Susan Lazzaretto-Chicagoland HOUSE DIVA

09/28/2026

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Why So Many Sellers Are Cutting Their Price Right Now

Price cuts are a normal part of today’s housing market, and both buyers and sellers can use them to their advantage. Let's look at what's actually happening with prices in your neighborhood, so you know exactly where you stand before you list or make an offer.



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Price cuts are turning up everywhere right now, and they read very differently depending on which side of the deal you’re on.

09/25/2026

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Price cuts have climbed for 7 straight months.

Right now, more than 4 in 10 homes for sale have already had one, and it usually comes down to one thing – the market's moving faster than most sellers expected and their pricing hasn’t necessarily kept up.

A home that needs a cut usually just sat too long priced above what buyers will actually pay right now.

Selling soon? Let's set your number right from day one, so you skip that wasted time.

House hunting? A home that's had its price reduced means the seller's already been through that wait. And sellers who've been sitting are usually ready to deal.



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09/24/2026

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3 Things You Can Actually Control About Your Mortgage Rate Right Now

You can't control where mortgage rates go, but you can control your credit, your loan, and the kind of home you buy. Working with a trusted lender can help you lock in the best rate you qualify for. And when you’re ready to make a move that fits your budget, let’s connect.



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If you're trying to buy a home, affordability is probably what keeps you up at night.

09/23/2026

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If you’re selling this season, a little effort out front goes a long way. Because the moment a buyer pulls up to a showing, they're already forming an opinion.

But there are a few simple things you can do to nail that first impression. Think tidying up your landscaping, bringing in some seasonal flowers, and sweeping the walkways. Or even just cleaning out the gutters and making sure the path to your door is well lit.

You don’t need to do a big overhaul to get buyers’ attention.

Let’s chat about what people in our area are looking for right now, and get your house prepped to sell this fall.



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09/21/2026

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Mortgage rates have been climbing again, and if you're hoping to buy, that can feel discouraging.

Here’s what you have to remember.

You can't control where rates go. But you can control a few things that shape the rate you actually get: your credit score, the type and term of loan you choose, and whether you buy a newly built home, where builders are often buying down rates to bring buyers in.

Focus there, and you put yourself in a stronger spot without waiting on the market.

Want to talk it through? A trusted lender can help with the numbers, and we can find the home to match. Let's connect.



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09/18/2026

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Selling This Fall? You Want To Get These 4 Things Right.

Selling this fall is absolutely doable. And now you know four of the biggest things to get right.

If you want to sell before the end of the year, let’s make sure you have a winning strategy from day one.



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Selling your house this fall is absolutely doable. But there’s something you need to know about this time of year.

09/17/2026

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Selling this fall? Starting strong matters even more this time of year.

In the fall, buyer activity typically starts to slow while the number of homes for sale climbs. That means fewer buyers may be looking at more options – so you want your house to stand out from day one.

Here’s the cheat sheet for how to make that happen.

Price it for today’s buyers. Not what your neighbor sold for a few years back.

Make your house hard to pass up. Tackle essential repairs and spend time on your curb appeal.

Stay flexible when offers come in. This is not the season to play hardball.

And be ready to adjust when needed. If you keep getting the same feedback from buyers, take it to heart.

If you want to sell before the end of the year, let’s make sure you have the right strategy from the start. Because with the right plan, selling in the fall is a no brainer.



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09/15/2026

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Waiting for mortgage rates to come down may feel like the only way to make buying a home possible.

But 41% of buyers who waited wish they'd bought sooner – before rates and prices rose again.

Right now, factors like inflation, the economy, and global events are all having an impact on rates – and it’s not in the direction you’d hope.

So, for a lot of buyers, waiting might not pay off. Sometimes it just means putting your life on hold for what feels like too long.

Before you decide to hit pause on your move, talk to a trusted lender. They’ll go over options that can help make buying work at today’s rates, and how to get the best rate you can.

You certainly don’t have to buy now. You should buy when the numbers work for you. But you should at least know your options before making a decision.



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09/14/2026

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Selling This Fall? You Haven't Missed Your Window

Listing this fall doesn't mean your house will sit on the market until spring. Buyers are out there right now, ready to make a move before the new year – and your window is still open.

Let's connect and make yours one of the homes that sells this season.



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Summer's winding down, and if you've been thinking about selling, you might be wondering if you missed your chance.

09/11/2026

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The Housing Market Split in 2. Which Side Is Your House On?

Your home's price point is the real story right now, more than anything you're hearing in national headlines. Let's map out exactly where your house fits in this split market and build a pricing strategy that gets you the speed and price you're after.



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Ask a couple people how the housing market is doing and you’ll probably get a couple different answers. That’s because right now, the market runs on 2 very different tracks, split by price point.