Thursday, December 11, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Your Home Might Be Holding the Key to Your Next Chapter
Stuck in a house that no longer fits your life… but feel trapped by rising mortgage rates?You’re not alone, it’s one of the most common pain points among homeowners right now.
But what if the answer was already in your home , literally?
Your equity could change everything about your next move.
The Wealth You’ve Built May Be Bigger Than You Think
Let’s talk about equity: the real, often hidden, wealth that builds as you pay down your mortgage and as home values increase over time.
Each mortgage payment reduces your loan balance. At the same time, home prices tend to rise steadily. Put those two together, and you’ve been growing wealth every single month, likely without even realizing how much.
And if you've owned your home for over a decade, the amount of equity you’ve built might surprise you.
According to Realtor.com:
“Nearly half (45.2%) of today’s homeowners ...
Read More
home seller, real estate tips, home buying process, home prices, mortgage, home buying, selling homes, real estate advice for 2025, real estate tips 2025, real estate trends 2025, for sellers, seller tips 2025, real estate market 2026, home buyer tip 2026, home seller tips 2026, housing market 2026
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Are Builders Overbuilding Again? Here’s What the Data Actually Shows
If you’ve noticed more new construction around town, you’re not alone. But does that mean we’re heading for another 2008-style housing crash? Not even close.
Let’s break down what’s really happening in today’s market and why the slowdown in builder activity is actually a smart move — not a red flag.
Builders Are Tapping the Brakes, Not Slamming the Gas
One of the best leading indicators of future home construction is building permits - basically, permission to break ground. And right now, that number is on the decline.
According to recent U.S. Census data, builders are pulling back, not charging forward. Take a look at the chart below:
Back before the 2008 crash, overconfident builders flooded the market with new homes - far more than buyer demand could support. That oversupply helped fuel the housing crisis.
But today? Builders are more cautious. They& ...
Read More
home buyer, home seller, real estate tips, home prices, selling homes, homeownership, competitiveness, for buyers, real estate advice for 2025, real estate tips 2025, real estate trends 2025, first time home buyers, 2025 housing market, buyer tips 2025, seller tips 2025, real estate market 2026, home seller tips 2026, housing market 2026, home buyer tip 2026
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Why Your Home Equity Still Puts You Way Ahead (Even If You’ve Heard Prices Are Dropping)
Have you recently seen headlines warning about home prices dropping and started to wonder, “Is my home losing value?”
If you're planning to sell your home soon, that kind of news can feel unsettling. But here's what most of those headlines miss: even if prices have softened in some markets, your home equity is likely still in great shape—and may actually be higher than ever.
Let’s walk through why.
Home Equity Has Grown Significantly Since 2020
Here’s the reality: home equity tends to move in sync with home prices. When home prices go up, your equity grows. When prices level out, so does equity—but that doesn’t mean it vanishes.
After the intense home price surge of 2020–2021, it was inevitable that things would slow down. But that slowdown has not erased years of equity gains.
Even in cities that have seen recent declines, like Aus ...
Read More
home seller, selling homes, real estate advice for 2025, real estate tips 2025, real estate trends 2025, 2025 housing market, for sellers, seller tips 2025, real estate market 2026, housing market 2025, seller tips 2026
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Why Today’s Mortgage Rates Might Be Better Than You Think (For Buyers AND Sellers)
Let’s face it — mortgage rates have been the elephant in the room for a while now. Whether you're buying your first home or thinking about selling and moving up, you've probably found yourself hesitating.
If you're a homebuyer, maybe you're telling yourself: “I’ll wait until rates drop below 6%... THEN I’ll start looking again.”
And if you're a home seller, you might be thinking:“Buyers are waiting on lower rates — I should hold off until next year.”
But here’s the truth: waiting could cost you — and not just emotionally, but financially, too.
The Numbers Tell a Different Story
We all love the idea of snagging a 5.99% mortgage rate. But what’s the real impact on your wallet?
Take a look at this:
The difference between today’s rate (6.19%) and 5.99% on a $400,000 mortgage?Just $51.65 per month.
That&rsquo ...
Read More
home buyer, home seller, buyer tips 2025, real estate market trends 2025, seller tips 2025, mortgage update 2025, home seller tips 2026, housing market 2026, home buyer tip 2026, housing market 2025, seller tips 2026, mortgage news 2026
Monday, October 20, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Top Realtor in Montrose, CA, Sees Median Price Jump Despite Increased Inventory
Montrose, CA – Competitive bidding dynamics have returned to Montrose’s luxury market, driving median sale prices from $1.198 million in June to an impressive $1.45 million in July, even as available inventory increased from 17 to 26 active listings. The resurgence of multiple-offer situations and accelerated closing timelines demonstrates buyer confidence in the area’s long-term value proposition.
Professional staging and strategic marketing have become critical differentiators in capturing buyer attention quickly. Vic Markarian, experienced real estate agent in Montrose, CA, emphasizes that successful sellers are those who invest in presenting their properties optimally from day one. The Vic Markarian Realty Group’s approach combines Vic’s engineering precision with comprehensive team support, ensuring properties stand out in competitive conditions. Their trac ...
Read More
home seller, selling homes, competitiveness, real estate advice for 2025, real estate tips 2025, real estate trends 2025, seller tips 2025, housing market 2026, real estate market 2026, home seller tips 2026
