Thursday, August 20, 2026 / by Vic Markarian
One Number Could Change Everything About Your Next Move
How much equity do you have in your home right now?
If you haven’t checked recently, you may be surprised by the answer.
Not the estimate from an online home valuation tool. Not what your neighbor’s house sold for. And not what you think your home was worth a few years ago.
I mean a current, market-based estimate of what your home could sell for today—and how much equity you may have built along the way.
For many homeowners, that number could change the way they think about their next move.
Your Home May Have Built More Equity Than You Realize
Home prices have increased significantly over the past several years. At the same time, homeowners have continued building equity through a combination of home appreciation and paying down their mortgage.
According to Cotality, the typical U.S. homeowner with a mortgage had about $310,500 in equity as of Q2 2026.
That’s a significant amount of wealth tied t ...
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home seller, for sellers, real estate market 2026, home seller tips 2026
Thursday, August 20, 2026 / by Vic Markarian
One Number Could Change Everything About Your Next MoveHow much equity do you have in your home right now?If you haven’t checked recently, you may be surprised by the answer.Not the estimate from an online home valuation tool. Not what your neighbor’s house sold for. And not what you think your home was worth a few years ago.I mean a current, market-based estimate of what your home could sell for today—and how much equity you may have built along the way.For many homeowners, that number could change the way they think about their next move.Your Home May Have Built More Equity Than You RealizeHome prices have increased significantly over the past several years. At the same time, homeowners have continued building equity through a combination of home appreciation and paying down their mortgage.According to Cotality, the typical U.S. homeowner with a mortgage had about $310,500 in equity as of Q2 2026.That’s a significant amount of wealth tied to homeownership.And the national average onl3 ...
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home seller, for sellers, real estate market 2026, home seller tips 2026
Thursday, August 13, 2026 / by Vic Markarian
Who Has the Upper Hand in Today’s Housing Market? It Depends Where You Live
Is today’s housing market better for buyers or sellers?
The answer isn't as simple as it used to be.
In some markets, buyers have more negotiating power. In others, sellers still have the advantage. And in many places, buyers and sellers are finally meeting somewhere in the middle.
That’s because the housing market has become increasingly local.
What’s happening nationally doesn't necessarily tell you what’s happening in your neighborhood.
So before you assume you're in a buyer’s market or a seller’s market, there’s one important number to understand: months of housing supply.
Months of Supply Can Tell You Who Has More Leverage
Months of supply measures how long it would take to sell the homes currently available if no new homes came onto the market, based on the current pace of sales.
It’s one of the clearest ways to understand the balance betwee ...
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home buyer, home seller, housing market 2026, home buyer tip 2026, home seller tips 2026
Thursday, July 16, 2026 / by Vic Markarian
Is Real Estate a Good Investment in 2026? Why Americans Still Rank It #1 for 14 Straight Years
Is real estate still the best investment in 2026? Is buying a home better than renting? According to Americans, the answer is yes. For the 14th consecutive year, real estate was ranked as the nation's favorite long-term investment, outperforming stocks, gold, bonds, and savings accounts.
If you've been wondering whether buying a home still makes sense in today's market, you're not alone. Between higher mortgage rates, affordability concerns, and nonstop headlines about the economy, many buyers are questioning whether now is the right time to invest in real estate.
The latest data suggests confidence in homeownership is making a strong comeback.
Real Estate Continues To Outperform Every Other Long-Term Investment
Every year, Gallup asks Americans a simple question:
"What is the best long-term investment?"
For the 14th year in a row, real estate finished in first place, ahead of stocks ...
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home buyer, home seller, real estate market 2026, housing market 2026, home buyer tip 2026, home seller tips 2026, seller tips 2026
Thursday, July 9, 2026 / by Vic Markarian
What Could the Second Half of 2026 Mean for Home Buyers and Sellers in Los Angeles?
The first half of 2026 hasn't exactly been easy for anyone trying to buy or sell a home.
Mortgage rates stayed higher than many expected. Affordability remained a challenge. Global events created uncertainty in financial markets. And for many buyers and sellers across Glendale, Burbank, La Crescenta, and throughout Los Angeles County, the safest move felt like doing nothing at all.
But real estate markets rarely stay frozen forever.
As we move into the second half of the year, several indicators suggest the market may finally be preparing for a shift. While nobody can predict the future with certainty, there are reasons for cautious optimism.
Mortgage Rates Could Finally Start Moving Lower
Ask almost any buyer what kept them on the sidelines this year and you'll probably hear the same answer:
Mortgage rates.
Even small changes in rates can significantly impact monthly payments, which directly ...
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home buyer, home seller, real estate market 2026, housing market 2026, home buyer tip 2026, home seller tips 2026, seller tips 2026