Jenny Creath - The Creath Team at The Cutting Edge, Realtors

06/23/2026

Before a buyer ever steps through the front door, they’re already making judgments.

In summer, curb appeal does a lot of heavy lifting. Buyers notice:
• Overgrown landscaping or clean edges
• The condition of the front door and entryway
• Dead patches in the lawn or fresh seasonal color
• Outdoor furniture and whether the space feels usable
• General signs of upkeep

The good news is that curb appeal usually doesn’t require a huge budget. Mowing, trimming, mulching, pressure washing, and adding a few simple touches can change the entire first impression.

When the outside feels cared for, buyers assume the inside has been cared for too.

If you’re listing this summer, start at the curb. It sets the tone for everything that follows.

06/21/2026

How to Spot a Well-Maintained Home
Fresh paint and staged furniture can make almost any house look good — that's the point. What you actually want to know before you fall in love with the countertops is whether the home has been well cared for. That difference shows up in places that never make it into the listing photos.
Start Outside
Walk...

Learn how to look past the staging and spot the signs of a truly well-maintained home, from the foundation grading and roof condition to the mechanical systems and small details that reveal how a property has really been cared for.

06/18/2026

Summer buyers often get labeled as casual, but in many markets the opposite is true.

By June, a lot of buyers have already done the early work — they’ve talked to lenders, narrowed neighborhoods, and figured out what they can realistically afford. They’re not just browsing. They’re trying to make a move before vacations, lease renewals, relocations, or the next school year.

That sense of timing matters. Serious summer buyers often make faster decisions because they feel the calendar more clearly.

If you’re selling, this is a good reminder: don’t assume summer shoppers are less motivated. A well-presented, well-priced home can still move quickly when it matches what buyers are looking for.

Let us know in the comments — do you think summer buyers are more serious or more selective?

06/16/2026

Thinking about house hacking? Here's what you need to know before you dive in.

Zoning and local regulations are non-negotiable. ADU legality, short-term rental rules, and multi-family zoning vary dramatically by city and neighborhood. What's allowed three blocks away may not be allowed on your property. Unpermitted units create liability headaches that outlast the savings. Do things by the book from the start.

Be honest about lifestyle fit. Sharing a property with tenants — whether strangers or family — requires a certain temperament and a willingness to handle uncomfortable conversations. Clear boundaries and realistic expectations matter.

And always run conservative numbers. If the math works with vacancy and maintenance built in, you're solid. If it only works at 100% occupancy, it's a risk.

Read the full article: https://www.thecreathteam.com/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/2026/05/26/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works?lang=eng

06/14/2026

Questions Buyers Should Ask About Utility Costs
Before you fall in love with a home, it's worth asking a question that often gets overlooked: What does it actually cost to live here? The purchase price is just the beginning. Monthly utility bills can vary wildly from one property to the next, and they can significantly affect how comfortable that...

06/11/2026

Want to know the original house hack? Buy a duplex, triplex, or small multi-family. Live in one unit. Rent out the others. It's been working for decades — and it still does in 2026.

FHA loans allow you to buy properties with up to 4 units with as little as 3.5% down, as long as you live in one unit. Veterans can use a VA loan with zero down. And Freddie Mac's Home Possible program allows qualified buyers to put down just 3%.

The financing options are more accessible than most buyers realize. For those willing to share a property line with their tenants, the income potential is typically higher than an ADU, and the strategy is time-tested. If you're serious about house hacking, don't overlook the classic approach.

Read the full article: https://www.thecreathteam.com/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/2026/05/26/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works?lang=eng

06/09/2026

Multi-generational home buying hit a record high in 2024. 14% of all home purchases were multi-generational. Gen X buyers led the way at 19%. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

This isn't a trend. It's a structural shift.

Among multi-generational buyers, 41% said the primary reason was to care for or support aging parents — the highest share since tracking began in 2015. Another 23% wanted to spend more time with their parents. For Gen X especially, who are often supporting both aging parents and adult children, a home designed to accommodate multiple generations solves several problems at once: caretaking, privacy, and cost.

House hacking doesn't always mean renting to strangers. Sometimes it means sharing a home — and the costs — with the people who matter most.

Read the full article: https://www.thecreathteam.com/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/2026/05/26/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works?lang=eng

06/07/2026

How to Decide Between a Starter Home and a Forever Home
Starter home or forever home? Here's the thing — most buyers approach this question backward. They start by browsing listings and then try to figure out what they're actually looking for. But the starter-versus-forever decision really needs to come first, because it shapes everything: your budget,...

Starter home or forever home? Here's the thing — most buyers approach this question backward. They start by browsing listings and then try to figure out what they're actually looking for. But the starter-versus-forever decision really needs to come first, because it shapes everything: your...

06/04/2026

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have become the gold standard for house hacking in 2026 — and there's a reason why. 🏠

As of March 2026, Fannie Mae allows lenders to count projected ADU rental income toward your mortgage qualification — up to 30% of your total qualifying income. That means the income potential of an ADU can help you qualify for a home you otherwise couldn't afford.

ADUs include:
🔹 Detached backyard cottages
🔹 Converted garages
🔹 Basement suites with separate entrances

They're increasingly legal, financially supported, and proven in the rental market. If affordability is your biggest barrier to homeownership, an ADU-eligible property might be the solution.

Read the full article: https://www.thecreathteam.com/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/2026/05/26/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works?lang=eng

06/02/2026

House hacking isn't about living for free — it's about making homeownership possible when it otherwise wouldn't be. In 2026, the strategy is less about eliminating a mortgage payment and more about engineering one you can actually afford. 🏡

Here's what's working:

✅ ADUs (accessory dwelling units) — Fannie Mae now lets buyers count projected ADU rental income toward mortgage qualification, up to 30% of total qualifying income

✅ Multi-generational homes — 14% of all home purchases in the last year were multi-generational, with Gen X leading at 19%

✅ Small multi-family properties — FHA loans allow up to 4 units with just 3.5% down if you live in one

✅ Realistic expectations — If rental income cuts your $3,800 payment down to $2,200, that's a win

The math has to work. The zoning has to be legal. And the lifestyle has to fit. But for the right buyer, house hacking can turn a closed door into an open one.

Read the full article: https://www.thecreathteam.com/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/2026/05/26/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works?lang=eng