• What a Fed Rate Cut Could Mean for Mortgage Rates

    What a Fed Rate Cut Could Mean for Mortgage Rates,Monet Yarnell

    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. The Fed Doesn’t Directly Set Mortgage Rates Right now, all eyes are on the Fed. Most economists expect they'll

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  • Why September Is Still a Strong Month for Waterfront Sales

    Why September Is Still a Strong Month for Waterfront Sales,Monet Yarnell

    When most people think of peak waterfront sales, summer often comes to mind. But in Maine, September is one of the most underrated months to buy or sell waterfront property. With lingering warm days, fewer crowds, and motivated buyers, it’s a time when deals—and dreams—come together. Lingering Summe

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  • Patience Won’t Sell Your House. Pricing Will.

    Patience Won’t Sell Your House. Pricing Will.,Monet Yarnell

    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: “Homes are also taking longer to sell. The typical

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  • Mortgage Rates Just Saw Their Biggest Drop in a Year

    Mortgage Rates Just Saw Their Biggest Drop in a Year,Monet Yarnell

    You’ve been waiting for what feels like forever for mortgage rates to finally budge. And last week, they did – in a big way. On Friday, September 5th, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to the lowest level since October 2024. It was the biggest one-day decline in over a year. What Sparked

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  • The September Checklist for Getting Your Home Market-Ready

    The September Checklist for Getting Your Home Market-Ready,Monet Yarnell

    As summer winds down, September is the perfect month to get your home in shape for the fall market. Whether you’re planning to list right away or preparing for a late-season sale, a few smart steps now can help you attract serious buyers quickly. 1. Refresh Your Curb Appeal   Fall leaves may be beau

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  • Why 50% of Homes Are Selling for Under Asking and How To Avoid It

    Why 50% of Homes Are Selling for Under Asking and How To Avoid It,Monet Yarnell

    If your selling strategy still assumes you’ll get multiple offers over asking, it’s officially time for a reset. That frenzied seller’s market is behind us. And here are the numbers to prove it.  From Frenzy to “Normal” Right now, about 50% of homes on the market are selling for less than their aski

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  • How to Sell Your Home Before the Holidays Begin

    How to Sell Your Home Before the Holidays Begin,Monet Yarnell

    As the days grow shorter and fall transitions into winter, many sellers wonder if it’s too late to make a move before the holiday season kicks in. The good news? With the right strategy, you can sell your home quickly—and possibly for top dollar—before the year ends. Price It Right From the Start On

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  • Builder Incentives Reach 5-Year High

    Builder Incentives Reach 5-Year High,Monet Yarnell

    Even with more homes on the market right now, some buyers are still having a tough time finding the right one at the right price. Maybe the layout feels off. Maybe it still needs some updating. Or maybe it’s just more of the same. That’s why more buyers are turning to new construction – and finding

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  • What Mortgage Delinquencies Tell Us About the Future of Foreclosures

    What Mortgage Delinquencies Tell Us About the Future of Foreclosures,Monet Yarnell

    You may be seeing headlines about how foreclosures are rising. And if that makes you nervous that we’re headed for another crash, here’s what you should know.  According to ATTOM, during the housing crash, over nine million people went through some sort of distressed sale (2007-2011). Last year, the

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  • Thinking About Renting Your House Instead of Selling? Read This First.

    Thinking About Renting Your House Instead of Selling? Read This First.,Monet Yarnell

    If your house is on the market but you haven’t gotten any offers you’re comfortable with, you may be wondering: what do I do if it doesn’t sell? And for a growing number of homeowners, that’s turning into a new dilemma: should I just rent it instead? There’s a term for this in the industry, and it’s

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  • Is The Market Cooling or Heating Up This September?

    Is The Market Cooling or Heating Up This September?,Monet Yarnell

    As the calendar flips to September, the big question on everyone’s mind is whether the real estate market is starting to cool—or gearing up for more heat. The answer? It depends on a mix of factors, from mortgage rates to local inventory trends. Mortgage Rates Still Steer the Market Mortgage rates h

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  • What Everyone’s Getting Wrong About the Rise in New Home Inventory

    What Everyone’s Getting Wrong About the Rise in New Home Inventory,Monet Yarnell

    You may have seen talk online that new home inventory is at its highest level since the crash. And if you lived through the crash back in 2008, seeing new construction is up again may feel a little scary. But here’s what you need to remember: a lot of what you see online is designed to get clicks. S

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  • History Shows the Housing Market Always Recovers

    History Shows the Housing Market Always Recovers,Monet Yarnell

    Now that the market is slowing down, homeowners who haven’t sold at the price they were hoping for are increasingly pulling their homes off the market. According to the latest data from Realtor.com, the number of homeowners taking their homes off the market is up 38% since the start of this year and

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  • Labor Day Signals the Start of the Fall Real Estate Season

    Labor Day Signals the Start of the Fall Real Estate Season,Monet Yarnell

      Labor Day marks more than the unofficial end of summer—it signals a shift in the real estate market. As vacations wind down, schools reopen, and routines return, both buyers and sellers start turning their attention toward fall opportunities. Why the Market Shifts After Labor Day The late-summer s

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  • Should You Still Expect a Bidding War?

    Should You Still Expect a Bidding War?,Monet Yarnell

    If you’re still worried about having to deal with a bidding war when you buy a home, you may be able to let some of that fear go. While multiple-offer situations haven’t disappeared entirely, they’re not nearly as common as they used to be. In fact, a recent survey shows agents reported only 1 in 5

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  • Why Waterfront Properties Shine in Early Fall

    Why Waterfront Properties Shine in Early Fall,Monet Yarnell

    Waterfront living has a timeless allure—but did you know early fall is one of the best times to showcase and sell these properties? With cooler weather, vibrant landscapes, and calmer market conditions, buyers can truly appreciate what makes coastal homes special. 1. The Scenery is Unmatched Early f

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  • From Frenzy to Breathing Room: Buyers Finally Have Time Again

    From Frenzy to Breathing Room: Buyers Finally Have Time Again,Monet Yarnell

    If you tried to buy a home a few years ago, you probably still remember the frenzy. Homes were listed one day and gone the next. Sometimes it only took hours. You had to drop everything to go and see the house, and if you hesitated even slightly, someone else swooped in and bought it – sometimes eve

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  • Condos Could Be a Win for Today’s Buyers

    Condos Could Be a Win for Today’s Buyers,Monet Yarnell

    Not every homebuyer wants the biggest house on the block. Some want something simpler, more affordable, and easier to maintain, especially in a market where every dollar counts. That’s where condos come in. For first-time buyers, they can be a smart way to get into homeownership without stretching y

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  • Prepping Your Waterfront Property for Fall Buyers

    Prepping Your Waterfront Property for Fall Buyers,Monet Yarnell

    Selling a waterfront home in Maine isn’t just about listing it—it’s about showcasing the lifestyle buyers dream of. As summer fades into fall, the market shifts, but the appeal of waterfront living remains strong. Preparing your property for this seasonal transition can make all the difference in ca

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  • More Contracts Are Falling Through. Here’s How To Get Ahead.

    More Contracts Are Falling Through. Here’s How To Get Ahead.,Monet Yarnell

    When you sell a house, the last thing you want is for the deal to fall apart right before closing. But according to the latest data from Redfin, that’s happening a bit more often lately. The good news is, it’s completely avoidable if you lean on an agent for insight into why that is and how to avoid

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