by Omar Cruz | Aug 26, 2026 | Agent Value, Expired/Withdrawn/Cancelled, For Sellers, Selling Tips
Author- Keeping Current Matters
Few things are as rattling as the thought of your home sale falling through at the last minute, right before closing. All that waiting, all that progress, out the window.
But if you’re getting ready to sell, here’s what you should know. Even in today’s market, it rarely comes to that. Buyers who are moving at today’s rates and prices are generally moving because of some big life change. That means they’re motivated, and eager to get all the way to the closing table.
According to the latest data from Redfin, only about 1 in 7 pending sales are falling through. Meaning the vast majority make it all the way to closing.
And the single biggest thing that puts a deal at risk is the one you have the most power to prevent. It just takes a little smart planning before your house hits the market.
Why Some Deals Fall Apart Before Closing
A Redfin survey sheds light on the most common things that trip up a sale (see visual below):
Here’s a bit more information on each one.
- Inspection or repair issues. This is the big one. When a buyer’s inspector finds a problem, whether with the roof, the plumbing, the foundation, or elsewhere, the buyer can push back, ask you to make repairs, request a credit so they can do it themselves, or see if you’ll lower your price. If they don’t get what they want, they may walk away from the deal altogether.
- The buyer’s financing fell through. Their mortgage loan has to be fully approved in time for closing day. If the loan doesn’t come together, the sale can’t move forward.
- The buyer’s current house didn’t sell. Some buyers need to sell their own home before they can close on yours. If that takes longer than expected, you may run into some issues with your timeline or even see them give up on their move.
- There was a change in buyer’s financial situation. A new job, a big purchase, or new debt can change what a buyer qualifies for on their mortgage loan, even after they were pre-approved.
Where Your Agent Makes the Difference
Some of those reasons are outside your control, like whether a buyer’s loan clears or whether they sell their own home in time. But according to Zillow, there are a few proactive things you can do to help make sure your sale goes as smoothly as possible:
- Save yourself the headache and get a pre-listing inspection. That’s when you get your own inspection before a buyer gets theirs. It lets you find the big issues before a buyer’s inspector does, so you can fix them or disclose them on your terms, instead of scrambling once you’re under contract. In this situation, your agent will help you decide what’s worth addressing and what to just disclose. Handle it now, and the biggest risk to your sale is behind you before a buyer ever brings it up.
- Look at more than just the offer price. Your agent will help you weigh the whole offer, including the buyer’s timeline and any contingencies attached. When a buyer’s offer depends on selling their own home first, the success of your sale rides on a second deal you can’t see. Sometimes, a slightly lower offer with fewer strings is the safer one. Your agent will help you weigh your options and make a plan that works well for you.
One of those is something you can’t do until you have offers in hand, but the other is something you can get ahead of right now. The pre-listing inspection.
That relatively small cost upfront can save you the much bigger hassle of a deal falling apart later. And while getting your own inspection before listing may not make sense in every market, your agent can tell you whether it’s worth it based on your market, your house, and what buyers are prioritize in your area.
Sometimes the smartest move is staying one step ahead.
Bottom Line
Most home sales still close, and the biggest thing that could get in the way of yours is the one thing you can actually do something about.
With the right prep, your sale has every reason to make it to the finish, and a good local agent can help you get there.
by Omar Cruz | Aug 25, 2026 | Downsize, Equity, Move-up, Selling Tips
Author- Keeping Current Matters
When’s the last time someone told you what your house is worth? Not what some online valuation tool guessed. Not what your neighbor’s house sold for. What yours is actually worth right now.
For a lot of homeowners, it’s been years. And if you’ve been thinking about moving, but higher home prices or mortgage rates have made you hesitate, here’s why it’s time to take a second look at that number.
Your House May Be Worth More Than You Think
Home values have climbed significantly over the past 5-10 years. And even though today’s market is more balanced, homeowners are building wealth every day just by owning their homes. That’s how equity works. As home values rise, and as you make your monthly payments, your equity grows. And it adds up fast.
According to Cotality, the typical homeowner with a mortgage now has $310,500 in equity. That’s not a small number. It’s six figures.
And that’s only the national average. In many states, homeowners have built even more equity than that. Take a look at the map below and see where your state stands. The darker the blue, the more equity the typical homeowner has there (see map below):
Even though every local market is different, the question you should be asking right now is the same: How much equity have you built up?
Because if you don’t know that number, you’re missing out.
This Could Be the Missing Piece in Your Move
Most people assume that because prices are higher and rates aren’t at 3% anymore, moving just isn’t realistic right now, especially if they already have an ultra-low rate. And that’s understandable, those are real factors.
But they’re not the only factors.
