Michael Maxwell NY Realtor

05/28/2026

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...



Don't hesitate to reach out to me for anything at all! I'm here for you!

05/25/2026

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.



Don't hesitate to reach out to me for anything at all! I'm here for you!

05/21/2026

Newly Built Home Prices Hit a 5-Year Low

Builder incentives and lower new home prices are working to your advantage in a way they haven't in years. Want to see what's available in your area and what kind of deal a builder may be willing to make? Let's connect.



Don't hesitate to reach out to me for anything at all! I'm here for you!

If you’ve always assumed a newly built home is just not in your budget, you should know the math just got a little friendlier.

05/18/2026

Thinking about selling your house soon? Don't skip staging.

With more houses on the market now, anything you can do to help yours stand out counts. And while staging costs vary, whatever you spend could pay you back big time.

For example, if you invest the typical $4k for mid-level staging on a $400k home, that can turn into roughly $18k in added value when you sell.

That gives you the potential to net about $14k more at closing – about a 350% return on your investment.

But staging doesn’t have to mean hiring a full crew. There’s an option for almost every budget, from professional staging to virtual staging to simple DIY updates.

DM me if you're getting ready to sell and let's talk about what level of...



Don't hesitate to reach out to me for anything at all! I'm here for you!

05/14/2026

When’s the last time you checked how much equity you’ve built? Because the number might surprise you.

In just the past 6 years, the average homeowner has gained over $128,000 – just from price growth and making their payments.

That’s money that could help fund your next move or a major life goal.

And if you’ve lived there longer than 6 years, your number could be even higher.

Want to find out? I’m offering a free equity assessment for homeowners in our market right now. Just send me a DM to get started.



Don't hesitate to reach out to me for anything at all! I'm here for you!

05/11/2026

Should You Wait To Move? Here’s Your Answer.

“Should I just wait?” It’s the question it seems like everyone’s asking. And here’s your answer. Even with everything going on, people are still moving. More homes are going under contract. More people are applying for mortgages. And that means you can too. You just need a plan. Want to figure out what that looks like for you? Let’s talk.



Don't hesitate to reach out to me for anything at all! I'm here for you!

05/07/2026

Could Co-Buying Be the Answer for Some First-Time Buyers?

Affordability challenges are real, but they don't have to mean waiting indefinitely. Co-buying is helping some first-time buyers stop waiting and start putting down roots.

If you're curious whether it could work for your situation, let's talk. Reach out today and let's figure out your path to homeownership together.



Don't hesitate to reach out to me for anything at all! I'm here for you!

For a lot of would-be first-time buyers, affordability is the thing that’s standing in the way.

05/04/2026

4 Ways To Give Your Offer an Edge This Spring

Today's market may be balancing out, but strong offers still matter – especially during the busy Spring season.

Curious how competitive things are (and what it’ll take to win) in our market? Let’s talk.



Don't hesitate to reach out to me for anything at all! I'm here for you!

Looking to buy a home this season? Here's what you should know.

04/30/2026

Spring always gives sellers an edge.

But data shows there’s a short window when that advantage really peaks – and it’s usually the last two weeks of May.

While it can vary by market, that's when buyer demand is at its strongest and competition pushes prices higher.

In some cases, that timing alone can mean a seller makes tens of thousands of dollars more.

If you’re aiming to sell for top dollar, this is the moment to watch.

Want to see what it would take to get your house ready for it? Let’s talk.



Don't hesitate to reach out to me for anything at all! I'm here for you!

04/27/2026

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...



Don't hesitate to reach out to me for anything at all! I'm here for you!