Cressy & Everett Real Estate

09/25/2026

A SMALL RATE CHANGE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

💰 WHEN IT COMES TO A MORTGAGE RATE, EVEN HALF A PERCENT CAN MATTER.

It’s easy to focus on whether mortgage rates are “up” or “down.” But what really matters to a buyer is how the rate affects the monthly payment.

As this graphic illustrates, the difference becomes even more noticeable as the loan amount increases.

That’s why buyers shouldn’t try to perfectly time the mortgage market. Instead, focus on the bigger picture:

🏡 What home price comfortably fits your budget?
💵 What does the estimated monthly payment look like?
📊 How would a rate change affect that payment?
🔑 What financing options are available to you?

Your lender can help with the financing details, while your Cressy & Everett Real Estate professional can help you find homes that make sense for your goals and budget.

Search homes across northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan:
www.cressyeverett.com

09/25/2026

🏡 8 OPEN HOUSES THIS WEEKEND!

There’s plenty to explore across northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan this weekend, with 8 Cressy & Everett Open Houses in Baroda, St. Joseph, South Bend, Bristol, Elkhart and Edwardsburg.

And there’s quite a variety to see! 👀

✨ A spacious 5-bedroom, 4,100+ sq. ft. home in St. Joseph
🌳 A 5-bedroom Elkhart property on 3.2 acres
🏡 Several classic brick homes in South Bend
🌿 A 5-bedroom Edwardsburg home on nearly half an acre
🏠 Charming homes with front porches, mature trees and established neighborhoods
🔑 Options ranging from a $169,000 home in Bristol to an $835,000 St. Joseph property

With 2–5 bedrooms and homes ranging from approximately 1,650 to more than 4,100 square feet, this is a great weekend to get out and see what catches your eye.

🏠 View all Cressy & Everett Open Houses:

https://bit.ly/CressyEverettOpenHouses

Cressy & Everett Real Estate - Michiana’s #1 real estate company for 15 years, backed by nearly 180 local real estate professionals across Indiana and Michigan.

https://www.cressyeverett.com

09/24/2026

SELLING NOW? MORE INVENTORY MEANS STRATEGY MATTERS.

🏡 THERE ARE MORE HOMES FOR SALE — SO HOW DO YOU MAKE YOURS STAND OUT?

Inventory has climbed considerably from the unusually low levels buyers saw just a few years ago.

For sellers, that means something important: buyers have more choices.

That doesn’t mean it’s a bad time to sell. It means the details matter more.

✅ Price appropriately for today’s market
✅ Present your home at its best
✅ Make a strong first impression online
✅ Pay attention to showing activity and buyer feedback
✅ Be prepared to adjust when the market tells you something

The days when virtually any listing could attract immediate attention are behind us in many areas. Today, getting the best possible result comes down to pricing, preparation and a strong local strategy.

Cressy & Everett Real Estate has been Michiana’s #1 real estate company for 15 years, backed by nearly 180 local real estate professionals across northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.

Thinking about selling? Start here:
www.cressyeverett.com

09/24/2026

🏡 WORRIED ABOUT MORTGAGE RATES? FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL.

You can’t control where mortgage rates go next — but you may have more influence over the rate you actually get than you think.

If buying a home is on your radar, these three factors could make a meaningful difference:

1️⃣ Your credit score
A stronger credit profile can help open the door to better loan terms and potentially a lower interest rate. Before you start shopping, it’s worth knowing where your credit stands and whether there are steps you can take to strengthen it.

2️⃣ Your loan options
Conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans all work differently, and your loan term can also affect your rate and monthly payment. A trusted lender can help you compare the options and determine what makes the most sense for your budget and goals.

3️⃣ The type of home you consider
Some builders are offering mortgage-rate buydowns and other incentives on newly built homes. If keeping your monthly payment down is a priority, new construction may be worth adding to your search.

You may not be able to control where mortgage rates go next, but you can make informed decisions about your credit, financing and home search.

When you’re ready to explore your options, a Cressy & Everett Real Estate professional can help you understand what’s available across northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan and connect you with trusted local lending resources.

🏠 Start your home search:
www.cressyeverett.com

09/23/2026

DON’T JUST THINK ABOUT A CAREER CHANGE. EXPLORE IT.

✨ YOUR NEXT CHAPTER COULD START OCTOBER 12.

If you’ve been thinking about a career in real estate, wondering what it takes to get started, or looking for a new opportunity with greater professional and income potential, now is the time to explore what’s possible.

Join Cressy & Everett Real Estate for our Career Open House on Monday, October 12, from 6:00–7:00 PM.

Learn about the opportunities, training, resources and ongoing support available when you build your career with Michiana’s #1 real estate company for 15 years, backed by nearly 180 local real estate professionals across Indiana and Michigan.

Whether real estate would be a complete career change or the next step in your professional journey, come meet our team, ask questions and discover where this path could take you.

Choose the location most convenient for you:

📍 South Bend Office
332 N. Ironwood Drive
South Bend, IN 46615
Corner of Ironwood Drive and McKinley Avenue

📍 St. Joseph Office
3687 South Lakeshore Drive
St. Joseph, MI 49085

📍 Elkhart Office
945 E. Beardsley Avenue
Elkhart, IN 46514

There’s no cost and no obligation — just an opportunity to find out if real estate could be the right next chapter for you.

