[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fbwk2pqjjqsc7":3,"$f1jpd4qalfdg3p":124},[4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,40,44,48,52,56,60,64,68,72,76,80,84,88,92,96,100,104,108,112,116,120],{"id":5,"name":6,"slug":7},1,"Uncategorized","uncategorized",{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},5,"For Buyers","buyers",{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},6,"For Sellers","sellers",{"id":17,"name":18,"slug":19},7,"Foreclosures","foreclosures",{"id":21,"name":22,"slug":23},8,"Infographics","infographics",{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},9,"Home Prices","home-prices",{"id":29,"name":30,"slug":31},11,"First-Time Buyers","first-time-buyers",{"id":33,"name":34,"slug":35},34,"Senior Market","senior-market",{"id":37,"name":38,"slug":39},35,"Mortgage Rates","mortgage-rates",{"id":41,"name":42,"slug":43},38,"Move-Up","move-up",{"id":45,"name":46,"slug":47},41,"For Sale by Owner","for-sale-by-owner",{"id":49,"name":50,"slug":51},42,"Featured","featured",{"id":53,"name":54,"slug":55},45,"New Construction","new-construction",{"id":57,"name":58,"slug":59},52,"Luxury \u002F Vacation","luxury--vacation",{"id":61,"name":62,"slug":63},53,"Rent vs. Buy","rent-vs-buy",{"id":65,"name":66,"slug":67},80,"Time-sensitive","time-sensitive",{"id":69,"name":70,"slug":71},81,"Outdated","outdated",{"id":73,"name":74,"slug":75},147,"Internal","internal",{"id":77,"name":78,"slug":79},148,"Do Not Autopost","do-not-autopost",{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},320,"Inventory","inventory",{"id":85,"name":86,"slug":87},321,"Agent Value","agent-value",{"id":89,"name":90,"slug":91},322,"Affordability","affordability",{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},323,"Buying Tips","buying-tips",{"id":97,"name":98,"slug":99},324,"Downsize","downsize",{"id":101,"name":102,"slug":103},325,"Economy","economy",{"id":105,"name":106,"slug":107},326,"Equity","equity",{"id":109,"name":110,"slug":111},327,"Forecasts","forecasts",{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},328,"Selling Tips","selling-tips",{"id":117,"name":118,"slug":119},339,"Expired\u002FWithdrawn\u002FCanceled","expiredwithdrawncanceled",{"id":121,"name":122,"slug":123},340,"Price It Right\u002FOverpricing","price-it-rightoverpricing",{"items":125,"totalCount":288,"hasMore":289},[126,147,163,180,194,212,227,243,258,273],{"id":127,"slug":128,"title":129,"description":130,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":133,"bannerImage":131,"body":134,"agentsBottomLine":135,"bodyImage":136,"isInfographic":137,"categories":138,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":145,"updatedAt":146},109220,"the-1-factor-that-explains-everything-happening-with-home-prices-right-now","The 1 Factor That Explains Everything Happening with Home Prices Right Now","\u003Cp>You've probably heard that home prices are cooling off.\u003C\u002Fp>","","blog","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260625\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-2213672932-original.png","\u003Cp>You've probably heard that home prices are cooling off. And that's true – nationally. But zoom in on \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F18\u002Fis-it-still-a-sellers-market-heres-what-the-data-says\u002F\">individual markets\u003C\u002Fa> across the country, and the picture looks completely different depending on where you are.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Some areas are still seeing solid \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F17\u002Fthink-home-prices-will-crash-heres-what-the-experts-actually-expect\u002F\">price growth\u003C\u002Fa>. Others have gone flat. A few have actually dipped slightly negative. So, what's causing all of that variation?\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>It All Comes Down to Inventory\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Here's the simple version:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Col style=\"list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>When there are more homes for sale, buyers have options.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>More options, means less competition.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Less competition means sellers can't push prices as high.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Fol>\u003Cp>On the flip side, when inventory is tight, buyers are competing over a small pool of homes, and that pushes prices up.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That dynamic is playing out right now in a really visible way across the country. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Markets where inventory has climbed back to, or above, normal pre-pandemic levels are seeing prices flatten or fall slightly. Markets where inventory is still well below those 2019 benchmarks are still seeing prices rise. As Lance Lambert, CEO of \u003Cem>ResiClub\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.resiclubanalytics.com\u002Fp\u002Fmajor-housing-markets-with-falling-rising-home-prices-april-2026\">puts it\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>\"Home prices are still climbing a little year-over-year in many regions where active inventory remains well below pre-pandemic 2019 levels, such as pockets of the Northeast and Midwest.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>In contrast, some pockets in states like Texas, Florida, and Colorado — where active inventory exceeds pre-pandemic 2019 levels by a solid clip — are seeing modest home price pullbacks or flat pricing.\"\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>The Maps Say It All \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Take a look at where inventory stands today compared to 2019. In most places (\u003Cem>the states in gray below\u003C\u002Fem>), inventory still falls short of where we were back then. And that’s exactly why prices are climbing, albeit moderately, in the vast majority of states.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But you’re probably more interested in where prices are falling a bit, since that’s what is making headlines. So, let’s prove out how much inventory affects prices in those spots.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fdata\u002F\">According\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem>, 15 states and Washington, D.C. are now back above pre-pandemic inventory levels, and some by a wide margin (\u003Cem>see the orange in the map below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260625\u002F20260629-15-States-original.png\" alt=\"a map of the united states\">Now, let’s look at the latest \u003Cem>Federal Housing Finance Agency\u003C\u002Fem> (FHFA) \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fhfa.gov\u002Fdata\u002Fhpi\u002Fdatasets?tab=hpi-summary-table\">data\u003C\u002Fa> to see what's happened to home prices in those same states over the past year (\u003Cem>again,\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Cem>you’ll want to focus on the orange in the next map\u003C\u002Fem>). \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>See how those line up pretty closely with the areas seeing more homes for sale today?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The overlap isn't a coincidence. It's cause and effect.\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260625\u002F20260629-Price-Changes-original.png\" alt=\"a map of the united states\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The national average of 1.7% price growth is accurate, but it's an average of two very different stories happening at the same time – the few areas experiencing mild declines and the overwhelming majority that are still seeing \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F18\u002Fare-home-prices-going-to-fall\u002F\">prices rise\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What This Means If You’re Buying or Selling \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>If you're a buyer, the market you're shopping in matters a lot right now. In places like Texas, Colorado, or Florida, you may have real negotiating power – more choices, less competition, and sellers who are more motivated to make \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F10\u002Flower-asking-prices-are-a-win-for-todays-buyers\u002F\">a deal\u003C\u002Fa>. In tighter markets like much of the Northeast, you're still likely facing a lot of competition.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you're a seller, \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F14\u002Fthe-pricing-mistake-that-could-cost-you-your-sale\u002F\">pricing strategy\u003C\u002Fa> is everything. In markets where inventory has risen, overpricing is one of the fastest ways to linger on the market and eventually sell for less than you would have with the right price from day one. In markets where inventory is still low, you're in a strong spot, but getting your price right still matters if you want to attract serious buyers quickly. Either way, that's where a local real estate agent earns their keep.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>When it comes to prices, where you are matters more than ever right now, and a local real estate agent is the best person to help you make sense of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Reach out today and let's build a plan that fits our market.