Recent Blog Posts

Two people. One home. Does that automatically mean both names should be on the mortgage?Before assuming the answer is yes, compare the options.For real estate agents working with couples, I recommend having this conversation before buyers finalize their price range or fall in love with a property. Start with a question that goes beyond how much they can borrow:“Have we compared the eligible ways to finance this purchase?”I explore this in more detail in my guide to buying a home together in Colorado. Here are five questions to bring into the conversation.1. Are we talking about the mortgage, ownership, or both?Being responsible for the loan and having an ownership interest in the home are related, but they are not the same thing.For example, Fannie Mae’s guidelines allow an owner whose ... 10/05/2026

Click here for price and locationMotivated seller, please take a tour of this lovely home. Lakefront living at its finest in beautiful Paupackan Lake Estates! This true waterfront log home offers the perfect blend of rustic charm, modern updates, & endless outdoor enjoyment. Nestled along over 100' of shoreline. Home is designed for those who love the lake lifestyle & entertaining year-round. Located in amenity-filled Paupackan Lake Estates, residents enjoy a private beach, pavilion, playground, hiking trails, fishing, abundant wildlife, and ATV-friendly community roads. Conveniently situated near Honesdale and Hamlin for shopping, dining, and Pocono Mountain attractions.Call Patricia Quinn today at (201) 779-3513 for more information!Click here for price and location 10/05/2026

Ask the Land Guy: Engineering Review—The Step That Turns Guesswork Into ClarityWhen it comes to vacant land, one of the biggest mistakes an owner or buyer can make is assuming that because a parcel looks buildable, it actually is.A beautiful piece of land may have plenty of acreage and road frontage, but that doesn't necessarily tell us where—or even whether—a home can actually be built. That’s where an engineering review becomes extremely valuable.An engineer can take many of the questions surrounding a property and begin replacing assumptions with facts.They may evaluate zoning and setbacks, topography and slopes, wetlands and buffers, drainage, driveway access, septic feasibility, well location, utilities, easements, road frontage and the potential building envelope.Why Does This Mat... 10/05/2026

New York and Miami set a high bar for luxury real estate, but there is a robust DC luxury real estate market.  In fact, there are more than 200 properties listed at $1,000,000 or more in DC.  Here are 3 things to know about condos in the DC luxury real estate Market!1. DC Luxury Real Estate Means Luxury Amenities in Condos. The new condos coming to market offer rooftop pools, state-of-the-art “fitness centers” and even doggie spas. If your definition of luxury includes wine lounges, yoga studios, valet service, catering kitchens, and a 24-hour staff, then you will want to look at the Westlight by Eastbanc, or 2501 M Street2. More and more international buyers are looking at DC.DC is an international city thanks to embassies from around the world, but international buyers now are making ... 10/05/2026

Sometimes a real estate opportunity becomes more interesting because of what happens next door.I currently have a 1.279-acre parcel listed at 206 E Orville Dr. in Florence, Arizona. Recently, I noticed something new: the adjacent 1.279-acre parcel at 12092 N Nina Place is also for sale, listed separately by another brokerage.That means a buyer now has an interesting possibility to consider.Purchase one parcel - or explore the possibility of acquiring both adjacent lots, totaling approximately 2.558 acres.My listing: 206 E Orville Dr.The property is a 1.279-acre lot located just south of Florence-Kelvin Highway near the growing town of Florence.It is zoned GR - General Rural. There is currently no electric meter on the property, although electrical lines are underground and the electrici... 10/05/2026

Super Movers in their 80s and BeyondBy Kristie Leong M.D.Your walking speed after 80 might protect your brain more than crossword puzzles ever could. Researchers followed nearly 4,000 older adults and found something striking: The fastest walkers in their 80s, called “super movers." were about 50% less likely to develop cognitive decline than their slower peers. These weren’t elite athletes. They simply walked significantly faster than others their age (top 9%). And they preserved more hippocampal volume—the brain’s memory hub—even when some still showed Alzheimer’s-related plaques. Why does this matter?Walking pulls on muscle, balance, heart, lungs, and nerves at once. Contracting muscle releases BDNF, a key protein that supports neuron survival and brain growth. In short: muscle healt... 10/05/2026

