Diaz & Lester NextHome Magnolia Realty

08/25/2025

Condos Could Be a Win for Today’s Buyers

Condos aren’t just a fallback option. In today’s market, they’re one of the most strategic ways to buy. With more options, softening prices, and more room to negotiate, now could be the right time to make your move.

Could a condo check more boxes than you expected? Let’s talk through your options and find out.

NextHome® Magnolia Realty
206 Princeton Road Ste 33
Johnson City, TN 37601
423-631-5723
*Equal Housing Opportunity
* Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

Not every homebuyer wants the biggest house on the block.

08/23/2025

The number of condos for sale is growing.

Right now, we’ve got the second highest amount we’ve seen in the last 3 years. And nearly double the supply we had in early 2022. That opens doors for you.

If you’re looking for a condo, you have more options and less competition. And since there are more for sale, many sellers are more open to negotiating. So, you may be able to get a better price.

Could a condo check more boxes than you expected? Let’s talk about what’s available and see if one might be a good fit for you.

NextHome® Magnolia Realty
206 Princeton Road Ste 33
Johnson City, TN 37601
423-631-5723
*Equal Housing Opportunity
* Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

08/22/2025

From Frenzy to Breathing Room: Buyers Finally Have Time Again

If the chaos of the past few years drove you to hit pause, this is your green light. The market’s pace has shifted. You have more time. More options. More power.
And with the right agent guiding you, you’re in the best position you’ve been in for years.

Let’s talk about what the pace looks like in our area, and if now could be the right time for you to re-enter the market.

NextHome® Magnolia Realty
206 Princeton Road Ste 33
Johnson City, TN 37601
423-631-5723
*Equal Housing Opportunity
* Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

If you tried to buy a home a few years ago, you probably still remember the frenzy.

08/18/2025

Everyone’s waiting for rates to fall. And according to NAR, the magic number they're hoping for is 6%. But is that number on the horizon?

Most forecasts say rates will stay in the mid-to-low sixes through the end of next year. But right after the latest weaker than expected jobs report, rates hit their lowest point so far this year (6.55%). And that sparked hope they’re on their way down.

Ultimately, what happens from here all depends on the next round of economic reports. As of right now, experts agree a bit drop isn’t expected, but small changes are possible. Here’s what to watch.

When rates do fall to 6%, it could unlock 5.5 million more buyers. So waiting would mean dealing with a lot more competition. And less negotiating power.

If you’re hoping to buy and you’re able to make the numbers work today...

NextHome® Magnolia Realty
206 Princeton Road Ste 33
Johnson City, TN 37601
423-631-5723
*Equal Housing Opportunity
* Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

08/16/2025

Think new homes always cost more? Not right now.

The latest data shows the median price of a newly built home is actually over $30K less than an existing one.

That’s because builders are adjusting prices and offering serious incentives to move inventory. It’s also because builders have been focusing on smaller homes lately.

If price was the reason you ruled out new construction, it might be time for another look. Want to see what’s available near you? Let’s chat.

NextHome® Magnolia Realty
206 Princeton Road Ste 33
Johnson City, TN 37601
423-631-5723
*Equal Housing Opportunity
* Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

08/15/2025

What You Need To Know About Concessions

Now that there are more homes for sale, buyers have more options. And sellers need to be more flexible to close the deal.

That's why almost half of homeowners are making some type of concession. This can include covering closing costs, paying for repairs, or dropping the price.

Not sure which concessions to offer? Let’s connect so you know what’s working for sellers in our market.

NextHome® Magnolia Realty
206 Princeton Road Ste 33
Johnson City, TN 37601
423-631-5723
*Equal Housing Opportunity
* Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

Now that there are more homes for sale, buyers have more options. And sellers need to be more flexible to close the deal. 

08/11/2025

3 Advantages of Buying a Newly Built Home Today

Prices, rates, and finding the right home are three of the biggest challenges for buyers today. You may find better luck with all 3 if you look at newly built homes.

There are more available. Builders are more flexible on prices right now. And people who buy new homes tend to get lower rates in this market thanks to the incentives builders can offer.

Let’s connect if you want to see the new builds available in and around our area.

NextHome® Magnolia Realty
206 Princeton Road Ste 33
Johnson City, TN 37601
423-631-5723
*Equal Housing Opportunity
* Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

Prices, rates, and finding the right home are three of the biggest challenges for buyers today. You may find better luck with all 3 if you look at newly built homes.

08/09/2025

Why Selling Without an Agent Can Cost You More Than You Think

In a market with more listings and pickier buyers, many sellers who try to sell on their own end up working with an agent anyway. So why not start there?

Let’s connect so you have a pro who knows exactly what it takes to sell your house in today’s market, for the best possible price, without leaving money on the table.

Reach out if you want a professional assessment on what your house could sell for today.

NextHome® Magnolia Realty
206 Princeton Road Ste 33
Johnson City, TN 37601
423-631-5723
*Equal Housing Opportunity
* Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

Cutting out the agent might seem like a smart way to save when you sell your house. But here’s the hard truth.

08/08/2025

Selling your house without an agent might feel like a shortcut (and a money saver)… until it costs you thousands.

Last year, on average, homes sold with an agent went for 15% more than those that sold without the help of an agent.

And here's why the gap is so big. The market is balancing out. There are more homes for buyers to choose from right now, and that means the strategies that worked a year or two ago won’t work today.

The best agents have the skills and experience to sell in a shifting market. And if you try to sell without that expertise, chances are you’re going to feel it in your bottom line.

So, before you decide to tackle it on your own, let’s have a quick conversation about what’s changing and what’s working right now so you don’t leave money on the table.

NextHome® Magnolia Realty
206 Princeton Road Ste 33
Johnson City, TN 37601
423-631-5723
*Equal Housing Opportunity
* Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

08/04/2025

The Truth About Down Payments (It’s Not What You Think)

If you’ve been putting off buying a home because the down payment feels like too much to tackle, let’s talk. You may not need as much as you think, and there are plenty of resources out there, so you don’t have to do it alone. You just need an expert to point you in the right direction.

If a down payment wasn’t holding you back, would you be ready to start your home search?

NextHome® Magnolia Realty
206 Princeton Road Ste 33
Johnson City, TN 37601
423-631-5723
*Equal Housing Opportunity
* Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

Buying a home is exciting… until you start thinking about the down payment. That’s when the worry can set in.

08/02/2025

The 3 Things You Risk by Pricing Too High

Overpricing can lead to tough choices you never want to face. But with the right price, and the right guidance, you can skip the stress and sell with confidence. Let’s connect so you have a pricing strategy that works for today’s market and gets you where you want to go.

NextHome® Magnolia Realty
206 Princeton Road Ste 33
Johnson City, TN 37601
423-631-5723
*Equal Housing Opportunity
* Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

When selling your house, the price you choose isn’t just a number, it's a strategy. 

08/01/2025

Home Price Forecasts for the Second Half of 2025

The expert forecasts for the second half of the year show home prices are still forecast to rise nationally – just at a much slower pace. But that’s going to vary by local market. If you want to know what's happening with prices in our area, let’s connect.

NextHome® Magnolia Realty
206 Princeton Road Ste 33
Johnson City, TN 37601
423-631-5723
*Equal Housing Opportunity
* Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated