Real Estate with Martina

01/10/2026

11/16/2025

A 50-year mortgage makes monthly payments more manageable for middle-income families, letting millions more qualify for loans— BUT at the cost of much higher total interest and slower equity-building. For some, it’s a practical entry to homeownership; for others, the long-term costs may outweigh the benefits. Families should carefully weigh these factors against their financial goals and future plans before considering such a long-term commitment.

With higher home prices & mortgage rates, affordability is a barrier to homeownership. A proposed 50-year mortgage could lower monthly payments, but means higher lifetime costs & slower equity growth.
Read more: https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/economists-outlook/50-year-mortgage-opportunities-and-trade-offs-of-a-longer-loan

09/17/2025

I'll still write the offer tho 😂

09/07/2025

In reality, 5% is not outrageous. It’s just not the unicorn-era rates people lucked into a few years ago. Humans have very short financial memories. In the 2010s, rates were artificially suppressed for years—hovering in the 3–4% range—so now anything above that feels like a robbery, even though in the bigger picture, 5% is closer to “normal” than “high.”

08/08/2025

What does this all mean? Here’s my perspective:
Sellers must price strategically, as the market is no longer rewarding overpricing. Many otherwise qualified buyers were pushed out during the past two to three years of inflated home prices—particularly following the post-2021 surge—and only now is the market beginning to catch up with that reality.

The shift toward a buyer’s market is underway, but it remains to be seen whether persistently inflated home values will slow the pace of that transition.

And finally… 🥁🥁🥁 buyers are starting to gain leverage—especially in the single-family sector. Negotiation power is gradually shifting. So, despite the flashy headlines and the bitterness of today’s market, the tide is turning—slowly but steadily.

08/08/2025

It’s a known fact that paying someone else’s mortgage through rent is not where you want to be long term. If you’re currently renting, I understand that might be your situation for now—but the ultimate goal should be to own an appreciating asset and build equity for yourself.

This week on Real Estate Today, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun breaks down recent equity gains—who’s seeing the biggest benefits and what it means for the market’s momentum. Plus, top real estate pros share smart selling strategies for today’s market. Tune in now!

https://www.nar.realtor/real-estate-today?cid=sm_RET1875

10/31/2024

While the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) provides a valuable early indicator of housing activity, its accuracy can be affected by deals that fall through.

In September 2024, pending home sales rose 7.4% month-over-month.