Mary Helene Mason, Realtor, Burns & Co Inc. Realtors

09/28/2026

Price cuts have climbed for 7 straight months.

Right now, more than 4 in 10 homes for sale have already had one, and it usually comes down to one thing – the market's moving faster than most sellers expected and their pricing hasn’t necessarily kept up.

A home that needs a cut usually just sat too long priced above what buyers will actually pay right now.

Selling soon? Let's set your number right from day one, so you skip that wasted time.

House hunting? A home that's had its price reduced means the seller's already been through that wait. And sellers who've been sitting are usually ready to deal.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

09/25/2026

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.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

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

09/24/2026

Why So Many Sellers Are Cutting Their Price Right Now

Price cuts are a normal part of today’s housing market, and both buyers and sellers can use them to their advantage. Let's look at what's actually happening with prices in your neighborhood, so you know exactly where you stand before you list or make an offer.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

Price cuts are turning up everywhere right now, and they read very differently depending on which side of the deal you’re on.

09/22/2026

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.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

09/21/2026

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.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

09/18/2026

The Best Time To Buy a Home in 2026 Is Almost Here

If you want to buy a house this year, there’s still a way to make it happen, even with today’s rates. This fall gives you the chance to get some of the best seasonal perks the market has to offer.

Want help figuring out when those advantages typically show up in our market?

Let's have a quick conversation about how our market works and the steps you’ll need to take to get ready.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

Want to buy a house this year, but not sure if the timing’s right? Seasonally, it may actually be a better time to buy than you expect.

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...



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

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.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

09/14/2026

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.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

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

09/11/2026

First-time buyers, your remote job might give you a homebuying advantage you haven't thought about.

If you can work from anywhere, you can buy just about anywhere, too. And searching in a lower-cost area could mean more homes within your budget. It could also mean spending less on everyday things like gas and groceries after your move.

These states are some of the spots where your money may go the furthest, but they aren't your only options. Every state has pockets with better affordability.

A local agent can match your budget and lifestyle to a shortlist of areas, whether that's a new state or somewhere closer to where you already live. Let's connect and start building yours.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.