Carole MacQueen, Realtor

Carole MacQueen, Realtor Realtor serving Dexter, Chelsea, Saline & the Greater Washtenaw County area.

Helping buyers, sellers & relocating families navigate the market with ease using local expertise, smart pricing strategies & personalized service you can trust every step

Summer buyers often get labeled as casual, but in many markets the opposite is true.By June, a lot of buyers have alread...
06/18/2026

Summer buyers often get labeled as casual, but in many markets the opposite is true.

By June, a lot of buyers have already done the early work — they’ve talked to lenders, narrowed neighborhoods, and figured out what they can realistically afford. They’re not just browsing. They’re trying to make a move before vacations, lease renewals, relocations, or the next school year.

That sense of timing matters. Serious summer buyers often make faster decisions because they feel the calendar more clearly.

If you’re selling, this is a good reminder: don’t assume summer shoppers are less motivated. A well-presented, well-priced home can still move quickly when it matches what buyers are looking for.

Let us know in the comments — do you think summer buyers are more serious or more selective?

06/18/2026

Did you know nearly 1 in 5 homebuyers today are purchasing multi-generational homes?

For many families across Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Ann Arbor, and throughout Washtenaw County, it's not just about having more space—it's about affordability, caregiving, flexibility, and creating a stronger support system under one roof.

As housing costs continue to evolve, more buyers are looking for creative solutions that help make homeownership work for their family's unique needs.

Learn more about today's house hacking and multi-generational living trends in my latest blog:

https://carolemacqueen.myagent.site/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/

06/16/2026

Thinking about house hacking? Here's what you need to know before you dive in.

Zoning and local regulations are non-negotiable. ADU legality, short-term rental rules, and multi-family zoning vary dramatically by city and neighborhood. What's allowed three blocks away may not be allowed on your property. Unpermitted units create liability headaches that outlast the savings. Do things by the book from the start.

Be honest about lifestyle fit. Sharing a property with tenants — whether strangers or family — requires a certain temperament and a willingness to handle uncomfortable conversations. Clear boundaries and realistic expectations matter.

And always run conservative numbers. If the math works with vacancy and maintenance built in, you're solid. If it only works at 100% occupancy, it's a risk.

Read the full article: https://carolemacqueen.myagent.site/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/

Want to know the original house hack? Buy a duplex, triplex, or small multi-family. Live in one unit. Rent out the other...
06/11/2026

Want to know the original house hack? Buy a duplex, triplex, or small multi-family. Live in one unit. Rent out the others. It's been working for decades — and it still does in 2026.

FHA loans allow you to buy properties with up to 4 units with as little as 3.5% down, as long as you live in one unit. Veterans can use a VA loan with zero down. And Freddie Mac's Home Possible program allows qualified buyers to put down just 3%.

The financing options are more accessible than most buyers realize. For those willing to share a property line with their tenants, the income potential is typically higher than an ADU, and the strategy is time-tested. If you're serious about house hacking, don't overlook the classic approach.

Read the full article: https://carolemacqueen.myagent.site/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/

06/11/2026

Everyone loves the idea of "living for free" through house hacking... but that's not really how it works in today's market.

The good news? House hacking can still be one of the smartest ways to make homeownership more affordable.

Whether it's a multi-generational setup, a home with an accessory living space, or a small multi-family property, buyers throughout Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Ann Arbor, and the greater Washtenaw County area are finding creative ways to offset housing costs and build equity.

I break down what's real, what's hype, and what buyers should actually know in 2026.

Read the full blog here:
https://carolemacqueen.myagent.site/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/

Multi-generational home buying hit a record high in 2024. 14% of all home purchases were multi-generational. Gen X buyer...
06/09/2026

Multi-generational home buying hit a record high in 2024. 14% of all home purchases were multi-generational. Gen X buyers led the way at 19%. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

This isn't a trend. It's a structural shift.

