Mary Helene Mason, Realtor, Burns & Co Inc. Realtors

06/05/2026

The Mid-Year Housing Market Update: Why Forecasts Changed in 2026

The housing market hasn’t rebounded as quickly as experts originally hoped. But that doesn’t mean it’s stalled.

Higher inflation and lingering economic uncertainty caused economists to revise their forecasts for this year. But importantly, when those two things settle down, many experts believe the market will regain its momentum.

So don’t see this revision in forecasts as a sign of trouble. See it as a temporary reaction to overall conditions and uncertainty.

If you want to know what’s happening in our local market, and what it could mean for your plans for the rest of this year, let’s connect.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

If the housing market feels confusing right now, you’re not alone.

06/04/2026

Smaller homes are having a moment.

That’s because affordability is tight and, for many buyers, smaller is what fits the budget. And builders are listening.

Newly built homes have been trending smaller since 2014 – and that’s on purpose.

They're more affordable than larger homes. And many come with built-in community amenities like walking trails, fitness centers, and even co-working spaces, so less space still delivers.

If you've been feeling priced out of bigger homes, a smaller one could fit your budget and your lifestyle. And with brand-new everything, it may not feel like as much of a compromise as you think.

DM me to walk through what's available in our area.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

06/02/2026

What Waiting To Buy a Home Could Cost You

Stuck deciding whether to buy now or wait? Waiting too long could cost you a sizeable nest egg. Buying your first home at 30 (instead of 40) could give you $119,000 more in net worth by age 50. Wondering if now’s your moment? Let’s chat. 



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

06/01/2026

You’ve probably heard of the Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan. But do you know what it offers?

In a recent survey, 68% of Veterans didn’t know they may be able to buy a home with zero money down. 77% didn’t know PMI isn’t always required.

Many also have no idea they may be able to count their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) as income.

Any of those VA loan benefits could make homeownership more achievable than you realize.

If you’ve served (or know someone who has), get in touch with a trusted lender for more information on VA home loan options and what you may qualify for.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

05/29/2026

The Real Reason Some People Are Still Moving Right Now

Life changes. Priorities shift. Families grow. Kids move out. Careers evolve. And eventually, the house you’re in may stop fitting the life you’re living.

If that’s been weighing on you lately, let’s talk through what your options could realistically look like today, no matter where rates or prices are.

Life can’t always wait for perfect market conditions. Maybe you don’t have to either.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

You may be telling yourself you’re going to wait to move – maybe you’re hoping mortgage rates will come down, prices will fall, or the market will feel a little easier.

05/28/2026

After a year or more of rates coming down, things have changed. And lately, mortgage rates have been climbing again.

And if that's made you wonder whether you should delay your move until they drop, you're not the only one.

The honest truth is that rates probably won't come down much until inflation cools off and some of the global uncertainty settles. And no one knows exactly when that'll be.

But what most headlines won't tell you is that rates aren't the only thing that affects affordability. Sure, they’re a big factor, but not all of the affordability news is bad.

Wages, home prices, and inventory are all trending in a direction that could still help make your move possible.

Want to know what that actually looks like for your situation? Drop a comment or send me a DM.

Because even though rates are higher...



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

05/26/2026

Price Cuts Get Bigger the Longer a House Sits Without Offers

Pricing your house high just to “see what happens” can cost you. Buyers today are quick to ignore overpriced homes. And the longer a house sits without any offers, the less it usually sells for. Want to know the right list price for your house to avoid this headache? Let’s chat.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

05/25/2026

Record High Mortgage Debt Sounds Scary. Here’s What the Headlines Leave Out.

Record mortgage debt makes for a scary headline. But context matters.

Equity is near an all-time high, home values have surged, and the vast majority of homeowners are in a position of real financial strength. The conditions that made 2008 a crisis simply don't exist right now.

If you're wondering what all of this means for your situation, whether you're thinking about buying, selling, or just trying to make sense of the market, reach out anytime. No pressure, just answers.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.

You may have seen the headlines lately about mortgage debt in America hitting a record high.

05/22/2026

You've probably heard that mortgage debt in America just hit an all-time high. And that's true.
But here's what the headline leaves out.

Equity is also near an all-time high. And at $34.1 trillion, it's more than double the $14.4 trillion in debt.

That's a good thing. It means most homeowners own far more than they owe. So, they have a real financial cushion right now.

That’s something homeowners didn’t have during the crash of 2008. Back then, people owed more than their homes were worth. Today, it’s just the opposite.

Homeowners are in a much better position, and the housing market is on stronger footing than the headlines suggest.



Mary Helene McCowan Mason
Realtor Burns & Company INC/ REALTORS
225-938-7785 Cell
LREC Licensed to sell Real Estate in La.