
2489 Parallel Dr, Lakeport, CA
Updated and modernized darling bungalow style home offers 3 bedrooms & 2 baths with a fresh kitchen sporting newer cabinetry, quarts counters and steel…
If you’re planning to buy your first home, saving up for all the costs involved can feel daunting, especially when it comes to the down payment. That might be because you’ve heard you need to save 20% of the home’s price to put down. Well, that isn’t necessarily the case.
Unless specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% down. That means you could be closer to your homebuying dream than you realize.
As The Mortgage Reports says:
“Although putting down 20% to avoid mortgage insurance is wise if affordable, it’s a myth that this is always necessary. In fact, most people opt for a much lower down payment.”
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median down payment hasn’t been over 20% since 2005. In fact, for all homebuyers today it’s only 15%. And it’s even lower for first-time homebuyers at just 8% (see graph below):

The big takeaway? You may not need to save as much as you originally thought.
According to Down Payment Resource, there are also over 2,000 homebuyer assistance programs in the U.S., and many of them are intended to help with down payments.
Plus, there are loan options that can help too. For example, FHA loans offer down payments as low as 3.5%, while VA and USDA loans have no down payment requirements for qualified applicants.
With so many resources available to help with your down payment, the best way to find what you qualify for is by consulting with your loan officer or broker. They know about local grants and loan programs that may help you out.
Don’t let the misconception that you have to have 20% saved up hold you back. If you’re ready to become a homeowner, lean on the professionals to find resources that can help you make your dreams a reality. If you put your plans on hold until you’ve saved up 20%, it may actually cost you in the long run. According to U.S. Bank:
“. . . there are plenty of reasons why it might not be possible. For some, waiting to save up 20% for a down payment may “cost” too much time. While you’re saving for your down payment and paying rent, the price of your future home may go up.”
Home prices are expected to keep appreciating over the next 5 years – meaning your future home will likely go up in price the longer you wait. If you’re able to use these resources to buy now, that future price growth will help you build equity, rather than cost you more.
Keep in mind that you don't always need a 20% down payment to buy a home. If you're looking to make a move this year, let’s connect to start the conversation about your homebuying goals.
The Truth About Down Payments If you’re planning to buy your first home, saving up for all the costs involved can feel daunting, especially when it comes to the down payment. That might be because you’ve heard you need to save 20% of the home’s price to put down. Well, that isn’t necessarily the case. Unless specified by […]
Read MoreIf you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity. If you’re not familiar with that term, Freddie Mac defines it like this: “. . . your home’s equity is the difference between how much your home is worth and how much you […]
Read MoreIf you’re looking to buy a home, your down payment doesn’t have to be a big hurdle. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 38% of first-time homebuyers find saving for a down payment the most challenging step. But the reality is, you probably don’t need to put down as much as you think: Data from NAR shows the […]
Read MoreIf you’re thinking about selling your house, you may have heard the supply of homes for sale is still low, and that means your house should stand out to buyers who are craving more options. But you may also be wondering, once you sell, how does the current supply impact your own move? And, will you be able […]
Read More📈 Mortgage rates have been back on the rise recently and that’s getting a lot of attention from the press. If you’ve been following the headlines, you may have even seen rates recently reached their highest level in over two decades (see graph below):
Read More📈 Mortgage rates have been back on the rise recently and that’s getting a lot of attention from the press. If you’ve been following the headlines, you may have even seen rates recently reached their highest level in over two decades (see graph below):
Read More📊 Mortgage rates may be making you wonder if selling is the right decision. Here’s what you need to know about how home equity can help.
Read More🏡 Why is it so hard to find a house to buy? And while it may be tempting to wait it out until you have more options, that’s probably not the best strategy. Here’s why.
Read More🏡 In some ways, smaller homes are already here. When the pandemic hit, the meaning of home changed. People needed the space their home provided not only as a place to live, but as a place to work, go to school, exercise, and more.
Read More📈 Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023.
Read MoreIf you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity. If you’re not familiar with that term, Freddie Mac defines it like this:
“. . . your home’s equity is the difference between how much your home is worth and how much you owe on your mortgage.”
That means your equity grows as you pay down your home loan over time and as home values climb. While it’s true home prices dipped slightly last year, they rebounded and have been climbing in many areas since then. Here’s why that price growth is good news for you.
In the latest Equity Insights Report, Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, explains:
“With price gains continuing to help homeowners build wealth, equity has reached a new high and regained losses that resulted from declines last year. And while the average U.S. homeowner gained over $20,000 in additional equity compared with the third quarter of 2022, some markets are seeing larger increases as price growth catches up.”
And that figure is just for the last year. To help you really understand how that number can add up over time, the report also says the average homeowner with a mortgage has more than $300,000 in equity. That much equity can have a big impact.
Here are a few examples of how you can put your home equity to work for you.
If your current space no longer meets your needs, it might be time to think about moving to a bigger home. And if you’ve got too much space, downsizing to a smaller one could be just right. Either way, you can put your equity toward a down payment on something that fits your changing lifestyle.
And, if you’re not ready to move just yet, you can use the equity you have to improve your current home. But it’s important to consider the long-term benefits certain upgrades can bring to your home’s value. A real estate agent is a great resource on which projects to prioritize to get the greatest return on your investment when you sell later on.
Home equity can also serve as a catalyst for realizing your life-long dreams. That could mean investing in a new business venture, retirement, or funding an education. While you shouldn’t use your equity for unnecessary spending, using it responsibly for something meaningful and impactful can really make a difference in your life.
While the number of foreclosure filings remains below the norm, there are still some homeowners who go into foreclosure each year. If you’re in a tough spot financially, having a clear understanding of your options can help. Equity can act as a cushion if you’re not able to make your mortgage payments on time.
If you want to know how much equity you have in your home, let’s connect. That way you have someone who can do a professional equity assessment report on how much you’ve built up over time. Then let’s talk through how you can use it to help you reach your goals.
If you’re looking to buy a home, your down payment doesn’t have to be a big hurdle. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 38% of first-time homebuyers find saving for a down payment the most challenging step. But the reality is, you probably don’t need to put down as much as you think:

