Julie Gormley, Realtor

06/12/2026

There's a reason real estate agents love June listings.

Every outdoor feature your home has — the covered patio, the backyard pool, the fire pit, the landscaping — looks better in June than it will at any other point in the year. The light is golden. The grass is green. The flowers are in bloom. Buyers can picture themselves out there.

And buyers in 2026 aren't just noticing outdoor spaces — they're prioritizing them. Outdoor living areas have moved from 'nice to have' to active search filters. Buyers are using outdoor space as a dealbreaker the same way they used to treat kitchen updates.

If you're listing this month, here's what to do:

Shoot your listing photos at golden hour — 7–8 PM in June gives you the warmest light of the year. Make sure your patio furniture is clean and staged. Add potted plants and flowers at the entry. If you have a pool, shoot it with the water sparkling in the sun.

And if you're a buyer touring homes this month — pay attention to the outdoor spaces. What you see in June is the best it's going to look. Everything else you can improve. That backyard? That's the lifestyle.

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

The right timing can make all the difference. Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or simply exploring your options, a conversation today can help you make more confident decisions tomorrow.

06/10/2026

The homes we’re drawn to often reflect more than our style—they reflect the life we’re hoping to create. Whether it’s a waterfront escape, a historic charmer, or a modern retreat, your dream home might say more about you than you think.

06/10/2026

Single women now account for 25% of all home purchases in the United States — the second largest buyer group, behind only married couples.

Let that number sink in for a moment.

One in four homes purchased right now is being bought by a woman on her own. And according to NAR, single women have consistently outpaced single male buyers for 40 consecutive years.

NAR's deputy chief economist put it this way: 'They're really making a lot of sacrifices to get into homeownership — and that says to me, it's important to her. She wants to be a homeowner.'

If you're a single woman who has been thinking about buying and wondering if you 'should wait' until there's another income in the picture — this number tells you something important: you don't have to. Hundreds of thousands of women are making this work, on their own terms, every single year.

I work with single buyers regularly and understand the specific questions — down payment strategies, financing on a single income, the right neighborhoods, the right size home. DM me and let's have that conversation.

Tag a woman you know who's been thinking about buying her first home. 🏠

06/09/2026

Everyone knows a great kitchen sells a home. But what 'great' looks like has shifted in 2026 — and sellers who are spending money on the wrong upgrades are finding that out the hard way.

Here's what buyers in summer 2026 actually want in a kitchen:

Storage, storage, storage. Walk-in pantries and oversized islands with seating are driving more buyer excitement than granite versus quartz debates ever did. Buyers are practical — they're thinking about where the Costco run goes.

Functional layouts over designer finishes. An open, thoughtful layout that flows to the living room and has room for multiple people to cook beats a stunning but cramped galley kitchen every time.

Updated appliances over updated counters. An integrated dishwasher and a quality range make more impact than a countertop refresh.

Natural light. A kitchen window over the sink. Morning light. These are the details buyers describe when they talk about a kitchen they love.

What doesn't matter as much as agents used to think: the exact color of the cabinet, whether it's quartz or marble, open shelving vs. closed. These are preferences — not dealbreakers.

For sellers: if you're going to invest in a pre-sale kitchen update, spend on hardware, paint, lighting, and cleaning. Leave the counters alone unless they're genuinely damaged.

Save this so you know exactly what to prioritize.

06/08/2026

Open-concept living isn't going anywhere — but in 2026, buyers want something more nuanced. They want the feel of open space AND the function of defined zones.

That means tray ceilings, archways, accent beams, and half-walls that separate a kitchen from a living room without closing it off. It means a dining area that feels intentional, not just a table floating in a great room.

If you're staging to sell — this matters. The eye should be able to flow through the space AND stop somewhere. Give buyers that experience and your listing will stand out.

Which do you prefer — fully open or zones with some definition? Drop a 🏠 or 🪟 below!

06/07/2026

One of the most common questions I get right now: 'Should I buy new construction or an existing home?'

Here's the most honest answer I can give you.

The case FOR new construction in 2026:
Builders are motivated. New home starts are expected to be the slowest since 2019 — which means builders have inventory to move and they're offering rate buydowns, closing cost assistance, and design upgrades to do it. A builder-paid 2/1 buydown can save you $400–500/month in your first year.

New construction also means no competition for the home, no inspection surprises, and energy-efficient systems that will lower your utility bills from day one.

The case FOR resale in 2026:
Established neighborhoods. Mature landscaping. Faster closing timelines. And often, more room to negotiate — especially on homes that have been sitting.

Resale also gives you something new construction rarely offers: the ability to know exactly what the neighborhood looks, feels, and sounds like before you buy.

Neither is universally better. The right answer depends on your timeline, your budget, and your priorities. But knowing the landscape helps you make the decision clearly.

Drop a NEW or RESALE below — I want to know which direction you're leaning and why.

06/06/2026

Every summer, the pool question comes up. And the honest answer is: it depends.

A pool in June is a visual wow — sparkling water, outdoor living, vacation-at-home energy. Buyers touring in summer can actually picture themselves using it. That's a real advantage.

But here's what sellers sometimes don't account for:

A pool also adds to the buyer's mental cost calculation. Maintenance. Liability. Insurance. Safety if they have young children. In markets where pools are universal, this is barely a factor. In markets where they're rare, buyers often weigh the pool as a project rather than a perk.

So how do you handle it as a seller?

Make it look spectacular for listing photos — crystal clear water, clean decking, staged loungers. Include documentation of recent maintenance and any warranty on equipment. And price your home knowing that roughly 10–15% of buyers in most markets will actively prefer a home without one.

As a buyer, don't let a pool be the reason you skip an otherwise great home. And don't let it be the only reason you choose one. Focus on the home first.

What's your take — pool or no pool? Drop it in the comments.