Key takeaways: A letter to a seller of a home can help your offer stand out in a competitive market. Focus on genuine connection and financial readiness, but avoid personal details that raise Fair Housing concerns. Use clear, professional wording, and keep your letter short and focused. Buying a home is still competitive, even if not as frenzied as during the pandemic’s peak. A common misconception is...
Key takeaways About 29% of homes sold above list price in July 2025, showing that multiple offers on a house are still common in competitive markets. Seller supply is up 34% compared to buyers, reducing bidding wars in some markets. In high-demand regions, bidding wars remain fierce, with homes sometimes selling hundreds of thousands over asking. Sellers can spark competition with smart pricing,...
Quick answer: In real estate, days on market (DOM) is the number of days a property is listed for sale before going under contract. A home sitting more than 30 days in a hot market — or 60-plus days in a slower one — may raise buyer questions but also signal negotiation opportunities. DOM is calculated by counting the days from the first MLS listing date until an accepted offer. Key takeaways The...
Jacksonville’s housing market is somewhat competitive. Homes in Jacksonville receive 1 offer on average and sell in around 69 days. In July 2025, the median sale price was $303,000 (down 2.3% year over year) and the median sale price per square foot was $184 (up 0.3% year over year). Redfin Compete Score: 40 (Somewhat Competitive). Typical homes sell about 3% below list and go pending in ~67 days; hot...
San Francisco’s housing market is very competitive. Homes in San Francisco receive 4 offers on average and sell in around 29 days. In July 2025, the median sale price was $1,425,000 (up 1.8% year over year) and the median sale price per square foot was $912 (down 5.9% year over year). Redfin Compete Score: 77 (Very Competitive). Average homes sell about 6% above list and go pending in ~27 days; hot homes...
When you make an offer on a home, you’ll usually include earnest money – a good-faith deposit between 1% to 3% of the purchase price that shows you’re committed to the purchase. If the sale goes through, it’s applied to your down payment or closing costs. But what happens if the deal falls apart – is earnest money refundable? Short answer: Yes, earnest money can be refunded, but only if...
Finally, fall decor that isn’t pumpkin...
In some American towns, nearly every house sits empty for part of the year. Whether it’s a beachside bungalow, a mountainside chalet, or a lakeside estate, these seasonal homes are usually owned by part-time residents – and in the most extreme cases, they make up over 98% of all housing in town. From coastal escapes in Delaware to ski havens in Colorado, here are the 10 U.S. towns with the highest...
Key takeaways: Annual gift tax exclusion: $19,000 per person in 2025 ($38,000 for couples). Lifetime gift and estate tax exemption: $13.99 million in 2025, but expected to drop in 2026. Inheritance advantage: Stepped-up basis often saves heirs from significant capital gains taxes. Trusts and spousal transfers: Effective tools for transferring property when dealing with larger estates or married...
You’ve been waiting for what feels like forever for mortgage rates to finally budge. And last week, they did – in a big...
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