Ghassan Farra, Realtor

09/19/2026

Neighbours, a quick one that matters more than it sounds.

As of Wednesday, DFW had gone 62 days without measurable rain, and the National Weather Service has us in severe to extreme drought. Our clay soil shrinks as it dries, pulls back from the slab, and the house settles into the gap. That is where the cracked corners and the sticking doors come from.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agents say the trick is short watering cycles with soaking time in between, rather than one long run that mostly turns into runoff. Steady moisture, not a swamp.

One caveat. If you are already seeing cracks or separation, talk to a professional before you start soaking, because uneven water can make uneven movement worse.

Cheapest thing you can do for your home this month, and it is not close.

Anyone else running soaker hoses right now?

Ghassan Farra, REALTOR | Roots Brokerage

09/16/2026

Neighbors — one myth I'd like to retire.

You do not need 20% down to buy a house.

In the National Association of REALTORS® 2025 report, the median first-time buyer put down 10%. FHA loans start at 3.5% down. Fannie Mae's HomeReady goes to 3% for buyers who qualify. VA and USDA can be zero.

Redfin has the Collin County median sale price around $458,000 for August. Twenty percent of that is about $91,700. Three and a half percent is about $16,000. That is a very different savings timeline.

Fair warning: putting less down means a bigger loan and mortgage insurance, so the payment runs higher. Worth pricing out properly before you decide.

But if "I need 20%" is the reason you haven't started, I'd rather you had the real number.

What have you heard about down payments that turned out not to be true?

Ghassan Farra, REALTOR® — Roots Brokerage

09/09/2026

Something worth knowing before you write an offer this fall.

Nearly four in ten Dallas listings have had a price cut, and the typical Texas seller who cuts takes about $12,000 off, according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center.

Most buyers hear "$12,000 off" and stop there. But you can also ask for that $12,000 as a credit toward buying your interest rate down instead.

On a $400,000 home with 10 percent down, taking it off the price saves roughly $70 a month. Putting it toward the rate, if it moves you half a point, saves closer to $118. Same money, different result.

That is my math on principal and interest at 6.71 percent, Freddie Mac's September 3 average. Your lender's pricing decides the real number, so ask them to quote both.

One phone call, and you will know which is worth more on your loan.

Have you run those numbers on your own?

Ghassan Farra, Roots Brokerage, 202-615-5725

09/08/2026

What happens when you zoom out and look at housing costs over 10 years instead of one month?
This example compares two paths: renting versus buying and building equity through appreciation and principal paid.
Buying isn’t automatically right for everyone, but if you’ve been renting for a while, it’s worth seeing what the numbers look like for you.
Want to compare?
Comment “RENT” or DM me for the Rent vs. Buy Calculator.

RealEstateTips

09/01/2026

Supply is tightening. Most people still think it is loosening.

Months of supply in Texas: 5.4.
A year ago: 5.6.

Closed sales: up 8.6 percent year over year.

30-year fixed: 6.66 percent as of August 27. A tick higher than last week, and higher than a year ago.

North Texas median: about $400,000, down roughly half a percent from last year. After two years of declines, that is nearly flat.

The room buyers had this year came from more listings than the market could absorb. That gap is smaller than it was.

Not a reason to rush. A reason to plan.

Sources and the full breakdown are in my bio link. Questions, send them my way.

Ghassan Farra, REALTOR, Roots Brokerage

RichardsonTX FriscoTX McKinneyTX DFWRealEstate TexasHousingMarket MarketUpdate RootsBrokerage

08/05/2026

Waiting for mortgage rates to come down may not be your only strategy.
Depending on the listing and the seller’s motivation, it may be possible to negotiate a concession that helps fund a temporary rate buydown.
That could create a lower payment during the first couple of years, giving you more flexibility while you settle into the home.
The rate eventually returns to the original note rate, so it’s important to understand the full structure.
But before you sit on the sidelines, it may be worth asking what could be negotiated right now.
Message me your target price range and I’ll show you an example.

RealEstateTips

08/01/2026

Buying a Home? Here's What You Should Know About Home Insurance Costs.

If buying a home is on your radar, you've probably been keeping an eye on mortgage rates and home prices. But don’t forget about homeowners insurance.

08/01/2026

Buying a Home? Here's What You Should Know About Home Insurance Costs.

Homeowners insurance has become a bigger part of the homebuying conversation. But it doesn't have to become a bigger source of stress.

The key is knowing what to expect before you buy. Get an insurance quote early, factor it into your budget, and lean on trusted local professionals to help you make the most informed decision possible.



GhassanFarra, 202-615-5725, [email protected]

If buying a home is on your radar, you've probably been keeping an eye on mortgage rates and home prices. But don’t forget about homeowners insurance.

08/01/2026