Data from NAR shows the median down payment hasn’t been over 20% since 2005. In fact, the median down payment for all homebuyers today is only 15%. And it’s even lower for first-time homebuyers at 8%. But just because that’s the median, it doesn’t mean you have to put that much down. Some qualified buyers put down even less.
For example, there are loan types, like FHA loans, with down payments as low as 3.5%, as well as options like VA loans and USDA loans with no down payment requirements for qualified applicants. But let’s focus in on another valuable resource that may be able to help with your down payment: down payment assistance programs.
According to Down Payment Resource, there are thousands of programs available for homebuyers – and 75% of these are down payment assistance programs.
And it’s not just first-time homebuyers that are eligible. That means no matter where you are in your homebuying journey, there could be an option available for you. As Down Payment Resource notes:
“You don’t have to be a first-time buyer. Over 39% of all [homeownership] programs are for repeat homebuyers who have owned a home in the last 3 years.”
The best place to start as you search for more information is with a trusted real estate professional. They’ll be able to share more information about what may be available, including additional programs for specific professions or communities.
Here are a few down payment assistance programs that are helping many of today’s buyers achieve the dream of homeownership:
Even if you don’t qualify for these types of programs, there are many other federal, state, and local options available to look into. And a real estate professional can help you find the ones that meet your needs as you explore what’s available.
Achieving the dream of having a home may be more within reach than you think, especially when you know where to find the right support. To learn more about your options, let’s connect.
If you’re thinking about selling your house, you may have heard the supply of homes for sale is still low, and that means your house should stand out to buyers who are craving more options. But you may also be wondering, once you sell, how does the current supply impact your own move? And, will you be able to find a home you want to buy with inventory this low?
One thing that can help you find your next home is exploring all your options, including both homes that have been lived in before as well as newly built ones. Let’s look at the benefits of each one.
First, let’s look at the advantages of purchasing a newly constructed home. With a brand-new home, you’ll be able to:
Now, let’s compare that to the perks that come with buying an existing home. With a pre-existing home, you can:
The choice is yours. When you start your search for the perfect home, remember that you can go either route – you just need to decide which features and benefits are most important to you. As an article from The Mortgage Reports says:
“When building, you gain more freedom to tailor the design, materials, and features, but it demands more time and involvement. Conversely, buying an established home offers immediate occupancy . . . yet may require compromises. Your choice should align with your budget, timeline, customization preferences, and the local real estate landscape.”
Either way, working with a local real estate agent throughout the process is mission-critical to your success. They’ll help you explore all of your options based on what matters most to you in your next home. Together, you can find the home that’s right for you.
If you have questions about the options in our area, let’s discuss what’s available and what’s right for you. That way you’ll be ready to make your next move with confidence.
Are you dreaming of buying your own home and wondering about how you’ll save for a down payment? You’re not alone. Some people think about tapping into their 401(k) savings to make it happen. But before you decide to dip into your retirement to buy a home, be sure to consider all possible alternatives and talk with a financial expert. Here’s why.
The data shows many Americans have saved a considerable amount for retirement (see chart below):

