Elliott Gremillion / Real Estate Broker

09/01/2026

Days on market can tell you more than how long a home has been listed. It may provide clues about demand, pricing, condition, and seller motivation.A newly listed home could require quick action, while one that has been available for several weeks may create an opportunity to ask questions or negotiate.However, the displayed number does not always tell the complete story. A listing can be removed and relisted, causing the DOM counter to restart.Before making an offer, ask your agent to review the property's full listing history and cumulative days on market. Better information can help you evaluate the seller's position, structure a stronger offer, and make a more confident buying decision.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/ElliottGremillion/2026/09/01/What-Buyers-Should-Know-About-Days-on-Market

08/25/2026

If you have the ability to make a large principal payment and want to lower your monthly mortgage payment, recasting may be worth asking your lender about. A recast allows some homeowners to keep their existing loan and interest rate while the lender recalculates the payment based on the lower loan balance. This can be appealing if your current rate is lower than today's rates. However, recasting is typically only available on conventional, conforming loans, and FHA, VA, and USDA loans are generally not eligible. Refinancing is different because it replaces your current loan with a new one.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/ElliottGremillion/2026/08/25/Mortgage-Recasting-to-Lower-Your-Payment

08/18/2026

Not every renovation pays off when it is time to sell. Some improvements are wonderful if you plan to enjoy them for years, but they may not add enough resale value to recover the cost. Highly personal design choices, luxury upgrades, removing functional space, or over-improving for the neighborhood can all limit your return. Before spending a large amount of money, it is smart to look at what buyers in your area actually value. If you are thinking about renovating and want to know which projects may help resale and which ones may not, contact me. I can help you look at your home through a buyer's eyes.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/ElliottGremillion/2026/08/18/Renovations-That-Don-t-Pay-Off

08/11/2026

Your property tax bill is not always fixed from year to year. It can change because of reassessments, local tax rates, improvements to the property, or changes in available exemptions. Many homeowners do not realize they may qualify for exemptions such as homestead, senior, veteran, disability, or other local programs, and some may also have the right to appeal if they believe their assessed value is too high. The key is to review your notice carefully and pay attention to deadlines. If you receive a property tax assessment and want help understanding how your value compares to recent sales, contact me. I can help you look at the real estate side of the numbers.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/ElliottGremillion/2026/08/11/Your-Property-Taxes-Can-Change

08/04/2026

Not every buyer is competing the way they were a few years ago. In some areas, more inventory, longer days on market, and more flexible sellers are creating new opportunities for buyers who felt priced out or pressured before. That does not mean every home is a bargain or that preparation no longer matters. It means buyers may have more room to compare homes, request inspections, negotiate terms, and make a more confident decision. If you paused your home search because the market felt too competitive, this may be a good time to take another look. Contact me and let's talk about what is happening in our local market and what opportunities may be available for you.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/ElliottGremillion/2026/08/04/Not-Every-Buyer-Is-Competing-Anymore

07/28/2026

A home inspection is not about expecting a perfect house. It is about understanding the risks before you make one of the largest purchases of your life. Even homes that look beautiful can have issues with the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC, drainage, or safety items that are not obvious during a showing. The inspection helps you separate small maintenance concerns from larger problems and gives you the information needed to make a confident decision. If you are thinking about buying, I can help you understand how the inspection process works and how to use it wisely as part of your overall buying strategy.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/ElliottGremillion/2026/07/28/How-Important-Is-the-Home-Inspection

07/25/2026

Adventures in Real Estate....Only in East Texas!

07/21/2026

When parents plan to leave their home to their children, it is easy to focus only on the emotional side of the decision, but the financial and tax details matter too. How the home transfers, whether it is gifted or inherited, how the value is documented, and what the heirs plan to do with the property can all affect the final result. This is not a decision to make casually or with assumptions. It is worth having a conversation with a tax advisor or estate attorney before anything is signed. If your family is discussing what may happen with a parent's home, I would be happy to help you think through the real estate side of the conversation.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/ElliottGremillion/2026/07/21/Why-the-Way-You-Receive-a-Parent-s-Home-Matters

07/14/2026

Many homeowners consider renting their home instead of selling, especially if they have strong equity or a favorable mortgage rate. In some situations, keeping the property as a rental can create long-term wealth and additional income, but it's important to understand the responsibilities, costs, tenant screening, insurance requirements, and local regulations before making the decision. A rental property should be approached like a business investment, not just a backup plan. If you've been wondering whether renting your home could make sense for your situation, let's talk through the pros, cons, and options available to you.

Learn more at https://BetterHomeowners.com/ElliottGremillion/2026/07/14/What-should-you-do-if-you-want-to-rent-your-home

07/13/2026

Some interesting news coming soon from NTREIS!

NTREIS Rewards returns a portion of MLS revenue to participants, with 2025 listing activity and data quality driving July 2026 payouts.