BEARD Realty - Shawn Beard - Keller Williams Realty Elite

10/16/2026

A Realty Reality Tip for Today

The Biggest Credit Hurdle for Renters Who Want To Buy

The credit landscape is changing, but action is required on your part. You have to take credit for what you do. And the sooner you get started, the better.

Ready to see where you stand? A quick conversation with a loan officer costs you nothing and could show you you're closer to owning a home than you think.



We at BEARD Realty would love to hear from you. Call Shawn at (336)682-3224 to discuss all things Real Estate.

What's the biggest payment you make every month? If you’re a renter, it's probably your rent.

10/15/2026

A Realty Reality Tip for Today

Home sales may be slower than last year. But that doesn't mean buyers have disappeared.

At the current pace, almost 4 million homes are expected to sell this year. That's about 11,000 each day, 450 an hour, and nearly 8 every minute.

Why? Because even in this market, there are still buyers out there who have a reason to move.

People get new jobs, families grow, people retire, downsize, and move closer to the people they love. And those changes create buyers and sellers in every kind of market.

In fact, the latest report from NAR shows sales actually ticked up slightly in September, even though they're still below last year's pace.

So, don't let a headline convince you no one is buying. You don't need every buyer. You just need the right one – and a strategy that helps your house get their...



We at BEARD Realty would love to hear from you. Call Shawn at (336)682-3224 to discuss all things Real Estate.

10/15/2026

A Realty Reality Tip for Today

Homes Are Still Selling – Even in a Slower Market

Don't let a headline about slowing home sales convince you no one is buying. Homes are still selling every minute of every day.

If you need or want to move, let's talk about what it'll take to make sure yours is one of them.



We at BEARD Realty would love to hear from you. Call Shawn at (336)682-3224 to discuss all things Real Estate.

If you’ve seen headlines saying home sales are slowing down, you may be wondering: is this really a good time to sell?

10/14/2026

A Realty Reality Tip for Today

Hoping mortgage rates will come down soon? The latest inflation report just made that outlook a little more complicated.

Inflation climbed to 3.7% in September, higher than economists expected. And while rising gas prices were a big driver, costs increased across several other categories too.

Why does that matter for housing? Because stubborn inflation makes it harder for the Fed to justify lowering their Federal Funds Rate. It could even increase the chances of another hike.

Now, the Fed doesn't directly control mortgage rates. But inflation and Fed expectations influence them, which means there's no guarantee mortgage rates will move lower anytime soon.

If you're planning to buy or sell, don't let a hoped-for rate drop be the only thing driving your timeline.

Let's look at what today's market means for...



We at BEARD Realty would love to hear from you. Call Shawn at (336)682-3224 to discuss all things Real Estate.

10/14/2026

A Realty Reality Tip for Today

Why There are More Homes for Sale Right Now (and What It Means for You)

In many places right now, inventory is growing and homes are taking a bit longer to sell. And that’s information that should shape the strategy you use going in.

Whether you're buying or selling, let's look at how long homes are taking to sell in your neighborhood, so your offer, or your price, fits today's market.



We at BEARD Realty would love to hear from you. Call Shawn at (336)682-3224 to discuss all things Real Estate.

Mortgage rates being back above 7% isn't exactly the news most people wanted. But it’s changing the market in ways that matter whether you’re buying or selling.

10/13/2026

A Realty Reality Tip for Today

Want to move but don’t want to give up your current low rate? This is for you.
Data shows homeowners with a mortgage have an average of $310K in equity right now.

And that means if you've been putting off a move because you don't want to give up the mortgage rate you locked in a few years ago, your equity could help.

You could use it toward a bigger down payment and borrow less at today's rates.

Or, if you're downsizing, you might even be able to buy your next home in cash. No mortgage. No worrying about today’s rates.

Want to know how much equity you have and what it makes possible for you? DM me, and I'll help you find out.



We at BEARD Realty would love to hear from you. Call Shawn at (336)682-3224 to discuss all things Real Estate.

10/13/2026

A Realty Reality Tip for Today

Do You Know How Much Equity You Have?

The low mortgage rate you locked in a few years ago might make moving feel off the table. But your equity could put it back on.Homeowners with a mortgage have an average of $310K in equity right now. That could go toward a bigger down payment, so you borrow less at today's rates. Or, you may be able to buy your next place in cash – without needing a mortgage at all. So, don’t write off a move just yet. Let's find out how much equity you have and what it could do for you.



We at BEARD Realty would love to hear from you. Call Shawn at (336)682-3224 to discuss all things Real Estate.

10/12/2026

A Realty Reality Tip for Today

Why Most People Are Still Glad They Bought a Home

Don’t let today’s uncertainty make you lose sight of what homeownership can do over time. Most homeowners say they’d make the same choice again. And decades of home-price growth help explain why.
If you’re wondering whether buying makes sense for you right now, let’s look at the numbers together – and what owning a home could mean for you in the years ahead.



We at BEARD Realty would love to hear from you. Call Shawn at (336)682-3224 to discuss all things Real Estate.

With everything going on, it’s understandable if you’re wondering if you’d regret buying right now.

10/12/2026

A Realty Reality Tip for Today

Worried you might regret buying a home right now?

Even though rates are still higher than buyers would like, everyday costs are up, and the economy feels uncertain, a recent NerdWallet survey found most buyers who’ve already made the leap say they’re glad they did. Only 3% actually regret it.

That’s a good reminder that homeownership isn’t really about whether you bought at the “perfect” time, rate, or price. It’s about what owning a home can do for you over time.

As home values rise and you pay down your mortgage, you build something called equity. And that equity can eventually give you more flexibility, more financial options, and more freedom when it’s time for your next move.

So, if buying is something you still want, don’t let today’s uncertainty automatically talk you out of it.

Let’s look at...



We at BEARD Realty would love to hear from you. Call Shawn at (336)682-3224 to discuss all things Real Estate.

10/09/2026

A Realty Reality Tip for Today

There's been some talk about whether mortgage rates could climb to 9%. Here's some perspective.

Getting there would take a rare mix of things, all lasting a full year: a booming economy with no slowdown in jobs, the Fed raising rates more than expected, and the conflict in Iran continuing to keep oil prices high.

That's an unlikely combination. So, don’t let it make you worry.

Have questions about mortgage rates? Drop them in the comments. That's what a trusted agent is for – keeping you informed so a headline never makes your decisions for you.



We at BEARD Realty would love to hear from you. Call Shawn at (336)682-3224 to discuss all things Real Estate.