When you have that much equity in your house, you’re not starting from scratch. You’re not scraping together a down payment or hoping the numbers work. You’re walking into your next move with more of an advantage than you think. And that changes the math.
What Your Equity Can Do for You
Maybe you’ve outgrown your current house or you’re ready to downsize… The equity you’ve built could help bridge the gap between where you are today and where you want to be next.
Yes, your next house may cost more than your last one did. But your equity could cover a big chunk of that difference. Depending on how much you’ve built, it could help you:
- Lower your monthly payment on your next home. The bigger your down payment on your next place, the less you have to borrow. And with today’s rates, borrowing less can make a big difference in what you pay every month.
- Buy your next house with all cash. This surprises a lot of people, but some homeowners have built enough equity to buy their next home outright, in cash. According to the National Association of Realtors, more than one-quarter (26%) of repeat buyers paid all cash for their home in July.
- Transform the home you already have. Love your neighborhood but not your floor plan? You don’t have to move. Your equity could help fund renovations that make your home fit your life today while potentially adding value for tomorrow.
Your equity doesn’t erase the challenges of the current market. But it does mean you’re walking into your next move with a lot more power and flexibility than you think.
That’s why the value of your home isn’t something you should have to wonder about.
If you’re even thinking about a move or if you’re just curious what your options might be the smartest thing you can do is get a Professional Equity Assessment. It’ll give you a real, market-based evaluation of what your house is really worth right now and how much equity you’re working with.
Because once you see the number, maybe it’s not about whether you can afford to move – it’s about what kind of move makes sense for you.
Bottom Line
If it’s been a while since you’ve gotten a professional look at your home’s value, it’s time to change that.
Reach out to a local real estate agent for a free, personalized Home Equity Assessment that estimates what your house could sell for, how much equity you’ve likely built, and what that could mean for your next move.
You may have six figures of equity without even realizing it. And that’s enough to change everything about your next move.
by Omar Cruz | Aug 20, 2026 | Buying Tips, Selling Tips
Author- Keeping Current Matters
Ask around and almost every homebuyer out there wants to know if there’s a way to get a better deal. And just about every seller wants to know if they’ll still get top dollar.
The interesting thing is… both can be right at the exact same time. It just depends on where you live.
That’s because today’s housing market isn’t moving in one direction anymore. Some markets clearly favor buyers. Others still favor sellers. But most are sitting somewhere in the middle.
And knowing which market you’re actually in can completely change the strategy you use to buy or sell (and what expectations you should have). Let’s break it down.
One Number Tells You Who’s Got Leverage
So how do you know which market you’re in? There’s one number that tells the story faster than anything else: the months’ supply of homes for sale. It’s the clearest signal of who’s got leverage, and what strategy you’ll need. Think of it like this.
Imagine no additional homes were listed starting today. Months’ supply tells us how long it would take to sell everything that’s currently on the market based on today’s demand.
Generally speaking, if months’ supply is:
- Fewer than 4 months: Sellers usually have the advantage.
- 4 to 6 months: Buyers and sellers are on more equal footing.
- More than 6 months: Buyers can usually negotiate for a better deal.
Right now, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) data says that number is 4.6 and that puts the overall market back in balanced territory (see graph below):
That means, as a whole, the market has finally moved back into a much more balanced range after years of being tilted in sellers’ favor. While that may look like the scales have tipped only slightly, it’s enough to make a real difference in what strategy you’ll need for your move, at least in most places.
The Tale of Two Markets: Why ‘Balanced’ Doesn’t Mean the Same Thing Everywhere
Redfin data helps shed some light on how this shakes out across the country. It breaks down which cities are leaning in either direction (see graph below).
- Some markets give buyers more leverage. Those are in blue.
- Some still favor sellers. That’s the orange.
- Others fall somewhere in between. Those are gray.
Notice anything? A lot more places are seeing more buyer-friendly conditions right now. In fact, this is the most buyer-friendly market we’ve seen in nearly 6 years.
But don’t take that as buyers have the upper hand everywhere.
There are still cities where sellers still have the power. And if you’re in one of them, your approach to selling or buying looks completely different than it would in a buyer-leaning market.
The Biggest Mistake You Can Make Right Now
That’s why the biggest mistake isn’t thinking it’s finally a buyer’s market. And it isn’t thinking it’s still a seller’s market either. It’s making any assumption without talking to an expert agent first.
Today’s market is incredibly local. In one market, a buyer may be getting thousands of dollars in concession from a seller. And a homeowner may have to consider dropping their price.
But in another, a buyer may be stressed about coming in with their best offer, or they may lose out on the home to another buyer. And a seller may still be seeing strong demand and prices inching higher.
Same overall housing market.
Very different experiences.
