Lewis Barton - Broker at Lakeview Realty

06/22/2026

The home that’s been sitting on the market for a few weeks? Maybe even a month? Don’t scroll past it just yet.

Your first instinct might be to assume there’s something wrong, but you could be missing out. Especially if finding a house in your budget has been your #1 challenge.

Homes that have been on the market longest are the ones you should be looking at first.

Because the longer a house sits, the more open the seller usually is to dropping the price or negotiating.

So, before you write off a listing that’s been around for a while, let’s connect. I can help you decide which homes are worth a second glance.

06/22/2026

Home Prices Are Rising in 71% of Markets

Even though you may be hearing talk about prices crashing online, it’s not true nationally. While some areas are seeing slight declines, prices are still going up in 71% of markets. That means the majority are seeing prices rise, not fall. So, don’t believe everything you hear online. If you want the truth, lean on the pros.

06/18/2026

Is It Still a Seller's Market? Here's What the Data Says.

Right now, local markets are moving in very different directions. And your strategy as a buyer or seller should reflect your market.

Want to know which way our local market is leaning and what that means for your move? Let's connect.

Remember a few years back when sellers held all the power and buyers were stuck offering way over asking or waiving inspections just to get a chance at the house? In many markets, those days are behind us.

06/18/2026

Has anyone taken the time to explain how much the market’s shifted? Or what it means for your move?

In 2021, nearly every major housing market in the country favored sellers. But now, only about 1 in 3 does.

And that changes the dynamics for you.

If you’re buying, you may have more negotiating power. If you’re selling, pricing and presentation matter.

But here's the catch, it's not the same story everywhere. Some markets are strongly in buyers' favor right now. Others? Sellers are still winning. It all depends on where you live.

That’s why you need a pro. A great agent knows which way our local market is leaning and how that can change everything about your strategy.

Want to know what's happening right here? Drop a comment or send me a message.

06/15/2026

Lower Asking Prices Are a Win for Today’s Buyers

If affordability has been your top concern, the recent dip in prices is an opening. Want to see what that looks like in our area? Let’s connect.

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

06/11/2026

Two Big Reasons To Move This Summer

Could waiting until later this year work out? Sure. But it's important to understand what you may gain by moving now too – that way you have the full picture before you decide.

If a 2026 move is on your radar, let’s connect and talk about what matters most to you. Depending on your priorities, Summer could be your moment.

A lot of people who want to move are telling themselves the same thing: "Maybe I'll just wait until later this year once things calm down."

06/08/2026

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.

06/04/2026

Because even though you want rates to come down, experts say this latest inflation data could actually set the stage for rates to stay “higher for longer.”

So, what can you do about it? Should you just wait?

My advice is simple. Focus on what you can control.

Even in a market like this, there are things you can do to get the best mortgage rate possible. Because sometimes you need to move no matter what’s happening – and that’s okay.

You just need the right strategy.

Let's talk about what this means for your situation and your timing. Drop a comment below or send over a message.

Because you don’t have to figure it out alone. And there are still ways to move forward.

06/01/2026

Less House, More Home: Why Smaller Homes Are Paying Off for Today’s Buyers

Today’s smaller single-family homes and condos have more going for them than the square footage suggests. They can give your budget some breathing room and put you in a community designed with lifestyle in mind.

Curious about the options in our area? Let's connect.

You started shopping with a specific mental image of your future home in your mind. Then the houses in your budget came in smaller than you pictured.

05/28/2026

A lot of people have been waiting for rates to drop or prices to come down before making a move. But the reality is, sometimes life changes before the market does.
A growing family.
An empty nest.
A new job.
Retirement.
Needing to be closer to loved ones.

Those are the real reasons 1 in 5 buyers last year said they felt like they had to move, no matter the market. Because life doesn't wait for the timing to be perfect.

And if that’s where you are right now, you can still move. You may even have more options than you think. You just need someone who can help you find them.