Guthrie Group Homes, Real Estate

09/24/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The playbook for selling a home has changed. Active inventory rose more than 16% in 2025, and 62% of buyers paid below asking—the highest share since 2019. 📊

Today's listings need to work harder to stand out. Here's what winning sellers are doing differently:

✅ Professional photography that stops the scroll
✅ Pre-listing inspections that eliminate surprise negotiations
✅ Energy-efficient features positioned as cost-saving assets
✅ Pricing with precision from day one

The 2026 winner isn't the cheapest or the biggest. It's the most ready.

Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡 | Lic. #01117537 | Keller Williams Realty
[email protected] | 925-628-2436
Brentwood, California

Learn what makes a home listing stand out in 2026—from pricing strategy and professional photos to buyer psychology and move-in expectations.

09/24/2026

"Is the housing market going to crash?" 😨

We get this question a lot lately, and if you've wondered the same thing, you're not alone — roughly 4 in 10 buyers and sellers say they're worried about one.

But the numbers tell a calmer story. There are more homes on the market than we've seen in years, sales are running ahead of last year, and prices are holding steady. Most economists call 2026 a rebalancing year — a market finding its footing after some wild swings.

Every market is different, and yours might look nothing like the national picture. That's exactly why it's worth asking about your area specifically instead of settling for the scariest headline in your feed.

Call, text, or email us with your questions.

Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡 | Lic. #01117537 | Keller Williams Realty
[email protected] | 925-628-2436
Brentwood, California
https://guthriegrouphomes.com

09/23/2026

Does home search now start with AI?

For a lot of buyers, it already does. Instead of setting filters and scrolling for hours, they're just asking: "Find me a home near a park, with room for my in-laws, under my budget." And they're getting real answers back.

It works better than most people expect — the early part of a search has never moved faster. But there are things these tools can't tell you about a home, and they're usually the things that matter most.

This month's post covers both sides.

Read the full article: https://guthriegrouphomes.com/how-ai-is-changing-the-home-search-and-how-to-make-it-work-for-you/

Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡 | Lic. #01117537 | Keller Williams Realty
[email protected] | 925-628-2436
Brentwood, California
https://guthriegrouphomes.com

09/17/2026

Buying a Home With Family: How Multigenerational Living Works (and What to Get Right)

Multigenerational living isn't a fallback anymore — it's a deliberate strategy more families are choosing. 🏡

According to NAR, 14% of recent buyers purchased a multigenerational home. These families aren't making the best of a bad situation — they're rethinking what "home" needs to do.

Why families are choosing this path:
• Shared costs make homeownership more accessible
• Caregiving support for aging parents or young children
• Remote work makes living near family more feasible
• Daily support and shared routines that strengthen connections

If this is something your family is considering, the key is getting the strategy right from the start — the right property, clear financial structure, and honest conversations before you sign.

Multigenerational home buying is on the rise. Learn the 3 steps to success and determining if buying a family home is right for you.

09/17/2026

Start with AI. Verify with a professional.

The smartest way to use AI in a home search? Give it the homework.

Let it sharpen your wish list, explain the confusing terms, rough out the numbers, and build your shortlist. It's genuinely good at all of that.

Then take what it found to a professional who can verify it — someone who's walked those streets, knows what homes there actually sell for, and can spot the things no chatbot can see.

One of my favorite conversations lately: bring me what the chatbot told you, and I'll tell you what it got right.

Read the full article: https://guthriegrouphomes.com/how-ai-is-changing-the-home-search-and-how-to-make-it-work-for-you/


Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡 | Lic. #01117537 | Keller Williams Realty
[email protected] | 925-628-2436
Brentwood, California
https://guthriegrouphomes.com

09/16/2026

Renovate or Move? 3 Questions to Ask First

Torn between renovating your current home and moving to a new one? 🏡🔨

It's one of the most common questions homeowners wrestle with, and the answer usually comes down to three things:

1️⃣ Does your home have a "ceiling"? Some layouts and lots can be improved endlessly; others cap out no matter how much you spend.
2️⃣ What would the renovation really cost - in money, time, and living through it? Be honest about all three.
3️⃣ Is it the house or the location you've outgrown? You can renovate a kitchen. You can't renovate a commute or a school zone.

There's no universal right answer - it depends on your home, your budget, and your goals. But walking through these three usually makes the decision a lot clearer.

Call, text, or email us at - happy to be a sounding board, no pressure either way.

Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡 | Lic. #01117537 | Keller Williams Realty
[email protected] | 925-628-2436
Brentwood, California

https://guthriegrouphomes.com/

09/10/2026

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐈 𝐈𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐈𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮

AI is changing how people search for homes. And like any tool, it works best when you know what it's good at — and what it can't see.

We just published a post that walks through both sides: where AI genuinely helps, where it gets things wrong, and what the shift means if you're buying or selling this fall.

AI is changing how people search for homes. And like any tool, it works best when you know what it's good at — and what it can't see.

09/10/2026

Sellers Can Still Win

Selling in this market? You can absolutely still win - but the approach matters more than it used to. 🏡

Today's buyers are informed, and they're not in a hurry. The homes that sit are usually the ones chasing a price the market has already moved past. "Testing the market" with an ambitious number costs real time and real money.

The playbook now: price right on day one, present well, and expect some negotiation. Do those three things and well-prepared homes are still moving - and priced accurately from the start, you may never need a reduction at all.

Thinking about listing? The smartest first step is an honest read on what your home is worth today.

Read the full article: https://guthriegrouphomes.com/2026-mid-year-real-estate-market-check-in/

Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡 | Lic. #01117537 | Keller Williams Realty
[email protected] | 925-628-2436
Brentwood, California

09/09/2026

Myth vs. Fact: Does the Market Slow Down After Summer?

🚫 Myth: "Once summer ends, buyers disappear - so it's a bad time to sell."

✅ Fact: The end-of-summer buyer is often the most serious one out there.

The casual browsers do thin out. But the people still looking as summer winds down usually have a real reason to move - a job change, a lease ending, a family that wants to be settled before the school year. Fewer tire-kickers, more motivated buyers, and less competition from other listings.

"Wait until spring" is common advice, but spring also means listing into the most crowded season of the year. Selling as summer ends can mean a smaller pool of buyers who are far more likely to actually make an offer.

Call, text, or email us at and let's talk through what makes sense for your home.

Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡 | Lic. #01117537 | Keller Williams Realty
[email protected] | 925-628-2436
Brentwood, California

https://guthriegrouphomes.com/

09/03/2026

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰

After a decade of all-gray interiors and sterile minimalism, buyers are looking for something completely different: warmth, texture, and homes that actually feel like sanctuaries. 🏡

Here's what's moving the market in 2026:

✨ Warm color palettes — beiges, terra cotta, sage, soft navy
🎨 Art Deco details — curves, arches, brass accents
🪨 Statement materials — dramatic natural stone, limewashed walls
🍳 Personalized kitchens — earth tones and wood-grain over all-white
🏠 Semi-closed floor plans — connection with purpose and privacy
🌿 Wellness-focused spaces — biophilic design, natural light, quiet zones
⚡ Climate-resilient features — solar, battery systems, EV charging

The takeaway? Buyers want homes that feel intentional, layered, and designed for how they actually live.

Libby Guthrie, REALTOR® 🏡 | Lic. #01117537 | Keller Williams Realty
[email protected] | 925-628-2436
Brentwood, California

In 2026, buyers want homes that feel intentional, layered, and designed for how they actually live. Read the post for all our design tips.