Mortgage rates are hovering near 7%, national new-home sales are pacing below last year, and Zonda’s New Home Pending Sales Index remains nearly 24% off its cycle peak. Standard industry logic suggests builders should be pulling back across the board.They aren't. They are expanding line items.Zonda’s latest data shows active community counts increased year-over-year in 65% of the country’s top homebuilding markets. Nationally, actively selling communities reached 17,966—up 6.4% from last year.This isn't a signal of unbridled builder confidence. Most operators remain extremely cautious with their start paces heading toward 2027 because consumer demand is erratic. Instead, it reflects a shift in market structure: buyers are entering an environment defined by inventory fragmentation rather... 10/05/2026

Dear Vallejo buyers and sellers, if your thinking of buying in Glen Cove Vallejo CA this is a fantastic part of Vallejo to own. Glen Cove even has there own private information meetings set up on a regular basis. Tim Garton has "SOLD" 2 properties in Glen Cove this rear and he also lives in Glen so having a finger on the pulse of the Glen Cove market is exactly what Tim Garton from Messina Realty Inc does. CALL 707-315-5555 10/05/2026

Facing a divorce and wondering what happens to the house? Going through a divorce is rarely straightforward. Between legal paperwork, personal stress, and splitting up years of shared life, the emotional weight alone is heavy. But when it comes to the balance sheet, one asset almost always takes center stage: the family home. For most couples, the home isn’t just where memories were built—it’s also their largest single asset and their biggest joint liability. Deciding what to do with real estate during a separation isn’t just a legal question; it’s a financial and lending question. Far too often, divorce decrees are drafted with good intentions, only for both parties to discover later that the mortgage rules don’t work the way the attorneys assumed, and screws up the existing home and/o... 10/05/2026

📿Week Ahead at St. Anne's ~ 10-5-26 ☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email Brian Magis Women CourseAt His Feet: Spiritual Reflections on the Life of Mary of Bethany. To learn more about this event, click HERE (link not working, perhaps they cancelled the event, so sorry) I specialize in the East Valley of the Phoenix Metro area - Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, Apache Junction, and Gold Canyon☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email Brian 10/05/2026

 🏡 Deed Fraud Can Happen Here On The Gulf Coast — Protect Your Pensacola, Pace & Gulf Breeze PropertyDeed Fraud Is Real — And It’s Growing NationwideDeed fraud — also known as title theft — can happen to any rightful property owner, often without warning. Many victims don’t discover the fraud until loans are taken out, ownership is transferred, or squatters take possession.While there are no national deed‑fraud statistics, the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report tracked 9,521 cyber‑related real estate and rental fraud complaints with losses exceeding $145 million. (Source: New York Post)A 2023 CertifID survey found: 54% of real estate professionals experienced at least one seller‑impersonation attempt in the prior six months. 77% reported an overall increase in impersonation attempts. (Sou... 10/05/2026

Oakwood, Ohio Home Values Jumped in the 2026 Reappraisal — Here's What It Means for Your Tax Bill Montgomery County's 2026 reappraisal and a Homestead Exemption guide for Oakwood, Springfield, Ohio, and Miami Valley homeowners Talk to Douglas Haney & The Haney Group Published October 2026 · Updated October 2026 · By Douglas Haney & The Haney Group, Springfield, OHDouglas Haney leads The Haney Group at Coldwell Banker Heritage, helping buyers and sellers navigate Oakwood, Springfield, Ohio, and the surrounding Dayton and Central Ohio market every day. Quick Answer Montgomery County's 2026 reappraisal raised residential property values in Oakwood, Ohio and the rest of the county by an average of about 19%. Clark County — home to Springfield, Ohio, where our team is based — saw an even bi... 10/05/2026

Hello, and I wish you all a blessed and prosperous new week.  A house is made of bricks and beams, but a home is made of hopes and dreams. Every Monday is a fresh canvas to start designing the lifestyle you want if your current space no longer fits your story. You could be upsizing, downsizing, or even moving to a new state for a job, to be closer to children.Whatever your reason, your home is where your story unfolds, not just an asset on a balance sheet. If you've been waiting on the "perfect" economic headline to start your next chapter, you might be waiting forever.The best time to buy or sell is simply when it is the right time for your life and your family. Let’s open some new doors this week—reach out today to your local Real Estate professional to chat about your goals! 10/05/2026

 Good morning and hello again from Tim in my home office in beautiful Cottage Grove, MN.  Hope this email finds you doing well and had a wonderful weekend.  Wanted to share Tim's Time Out with you again. OPPORTUNITY IN THE MOMENT: Don't just let the time pass by...FILL it with richness and meaning.  Every moment IS an opportunity to explore, enrich, enjoy and share life's beauty. I life of fulfillment is a life in which each moment is directed toward a positive, and meaningful purpose. You don't have to wish for a great opportunity to come your way. Your great opportunity IS HERE AND NOW!  There are plenty of excuses for not making the most of this moment...yet your best choice is always to create meaningful value, not to merely collect plausible excuses. Your opportunity IS NOW, so tak... 10/05/2026

