Alexander Chia Realtor

05/20/2026

Wondering if buyers ever catch a break in this market? Look at this. 39% of sellers say they expect to make concessions this year. That’s up from 30% in 2025. So, you may have more room to negotiate than you think. Want to know what you can ask for as a buyer? Let’s chat.

05/19/2026

What the Foreclosure Headlines Aren’t Telling You

Foreclosure filings may be rising, but they're still low. And the equity most homeowners are sitting on today is a key reason this looks nothing like 2008.

You've probably seen the headlines saying, "foreclosures are on the rise,” and maybe your mind jumped straight to 2008.

05/18/2026

“What if I buy… and home prices go down?” It’s one of the biggest hold ups some buyers have right now.

And honestly, with everything in the news lately, it's easy to see where that's coming from.

No one wants to make a big financial decision at the wrong time.

But here’s the part buyers need to see.

When you look at home prices over the last several decades, data proves prices usually go up, not down.

Yes, there are a few dips in there. But they’re typically small and short-lived. So, while a few markets are seeing slight declines right now, the bigger trend is clear.

Over time, home prices almost always rise.

That’s why buying a home is generally considered a safe long-term investment (especially if you plan to live there for 5+ years).

So, try not to get too caught up in what might happen with home prices next month or next year. Focus on the bigger picture.

Want to talk through what prices are doing in our market? Send over a DM.

05/17/2026

When’s the last time you checked how much equity you’ve built? Because the number might surprise you.

In just the past 6 years, the average homeowner has gained over $128,000 – just from price growth and making their payments.

That’s money that could help fund your next move or a major life goal.

And if you’ve lived there longer than 6 years, your number could be even higher.

Want to find out? I’m offering a free equity assessment for homeowners in our market right now. Just send me a DM to get started.

05/16/2026

80% of homeowners still expect to get their asking price or more when they sell. But right now, only about 40% actually do.

That might sound surprising, but it’s not. It’s normal.

The issue is where those outdating pricing expectations are coming from.

Some sellers are still pricing high just to “see what happens.” And that strategy doesn’t work now that inventory has grown.

When a house is priced above where it should be today, buyers don’t negotiate. They move on to other options.

That’s when homes sit, and sellers have to slash prices – sometimes below what they could’ve gotten if they’d just priced right from the start.

That’s why the sellers getting the best results right now are doing something different.

They’re pricing at (or even slightly below) market value from day 1. Because that’s what creates demand early and puts you in a position to sell faster… and potentially for more.

So don’t price based on the past. Price for today’s...

05/15/2026

Foreclosures are up, but don't panic.

Yes, filings have risen over the past year. But zoom out and look at the full picture.

We're still below historical norms – and nowhere near levels seen around 2008.
This isn't a crash. It's the market returning to normal after foreclosures were artificially low during the pandemic.

And here's something else worth knowing. These are filings. Not all of them will actually turn into completed foreclosures.

If you've been hearing a lot about this lately and want to make sense of what it means, drop a comment or send me a DM. Happy to talk it through.

05/13/2026

When's the last time you checked how much equity you have in your home? Because most homeowners are sitting on more than they think. In just the past 6 years, the typical homeowner has gained over $128k in equity. Your number could be even higher. Want to find out? Let’s talk.

05/12/2026

Why Staging Your House Could Pay Off This Spring

With more homes for sale right now, making a strong first impression matters. Staging can help your house sell faster and for more – and there's an option for almost every budget.

If you’re getting ready to list, let’s talk about what level of staging makes sense for your house and make a plan for attracting the right buyers.

Selling your house this season? You’ve probably heard you should stage it before it hits the market.

05/11/2026

Thinking about selling your house soon? Don't skip staging.

With more houses on the market now, anything you can do to help yours stand out counts. And while staging costs vary, whatever you spend could pay you back big time.

For example, if you invest the typical $4k for mid-level staging on a $400k home, that can turn into roughly $18k in added value when you sell.

That gives you the potential to net about $14k more at closing – about a 350% return on your investment.

But staging doesn’t have to mean hiring a full crew. There’s an option for almost every budget, from professional staging to virtual staging to simple DIY updates.

DM me if you're getting ready to sell and let's talk about what level of staging makes sense for your house and your budget.