Salli Renz, Realtor

06/01/2026

Less House, More Home: Why Smaller Homes Are Paying Off for Today’s Buyers

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

You’ve probably heard of the Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan. But do you know what it offers?

In a recent survey, 68% of Veterans didn’t know they may be able to buy a home with zero money down. 77% didn’t know PMI isn’t always required.

Many also have no idea they may be able to count their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) as income.

Any of those VA loan benefits could make homeownership more achievable than you realize.

If you’ve served (or know someone who has), get in touch with a trusted lender for more information on VA home loan options and what you may qualify for.

05/30/2026

The Truth About Affordability Today

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.

05/29/2026

The Real Reason Some People Are Still Moving Right Now

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.

05/28/2026

Price Cuts Get Bigger the Longer a House Sits Without Offers

Pricing your house high just to “see what happens” can cost you. Buyers today are quick to ignore overpriced homes. And the longer a house sits without any offers, the less it usually sells for. Want to know the right list price for your house to avoid this headache? Let’s chat.

05/27/2026

After a year or more of rates coming down, things have changed. And lately, mortgage rates have been climbing again.

And if that's made you wonder whether you should delay your move until they drop, you're not the only one.

The honest truth is that rates probably won't come down much until inflation cools off and some of the global uncertainty settles. And no one knows exactly when that'll be.

But what most headlines won't tell you is that rates aren't the only thing that affects affordability. Sure, they’re a big factor, but not all of the affordability news is bad.

Wages, home prices, and inventory are all trending in a direction that could still help make your move possible.

Want to know what that actually looks like for your situation? Drop a comment or send me a DM.

Because even though rates are higher, there are pockets of opportunity in any market, if you know where to look.

05/26/2026

Nearly 40% of potential sellers say they're planning to offer concessions this year – up from 30% in 2025.

That increase means you could see more flexibility on things like sellers covering your closing costs, adjusting the price, or making repairs.

But what’s worth asking for and what’s a long shot will vary depending on where you’re looking. That’s where I can help.

DM me and let's talk about what concessions make sense in our market. Because, for buyers, the right ask could save you thousands.

05/25/2026

What Most Veterans Don't Know About Their VA Home Loan Benefit

VA home loans can put homeownership within reach, and a trusted lender can help make sure you understand the details before you move forward. If you’re active duty, you’ve served, or know someone who has, connect with a trusted lender who can walk you through whether you’d qualify and what the VA benefit offers. You may be able to buy a home sooner than you thought.

Nearly half of Veterans (49%) feel homeownership is currently out of reach, according to a recent survey from NewDay USA.

05/24/2026

You've probably heard that mortgage debt in America just hit an all-time high. And that's true.
But here's what the headline leaves out.

Equity is also near an all-time high. And at $34.1 trillion, it's more than double the $14.4 trillion in debt.

That's a good thing. It means most homeowners own far more than they owe. So, they have a real financial cushion right now.

That’s something homeowners didn’t have during the crash of 2008. Back then, people owed more than their homes were worth. Today, it’s just the opposite.

Homeowners are in a much better position, and the housing market is on stronger footing than the headlines suggest.

05/23/2026

Record High Mortgage Debt Sounds Scary. Here’s What the Headlines Leave Out.

Record mortgage debt makes for a scary headline. But context matters.

Equity is near an all-time high, home values have surged, and the vast majority of homeowners are in a position of real financial strength. The conditions that made 2008 a crisis simply don't exist right now.

If you're wondering what all of this means for your situation, whether you're thinking about buying, selling, or just trying to make sense of the market, reach out anytime. No pressure, just answers.

You may have seen the headlines lately about mortgage debt in America hitting a record high.