Sarah Streeter Realtor

05/29/2026

Here's what's happening in deals right now: buyers are NOT waiving inspections anymore. They're using inspection findings as a second round of negotiation — asking for repair credits, price reductions, or seller-paid concessions.

The smart seller move? Get a pre-listing inspection. When you know what's there, you control the narrative. You can fix it, price around it, or disclose it — all of which builds buyer confidence and keeps deals from falling apart at the 11th hour.

Pro tip: clean HVAC vents and have service records ready. Buyers notice details like dusty registers more than you'd think.

05/28/2026

The most influential design report of 2026 (from Engel & Völkers) says it plainly: homeowners are making 'deliberate choices about how their homes support their health and emotional well-being.'

In practical terms, buyers are now asking about:
🌿 Air quality and filtration systems
☀️ Natural light (south-facing windows matter)
🪵 Natural, non-toxic materials
💧 Water filtration built in
🔇 Noise control and sound insulation

If your home has these features — market them explicitly. If you're buying — add these to your must-have list. A beautiful home that makes you feel bad isn't a good investment.

What wellness feature matters most to you in a home?

05/27/2026

$500,000 buys you a studio in one city and a 5-bedroom home in another. Here's what no one shows you.

The same dollar amount looks completely different depending on where you plant your flag — and most people have no idea how dramatic that difference really is.

This isn't about which city is better. It's about knowing what your money actually buys — so you can make a decision based on reality, not assumption.

If you're thinking about relocating, upsizing, or buying in another market — comment the city below and I'll tell you what $500K actually looks like in that market.

05/26/2026

A HomeLight survey of top real estate agents found that 58% say buyers are requesting closing cost credits from sellers. Not some buyers. Majority of buyers.

This is the 2026 market reality: buyers are stretched. They're managing high purchase prices, 6%+ rates, and moving costs all at once. When they can get the seller to cover $8,000–12,000 in closing costs, that's money they can keep in their pocket for reserves or immediate improvements.

For buyers: this is a legitimate ask — put it in your offer and let your agent negotiate it properly.

For sellers: budgeting for this concession in advance means you won't be blindsided. Price your home to account for it, and watch your deal sail through to closing.

Questions about your specific situation? Drop them below or DM me directly.

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

When buyers tour a home, the primary bathroom is one of the most emotional rooms in the house. It's where they picture their morning routine, their self-care rituals, their unwinding at the end of the day.

The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report confirmed: a midrange bathroom remodel has an 80% ROI — while an upscale remodel drops to 42%. Translation? You don't need to go all-out. You need to go smart.

High-impact, lower-cost updates:
🚿 Replace the showerhead with a rainfall model (~$150)
🪞 Update the mirror and lighting
🖌️ Refresh the grout and caulk
🌿 Add a plant and fresh towels for showings

Don't renovate past the neighborhood ceiling. Consult me first.

05/21/2026

Here's a truth that stings: 9 out of 10 buyers start their home search online. If your listing photos are dark, blurry, taken with a phone, or shot with the toilet lid up — buyers click away in 2 seconds and never come back.

The 2026 market has raised the bar. Buyers are comparing your listing side by side with 20 others in the same price range. Professional photography, a proper floor plan, and ideally a video walkthrough aren't extras — they're the minimum.

When I list your home, this is non-negotiable. Your first impression happens online, and it needs to be outstanding. DM me to see examples of how I market my listings.

05/20/2026

3 things sellers believe right now that are quietly costing them money. I wish more agents said this out loud.

01. "I'll price high and come down if I need to."

Homes that don't go under contract within 2 weeks start collecting a stigma. Buyers wonder what's wrong with it. And that stigma costs you more than pricing it right from day one ever would have. The data is clear: homes priced correctly from the start spend 11 days on market. Overpriced ones sit for 68.

02. "Staging doesn't matter — buyers can use their imagination."

Buyers decide in 8 seconds on your listing photo. Eight. Seconds. They are not imagining anything. They are clicking away. Staging, professional photography, and a clean presentation are not extras in this market — they are the difference between a showing and a scroll.

03. "The inspection is the buyer's problem."

In 2026, buyers are not waiving inspections. They are using them as a second round of negotiation. The sellers who are winning are the ones who get a pre-listing inspection, know exactly what's there, and control the conversation before it starts.

If you're thinking about listing this spring — save this post, share it with someone you know who needs to hear it, and DM me the word SELL. I'll send you my full pre-listing prep guide at no cost.

05/19/2026

Open-concept living isn't going anywhere — but in 2026, buyers want something more nuanced. They want the feel of open space AND the function of defined zones.

That means tray ceilings, archways, accent beams, and half-walls that separate a kitchen from a living room without closing it off. It means a dining area that feels intentional, not just a table floating in a great room.

If you're staging to sell — this matters. The eye should be able to flow through the space AND stop somewhere. Give buyers that experience and your listing will stand out.

Which do you prefer — fully open or zones with some definition? Drop a 🏠 or 🪟 below!

05/18/2026

In 2026, buyers are patient. They're doing deep research online before they even schedule a tour. They know what comparable homes sold for. They know your price history. And if your home is overpriced, they'll simply scroll past it.

Homes that don't go under contract within 2 weeks start to collect a stigma — buyers wonder what's wrong with it. That stigma costs you more than pricing it right from day one.

If you're thinking about selling this spring, let's talk about your real number — not the one you wish for, the one that actually gets you to closing. DM me 'PRICE' to get started.