Kelley Reinecke Realtor- REMAX Preferred Group

Kelley Reinecke Realtor- REMAX Preferred Group I am here to help with any of your real estate needs. Buying, selling, building? I can help with it all!

In 2021 and 2022, buyers were waiving inspections to win bidding wars. That era is over.In June 2026, home inspections a...
06/19/2026

In 2021 and 2022, buyers were waiving inspections to win bidding wars. That era is over.

In June 2026, home inspections are back — and they're being used strategically. Buyers aren't just using them as a safety check. They're using them as a second negotiation.

Here's how it typically plays out:

Buyer gets an inspection. Inspector finds $8,000 in deferred maintenance — aging HVAC, minor roof wear, plumbing valve that needs replacing. Buyer comes back and asks for either a $6,000 credit or repairs before closing. Seller is caught off guard because they didn't know about any of these issues.

The sellers who are navigating this well in 2026 are the ones who got a pre-listing inspection. They knew what was there. They either fixed it, priced around it, or disclosed it upfront — all of which builds buyer confidence and keeps deals from falling apart.

For buyers: never skip the inspection. Not in this market, not in any market. Your inspector is the best $400 you'll spend in the entire transaction.

For sellers: get ahead of this conversation before your buyer does. DM me 'INSPECT' and I'll send you my pre-listing prep guide.

You've probably seen the headlines: housing inventory is up nearly 9% this year. That sounds like great news for buyers ...
06/18/2026

You've probably seen the headlines: housing inventory is up nearly 9% this year. That sounds like great news for buyers — and in many ways it is. But let me tell you what the data actually shows when you look closer.

The inventory growth is concentrated at higher price points. Homes in the $750K–$1M+ range have seen some of the largest gains in supply. At lower price points — the $300K–$500K range where most first-time and mid-level buyers are shopping — inventory is still constrained.

What that means in plain terms:

If you're shopping above $700K, you have more choices than you did a year ago and real negotiating room.

If you're shopping under $500K, competition is still real, but concessions and contingencies are back on the table in ways they weren't in 2022.

For sellers: more inventory means your pricing and presentation have to be sharper. The buyers looking at your home are also looking at 10 others. You don't need to be perfect — but you need to stand out.

Knowing your specific price band matters more than knowing the national headline. DM me and let's talk about what the inventory picture looks like in your price range right now.

06/17/2026

If we’re being honest, resale value would take a backseat to the things that make everyday life a little better. A coffee station, a hidden pantry, a closet that finally fits everything, and a bathroom that feels like a luxury hotel. What would be your non-negotiable?

For the last three years, there was a phenomenon quietly strangling housing supply called the 'lock-in effect.'Here's wh...
06/16/2026

For the last three years, there was a phenomenon quietly strangling housing supply called the 'lock-in effect.'

Here's what happened: millions of homeowners refinanced or bought at 2.5–3.5% mortgage rates during 2020 and 2021. When rates jumped to 6–7%, they refused to sell — because selling meant giving up that rate and getting a new mortgage at twice the cost. So they stayed put.

That decision, multiplied by millions of homeowners, is one of the main reasons inventory was so scarce from 2022–2024.

Now, slowly, that's changing.

As rates have eased to 6.3% — and as life happens (divorce, death, retirement, growing families, job relocations) — more of those locked-in homeowners are deciding to move regardless. The lock-in effect is thawing.

Inventory is up 9% this year in part because of this. And as rates continue to ease, more sellers who've been waiting will enter the market.

For buyers: this means more options are coming. Patience has a payoff.
For sellers who have been waiting for 'the right time': rates may not drop dramatically. Life doesn't wait. Your equity is real right now.

DM me and let's talk about your situation honestly.

Everyone knows a great kitchen sells a home. But what 'great' looks like has shifted in 2026 — and sellers who are spend...
06/15/2026

Everyone knows a great kitchen sells a home. But what 'great' looks like has shifted in 2026 — and sellers who are spending money on the wrong upgrades are finding that out the hard way.

Here's what buyers in summer 2026 actually want in a kitchen:

Storage, storage, storage. Walk-in pantries and oversized islands with seating are driving more buyer excitement than granite versus quartz debates ever did. Buyers are practical — they're thinking about where the Costco run goes.

Functional layouts over designer finishes. An open, thoughtful layout that flows to the living room and has room for multiple people to cook beats a stunning but cramped galley kitchen every time.

