YourNextHomeGuide - James McInerney

10/19/2026

Sometimes a home that’s been sitting is an opportunity hiding in plain sight. Less competition could mean more negotiating power for you!

10/19/2026

The first home you buy doesn't have to be a single-family house. If affordability has been holding you back, let's expand your search and see whether a condo could fit the price point you're looking for.

When you picture buying your first home, chances are you’re imagining a traditional single-family house with its own yard, maybe a garage, and little extra room to grow. But with affordability still tight, getting everything on that list right away may come with a higher price tag than you’re co...

10/19/2026

If you need a new go-to breakfast recipe, you’ve got to try this "berry" good smoothie bowl!

Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- ⅔ cup frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- 1 large banana
- 2 tablespoons creamy almond butter
- ¼ cup water

Toppings:
- Granola
- Chia seeds
- Coconut flakes

Instructions:
1. In a blender, combine all ingredients except for toppings, and puree until smooth.
2. Pour the smoothie into a bowl, and top with granola, chia seeds, and coconut flakes.

10/18/2026

Home sales may be slower than last year. But that doesn't mean buyers have disappeared.

At the current pace, almost 4 million homes are expected to sell this year. That's about 11,000 each day, 450 an hour, and nearly 8 every minute.

Why? Because even in this market, there are still buyers out there who have a reason to move.

People get new jobs, families grow, people retire, downsize, and move closer to the people they love. And those changes create buyers and sellers in every kind of market.

In fact, the latest report from NAR shows sales actually ticked up slightly in September, even though they're still below last year's pace.

So, don't let a headline convince you no one is buying. You don't need every buyer. You just need the right one – and a strategy that helps your house get their attention.

If you're thinking about selling, let's talk about how to make yours one of the homes that sells.

10/18/2026

Connect with your inner lumberjack by hosting a flannel party!

They'll be plenty of lumber jack jokes at this party.

10/17/2026

A successful renovation starts long before the first hammer swings. Plan ahead, choose the right team, and avoid costly surprises along the way!

10/17/2026

Are you 1 in 4 million?

If you don't own a home yet, rent is probably the biggest monthly expense you have. And if you're not getting credit for paying it - now you can.

There’s a change rolling out now that lets renters opt in to counting their on-time rental payments toward their credit history. And that could help as many as 4 million more people qualify for a mortgage.

Maybe you’re one of them.

Even if you're not ready to buy a home today, there's no downside to taking simple steps to build your credit profile for the future.

It's time to take credit for bills you already pay. Ask me how.

10/17/2026

🎃 Want to host a Halloween bash that will haunt your guests' memories? 👻 Check out these spine-tingling tips to make your event a graveyard smash! 💀🕷️

🟠 Make a freaky feel box with creepy contents like “worms” made of cooked spaghetti.
🟠 Craft a ring toss game with pumpkin stems as the posts.
🟠 Play a few rounds of “Guess the Lyrics” with spooky songs.

Use these tips to add a little extra magic to your Halloween hosting and create a night of thrills and chills! 🌕🔮

10/16/2026

Don’t let great staging steal the spotlight. Focus on the features that will matter long after the furniture is gone.

10/16/2026

Hoping mortgage rates will come down soon? The latest inflation report just made that outlook a little more complicated.

Inflation climbed to 3.7% in September, higher than economists expected. And while rising gas prices were a big driver, costs increased across several other categories too.

Why does that matter for housing? Because stubborn inflation makes it harder for the Fed to justify lowering their Federal Funds Rate. It could even increase the chances of another hike.

Now, the Fed doesn't directly control mortgage rates. But inflation and Fed expectations influence them, which means there's no guarantee mortgage rates will move lower anytime soon.

If you're planning to buy or sell, don't let a hoped-for rate drop be the only thing driving your timeline.

Let's look at what today's market means for your move and build a plan around the numbers you can actually work with.