Brad Christopherson - Coldwell Banker Realty

08/19/2025

One of the most persistent misconceptions among aspiring homeowners is that a 20% down payment is required to buy a home.

Despite growing attention around all-cash transactions, most Americans — especially first-time buyers — continue to finance their home purchases, according to new data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

08/15/2025

With interest rates climbing and home prices soaring, the American dream of homeownership is slipping further out of reach, especially for single buyers and women.

A new analysis from This Old House reveals just how steep the housing burden has become. On average, married couples spend about 40% of their income on housing each year. For unmarried buyers, the numbers are significantly higher: single men spend 67 percent of their income on housing, while single....

08/08/2025

The U.S. housing market remains in deep freeze, with new data showing that high mortgage rates, climbing home prices, and economic uncertainty continue to stall buyer activity nationwide.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported this week that pending home sales dropped 0.8% from May to June, with a 2.8% year-over-year decline. These declines highlight just how paralyzed the market has become in 2025 — even as more homes hit the market.

08/01/2025

We scoured the web and consulted top real estate experts for the most creative open house marketing ideas that cut through the noise.

If you and your agent decide to host an open house (we’ll get into why that’s a big “if” below), you’ll need to find interesting ways to draw people in or it could be crickets. One estimate puts the average number of open house attendees at a 6. So we scoured the web and consulted top real...

07/29/2025

As romantic and smart as buying or renting a lake house might seem, there are also several caveats and hidden factors you should know before you purchase or sign a lease for a property on a lake.

A lake house can be a fantastic place to spend the summers, and an even better place to invest your money. It’s also a dream for many people to live on a lake, and sip coffee each morning while gazing at mist as it settles on the crystal clear water. As romantic and smart as buying or renting a la...

07/28/2025

In this guide, we’ll outline the scenarios where you’re vulnerable as a seller, where you’re in the right to claim the earnest money due to the buyer failing to uphold their end of the contract, and what things you can do to protect yourself against the risk of a buyer pulling out at the last moment.

In many cases, if a homebuyer wants to back out of a contract and retrieve their earnest money, they’ll be able to find a way to do so within the confines of the real estate purchase contract. Real estate contracts are generally stacked in the buyer’s favor, so that all the way up until the fina...

07/25/2025

17 small cities are poised to become the hidden gems of the nation, each with its own distinct allure and story.

In the ever-evolving landscape of urban living, small cities across America are gaining recognition for their unique charm, vibrant cultures, and inviting communities. These lesser-known destinations offer a quieter lifestyle without sacrificing amenities or opportunities. As 2025 unfolds, these 17....

07/24/2025

Developer credibility, association transparency, and neighborhood conditions are crucial factors when evaluating a condo.

Purchasing a condominium involves considerations unlike those for a single-family home. Shared facilities, homeowners’ association fees, and collective decision-making mean buyers must look beyond the physical unit itself. The information below highlights key signals that could suggest problems, a...

07/18/2025

Nationally, homeowners were making up to 64% profit on average in 2022, but that national margin fell to 50% in the first quarter of 2025, even as home prices remain near historic highs.

07/17/2025

As a seller, you’ll first encounter a purchase agreement when you receive an offer from a buyer. The purchase agreement outlines the buyer’s offer price, along with contingencies, financing terms, closing costs, possession date, and more.

Selling a house isn’t just about finding a buyer—it’s about sealing the deal with the right paperwork. In this stage of the process, the purchase agreement becomes essential. What is a purchase agreement?

07/15/2025

We're talking about real numbers: gross rental yield, rent-to-value ratios, and cash-on-cash returns that can actually generate income today.

Let's break down the top markets, why they're winning, and what kind of returns you can realistically expect—based not just on rental yields, but also on affordability, tenant demand, and economic stability. And if you're not ready to buy a full property yourself? Don't worry—we'll also show you...