It can be really tempting when you have a lot of money saved up in your 401(k) and you see your dream home on the horizon. But remember, dipping into your retirement savings for a home could cost you a penalty and affect your finances later on. That’s why it’s important to explore all your options when it comes to saving for a down payment and buying a home. As Experian says:
“It’s possible to use funds from your 401(k) to buy a house, but whether you should depends on several factors, including taxes and penalties, how much you’ve already saved and your unique financial circumstances.”
Using your 401(k) is one way to finance a home, but it’s not the only option. Before you decide, consider a couple of other methods, courtesy of Experian:
No matter what route you take to purchase a home, be sure to talk with a financial expert before you do anything. Working with a team of experts to develop a concrete plan prior to starting your journey to homeownership is the key to success. Kelly Palmer, Founder of The Wealthy Parent, says:
“I have seen parents pausing contributions to their retirement plans in favor of affording a larger home often with the hope they can refinance in the future… As long as there is a tangible plan in place to get back to saving for their retirement goals, I encourage families to consider all their options.”
If you’re still thinking about using your 401(k)-retirement savings for a home down payment, consider all your options and work with a financial professional before you make any decisions.

Our in house marketing team of designers, analysts, artists and technology gurus are constantly offering strategically driven marketing solutions and custom tailored work to meet the individual needs of our clients.




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Mortgage rates have been back on the rise recently and that’s getting a lot of attention from the press. If you’ve been following the headlines, you may have even seen rates recently reached their highest level in over two decades (see graph below):

That can feel like a little bit of a gut punch if you’re thinking about making a move. If you’re wondering whether or not you should delay your plans, here’s what you really need to know.
There’s no denying mortgage rates are higher right now than they were in recent years. And, when rates are up, that affects overall home affordability. It works like this. The higher the rate, the more expensive it is to borrow money when you buy a home. That’s because, as rates trend up, your monthly mortgage payment for your future home loan also increases.
Urban Institute explains how this is impacting buyers and sellers right now:
“When mortgage rates go up, monthly housing payments on new purchases also increase. For potential buyers, increased monthly payments can reduce the share of available affordable homes . . . Additionally, higher interest rates mean fewer homes on the market, as existing homeowners have an incentive to hold on to their home to keep their low interest rate.”
Basically, some people are deciding to put their plans on hold because of where mortgage rates are right now. But what you want to know is: is that a good strategy?
If you’re eager for mortgage rates to drop, you’re not alone. A lot of people are waiting for that to happen. But here’s the thing. No one knows when it will. Even the experts can’t say with certainty what’s going to happen next.
Forecasts project rates will fall in the months ahead, but what the latest data says is that rates have been climbing lately. This disconnect shows just how tricky mortgage rates are to project.
The best advice for your move is this: don’t try to control what you can’t control. This includes trying to time the market or guess what the future holds for mortgage rates. As CBS News states:
“If you’re in the market for a new home, experts typically recommend focusing your search on the right home purchase — not the interest rate environment.”
Instead, work on building a team of skilled professionals, including a trusted lender and real estate agent, who can explain what’s happening in the market and what it means for you. If you need to move because you’re changing jobs, want to be closer to family, or are in the middle of another big life change, the right team can help you achieve your goal, even now.
The best advice for your move is: don’t try to control what you can’t control – especially mortgage rates. Even the experts can’t say for certain where they’ll go from here. Instead, focus on building a team of trusted professionals who can keep you informed. When you’re ready to get the process started, let’s connect.