Among multi-generational buyers, 41% said the primary reason was to care for or support aging parents — the highest share since tracking began in 2015. Another 23% wanted to spend more time with their parents. For Gen X especially, who are often supporting both aging parents and adult children, a home designed to accommodate multiple generations solves several problems at once: caretaking, privacy, and cost.

House hacking doesn't always mean renting to strangers. Sometimes it means sharing a home — and the costs — with the people who matter most.

Read the full article: https://carolemacqueen.myagent.site/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have become the gold standard for house hacking in 2026 — and there's a reason why. 🏠As ...
06/04/2026

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have become the gold standard for house hacking in 2026 — and there's a reason why. 🏠

As of March 2026, Fannie Mae allows lenders to count projected ADU rental income toward your mortgage qualification — up to 30% of your total qualifying income. That means the income potential of an ADU can help you qualify for a home you otherwise couldn't afford.

ADUs include:
🔹 Detached backyard cottages
🔹 Converted garages
🔹 Basement suites with separate entrances

They're increasingly legal, financially supported, and proven in the rental market. If affordability is your biggest barrier to homeownership, an ADU-eligible property might be the solution.

Read the full article: https://carolemacqueen.myagent.site/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/

06/02/2026

House hacking isn't about living for free — it's about making homeownership possible when it otherwise wouldn't be. In 2026, the strategy is less about eliminating a mortgage payment and more about engineering one you can actually afford. 🏡

Here's what's working:

✅ ADUs (accessory dwelling units) — Fannie Mae now lets buyers count projected ADU rental income toward mortgage qualification, up to 30% of total qualifying income

✅ Multi-generational homes — 14% of all home purchases in the last year were multi-generational, with Gen X leading at 19%

✅ Small multi-family properties — FHA loans allow up to 4 units with just 3.5% down if you live in one

✅ Realistic expectations — If rental income cuts your $3,800 payment down to $2,200, that's a win

The math has to work. The zoning has to be legal. And the lifestyle has to fit. But for the right buyer, house hacking can turn a closed door into an open one.

Read the full article: https://carolemacqueen.myagent.site/house-hacking-in-2026-what-the-hype-got-wrong-and-what-actually-works/

If you're thinking about selling your home, you've probably heard the term "months of supply" thrown around. But what do...
05/28/2026

If you're thinking about selling your home, you've probably heard the term "months of supply" thrown around. But what does it actually mean?

Months of supply measures how long it would take to sell all available homes at the current sales pace. It's one of the clearest indicators of whether we're in a buyer's or seller's market.

Here's the breakdown:
- Less than 5 months = Seller's market (low inventory, more competition among buyers)
- 5-6 months = Balanced market
- More than 6 months = Buyer's market (more inventory, buyers have negotiating power)

Right now, inventory levels are rising in many markets across the country. According to recent NAR data, we're seeing a shift from the extreme seller's market of the past few years. This means pricing strategy, home preparation, and timing matter more than ever.

If you've been waiting for the "perfect time" to list, understanding these metrics can help you make a more informed decision about your specific situation and local market conditions.

Call/text/email us at (734) 260-3394 or [email protected] if you have questions.

05/27/2026

🚨 Some home features that felt “fresh” a few years ago are now making buyers hesitate — especially online where first impressions happen fast.

If you’re thinking about selling in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Chelsea, Saline, or anywhere in the Greater Washtenaw County area, it’s important to know what buyers are gravitating toward in 2026 — and what’s starting to feel dated.

In this video, I’m talking about the design trends buyers are moving away from, what’s replacing them, and how small adjustments can help your home feel more current, warm, and market-ready.

The goal isn’t to chase trends. It’s to help your home connect emotionally with buyers the moment they see it.

📲 (734) 260-3394
📧 [email protected]
🌐 carolemacqueen.myagent.site

📖 Read the full article here:
https://carolemacqueen.myagent.site/2026-home-design-trends-whats-in-whats-out-and-what-buyers-are-responding-to/

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