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260625\u002F20260629-15-States-original.png",false,[139,140,141,142,143,144],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2026-06-29T10:30:00Z","2026-06-25T17:03:09Z",{"id":148,"slug":149,"title":150,"description":151,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":152,"bannerImage":131,"body":153,"agentsBottomLine":154,"bodyImage":155,"isInfographic":137,"categories":156,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":161,"updatedAt":162},109144,"your-house-didnt-sell-heres-how-to-turn-it-around","Your House Didn’t Sell. Here’s How To Turn It Around.","\u003Cp>When your house doesn’t sell, it’s not just disappointing. It messes with your timing. Your plans. Your confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260623\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-1448385933-original.png","\u003Cp>When your house doesn’t sell, it’s not just disappointing. It messes with your timing. Your plans. Your confidence. You start second-guessing everything, including the decision to move in the first place. And that raises 2 big questions:\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Do you try again?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Is that even worth it?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here’s the secret to getting a better outcome the second time around.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Different Agent. Different Results.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Most sellers who re-list and ultimately sell don’t wait for market to magically change. They change their approach. And there’s data to back that up.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Research from \u003Cem>REDX \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.redx.com\u002F\">shows\u003C\u002Fa> homeowners who put their house back on the market with a different agent are \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>more likely to sell \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>than homeowners who re-used the same agent. Not to mention, they see their homes \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>sell faster \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>(\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>): \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260623\u002F20260625-After-Your-Listing-Expires-original.png\" alt=\"a screenshot of a graph\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s the power of a fresh set of eyes. Because in a moment like this, the worst thing you can do is rerun the same set of plays and expect a different outcome. A different agent can bring a new perspective on where things went off track – and a lot of the time, one of these things happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>1. The Asking Price Didn’t Match Buyer Reality\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>There’s a saying that’s especially important in today’s market, and it’s: \u003Cstrong>“\u003Cem>if your price isn’t compelling, it’s not selling\u003C\u002Fem>.\u003C\u002Fstrong>” Maybe that’s what happened with your house.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>With mortgage rates where they are and \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F04\u002Fwhat-rising-inflation-means-for-your-move\u002F\">inflation\u003C\u002Fa> driving up the cost of everyday purchases, buyers have less room to stretch. If they feel like your house is priced even a \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F14\u002Fthe-pricing-mistake-that-could-cost-you-your-sale\u002F\">little high\u003C\u002Fa>, it’s going to get skipped over. And if no one looks at it, it's not going to sell.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The Fix\u003C\u002Fstrong>: Price to draw buyers in, not push them away. Have an agent pull fresh data from recent sales so your asking price matches what buyers are actually paying right now. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>2. The First Impression Didn’t Win the Click \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Most buyers decide whether they want to tour a home in seconds. If the photos look dark, or dated, they scroll right past. And while you may think: “\u003Cem>If they just saw it in person, they’d get it,\u003C\u002Fem>” you may not get that chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>And honestly, even in person, small things can quietly kill momentum\u003C\u002Fstrong> – worn down paint, outdated fixtures, \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F06\u002Fthe-secret-to-selling-fast-no-matter-the-market\u002F\">clutter\u003C\u002Fa>, or a yard that feels high-maintenance. Individually, they’re small. Stacked together, they create doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The Fix:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Walk the house like you’re a buyer, not the owner. Start with what’s easy and obvious – paint, lighting, curb appeal, decluttering. Then update the photos so they match the best version of your house.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>3. The Marketing Was Too “Set It and Forget It”\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Today, the number of homes for sale has grown in many areas. \u003Cstrong>Buyers have more options, which means your house needs a plan to stand out. \u003C\u002Fstrong>A generic description and a basic upload to the MLS can blend in fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The Fix\u003C\u002Fstrong>: Find an agent who can build stronger exposure through digital marketing and social platforms, plus content that makes buyers stop – strong photos, a smart description, a video walk-through, and a plan for open houses and follow-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>4. There Was No Clear Plan for Feedback\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Sometimes the house gets showings, but no offers. If that was your experience, it actually tells you something important. Buyers liked it enough online to come see it. So, something else was holding them back.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Those buyers were sending a message. It just wasn’t translated into action.\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The Fix:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Make sure your agent has a clear plan for seeking out and acting on feedback quickly. That dialogue often points to the one change that would get a house sold.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>5. The Deal Couldn’t Get Over the Finish Line \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Even when a house is priced well and marketed right, deals fall apart when there’s no plan for the human side of the transaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Buyers today are more likely to ask for repairs, credits, or help with \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F15\u002Fshould-you-pay-for-your-buyers-closing-costs-what-sellers-need-to-know\u002F\">closing costs\u003C\u002Fa> than a few years ago. \u003Cstrong>In this type of market, being unwilling to negotiate can cost you more than a reasonable concession ever would.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The Fix:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Decide ahead of time what matters most to you and where you can be flexible. Keep the dialogue open and lean on your agent for advice.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>If your house didn’t sell the first time, you’re not stuck. You just need a different strategy, and maybe a different partner.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When you're ready for a fresh set of eyes on what happened and what to change first, let’s connect.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260623\u002F20260625-After-Your-Listing-Expires-original.png",[157,158,159,160],{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":85,"name":86,"slug":87},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},{"id":117,"name":118,"slug":119},"2026-06-25T10:30:00Z","2026-06-23T20:38:30Z",{"id":164,"slug":165,"title":166,"description":167,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":168,"bannerImage":131,"body":169,"agentsBottomLine":170,"bodyImage":171,"isInfographic":137,"categories":172,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":178,"updatedAt":179},108960,"is-it-still-a-sellers-market-heres-what-the-data-says","Is It Still a Seller's Market? Here's What the Data Says.","\u003Cp>Remember a few years back when sellers held all the power and buyers were stuck offering way over asking or waiving inspections just to get a chance at the house? In many markets, those days are behind us.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260616\u002FHeader-Image-Fall-2020-Buyer-Guide-9--original.png","\u003Cp>Remember a few years back when sellers held all the power and buyers were stuck offering way over asking or waiving inspections just to get a chance at the house? In many markets, those days are behind us.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>While it’s going to vary by area, more metros are slowly shifting to favor buyers, and the market is starting to look a lot more like a two-way street again.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>And that balance is something we haven’t had in a while.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Whether you're buying or selling, here's what you need to know about what's changing and what it means for your move.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>The Most Buyer-Friendly Market in Years\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>The national data tells an interesting story right now. \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fmarket-clock-report-2026q1\">According\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>\"The national housing market is balanced but \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>gradually loosening as the cycle moves in a more buyer-friendly direction . . .\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>\"\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>That’s because, over the past few years, more and more metros have been flipping back to more buyer-friendly terms as inventory’s grown. And when you zoom in on the latest \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem> \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fmarket-clock-report-2026q1\">data\u003C\u002Fa> for the top 50 metro markets over time, the trend becomes really clear (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>).