📈 Mortgage rates have been back on the rise recently and that’s getting a lot of attention from the press. If you’ve been following the headlines, you may have even seen rates recently reached their highest level in over…

📊 Mortgage rates may be making you wonder if selling is the right decision. Here’s what you need to know about how home equity can help.

🏡 Why is it so hard to find a house to buy? And while it may be tempting to wait it out until you have more options, that’s probably not the best strategy. Here’s why.

🏡 In some ways, smaller homes are already here. When the pandemic hit, the meaning of home changed. People needed the space their home provided not only as a place to live, but as a place to work, go…

📈 Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023.

💁🏽♀️ Generation Z (Gen Z) is eager to put down their own roots and achieve financial independence. As a result, they’re turning to homeownership.

📈 If you remember the housing crash back in 2008, you may recall just how popular adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) were back then.

📦 Plenty of people are still moving these days. And if you’re thinking of making a move yourself, you may be considering the inventory and affordability challenges in the housing market…

Our in house marketing team of designers, analysts, artists and technology gurus are constantly offering strategically driven marketing solutions and custom tailored work to meet the individual needs of our clients.

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This formal model home offers its owner true flexibility. Situated on a corner lot, this single story is well suited for a multitude of…

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Welcome to this beautifully remodeled 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath nestled in the sought after Cader Farms neighborhood of Petaluma.

🏬 8 Units | Mixed Use | Waterfront →$5,575,000

Spacious corner lot in a highly desirable Petaluma neighborhood. Come home to this wonderful 3 bd., 2.5 bath built in 1995.
Are you thinking about selling your house? If so, today’s mortgage rates may be making you wonder if that’s the right decision. Some homeowners are reluctant to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate on their next home. If you’re worried about this too, know that even though rates are high right now, so is home equity. Here’s what you need to know.
Bankrate explains exactly what equity is and how it grows:
“Home equity is the portion of your home that you’ve paid off and own outright. It’s the difference between what the home is worth and how much is still owed on your mortgage. As your home’s value increases over the long term and you pay down the principal on the mortgage, your equity stake grows.”
In other words, equity is how much your home is worth now, minus what you still owe on your home loan.
Recently, your equity has been growing faster than you might think. To help contextualize just how much the average homeowner has, CoreLogic says:
“. . . the average U.S. homeowner now has about $290,000 in equity.”
That’s because, over the past few years, home prices went up significantly – and those rising prices helped your equity to accumulate faster than usual. While the market has started to normalize, there are still more people wanting to buy homes than there are homes available for sale. This high demand is causing home prices to go up again.
According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the Census, and ATTOM, a property data provider, nearly two-thirds (68.7%) of homeowners have either fully paid off their mortgages or have at least 50% equity (see chart below):

That means nearly 70% of homeowners have a tremendous amount of equity right now.
With today’s affordability challenges, your equity can make a big difference when you decide to move. After you sell your house, you can use the equity you’ve built up in your home to help you buy your next one. Here’s how:
“These all-cash home buyers are happily avoiding the higher mortgage interest rates . . .”
“Increasing your down payment lowers your principal loan amount and, consequently, your loan-to-value ratio, which could lead to a lower interest rate offer from your lender.”
If you’re thinking about moving, the equity you’ve built up can make a big difference, especially today. To find out how much equity you’ve got in your current house and how you can use it for your next home, let’s connect.

📊 Mortgage rates may be making you wonder if selling is the right decision. Here’s what you need to know about how home equity can help.

🏡 Why is it so hard to find a house to buy? And while it may be tempting to wait it out until you have more options, that’s probably not the best strategy. Here’s why.

🏡 In some ways, smaller homes are already here. When the pandemic hit, the meaning of home changed. People needed the space their home provided not only as a place to live, but as a place to work, go…

📈 Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023.

💁🏽♀️ Generation Z (Gen Z) is eager to put down their own roots and achieve financial independence. As a result, they’re turning to homeownership.

📈 If you remember the housing crash back in 2008, you may recall just how popular adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) were back then.

📦 Plenty of people are still moving these days. And if you’re thinking of making a move yourself, you may be considering the inventory and affordability challenges in the housing market…

While this isn’t the frenzied market we saw in recent years, homes that are priced right are still selling quickly and seeing multiple offers right now.

Our in house marketing team of designers, analysts, artists and technology gurus are constantly offering strategically driven marketing solutions and custom tailored work to meet the individual needs of our clients.





