Stephanie Burke-House Scout VA-Samson Properties

06/17/2026

Putting off buying a home? Maybe you're waiting for a crash to get a better deal – or afraid you'll buy now and watch your home's value fall later.

Either way, the widespread drop you're bracing for may not be coming.

Yes, a few markets are seeing mild declines. But more than 100 economists and housing experts expect home prices will actually rise nationally over the next five years – not fall.

And waiting for a deal that never comes could mean passing up the chance to gain thousands in equity or paying more in a few years for the same home.

So before you decide to wait, let's talk about your options and what prices are really doing in our area.

06/10/2026

If affordability has been the biggest thing standing between you and a home, there’s a little bit of good news.

Asking prices have started to ease – the typical asking price this May came in under where it was a year ago.

And these lower prices are good news for your move – not a sign the market’s in trouble. It points to a market that’s rebalancing with more realistic seller expectations and a little more breathing room for buyers again.

So, if you’ve been waiting for an opening, let’s connect. I’ll help you see what that looks like in our area.

06/03/2026

One of the biggest questions I’m getting right now is: “What’s going to happen with the housing market in the second half of the year?”

And it makes sense why everyone is asking.

Affordability is tight. Rates feel high. Prices do too.

And people want to know if the second half of the year is going to be better.

Here's the honest answer. A lot of it depends on what happens with inflation – and the lingering uncertainty overseas. But even in today’s market, there’s opportunity, if you know where to look.

Want a breakdown of what’s impacting the market, where experts think things could go from here, and what you can actually do about it?

Send a DM or drop a comment below and I can send you over an article that breaks it all down.

05/27/2026

After a year or more of rates coming down, things have changed. And lately, mortgage rates have been climbing again.

And if that's made you wonder whether you should delay your move until they drop, you're not the only one.

The honest truth is that rates probably won't come down much until inflation cools off and some of the global uncertainty settles. And no one knows exactly when that'll be.

But what most headlines won't tell you is that rates aren't the only thing that affects affordability. Sure, they’re a big factor, but not all of the affordability news is bad.

Wages, home prices, and inventory are all trending in a direction that could still help make your move possible.

Want to know what that actually looks like for your situation? Drop a comment or send me a DM.

Because even though rates are higher, there are pockets of opportunity in any market, if you know where to look.

05/20/2026

You've probably heard that mortgage debt in America just hit an all-time high. And that's true.
But here's what the headline leaves out.

Equity is also near an all-time high. And at $34.1 trillion, it's more than double the $14.4 trillion in debt.

That's a good thing. It means most homeowners own far more than they owe. So, they have a real financial cushion right now.

That’s something homeowners didn’t have during the crash of 2008. Back then, people owed more than their homes were worth. Today, it’s just the opposite.

Homeowners are in a much better position, and the housing market is on stronger footing than the headlines suggest.

05/13/2026

Foreclosures are up, but don't panic.

Yes, filings have risen over the past year. But zoom out and look at the full picture.

We're still below historical norms – and nowhere near levels seen around 2008.
This isn't a crash. It's the market returning to normal after foreclosures were artificially low during the pandemic.

And here's something else worth knowing. These are filings. Not all of them will actually turn into completed foreclosures.

If you've been hearing a lot about this lately and want to make sense of what it means, drop a comment or send me a DM. Happy to talk it through.

05/06/2026

Why do some homes sell fast. While others sit?

It’s not just the market.

Right now, the typical home is still going under contract in about 19 days – and some in as little as a week.

So, homes are still selling. Just not all of them. Some are even selling quickly.

The difference? Buyers are more selective than they’ve been in years. They’re paying attention to price, condition, and how a home shows online before they ever step inside.

That means the homes that feel move-in ready and priced right are still getting strong interest, even now. But the homes that aren’t? They sit.

If you’re thinking about selling, the question isn’t just “will it sell?” It’s “how will it stack up?”

Want to make sure yours stands out? DM me and I’ll walk you through what I’d do if I were you.

04/29/2026

If you’re currently asking yourself: can I stay in this house long-term, or does it make more sense to move? Here’s what I'd tell you.

While aging in place can be a great option, over time it usually means making updates so your home continues to work for you.

Some of those changes are simple. Others can be more of an investment.

That’s why planning ahead matters if you think you want to go this route. It gives you the chance to spread out the work and the costs over time.

But it’s also okay if you don’t want to take that on.

If this has crossed your mind at all and you’re trying to decide what’s next, what projects to tackle, or what else is out there, let’s talk it through.

04/22/2026

Did you try to buy a home last year and feel stuck?

Maybe there just weren’t enough options. Or, nothing really fit what you were looking for.

That’s starting to change.

There are now nearly 2x as many new listings hitting the market compared to a few months ago. Those are homes that were just put up for sale.

That means more fresh options and a better chance of finding the house that actually works for you.

If you’re curious what’s out there in our area right now, let’s take a look together.

04/15/2026

Coming Soon!! 1 Bedroom / 1 Bath in amenity rich Penderbrook!

Commuters dream and convenient living in this top floor one bedroom condo featuring:
-Oversized balcony with storage
-Dedicated assigned parking space
-built in desk with shelving
-fireplace
-in unit laundry

Community Features:
Golf⛳️
Pools 🏊‍♂️
Fitness centers 🏋️
Pub 🍻

Welcome to this beautifully maintained top-floor Clifton model condo in the sought after Penderbrook Square community! This light filled home features soaring vaulted ceilings that create an open, airy feel throughout the living space. The inviting living room is highlighted by a cozy fireplace and....