by Denise Olivares-Molina | Aug 17, 2026 | Advice for Buyers, Buyers, First Time Home Buyers, First-Time Buyers, First-Time Investors, For Buyers, Market Trends, Market Updates, Real Estate Finances, Real Estate Goals, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Market, Real Estate Market 2026, Real Estate Tips, Real Estate Trends in 2026, Weekly
Pregunte por ahí y casi todos los compradores de viviendas quieren saber si hay alguna manera de conseguir una mejor oferta. Y casi todos los vendedores quieren saber si todavía obtendrán el precio máximo por su propiedad.
Lo interesante es que… ambos pueden tener razón exactamente al mismo tiempo. Todo depende de dónde viva.
Eso se debe a que el mercado inmobiliario actual ya no se mueve en una sola dirección. Algunos mercados favorecen claramente a los compradores. Otros todavía favorecen a los vendedores. Pero la mayoría se encuentra en un punto intermedio.
Y saber en qué mercado se encuentra realmente puede cambiar por completo la estrategia que utilice para comprar o vender (y qué expectativas debería tener). Vamos a desglosarlo.
Un número le dice quién tiene el poder de negociación
Entonces, ¿cómo sabe en qué mercado se encuentra? Hay un número que cuenta la historia más rápido que cualquier otra cosa: los meses de inventario de viviendas en venta. Es la señal más clara de quién tiene la ventaja y qué estrategia necesitará. Piénselo de esta manera.
Imagine que a partir de hoy no se pusieran a la venta más casas. Los meses de inventario nos dicen cuánto tiempo tomaría vender todo lo que está actualmente en el mercado según la demanda de hoy.
En términos generales, si los meses de inventario son:
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Menos de 4 meses: Los vendedores suelen tener la ventaja.
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De 4 a 6 meses: Compradores y vendedores están en mayor igualdad de condiciones.
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Más de 6 meses: Los compradores generalmente pueden negociar una mejor oferta.
En este momento, los datos de la Asociación Nacional de Agentes Inmobiliarios (NAR, por sus siglas en inglés) indican que ese número es de 4.6, lo que sitúa al mercado general nuevamente en territorio equilibrado (vea el gráfico a continuación):
Eso significa que, en su conjunto, el mercado finalmente ha regresado a un rango mucho más equilibrado después de años de estar inclinado a favor de los vendedores. Aunque pueda parecer que la balanza se ha inclinado solo un poco, es suficiente para hacer una verdadera diferencia en la estrategia que necesitará para su mudanza, al menos en la mayoría de los lugares.
La historia de dos mercados: Por qué “equilibrado” no significa lo mismo en todas partes
Los datos de Redfin ayudan a arrojar luz sobre cómo se distribuye esto en todo el país. Desglosa qué ciudades se inclinan en una dirección u otra (vea el gráfico a continuación).
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Algunos mercados dan a los compradores más poder de negociación. Esos están en azul.
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Algunos todavía favorecen a los vendedores. Ese es el naranja.
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Otros se encuentran en un punto intermedio. Esos son grises.
¿Nota algo? Muchos más lugares están experimentando condiciones más favorables para los compradores en este momento. De hecho, este es el mercado más favorable para los compradores que hemos visto en casi 6 años.
Pero no asuma que los compradores tienen la ventaja en todas partes.
Todavía hay ciudades donde los vendedores mantienen el poder. Y si se encuentra en una de ellas, su enfoque para vender o comprar se verá completamente diferente al que tendría en un mercado que se inclina hacia los compradores.
El mayor error que puede cometer en este momento
Por eso, el mayor error no es pensar que finalmente es un mercado de compradores. Y tampoco es pensar que sigue siendo un mercado de vendedores. Es hacer cualquier suposición sin hablar primero con un agente experto.
El mercado actual es increíblemente local. En un mercado, un comprador podría estar obteniendo miles de dólares en concesiones por parte de un vendedor. Y un propietario podría tener que considerar bajar su precio.
Pero en otro, un comprador podría estar estresado por tener que presentar su mejor oferta, o podría perder la casa frente a otro comprador. Y un vendedor podría seguir viendo una fuerte demanda y precios subiendo poco a poco.
El mismo mercado inmobiliario general.
Experiencias muy diferentes.
