by Laura Guzman Cheney | Sep 24, 2026 | Uncategorized
A clear investment strategy can help real estate investors make more informed decisions in a changing market. In 2026, factors such as financing costs, property values, rental income, operating expenses, and market conditions can all influence an investment’s potential performance.
Define Your Investment Goals
Before purchasing a property, consider what you want the investment to accomplish. Some investors may focus on rental income, long-term appreciation, portfolio diversification, or a combination of objectives.
A defined goal makes it easier to evaluate properties and determine whether an opportunity fits your overall financial strategy.
Evaluate the Complete Financial Picture
Purchase price is only one part of an investment property’s cost. Investors should consider mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, management fees, utilities, and potential vacancy periods.
Estimating both expected income and ongoing expenses can provide a clearer picture of potential cash flow.
Consider Financing Carefully
Mortgage rates and loan terms can significantly affect investment costs. Investors should compare financing options and understand how interest rates, down payments, loan terms, and closing costs may affect their investment strategy.
A realistic financial analysis should account for potential changes in borrowing costs and property expenses.
Research the Market
Market research is an important part of investment planning. Investors can review property values, rental activity, inventory, development, employment trends, and other relevant economic indicators.
Current, property-specific data can be more useful than relying solely on broad market predictions.
Plan for Risk
Every real estate investment carries some level of risk. Rental income may fluctuate, expenses can increase, and property values can change over time.
Maintaining appropriate financial reserves and avoiding assumptions about guaranteed returns can help investors prepare for unexpected changes.
Think About the Long Term
Real estate investments often require a long-term perspective. Investors should consider how a property may fit into their financial plans over several years rather than focusing only on short-term market movements.
Regularly reviewing the investment’s performance can also help determine whether adjustments are needed.
Final Thoughts
A strong real estate investment strategy starts with clear goals, careful financial analysis, market research, and realistic risk management. By evaluating the complete financial picture and staying informed about changing market conditions, investors can make decisions that align with their individual investment objectives.
by Laura Guzman Cheney | Sep 23, 2026 | Uncategorized
The 2026 real estate market continues to evolve as mortgage rates, home prices, inventory, and buyer demand influence housing activity. For buyers and sellers, understanding current trends can provide useful context when planning their next move.
Mortgage Rates Continue to Matter
Mortgage rates remain an important factor in housing affordability. Changes in rates can affect monthly payments, purchasing power, and the overall cost of financing a home.
Rather than focusing only on rate predictions, buyers can benefit from understanding what monthly payment fits comfortably within their budget.
Inventory Is Shaping Market Activity
Housing inventory continues to influence how buyers and sellers approach the market. When more properties are available, buyers may have more opportunities to compare homes and consider different options.
For sellers, understanding available inventory and competing properties can help them determine pricing and prepare a property for the market.
Home Prices Remain an Important Factor
Home prices can vary significantly by market, property type, condition, and other local factors. National trends do not always reflect what is happening in an individual market.
Reviewing recent comparable sales and current market data can provide a more useful perspective than relying solely on national headlines.
Affordability Is Still a Key Consideration
Today’s buyers are looking beyond the purchase price. Mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, HOA fees (when applicable), and other ownership costs all contribute to a home’s overall cost.
Understanding these expenses can help buyers create a realistic budget and evaluate potential purchases more carefully.
Sellers Are Paying Attention to Market Conditions
Sellers are also adapting to changing conditions. Pricing a property appropriately, completing necessary maintenance, and presenting the home effectively can help it compete with other available properties.
Market conditions can differ by property type and location, making current local data especially useful when preparing to sell.
Looking Ahead
Real estate trends can change throughout the year as economic conditions, financing costs, inventory, and consumer activity evolve. Buyers and sellers can benefit from focusing on current data rather than making decisions based solely on predictions.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 real estate market presents both opportunities and considerations for buyers and sellers. Understanding mortgage rates, inventory, home prices, and overall affordability can help consumers approach real estate decisions with better information and realistic expectations.
by Laura Guzman Cheney | Sep 22, 2026 | Uncategorized
Buyers are naturally drawn to new listings.
There is excitement around a property that appeared online this morning. The photos are fresh, showing activity may be high and there is often a sense that someone needs to act immediately.
But experienced buyers learn to look at another category too:
Homes that have been sitting on the market.
