What is a Pocket Listing?

A pocket listing is a property that is for sale, but not publicly advertised. It is not listed on major real estate websites or even MLS. Instead, the agent keeps the listing "in their pocket," only sharing it with trusted colleagues, buyers, or clients they know are serious. These homes are still for sale, but they are sold more quietly, behind the scenes. Why Would a Seller Choose a Pocket Listing? Privacy: They may not want a lot of people walking through their home, especially if they are still living in it. Testing the Market: Some sellers want to test…
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Why You Should Think Like a Seller When Buying a Home

When you are buying a home, you are likely thinking about how it fits your life. Is the kitchen big enough? Does it have a home office? Is the backyard right for pets or kids? But what if I told you that thinking like a seller can make you a smarter buyer? It might sound backward, but approaching your home search with resale in mind can help you make a better investment, avoid future headaches, and even save you money in the long run. Here’s why you should always have your future resale value in mind, even on day one:…
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How to Read Between the Lines in a Real Estate Listing

When you are scrolling through homes online, it's easy to get swept away by beautiful photos, catchy descriptions, and enticing phrases like "charming fixer-upper" or "cozy starter home." But as a real estate agent, let me tell you, there is often more to the story than meets the eye. Learning to read between the lines of a real estate listing can save you time, prevent disappointment, and help you find the right home faster. Here is how to decode what those listings are really saying: "Needs TLC" = Bring Your ToolboxIf you see phrases like "needs TLC," "great bones," or…
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Getting Approval for a Short Sale

If you are struggling to make your mortgage payments and facing the possibility of foreclosure, you're not alone and you are not out of options. One path worth considering is a short sale, which can help you avoid the long-term impact of a foreclosure on your credit report. As a mortgage originator, I have helped many homeowners navigate this process. A short sale occurs when your lender agrees to accept less than the full amount owed on your mortgage to settle the debt. In this scenario, you sell your home for less than the remaining balance on your loan, and…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 2nd, 2025

The PCE Index release—the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation indicator—has shown favorable results. However, the overwhelming sentiment remains one of uncertainty due to the ongoing trade wars. With these conflicts still in full swing, inflation is expected to rise in the near future at a faster-than-anticipated pace. Following the recent trade truce with China, consumer sentiment has improved, though the long-term impact remains uncertain. As expected, consumer spending has declined noticeably, as the tariffs have led to short-term price increases. PCE IndexThe cost of living barely rose in April — and the rate of inflation slowed even closer to prepandemic levels…
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How to Stage a Home Without Furniture Using Creative Tricks with Lighting, Scent, and Small Details

Selling a home without furniture can be challenging. Empty rooms can feel cold, echoey, and impersonal, making it difficult for buyers to picture themselves living there. While full-scale staging can work wonders, it’s not always in the budget or timeline. The good news? You can create warmth, character, and connection using a few simple tricks.Here is how to make a vacant house feel like a welcoming home, no furniture required. 1. Start with Lighting That SpeaksNothing makes a home feel empty faster than dim, harsh, or unflattering lightning. Good lighting instantly boosts warmth and comfort. Replace outdated or dark bulbs…
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How a Bad Buyers Agent Can Hurt Your Sale and How to Protect Your Deal

When selling your home, you put your trust in your own real estate agent to price it right, market it well, and guide you through negotiations. But what many sellers don’t realize is that the buyer’s agent, someone you didn’t hire, can also impact your success. And unfortunately, if that agent is inexperienced, unresponsive, or unprofessional, it could hurt your sale more than you think. Let’s break down how a bad buyer’s agent can complicate your sale, and how to protect your deal from falling apart. Poor Communication Can Derail the TimelineA great transaction depends on clear, timely communication between…
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Why a Messy Neighbor Can Kill a Sale (And What Sellers Can Legally Do About It)

When you're preparing to sell your home, you likely focus on everything within your property line, cluttering, staging, repainting, and boosting curb appeal. But what if the one thing standing between you and a solid offer is not your house at all? It might be your neighbor.From overgrown yards and peeling paint to broken-down vehicles and loud pets, a messy or unkempt neighboring property can have a major impact on your sale when buyers are forming their first impressions before they even walk in your door. First Impressions Extend Beyond the Property LineReal estate is emotional. Buyers don’t just purchase…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 27th, 2025

Despite the recent pause on tariffs for Europe and progressing talks with China, the economic outlook remains largely negative across all sectors and markets. Although this week was relatively light on economic reports, the most notable was the Leading Economic Indicators, which showed a significant decline in every measurable category for April. This decline is largely attributed to the tariff policies implemented recently. Overall, the outlook remains pessimistic, despite other markets showing a more favorable reaction to the recent pauses on tariffs. U.S. Leading Economic Indicators The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the US fell sharply by 1.0%…
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Honoring Our Heroes and Celebrating the Meaning of Home

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage, sacrifice, and commitment to freedom have made it possible for all of us to pursue our dreams, including the dream of home ownership.What Home Truly MeansHome is more than four walls and a roof, more than a place to lay your head at night, it is where memories are made, milestones are reached, and futures are built. It is the front porch where your friends and neighbors gather, the backyard where barbecues bring families together, and the…
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