Empire Fine Homes

11/02/2026

Who’s Buying Homes with Cash Right Now?

More than 1 in 4 homes are being bought with cash right now. But here's something that might surprise you about who's buying them.

It's not just wealthy investors swooping in with deep pockets.

A lot of these cash buyers are everyday homeowners who've built up serious equity over the years. And that equity is giving them more buying power than they may have ever imagined.

According to Cotality, the average homeowner with a mortgage has about $310,000 in equity.

Think about what that could mean for your next move.

You might have enough equity to buy your next home outright. No mortgage payment. No worrying about today's interest rates.

And even if you can't pay all cash, that equity could help you borrow significantly less.

But what if you're buying with a mortgage?

Here's some good news: Nearly 3 out of 4 homebuyers are still using financing. You're actually in the majority.

So don't let the headlines about cash buyers make you second-guess what's possible for you. Whether you're buying your first home or using equity to make your next move, there may be more opportunities than you think.

Wondering how you stack up in today's market? Send me a message. Let's talk about your options.

10/31/2026

If you love historic homes, this Rhode Island property is something special, with its Victorian architecture, original details, and beautiful views overlooking Narragansett Bay.

There's a remarkable piece of Rhode Island history on the market in Narragansett. Originally built in 1880 as a private social club, the historic Reading Room has been transformed into a five-bedroom waterfront residence filled with Victorian character. The property features restored hardwood floors...

10/30/2026

It’s tempting to turn a state ranking into a local market talking point. The more useful conversation is what a client can actually qualify for now, since their loan terms won’t be set by a map.

FOX 29 summarizes a WalletHub ranking of mortgage rate changes across all 50 U.S. states between the first and second quarters of 2026. WalletHub reports increases in 37 states and declines in 13, based on its own user data. For realtors, the map can provide context for a conversation about regional...

10/29/2026

If you’re on a fixed income — like many people in retirement — controlling your expenses becomes more important than ever.

If you’re on a fixed income — like many people in retirement — controlling your expenses becomes more important than ever. One way to do that? Living somewhere with a lower cost of living. That’s part of the thinking behind finance website WalletHub’s 2026 ranking of Best and Worst States ...

10/28/2026

If you’re comparing luxury markets, this map shows how widely prices vary among each state’s most expensive ZIP codes, even within the same country.

If you’re exploring luxury property markets across the United States, this map puts each state’s priciest ZIP code side by side. Florida and California lead the comparison, while places such as Sagaponack, Alpine, and Teton Village also feature prominently. The contrast with Southern and Midwest...

10/27/2026

Good investing doesn’t always come from chasing the next big trend — often it comes from discipline, patience, and clear decision-making.

This BiggerPockets episode featuring Chad Carson focuses on the mindset and strategies behind long-term real estate success. The conversation highlights practical lessons around discipline, consistent action, and building wealth through steady decision-making rather than hype. It’s a useful remind...

10/26/2026

Confused by Home Price Headlines? Here’s Why.

Home prices just dropped $14,000 in two months. So, is the housing market finally getting cheaper? Not so fast. Because there's a lot more to this story than the headlines are telling you.

According to HousingWire, the national median asking price fell from $449,000 to $435,000 since August.

But here's the twist: that's what sellers are asking for their homes. Not necessarily what buyers are paying. And when you look at actual sales prices, things get even more interesting.

Over the past year, home prices in Chicago climbed almost 7%. Meanwhile, prices in Seattle dipped 1.6%.

Same housing market. Two very different stories.

And that's exactly why making your next move based on national headlines could be a mistake.

So, here's my question: Do you know what home prices are actually doing in your neighborhood?

Drop your town or city in the comments or send me a DM. I'll help you find out.

10/26/2026

If selling is somewhere in your future, a few everyday issues around your home could make a bigger impression on buyers than you might expect.

Sometimes it’s the everyday things around a home that are easiest to overlook. This list highlights 10 issues that could make your property less appealing to future buyers or potentially affect how they perceive its value. The good news is that paying attention to maintenance, presentation and the...

10/24/2026

Angelina Jolie has sold her sprawling Los Angeles pad for $24.75 million—months after putting the opulent property on the market and confessing she wants to leave the U.S. for good.

Jolie, 51, purchased the extraordinary dwelling, which was once home to iconic filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, for $24.5 million in 2017, less than a year after she filed for divorce from fellow on-screen star Brad Pitt, and it has served as her primary residence ever since.

10/24/2026

Queens multifamily prices are flat, while listings pile up and homes sit longer. With more choices and room to negotiate, this may be the most buyer-friendly quarter of the market.