Re/Max Finest of Michigan 701 E State St. Johns MI

09/21/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝗼𝗲 | 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲

Worried that higher mortgage rates put your next home out of reach? The interest rate is only part of the picture. The price you pay matters, too!

Here’s a hypothetical example using a 30-year fixed mortgage with 5% down:

🏠 $1,000,000 home at 6.25%
Monthly principal and interest: about $5,849

🏠 $900,000 home at 7.25%
Monthly principal and interest: about $5,833

Even with a higher interest rate, the lower-priced home has a slightly lower monthly payment.

That doesn’t mean home prices will drop or that you should rush into buying. It means you should look at the full picture before deciding what you can afford.

✅ Find a home that fits your needs and budget.
✅ Make an offer based on what the home is worth.
✅ Work with a Realtor and lender who help you understand the numbers.

Have questions about what this could look like in your price range? Let’s talk!

Joe | RE/MAX

Illustration only. Payments exclude property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, and any HOA fees. Your actual costs and loan terms will vary. A lender can help you compare your options.

08/18/2026

Many homeowners believe that listing a property above market value leaves profitable room for negotiation. However, historical data shows this strategy backfires. Overpricing filters your home out of correct buyer search brackets and shifts the leverage entirely to the buyer during later price corrections.

We broke down the exact math behind monthly carrying costs and the psychological impact of a stale listing.

Want the full breakdown to protect your equity? Leave a comment below and we’ll send the complete guide directly to your inbox.

Learn what happens when you overprice your home, from missed buyer interest and longer market time to appraisal issues and added costs.

08/13/2026

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗧. 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡𝗦 | 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 $𝟮𝟬𝟬𝗞

Looking for 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴, a 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘁 and an affordable price point? This St. Johns property offers plenty of outdoor space and a peaceful setting, all for under $200,000.

Interested in more information or want to schedule a showing? 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆.

And whether you’re buying your first home, looking for your next one, or getting ready to sell, 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

Real estate is about much more than putting a sign in the yard or finding a house online. You want an agent who is 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁, watching pricing and inventory trends, understanding what buyers are looking for, knowing how homes are actually selling and helping you make smart decisions along the way.

For sellers, that means knowing how to price, position and market your home correctly. For buyers, it means understanding value, spotting opportunities and having someone in your corner when it is time to negotiate.

𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Mid-Michigan, even if you’re just starting to explore your options, we’d love to talk.

𝗥𝗘/𝗠𝗔𝗫 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻

08/11/2026

Being self-employed gives you plenty of freedom, but applying for a mortgage can come with a little more paperwork. Instead of relying on pay stubs, lenders may review your tax returns, profit and loss statements, and income history from the past two years. They’ll also look at your net income after business deductions, which means tax write-offs can affect how much you’re approved to borrow.

Knowing what lenders want to see before you start shopping can make the process much easier.

Self-employed and planning to buy a home? Learn what lenders review, how income is calculated, and why you should prepare before touring.

08/04/2026

When the current lease ends, what do you plan to do with your rental?

Renewing may make sense, especially if you have a good tenant who wants to stay. Still, a lease renewal is a good reason to check in on the property. Its value may have changed since you bought it, and the homes around it may be attracting a different kind of buyer today.

An agent can tell you how similar properties have been selling and whether your tenant could be an advantage in a sale. Have that conversation before another lease is signed and your timing is set for the year ahead.

We’ve written a new article for rental owners who are beginning to ask these questions.

Learn how an existing lease and the tenant’s plans can affect your timing, showings, and possible buyers when selling a rental property.

07/28/2026

Late July doesn’t automatically close the door on a summer sale. There are still buyers making plans before fall, and the number of homes they can choose from may have changed since spring. If selling is still on your mind, the latest post on our blog is for you.

Still thinking about selling before fall? Find out whether a late-summer home sale could make sense based on your plans and local market.

07/27/2026

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗙 𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗚𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠?

In parts of Europe, homeowners can “port” their mortgage when they move.

Imagine selling your home and keeping that 2% or 3% interest rate for your next house.

Would that encourage more people to move, free up inventory and help ease home prices?

𝗪𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗕𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗟𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗞𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗚𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘?

Comment 𝗬𝗘𝗦 or 𝗡𝗢 and tell us why.

07/21/2026

The all-white, minimal-everything interior had a long run, but what's replacing it is more interesting. Warmer palettes, materials with actual texture, kitchens built around storage and calm rather than just good countertops, outdoor spaces that function like real rooms.

Our latest post gets into what's resonating in home design right now.

Home design has shifted in a clear direction. Here's what's resonating right now across color, materials, kitchens, outdoor spaces, and how people are thinking about wellness at home.

07/14/2026

𝗔 𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗬. 𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗟.

Looking for a smart investment, renovation project, or peaceful place to make your own? This three-bedroom farmhouse sits on one acre in a quiet country setting, surrounded by mature trees and plenty of room to breathe.

You get the charm of country living without being miles from everything. It is located just a short drive from M-21, making trips to St. Johns, Owosso, or Lansing convenient.

With a detached garage, spacious rooms, hardwood flooring hiding beneath some of the carpet, and plenty of opportunity to add value, this property could make a great rental, starter home, renovation project, or country homestead.

At just $125,000, this one has serious potential for the right buyer.

That is why working with a Realtor who brings years of local experience and insight is so important. The right guidance can help you recognize a great opportunity, understand the property’s true potential, and make a confident decision before someone else does.

Even if this home is not the perfect fit, we can help you find the one that is. Thinking about selling? We can also help you understand your home’s value, prepare it for the market, and position it to attract the right buyers.

Hit us up to take a look or to start the conversation about your next move.