\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Back in 2021, almost all major metros were seller's markets. By the end of 2025, only 1 in 3 still favored sellers. That's an obvious shift.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260616\u002F20260618-Many-Metros-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of sales\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And that changes how the market is going to feel for everyone. Sellers shouldn’t still expect 2021 conditions, but neither should buyers. At least, not generally speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>It’s Not the Same Story Everywhere\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>That said, who has the power ultimately depends on where you live. \u003Cstrong>While more metros are leaning buyer-friendly lately, there are still plenty of strong seller's markets right now, too.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It really comes down to how much \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F22\u002Fmore-options-are-popping-up-this-spring\u002F\">housing supply\u003C\u002Fa> and demand there is in your area. And that varies enormously by region.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Sun Belt cities like Austin, Tampa, and San Antonio saw major \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F21\u002Fnewly-built-home-prices-hit-a-5-year-low\u002F\">building\u003C\u002Fa> booms in recent years, giving buyers more options and more negotiating room. Meanwhile, cities in the Northeast and Midwest – think Rochester, Hartford, and Buffalo – didn't see that same wave, so inventory stayed tight and competition stayed fierce. As Jeff Ostrowski, Housing Analyst at \u003Cem>Bankrate\u003C\u002Fem>, explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“The formerly hot Sun Belt markets have cooled, while the Northeast and Midwest have stayed hot. \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>The big driver here is construction activity. \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>The softest markets now [have] experienced big booms that spurred new building, and that has led to a large supply of new and existing homes on the market in those places.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Practical Advice for Your Move\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>To find out who has the power in your local market, talk to an agent. Because knowing what’s happening locally is going to be the key to setting the right strategy for your move.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If the market is working in your favor, great. Lean in and use it to your benefit. But if it’s not, all hope isn’t lost. Your agent can help you figure out how to approach any market.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here's some practical advice if there’s a mismatch between your goal and local market conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>If you're \u003Cem>buying \u003C\u002Fem>in a \u003Cem>seller's \u003C\u002Fem>market:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul style=\"list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Get \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F02\u002Fbefore-you-fall-in-love-with-a-house-do-this-first\u002F\">pre-approved\u003C\u002Fa> before you start shopping. It shows sellers you're serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Be ready to act fast when the right home hits the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Consider offering a quick closing date or flexible terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Work closely with your agent to craft a competitive offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>If you're \u003Cem>selling \u003C\u002Fem>in a \u003Cem>buyer's \u003C\u002Fem>market:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul style=\"list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Price it right from day one. \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F14\u002Fthe-pricing-mistake-that-could-cost-you-your-sale\u002F\">Overpricing\u003C\u002Fa> will cost you time and money.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Focus on curb appeal and \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F11\u002Fwhy-staging-your-house-could-pay-off-this-spring\u002F\">staging\u003C\u002Fa> to stand out in areas with more inventory.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Be open to offering incentives, like covering closing costs or a home warranty.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Expect buyers to negotiate and be ready to be flexible.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>","\u003Cp>Right now, local markets are moving in very different directions. And your strategy as a buyer or seller should reflect \u003Cem>your\u003C\u002Fem> market.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Want to know which way our local market is leaning and what that means for your move? Let's connect.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260616\u002F20260618-Many-Metros-original.png",[173,174,175,176,177],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":85,"name":86,"slug":87},{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2026-06-18T10:30:00Z","2026-06-16T17:06:03Z",{"id":181,"slug":182,"title":183,"description":184,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":185,"bannerImage":131,"body":186,"agentsBottomLine":187,"bodyImage":188,"isInfographic":137,"categories":189,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":192,"updatedAt":193},108656,"should-you-pay-for-your-buyers-closing-costs-what-sellers-need-to-know","Should You Pay for Your Buyer’s Closing Costs? What Sellers Need To Know.","\u003Cp>A few years ago, sellers could get away with saying \"no\" to just about everything.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260604\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-1706263420-original.png","\u003Cp>A few years ago, \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F06\u002Fthe-secret-to-selling-fast-no-matter-the-market\u002F\">sellers\u003C\u002Fa> could get away with saying \"no\" to just about everything. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>No\u003C\u002Fstrong> repairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>No\u003C\u002Fstrong> concessions.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>No\u003C\u002Fstrong> negotiation.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If buyers wanted the house, they pretty much had to take it on the seller's terms. But now that inventory’s grown, \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F03\u002F16\u002Fthe-1-reason-buyers-walk-away-and-how-to-get-ahead-of-it\u002F\">negotiations\u003C\u002Fa> are becoming a normal part of the process again.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That's why one of the most important things sellers need to understand right now is this:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The goal isn't to “win” every negotiation.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Sometimes, it’s worth meeting buyers where they are to get a deal done, fast. One example? Helping with a buyer's closing costs.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Let’s break that down, so you know what to expect if it comes up in your sale.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What Are Buyer Closing Costs?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Closing costs are the extra expenses buyers pay on top of their down payment when they purchase a home. \u003Cem>Freddie Mac\u003C\u002Fem> gives some \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmyhome.freddiemac.com\u002Fblog\u002Fhomebuying\u002Fwhat-are-closing-costs-and-how-much-will-i-pay\">examples\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul style=\"list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Loan origination fees\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Appraisal and inspection costs\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Title and attorney fees\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Survey fees and more\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>Typically, buyer closing costs range from about \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmyhome.freddiemac.com\u002Fblog\u002Fhomebuying\u002Fwhat-are-closing-costs-and-how-much-will-i-pay\">2% to 5%\u003C\u002Fa> of the home’s purchase price. So, on the typical $400,000 home, that could mean anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000 out of pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And in today’s affordability-challenged market, that upfront cash can be a major hurdle for some buyers – even if they can comfortably afford the monthly mortgage payment itself. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s why more people are asking sellers for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>And More Sellers Are Saying “Yes”\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>According to the latest data from \u003Cem>Zillow\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Cstrong>67% of sellers reported paying some or all of the buyer’s closing costs in 2025\u003C\u002Fstrong> (\u003Cem>see chart below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260604\u002F20260615-Most-Sellers-original.png\" alt=\"a blue circle with white text\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Now, that doesn't mean \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>every \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>seller is doing it. And it definitely doesn't mean every seller \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>should\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>. But it does show how common concessions have become as the market has shifted. And that’s important for you to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>When Paying Closing Costs May Make Sense\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>This is where many sellers get stuck. They hear \"help with closing costs\" and immediately think: \u003Cem>\"Why should I pay for their expenses?