Well maintained and well established commercial units. Located in a highly visible, high traffic area on 4th Street within the famous Miracle Mile. 2042…

a 178-unit apartment community located at 2010 Pioneer Way in Santa Rosa, California. Pioneer Apartments consists of 100 one-bedroom/one-bath units and 78 two bedroom/one-and-one-half…

The Palms Apartments, a 60-unit apartment community located at 128-170 Santa Alicia Drive in Rohnert Park, California. The Palms Apartments at 128-170 Santa Alicia…

3076 Marlow Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403 is for sale by the RE/MAX Elite Partners in Fairfield, CA call 707.580.3499 for more information. Marlow…

Park Lane Villas, a 121-unit Condominium community located at 3751 Sebastopol Rd, Santa Rosa, California. The Park Lane Villas consist of 22 two-bedroom, two-bath units,…

Welcome to Vallejo, California! Introducing a stunning new listing that has just hit the market. This completely updated, charming home offers a wonderful combination…

You will not want to miss this beautiful contemporary townhome! Bright and airy design, nestled among the trees. Enjoy your deck off of the…

Lovely and clean 3 Bed, 2 Bath, single-story gem, located in the heart of charming Benicia. Solar Panel Powered for energy and cost efficiency….

Move-in ready 3 bed/1.5 bath home WITH A BRAND NEW ROOF perfect for you and your family. 1120 70th Ave, Oakland, CA 94621 is…

Nestled on one of Fairfield’s most desirable courts, 493 Palo Alto welcomes you to Paradise Highlands. A open concept flowing floorpan offers tremendous versatility…

Absolutely gorgeous home located in a quiet court! This home offers builder upgrades such as a custom built-in cabinet in the den with functional…

This formal model home offers its owner true flexibility. Situated on a corner lot, this single story is well suited for a multitude of…

For Sale →556 Ruby Drive PRICE: $899,950 5 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3,772 sq ft Built 2000 899,950 Summary Experience the quintessential Vacaville lifestyle in…

Welcome to this beautifully remodeled 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath nestled in the sought after Cader Farms neighborhood of Petaluma.

🏬 8 Units | Mixed Use | Waterfront →$5,575,000

Spacious corner lot in a highly desirable Petaluma neighborhood. Come home to this wonderful 3 bd., 2.5 bath built in 1995.
One question that’s top of mind if you’re thinking about making a move today is: Why is it so hard to find a house to buy? And while it may be tempting to wait it out until you have more options, that’s probably not the best strategy. Here’s why.
There aren’t enough homes available for sale, but that shortage isn’t just a today problem. It’s been a challenge for years. Let’s take a look at some of the long-term and short-term factors that have contributed to this limited supply.
One of the big reasons inventory is low is because builders haven’t been building enough homes in recent years. The graph below shows
new construction for single-family homes over the past five decades, including the long-term average for housing units completed:
For 14 straight years, builders didn’t construct enough homes to meet the historical average (shown in red). That underbuilding created a significant inventory deficit. And while new home construction is back on track and meeting the historical average right now, the long-term inventory problem isn’t going to be solved overnight.
There are also a few factors at play in today’s market adding to the inventory challenge. The first is the mortgage rate lock-in effect. Basically, some homeowners are reluctant to sell because of where mortgage rates are right now. They don’t want to move and take on a rate that’s higher than the one they have on their current home. The chart below helps illustrate
just how many homeowners may find themselves in this situation:
Those homeowners need to remember their needs may matter just as much as the financial aspects of their move.
Another thing that’s limiting inventory right now is the fear that’s been created by the media. You’ve likely seen the negative headlines calling for a housing crash, or the ones saying home prices would fall by 20%. While neither of those things happened, the stories may have dinged your confidence enough for you to think it’s better to hold off and wait for things to calm down. As Jason Lewris, Co-Founder and Chief Data Officer at Parcl, says:
“In the absence of trustworthy, up-to-date information, real estate decisions are increasingly being driven by fear, uncertainty, and doubt.”
That’s further limiting inventory because people who would make a move otherwise now feel hesitant to do so. But the market isn’t doom and gloom, even if the headlines are. An agent can help you separate fact from fiction.
If you’re wondering how today’s low inventory affects you, it depends on if you’re selling or buying a home, or both.
The low supply of homes for sale isn’t a new challenge. There are a number of long-term and short-term factors leading to the current inventory deficit. If you’re looking to make a move, let’s connect. That way you’ll have an expert on your side to explain how this impacts you and what’s happening with housing inventory in our area.

