Blog Entries in December
What Will 2026 Look Like in Real Estate?
By Chris Petry Don’t you just miss the days when everything was so predictable it was practically boring? When interest rates were low but not too low, when home prices were just high enough that sellers could turn a profit on their investment but not so high that the age of a first time homebuyer was hovering around 40? When there was just a normal, not a “new normal?” &
What's the Best Month to Buy a House?
Buying a home is one of those decisions that rarely happens in a straight line. It unfolds over time, shaped by personal milestones, market conditions, and the natural rhythm of the year. Every season brings its own tone to the housing market, and once you start noticing those patterns, it becomes easier to understand why certain months feel more welcoming to buyers than others. Instead of guessin
Is It Cheaper to Buy or Build a House?
The decision to purchase or construct a home is rarely as simple as comparing two price tags. It is a deeper question about value, control, timing, and the realities that shape modern housing markets. Many buyers enter the process believing one option must be inherently cheaper than the other, but the truth is more nuanced. The cost difference between buying and building depends on how much you wa
What "Priced to Sell" Means in Today's Market
In real estate, certain phrases take on a life of their own. One of the most persistent is “priced to sell,” a small cluster of words that instantly sparks curiosity, hope, or even suspicion. Buyers wonder whether they are staring at a hidden gem. Sellers wonder whether the phrase signals confidence or desperation. And in a market that shifts as quickly as ours, the meaning behind the
Can You or Should You Buy a Home in December?
By Chris Petry The Halloween to New Year’s quarter of the year is, without doubt, one of the busiest times of the year. The kids are finally back to school. There are sporting events and a wealth of other extracurricular activities to manage. The house and yard need a lot of TLC (tender loving care) to prepare for the holidays and the long, cold winter. Then there’s all the travel,
IRS Home Sale Rule: Do I Have to Buy a New House Right Away to Avoid a Tax Penalty?
"I just sold my house for a great profit—now how quickly do I have to buy a new one before the tax man comes calling?" This question keeps many home sellers up at night. The truth is, moving can be stressful enough without feeling like you're in a race against the IRS. For decades, home sellers worried about a rule that forced them to "roll over" their profits into
What's with Ginger Bread Homes?
By Chris Petry As of this writing, the Federal Reserve has enacted its third interest rate of the fiscal quarter. These rate cuts coming after two years of steep increases. While rates will fall even more in 2025, current projections indicate it will be much more gradual and deliberate. No matter what, rate decreases will almost certainly be welcomed by the home buying public. While it
Holiday Cookies by State
By Chris Petry Last month, we reviewed Google’s state by state breakdown of the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes. For the Winter Holiday season, we thought we’d see what search analytics revealed about the most popular Christmas side dishes. Well, turns out that data’s not quite in yet. However, they did analyze the most popular Christmas Cookie search for each state. Whi
Winter Train Ride
By Chris Petry For today’s topic, let’s rewind the clock back to 1802. In Shropshire, England, on the Welsh border, inventor, engineer (and wrestler interestingly enough) Richard Trevithick, introduces the world’s first steam locomotive. It’s hard today to really explain the revelatory nature of that moment but suffice it to say, the world was forever changed. T
Hotels of Ice
By Chris Petry If you’re ever in Quebec City between January and March, you can book a room at North America’s premier and, until 2012, only ice hotel. What is an ice hotel, you ask? No need to overthink it. It’s literally a hotel made of ice. Which is why bookings are only guaranteed within the aforementioned three-month period where temperatures and precipitation permit its