La verdad es que lo que está sucediendo en su propio vecindario afecta todo, desde cómo ponerle precio a su casa hasta cómo hacer una oferta o negociar reparaciones o concesiones. Y por eso, el conocimiento local de un agente importa hoy más que nunca.
Su plan tiene que basarse en su vecindario, y solo un agente tiene la experiencia para hacerlo bien.
En resumen
Este mercado no es igual para todos.
Si se pregunta quién tiene la ventaja donde vivimos, hablemos. Le mostraré exactamente cómo se ven los números en nuestro mercado, y qué estrategia le brinda la mejor oportunidad de conseguir lo que desea.
Gracias Por Leer,
Denise Olivares-Molina
by Denise Olivares-Molina | Aug 17, 2026 | Advice for Buyers, Buyers, First Time Home Buyers, First-Time Buyers, First-Time Investors, For Buyers, Market Trends, Market Updates, Real Estate Finances, Real Estate Goals, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Market, Real Estate Market 2026, Real Estate Tips, Real Estate Trends in 2026, Weekly
Ask around and almost every homebuyer out there wants to know if there’s a way to get a better deal. And just about every seller wants to know if they’ll still get top dollar.
The interesting thing is… both can be right at the exact same time. It just depends on where you live.
That’s because today’s housing market isn’t moving in one direction anymore. Some markets clearly favor buyers. Others still favor sellers. But most are sitting somewhere in the middle.
And knowing which market you’re actually in can completely change the strategy you use to buy or sell (and what expectations you should have). Let’s break it down.
One Number Tells You Who’s Got Leverage
So how do you know which market you’re in? There’s one number that tells the story faster than anything else: the months’ supply of homes for sale. It’s the clearest signal of who’s got leverage – and what strategy you’ll need. Think of it like this.
Imagine no additional homes were listed starting today. Months’ supply tells us how long it would take to sell everything that’s currently on the market based on today’s demand.
Generally speaking, if months’ supply is:
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Fewer than 4 months: Sellers usually have the advantage.
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4 to 6 months: Buyers and sellers are on more equal footing.
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More than 6 months: Buyers can usually negotiate for a better deal.
Right now, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) data says that number is 4.6 and that puts the overall market back in balanced territory (see graph below):
That means, as a whole, the market has finally moved back into a much more balanced range after years of being tilted in sellers’ favor. While that may look like the scales have tipped only slightly, it’s enough to make a real difference in what strategy you’ll need for your move – at least in most places.
The Tale of Two Markets: Why ‘Balanced’ Doesn’t Mean the Same Thing Everywhere
Redfin data helps shed some light on how this shakes out across the country. It breaks down which cities are leaning in either direction (see graph below).
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Some markets give buyers more leverage.Those are in blue.
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Some still favor sellers. That’s the orange.
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Others fall somewhere in between. Those are gray.
Notice anything? A lot more places are seeing more buyer-friendly conditions right now. In fact, this is the most buyer-friendly market we’ve seen in nearly 6 years.
But don’t take that as buyers have the upper hand everywhere.
There are still cities where sellers still have the power. And if you’re in one of them, your approach to selling or buying looks completely different than it would in a buyer-leaning market.
The Biggest Mistake You Can Make Right Now
That’s why the biggest mistake isn’t thinking it’s finally a buyer’s market. And it isn’t thinking it’s still a seller’s market either. It’s making any assumption without talking to an expert agent first.
Today’s market is incredibly local. In one market, a buyer may be getting thousands of dollars in concessions from a seller. And a homeowner may have to consider dropping their price.
But in another, a buyer may be stressed about coming in with their best offer, or they may lose out on the home to another buyer. And a seller may still be seeing strong demand and prices inching higher.
Same overall housing market.
Very different experiences.
The truth is what’s happening in your back yard affects everything from pricing your house to making an offer to negotiating repairs or concessions. And that’s why an agent’s local knowledge matters more now than ever before.
Your plan has to be based on your neighborhood – and only an agent has the expertise to get that right.
Bottom Line
This market isn’t one-size-fits-all.
If you’re wondering who has the upper hand where we live, let’s talk. I’ll show you exactly what the numbers look like in our market – and what strategy gives you the best shot at getting what you want.
