Blog
- Home
- Blog
East Bay & Newport County Monthly Update: July 2026
by Natalie Hurney
East Bay & Newport County Monthly Update: July 2026 Summer is officially here on Aquidneck Island and the East Bay, and the local real estate market is moving right along with it. Here's your quick monthly look at what's happening with home prices from Newport to Bristol to the South Coast of Massachusetts — plus what's on the calendar for family fun this month. Market Update Rhode Island, statewide: The state's median single-family sale price is hovering in the high $400,000s to low $500,000s,...
Read MoreHow to Appeal a High Property Tax Assessment in Kentucky
by Joy Corbin
Your home's value goes up, which is great news. Your property taxes? Not so much. If you've received a Notice of Assessment showing a significantly higher valuation than you expected, you're probably wondering if there's anything you can do about it. The answer is yes, and the process is more straightforward than you might think, especially here in Lexington. Understanding the Problem An estimated 30 to 60 percent of U.S. residential properties are overassessed, yet fewer than 5 percent of homeowners...
Read MoreHold Off on That New Car Until After Closing
by Jerry Mastroeni
I've seen it happen more times than I can count in my years helping Hurst homebuyers. Someone gets their pre-approval letter and feels like they've already won the lottery. Then they think, "Well, I'm approved, so why not get that car I've been wanting?" Next thing I know, they're calling me in a panic because their lender is threatening to back out of the deal. The problem is that pre-approval isn't the same as approval. That word "pre" at the beginning matters more than most people realize. The...
Read MoreRent vs Buy: Building Wealth Through Home Ownership in 2026
by Kimo Randall
When someone asks me about the biggest financial decision they'll make in their lifetime, I usually know exactly what they're asking about. It's not really one choice at all, it's THE choice: should I keep renting or finally buy a home? I've had this conversation hundreds of times in my years as a real estate agent here in Justin, Texas. Some people come in knowing they want to buy. Others have convinced themselves that renting makes perfect sense and never question it. Most fall somewhere in the...
Read MoreYour Debt-to-Income Ratio: The Real Deal for Home Buying
by Leslie Pfieffer
You've saved for months, your credit score is solid, and you're ready to make the leap into homeownership. But then your lender starts asking about your debt-to-income ratio, and suddenly you're wondering if all those student loan payments and credit cards you'd forgotten about might cost you your dream home in Saint Augustine. Here's the truth: your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is one of the first things lenders examine when considering your mortgage application. It's not the only factor, but it...
Read MoreNegotiating Furniture Inclusion in Your Home Purchase
by Lori Brown
Negotiating Furniture Inclusion in Your Home Purchase One of the most surprising moments I have as a real estate agent happens during home showings. A buyer tours a beautiful Covington home, falls in love with the space, and then quietly asks, "Can we get that dining room table too?" It happens more often than you might think. The truth is, it's not uncommon to negotiate the sale of select, or all, pieces of furniture during closing. But here's where many buyers run into trouble: they think finding...
Read MoreHold Off on That New Car Until After Closing
by Wayleen Wyche
You've just gotten your pre-approval letter, and it feels amazing. You're officially on your way to becoming a homeowner in Longview, Texas. With that pre-approval in hand, you start thinking about all the other things you can do—maybe trade in your old car for something newer, upgrade your furniture, or make some other big purchases. But before you do, I need to give you an important piece of advice: wait until after your home purchase closes before making any major financial changes. I know...
Read MorePre-Approval: Your First Power Move as a Homebuyer
by Amanda Guan
I've been helping buyers in Oceanside navigate the real estate market for years, and one thing I've learned is that the most successful homebuyers don't show up unprepared. They show up with a pre-approval letter in hand. It's the difference between being a serious contender and just window shopping for homes. Finding the right property is exciting, but if you haven't gotten pre-approved for a mortgage yet, you're actually putting yourself at a disadvantage before the real work even starts. Let...
Read MoreThe Many Hats Real Estate Agents Actually Wear
by rishi bansod
If you've ever wondered what real estate agents actually do all day, you're definitely not alone. Most people have a pretty simplified view of the job—they think we show homes and then collect a commission. While those two things do happen, they represent just a small slice of what fills our calendar. As a real estate agent here in Bothell, I can tell you that the work is far more complex and multifaceted than it appears from the outside. We're essentially running small businesses, which means...
Read MoreYour Pre-Approval Letter is the Key to Winning Fort Myers Offers
by Mary Vogt
Buying a home in Fort Myers is an exciting journey, but it can feel overwhelming without the right preparation. I've seen countless buyers fall in love with a property, only to lose it to another offer because they weren't pre-approved. The hard truth is that in today's market, having your finances in order before you start house hunting isn't just helpful—it's essential. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is your first real step toward homeownership success. It shows sellers you mean business,...
Read MoreRecent Posts
Most Popular Posts
- 4176702429
- 440 S Jefferson Ave, Springfield, MO 65806
Quick Links
Copyright © 2026. All rights reserved. HouseJet.com