Buying Vacant Land in Davie FL 2026: Zoning, Utilities, and BuildabilityStart With Jurisdiction Before You Analyze the ParcelSome properties use a Davie mailing address while falling under unincorporated Broward County. This distinction affects zoning, permitting, inspections, development review, and the government office responsible for approving your plans. Local sources published April 20 and June 23, 2026, emphasize confirming jurisdiction before relying on a listing or tax record.Use the Town of Davie Planning and Zoning Division, Davie Information Maps, and Broward County parcel records to identify: The folio number and legal description Parcel acreage and dimensions Town limits versus unincorporated Broward Recorded plat status and legal road access Current zoning and future land... 10/05/2026

Rental Property Cash Flow in South Florida 2026: Why the 1% Rule FailsWhy the 1% Rule Misleads in South FloridaThe 1% rule says monthly rent should equal at least 1% of the purchase price. A $400,000 property would therefore need approximately $4,000 in monthly rent to pass the screen.That calculation ignores the regional cost structure. Sources published in June and July 2026, including Pure Equity and CMAFlow, report that high insurance premiums, taxes, association fees, and maintenance costs can materially reduce NOI. Meeting the rule does not guarantee positive cash flow.Use the rule only to prioritize properties for deeper analysis. Do not use it as a purchase decision.Build a Real NOI With Regional Expense LoadsNet Operating Income is calculated before mortgage payments:NOI = Gros... 10/05/2026

Mortgage Rate Buydowns in Florida 2026: 2-1 Buydown vs. Discount PointsBuying in South Florida in 2026 requires more than comparing advertised rates. A mortgage rate buydown in Florida 2026 can reduce early payments, but a 2-1 buydown and permanent discount points serve different purposes. A 2-1 buydown creates a temporary payment cushion, while discount points permanently lower the interest rate. Neither guarantees approval, savings, or future refinancing opportunities.Why Mortgage Buydowns Matter in Florida NowFreddie Mac reported an average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.71% as of September 3, 2026 (Freddie Mac, September 2026). That rate is a national benchmark, not a personal quote. Your credit profile, loan type, property, down payment, lender, and underwriting will affect the a... 10/05/2026

Lady Bird Deeds in Florida 2026: Avoiding Probate on Your HomeWhy Lady Bird Deeds Matter for South Florida Homeowners NowHomeowners in Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, and other South Florida communities often want a clear plan for transferring real estate. A Lady Bird deed may provide a probate-avoidance strategy while allowing the owner to retain control during life.The available data suggests that this tool remains widely recognized by Florida title professionals in 2026, although Florida does not have a specific statute authorizing Lady Bird deeds. Recognition is based on Florida common law and title standards, including guidance discussed by Alper Law, JF Real Estate Law, and a Florida Law Review article.What Is a Lady Bird Deed in Florida?A La... 10/05/2026

Buyer Broker Agreements in Florida 2026: What Buyers Sign and WhyUnderstand What Changed and Why It Matters NowBeginning in August 2024, NAR-member agents were required to use a written buyer-broker agreement before touring properties with a client. Florida Realtors’ 2026 guidance and LegalClarity’s June 2026 explanation identify this as a practice requirement connected to the settlement: not a new Florida law.Buyer-agent compensation is also no longer published in the MLS. Instead, the amount is handled through written agreements, purchase contracts, seller concessions, or a separate compensation agreement.This creates more transparency before you begin touring. You can now review: The services your agent will provide How long the relationship lasts Whether the agreement is exclusive T... 10/05/2026

Broward County Building Safety Inspections 2026: What Condo Owners Should KnowWhat Condo Owners Need to Know FirstBroward County’s current Building Safety Inspection Program generally moves the first inspection for qualifying buildings to 25 years of age, followed by inspections every 10 years. This local requirement is separate from Florida’s statewide Milestone Inspection law, which generally applies to condominium and cooperative buildings at least three habitable stories tall at 30 years, or 25 years where the local enforcement agency adopts an earlier trigger. Owners should confirm the exact deadline with their municipal building department.These inspections do not automatically mean a building has a defect. They create a formal process for evaluating structural and electrical cond... 10/05/2026