Thank You For Reading
Denise Olivares-Molina
by Denise Olivares-Molina | Aug 3, 2026 | Advice for Sellers, For Sellers, Home Gain Statistics, Home Prices, Homeowner Information, Housing Market, Housing Market Insights, Housing Market Shifts, Housing Market Updates, Market Updates, Pricing, Real Estate Finances, Real Estate Goals, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Market, Real Estate Market 2026, Real Estate Myths, Weekly
After more than a year of headlines talking about how home prices are going to crash, the latest data shows that price growth may be starting to pick back up again. And depending on whether you’re buying or selling, that shift means something different for you.
The Numbers May Be Starting To Turn
For the past couple of years, home price growth has been moderating – cooling from around 7% in mid-2024, according to Redfin (see graph below). But look at the right side of that graph. The pace of that growth appears to have hit its low point and started to turn.
While a couple months of data doesn’t necessarily mean this will be a lasting trend, there are some other signs that this could continue.
For example, fewer markets are seeing prices decline. According to ResiClub and Zillow, about 36% of the 300 largest housing markets had falling prices as of the middle of last year. Since the start of this year, that share has been shrinking. Now? Only 23% are experiencing those mild dips (see graph below):
When fewer markets see prices falling, that means more markets are seeing prices rise again.
And forecasts suggest this shift has room to run. On average, experts project home prices will rise about 2.3% nationally this year. And for that to happen, price growth would have to pick up a bit in the second half of 2026.
But Remember, Real Estate Is Local
While it looks like national prices may be starting to pick back up a tiny bit, that doesn’t mean that’s what’s happening in your neighborhood.
National home prices are really just an average of hundreds of local markets. Some are climbing faster. Others are still cooling. But one reason the national average may be looking up is because a growing number of metros may actually be net positive for prices this year.
Not long ago, the major metros were split about 50/50 – half seeing prices rise and half seeing them fall. Now, that balance looks like it’s starting to tip in a more positive direction. Just last month, more than half of the major metros saw prices go up, according to Redfin (see graph below):
As Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at Cotality, explains:
“. . . local markets continue to tell very different stories. Annual home price growth has changed little since the start of the year, but some markets, especially those supported by strong job and income growth in the West and more affordable Midwest markets, have seen notable acceleration in price gains.”
What This Means for You
Home price headlines can be confusing because they don’t always tell the full picture. Lean on an agent to understand what’s happening in your local market and what the early signs say for where prices may go from here.
That’s the best way to stay one step ahead of the market.
If you’re buying: slower price growth has worked in your favor. You’ve had more room to negotiate and a budget you could plan around. If price growth is picking up in your area, buying now may mean paying less than you would later this year.
If you own a home: you’ve been gaining equity all along, even while growth moderated. If growth keeps picking up, those gains could speed up, too. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), projects the typical homeowner will gain roughly $16,000 in housing wealth this year. And if you’re thinking about selling, this shift is a good early sign for you. Just remember, the market is still pretty balanced and buyer-friendly in a lot of areas right now.
Home price growth slowed way down, and now it’s showing early signs of picking back up. Whether you’re buying or selling, let’s connect so you can see exactly what prices are doing in our local market and what that means for your plans.
Bottom Line
Home price growth slowed way down, and now it’s showing early signs of picking back up. Whether you’re buying or selling, let’s connect so you can see exactly what prices are doing in our local market and what that means for your plans.
Thank You For Reading
Denise Olivares-Molina
by Denise Olivares-Molina | Jul 20, 2026 | Advice for Buyers, Buyers, Buying A Home, Buying Myths, Buying Tips, Economy, Elegant Designs, Housing Market, Housing Market Insights, Housing Market Shifts, Housing Market Updates, Infographic, Market Trends, Market Updates, Real Estate Finances, Real Estate Goals, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Market, Real Estate Market 2026, Real Estate Trends in 2026, Recipes, Weekly
If you’ve thought about buying a home in the past few years, you may have run into two frustrations: asking prices that kept climbing and too few homes to choose from.
In many places, both sticking points are letting up this summer, with lower asking prices and more homes for sale. Let’s look at the trends, and what they mean for your search.
Sellers Are Pricing To Attract Buyers
According to Realtor.com, the national median asking price was $430,000 in June, nearly $11,000 under what it was the year before (see graph below):
That’s the eighth month in a row that the typical asking price has dipped below where they were the previous year, according to the same Realtor.com report.