Updated appliances over updated counters. An integrated dishwasher and a quality range make more impact than a countertop refresh.

Natural light. A kitchen window over the sink. Morning light. These are the details buyers describe when they talk about a kitchen they love.

What doesn't matter as much as agents used to think: the exact color of the cabinet, whether it's quartz or marble, open shelving vs. closed. These are preferences — not dealbreakers.

For sellers: if you're going to invest in a pre-sale kitchen update, spend on hardware, paint, lighting, and cleaning. Leave the counters alone unless they're genuinely damaged.

Save this so you know exactly what to prioritize.

Everyone's talking about Baby Boomers and first-time buyers. But there's a third group quietly making serious moves in 2...
06/12/2026

Everyone's talking about Baby Boomers and first-time buyers. But there's a third group quietly making serious moves in 2026: Gen X.

Buyers ages 46–60 increased their share of the market this year to 25% — up from 24% in 2025. That might sound small, but when you understand who these buyers are and what they're doing, the number gets more interesting.

Gen X is the classic move-up buyer. They bought their first home in their 30s. They've been in it for 10–15 years. They've built equity. Their kids are older — some are leaving the nest entirely. And now they want the home they always intended to eventually own: more space, better location, the primary suite they've been dreaming about, the outdoor space, the home office.

They're also entering the multigenerational living conversation — either housing aging parents or accommodating adult children who've returned home.

For sellers: a move-up Gen X buyer is often selling a well-maintained starter home at the same time. For buyers: understanding that your competition includes these equity-rich buyers helps you price your offers more strategically.

Which generation are you buying in? Drop it below — I'm genuinely curious about who's in this audience.

Summer has a way of bringing people together.Backyard dinners, long conversations, weekend gatherings, and everyday mome...
06/11/2026

Summer has a way of bringing people together.

Backyard dinners, long conversations, weekend gatherings, and everyday moments that become favorite memories. Sometimes finding the right home is about more than square footage—it’s about creating the backdrop for the life you want to live.

06/10/2026

The homes we’re drawn to often reflect more than our style—they reflect the life we’re hoping to create. Whether it’s a waterfront escape, a historic charmer, or a modern retreat, your dream home might say more about you than you think.

While the headlines focus on Baby Boomers dominating the market and first-time buyers struggling, there's a quieter stor...
06/10/2026

While the headlines focus on Baby Boomers dominating the market and first-time buyers struggling, there's a quieter story worth telling about older Millennials.

Buyers ages 36–45 are having a genuine moment in 2026. They bought starter homes in their late 20s or early 30s — right before or early in the price surge. They've built significant equity. And now, as their lives have expanded (kids, remote work, aging parents), they're ready to move up.

These are buyers who understand the process. They've been through it. They know how to read a contract, ask good questions, and negotiate from a position of knowledge. They're not panicking at inspection findings. They're not making emotional offers.

And they're entering the move-up market with more leverage than most: equity from their current home, established credit, stable employment, and a clear picture of what they actually want.

If this is you — your moment is here. The move-up market in 2026 is more favorable than it has been in years. You have more to look at, more room to negotiate, and a competitive advantage most first-time buyers simply don't have.

DM me and let's map out your move.

There's a reason real estate agents love June listings.Every outdoor feature your home has — the covered patio, the back...
06/09/2026

There's a reason real estate agents love June listings.

Every outdoor feature your home has — the covered patio, the backyard pool, the fire pit, the landscaping — looks better in June than it will at any other point in the year. The light is golden. The grass is green. The flowers are in bloom. Buyers can picture themselves out there.

And buyers in 2026 aren't just noticing outdoor spaces — they're prioritizing them. Outdoor living areas have moved from 'nice to have' to active search filters. Buyers are using outdoor space as a dealbreaker the same way they used to treat kitchen updates.

If you're listing this month, here's what to do:

Shoot your listing photos at golden hour — 7–8 PM in June gives you the warmest light of the year. Make sure your patio furniture is clean and staged. Add potted plants and flowers at the entry. If you have a pool, shoot it with the water sparkling in the sun.

And if you're a buyer touring homes this month — pay attention to the outdoor spaces. What you see in June is the best it's going to look. Everything else you can improve. That backyard? That's the lifestyle.

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8291 Beechmont Avenue
Withamsville, OH
45255

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