Kara Lushear - Real Estate Advisor

06/02/2026

What Waiting To Buy a Home Could Cost You

Stuck deciding whether to buy now or wait? Waiting too long could cost you a sizeable nest egg. Buying your first home at 30 (instead of 40) could give you $119,000 more in net worth by age 50. Wondering if now’s your moment? Let’s chat. 

06/02/2026

Smaller homes are having a moment.

That’s because affordability is tight and, for many buyers, smaller is what fits the budget. And builders are listening.

Newly built homes have been trending smaller since 2014 – and that’s on purpose.

They're more affordable than larger homes. And many come with built-in community amenities like walking trails, fitness centers, and even co-working spaces, so less space still delivers.

If you've been feeling priced out of bigger homes, a smaller one could fit your budget and your lifestyle. And with brand-new everything, it may not feel like as much of a compromise as you think.

DM me to walk through what's available in our area.

QUESTIONS ABOUT REAL ESTATE? REACH OUT TODAY!
Kara Lushear, Real Estate Advisor
Coldwell Banker Realty • Winter Springs • Oviedo
321-663-5550 • [email protected]

06/01/2026

Less House, More Home: Why Smaller Homes Are Paying Off for Today’s Buyers

Today’s smaller single-family homes and condos have more going for them than the square footage suggests. They can give your budget some breathing room and put you in a community designed with lifestyle in mind.

Curious about the options in our area? Let's connect.

You started shopping with a specific mental image of your future home in your mind. Then the houses in your budget came in smaller than you pictured.

06/01/2026

June is National Homeownership Month, and it’s a powerful reminder of why this work matters. 🏡 Helping clients step into a place they can truly call home never gets old.

From first-time buyers to move-up moves and forever homes, every closing marks the start of a new chapter.

If homeownership is one of your goals this year, let’s create a plan to make it happen.

05/30/2026

A lot of people have been waiting for rates to drop or prices to come down before making a move. But the reality is, sometimes life changes before the market does.
A growing family.
An empty nest.
A new job.
Retirement.
Needing to be closer to loved ones.

Those are the real reasons 1 in 5 buyers last year said they felt like they had to move, no matter the market. Because life doesn't wait for the timing to be perfect.

And if that’s where you are right now, you can still move. You may even have more options than you think. You just need someone who can help you find them.

QUESTIONS ABOUT REAL ESTATE? REACH OUT TODAY!
Kara Lushear, Real Estate Advisor
Coldwell Banker Realty • Winter Springs • Oviedo
321-663-5550 • [email protected]

05/28/2026

You’ve probably heard of the Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan. But do you know what it offers?

In a recent survey, 68% of Veterans didn’t know they may be able to buy a home with zero money down. 77% didn’t know PMI isn’t always required.

Many also have no idea they may be able to count their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) as income.

Any of those VA loan benefits could make homeownership more achievable than you realize.

If you’ve served (or know someone who has), get in touch with a trusted lender for more information on VA home loan options and what you may qualify for.

QUESTIONS ABOUT REAL ESTATE? REACH OUT TODAY!
Kara Lushear, Real Estate Advisor
Coldwell Banker Realty • Winter Springs • Oviedo
321-663-5550 • [email protected]

05/28/2026

Staged homes often sell faster and attract more buyer interest, and for good reason. A well-staged home helps buyers visualize the space, highlights key features, and creates a strong first impression both online and in person.

Here's the impact:

🛋️ Makes rooms feel more spacious and functional
📸 Enhances listing photos and marketing appeal
💡 Helps buyers emotionally connect to the home

Staging isn’t just about design—it’s a strategic step that can influence how quickly and successfully a home sells.

Reach out to learn how to prepare your home to stand out in today’s market!

05/28/2026

The Real Reason Some People Are Still Moving Right Now

Life changes. Priorities shift. Families grow. Kids move out. Careers evolve. And eventually, the house you’re in may stop fitting the life you’re living.

If that’s been weighing on you lately, let’s talk through what your options could realistically look like today, no matter where rates or prices are.

Life can’t always wait for perfect market conditions. Maybe you don’t have to either.

You may be telling yourself you’re going to wait to move – maybe you’re hoping mortgage rates will come down, prices will fall, or the market will feel a little easier.

05/27/2026

After a year or more of rates coming down, things have changed. And lately, mortgage rates have been climbing again.

And if that's made you wonder whether you should delay your move until they drop, you're not the only one.

The honest truth is that rates probably won't come down much until inflation cools off and some of the global uncertainty settles. And no one knows exactly when that'll be.

But what most headlines won't tell you is that rates aren't the only thing that affects affordability. Sure, they’re a big factor, but not all of the affordability news is bad.

Wages, home prices, and inventory are all trending in a direction that could still help make your move possible.

Want to know what that actually looks like for your situation? Drop a comment or send me a DM.

Because even though rates...

QUESTIONS ABOUT REAL ESTATE? REACH OUT TODAY!
Kara Lushear, Real Estate Advisor
Coldwell Banker Realty • Winter Springs • Oviedo
321-663-5550 • [email protected]

05/27/2026

The Truth About Affordability Today

Yes, rates have been volatile, and global instability is keeping them from settling down anytime soon. There’s no sugar coating that. But the full picture of affordability is more nuanced than the headlines suggest.

Want to run the real numbers for your situation? Let's talk. Reach out and let's set up a quick, no-pressure conversation.

Let's be real with each other for a second about affordability.