Donna Hermsen & Dan O'Brien Team / Collective Real Estate Group

09/17/2026

🏡 OPEN HOUSE — SUNDAY 11AM - 1PM 🏡
📍 401 Melody Lane, Unit B, Verona
✨ NEW PRICE — $259,900! ✨
https://zsvc.paragon.ice.com/s/goto/G1ao8GOoo0R
Come take a look at this 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath townhouse-style condo in a fantastic Verona location, backing up to Palmer Park and just minutes from downtown Verona and Epic!
🏠 Highlights include:
• Granite countertops in the kitchen & baths
• Stainless steel appliances
• Attached 1-car garage
• Private backyard & rear deck
• Newly rebuilt front balcony
• New windows being installed
• Newer roof & A/C
• Pet-friendly association
• Low condo fees
If you’ve been waiting for an affordable opportunity to own in Verona, this one is worth a look!

Bright and sunny 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath townhouse condo backing to Palmer Park, just 1 minute to downtown Verona and only 5 minutes to Epic! The light-filled kitchen features tile floors, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a dining area with backyard access, making it perfect for ever...

07/30/2026

06/18/2026

A few years ago, sellers could say "no" to just about everything a buyer asked for.

No repairs.
No concessions.
No negotiation.

Today? The market looks a little different.

Zillow says 67% of sellers pay some or all of their buyer's closing costs.

That doesn't mean every seller should do it. But it does mean the most successful sellers today understand something important:

The market has shifted. And that's means negotiation is back on the table.

Sometimes helping with closing costs makes sense. Sometimes another concession is the better move. But it’s normal for today’s market to require some give and take.

The key is knowing what buyers are asking for in your area, and which compromises are actually worth making.

Want to know what sellers in our area are negotiating right now? Send a message or drop a comment below.



Buying or Selling, we are here to help.

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.



Buying or Selling, we are here to help.

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

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

But before you decide, make sure you understand what you could be giving up too. Because moving this Summer does have its advantages.

For buyers, it could give you more options in your price point. Historically, there are over 30% more fresh listings in the Summer compared to the rest of the year.

For sellers, it can mean a better sales price. Data shows, on average homes sell for 4% more in the typical Summer month compared to usual month in the Fall or Winter (when demand typically falls off).

The point isn't to rush into anything. It's just to make sure you have the full picture before deciding whether waiting is really your best move.

DM me if you want to talk through your options. No pressure, just perspective based on years of experience.



Buying or Selling, we are here to help.

06/18/2026

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.



Buying or Selling, we are here to help.

06/18/2026

Should You Pay for Your Buyer’s Closing Costs? What Sellers Need To Know.

The sellers having the most success today are the ones who understand the market has changed and are adapting to meet it where it is.

Sometimes that means negotiating on closing costs. Sometimes it means offering something else. The key is knowing which concessions are worth it for our local market.

If you’re wondering what's normal in our area, what's worth negotiating, and where it makes sense to stand firm, let’s connect.



Buying or Selling, we are here to help.

A few years ago, sellers could get away with saying "no" to just about everything.

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.

06/17/2026

Think Home Prices Will Crash? Here's What the Experts Actually Expect.

A lot of buyers are waiting because they think prices will fall, but that’s not what the experts are saying.

If you're trying to decide whether waiting still makes sense, let's connect. That way you understand what's happening in our local market and what it could mean for your plans.



Buying or Selling, we are here to help.

One of the biggest reasons buyers are still sitting on the sidelines is because they think home prices are going to come down.