Tshika Jones- Broker/ Realtor

08/15/2026

Mortgage rates aren’t random. They’re affected by 2 numbers.

The 10-year treasury yield and something called "the spread." That's the gap between the 10-year treasury yield and mortgage rates, and it usually sits around 1.76 percentage points.

Back in 2023, the gap in the spread ballooned up to 3.19 in response to economic uncertainty. If it were still that wide today, rates would be pushing almost 8%.

But the good news is the gap has narrowed to 2.01 (a lot closer to the long-term norm). And that’s a big positive for rates. It’s why today’s mortgage rate is in the upper 6s instead of touching 8%.

Here's the part a lot of people miss. Where rates are right now are already pretty close to what a totally normal spread would produce – a mortgage rate around 6.5%.

In other words, the fact that the spread has narrowed in recent years has helped mortgage rates. Sure, they’re still higher than you may want, but it could be worse.

Wondering if...

08/13/2026

Here’s Why Mortgage Rates Are What They Are Right Now

That’s the trade-off with a narrowing spread. Rates may not be where you want them, but they're better than they could've been. If you want help figuring out what that means for your monthly payment, reach out to a local lender

If you're waiting for mortgage rates to fall a lot before you buy, you may be waiting a while.

08/08/2026

Think big investors are snapping up all the homes? The data says otherwise.

The largest institutional investors are now selling more homes than they're buying – and the gap is growing every quarter.

That means those homes are going back on the market for regular buyers. And since big investors tend to own lower-priced homes, a lot of them are right in the range first-time buyers want.

Less competition. More options for you.

DM me and I'll show you what's hitting the market in our area.

08/06/2026

Big Investors Are Backing Off and That’s Your Opening

Big investors are stepping back, and they're adding homes to the market as they go. If you've been waiting for a better shot at buying, this could be it. Let’s connect so you can see what's popping up in our area. You may have more options than you think.

For years, a lot of would-be homebuyers have worried about the same thing. How do you compete with big investors who can swoop in, pay cash, and snap up the houses you want?

08/01/2026

Home Price Growth Slowed Down. That May Be Changing.

Home price growth slowed way down, and now it's showing early signs of picking back up. Whether you're buying or selling, let's connect so you can see exactly what prices are doing in our local market and what that means for your plans.

After more than a year of headlines talking about how home prices are going to crash, the latest data shows that price growth may be starting to pick back up again.

07/30/2026

Did home prices just hit a turning point?

Even though all the headlines out there make it sound like prices are crashing, here’s what the data really says.

Yes, price growth cooled from around 7% in mid-2024 to closer to 3% today. But that’s not a crash. It’s just a slowdown.

And if you look at the right side of this graph, it seems like price growth may have hit its low point and started to turn.

Now, two months of data doesn’t necessarily make a trend. But a few things back this up.

Compared to earlier this year, fewer markets are seeing price declines right now. And, forecasts call for price growth to pick up a bit before end of year.

Whether you’re buying or selling, I want you to have breaking info like this as soon as I have it – especially when it looks like something is changing.

DM me "PRICES" and I'll show you exactly what home prices are doing in our local market and what that means for you.

07/25/2026

Sticker shock keeping you on the sidelines? Condos might help.

The median condo sold for $380,000 in June, while the median single-family home went for $446,400. That's a gap of more than $66,000.

Part of that is because condos are usually smaller. But that's exactly the point. Smaller square footage can mean a smaller price tag.

So, if you can make less space work for your life, it may work for your budget, too.

For a lot of buyers, especially first-timer buyers, a condo or townhome is the difference between waiting and owning.

Curious what condos and townhomes are selling for in our area? Drop a comment or send me a DM, and I'll put together a list that fits your budget.

07/23/2026

Priced Out? A Condo or Townhome Could Be Your Way In.

A condo or townhome could be your path to owning a home without blowing your budget. Let’s connect to see what's for sale in our area and figure out which type of home fits your lifestyle, and your bottom line.

Today's home prices have a lot of buyers – especially first-time buyers – wondering if there’s even anything out there that’s in their budget.

07/18/2026

One of the biggest seller myths floating around right now is that buyers have disappeared.
The headlines certainly make it feel that way.

But here's what the data actually says.

More homes are going under contract right now than they were at this point the last two years.

And here's how that's possible. Life doesn't wait for perfect mortgage rates. People still get married. Families grow. Jobs change.

At some point, waiting becomes harder than moving. So serious buyers still take the plunge.

So, if you've been wondering whether there are still buyers out there...

There are.

The key is knowing how to position your house to stand out in today's market. Send me a message if you want some advice on what it would take to get your house sold right now.

07/16/2026

Think Nobody's Buying Homes Right Now? Think Again.

This year's housing market may be moving slower than many of us hoped. But, buyer demand is more resilient than the headlines suggest.

If you're wondering whether there are enough buyers for your house, let's connect. I'll show you what's happening in our local market and build a strategy that helps you take advantage of the momentum that's already here.

If you've been thinking about selling, you've probably seen plenty of headlines suggesting buyers have just about disappeared.