August 2026

most home sales close – here’s how to keep yours on track

Most Home Sales Close – Here’s How To Keep Yours on Track

Few things are as rattling as the thought of your home sale falling through at the last minute, right before closing. All that waiting, all that progress, out the window. But if you’re getting ready to sell, here’s what you should know. Even in today’s market, it rarely comes to that. Buyers who are moving at today’s rates and prices are generally moving because of some big life change. That means...

texas commercial 01

Why East Texas Commercial Real Estate Deserves a Closer Look

When people think about commercial real estate in Texas, their minds often jump straight to Dallas, Houston, Austin or Fort Worth. Those major markets certainly get plenty of attention, but bigger isn't always better — especially for business owners and investors looking for opportunities with room to grow. East Texas offers a very different commercial real estate environment, and for the right buyer,...

one number could change everything about your next move

One Number Could Change Everything About Your Next Move

When's the last time someone told you what your house is worth? Not what some online valuation tool guessed. Not what your neighbor's house sold for. What yours is actually worth right now. For a lot of homeowners, it's been years. And if you've been thinking about moving, but higher home prices or mortgage rates have made you hesitate, here’s why it’s time to take a second look at that number. Your...

higher rates could actually help housing supply – here’s how.

Higher Rates Could Actually Help Housing Supply – Here’s How.

You may have heard the number of homes for sale isn’t growing like it was. And maybe that has you worried you won’t find a home you love when it’s time to make your move. But that may be about to change. Here’s why your pool of options may actually start ticking back up again. Growth Has Slowed, But It Hasn’t Stopped Active listings were up 2.1% year-over-year in July, according to Realtor.com....

the kind of house buyers are willing to pay more for

The Kind of House Buyers Are Willing To Pay More For

That spare room on the main floor. The finished basement with a kitchenette and its own entrance. The bonus room you've been using for storage. To you, it's extra space. But to a growing pool of buyers, it's the reason they'd pick your house. Here’s why. Multi-generational homebuying is on the rise. Millions of Families Are Living Multi-Generationally The number of multi-generational households is...

texas wildflower bluebonnet and indian paintbrush filed in en

Why Buyers Are Still Looking for Land in East Texas

There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when someone starts looking for land in East Texas. It usually begins with practical questions about acreage, location and price. Then, somewhere along the way, the conversation changes.They start talking about where they'd build the house.Where they'd put the barn.Whether the pond could be stocked.Where the deer are probably moving through the...

who has the upper hand in today's housing market?

Who Has the Upper Hand in Today’s Housing Market?

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...

here’s why mortgage rates are what they are right now

Here’s Why Mortgage Rates Are What They Are Right Now

If you're waiting for mortgage rates to fall a lot before you buy, you may be waiting a while. But before you get discouraged, there's a number working behind the scenes that's actually good for you right now. It's called the spread, and once you understand it, you may see today’s rates in a whole new light. The Pattern That’s Held for 50+ Years For starters, mortgage rates don't move on their own....

the case for putting 20% down on your next home

The Case for Putting 20% Down on Your Next Home

If you’re planning to buy your next home soon, you’ve probably heard the old rule about saving 20% for your down payment. The truth is, you usually don’t have to. Plenty of loan options let qualified buyers put down much less. But a lot of repeat buyers are choosing to put down 20% anyway. So, why are they if they don’t have to? Two reasons. They know a bigger down payment pays off, and after...

waterfront property

Buying Waterfront Property in East Texas: It’s About More Than the View

Waterfront real estate has an unfair advantage.You can walk through twenty houses and remain perfectly rational. You notice the flooring. You inspect the kitchen. You think about the roof, the bedrooms and whether your furniture will fit.Then someone opens the back door of a waterfront home.There's the lake.And suddenly you're picking out where the boat is going to go.It's easy to understand why waterfront...