👉 Take the first step and register today:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/134L36oCE1_4C9e79Ra5Ht20TYNvVDF0Sk0nhpry1eOA/viewform?edit_requested=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawOUxWFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFyTFc2ZXFQdG9LaDZTazdXc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmKahylZXSbeSQtpw8AlEY8lJSMi8e4pZJx_ehu3__PXiXNa7MpPgIWSRO2Y_aem_lWgu7Tk-BbE9PQDaNkQnEA

We can’t wait to meet you and help you explore the possibilities of a rewarding real estate career serving northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.

www.cressyeverett.com

09/23/2026

🏡 SELLING THIS FALL? GET THESE 4 THINGS RIGHT

Selling your home this fall is absolutely doable — but with buyers having more choices, the right strategy matters.

Here are four things sellers should focus on:

1️⃣ Price it right from the start.
Today’s buyers are quick to move past a home that feels overpriced. Strategic pricing can help your listing stand out and attract serious attention.

2️⃣ Make a strong first impression.
You don’t necessarily need a major renovation. Small repairs, fresh paint, improved curb appeal, light staging and great photography can make a meaningful difference.

3️⃣ Be prepared to negotiate.
Buyers have more leverage in many markets today, and concessions have become more common. Flexibility on repairs, closing costs or other terms may help move a good offer toward the closing table.

4️⃣ Pay attention to what the market is telling you.
Lots of online views but few showings? Showings but no offers? Repeated buyer feedback? Those are signals worth discussing with your REALTOR® so you can adjust your strategy when needed.

The goal isn’t simply to put your home on the market — it’s to position it to sell.

If you’re considering selling before the end of the year, talk with a Cressy & Everett Real Estate professional about the right strategy for your home and today’s market.

Cressy & Everett Real Estate has been Michiana’s #1 real estate company for 15 years, backed by nearly 180 local real estate professionals across northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.

🏠 Start here:
www.cressyeverett.com

09/23/2026

🏡 WAITING FOR A BETTER TIME TO BUY? THIS FALL COULD BE IT.

If buying a home is still on your 2026 list, the next few weeks may bring some of the most buyer-friendly conditions of the year.

According to Realtor.com, the week of September 27–October 3 is expected to be the best national week to buy a home in 2026 — thanks to a combination of more inventory, less competition and softer pricing.

And the opportunity doesn’t disappear after one week.

In many markets, October continues to offer advantages for buyers, including:

✅ More homes to choose from
Inventory has climbed to its highest level in more than a decade, giving buyers more options and potentially fewer compromises.

✅ Less competition
Fewer buyers in the market can mean less pressure, fewer bidding wars and more room to negotiate.

✅ More favorable pricing
Nationally, Realtor.com says buyers during this seasonal window could see prices about $14,000 below the summer peak.

✅ More time to decide
Homes typically stay on the market longer in the fall, giving buyers a little more breathing room before making an offer.

Mortgage rates are still an important part of the affordability equation, but fall market conditions may help offset some of that pressure.

The best time to buy will always depend on your finances, goals and local market — but if you’ve been waiting for conditions to improve, this fall may be worth another look.

🏠 Explore homes across northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan with Cressy & Everett Real Estate:www.cressyeverett.com

09/23/2026

🍂 FALL BUYERS ARE LOOKING — WHAT DOES YOUR HOME SAY BEFORE THEY EVEN WALK INSIDE?

When you’re getting ready to sell, first impressions start at the curb.

The good news? You don’t necessarily need a major project to make your home feel more inviting. A few simple updates can go a long way:

🏡 Give the front door a fresh coat of paint
🌿 Trim landscaping and add seasonal flowers or planters
🍁 Clear leaves, walkways and gutters
💡 Make sure the path and entry are clean, welcoming and well lit

These small details can help buyers form a positive impression before they ever step through the door.

And if you’re not sure which projects are worth your time and money, that’s where an experienced local REALTOR® can help. A Cressy & Everett Real Estate professional can help you focus on the updates today’s buyers are most likely to notice.

Thinking about selling this fall? Start preparing now.

🏠 Connect with Cressy & Everett Real Estate: www.cressyeverett.com

09/22/2026

🏡 20 CRESSY & EVERETT LISTINGS REDUCED THEIR PRICE IN THE PAST 7 DAYS

A price reduction can mean a new opportunity for buyers — especially on a home you may have looked at before and thought was just outside your budget.

In the past week alone, 20 Cressy & Everett Real Estate listings have had price reductions across northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.

🔑 Looking for homes that have recently dropped in price?

See the latest reduced listings here:

👉 https://tinyurl.com/4k2zfc7n

You can also create your own customized search at:

🏠 www.cressyeverett.com

Go to BUYING → Find a Home, open the map and use the filters to narrow your search by location, price, features and recent price reductions.

Backed by nearly 180 local real estate professionals across Indiana and Michigan, Cressy & Everett Real Estate can help you understand where opportunities may be opening up in today’s market.

Start your search with Michiana’s #1 real estate company for 15 years.

09/21/2026

🏡 Fall isn't just for pumpkin spice — it's a smart time to sell! Fewer showings, more serious buyers, and less competition on the market. Curious if now's the right time to list your South Bend or St. Joseph home? Read our latest blog to find out 👇

Wondering if now is a smart time to sell? Our agents at Cressy & Everett Real Estate break down why early fall can work in your favor as a seller.