Ted Breden, Realtor at HomeSmart Connect

09/25/2026

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Get Your House Buyer-Ready for Fall

Prepping your house to sell this fall and not sure where to focus? Start where buyers do – at the curb. Their first few seconds out front shape how buyers feel about the rest of the house.A few simple touches make a big difference. Freshen up the front door with a new coat of paint, touch up your landscaping or bring in seasonal flowers, sweep the walkways and clean the gutters, and make sure the path to the door is well lit. A great agent knows what today's buyers will notice, and which touch-ups are worth your time. So, let’s connect and get your house ready to turn heads this fall.



773-590-9393 / [email protected]

09/24/2026

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There Are 4 Types of Housing Markets Right Now. Which 1 Are You In?

Four different housing markets are running at once: cash buyers, financed buyers, locked-in owners, and builders. Each one plays by its own rules, and the right move for one is exactly the wrong move for another.

Let's figure out which one you're actually in and build your next move from there.



773-590-9393 / [email protected]

Today’s housing market splits into four distinct types. You’ve got cash buyers, buyers financing a purchase, owners who feel locked into a low rate, and builders with homes to sell.

09/23/2026

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Mortgage rates have been climbing again, and if you're hoping to buy, that can feel discouraging.

Here’s what you have to remember.

You can't control where rates go. But you can control a few things that shape the rate you actually get: your credit score, the type and term of loan you choose, and whether you buy a newly built home, where builders are often buying down rates to bring buyers in.

Focus there, and you put yourself in a stronger spot without waiting on the market.

Want to talk it through? A trusted lender can help with the numbers, and we can find the home to match. Let's connect.



773-590-9393 / [email protected]

09/22/2026

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If you’re selling this season, a little effort out front goes a long way. Because the moment a buyer pulls up to a showing, they're already forming an opinion.

But there are a few simple things you can do to nail that first impression. Think tidying up your landscaping, bringing in some seasonal flowers, and sweeping the walkways. Or even just cleaning out the gutters and making sure the path to your door is well lit.

You don’t need to do a big overhaul to get buyers’ attention.

Let’s chat about what people in our area are looking for right now, and get your house prepped to sell this fall.



773-590-9393 / [email protected]

09/21/2026

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3 Things You Can Actually Control About Your Mortgage Rate Right Now

You can't control where mortgage rates go, but you can control your credit, your loan, and the kind of home you buy. Working with a trusted lender can help you lock in the best rate you qualify for. And when you’re ready to make a move that fits your budget, let’s connect.



773-590-9393 / [email protected]

If you're trying to buy a home, affordability is probably what keeps you up at night.

09/19/2026

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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.



773-590-9393 / [email protected]

09/18/2026

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Selling This Fall? You Want To Get These 4 Things Right.

Selling this fall is absolutely doable. And now you know four of the biggest things to get right.

If you want to sell before the end of the year, let’s make sure you have a winning strategy from day one.



773-590-9393 / [email protected]

Selling your house this fall is absolutely doable. But there’s something you need to know about this time of year.

09/17/2026

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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.



773-590-9393 / [email protected]

09/16/2026

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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.



773-590-9393 / [email protected]

09/15/2026

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Selling This Fall? You Haven't Missed Your Window

Listing this fall doesn't mean your house will sit on the market until spring. Buyers are out there right now, ready to make a move before the new year – and your window is still open.

Let's connect and make yours one of the homes that sells this season.



773-590-9393 / [email protected]

Summer's winding down, and if you've been thinking about selling, you might be wondering if you missed your chance.