Jessie Pate Counts Real Estate

09/21/2026

🏡 You’ve built equity in your home. But what’s the best way to ACCESS it?

Two options homeowners often consider are a Cash Out Refinance and a HELOC, but they work very differently.

💰 A HELOC allows you to borrow against your equity as you need it while leaving your existing mortgage in place. This can be helpful when expenses come in stages, like renovations or other ongoing costs.

🏠 A Cash Out Refinance replaces your current mortgage with a new, larger mortgage and gives you the difference in cash. This may make more sense when you need a larger lump sum at once.

So which one is better?

That depends on your current mortgage rate, how much equity you have, how much money you need, how you plan to use it and what you’re comfortable paying each month.

One of the biggest things to consider is whether it makes sense to replace your current mortgage at all, especially if you’re sitting on a great interest rate.

There isn’t a one size fits all answer.

If you’ve been wondering how much equity you have or what options may be available to you, send me a message. I’d be happy to run through the numbers with you. 🏡💰

09/18/2026

🏡 Forget the formal dining room. Homebuyers want a HOBBY ROOM!

According to the 2026 Homes.com New Construction Builder Survey, hobby rooms ranked as the second highest priority for new construction buyers, right behind home offices.

And honestly, it makes sense.

Craft rooms 🎨
Music rooms 🎸
Home gyms 🏋️
Sewing rooms 🧵
Gaming rooms 🎮
Collectible rooms
Kids’ creative spaces

Buyers are looking at those rarely used formal living and dining rooms and asking, “Why not turn this into a space I’ll actually use?” Builders are responding with more flex and bonus rooms that homeowners can make their own.

The trend goes even further. Buyers are also showing interest in dual home offices and dedicated wellness rooms.

It feels like we’re moving away from designing homes around rooms we’re “supposed” to have and toward designing them around how we actually LIVE.

If you had one extra room in your house that could be dedicated entirely to YOU, what would you turn it into? 👇

09/17/2026

🏡 How did the modern farmhouse end up EVERYWHERE?

White siding. Black windows. Clean rooflines. Board and batten. You’ve probably seen this look in just about every new neighborhood built over the last decade.

But it turns out the modern farmhouse didn’t take over America just because we liked the way it looked.

After the 2008 housing crash, builders were looking for ways to cut construction costs while still giving homes plenty of curb appeal. The modern farmhouse was almost perfect for that. Simpler rooflines and manufactured materials could create a distinctive look without all the expensive architectural details.

It’s actually not the first time economics helped determine what American homes looked like. After WWII, builders needed to build homes quickly and affordably, helping fuel the massive popularity of the ranch style.

Now we may be watching another shift.

With construction costs climbing and affordability stretched, builders are simplifying homes again, shrinking lots and finding ways to give buyers more usable space without adding expensive square footage.

So 20 years from now, what will we look back on as THE house of the 2020s? 🏠

And are you still a fan of the modern farmhouse, or are you ready for something different?

09/16/2026

🍍❤️ EAT LOCAL. GIVE LOCAL. ❤️🍍

Pineapple Willy’s is once again turning lunch and dinner into a way to give back during its annual Pay It Forward Charity Week!

Now through Sunday, dining at the Panama City Beach staple helps support nine local nonprofit organizations, including United Way, The Arc of the Bay, and Girls Inc.

The best part? 100% of the proceeds generated during the week go directly toward supporting these local organizations and the people they serve. 🙌

It’s an easy way for locals and visitors to make a difference. Enjoy some good food, soak up the beach atmosphere, and help support organizations doing important work right here in our community. 🌴🍤

📅 Pay It Forward Week runs through Sunday.

Who needs an excuse to go to Pineapple Willy’s anyway? 🍍😋
https://pwillys.com/dine/menu/?utm_source=google_kerigan&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pm_menu&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22664643501&gbraid=0AAAAADdoAOFkXpbtNzO05iUe5syng_p7U&gclid=CjwKCAjw_KjVBhAHEiwAnC0N9NrnIaWh2AkhLG4iUyeoQmK8CA-1DaQLrn_TWKupjD1hzKJzRy1qiRoCirYQAvD_BwE

Have a picky eater or want to plan ahead? View our menu here and find something everyone will enjoy. View our ingredients menu to see what goes into every meal.

09/15/2026

💰 Hulk Hogan’s Florida Mansion Just Got ANOTHER $1 Million Price Cut! 🏡🌴

The late wrestling legend’s waterfront mansion in Clearwater Beach, Florida, is now asking **$6.9 million**down significantly from its original $10.98 million listing price.

The Mediterranean-style home offers more than 5,000 square feet of luxury living, including:

🌊 Direct Clearwater Beach access
🛏️ 5 bedrooms
🏝️ Gulf views
🏊 Pool & spa
🍽️ Designer chef’s kitchen
🛗 Private elevator
🔥 Gas fireplace
🌅 Primary suite with a private Gulf-facing terrace
✨ Teak, marble & natural stone finishes

Hogan purchased the property for $3.33 million in 2012, and it later became part of a two-home beachfront compound.

