Tiffany McDonald- Broker, Focus on Homes Realty

10/02/2026

Higher mortgage rates are making buyers pay closer attention to one thing: the monthly payment.

And builders know it. Right now, 13.8% of new-construction listings are advertising reduced rates, giving some buyers a way to bring that monthly payment down.

So, if you're selling near new construction, that's something worth paying attention to. But it doesn't mean you automatically need to match what a builder is offering.

Depending on your house, your market, and the buyer, competing could mean negotiating on price, helping with closing costs, offering a rate buydown, or simply doing a better job highlighting what your house offers that a new build doesn't.

The point isn't to give more away. It's to know what you're competing against so you can choose the right strategy from the start.

If you're planning to sell, let's...

As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Tiffany McDonald, Broker
Focus on Homes Realty
817-223-5982 (call or text)

10/01/2026

What Higher Mortgage Rates Mean for Home Sellers

Higher mortgage rates are making buyers more cost-conscious. Builders know that, and many are responding with reduced rate, closing-cost help, price reductions, and other incentives.
If you're thinking about selling, let's look at what buyers are getting from other homes in our area – including new construction – and make sure your house is positioned to compete.

As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Tiffany McDonald, Broker
Focus on Homes Realty
817-223-5982 (call or text)

Higher mortgage rates don't just affect buyers. They can change what it takes to sell your house, too.

09/30/2026

Some of you are scared home prices are about to crash. Others are hoping they will. But will it happen?

Fannie Mae just asked over 100 housing experts where prices are headed through 2030. And the consensus is prices are expected to rise, not crash.

Even the most pessimistic experts still forecast prices will go up 6.6%.

So, whether you're bracing for a crash or hoping for one, the forecast is clear. While some markets may see small short-term declines, home prices are going to keep going up nationally.

Have questions about what this means for your move, or what’s happening locally? Let's chat.

As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Tiffany McDonald, Broker
Focus on Homes Realty
817-223-5982 (call or text)

09/29/2026

More Homes for Sale Now Than Any Time Since 2019

House hunting? You've got more homes to choose from than you've had in years. Right now, the number of homes for sale is the highest it's been since 2019. That's basically back to back to pre-pandemic normal – so there's more to pick from, and it's easier to find one that fits your budget. So, when you’re ready, let’s find your home and negotiate a deal you'll feel good about.

As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Tiffany McDonald, Broker
Focus on Homes Realty
817-223-5982 (call or text)

09/28/2026

Does one size ever really fit all? One mortgage rate doesn't either.

You may be seeing today’s higher rates and worrying about whether it’s still worth it to buy. Here’s what you need to realize…

Mortgage rates differ just like the people who apply for loans. So, the rate you see online isn’t necessarily the one you’d get when you buy.

Your real mortgage rate is specific to your individual situation. It can be higher or lower than what you've seen or heard.

So, don’t assume the rate in the headlines is your rate. Before you decide you can't buy a home or that you should wait, find out what your real rate is. You'll know what your options are and get a map to what's possible.

And a quick conversation with a loan officer is the perfect place to start.

As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Tiffany McDonald, Broker
Focus on Homes Realty
817-223-5982 (call or text)

09/27/2026

There Are 4 Types of Housing Markets Right Now. Which 1 Are You In?

Four different housing markets are running at once: cash buyers, financed buyers, locked-in owners, and builders. Each one plays by its own rules, and the right move for one is exactly the wrong move for another.

Let's figure out which one you're actually in and build your next move from there.

As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Tiffany McDonald, Broker
Focus on Homes Realty
817-223-5982 (call or text)

Today’s housing market splits into four distinct types. You’ve got cash buyers, buyers financing a purchase, owners who feel locked into a low rate, and builders with homes to sell.

09/26/2026

If you’re selling this season, a little effort out front goes a long way. Because the moment a buyer pulls up to a showing, they're already forming an opinion.

But there are a few simple things you can do to nail that first impression. Think tidying up your landscaping, bringing in some seasonal flowers, and sweeping the walkways. Or even just cleaning out the gutters and making sure the path to your door is well lit.

You don’t need to do a big overhaul to get buyers’ attention.

Let’s chat about what people in our area are looking for right now, and get your house prepped to sell this fall.

As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Tiffany McDonald, Broker
Focus on Homes Realty
817-223-5982 (call or text)

09/25/2026

Why So Many Sellers Are Cutting Their Price Right Now

Price cuts are a normal part of today’s housing market, and both buyers and sellers can use them to their advantage. Let's look at what's actually happening with prices in your neighborhood, so you know exactly where you stand before you list or make an offer.

As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Tiffany McDonald, Broker
Focus on Homes Realty
817-223-5982 (call or text)

Price cuts are turning up everywhere right now, and they read very differently depending on which side of the deal you’re on.

09/24/2026

Price cuts have climbed for 7 straight months.

Right now, more than 4 in 10 homes for sale have already had one, and it usually comes down to one thing – the market's moving faster than most sellers expected and their pricing hasn’t necessarily kept up.

A home that needs a cut usually just sat too long priced above what buyers will actually pay right now.

Selling soon? Let's set your number right from day one, so you skip that wasted time.

House hunting? A home that's had its price reduced means the seller's already been through that wait. And sellers who've been sitting are usually ready to deal.

As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Tiffany McDonald, Broker
Focus on Homes Realty
817-223-5982 (call or text)

09/23/2026

Get Your House Buyer-Ready for Fall

Prepping your house to sell this fall and not sure where to focus? Start where buyers do – at the curb. Their first few seconds out front shape how buyers feel about the rest of the house.A few simple touches make a big difference. Freshen up the front door with a new coat of paint, touch up your landscaping or bring in seasonal flowers, sweep the walkways and clean the gutters, and make sure the path to the door is well lit. A great agent knows what today's buyers will notice, and which touch-ups are worth your time. So, let’s connect and get your house ready to turn heads this fall.

As always, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Tiffany McDonald, Broker
Focus on Homes Realty
817-223-5982 (call or text)