Joanie Rish - Realtor

08/12/2026

It’s okay if you’re not a fan of your home. Let’s find you a place you’ll stop sweating over and finally feel relaxed in.

08/12/2026

It’s a simple fact that lingering smells from pets, cooking, smoke, and more can quickly turn buyers away. Before each showing, air out your home, vacuum carpets and upholstery, and consider dispersing light, neutral scents like linen or citrus throughout your home. A fresh-smelling home can help make a great first impression as soon as someone walks through the door.

Reach out for more ways to get home market ready!

08/12/2026

Mortgage rates aren’t random. They’re affected by 2 numbers.

The 10-year treasury yield and something called "the spread." That's the gap between the 10-year treasury yield and mortgage rates, and it usually sits around 1.76 percentage points.

Back in 2023, the gap in the spread ballooned up to 3.19 in response to economic uncertainty. If it were still that wide today, rates would be pushing almost 8%.

But the good news is the gap has narrowed to 2.01 (a lot closer to the long-term norm). And that’s a big positive for rates. It’s why today’s mortgage rate is in the upper 6s instead of touching 8%.

Here's the part a lot of people miss. Where rates are right now are already pretty close to what a totally normal spread would produce – a mortgage rate around 6.5%.

In other words, the fact that the spread has narrowed in...

08/11/2026

The average home purchase takes about 4–5 months from the first search to closing day — and that's when things go smoothly. The more prepared you are going in, the faster and smoother the process. How close was your guess? ⏱️

08/10/2026

Stuck deciding between buying a home now and holding out for the “perfect” mortgage rate?

The truth is, trying to time the market rarely works. Home prices, mortgage rates, and inflation are all outside your control.

And if you wait for all of them to line up just right, you may be waiting a long time.

My advice? If you want or need to move, look at your own numbers instead.

Because whether it's a good time to buy really comes down to your financial situation.

Can you afford the monthly payment?

Do you have enough money left over as a safety net?

What about for repairs?

It’s not a bad time to buy if the math makes sense for you. And that’s true no matter what you’re hearing about the market right now.

Connect with a trusted lender to run the numbers, then let’s chat.

08/08/2026

Did you know that a homeowner’s net worth is forty times higher than a renter? Homebuying is a great way to build your personal wealth. If you feel like you’re stuck in a renting cycle, reach out to learn more about your next steps to homeownership.

08/08/2026

Thinking About Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates? Read This First.

If you've been putting your home search on hold because you're convinced mortgage rates will be much lower soon, it may be worth taking another look at that strategy.

Let’s connect so you have an expert who can at least walk you through your options and decide whether waiting really puts you in a better position – or just keeps you on the sidelines a little longer.

Imagine waiting a year to buy a home, only to find mortgage rates haven't changed much. That may sound frustrating. But it's a real possibility.

08/07/2026

From friendly faces to local hotspots, every neighborhood has something special. What makes yours feel like home? 🏡❤️

08/07/2026

Feeling cramped by your current space? There are plenty of homes out there with the space you need, so let’s work together to find the right home for you. Call today!

08/07/2026

A lot of buyers are waiting because they think mortgage rates will drop dramatically.

The problem? That's not what today's forecasts say is going to happen.

Experts believe mortgage rates will actually stay in the mid to low 6s through 2027 due to a number of factors – including inflation.

What’s that tell me? Waiting may not pay off the way you hope it will.

So, if moving is important to you, I want you to know waiting isn’t your only option.

Builder incentives, adjustable-rate mortgages, assumable mortgages, and rate buydowns are just a few of the strategies worth exploring that could help with affordability right now.

I’m not saying you have to buy today, but you should at least know your options. Let's talk about what could work for you.