🏡 Why is it so hard to find a house to buy? And while it may be tempting to wait it out until you have more options, that’s probably not the best strategy. Here’s why.

🏡 In some ways, smaller homes are already here. When the pandemic hit, the meaning of home changed. People needed the space their home provided not only as a place to live, but as a place to work, go…

📈 Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023.

💁🏽♀️ Generation Z (Gen Z) is eager to put down their own roots and achieve financial independence. As a result, they’re turning to homeownership.

📈 If you remember the housing crash back in 2008, you may recall just how popular adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) were back then.

📦 Plenty of people are still moving these days. And if you’re thinking of making a move yourself, you may be considering the inventory and affordability challenges in the housing market…

While this isn’t the frenzied market we saw in recent years, homes that are priced right are still selling quickly and seeing multiple offers right now.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices?

Our in house marketing team of designers, analysts, artists and technology gurus are constantly offering strategically driven marketing solutions and custom tailored work to meet the individual needs of our clients.

a 178-unit apartment community located at 2010 Pioneer Way in Santa Rosa, California. Pioneer Apartments consists of 100 one-bedroom/one-bath units and 78 two bedroom/one-and-one-half…

The Palms Apartments, a 60-unit apartment community located at 128-170 Santa Alicia Drive in Rohnert Park, California. The Palms Apartments at 128-170 Santa Alicia…

3076 Marlow Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403 is for sale by the RE/MAX Elite Partners in Fairfield, CA call 707.580.3499 for more information. Marlow…

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Absolutely gorgeous home located in a quiet court! This home offers builder upgrades such as a custom built-in cabinet in the den with functional…

This formal model home offers its owner true flexibility. Situated on a corner lot, this single story is well suited for a multitude of…

For Sale →556 Ruby Drive PRICE: $899,950 5 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3,772 sq ft Built 2000 899,950 Summary Experience the quintessential Vacaville lifestyle in…

Welcome to this beautifully remodeled 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath nestled in the sought after Cader Farms neighborhood of Petaluma.

🏬 8 Units | Mixed Use | Waterfront →$5,575,000

Spacious corner lot in a highly desirable Petaluma neighborhood. Come home to this wonderful 3 bd., 2.5 bath built in 1995.
Have you been trying to buy a home, but higher mortgage rates and home prices are limiting your options? If so, here’s some good news – based on what Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at Zonda, has to say – smaller, more affordable homes are on the way:
“Buyers should expect that over the next 12 to 24 months there will be a notable increase in the number of entry-level homes available.”
In some ways, smaller homes are already here. When the pandemic hit, the meaning of home changed. People needed the space their home provided not only as a place to live, but as a place to work, go to school, exercise, and more. Those who had that space were more likely to keep it. And those that didn’t were in a position where they were trying to sell their smaller house to move up to a larger one. That meant the homes coming to the market during the pandemic were smaller than those on the market before the pandemic – and that trend continues today (see graph below):
This graph also shows how the size of homes on the market changes seasonally. Larger homes tend to come on the market during the summer months when households with children who are out of school are looking to move.
That seasonality means, based on historical trends and the fact that fall is now approaching, we can expect smaller, more affordable homes to come to the market throughout the rest of the year.
That’s great news because, as Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), states, the need for these types of homes has gone up recently:
“. . . as interest rates increased in 2022, and housing affordability worsened, the demand for home size has trended lower.”
The seasonal trend of smaller homes coming to the market in the later months of the year, coupled with builders bringing smaller, more affordable newly built homes to the market right now, is good news – especially if you’re finding it difficult to afford a home. Mikaela Arroyo, Director of the New Home Trends Institute at John Burns Real Estate Consulting, says this about a potential increase in the availability of smaller homes:
“It’s not solving the affordability crisis, but it is creating opportunities for people to be able to afford an entry-level home in an area.”
If a smaller, more affordable home sounds appealing to you, good news – they’re coming. To keep up with what’s available in our area, let’s connect.