\"\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But that's not always the right way to look at it. You’ve got to consider who has the leverage in today’s market.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Redfin \u003C\u002Fem>data shows there are more sellers than buyers active today. And that shifts the market dynamics (\u003Cem>see graph below)\u003C\u002Fem>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260604\u002F20260615-There-Are-More-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of sales and buyers\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That doesn't mean every market favors buyers. Far from it. In some areas, homes are still selling quickly and sellers have plenty of leverage. But in others, buyers have more room to negotiate than they've had in years.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>That's why local market conditions matter so much when you make your decision.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>For example, helping with closing costs may be worth considering if:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul style=\"list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>There are a lot of homes for sale in your area\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Your house has been sitting on the market longer than expected\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>You’ve had showings, but no offers\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>You’re motivated to move quickly\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Or you’re trying to keep a deal together during negotiations\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>After all, if it’s the thing that helps bring a serious buyer across the finish line, it could be well worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Other Concessions You Could Offer Instead\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Just remember, being flexible doesn’t mean saying “yes” to every request.  \u003C\u002Fstrong>It means understanding which compromises actually help you accomplish your goals. Because there are always alternatives.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Redfin \u003C\u002Fem>suggests considering other concessions if you’re not interested in helping with closing costs, like:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul style=\"list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>A home warranty\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Repair credits\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Flexible closing dates, or\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Leave behind appliances or furniture\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>The right answer depends on what buyers in your market are asking for and what matters most to you. That's exactly why working with an experienced local agent is so important.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The sellers having the most success today are the ones who understand the market has changed and are adapting to meet it where it is.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Sometimes that means negotiating on closing costs. Sometimes it means offering something else. The key is knowing which concessions are worth it for our local market.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you’re wondering what's normal in our area, what's worth negotiating, and where it makes sense to stand firm, let’s connect.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260604\u002F20260615-Most-Sellers-original.png",[190,191],{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2026-06-15T10:30:00Z","2026-06-04T16:55:05Z",{"id":195,"slug":196,"title":197,"description":198,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":199,"bannerImage":131,"body":200,"agentsBottomLine":201,"bodyImage":202,"isInfographic":137,"categories":203,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":210,"updatedAt":211},108801,"two-big-reasons-to-move-this-summer","Two Big Reasons To Move This Summer","\u003Cp>A lot of people who want to move are telling themselves the same thing: \u003Cem>\"Maybe I'll just wait until later this year once things calm down.\"\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260610\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-171021376-original.png","\u003Cp>A lot of people who want to move are telling themselves the same thing: \u003Cem>\"Maybe I'll just wait until later this year once things calm down.\"\u003C\u002Fem> \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>While waiting sounds like a good plan, there's something worth knowing before you decide. Rates \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F03\u002Fthe-mid-year-housing-market-update-why-forecasts-changed-in\u002F\">aren’t expected\u003C\u002Fa> to change much, so if that’s the #1 reason you’re waiting, it may not pay off. And there may be other things you miss out on in the meantime. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Historically, Summer is one of the strongest seasons of the year for both buyers and sellers. And if you delay your move until Fall or Winter, some of those opportunities may already be fading.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Buyers: Fresh Inventory Is Your Real Summer Advantage\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>One of the biggest frustrations buyers have faced over the past few years has been a lack of \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F08\u002Fcould-moving-a-bit-further-out-change-everything-about-your-budget\u002F\">affordable options\u003C\u002Fa>. Maybe you’ve run into that yourself:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul style=\"list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>You find a house you like, but it's out of your budget.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>You find something in your budget, but you don’t like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Or worse, nothing interesting hits the market for weeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>Historically, Summer helps with that.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Looking at \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fdata\u002F\">data\u003C\u002Fa> from the last few years, Summer months consistently bring more sellers into the market than later in the year. And that gives buyers a real window of fresh choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fdata\u002F\">According\u003C\u002Fa> to \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem>, \u003Cstrong>any given Summer month typically sees about 32% more fresh options than the average month from September-December.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260610\u002F202600611-Fresh-Listings-original.png\" alt=\"a graph showing a number of prices\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>With more newly listed homes, there’s a better chance of finding one you like where the numbers actually work.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Because all it really takes is one home to completely change your search. And if you’ve got more popping onto the market to choose from, maybe one of those is exactly what you need. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But keep in mind, this seasonal window isn’t open forever. Fresh inventory tends to slow down once Summer ends.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Many homeowners who planned to sell this year have already listed by then. Families who wanted to move before school starts have often already gotten it done, or at least, set it into motion. So, new listing activity usually cools as we head into Fall and Winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Of course, every year is different. But if finding the right home at the right price has been your biggest challenge, waiting until later in the year may not necessarily give you more options. In fact, \u003Cstrong>recent history suggests it may do just the opposite.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Sellers: Homes Usually Sell for More in the Summer\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>If you're thinking of selling, you may be considering holding off because you've seen headlines about lower asking prices, price cuts, and softer conditions in some markets. But those headlines don’t tell the whole story or convey just how much it varies by area.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here’s what you really need to know. Even though the market’s becoming more balanced and some pockets are experiencing price declines, that doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance to sell.\u003Cstrong> \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Seasonality can still work in your favor no matter where you are\u003C\u002Fstrong>. And this Summer could still give you the chance to sell for a good price.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>According to the \u003Cem>National Association of Realtors\u003C\u002Fem> (NAR), \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fresearch-and-statistics\u002Fhousing-statistics\u002Fexisting-home-sales​\">\u003Cstrong>homes sold\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> during a Summer month usually sell for about 4% more \u003C\u002Fstrong>than homes sold during the typical month from September-December:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260610\u002F20260611-Homes-Sell-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a sales report\"> \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Why? \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fblogs\u002Feconomists-outlook\u002Fthe-market-dynamics-of-june-sales-inventory-and-buyer-trends\">Summer buyers\u003C\u002Fa> are usually operating on a set timeframe. They’re trying to move before the next school year or when they have more PTO and warmer weather to tour houses. That urgency can translate into better offers.