Why Resort-Style Communities Are Drawing Buyers to Smith Mountain Lake
Wednesday, May 6th, 2026
Gretchen Tipps
Luxury communities at Smith Mountain Lake continue to evolve as buyers look for more than just a waterfront address.
You may have heard homeowners today have a lot of equity built up. But what does that really mean? Let’s break it down.
Because your equity isn’t just a number, it’s a powerful asset that can help you take your next big step in life.
Here’s how it works. As you pay down your loan and home prices rise through the years, the share of your home that you own free and clear grows. That’s your equity.
Want to know the #1 thing homeowners regret when they sell without an agent? It’s that they didn’t price their house correctly for their current market.
According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), those sellers agree pricing their home effectively was the hardest part of the process.
Top 5 Most Difficult Task for Sellers Who Didn’t Use an Agent:
The 3 Housing Market Questions Coming Up at Every Gathering This Season
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025
Gretchen Tipps
Whether it’s at a family gathering, your company party, or catching up with friends over the holidays, the housing market always finds its way into the conversation.
Here are the top three questions on a lot of people’s minds this season, and straightforward answers to help you feel more confident about the market.
Yes, more than you could a year or two ago.
Why So Many People Are Thankful They Bought a Home This Year
Thursday, November 27th, 2025
Gretchen Tipps
Homebuyers are weighing their options right now, and they certainly have a lot on their minds. With everything going on in the job market, the economy, and more – there's a lot to think about these days. And maybe that’s making you wonder if it really makes sense to buy a home right now.
But here’s what many recent buyers would tell you: even with all that, making a move is worth it.
If you stepped back from your home search over the past few years, you’re not alone – and you’re definitely not out of options. In fact, now might be the ideal time to take another look. With more homes to choose from, prices leveling off in many areas, and mortgage rates easing, today’s market is offering something you haven’t had in a while: options.
The national housing market continued to show resilience in the third quarter of 2025, even as affordability challenges remained top-of-mind for buyers. According to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ quarterly market review, home prices held steady nationwide, with notable strength in several regions including the Northeast.
Downsizing Without Debt: How More Homeowners Are Buying Their Next House in Cash
Thursday, September 25th, 2025
Gretchen Tipps
If you’ve been thinking about downsizing to lower your expenses, be closer to family, or just make life easier, here's a trend worth paying attention to:
More homeowners are buying their next house outright, without taking on a new mortgage. And, if you’ve owned your home for a while, you may be able to do the same. No mortgage. No monthly housing payments.
The Federal Reserve (the Fed) meets this week, and expectations are high that they’ll cut the Federal Funds Rate. But does that mean mortgage rates will drop? Let’s clear up the confusion.
Right now, all eyes are on the Fed. Most economists expect they'll cut the Federal Funds Rate at their mid-September meeting to try to head off a potential recession.
Waiting for the perfect buyer to fall in love with your house? In today’s market, that’s usually not what’s holding things up. And here’s why.
Let’s be real. Homes are taking a week longer to sell than they did a year ago. According to Realtor.com:
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