10/15/2026
A little advice from your local Realtor about today’s market and homeownership. 🏡
Over the last month, most of my clients have been first-time homebuyers. People who want to invest in themselves, build equity, and own an asset of their own. But many are nervous about where the market is today and where it’s headed.
Here are a few things I’ve been sharing with my clients, and I think they’re worth sharing with everyone.
1. Don’t buy a house just because someone tells you home values always go up.
That simply isn’t guaranteed. A home takes maintenance, repairs, and ongoing investment. If you don’t maintain it, there’s a good chance its value will suffer. When budgeting for a home, plan for more than just your monthly mortgage payment. You need to have money set aside for the unexpected, too.
2. Yes, interest rates are higher than they were a few years ago, but they aren’t historically high.
I hear people say they’ll just buy now and refinance when rates drop. But what if they don’t? What if they go up? No one knows what interest rates will do next year. If you buy, make sure the monthly payment is comfortable for you at today’s rate. Don’t stretch yourself too thin based on the hope that things will get cheaper later.
3. Don’t overpay for a house just because you want to own one.
I’m seeing some sellers price their homes $20,000 to $50,000 higher than they might have last year, assuming the market will support it. Sometimes improvements justify a higher price, but the market doesn’t automatically make every home worth more.
Look at comparable sales. Consider the home's condition, updates, and location. Make an offer based on what you believe the home is worth and what you’re comfortable paying. You don’t have to overpay to become a homeowner.
4. When you find the right house, you’ll know. But don’t let emotion make the financial decisions for you.
I promise, when you walk into the right house, you’ll start picturing your life there. You’ll imagine the memories you’ll make and how you could make it your own.
But that doesn’t mean you should overpay, count on lower interest rates, or become house-poor just to get the keys.
I don’t care if we look at houses for five years. I won’t get annoyed. We’ll keep looking at the homes you want to see until we find the right one for you.
Does that mean I might not close as many deals? Maybe. And I’m okay with that.
My job isn’t to convince you to buy a house. My job is to help you make an informed decision, protect your interests, and feel confident about one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.
I want you to love your home, but I also want you to be able to enjoy your life after you buy it.
That’s what representing my clients’ best interests means to me. And that’s the kind of Realtor I will always strive to be. ❤️
— Rachel Streit | REALTOR®
REAL Brokerage LLC