And while falling prices can sound worrying, this isn’t a sign of an impending crash. We’re talking about asking prices, not sold prices. This is a sign that today’s sellers are meeting the market where it is and pricing to draw buyers. And that’s actually something normal we’d expect from the market. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, puts it:
“Sellers are reading market conditions and are pricing accordingly from the start rather than listing high and cutting later, and buyers are taking note and making bids. This is a welcome sign that we are in a functioning market.”
Asking prices were never going to climb forever – now they’re just settling closer to what buyers can actually pay. That signals a healthier market, and sellers re-adjusting their expectations.
More Homes Are Available Now
If you’ve spent the past few years watching homes disappear before you could even schedule a tour, this is for you.
Supply is starting to catch up. According to Realtor.com, the number of homes listed for sale in June was the highest June number we’ve seen in three years (see graph below):
This means more options for you and less competition for each one.
Now, supply is not back to normal everywhere. As you can see, we’re still down from where we were back in 2017-2019. But in many places, it’s better than it’s been in a while. Here’s how that helps you.
You don’t have to rush an offer just to stay in the running, and you have better odds of finding and landing the right home, not just the one that’s available. Plus, you’ll have more room to negotiate, so you’re searching from a stronger position than buyers had even a year ago.
Why This Is Encouraging if You’re Buying Your First Home
For first-time buyers looking for lower-priced homes, these trends line up especially well. Mischa Fisher, Chief Economist at Zillow, explains:
“The lowest price tiers are exhibiting some softness in terms of price, they also had the most listing-activity growth, the first time since 2022 that’s been the case.”
So, if you’re searching for your first place or your next house, there’s a little more to choose from and a little more give on price.
Bottom Line
If a tight budget or a thin selection has kept you from buying a home, now might be the time to restart your search.
Ready to see what’s available here? Let’s connect.
Thank You For Reading,
Denise Olivares-Molina
by Denise Olivares-Molina | Mar 30, 2026 | 2026 Housing Market, Advice for Sellers, Economy, For Sellers, Home Buying, Home Preparation, Home Prices, Home Selling Strategy, Homeowner Information, Housing Market, Housing Market Shifts, Housing Market Updates, Market Trends, Market Updates, Real Estate Finances, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Market, Real Estate Tips, Real Estate Trends in 2026, Recipes, Weekly
While the Spring season consistently offers up some of the best conditions for home sellers, Realtor.com says there’s one window where the stars really seem to align year after year. And it’s coming up fast.
Based on their analysis of historical trends, the ideal week to put your house on the market this year is: April 12–18.
And here’s why this window stands out as being particularly seller-friendly:
- Buyers Are More Active. According to the research coming out of Realtor.com, homes listed during this week typically get about 16.7% more views than in a normal week. And in a market where buyers have options, getting that extra attention can set the tone for your entire sale.
- Sales Happen Faster. Realtor.com also explains the added demand from buyers sets you up for a faster process. While homes have been taking longer to sell lately, homes up for sale this week were on the market for 17% less time than usual. And that’s a difference you’ll be able to feel.
- A Better Price for Your House. Since the number of homes for sale has grown, it’s normal for buyers to ask for credits, repairs, and price adjustments today. But, during this early Spring window, about 18.9% fewer homes do a price cut. That gives you a better chance of getting your full asking price.
- More Profit in Your Pocket. According to the study, well-prepped homes listed this week can command a price that’s about $5,300 more than the average week (and $26,000 more than homes at the start of the year).
And what seller doesn’t want more eyes on their house, getting an offer in hand sooner (rather than later), and their best shot at selling for top dollar?
What You Need To Do To Get Ready
If you’re already thinking about selling and you want to take advantage of this sweet spot, your next step is shockingly simple. Just talk to a local agent.
Their expertise on your area is going to be key over the next few weeks. Because these trends are going to vary by state, city, and even neighborhood. And your agent will use that insider knowledge to help you figure out what you need to do now to get your house ready. Including:
- What you’ll want to spruce up before listing
- How to prioritize any repairs (and contractors that can help)
- Quick wins that’ll have a big impact
- What buyers care most about today
For some sellers, that’s a few easy fixes they can knock out in the next couple of weeks. A fresh coat of paint. Some new mulch. Or some light Spring cleaning.
