives In May, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 34% of builders lowered their prices, with an average price drop of 5%. That’s because they want to be sure they’re selling the inventory they have before they build more. On top of that, 61% of builders also offered sales incentives – like helping with closing costs or buying down your mortgage rate. These are all ways builders are making their homes more affordable, so these homes sell in today’s market. If you're trying to buy a home right now, be sure to talk to your agent to find out what builders are doing in and around your area. They can find new home communities, as well as builders who are offering incentives or discounts, and hidden gems you might not uncover on your own. Plus, buying a newly built home often means there are different steps in the process than if you purchase a home that’s been lived in before. That’s why it’s so important to have your own agent who can explain the fine print. You want a pro in your corner to advocate for you, negotiate on your behalf, and make sure your best interests come first. You could get a home that’s brand new, with modern features, at a price that’s even lower than some older homes. Let’s talk about what you’re looking for and see if a newly built home is the right fit for you. If buying a home is on your to-do list, what would stop you from exploring newly built options?
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A Tale of Two Housing MarketsFor a long time, the housing market was all sunshine for sellers. Homes were flying off the shelves, and buyers had to compete like crazy. But lately, things are starting to shift. Some areas are still super competitive for buyers, while others are seeing more homes sit on the market, giving buyers a bit more breathing room. In other words, it’s a tale of two markets, and knowing which one you’re in makes a huge difference when you move. In a buyer’s market, there are a lot of homes for sale, and not as many people buying. With fewer buyers competing for these homes, that means they generally sit on the market longer, they might not sell for as much as they would in a seller’s market, and buyers have more room to negotiate. On the flip side, in a seller’s market, there aren’t enough homes for sale for the number of buyers who are trying to purchase them. Homes sell faster, sellers often get multiple offers, and prices shoot higher because buyers are willing to pay more to win the home. For years, almost every market in the country was a strong seller’s market. That made it tough for buyers – especially first-timers. But now, things are shifting. According to Zillow, the national housing market is balancing out (see graph below): The orange bars in the middle of the graph show the years when sellers had their strongest advantage, from 2020 to early 2022. But, as time has gone on, the market has become more balanced. It shifted from a strong seller’s market to a less intense one. And lately, it's been neutral more than anything else (that’s the gray bars on the right side of the graph). That means buyers are gaining some negotiating power again. In a more balanced or neutral market, homes tend to stay on the market a little longer, bidding wars are less common, and sellers may need to make more concessions – like price reductions or helping with closing costs. That shift gives today’s buyers more opportunities and less competition than a couple of years ago. Inventory plays a big role. When there are more homes for sale, buyers have more options – and that cools down home price growth. As data from Realtor.com shows, the supply of available homes for sale isn’t growing at the same rate everywhere (see graph below): The South and West regions of the U.S. have seen big jumps in housing inventory in the past year (that’s the blue on the right). Both are almost back to pre-pandemic levels. That’s why more buyer’s markets are popping up there. But in the Northeast and Midwest, inventory is still very low compared to pre-pandemic (that’s why those red bars are so big). That means those areas are more likely to stay seller’s markets for now. Every local market is different. Even if the national headlines say one thing, your town (or even your neighborhood) could be telling a totally different story. Knowing which type of market you’re in helps you make smarter decisions for your move. That’s why working with a local real estate agent is so important right now. As Zillow says: Agents understand the unique trends in your area and can help you make the best choices, whether you’re buying or selling. With their expert strategies, you can move no matter which way the market is leaning, because they know how to navigate various levels of buyer competition, how to find hidden gems locally, how to price a house right, how to negotiate based on who has more leverage, and more. If you're ready to make a move, or even just thinking about it, let’s connect. That way, you’ll have someone to help you understand our local market and create a game plan that works for you. What’s one thing you’re curious about when it comes to the market in our area?
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The Spring Guides for Buying or Selling a Home Are HereThe Spring Guides for buying or selling a home are here. Let’s connect so you can get the latest digital copies of these guides.
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