A property that has been listed for several weeks or months is sometimes dismissed automatically.
“Something must be wrong with it.”
Maybe.
Or maybe the original price was too high.
Maybe the first buyer’s financing fell apart.
Maybe the seller launched the property with poor photos.
Maybe buyers disliked one particular feature.
Maybe the home simply entered the market at the wrong time.
Whatever the reason, longer market time can create opportunities worth investigating rather than properties that should automatically be avoided.
Market Time Changes the Conversation
A seller who listed yesterday may have little incentive to negotiate.
A seller whose home has been available for 60 days may approach an offer differently.
That does not mean the seller will accept any price. But longer market time can create a reason for a buyer’s agent to explore the seller’s situation.
Nationally, existing homes sold in a median of 29 days in July 2026, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.
Local averages can be much shorter or longer. That means 45 days may be perfectly normal in one community and unusually long in another.
Context matters.
The useful question is not simply, “How many days has this home been listed?”
It is, “How does that compare with similar properties nearby?”
Look for Price History
Price reductions can reveal how a seller’s expectations have changed.
Suppose a home began at $650,000, was reduced to $625,000 and is now listed at $599,000.
That history does not tell you what the seller will ultimately accept, but it does show that the original strategy has evolved.
Your agent can compare the property with recent sales and competing listings to determine whether the current price now represents fair value.
In some circumstances, a home that looked overpriced six weeks ago may become one of the more attractive options in its price range after reductions.
Find Out Why Buyers Passed
Longer market time should lead to investigation, not assumptions.
Tour the property carefully.
Read available disclosures.
Review the listing history.
Ask appropriate questions through your agent.
Sometimes the explanation is obvious. The house backs onto a busy road. The kitchen is dated. The bedrooms are small. The condominium fee is high. The property requires work.
Those characteristics may matter greatly to one buyer and very little to another.
A home does not need to appeal to everyone.
It needs to work for you at a price that appropriately reflects its benefits and drawbacks.
Inspection Still Matters
An opportunity is not the same thing as a bargain.
Buyers should still conduct appropriate due diligence.
A low price does not compensate for an expensive problem you failed to investigate.
Depending on the transaction and local practices, that may involve a professional home inspection and review of relevant documents, permits, condominium materials, title information or other property-specific records.
The longer a property has been listed, the more important it may be to understand why.
Negotiation Can Include More Than Price
A seller who wants to complete a transaction may be open to terms that matter to the buyer.
Depending on market conditions, those discussions could involve timing, repairs, closing costs or other negotiated items.
Recent national data illustrates why buyers should at least consider asking questions. Redfin reported in late August that new listings were at their highest level since April while pending sales had declined, providing serious buyers with more negotiating opportunities in many markets.
The conditions in your community may differ, which is why a local analysis is essential.
Don’t Confuse Popular With Valuable
The newest listing is not necessarily the best purchase.
Sometimes buyers become so focused on properties receiving immediate attention that they overlook homes offering more value.
A house that has been sitting on the market may give you time to think, investigate and negotiate without the emotional pressure created by a crowded open house and an immediate offer deadline.
That does not mean every stale listing is an opportunity.
Some are still overpriced.
Some have significant drawbacks.
Some simply will not meet your needs.
But eliminating a property solely because of days on market can mean overlooking a potentially strong option.
Smart buyers ask why the home has not sold and whether the answer creates an opportunity.
Looking for homes where buyers may have more negotiating room? Contact me. I can help identify properties with longer market time, review their pricing history and determine which ones deserve a closer look
by Laura Guzman Cheney | Sep 22, 2026 | Uncategorized
Real estate investing continues to be an important consideration for people looking to build long-term wealth and diversify their financial portfolios. In 2026, investors are paying close attention to property prices, mortgage rates, rental income, operating expenses, and changing market conditions before making investment decisions.
Start With a Clear Investment Strategy
Before purchasing an investment property, it is important to understand your goals. Some investors focus on rental income, while others may prioritize long-term appreciation, property improvements, or portfolio diversification.
Having a clear strategy can help determine which property types, financing options, and investment approaches may fit your financial objectives.
Understand the Numbers
Successful real estate investing requires more than looking at a property’s purchase price. Investors should consider potential rental income, mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, management costs, vacancies, and other operating expenses.
Reviewing these numbers before purchasing can provide a more realistic picture of potential cash flow and overall investment performance.
