Jill Schulz - Real Estate Broker with Re/Max Alliance

09/18/2026

Waiting for mortgage rates to come down may feel like the only way to make buying a home possible.

But 41% of buyers who waited wish they'd bought sooner – before rates and prices rose again.

Right now, factors like inflation, the economy, and global events are all having an impact on rates – and it’s not in the direction you’d hope.

So, for a lot of buyers, waiting might not pay off. Sometimes it just means putting your life on hold for what feels like too long.

Before you decide to hit pause on your move, talk to a trusted lender. They’ll go over options that can help make buying work at today’s rates, and how to get the best rate you can.

You certainly don’t have to buy now. You should buy when the numbers work for you. But you should at least know your options before making a decision.

09/18/2026

NEW LISTING ! GORGEOUS 5 BEDROOM, 5 BATHROOM WALK OUT HOME IN WOODCREST ESTATES IN BETHALTO. THIS COMPLETELY MOVE IN READY HOME BACKS TO WOODS FOR A PRIVATE BACKYARD EXPERIENCE. NEW ROOF, GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS THIS YEAR! SO MANY EXTRAS YOU HAVE TO SEE IN PERSON. CALL FOR A SHOWING OR CONTACT YOUR REALTOR.

09/17/2026

Selling this fall? Starting strong matters even more this time of year.

In the fall, buyer activity typically starts to slow while the number of homes for sale climbs. That means fewer buyers may be looking at more options – so you want your house to stand out from day one.

Here’s the cheat sheet for how to make that happen.

Price it for today’s buyers. Not what your neighbor sold for a few years back.

Make your house hard to pass up. Tackle essential repairs and spend time on your curb appeal.

Stay flexible when offers come in. This is not the season to play hardball.

And be ready to adjust when needed. If you keep getting the same feedback from buyers, take it to heart.

If you want to sell before the end of the year, let’s make sure you have the right strategy from the start. Because with the right plan, selling in the fall is a no brainer.

09/16/2026

The best time to buy a home this year is here.

Realtor.com says September 27–October 3 is expected to bring the best combination of buyer-friendly conditions in 2026.

We’re talking about more homes to choose from, better pricing, less competition, and more time to decide. And maybe that’s enough to offset some of the pressure today’s higher rates are putting on your budget.

Want to find out? Let’s have a quick conversation about what’s expected in our market and what’s available in your price point. Just DM me to get started.

And just so you know, the window doesn’t close after that one week. It’s open all October long.

09/15/2026

Still Waiting for Rates To Come Down?

When affordability is this tight, waiting for lower mortgage rates can feel like your only way in. But 41% of buyers who waited actually wish they'd bought sooner. And right now, inflation, the economy, and global events are all having an impact on rates – and could even nudge them up. So, waiting might not pay off the way you hope. You don’t have to buy now. Move only when the numbers work for you. But talk to a trusted lender first, so you know all your options.

09/14/2026

Need to move, but worried you missed the window to sell your house until next year or next spring? Don’t count yourself out of the market so fast.

About a third of all home sales happen in the last four months of the year – and that share has been growing every year since 2023.

Based on the forecasts, that means roughly 11,800 houses are expected to sell every single day between now and the end of December.

Buyers are still out there, ready to move before the new year. Let’s connect and get your house in front of them.

09/11/2026

Homes priced at $1M+ saw sales jump 14.8% compared to last year, even as the overall housing market cooled off. That’s according to the latest data from NAR.

If you’re sitting on a high-end property, this is a good time to be selling. Buyers with serious budgets are active right now, and well-priced luxury listings are moving fast.

Not sure how this applies to your house or our market? Drop a comment or send me a DM, and let’s figure it out together and build a plan that gets you the speed and price you’re after.

09/10/2026

Data centers are showing up in more communities, and naturally, homeowners and buyers want to know what that could mean for nearby houses.

One of the biggest concerns that comes up is home values. But research from HousingWire found that areas with large data centers generally saw home values track similarly to comparable areas without them.

That doesn't mean proximity never matters. Noise, infrastructure, future development, and potential utility costs are all worth considering.

But a data center nearby isn't automatically bad news for your home's value.

Have one near you or one coming soon? Let’s look at what it could actually mean for your home and your neighborhood.

09/09/2026

New season, new guides. If you're thinking about buying or selling before the year wraps, the new Fall Buyer & Seller Guides are your cheat sheet.

They’ll give you the scoop on where the housing market stands right now, an overview of what's ahead for the rest of 2026, and tips on how to make a smart move heading into the year-end.

DM or drop a comment with "BUYER" or "SELLER" below to get your free digital copy.

09/08/2026

OPEN HOUSE Sunday September 13th
1:00 to 3:00! Come see this gorgeous 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom home in the beautiful Fairmount Subdivision!
Price now $799,000

MLS # 26033349 – Welcome to this stunning custom-designed home located in the highly desirable Fairmount Subdivision in Godfrey Township. Situated on a beautifully landscaped large lot, this excepti...