Jennifer Gurnell Real Estate

08/11/2026

🏖️ Dreaming of Your Own Place on the Connecticut Shoreline?

If owning a vacation home or second home has been on your mind, now is the time to start looking.

There’s something very different about owning your own place at the beach. Come down for a spontaneous weekend, stay for the summer, work remotely for a few days, invite the family, or escape whenever you feel like it. Your house. Your schedule.

No restricted rental weeks. No checking availability. Just grab the keys and go. 🌊☀️

From Sachem’s Head and Madison’s beach communities to Fenwick, Cornfield Point, Indian Town and Black Point, the Connecticut Shoreline has some incredible second-home communities, each with its own personality and lifestyle.

And the best part? You don’t necessarily have to be directly on the water to have the beach lifestyle you’re dreaming about.

If a Connecticut Shoreline vacation home, beach house, waterfront property or second home is on your wish list, let’s start looking before the right one hits someone else’s radar.

📲 Jennifer Gurnell
860-227-1212

08/11/2026

Picture it. A getaway that’s all yours, where you’ll build memories with your loved ones year after year. And maybe even retire someday?

A vacation home of your own might be more within reach than you think. Nearly 40% of vacation-home sellers have lowered their asking price recently.

That place you’re imagining? DM, and let’s talk about what’s available there.

08/11/2026

The Case for Putting 20% Down on Your Next Home

So, no. You don't need to put 20% down to buy your next home. But you may want to. If your equity puts it within reach, going bigger can lower your costs and make moving more doable than you think – even with today’s rates.
A trusted lender can run the numbers on your financing. And when you want to know what your current house could add to your next down payment, let's talk.

If you’re planning to buy your next home soon, you’ve probably heard the old rule about saving 20% for your down payment.

08/11/2026

Thinking about buying your dream home? Check out this free guide to make sure you're on the right track!

Make sure you're prepared to buy a home with this free, expert Buyer Guide.

08/10/2026

🏡 Sitting on Home Equity? Your Next Move May Be Closer Than You Think.

If you’ve owned your home for several years, especially here along the Connecticut Shoreline, you may have built up more equity than you realize.

And that equity can become a powerful tool when buying your next home.

Many repeat buyers are using the equity from their current home to make a larger down payment on their next purchase. That can mean:

✔️ A smaller mortgage
✔️ Lower monthly payments
✔️ Less interest paid over time
✔️ More buying power when the right home comes along

So, if higher mortgage rates have made you think, “I can’t afford to move right now,” don’t assume that’s true.

Before you rule out selling, find out what your home may be worth, how much equity you’ve built, and what that could mean for your next purchase.

I’m happy to help you run the numbers and connect you with a trusted local lender. No pressure, just good information so you can make the right decision.

📍 Serving Old Saybrook, Essex, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Guilford, Old Lyme, Lyme, East Lyme, Mystic, Stonington and communities throughout the Connecticut Shoreline.

📲 Jennifer Gurnell | William Raveis Real Estate
860-227-1212

08/10/2026

Buying and selling at the same time and not sure where to start?

With houses staying on the market a little longer these days, selling first could be the right move. It keeps you from juggling two mortgages while you wait for your house to sell.

You’ll also know exactly how much equity you’re walking away with (probably more than you think), and you can put it straight toward your next home.

Not sure where you’d stay in between? That part’s manageable with the right plan.

Let’s talk through the pros and cons. We’ll figure out what makes the most sense for you – and how to make the whole process as stress-free as possible.

08/08/2026

A lot of buyers are waiting because they think mortgage rates will drop dramatically.

The problem? That's not what today's forecasts say is going to happen.

Experts believe mortgage rates will actually stay in the mid to low 6s through 2027 due to a number of factors – including inflation.

What’s that tell me? Waiting may not pay off the way you hope it will.

So, if moving is important to you, I want you to know waiting isn’t your only option.

Builder incentives, adjustable-rate mortgages, assumable mortgages, and rate buydowns are just a few of the strategies worth exploring that could help with affordability right now.

I’m not saying you have to buy today, but you should at least know your options. Let's talk about what could work for you.

08/08/2026

This month, get answers, clarity, and a plan for your next real estate move. Let’s connect.

08/07/2026

Stuck deciding between buying a home now and holding out for the “perfect” mortgage rate?

The truth is, trying to time the market rarely works. Home prices, mortgage rates, and inflation are all outside your control.

And if you wait for all of them to line up just right, you may be waiting a long time.

My advice? If you want or need to move, look at your own numbers instead.

Because whether it's a good time to buy really comes down to your financial situation.

Can you afford the monthly payment?

Do you have enough money left over as a safety net?

What about for repairs?

It’s not a bad time to buy if the math makes sense for you. And that’s true no matter what you’re hearing about the market right now.

Connect with a trusted lender to run the numbers, then let’s chat.

08/06/2026

🎨 Simple Color is Exciting and Sophisticated at the Same Time 🖌️