The truth is what’s happening in your back yard affects everything from pricing your house to making an offer to negotiating repairs or concessions. And that’s why an agent’s local knowledge matters more now than ever before.
Your plan has to be based on your neighborhood, and only an agent has the expertise to get that right.
Bottom Line
This market isn’t one-size-fits-all.
If you’re wondering who has the upper hand where you live, talk to a local agent. They’ll help you understand what’s happening in your market, who’s got the leverage, and what strategy gives you the best shot at getting what you want.
by Omar Cruz | Aug 11, 2026 | Buying Tips, Real Estate Tips, Selling Tips
Author: Keeping Current Matters:
If you’re a homeowner getting ready to move, one question usually comes first: should you buy your next home before you sell, or sell your current house before you start looking?
There’s no single right answer. The best call depends on your finances, your local market, and your timeline. And a trusted agent can help you weigh it all.
But in a lot of cases these days, selling first puts you in the stronger spot.
The Advantages of Selling First
Selling is usually the trickier half of a move today, so getting it done first clears your biggest hurdle. And that’s especially true right now, because there are more homes for sale than there are buyers, which means houses are taking longer to sell than they did a year or two ago.
So how does leading with your sale pay off? Let’s start with the money.
1. You Won’t Get Stuck Paying Two Mortgages
Buy before you sell, and you could end up carrying two mortgages at once. And especially since houses are staying on the market longer these days, that overlap may drag on for more time than you’d planned. And if unexpected repairs come up, it could get even more expensive.
Selling first takes that risk off the table, so you’re not multitasking homeownership. As Ramsey Solutions puts it:
“It’s best to sell your old home before buying a new one to avoid unnecessary risks and possible headaches.“
2. You Can Use Your Equity To Fuel Your Move
This is always true, but one of the biggest perks of selling first is that you’ll know exactly how much money you’re walking away with. And one of the big figures that matters in that conversation is how much equity you have in your current place.
Equity is basically your house’s value minus what you still owe on your mortgage. And it adds up fast. According to Realtor.com, homeowners who’ve been in their home for 5 years have about $180,000 in equity on average. And those who’ve had their home for 6-10 years? They have over $340,000.
After you sell, you can use that money to cover your down payment or even buy your next home in cash. And knowing that profit up front helps you plan your next move.
3. Your Offer Will Be Hard To Pass Up
When your house is already sold, you don’t have to make your offer contingent on that sale. In a market where buyers are taking their time, that’s exactly what a seller wants to see.
Picture it from the seller’s side. If their house has been sitting for a while, they’ll gravitate toward the offer most likely to close without a snag.
That can also give you room to ask for a little more, like repairs, since a motivated seller would rather keep things moving than lose you and wait for another offer to come in. Your agent can help you make the most of your upper hand in that scenario.
Is There a Catch?
Selling first has its tradeoffs too, and it helps to see the pros and cons side by side before you decide. Here’s a quick breakdown based on information from Zillow (see visual below):
The cons are manageable with the right plan, so talk about them with your agent. They can help you negotiate things like a rent-back, where you stay in your house for a set time after closing, or line up flexible closing dates to keep the transition smooth.
Bottom Line
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to buying and selling at once. But for a lot of homeowners, leading with the sale makes moving easier on their mind and their wallet.
Connect with a local agent, and they’ll help you navigate selling and buying with more confidence, more financial power, and less stress.
by Omar Cruz | Aug 6, 2026 | Buying Tips, For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, Selling Tips
Author: Keeping Current Matters
After more than a year of headlines talking about how home prices are going to crash, the latest data shows that price growth may be starting to pick back up again. And depending on whether you’re buying or selling, that shift means something different for you.
The Numbers May Be Starting To Turn
For the past couple of years, home price growth has been moderating – cooling from around 7% in mid-2024, according to Redfin (see graph below). But look at the right side of that graph. The pace of that growth appears to have hit its low point and started to turn.
While a couple of months of data doesn’t necessarily mean this will be a lasting trend, there are some other signs that this could continue.
For example, fewer markets are seeing prices decline. According to ResiClub and Zillow, about 36% of the 300 largest housing markets had falling prices as of the middle of last year. Since the start of this year, that share has been shrinking. Now? Only 23% are experiencing those mild dips (see graph below):
When fewer markets see prices falling, that means more markets are seeing prices rise again.
And forecasts suggest this shift has room to run. On average, experts project home prices will rise about 2.3% nationally this year. And for that to happen, price growth would have to pick up a bit in the second half of 2026.
But Remember, Real Estate Is Local
While it looks like national prices may be starting to pick back up a tiny bit, that doesn’t mean that’s what’s happening in your neighborhood.
