HB & CO. Real Estate Team

10/30/2026

Think you need a 700 credit score to buy a home? You might be surprised by how wrong that number is.

And if you've been putting off buying because of your credit, this could change everything.

According to a recent Veterans United survey, 57% of prospective buyers think they need a credit score of at least 660 to qualify for a mortgage. And 34% believe they need 700 or higher.

But here's what many people don't realize.

The traditional benchmark for many conventional loans has been 620. And with recent changes to mortgage credit scoring, even that isn't a hard-and-fast requirement for every loan.

Plus, lenders are beginning to adopt newer credit scoring models that could help millions more Americans get evaluated for a mortgage.

So, the number you see on your credit monitoring app may not tell the whole story about your ability to buy a home.

Does that mean everyone can qualify? Of course not. But it does mean you shouldn't count yourself out before talking to a professional.

Curious where you actually stand? Send me a message, and let's connect you with a lender who can help you find out.

10/30/2026

🍂 October Wrap-Up!

As October comes to a close, we're taking a moment to appreciate the people, opportunities, and little wins that made this month special. From helping clients take their next steps to seeing new homes hit the market, we're grateful to be part of so many real estate journeys.

And as we head into November, here's a quick look at what's happening in the market:

📊 493 new listings
🏡 445 pending
🔑 414 sold
📉 814 price changes

Pending activity increased 10% week over week, while price changes continue to outnumber new listings. There's still room for opportunity on both sides of the market, but pricing, preparation, and understanding monthly affordability remain key.

Most importantly, we want to hear from you!

What’s one thing you're grateful for this October? Big or small, we'd love to hear it in the comments! ❤️

From all of us at HB & CO. Team, thank you for being part of another month with us. Here's to a great November!

10/30/2026

More Homes, More Choices. What Does It Mean? -

Mortgage rates being back above 7% isn't exactly the news most people wanted. But it’s changing the market in ways that matter whether you’re buying or selling. The number of homes for sale is growing faster than it was this time last year. And interestingly, the main reason isn’t a flood of n...

10/29/2026

Heather's kids ensure their dog is school ready with a chicken backpack. Add some love to your home, this amazing organization could use some fosters to help care for the animals.. 🐶❤️

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581480478820

10/28/2026

More than 1 in 4 homes are being bought with cash right now. But here's something that might surprise you about who's buying them.

It's not just wealthy investors swooping in with deep pockets.

A lot of these cash buyers are everyday homeowners who've built up serious equity over the years. And that equity is giving them more buying power than they may have ever imagined.

According to Cotality, the average homeowner with a mortgage has about $310,000 in equity.

Think about what that could mean for your next move.

You might have enough equity to buy your next home outright. No mortgage payment. No worrying about today's interest rates.

And even if you can't pay all cash, that equity could help you borrow significantly less.

But what if you're buying with a mortgage?

Here's some good news: Nearly 3 out of 4 homebuyers are still using financing. You're actually in the majority.

So don't let the headlines about cash buyers make you second-guess what's possible for you. Whether you're buying your first home or using equity to make your next move, there may be more opportunities than you think.

Wondering how you stack up in today's market? Send me a message. Let's talk about your options.

10/28/2026

We have been dreaming about adding a sauna to our property for a long time, this year we finally did it! 🧖🏻‍♀️

We use it almost everyday and are loving it even more than we anticipated. Easy maintenance, good for our health and looks cool too!

~ Brooke

10/27/2026

SUCCESS STORY | The Right Strategy Makes a Difference 🏡

Some homes take a little more creativity and persistence to sell, and this one was a great example.

We pulled out all the stops to get this home in front of the right buyers, from mailers and door knocking to open houses, targeted marketing, and direct outreach. Our efforts paid off when we connected with out-of-state buyers and successfully guided the sale all the way to closing.

The best part? Helping our seller move on to a much-anticipated next chapter. That’s what it’s all about!

Have a home that’s been challenging to sell? Let’s talk about the right strategy to get it in front of the right buyers. Send HB & CO. Team a message, we’d love to help!

10/26/2026

Home prices just dropped $14,000 in two months. So, is the housing market finally getting cheaper? Not so fast. Because there's a lot more to this story than the headlines are telling you.

According to HousingWire, the national median asking price fell from $449,000 to $435,000 since August.

But here's the twist: that's what sellers are asking for their homes. Not necessarily what buyers are paying. And when you look at actual sales prices, things get even more interesting.

Over the past year, home prices in Chicago climbed almost 7%. Meanwhile, prices in Seattle dipped 1.6%.

Same housing market. Two very different stories.

And that's exactly why making your next move based on national headlines could be a mistake.

So, here's my question: Do you know what home prices are actually doing in your neighborhood?

Drop your town or city in the comments or send me a DM. I'll help you find out.

10/26/2026

🚩 REAL ESTATE RED FLAGS: 3 Things to Check Before Buying a Home! 🏡

Falling in love with a house is easy, but knowing what to look for before making an offer is just as important!

Here are 3 things we always encourage buyers to look into:

1. Home Condition 🔎
A home inspection can uncover safety concerns, structural issues, and maintenance needs you’ll want to know about before closing.

2. CC&Rs and HOA Rules 📋
Check neighborhood restrictions, HOA fees, and rules to make sure they fit your lifestyle and budget.

3. Title Search & Insurance 📑
Look into potential liens or ownership issues, and get an insurance quote early so you’re not caught off guard by the cost.

This is one reason having a real estate agent in your corner matters. There’s more to buying a home than what you see during a showing, and having someone help you ask the right questions can make a big difference.

Planning to buy a home? Save this post for your house-hunting journey, and send HB & CO. Team a message if you’re ready to start looking. We’re happy to help you navigate the process! 🏡

10/23/2026

Your house isn't selling as quickly as you hoped. So, should you just rent it out instead? It's a question more homeowners are asking. And the numbers show just how common this backup plan is becoming.

According to Parcl, about 9% of homes currently listed for rent were originally listed for sale.

That's a lot of homeowners becoming landlords when selling didn't go according to plan.

But before you trade your "For Sale" sign for a "For Rent" sign, there's something worth considering.

Being a landlord isn't always the easy passive income opportunity it sounds like.
Landlord insurance typically costs about 25% more than regular homeowners insurance. Property management can eat up around 10% of your rental income.

And that's before unexpected repairs, vacancies, or late-night maintenance calls.
Suddenly, renting might not look quite as simple.

Now, that doesn't mean renting is a bad idea. For some homeowners, it's absolutely the right move.

But if selling is what you really want, don't give up on that plan just yet.
Sometimes, the difference between a house that sits and one that sells comes down to the changing the strategy.

Thinking about renting your house because selling feels harder than expected? Send a message. Let's compare the numbers and figure out which option actually makes the most sense for you.