Chris Cohan, Realtor

10/30/2026

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are making a comeback, and it's easy to see why. 🏡

In October, starting rates for ARMs ran almost a full percentage point below fixed-rate loans. On a median-priced home, that could mean roughly $150-300 less per month. If affordability has you feeling stuck, that's worth a look.

The catch? Your rate (and your payment) could rise after a set period.

Now, you might be thinking, "Wait, aren't ARMs risky?" Good question! Today's ARMs aren't the ones from 2008. They do work differently than a fixed-rate mortgage, though, so it pays to know the ins and outs first.

A trusted lender can break down how these loans work, where they shine, and walk you through the what-ifs. 💬

Curious if an ARM could work for you? Drop a comment or send us a message!

10/28/2026

Here's something most buyers overlook 👀

When the housing market slows down, homeowners and builders don't always want the same thing. A homeowner can afford to wait for a better offer. A builder with finished homes sitting unsold? They're ready to make deals.

Case in point: in October, over 60% of builders offered some kind of incentive, and 43% cut prices outright.

Translation? More room to negotiate for you. 🙌

The trick is knowing where to look. Let's track down builders with move-in-ready homes available right now and see what they're willing to offer to get those keys into new hands. 🔑

Ready to see what's out there? Drop a comment or send us a message to get started!

10/26/2026

Ever listed your house for sale and ended up a landlord instead? You're not alone! 🏡 About 9% of homes for rent were up for sale first. In the industry, we call them "accidental landlords."

Torn between selling and renting? Here's the scoop:

Renting out your home can be a great move, but being a landlord is a job of its own. Think weekend calls about a leaky dishwasher, a plumber on speed dial, and a mortgage that's still due every month the place sits empty. 😅

Renting isn't a bad option. You just need to know what you're signing up for.

Would you rather sell? Let's talk! With the right price and a strong marketing plan, it's still very doable today. 🔑

10/23/2026

Adjustable-rate mortgages are back, and honestly, it's easy to see why. 🏡

In October, starting rates on ARMs ran almost a full percentage point below fixed-rate loans. On a median-priced home, that could mean roughly $150-300 less per month. If affordability has you stuck, that's worth a look.

The catch? Your rate (and your payment) could rise after a set period of time.
Thinking, "Wait, aren't ARMs risky?" Fair question. Today's ARMs aren't the ones from 2008. They do work differently than a fixed-rate mortgage, though, so it pays to know the ins and outs before you commit.

A trusted lender can walk you through how these loans work, where they can help, and what happens if things change. 💬

When mortgage rates climb, buying a home can start to feel like trying to hit a moving target. Every jump in rates makes monthly payments bigger, and that pushes a lot of buyers to look for another way in.

10/21/2026

Are home prices going up or down? Honestly, it depends on where you look. 🏡

Over the past year, Chicago prices climbed almost 7%, while Seattle dipped about 1.6%.

That's a nearly 9-point gap between two major cities!

Zoom in a little, though. Prices are rising in 13 of the 19 major cities on our chart, and where they're down, the dips are small (less than 2%).

So no, this isn't a crash. It's a market cooling off after the pandemic's overheated years, and it's landing differently from one area to the next.

Here's the takeaway: your local market matters.

📈 Selling where prices are still climbing? You may not need to cut your price.

📉 Buying where prices are softer? You may have more room to negotiate.

National headlines can't tell you which side your neighborhood is on, but local data can.

Message us, and we'll look at how prices are moving in your area so you can set your price or make your offer with confidence.

Whether you own a house already or you’re looking to buy one, you probably care about home prices.

10/19/2026

Same time of year, two very different stories, and mortgage rates are a big reason why. 🏡

Last fall, rates dipped and the number of homes for sale barely budged. This fall, rates have climbed above 7%. Some buyers have pulled back, homes are taking longer to sell, and more listings are sticking around instead of disappearing from the market. Since August, inventory has grown by about 25,000 homes.

So what does that mean for you?

🔑 Buying? You've got more homes to choose from and potentially more room to negotiate on price, repairs, or closing costs.

🔑 Selling? Buyers have more options, so give them a reason to choose your place. Get the price right from day one and make sure your home stands out from the crowd.

Curious what this shift looks like in your neighborhood? Drop a comment or send me a message, and let's look at the local numbers together. 👇

10/16/2026

Are you 1 in 4 million? 🏡

If you rent, that monthly payment is probably your biggest expense. Here's the good news: you can finally get credit for it!

A new change lets renters opt in to have their on-time rent payments count toward their credit history. That could help up to 4 million more people qualify for a mortgage. Maybe you're one of them. 😉

Not ready to buy just yet? No problem. Building your credit profile now is a smart, easy move for your future self.

It's time to take credit for the bills you're already paying. Message me to find out how!

10/14/2026

Same time of year. Two very different stories. 🏡

Last fall, mortgage rates dipped and home inventory barely moved. This fall? Rates have climbed above 7%, buyers are pulling back, and homes are sitting on the market longer. In fact, since August, the number of homes for sale has grown by about 25,000.

So what does that mean for you?

🔑 Buying? You've got more options and more room to negotiate on price, repairs, and closing costs. It's a great time to make your move!

🏷️ Selling? With more competition on the market, you've got to make your home stand out. That means nailing the price from day one and showing buyers why your home is THE one.

Curious what this shift looks like in your neighborhood? Drop a comment below or send us a message — we'd love to dig into the local numbers with you! 📊

Mortgage rates being back above 7% isn't exactly the news most people wanted. But it’s changing the market in ways that matter whether you’re buying or selling.

10/12/2026

Still on the fence about buying a home? 🏡

We get it, rates aren't exactly where we'd all like them to be, everyday costs are up, and the economy feels a little... unpredictable. But here's something worth knowing: a recent NerdWallet survey found that most buyers who've already taken the plunge are happy they did. In fact, only 3% actually regret it.

That's pretty reassuring, right?

Here's the thing — great homeownership isn't really about locking in the "perfect" rate or timing the market just right. It's about what owning a home can do for you over time. As home values rise and you pay down your mortgage, you build equity — and that equity means more flexibility, more financial options, and more freedom when you're ready for your next move.

So if buying a home is still on your wishlist, don't let today's uncertainty talk you out of it just yet. There might be a path forward that makes more sense than you think. 💡

Drop a comment or send us a message — let's chat about what's possible for you! 👇

With everything going on, it’s understandable if you’re wondering if you’d regret buying right now.

10/09/2026

Could mortgage rates really hit 9%? Let's break it down. 🏡

For that to happen, we'd need a perfect storm of conditions lasting a full year: a red-hot economy with zero job slowdown, the Fed hiking rates beyond expectations, and oil prices staying elevated due to ongoing tensions in Iran.
Spoiler: that's a pretty unlikely combo. So take a breath and step away from the headlines! 😅

Got questions about where mortgage rates are headed? Drop them in the comments below! That's exactly what we're here for: keeping you in the know so that the news never drives your decisions. You do. 💪