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Now, that doesn’t mean you should price your house 4% higher this Summer. That would actually be a \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F14\u002Fthe-pricing-mistake-that-could-cost-you-your-sale\u002F\">mistake\u003C\u002Fa> in today’s market.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It just means if you’re looking to get as much for your house as you reasonably can, a Summer move could be a smarter play than waiting until later this year. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Because based on typical seasonality\u003C\u002Fstrong>, you may get more for your house than you would if you waited until the Fall or Winter (when there are typically fewer buyers active).\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And if you're considering a move anyway, that’s worth factoring in.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Could waiting until later this year work out? Sure. But it's important to understand what you may gain by moving now too – that way you have the full picture before you decide.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If a 2026 move is on your radar, let’s connect and talk about what matters most to you. Depending on your priorities, Summer could be your moment.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260610\u002F202600611-Fresh-Listings-original.png",[204,205,206,207,208,209],{"id":9,"name":10,"slug":11},{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2026-06-11T10:30:00Z","2026-06-10T01:56:31Z",{"id":213,"slug":214,"title":215,"description":216,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":217,"bannerImage":131,"body":218,"agentsBottomLine":219,"bodyImage":220,"isInfographic":137,"categories":221,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":225,"updatedAt":226},108286,"the-real-reason-some-people-are-still-moving-right-now","The Real Reason Some People Are Still Moving Right Now","\u003Cp>You may be telling yourself you’re going to wait to move – maybe you’re hoping mortgage rates will come down, prices will fall, or the market will feel a little easier.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260526\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-2160571794-original.png","\u003Cp>You may be telling yourself you’re going to wait to move – maybe you’re hoping mortgage \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F23\u002F3-things-that-are-not-going-to-happen-in-todays-housing-market\u002F\">rates\u003C\u002Fa> will come down, \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F18\u002Fare-home-prices-going-to-fall\u002F\">prices\u003C\u002Fa> will fall, or the market will feel a little easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And honestly? A lot of people feel that way right now. But here’s what some are starting to realize.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Waiting doesn’t usually fix the thing that made you want to move in the first place.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Your family still desperately needs more room. Your empty nest still feels too...empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Your parents or \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F09\u002Fwhen-buying-a-home-feels-out-of-reach-some-families-do-this-instead\u002F\">grandparents\u003C\u002Fa> still need you to live closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>You just got married... or divorced.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Your vision of retirement has you living somewhere else.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Eventually, life can reach a point where waiting feels harder than moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s why some people are still deciding \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F13\u002Fwondering-if-you-should-still-buy-a-home-right-now-heres-what-to-keep-in-mind\u002F\">to buy\u003C\u002Fa> right now, even in today’s market. Not because conditions are \u003Cstrong>perfect\u003C\u002Fstrong>. But because the \u003Cstrong>life changes\u003C\u002Fstrong> behind their move never really went away.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And maybe that’s exactly where you are too. If so, you’re certainly not alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>The Real Reasons People Move \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fresearch-and-statistics\u002Fresearch-reports\u002Fhighlights-from-the-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers\">\u003Cstrong>Data\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> from the \u003Cem>National Association of Realtors\u003C\u002Fem> (NAR) shows 1 in 5 buyers last year said they felt like they had to purchase a home at that time, no matter the market.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That's an important reminder right now. Sure, the dollars and cents of your move have to make sense for you. But big life changes happen whether mortgage rates and home prices are high, low, or somewhere in between. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And those big life events happen more than you may think. NAR \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fnarresearchgroup\u002Fposts\u002Fthese-life-changing-events-happen-in-the-us-in-a-typical-2-year-span-bringing-th\u002F1139318224890181\u002F\">says\u003C\u002Fa> roughly 22.5 million people experience major life changes in a typical two-year span (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>):\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260526\u002F20260528-22-Million-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of blue rectangular objects\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>These are exactly the kinds of things that can change how much space you need, where you want to live, or what kind of lifestyle makes sense now. Chen Zhao, Head of Economics Research at \u003Cem>Redfin\u003C\u002Fem>, explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“Life doesn’t stand still—people get new jobs, grow their families, downsize after retirement, or simply want to live in a different neighborhood.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>And that’s what makes waiting so hard. Every month you spend hoping the market changes is another month living in a house that no longer works for your life. It’s stressful to feel stuck. And that feeling usually doesn’t disappear.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>There May Be More Opportunity Than You Think\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>But while affordability is still a challenge, there may still be a way for you to make your move.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The number of homes for sale has been \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F22\u002Fmore-options-are-popping-up-this-spring\u002F\">growing\u003C\u002Fa> for 4 straight years (\u003Cem>see graph below\u003C\u002Fem>). That means more homes to choose from and, in some markets, more room to negotiate than buyers had just a few years ago. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260526\u002F20260528-Inventory-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of growth of a straight year\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That doesn’t mean moving is suddenly easy. But it does mean some buyers are finding ways to make a move work. So, if you’ve been putting your plans on hold, maybe the question isn’t just:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“What’s the market doing?” or “When will it get better?”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Maybe ask yourself this, too: \u003Cem>“Can I still live where I'm at right now and make it work?”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If the answer to that second question is “\u003Cem>no\u003C\u002Fem>,” it may be worth having a conversation about what your options look like today – despite where rates or prices are. You could find your move is still possible after all. With more homes for sale, there’s a better chance to find one that fits your life (and your budget) right now.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Life changes. Priorities shift. Families grow. Kids move out. Careers evolve. And eventually, the house you’re in may stop fitting the life you’re living.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If that’s been weighing on you lately, let’s talk through what your options could realistically look like today, no matter where rates or prices are.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Life can’t always wait for perfect market conditions. Maybe you don’t have to either.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260526\u002F20260528-22-Million-original.png",[222,223,224],{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":81,"name":82,"slug":83},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2026-05-28T10:30:00Z","2026-05-26T16:23:13Z",{"id":228,"slug":229,"title":230,"description":231,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":232,"bannerImage":131,"body":233,"agentsBottomLine":234,"bodyImage":235,"isInfographic":137,"categories":236,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":241,"updatedAt":242},107789,"the-pricing-mistake-that-could-cost-you-your-sale","The Pricing Mistake That Could Cost You Your Sale","\u003Cp>Most sellers come into the market with one number in mind. And it’s often the one that costs them the most.