Consider Financing Costs
Mortgage rates can significantly affect the cost of financing an investment property. Changes in interest rates can influence monthly payments, cash flow, and the amount of capital required for a purchase.
Investors should compare available financing options and consider how different loan terms could affect the long-term cost of the investment.
Location and Property Fundamentals Matter
Location remains an important factor in real estate investing. Investors can research employment trends, transportation access, development activity, property taxes, rental demand, inventory, and other local market fundamentals.
Rather than relying on general market headlines, reviewing current data for the specific property and market can lead to better-informed decisions.
Plan for Ongoing Expenses
Owning an investment property comes with continuing responsibilities. Repairs, maintenance, insurance, property management, utilities, taxes, and periods of vacancy can affect profitability.
Building an appropriate reserve for unexpected expenses can help investors manage changes in operating costs without disrupting their broader financial plans.
Think Long Term
Real estate investing can involve high upfront costs and may require patience. Market conditions can change, and property values and rental income are not guaranteed to increase.
Investors should evaluate potential risks, understand their financing obligations, and consider whether a property aligns with their long-term financial strategy.
Final Thoughts
Real estate investing requires careful research, realistic financial projections, and an understanding of both opportunities and risks. By evaluating property fundamentals, financing costs, operating expenses, and long-term objectives, investors can make more informed decisions in today’s changing market.
by Laura Guzman Cheney | Sep 16, 2026 | Uncategorized
The 2026 real estate market continues to evolve as home prices, mortgage rates, inventory, and buyer demand influence housing activity. While national trends provide useful background, conditions can vary significantly by market, property type, price range, and individual property.
Understanding current real estate trends can help buyers and sellers make informed decisions and set realistic expectations.
Home Prices Continue to Change
Home prices remain one of the most important factors in today’s housing market. Price trends can vary depending on inventory, demand, property condition, location, size, and recent comparable sales.
National housing data can provide a general picture of price movement, but national averages do not determine the value of a specific property. Reviewing recent sales and current listings can provide a more useful reference when evaluating a home.
Inventory Influences Market Activity
Housing inventory continues to play an important role in real estate market conditions. When more homes are available, buyers may have more opportunities to compare asking prices, property features, condition, and overall ownership costs.
For sellers, increased competition can make accurate pricing and effective property presentation especially important. Monitoring active listings, recent sales, and days on market can provide valuable insight into current conditions.
Mortgage Rates Affect Affordability
Mortgage rates remain an important consideration for buyers. Changes in borrowing costs can affect monthly payments and the amount a buyer may be able to finance.
The purchase price is only one part of the affordability equation. Buyers should also consider property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA fees when applicable, maintenance, and other ongoing expenses when establishing a housing budget.
Buyer Demand Remains Important
Buyer demand can influence how quickly properties sell and how much competition exists among buyers. Demand can vary across different price ranges and property types.
For buyers, comparing recent sales with current listings can help provide context when evaluating a property. For sellers, understanding current demand can help with pricing and marketing decisions.
Local Market Data Matters
Real estate conditions can differ considerably from one market to another. Even within the same broader region, properties can experience different levels of demand and pricing based on their characteristics and current competition.
This makes local and property-specific data especially valuable. Recent comparable sales, active listings, pending properties, price changes, and days on market can provide a clearer picture than broad national statistics alone.
What Buyers Should Watch
Buyers can benefit from looking beyond the asking price. Recent comparable sales, property condition, price adjustments, days on market, insurance costs, taxes, HOA requirements when applicable, and potential maintenance expenses can all affect the overall cost of a property.
Understanding financing options and establishing a realistic budget can also help buyers evaluate properties more effectively.
What Sellers Should Consider
Sellers should pay close attention to current competition and recent comparable sales when determining an asking price. Pricing a property based on outdated market information may not accurately reflect current conditions.
Property condition, improvements, accurate listing information, professional photography, and thoughtful presentation can also influence how a property performs in the current market.
Looking Ahead Through 2026
The real estate market will continue to be shaped by mortgage rates, inventory, home prices, economic conditions, and buyer demand throughout 2026.
Rather than relying solely on national headlines, buyers and sellers can benefit from reviewing current market data and property-specific information.
Understanding the numbers behind the market can help buyers and sellers approach their next real estate decision with greater clarity and confidence.
