Debbie Stevenson, Realtor

06/03/2026

Real estate still equals real wealth

Americans got used to homes gaining value fast, but economists say things may slow down over the next decade.

06/02/2026

Worth the read

Insurance premiums have soared for many homeowners in recent years, but there are steps policyholders can take to reduce them, experts said.

06/02/2026

Buyer's "Bad Dream" is now your "Dream Home"
This amazing home is back and available.

Tucked away in a secluded, picturesque valley near the sparkling shores of Stillhouse Hollow Lake, this extraordinary home offers the perfect balance of peaceful privacy and everyday convenience. Situated on a beautifully manicured half-acre lot, the property immediately captivates with stunning cur...

06/01/2026

Welcome to Belton's little creekside gem.
200 N Pearl - just listed.

Secluded beneath a canopy of mature oaks along the banks of Nolan Creek, this beautifully renovated downtown Belton cottage offers a rare blend of charm, relaxation, and investment potential. Featuring 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, the home has been thoughtfully updated while preserving its inviting ch...

06/01/2026

Contract terminations are bad enough when they happen within the terms of the contract. During Texas’ unique “option” period - a 5-10 day period used for inspections - a buyer can change their minds and walk away. There is nothing anyone can do. They get their earnest deposit back (usually 1%) but lose the option fee to the seller ($100-$250). Mostly, terminations during option happen because sellers and buyers cannot agree to repairs.
Contract “breaches” are an entirely different matter. These happen when the buyer changes their mind and terminates outside of the terms of the contract. It is a trend that is at a record high in Texas.
For the buyer, even though they signed a legally binding document, usually it means just forfeiting the earnest deposit. In rare instances, where the upheaval has had a domino effect, buyers have been sued by the sellers for specific performance and even agent commissions.
The ramifications for the sellers are much worse. Breaches usually are close to closing when all contingencies are exhausted. The seller has committed to another home, movers organized - and more.
I have had to break such news to two sets of sellers during my career. The devastation was apparent. Naturally, as the messenger and list agent, I bore the brunt of the ire - who can blame them?
Personally and professionally, I have no sympathy or time for buyers who cause this upheaval. It is a selfish and thoughtless action, and if ever faced with it, I will walk away from representing a buyer who chooses this behavior.

06/01/2026

And another real estate behemoth is born

The acquisition marks one of the first major strategic deals under Warren Buffett's successor Greg Abel, who took over as CEO in the beginning of 2026.

06/01/2026

05/31/2026

Naturally we tell you when you are about to apply for a home mortgage, put off the car purchase because it will impact your income to debt ratio, which cuts your home purchase power. But this is a new angle for the car loan.

A car loan does not just finance a vehicle. It finances years of lost flexibility.

The problem is that you are borrowing money on a rapidly depreciating asset. The car drops in value while the debt stays real, which means a lot of people end up making payments on something worth less and less every month.

That is how financing can trap people in a perpetual debt cycle: one payment rolls into the next car, then into the next loan, and wealth building keeps getting pushed further out.

That is why Dave calls it such a destroyer of wealth for the average person. The monthly payment drains cash flow, the interest adds cost, and the depreciation makes it one of the worst places to carry long-term debt.

Instead of sending money into assets that grow, people keep sending it into something that falls in value the second they drive it away.

05/31/2026

More from the K economy
Luxury spikes as the overall Austin market plummets

With private shoreline in limited supply and wealthy buyers still incoming, Lake Austin has become the Texas capital’s clearest stage for record-setting real estate.

05/31/2026

The trouble is television makes it look so easy.

The slowest housing market in decades is stretching into its fourth year, and even real-estate agents who made it this far are reaching a breaking point.

Most of them are independent contractors and get paid when a deal closes. With fewer sales to go around and homes taking longer to sell, more agents are ditching the industry or finding second jobs.

The downturn is also hitting mortgage-loan officers and the many other industries reliant on home sales, from appraisers and photographers to appliance manufacturers.

The housing market is cyclical, and it is common for employment to grow during booms and fall during busts. But the current slow market has lasted longer than most anyone expected. When measured as a share of total households, last year’s existing-home sales pace was the worst since 1982, according to an analysis by First American Financial.

Read more: 🔗 https://on.wsj.com/3S809Fe