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260512\u002FHeader-Image-20220609-Infographic-original.png","\u003Cp>Most sellers come into the market with one number in mind. And it’s often the one that costs them the most. That's their \u003Cstrong>asking price\u003C\u002Fstrong>. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>A \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002F2026-sellers-survey-btts\u002F\">survey\u003C\u002Fa> from\u003Cem> Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem> shows about 8 in 10 (80%) of sellers expect to sell at or above their asking price today. But here’s where things get interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>In reality, only about 4 out of every 10 (roughly \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fx.com\u002FResidentialClub\u002Fstatus\u002F2018538073064378593\">\u003Cstrong>40%\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong>) actually do.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s a big gap. And it’s where a lot of sellers get caught off guard. So, why the disconnect? And how can you set yourself up to be one of the 4 in 10 that get top dollar? \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Let’s break it down. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What Should You Really Expect To Get for Your House?\u003C\u002Fstrong> \u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>That 40% may sound low at first, but it’s not.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you look back to the last typical year for the housing market (2019), what we're really seeing is a return to what’s \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fx.com\u002FResidentialClub\u002Fstatus\u002F2018538073064378593\">normal\u003C\u002Fa> (\u003Cem>see chart below\u003C\u002Fem>). If anything, slightly more homeowners are able to sell above list price today compared to 2019:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260512\u002F20260514-39-Percent-original.png\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260512\u002F20260514-39-Percent-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of a market\">\u003C\u002Fa>It only feels low because the past few years were anything but typical. Between 2020 and mid-2022, buyer demand was sky-high and the number of homes for sale was at record lows. Almost everything sold over asking. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Now, the market has shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>There are more homes for sale. Buyers have more options. And that means they’re more selective about how they spend their money.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>In other words, the rules have changed – and pricing like it’s still 2021 is where sellers run into trouble. \u003C\u002Fstrong>You have to meet the market where it is if you really want to cash in big.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What Happens When a Home Is Priced Too High\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Here’s the reality. It’s easy to think pricing high gives you room to negotiate. But it usually does the \u003Cem>opposite\u003C\u002Fem>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When your home is priced above what buyers expect, in this market, they don’t negotiate. They move on.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Because buyers notice price first. And if your home doesn’t line up with similar options in your area, it may not even get a showing. And that’s when things start to snowball:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul style=\"list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>A high price gets less interest from buyers.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Less interest means fewer offers.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>And fewer offers usually means more time on the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>Take a look at this table from the \u003Cem>Indiana Association of Realtors\u003C\u002Fem>. While this data is from one state, the general trend is going to hold true across many markets in the country. It shows that homes listed at or under market value sell fast. But homes priced high? They linger. And that delay comes at a very real cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260512\u002F20260514-How-Does-Listing-original.png\">The Price Cut Trap (And How To Avoid It)\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>When a home sits that long without offers, a lot of sellers will do a price reduction. According to \u003Cem>Realtor.com, \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fapril-2026-data\u002F\">16.7%\u003C\u002Fa> of sellers are going that route today.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But here’s the real problem.\u003Cstrong> Even a price cut doesn’t guarantee a sale.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In fact, some buyers will see a reduction as a sign something’s wrong with the house – even when nothing is.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s why \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fmagazine\u002Freal-estate-news\u002Feconomy\u002Fhousing-market-set-for-a-2026-comeback-nar-predicts\">data\u003C\u002Fa> from the \u003Cem>National Association of Realtors\u003C\u002Fem> (NAR) shows the longer a home sits, the bigger that price cut tends to be to attract buyers back:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260512\u002F20260514-The-Price-Cuts-original.png\">So, what starts as a strategy to “leave room” for negotiate can end up costing you more in the long run.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why Pricing Right from Day One Matters\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Even though listing at or even just shy of market value may sound counter intuitive if you’re looking to get as much money for your house as possible, a lot of the time it really is the best strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Because the goal isn’t just to list your house to see what price sticks. It’s to price it in a way that creates demand from day one.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>NAR puts it \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nar.realtor\u002Fdetermining-asking-price\">best\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“While some sellers are pricing their homes higher than ever, a more ‘goldilocks’ frame of mind is a better approach to avoid price cuts and lingering time on the market.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In other words, there’s a sweet spot. Too high, and buyers disappear. Too low, and they question the value.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But right in the middle? That’s where the magic happens.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And that’s where the right agent comes in.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>They help you understand what buyers are actually paying right now, how your home compares, and how to price it so it stands out immediately. And in today’s market, that strategy is the difference between:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Col style=\"list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 1rem;\">\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Listing high, watching it sit, and selling for less later.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Or, pricing it right, creating competition, and putting yourself in a position to win from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Fol>","\u003Cp>A lot of homeowners think they can list high now and negotiate later, but that’s a mistake that costs them. And it’s the reason only 4 out of every 10 sellers are getting their asking price or more.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>If you want to be in that group, it starts with getting the price right from day one.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Let’s connect so we can make sure you are.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260512\u002F20260514-39-Percent-original.png",[237,238,239,240],{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},{"id":85,"name":86,"slug":87},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2026-05-14T10:30:00Z","2026-05-12T18:19:51Z",{"id":244,"slug":245,"title":246,"description":247,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":248,"bannerImage":131,"body":249,"agentsBottomLine":250,"bodyImage":251,"isInfographic":137,"categories":252,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":256,"updatedAt":257},107614,"why-staging-your-house-could-pay-off-this-spring","Why Staging Your House Could Pay Off This Spring","\u003Cp>Selling your house this season? You’ve probably heard you should stage it before it hits the market.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260507\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-1700873470-original.png","\u003Cp>Selling your house this season? You’ve probably heard you should stage it before it hits the market. But what does that really mean – and is it worth the effort?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The short answer is “yes,” especially right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>With \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F22\u002Fmore-options-are-popping-up-this-spring\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">more houses\u003C\u002Fa> for sale this year, you’re likely wondering how to make the most money possible without your house sitting on the market. The answer is staging. It can help your house stand out, bring in stronger offers, and \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F06\u002Fthe-secret-to-selling-fast-no-matter-the-market\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">sell faster\u003C\u002Fa>. As Nadia Evangelou, Principal Economist at the \u003Cem>National Association of Realtors\u003C\u002Fem> (NAR), puts it:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“Staging matters. Preparing the home to be ‘buyer-ready’ attracts more buyers, especially now that inventory has increased.