🏡 In some ways, smaller homes are already here. When the pandemic hit, the meaning of home changed. People needed the space their home provided not only as a place to live, but as a place to work, go…

📈 Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023.

💁🏽♀️ Generation Z (Gen Z) is eager to put down their own roots and achieve financial independence. As a result, they’re turning to homeownership.

📈 If you remember the housing crash back in 2008, you may recall just how popular adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) were back then.

📦 Plenty of people are still moving these days. And if you’re thinking of making a move yourself, you may be considering the inventory and affordability challenges in the housing market…

While this isn’t the frenzied market we saw in recent years, homes that are priced right are still selling quickly and seeing multiple offers right now.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices?

👩🏽💻 Even as some companies transition back into the office, remote work remains a popular choice for many professionals. So, if you currently enjoy working from home or hope to be able to soon, you’re not alone.

Our in house marketing team of designers, analysts, artists and technology gurus are constantly offering strategically driven marketing solutions and custom tailored work to meet the individual needs of our clients.



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This formal model home offers its owner true flexibility. Situated on a corner lot, this single story is well suited for a multitude of…

For Sale →556 Ruby Drive PRICE: $899,950 5 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3,772 sq ft Built 2000 899,950 Summary Experience the quintessential Vacaville lifestyle in…

Welcome to this beautifully remodeled 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath nestled in the sought after Cader Farms neighborhood of Petaluma.

🏬 8 Units | Mixed Use | Waterfront →$5,575,000

Spacious corner lot in a highly desirable Petaluma neighborhood. Come home to this wonderful 3 bd., 2.5 bath built in 1995.
Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023. That led to a lot of fear and questions about whether there was going to be a repeat of the housing crash that happened back in 2008. But the headlines got it wrong.
While there was a slight home price correction after the sky-high price appreciation during the ‘unicorn’ years, nationally, home prices didn’t come crashing down. If anything, prices were a lot more resilient than many people expected.
Let’s take a look at some of the expert forecasts from late last year stacked against their most recent forecasts to show that even the experts recognize they were overly pessimistic.
This visual shows the 2023 home price forecasts from seven organizations. It provides the original 2023 forecasts (released in late 2022) for what would happen to home prices by the end of this year and their most recently revised 2023 forecasts (see chart below):
As the red in the middle column shows, in all instances, their original forecast called for home prices to fall. But, if you look at the right column, you’ll see all experts have updated their projections for the year-end to show they expect prices to either be flat or have positive growth. That’s a significant change from the original negative numbers.
There are a number of reasons why home prices are so resilient to falling. As Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, says:
“One thing is for sure, having long-term, fixed-rate debt in the U.S. protects homeowners from payment shock, acts as an inflation hedge – your primary household expense doesn’t change when inflation rises – and is a reason why home prices in the U.S. are downside sticky.”
For home prices, you’re going to continue to see misleading media coverage in the months ahead. That’s because there’s seasonality to home price appreciation and they’re going to misunderstand that. Here’s what you need to know to get ahead of the next round of negative headlines.
As activity in the housing market slows at the end of this year (as it typically does each year), home price growth will slow too. But, this doesn’t mean prices are falling – it’s just that they’re not increasing as quickly as they were when the market was in the peak homebuying season.
Basically, deceleration of appreciation is not the same thing as home prices depreciating.
The headlines have an impact, even if they’re not true. While the media said home prices would fall significantly in their coverage at the end of last year, that didn’t happen. Let’s connect so you have a trusted resource to help you separate fact from fiction with reliable data.

📈 Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023.

💁🏽♀️ Generation Z (Gen Z) is eager to put down their own roots and achieve financial independence. As a result, they’re turning to homeownership.

📈 If you remember the housing crash back in 2008, you may recall just how popular adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) were back then.

📦 Plenty of people are still moving these days. And if you’re thinking of making a move yourself, you may be considering the inventory and affordability challenges in the housing market…

While this isn’t the frenzied market we saw in recent years, homes that are priced right are still selling quickly and seeing multiple offers right now.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices?

👩🏽💻 Even as some companies transition back into the office, remote work remains a popular choice for many professionals. So, if you currently enjoy working from home or hope to be able to soon, you’re not alone.

🏡 The current housing market is generally favorable to sellers due to today’s limited housing supply, there are still factors that can cause delays or even prevent a house from selling.