Peggy Hipolito, Realtor

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United States
Dripping Springs, TX
Peggy Hipolito, Realtor

Real estate professional specializing in Hays County, the Hill Country, and surrounding areas of Austin, Texas. Helping you relocate, build, and invest.

06/05/2026

When people ask me 'what's the market doing?' they usually mean: is my home worth more or less than it was a year ago?

Nationally, home prices are up 2.2% in 2026. That's modest — far from the 15–20% surges of 2021 — but it's growth, and it's stable.

But here's what that national number doesn't tell you:

Prices are not moving evenly. The $750K–$1M range has seen more gains. The under-$400K range is still competitive but price growth has moderated. New construction in previously hot markets like parts of Texas and Florida has actually softened due to oversupply.

What IS selling:
Homes that are priced at or just below comparable sales. Homes that are move-in ready. Homes with outdoor living space. Homes within 30 minutes of major employment centers.

What is NOT selling:
Homes priced based on 2022 comps. Homes with deferred maintenance and no price adjustment. Homes in neighborhoods that have seen a surge of similar listings.

The national number is a headline. Your home's value is a conversation. DM me your address and let's have a real one.

06/04/2026

Here's a data point that got buried in the noise but deserves your full attention.

For the first time since 2022, the typical mortgage payment as a share of median household income has dropped below 30%. That's the threshold economists use to define affordability — and crossing it is meaningful.

So what changed? Mortgage rates have eased from their 2023 peak of 7%+ to around 6.3%. Incomes have continued to grow. And home price appreciation has slowed to a modest 2.2% this year rather than the double-digit surges of 2021 and 2022.

None of this means homes are cheap. They're not. The median price is still over $400,000 nationally. But it does mean that the math is working in buyers' favor in a way it hasn't in four years.

If you were waiting for the market to become more manageable — this is as close as it's been since before rates spiked. The question isn't whether the market is perfect. The question is whether the math works for your specific situation right now.

Save this. Share it with someone who's been waiting for a sign.

06/03/2026

Single women now account for 25% of all home purchases in the United States — the second largest buyer group, behind only married couples.

Let that number sink in for a moment.

One in four homes purchased right now is being bought by a woman on her own. And according to NAR, single women have consistently outpaced single male buyers for 40 consecutive years.

NAR's deputy chief economist put it this way: 'They're really making a lot of sacrifices to get into homeownership — and that says to me, it's important to her. She wants to be a homeowner.'

If you're a single woman who has been thinking about buying and wondering if you 'should wait' until there's another income in the picture — this number tells you something important: you don't have to. Hundreds of thousands of women are making this work, on their own terms, every single year.

I work with single buyers regularly and understand the specific questions — down payment strategies, financing on a single income, the right neighborhoods, the right size home. DM me and let's have that conversation.

Tag a woman you know who's been thinking about buying her first home. 🏠

06/02/2026

In 2021 and 2022, buyers were waiving inspections to win bidding wars. That era is over.

In June 2026, home inspections are back — and they're being used strategically. Buyers aren't just using them as a safety check. They're using them as a second negotiation.

Here's how it typically plays out:

Buyer gets an inspection. Inspector finds $8,000 in deferred maintenance — aging HVAC, minor roof wear, plumbing valve that needs replacing. Buyer comes back and asks for either a $6,000 credit or repairs before closing. Seller is caught off guard because they didn't know about any of these issues.

The sellers who are navigating this well in 2026 are the ones who got a pre-listing inspection. They knew what was there. They either fixed it, priced around it, or disclosed it upfront — all of which builds buyer confidence and keeps deals from falling apart.

For buyers: never skip the inspection. Not in this market, not in any market. Your inspector is the best $400 you'll spend in the entire transaction.

For sellers: get ahead of this conversation before your buyer does. DM me 'INSPECT' and I'll send you my pre-listing prep guide.

06/01/2026

If you work from home — even a few days a week — a dedicated home office isn't a luxury. It's a lifestyle requirement. And the market knows it.

Buyers in 2026 are specifically searching for:
📚 Built-in bookshelves and storage
🔌 Wiring for multiple monitors
🔇 Sound insulation from shared spaces
💡 Good natural light without glare on screens
📶 Whole-home Wi-Fi connectivity

For sellers: if you have a home office, stage it like one. Don't let it look like a storage room. Buyers will pay more for a space that feels functional, not theoretical.

What does your ideal home office look like? Drop it in the comments 👇

05/29/2026

A HomeLight survey of top real estate agents found that 58% say buyers are requesting closing cost credits from sellers. Not some buyers. Majority of buyers.

This is the 2026 market reality: buyers are stretched. They're managing high purchase prices, 6%+ rates, and moving costs all at once. When they can get the seller to cover $8,000–12,000 in closing costs, that's money they can keep in their pocket for reserves or immediate improvements.

For buyers: this is a legitimate ask — put it in your offer and let your agent negotiate it properly.

For sellers: budgeting for this concession in advance means you won't be blindsided. Price your home to account for it, and watch your deal sail through to closing.

Questions about your specific situation? Drop them below or DM me directly.

05/28/2026

Houzz's 2026 renovation report revealed something striking: nearly two-thirds of homeowners plan to stay in their homes for 11 years or more — and they're designing for it.

This means the most in-demand homes right now have:
• Single-level layouts (or main-floor primary suites)
• Curbless showers and grab bars in bathrooms
• Wider hallways and doorways
• In-law suites or ADUs (accessory dwelling units)
• Flexible bonus rooms that can become a bedroom

For sellers: these features are worth highlighting loudly — they appeal to the fastest-growing buyer segment. For buyers: future-proof your purchase by thinking about who might live there in 10 years.

Is multigenerational living something you're planning for? Comment below.

05/27/2026

In 2026, buyers are patient. They're doing deep research online before they even schedule a tour. They know what comparable homes sold for. They know your price history. And if your home is overpriced, they'll simply scroll past it.

Homes that don't go under contract within 2 weeks start to collect a stigma — buyers wonder what's wrong with it. That stigma costs you more than pricing it right from day one.

If you're thinking about selling this spring, let's talk about your real number — not the one you wish for, the one that actually gets you to closing. DM me 'PRICE' to get started.

05/26/2026

People are searching 'Is 2026 a good time to buy a home?' more than ever. So let me answer the top 5 questions I'm seeing:

1. Are mortgage rates dropping? Forecasts say closer to 6% by year end.
2. Should I waive the inspection? Absolutely not — 44% of deals now include seller concessions.
3. Can I still negotiate? Yes. More than you could in 3 years.
4. Do I need 20% down? No — let's talk real options.
5. Is now too late? The best time was 5 years ago. The second best is now.

Save this post. Share it with a friend who's been asking these questions.

05/22/2026

Here's a truth that stings: 9 out of 10 buyers start their home search online. If your listing photos are dark, blurry, taken with a phone, or shot with the toilet lid up — buyers click away in 2 seconds and never come back.

The 2026 market has raised the bar. Buyers are comparing your listing side by side with 20 others in the same price range. Professional photography, a proper floor plan, and ideally a video walkthrough aren't extras — they're the minimum.

When I list your home, this is non-negotiable. Your first impression happens online, and it needs to be outstanding. DM me to see examples of how I market my listings.

Address

Dripping Springs, TX
78620

Telephone

+15125696081

Website

http://www.peggyhipolito.com/

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