Posts by Deb Hitchcock Gale
The 5-Year Rule for Home Prices
Some Highlights If recent home price headlines have you feeling worried, here’s some perspective. Home values almost always go up in the long run. And the long-term gains offset any short-term dips. Basically, if you plan to live there for 5 or more years, you should be able to buffer yourself against any short-term declines.…
Read MoreThe Advice First-Time Homebuyers Need To Hear
Buying your first home is a big milestone – and the right support is going to make it a whole lot easier. Because while this process might be brand new to you, it’s not new to your agent. They’ve helped plenty of first-time buyers through it. They know what works, what actually matters, and how…
Read MoreThe Truth About Where Home Prices Are Heading
There are plenty of headlines these days calling for a housing market crash. But the truth is, they’re not telling the full story. Here’s what’s actually happening, and what the experts project for home prices over the next 5 years. And spoiler alert – it’s not a crash. Yes, in some local markets, prices are…
Read MoreSelling and Buying at the Same Time? Here’s What You Need To Know
If you’re a homeowner planning to move, you’re probably wondering what the process is going to look like and what you should tackle first: Is it better to start by finding your next home? Or should you sell your current house before you go out looking? Ultimately, what’s right for you depends on a lot…
Read MoreShould You Buy a Vacation Home?
Some Highlights Now that summer’s here, you may be planning your next getaway. But what if you didn’t have to? Buying a vacation home means having a built-in escape you can use year after year. It gives you the chance to generate rental income and have a go-to retirement destination in the future. If…
Read MoreWhat You Should Know About Getting a Mortgage Today
If you’ve been putting off buying a home because you thought getting approved would be too hard, know this: qualifying for a mortgage is starting to get a bit more achievable, but lending standards are still strong. Lenders are making it slightly easier for well-qualified buyers to access financing, which is opening more doors for…
Read MoreThink No One’s Buying Homes Right Now? Think Again.
If you’ve seen headlines saying home sales are down compared to last year, you might be thinking – is it even a good time to sell? Here’s the thing. Sure, the pace of the market has cooled compared to the frenzy we saw just a few years ago, but that’s not a red flag. It’s…
Read MoreWhy Big Investors Aren’t a Challenge for Today’s Homebuyer
Remember the chatter in the headlines about all the homes big institutional investors were buying? If you were thinking about buying a home yourself, you may have wondered how you’d ever be able to compete with that. Here’s the thing. That’s not the challenge so many people think it is – especially right now. Let’s…
Read MoreTop 5 Reasons To Hire a Real Estate Agent When You Sell
Some Highlights The right agent doesn’t just list your house – they help you sell smarter, faster, and with fewer surprises. With an agent’s help, you’ll know what’s happening in your local market and how to price your house right. You’ll feel confident filling out complex legal documents and at the negotiation table. And that’s…
Read MoreMulti-Generational Homebuying Hit a Record High – Here’s Why
Multi-generational living is on the rise. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 17% of homebuyers purchase a home to share with parents, adult children, or extended family. That’s the highest share ever recorded by NAR (see graph below): And what’s behind the increase? Affordability. NAR explains: “In 2024, a notable 36% of homebuyers…
Read More