Lenuta Lily Mocanu - Associate Broker at Douglas Elliman Real Estate

08/24/2026

Home Prices Are Rising in 80% of Markets

Still waiting for home prices to come down? That's becoming less likely. Home prices are now rising in 80% of housing markets. That’s up from 71% last quarter. In other words, more markets are seeing prices go up — not down. Before you put your plans on hold, let's look at what's happening in our market. Waiting may not save you as much as you think.

08/24/2026

Thinking about selling, but worried your deal could fall apart before closing? Here's some perspective.

Most home sales still make it to the finish. And when one doesn't, the top reason is almost always inspection or repair issues. They play a part in more than 70% of deals that fall through.

But, luckily for you, inspection/repair issues are what you have the most power to prevent ahead of time. A pre-listing inspection lets you find and handle problems before a buyer's inspector ever does.

Ready to list? Let's talk about whether getting a pre-listing inspection makes sense for your house in our market.

08/23/2026

When's the last time someone told you what your house is worth?

Not what some online estimate says. Not what your neighbor's place sold for. What your house is actually worth today.

If you're like most people, it's been years. And that number is worth a second look, especially now because it also tells you how much equity you have.

Data shows homeowners have an average of about $311k of equity today. That’s six figures. Once you sell, you can use that to put more money down or even buy your next house in cash.

So, today’s rates and prices may not be holding you back as much as you think.

If you're even thinking about what's next, let's talk. I’d be happy to do a free equity assessment and show you exactly what you're working with.

The number might just change what you thought was possible.

-UpHomebuyer

08/23/2026

When's the last time someone told you what your house is worth?

Not what some online estimate says. Not what your neighbor's place sold for. What your house is actually worth today.

If you're like most people, it's been years. And that number is worth a second look, especially now because it also tells you how much equity you have.

Data shows homeowners have an average of about $311k of equity today. That’s six figures. Once you sell, you can use that to put more money down or even buy your next house in cash.

So, today’s rates and prices may not be holding you back as much as you think.

If you're even thinking about what's next, let's talk. I’d be happy to do a free equity assessment and show you exactly what you're working with.

The number might just change what you thought was possible.

08/19/2026

Higher Rates Could Actually Help Housing Supply – Here’s How.

The number of homes for sale is growing slowly but surely, and that means more options for your move. Want to see what’s available in our area? Reach out, and let's take a look together.

You may have heard the number of homes for sale isn’t growing like it was. And maybe that has you worried you won’t find a home you love when it’s time to make your move.

08/17/2026

The Kind of House Buyers Are Willing To Pay More For

Your multi-generational-friendly, or simply larger-than-average, house might meet criteria a lot of buyers can't find in a standard one. That's what gets attention. And offers. So, let’s chat about what it could get you in our market right now.

That spare room on the main floor. The finished basement with a kitchenette and its own entrance. The bonus room you've been using for storage. To you, it's extra space. But to a growing pool of buyers, it's the reason they'd pick your house.

08/17/2026

The Kind of House Buyers Are Willing To Pay More For

Your multi-generational-friendly, or simply larger-than-average, house might meet criteria a lot of buyers can't find in a standard one. That's what gets attention. And offers. So, let’s chat about what it could get you in our market right now.

That spare room on the main floor. The finished basement with a kitchenette and its own entrance. The bonus room you've been using for storage. To you, it's extra space. But to a growing pool of buyers, it's the reason they'd pick your house.

08/16/2026

Want to know who's got the upper hand in today's housing market? One number tells you almost everything you need to know. It's the months' supply of homes for sale.

If there's fewer than 4 months? Sellers have the advantage.
Between 4-6 months? Buyers and sellers are on equal footing.
More than 6 months? Buyers have the power.

Right now, nationally, this is the most balanced market we've seen in years. But balanced doesn’t mean the market’s the same everywhere.

Some places are already leaning much more toward buyers. Others still strongly favor sellers.

If you're wondering who's got the upper hand where we live, let's talk. I'll show you what the numbers look like in our market and what they could mean for your next move.

08/16/2026

Want to know who's got the upper hand in today's housing market? One number tells you almost everything you need to know. It's the months' supply of homes for sale.

If there's fewer than 4 months? Sellers have the advantage.
Between 4-6 months? Buyers and sellers are on equal footing.
More than 6 months? Buyers have the power.

Right now, nationally, this is the most balanced market we've seen in years. But balanced doesn’t mean the market’s the same everywhere.

Some places are already leaning much more toward buyers. Others still strongly favor sellers.

If you're wondering who's got the upper hand where we live, let's talk. I'll show you what the numbers look like in our market and what they could mean for your next move.

08/12/2026

Mortgage rates aren’t random. They’re affected by 2 numbers.

The 10-year treasury yield and something called "the spread." That's the gap between the 10-year treasury yield and mortgage rates, and it usually sits around 1.76 percentage points.

Back in 2023, the gap in the spread ballooned up to 3.19 in response to economic uncertainty. If it were still that wide today, rates would be pushing almost 8%.

But the good news is the gap has narrowed to 2.01 (a lot closer to the long-term norm). And that’s a big positive for rates. It’s why today’s mortgage rate is in the upper 6s instead of touching 8%.

Here's the part a lot of people miss. Where rates are right now are already pretty close to what a totally normal spread would produce – a mortgage rate around 6.5%.

In other words, the fact that the spread has narrowed in recent years has helped mortgage rates. Sure, they’re still higher than you may want, but it could be worse.

Wondering if...