For others, it’s worth taking another month or so to make some minor updates before listing. And that’s okay. Because while this mid-April window may give sellers an advantage, it’s not your only opportunity to sell.
Zillow says the best time to list is in May. And that means the golden window for sellers isn’t closing after this one week. It’s open all season long.
Bottom Line
Getting your house on the market in mid-April may give you an extra edge, but the bigger opportunity is the Spring season as a whole. The real question is:
Do you know what you need to do before you can list?
Because it’s officially go-time for any seller planning a Spring move.
If you want your house to hit the market this week (or even this season), let’s talk about what it’ll take to get it ready.
Thank You For Reading
Denise Olivares-Molina
by Denise Olivares-Molina | Jan 26, 2026 | Advice for Sellers, For Sellers, Foreclosures, Home value, Homeowner Information, Housing Market, Housing Market Shifts, Housing Market Updates, Market Trends, Market Updates, Military Operation, Mortgage Information, Mortgage Rates, Real Estate Finances, Real Estate Market, Real Estate Tips, Real Estate Trends in 2026, Weekly
If you’ve seen headlines saying foreclosure activity has been climbing for 10 straight months, it’s easy to assume that’s a sign of trouble for the housing market. But when you look at the full picture, a few simple truths become clear:
- Today’s foreclosure numbers are in line with what’s considered normal
- High home equity is keeping most homeowners in a strong financial position
- None of the data points to a big wave of distressed sales that’ll crash the market
Foreclosure Filings Are Up 32%, But That Doesn’t Mean the Market’s in Trouble
If you peel the layers all the way back, what everyone is actually worried about is that we’re headed for a repeat of what happened in 2008. Back then, riskier lending practices and an oversupply of homes for sale brought home prices down and led to a significant increase in foreclosures. A lot of people felt the impact. But this isn’t the same situation.
Yes, ATTOM data shows foreclosure filings are up 32% year-over-year. And that increase is going to sound dramatic. But context matters, and it doesn’t mean we’re headed for another crash. And the numbers prove it. Take a look at where we were during the last crash (the red in the graph below). And where we are now (the blue):
Even with the uptick lately, we are still nowhere near crash levels – far from it. This isn’t a return to crisis levels. What it is, is a return to normal.
The graph below shows foreclosure filings going all the way back to early 2005. The lead up to, and the aftermath of, the crash is there in red. Those are the years when foreclosure filings went above the 1 million mark each year.
Now, look at the right side and scan back to the 2017–2019 range (the last truly normal years for housing). You’ll see we’re actually just starting to fall back in line with what’s typical for the market, even with the increase lately:
Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM, explains it well:
“Foreclosure activity increased in 2025, reflecting a continued normalization of the housing market following several years of historically low levels . . . While filings, starts, and repossessions all rose compared to 2024, foreclosure activity remains well below pre-pandemic norms and a fraction of what we saw during the last housing crisis . . . today’s uptick is being driven more by market recalibration than widespread homeowner distress, with strong equity positions and more disciplined lending continuing to limit risk.”
The word “normalization” in that quote is extra important. While economic and financial pressures are putting a strain on some homeowners, this isn’t a flood of distressed homes. No matter what the headlines may have you believe, this isn’t a large-scale crisis.
Today’s increase isn’t a sign of trouble. It’s a return to normal.
Why This Isn’t a Repeat of 2008
Even though the last housing crash still shapes how a lot of people interpret today’s news, the reality is, this is a different market:
- Lending standards are stronger
- Borrowers are more qualified
- And homeowners have far more equity
And that equity piece is especially important. Over the last five years, home prices have risen significantly. For many people, their house is worth far more than they paid for it. That means most homeowners have a strong financial cushion to fall back on, if needed.
Basically, if someone faces hardship today, they often have the option to sell, and maybe even walk away with money in their pocket, instead of going through foreclosure. That’s a major contrast to 2008, when many homeowners owed more than their home was worth.
Bottom Line
Foreclosure activity may be rising, but it’s still well within a normal range – and nowhere close to the danger zones of the past. But the headlines are doing more to terrify than clarify. And that’s exactly why having a trusted real estate expert you can call on is so important.
When you hear something in the news or see something on social about housing that worries you, please reach out so you have the context to understand what’s really happening and how it impacts you (if at all).
Thank You For Reading
Denise Olivares-Molina
