Living in the Rio Grande Valley

Living in the Rio Grande Valley Helping buyer/sellers relocate in/out of the Harlingen, and Brownsville area. I'm available from 8am-8pm, give a call for you real estate needs.

Mid-year rate update: the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.55% this week. That's up slightly from 6.49% last wee...
08/11/2026

Mid-year rate update: the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.55% this week. That's up slightly from 6.49% last week, but down from 6.75% a year ago. ⁣
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This isn't a dramatic drop — and it doesn't need to be one to matter. A steadier rate environment makes it easier to plan around the payment, compare homes thoughtfully, and make a decision based on your real timeline instead of a guess about next week's headlines. ⁣
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The useful question isn't whether rates are perfect. It's whether today's numbers make sense for your budget, your move, and the home you want. ⁣
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Read the full article: https://carlleatherman.myagent.site/2026-mid-year-market-check-in-what-the-first-half-of-the-year-tells-us-about-your-next-move/

Here's a shift worth noticing if you're buying: negotiation is a normal part of the process again. ⁣ ⁣Nearly half of sel...
08/06/2026

Here's a shift worth noticing if you're buying: negotiation is a normal part of the process again. ⁣
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Nearly half of sellers — 46% in May — gave buyers some form of concession, a record for that month. Price reductions are far more common than they were during the frenzy. ⁣
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For buyers, that's not a warning sign. A reduced price is often an invitation to look closer, not a reason to stay away. Inspections, repairs, closing costs, timing — these are conversations again, not sacrifices you make to win a bidding war. ⁣
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One honest caveat: more negotiation doesn't mean buyers control every market. A well-priced home in a tight area can still move fast. But the list price is no longer the whole conversation. ⁣
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Read the full article: https://carlleatherman.myagent.site/2026-mid-year-market-check-in-what-the-first-half-of-the-year-tells-us-about-your-next-move/

For two years, the plan was basically the same for everyone: wait for rates to drop, then make a move. 🏡 ⁣ ⁣That dramati...
08/04/2026

For two years, the plan was basically the same for everyone: wait for rates to drop, then make a move. 🏡 ⁣
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That dramatic drop never really came — but the market changed anyway. ⁣
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Halfway through 2026, buyers in a lot of markets have more homes to choose from, more time to decide, and more room to negotiate than they've had in years. Sellers are adjusting to a slower, more selective market. ⁣
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Whether you're buying, selling, or just staying put, here's the short version: this is finally a market you can plan in, not just react to. ⁣
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Read the full article: https://carlleatherman.myagent.site/2026-mid-year-market-check-in-what-the-first-half-of-the-year-tells-us-about-your-next-move/

Trying to make sense of the housing market this summer? Watch these three numbers. 📊 ⁣ ⁣1. Rates — the 30-year fixed is ...
07/30/2026

Trying to make sense of the housing market this summer? Watch these three numbers. 📊 ⁣
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1. Rates — the 30-year fixed is hovering in the mid-6% range, and most forecasters expect it to drift slightly lower through 2026. ⁣
2. Inventory — about 4.5 months of supply, the most balanced it's been in years. More homes means more choice and less pressure. ⁣
3. Prices — largely flat nationally for 2026, so you're not chasing a runaway market. ⁣
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Put together, it's a calmer, more balanced market than the past few years — which tends to favor prepared buyers who know their budget. ⁣
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Call/text/email us at (956) 357-6276 or [email protected] if you have questions.

07/28/2026

If you're hoping to be settled before the new school year, summer is your window — and the calendar moves faster than most families expect. 📦 ⁣
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A rough timeline that keeps things low-stress: ⁣
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- Now–early summer: Get pre-approved and start touring. Knowing your budget first makes every other step easier. ⁣
- Mid-summer: Have your offer in and inspection done. Closings often take 30–45 days, so this is the sweet spot for an August move. ⁣
- Late summer: Closing, movers, utilities, and address changes — with a little breathing room before the first day of school. ⁣
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The families who start early get the most choice and the least stress. Leaving it to the last minute usually means rushing the biggest decision of the year. ⁣
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Call/text/email us at (956) 357-6276 or [email protected] if you have questions.