From **$10.98M to $6.9M**that’s more than a $4 MILLION difference from the original asking price. 👀

At what price would this legendary piece of Clearwater Beach real estate finally get your attention?

09/14/2026

🏚️ Would You Buy a 150-Year-Old Gothic Home? 👀

They may look like something straight out of a haunted movie, but Gothic Revival homes were actually designed to be fashionable, comfortable residences and today, they’re some of the most distinctive historic homes you’ll find.

You can often spot one by its:

🏰 Steeply pitched roof
🪟 Pointed-arch windows
✨ Decorative woodwork and trim
🚪 Dramatic arches and architectural details
🖤 Stained or leaded glass
🏡 Towers or turrets on some larger homes

But owning this much character can come with some responsibility.

Many surviving Gothic Revival homes are more than 150 years old, which means buyers may need to consider specialized maintenance for slate roofs, original woodwork, historic windows, plumbing, electrical systems, foundations, and other aging features.

And if the property is located in a locally designated historic district, there may be additional rules governing exterior renovations.

There’s no denying these homes have CHARACTER. 😍

So, would you take on the maintenance to own a piece of architectural history or would you rather admire one from a distance? 👇

09/12/2026

🏚️ Would You Pay $1.7 MILLION to Own the Creel House from “Stranger Things”? 👀

One of TV’s most recognizable homes has officially hit the market!

The Victorian mansion in Rome, Georgia, featured as the infamous Creel House in Season 4 of Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” is listed for $1.7 million.

And there’s a lot more to this property than its trip to the Upside Down. 😳

🏡 6,181 total square feet
🛏️ 8 bedrooms
🛁 6.5 bathrooms
🌳 1-acre property
🏰 Gothic-style guest house
✨ Original historic millwork and moldings
🍽️ 15-foot black marble kitchen island
🔐 Even an antique wall safe

Built in the late 1800s, the property has a long history including time as a bed and breakfast before becoming one of the most memorable locations in “Stranger Things.”

And despite its creepy reputation on screen, previous owners have said the house isn’t actually haunted. 👻

So here’s the $1.7 million question…

Would you LIVE in the Creel House knowing its “Stranger Things” history? 🫣👇

09/11/2026

🌻 A South Carolina man planted a pollinator garden. Now his town is taking him to court.

Rich Ashford transformed the struggling front yard of his Cowpens, SC, home with native grasses and wildflowers designed to attract bees, butterflies, and birds.

But there’s a problem: some of the plants grow taller than the town’s 12-inch limit.

Ashford argues his intentionally planted native landscape qualifies as a “cultivated garden,” which is exempt under the town ordinance. The town cited him anyway, reportedly following complaints about the property.

Now he’s scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 17.

The dispute raises an interesting question as native and pollinator-friendly landscaping becomes more popular:

🌱 Where should communities draw the line between an “overgrown yard” and an intentionally cultivated natural garden?

Ashford plans to defend the garden—and even bring a proposed ordinance defining pollinator gardens to court.

What do you think: Should native gardens receive explicit protection under local landscaping rules?

09/10/2026

🏫 Who's Ready to Go Back to School... Literally? 😄

For $450,000, you can own an entire former school sitting on nearly 20 acres in Gwinn, Michigan.

Here's what comes with your "campus":

🏡 Nearly 39,000 square feet of space
🛏️ 12 bedrooms
🛁 9 bathrooms
🏀 The original school gymnasium
🎨 Former classrooms, studio space, and meeting areas
🚗 Garage and massive storage spaces
🌳 19.38 acres of land

Part of the building has already been converted into multiple living spaces, while the remaining wings are ready for a new vision.

What would you do with it?

🏨 Boutique hotel?
🏘️ Apartments?
🎨 Artist retreat?
🏋️ Sports training facility?
📦 Business or storage complex?
🎥 Movie set?
🏡 The world's biggest family home? (Hope you like parent-teacher conferences!)

Sometimes the most unique real estate isn't a mansion... it's a property with endless possibilities.

What would your first renovation be?



Click here for the full listing👇️
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/530-Mitchell-St-Gwinn-MI-49841/2128366324_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

09/09/2026

🏡 Don't Let Beautiful Staging Distract You During a Home Tour!

A home can have gorgeous furniture, fresh paint, and the perfect décor, but it's what's behind the scenes that really matters.

Before you fall in love with a home, take a closer look at the details that could save you thousands of dollars down the road.

Here are a few things every buyer should check during a showing:

🔍 Look for cracks in the foundation, walls, and ceilings.

💧 Check for water stains, musty odors, or signs of moisture around windows, bathrooms, and the basement.

🚪 Open and close doors and windows to make sure they operate properly.

🚰 Test faucets, flush toilets, and check under sinks for leaks.

⚡ Flip light switches and take note of the number of electrical outlets.

🏠 Ask about the age of the roof, HVAC system, water heater, and major appliances.

🌳 Step outside and look at drainage, grading, landscaping, and the overall condition of the property.

A home tour is your opportunity to spot potential concerns before spending money on a professional home inspection. While it's not a replacement for an inspection, knowing what to look for can help you make a more informed decision.

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you'll make. Looking beyond the finishes can help you avoid costly surprises later.