Ed Ross, REALTOR

06/01/2026

Today’s smaller single-family homes and condos have more going for them than the square footage suggests. They can give your budget some breathing room and put you in a community designed with lifestyle in mind.

Curious about the options in our area? Let's connect.

You started shopping with a specific mental image of your future home in your mind. Then the houses in your budget came in smaller than you pictured.

05/31/2026

If you’re a homeowner watching someone you love try to buy their first home, this is worth thinking about.

Nearly 1 in 5 first-time buyers are getting a gift from family or friends for use as their down payment. And many parents and grandparents are able to offer that help because of the home equity they’ve built over the years.

That doesn’t mean you have to do anything. But it may be worth asking: could a small portion of the equity you’ve built open a door that might otherwise stay closed?

If you’re curious what your equity could make possible for your family, let’s talk it through.

05/30/2026

Buying your first home doesn’t mean you have to have everything figured out. It just requires a plan.

If you start with your finances, organize your documents, and surround yourself with the right people, you’ll be in great shape when the time comes to make a move.

And if you want more information on anything in this list or just need help getting started, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also be a little nerve-wrecking because it’s something you’ve never done before.

05/29/2026

Be honest. Have you started looking at homes online yet?

Because if you have, it’s already time to get pre-approved.

While you may be tempted to wait until you’re really serious about a house, that actually puts you behind the game.

The better bet is getting pre-approved before you fall in love with something.

It’ll give you clarity on what you can borrow, your ideal price point, and what your monthly payment could look like. That’s information you’re going to want up front, so you don’t fall for something outside of your range.

Plus, when a house you love hits the market, you’ll be ready to go – not scrambling to figure it out.

If you’re about to start looking or just casually browsing, let’s talk about where to start.

05/28/2026

Online searches for down payment information recently hit an all-time high. That shows a lot of buyers aren’t sure what’s actually required, and they’re looking for answers.

Unfortunately, many still think they have to put 20% down.

But the data says something very different is happening.

The typical first-time buyer actually puts down about 10% – that’s half of what you probably expected. And some do as little as 3.5% or even 0% down (depending on their loan type).

So, that 20% myth is only holding you back and delaying your timeline more than necessary.

If you’re curious about what’s really required, it’s worth having a conversation with a trusted lender. A true expert can give you better information than an online search.

Then let's chat about what your budget can get you in today’s market.

05/28/2026

The simple truth is: most first-time buyers don’t put 20% down. And if you’ve been waiting to buy until you have that saved, you may be setting a timeline that’s longer than necessary.

To find out what you really need to save and if you qualify for any help, connect with a trusted lender who can walk you through your options. You may be able to buy sooner than you thought.

According to Google Trends, online searches for down payment information recently hit an all-time high.

05/28/2026

Life changes. Priorities shift. Families grow. Kids move out. Careers evolve. And eventually, the house you’re in may stop fitting the life you’re living.

If that’s been weighing on you lately, let’s talk through what your options could realistically look like today, no matter where rates or prices are.

Life can’t always wait for perfect market conditions. Maybe you don’t have to either.

You may be telling yourself you’re going to wait to move – maybe you’re hoping mortgage rates will come down, prices will fall, or the market will feel a little easier.

05/27/2026

If you’ve been putting off buying a home because the down payment feels like too much to tackle, let’s talk. You may not need as much as you think, and there are plenty of resources out there, so you don’t have to do it alone. You just need an expert to point you in the right direction.

If a down payment wasn’t holding you back, would you be ready to start your home search?

Buying a home is exciting… until you start thinking about the down payment. That’s when the worry can set in.

05/27/2026

Some more homeowners are finally making their move, even if it means giving up that 3% mortgage.

Data from the FHFA shows the share of homeowners with rates under 3% is shrinking slightly, while more are taking on rates above 6%. Sure, some of the people with rates above 6% are first-time buyers, but others are people just like you who decided to move anyways.

Why? Because life doesn’t wait for perfect timing.
Families grow, jobs change, priorities shift, and a house that once fit perfectly may not fit at all anymore.

And with mortgage rates easing from earlier highs and forecast to dip slightly more in 2026, moving is becoming a little easier again.

If you’ve been holding off, maybe it’s time to ask: Is your low rate worth staying somewhere that no longer fits your life?

DM me if you want to talk through your options or see what's out there in your price point.

05/27/2026

Yes, rates have been volatile, and global instability is keeping them from settling down anytime soon. There’s no sugar coating that. But the full picture of affordability is more nuanced than the headlines suggest.

Want to run the real numbers for your situation? Let's talk. Reach out and let's set up a quick, no-pressure conversation.

Let's be real with each other for a second about affordability.