Rhonda M. Smith- Texas Real Estate Agent At Monument Realty

07/05/2026

The 1 Factor That Explains Everything Happening with Home Prices Right Now

When it comes to prices, where you are matters more than ever right now, and a local real estate agent is the best person to help you make sense of it.

Reach out today and let's build a plan that fits our market.

You've probably heard that home prices are cooling off.

07/04/2026

Today’s buyers are putting less money down. And that’s reassuring if you’ve been feeling priced out of the market lately.

The typical buyer put down about $23,400 in early 2026 – that's a 19% year-over-year dip, and the lowest down payments have been since 2021. How’s that possible?

A more balanced market and more moderate home prices are easing the pressure to put a big sum down. Plus, more buyers are opting for loans that require little or no down payments, like FHA and VA loans.

That combination is helping more people stop waiting and start buying.

So, if saving’s been the holdup, it’s time to explore your options.

07/03/2026

A lot of buyers and sellers are holding back right now because they're worried we're headed for another 2008. But look at the numbers.

In 2008, homeowner equity and mortgage debt were nearly identical. That means, if someone hit a rough patch, they had almost nothing to fall back on. That's part of what made that crash so bad.

Today? Home equity is at $34.9 trillion. Debt is at $14.4 trillion. So, homeowners aren't stuck. They have equity built up in their homes – which means if they needed to sell, many could and they’d still come out ahead. They have a cushion.

This isn’t a crash. Today’s market still has a solid foundation.

And if worries about a crash have been keeping you on the sidelines, it might be worth having a conversation about what a move could look like for you right now.

07/02/2026

Down Payments Are Smaller Than They’ve Been Since 2021

Down payments are smaller than they’ve been in years, and that opens the door for more buyers.

And with added help from assistance programs and a little help from loved ones, you may have more ways forward than you realized. Connect with a trusted lender to talk through your options.

Saving for a down payment can feel like the hardest part of buying a home.

07/01/2026

Why a Newly Built Home Could Save You $25K over 10 Years

Think a newly built home is out of reach? It might cost less than you’d think. Compared to an existing home, new homes save buyers an average of about $25,000 over their first 10 years. Because having a brand-new roof, HVAC system, and water heater means lower bills and fewer repairs early on. Ready to see if a newly built home is right for you? Let's look at what's available in your budget.

06/28/2026

That House That’s Been Sitting Could Be Your Best Shot at a Deal

A house sitting on the market isn’t always a glaring red flag. In today’s market, it may be your best opportunity yet.

For help deciding which lingering listings are actually worth a second look, let’s connect.

Open up a home search and you'll see them. Listings that have been on the market for two months. Three. Some longer.

06/27/2026

In many places today, homebuyers finally have the upper hand.

Data shows that, as a whole, there are more sellers than buyers active in the market right now. That means buyers have more homes to choose from and a lot more room to negotiate.

Think of it like this. When sellers are competing for a smaller pool of buyers, those sellers are far more willing to say “yes” to things like price cuts, repairs, and even help with closing costs.

And those are things you may not have gotten just a few years ago.

But you have to know how to ask for it. That's where a good agent can help.

Want to know what you can realistically ask for in our market? DM me and I'll show you what's working.

The power dynamics have shifted. Let’s make the most of this moment.

06/26/2026

Your house didn't sell and your listing expired. And the hardest part is you still don’t have a clear answer on why no one bought it.

You just know it didn’t happen, and now you’re supposed to decide whether to try again… or what to change.

Here’s what I’d do before you re-list: get a second opinion.

Because data shows homeowners who switch agents after their listing expires are more likely to see their house sell.

A different agent brings a fresh perspective and can run a quick reset.

The price. The marketing. The presentation. Chances are something in there needs to change.

You’re not stuck – you just need a better plan. And a partner who knows how to execute it.

If you want a second opinion, DM me the word “EXPIRED.”

I’ll take a quick look at what happened and tell you the first one or two changes I’d make to get traction.

06/25/2026

The home that’s been sitting on the market for a few weeks? Maybe even a month? Don’t scroll past it just yet.

Your first instinct might be to assume there’s something wrong, but you could be missing out. Especially if finding a house in your budget has been your #1 challenge.

Homes that have been on the market longest are the ones you should be looking at first.

Because the longer a house sits, the more open the seller usually is to dropping the price or negotiating.

So, before you write off a listing that’s been around for a while, let’s connect. I can help you decide which homes are worth a second glance.