Summer edition 🏊 Would you rather… ⁣ ⁣🅰️ A home WITH a pool — instant staycation, great for entertaining, but more maint...
07/23/2026

Summer edition 🏊 Would you rather… ⁣
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🅰️ A home WITH a pool — instant staycation, great for entertaining, but more maintenance, insurance, and cost. ⁣
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🅱️ A home WITHOUT a pool — lower upkeep, more usable yard, and budget freed up for other priorities. ⁣
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There's no wrong answer — it comes down to how you'd actually live in space. A pool is a dream for one family and a deal-breaker for another (and it doesn't always add the resale value people expect). ⁣
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Drop your pick — 🅰️ or 🅱️ — and tell us why 👇 ⁣
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Let us know in the comments.

07/21/2026

When the temperature climbs, so do your utility bills — but a few small moves now can keep your home comfortable and your costs down all summer. ☀️ ⁣
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A handful of things make the biggest difference: ⁣
- Change your AC filter and book a quick tune-up — a clean system runs cheaper and lasts longer. ⁣
- Run ceiling fans counter-clockwise so you can nudge the thermostat up a couple degrees without noticing. ⁣
- Seal the easy leaks — weatherstrip doors and add a door sweep so you're not cooling the outdoors. ⁣
- Close blinds on the sunny side during the day; it's a free way to cut the heat load. ⁣
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None of these take much time or money, but together they can save a real amount off your summer bills — and they keep big systems like your AC healthier for the long run. ⁣
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Call/text/email us at (956) 357-6276 or [email protected] if you have questions.

07/21/2026

It’s easy to get emotionally attached to a home fast — especially when it photographs well and checks your first few boxes. ⁣
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Before you fall in love, ask yourself these three questions: ⁣
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1. Does this home actually fit my daily life? ⁣
Think about commuting, storage, layout, parking, and how you’ll use the space. ⁣
2. Can I comfortably afford more than just the purchase price? ⁣
Look beyond the mortgage and think about utilities, insurance, taxes, maintenance, and moving costs. ⁣
3. Am I excited about the home — or just reacting to the pressure of the market? ⁣
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A competitive market can push buyers to move emotionally instead of strategically. ⁣
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The right home should make sense on paper and in real life. ⁣
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A little pause up front can save a lot of regret later.

07/16/2026

The simplest ask in any home purchase is also the one buyers forget most: what physically stays with the house? 🏡 ⁣
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A lot is negotiable — appliances, window treatments, the mounted TVs, the washer and dryer, sometimes even furniture. The law draws a line between fixtures (generally included) and personal property (generally not), and that line is exactly where a quick ask can pay off. ⁣
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One rule above all: get every extra written into the contract. A friendly "sure, we'll leave the fridge" means nothing if it isn't on paper. And if there's something you want — ask. The worst answer you'll get is no. ⁣
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Read the full article: https://carlleatherman.myagent.site/what-you-can-negotiate-in-a-home-purchase-that-most-buyers-dont-realize/

07/16/2026

When buyers walk into a home, the little things shape the feeling faster than most sellers realize. ⁣
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Here are five details that make a home feel instantly inviting: ⁣
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1. Natural light and open blinds ⁣
2. A comfortable temperature ⁣
3. Clean, fresh-smelling air ⁣
4. Clear surfaces and uncluttered rooms ⁣
5. A layout that feels easy to move through ⁣
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None of these require a major renovation. But together, they change how a buyer experiences the space. ⁣
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That first impression matters. Buyers don’t just evaluate square footage and finishes — they pay attention to how a home feels in the first few minutes. ⁣
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If you’re preparing to sell, start with the basics before chasing bigger updates. Often, the easiest improvements create the strongest emotional response. ⁣
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Which one do you notice first when you walk into a home?

Address

1713 E Tyler, Ste 3
Harlingen, TX
78550

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 8:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

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