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>Here's what staging actually involves and what it could do for your sale.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What Is Home Staging?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Home staging is the process of \u003Cstrong>preparing your house, so it appeals to as many buyers as possible\u003C\u002Fstrong>. That usually means decluttering, deep cleaning, rearranging furniture, and adding simple touches that help each room feel bright, open, and welcoming.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The goal is to help buyers fall in love with the space and picture themselves living there\u003C\u002Fstrong>, which makes them more likely to make an offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why Staging Is Worth the Effort\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Staged houses tend to perform better on almost every metric that matters when you sell. According to \u003Cem>Redfin\u003C\u002Fem>, staged homes have been shown to sell up to \u003Cstrong>73% faster\u003C\u002Fstrong> than unstaged homes. And they often close in under a month, compared to anywhere from two to three months for vacant ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>There’s also a strong return on the money you spend.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The \u003Cem>Home Staging Institute \u003C\u002Fem>says mid-level staging can deliver a 350% return on investment. On a $400k home, that turns the typical $4k cost into roughly $18k in added value when you sell \u003Cem>(see graph below):\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260507\u002F20260511-The-Impact-Staging-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260507\u002F20260511-The-Impact-Staging-original.png\" alt=\"a screenshot of a sales report\">\u003C\u002Fa>By that estimate, that’s an extra potential profit of about $14k – \u003Cstrong>a meaningful boost when you’re trying to maximize what you walk away with at closing.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Your Staging Options\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>And just in case you’re seeing that $4k upfront investment above and thinking, “\u003Cem>I’m not going to spend that\u003C\u002Fem>,” here’s what you should know.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Staging doesn’t always have to mean hiring a full crew or filling your house with rented furniture. There are a few different paths you can take, depending on your budget and timeline. So, you could spend a lot less and still get a good return. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here are a few options:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Professional staging.\u003C\u002Fstrong> A stager handles everything from layout to décor, often bringing in their own inventory. According to the \u003Cem>Home Staging Institute\u003C\u002Fem>, costs typically range from $500 to $5k or more, depending on the size of your house.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Virtual staging.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Digital furniture and styling are added to your listing photos, which can be a budget-friendly option for vacant houses.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>DIY staging.\u003C\u002Fstrong> If your budget is tight and your home only needs minor updates, decluttering, deep cleaning, and arranging furniture for flow can still make a real difference.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>Your agent can help you figure out which approach fits your house, your market, and your goals.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Agents see what buyers respond to in open houses and showings every week, so they can give you specific, personalized recommendations on what’s worth your time and money (and what isn’t).\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That way you can get the most bang for your buck – no matter your budget.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>With more homes for sale right now, making a strong first impression matters. \u003Cstrong>Staging can help your house sell faster and for more – and there's an option for almost every budget.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you’re getting ready to list, let’s talk about what level of staging makes sense for your house and make a plan for attracting the right buyers.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260507\u002F20260511-The-Impact-Staging-original.png",[253,254,255],{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":85,"name":86,"slug":87},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2026-05-11T10:30:00Z","2026-05-11T10:30:08Z",{"id":259,"slug":260,"title":261,"description":262,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":263,"bannerImage":131,"body":264,"agentsBottomLine":265,"bodyImage":266,"isInfographic":137,"categories":267,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":271,"updatedAt":272},107455,"the-secret-to-selling-fast-no-matter-the-market","The Secret To Selling Fast, No Matter the Market","\u003Cp>When you put your house on the market, you don’t just want it to sell. You want it to sell fast.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260505\u002FHeader-Image-GettyImages-1098111604-original.png","\u003Cp>When you put your house on the market, you don’t just want it to sell. You want it to sell \u003Cstrong>fast\u003C\u002Fstrong>. But the thing is, nationally, it’s taking a little longer to sell lately. And that slowdown can feel frustrating if you want a fast process. Here’s what you need to realize.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In every market right now, there’s one clear exception:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Well-priced, well-presented homes are still selling, and it’s often faster than you’d expect.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you can tap into that, you can still set yourself up to move quickly, too. Here’s how to get it done.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>How Long It Takes To Sell Today\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>According to \u003Cem>Realtor.com\u003C\u002Fem>, homes are selling in about \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.realtor.com\u002Fresearch\u002Fapril-2026-data\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">52 days\u003C\u002Fa> right now. That’s how long the process takes from the day it hits the market until \u003Cstrong>closing day\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>And while that may \u003Cem>sound \u003C\u002Fem>slow to you, it’s not \u003Cem>slow\u003C\u002Fem>. It’s \u003Cem>normal\u003C\u002Fem>.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s because it’s pretty much right in line with what it was during the last normal years in the market \u003Cem>(see 2018-2019 in the graph below):\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260505\u002F20260506-The-Number-of-Days-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260505\u002F20260506-The-Number-of-Days-original.png\" alt=\"a graph of blue bars\">\u003C\u002Fa>It just \u003Cem>feels \u003C\u002Fem>slow when you’re eager to move – or when you think back a few years to when homes seemed to sell almost instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But here’s what matters most. \u003Cstrong>The market is normalizing. Not at a standstill.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>This is the norm for timing from start to finish. You may have an accepted offer in hand\u003Cem> \u003C\u002Fem>even faster than this.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Markets Where Homes Still Sell Quickly, Even Now\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Zillow \u003C\u002Fem>says the typical home will go “pending” or “under contract” in \u003Cstrong>19 days. \u003C\u002Fstrong>Some homes even see it happen in as little as\u003Cstrong> 7 days. \u003C\u002Fstrong>It just depends on \u003Cstrong>where you are\u003C\u002Fstrong> – and\u003Cstrong> how you prep \u003C\u002Fstrong>your house.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>So, don’t let the slowing pace of sales stress you out. Homes can \u003Cem>still \u003C\u002Fem>sell fast, if they’re positioned right.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Just to show you, here’s a quick look at some of the markets that are moving faster than the norm, according to \u003Cem>Zillow (see map below). \u003C\u002Fem>This’ll show you how different it can be based on where you live.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260505\u002F20260506-Metros-with-the-Fastest-original.png\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260505\u002F20260506-Metros-with-the-Fastest-original.png\" alt=\"a map of the united states with numbers and a price tag\">\u003C\u002Fa>The key things you need to remember when looking at this visual:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>It varies a lot based on where you live. \u003C\u002Fstrong>Within the same state, individual neighborhoods or pockets may sell much faster than the norm.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Even in slower moving states, you can still sell quickly.\u003C\u002Fstrong> As the map shows, in those places there are \u003Cem>still \u003C\u002Fem>homes that go under contract in as little as a week.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>So don’t worry about if your state made either list. As Orphe Divounguy, Senior Economist at \u003Cem>Zillow\u003C\u002Fem>, says:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>“The cream of the crop is still selling fast, even in markets that have slowed considerably\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>. . .”