National home prices are really just an average of hundreds of local markets. Some are climbing faster. Others are still cooling. But one reason the national average may be looking up is that a growing number of metros may actually be net positive for prices this year.
Not long ago, the major metros were split about 50/50 – half seeing prices rise and half seeing them fall. Now, that balance looks like it’s starting to tip in a more positive direction. Just last month, more than half of the major metros saw prices go up, according to Redfin (see graph below):
As Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at Cotality, explains:
“. . . local markets continue to tell very different stories. Annual home price growth has changed little since the start of the year, but some markets, especially those supported by strong job and income growth in the West and more affordable Midwest markets, have seen notable acceleration in price gains.”
What This Means for You
Home price headlines can be confusing because they don’t always tell the full picture. Lean on an agent to understand what’s happening in your local market and what the early signs say for where prices may go from here.
That’s the best way to stay one step ahead of the market.
If you’re buying: slower price growth has worked in your favor. You’ve had more room to negotiate and a budget you could plan around. If price growth is picking up in your area, buying now may mean paying less than you would later this year.
If you own a home: you’ve been gaining equity all along, even while growth moderated. If growth keeps picking up, those gains could speed up, too. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), projects the typical homeowner will gain roughly $16,000 in housing wealth this year. And if you’re thinking about selling, this shift is a good early sign for you. Just remember, the market is still pretty balanced and buyer-friendly in a lot of areas right now.
Home price growth slowed way down, and now it’s showing early signs of picking back up. Whether you’re buying or selling, let’s connect so you can see exactly what prices are doing in our local market and what that means for your plans.
Bottom Line
Home price growth slowed way down, and now it’s showing early signs of picking back up. Whether you’re buying or selling, connect with a local real estate agent so you can see exactly what prices are doing in your local market and what that means for your plans.
by Omar Cruz | Jul 30, 2026 | Equity, For Sellers, Inventory, Move-up, Selling Tips
Author: Keeping Current Matters
Remember how exciting it was to buy your first place? It felt like crossing a long-awaited finish line. It gave you a place to build your life. Maybe it’s where you lived when you got married. Or where you welcomed a child or a pet into the family.
But that was just the beginning.
For most people, your first house was never meant to be your forever home. It’s a stepping stone for what comes next.
And if your life looks different today than it did when you got the keys, you’re not stuck. Moving may be more realistic than you think.
Starter Home Inventory Is Still Relatively Low
If you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to move up, here’s something worth knowing. Starter homes remain one of the hardest types of homes to find. And that’s good news if you’re thinking about selling your first place.
Historically, we haven’t been building enough homes for first-time buyers. And even though homebuilders have shifted more attention toward smaller, entry-level homes lately, the Census shows there’s a long way to go to rebuild supply (see graph below):
That means your current house is in demand and that’s a dream scenario for sellers. But that’s only half the story. You also need somewhere to go.
There Are More Move-Up Homes on the Market
Here’s where this gets interesting. While the supply of starter homes remains tight (the green line), data from Redfin shows that the number of homes for sale has been climbing overall (the blue line):
As Nadia Evangelou, Principal Economist and Director of Real Estate Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:
“Too much of the inventory available today remains concentrated at higher price points, leaving a shortage of options for entry-level and middle-income buyers.”
That means you may have more choices for your move up than you’d expect. Whether you’re hoping for another bedroom, a home office, a bigger backyard, or simply more room for this next stage of life, today’s market may finally be giving you the chance to find it.
At the same time, your current house may be exactly what someone else has been looking for because homes like yours are still in short supply. That’s a unique advantage for move-up buyers. And it could help you sell for a stronger price. As Zillow says:
“Starter home value appreciation has outpaced other types of homes nationally, mostly because they’re so in demand.”
Your Biggest Advantage May Be Your Equity
Here’s the cherry on top. There’s one more thing your first home has been doing behind the scenes, and that’s building equity. Every mortgage payment you’ve made and every year your home’s value has grown has quietly increased your ownership stake in your house.
According to Cotality, the average homeowner with a mortgage has $295k in equity built up. While your number may be different, once you sell, it could become the down payment on your next home or help reduce the amount you need to borrow at today’s rates.
Put it all together, and your move up becomes a lot more realistic than you think:
- The house you’re selling is in demand.
- The house you’re buying may be easier to find.
- And the equity you’ve built can help bridge the gap between the two.
Your first home did exactly what it was supposed to do. It gave you a place to start.
Now, it may be the thing that helps you take the next step.
Bottom Line
Your first home was never meant to be your forever home. It was meant to help you build a life and build the financial foundation for whatever came next.
If your current home no longer fits the life you’re living today, connect with an agent. You may be closer to your next chapter than you realize.