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>The Big Reasons Some Homes Sit, and Some Sell Fast\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>And here’s the big secret. While location can definitely play a role, it’s not just about \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>location. \u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>It’s about \u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>strategy.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Today’s buyers are paying attention to \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F03\u002F16\u002Fthe-1-reason-buyers-walk-away-and-how-to-get-ahead-of-it\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">condition\u003C\u002Fa>. They’re comparing photos, upgrades, layout, location, and price. And they’re choosing homes that feel move-in ready and well worth the \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F30\u002Fis-late-may-the-best-time-to-list-your-house\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">value\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The homes that check those boxes? They’re not sitting for long – no matter where they are.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>As the \u003Cem>Wall Street Journal \u003C\u002Fem>(WSJ) explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cem>“. . .\u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem> some homes are still flying off the shelves.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem> These houses are often in the Midwest or Northeast, where the lack of new construction keeps a lid on supply. Certain homes in other markets are selling quickly, too, \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>often when a home is move-in ready\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>Because in any market – \u003Cem>hot or not\u003C\u002Fem> – if a home is \u003Ca href=\"\u002F2026\u002F03\u002F11\u002Fif-your-house-isnt-getting-offers-read-this\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">overpriced\u003C\u002Fa>, needs too much work, or just doesn’t meet current buyer expectations, it’s not going to sell. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In this market, the sellers who win are the ones who get real about their house. They’re honest about how their home compares to other listings, realistic about price, and they work with an agent who truly understands today’s market and what it takes to sell.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When your agent knows how to price strategically, spotlight the strengths of your home, and move quickly when the market gives clear signals, that’s when the results follow.\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>Today's housing market rewards the right strategy. \u003Cstrong>Because even in a slower area, the homes that are priced realistically and positioned well are still selling – sometimes faster than you may expect.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Let’s connect if you’re ready to make yours one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260505\u002F20260506-The-Number-of-Days-original.png",[268,269,270],{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":85,"name":86,"slug":87},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2026-05-06T10:30:00Z","2026-05-06T10:30:03Z",{"id":274,"slug":275,"title":276,"description":277,"excerpt":131,"contentType":132,"featuredImage":278,"bannerImage":131,"body":279,"agentsBottomLine":280,"bodyImage":281,"isInfographic":137,"categories":282,"isVideo":137,"videoThumbnail":131,"videoSource":131,"publishedAt":286,"updatedAt":287},107147,"is-late-may-the-best-time-to-list-your-house","Is Late May the Best Time To List Your House?","\u003Cp>You may have heard April 12-18 was the “best week” to list your house.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260428\u002FHeader-Image-20221025-Blog-original.png","\u003Cp>You may have heard \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2026\u002F03\u002F26\u002Fthe-best-week-to-list-your-house-is-just-around-the-corner-1\u002F\">April 12-18\u003C\u002Fa> was the “\u003Cem>best week\u003C\u002Fem>” to list your house. That’s based on a \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmediaroom.realtor.com\u002F2026-03-18-April-12-18th-is-the-Best-Week-to-Sell-in-2026-According-to-Realtor-com-R\">report\u003C\u002Fa> from \u003Cem>Realtor.com.\u003C\u002Fem> But now that it’s passed, you may be wondering if you missed your moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here's the good news – you didn’t. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Because the reality is, there isn’t just one perfect week to sell your house this Spring. There’s a window. And right now, you’re still in it.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Your Window To Sell Is Still Wide Open\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Here’s why. Different organizations run studies like this every year. And they don’t always land on the exact same week. That’s okay. It’s because they're using \u003Cem>different\u003C\u002Fem> research methods and even \u003Cem>different \u003C\u002Fem>definitions of what “best” means.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But the fact that the results vary points to a larger trend. While there may be sweet spots, the entire \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"\u002F2026\u002F03\u002F05\u002Fspring-sellers-have-an-edge-heres-why\u002F\">Spring season\u003C\u002Fa> gives sellers an opportunity to get some of the best conditions (and best sales prices) of the year.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And it’s definitely not too late to jump in.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Why Listing in Late May Is the Perfect Play\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>According to \u003Cem>Zillow\u003C\u002Fem>, the best time to list your house this year is the last 2 weeks of May.\u003C\u002Fstrong> And that’s approaching fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Based on their analysis, this is the ideal time to do it if you want to make top dollar. Because, in this 2-week window, \u003Cstrong>homes sell for more\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Sometimes, \u003Cem>quite \u003C\u002Fem>a bit more.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Depending on where you are and the price point in your area, some homeowners may even net \u003Cstrong>tens of thousands of dollars extra \u003C\u002Fstrong>in this sweet spot. As \u003Cem>Zillow \u003C\u002Fem>explains:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cblockquote>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“Why late spring? Buyer demand typically peaks before Memorial Day. Families want to move during the summer and settle in before the new school year. \u003C\u002Fem>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>More buyers shopping at once can spark competition and lift prices\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cem>.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\u003Cp>And they’re not the only ones saying listing in May could be the key to selling for more.\u003Cem> ATTOM Data \u003C\u002Fem>analyzed almost 52 million home sales over the past 10 years and \u003Ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.attomdata.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmarket-trends\u002Fhome-sales-prices\u002F2026-best-days-to-sell-a-home\u002F\">found\u003C\u002Fa> sellers in May are achieving some of \u003Cstrong>the highest returns\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That means the ideal window this year is very much still open.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>What This Means for You \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>If your goal is to sell for the strongest possible price, this is where timing and strategy come together. And you want to be sure you’re ready to make the most of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>So, what \u003Cem>should you \u003C\u002Fem>be doing right now?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>When prepping for a fast-moving window like this, you don’t want to waste time or money on the wrong prep work. And your agent is your go-to to make sure you’re focusing on the \u003Cem>right \u003C\u002Fem>things.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>They’ll be able to tell you if the “\u003Cem>best week\u003C\u002Fem>” is slightly different in your market. And what quick repairs or updates can help you get a higher price, without taking a ton of time or effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here's a quick example of things an agent may recommend based on information from \u003Cem>Redfin:\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260428\u002F20260430-Things-You-May-Want-original.png\">At the end of the day, when your prep time’s short, doing the \u003Cem>right\u003C\u002Fem> things matters more than doing \u003Cem>more\u003C\u002Fem> things.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Zillow \u003C\u002Fem>says the best time to list your house is just around the corner. Are you ready to make the most of it?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you want to take advantage of this Spring sweet spot and get top dollar for your house, let’s talk about what you need to do now to get ready to hit the market.\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Ffiles.keepingcurrentmatters.com\u002FKeepingCurrentMatters\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F20260428\u002F20260430-Things-You-May-Want-original.png",[283,284,285],{"id":13,"name":14,"slug":15},{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},{"id":113,"name":114,"slug":115},"2026-04-30T10:30:00Z","2026-04-28T04:20:50Z",113,true]