housing market Archives - Real Estate News and Commentary

September 4, 2025September 4, 2025

Transitional Market Home Selling

Selling Your Home in a Transitional Market: A Smart Strategy

The housing market is always moving. With the large influx of home listings this year, and more cautious buyers, it gives the feeling that the housing market is in transition. In a transitional market, some homes sell quickly with multiple offers, while other homes sit on the market for much longer than anticipated. If you’re planning to sell your home in a transitional market, the key is having the right strategy. Here’s an approach that can help you stay ahead of the competition.

1. Price with Today in Mind

One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is pricing based on yesterday’s market. If buyer demand is slowing, you don’t want your home sitting unsold for weeks. The best pricing strategy is to look at what’s happening right now. Check the stats for your neighborhood: the most recent sales, buyer activity, and the number of homes on the market. A fair and realistic price can actually attract more buyers and create stronger offers.

2. Focus on Presentation

If you’re trying to get top dollar for your home, also focus on how your home looks. In a market where buyers have more choices, an over-priced home that needs work does not attract buyers. Start with the simple things such as decluttering, some paint, and minor repairs. Consider limited staging. Virtual staging is easier than ever with AI. First impressions, both online and in person, are powerful.

3. Be Flexible with Terms

It’s not always about the price. Offering flexibility with closing dates, repairs, and buyer closing costs, can make your home more alluring. Buyers typically appreciate sellers who work with them to make the process smoother.

4. Market Smarter, Not Louder

In a transitional market, simply putting a “For Sale” sign in the yard isn’t enough. High-quality photos, video tours, and targeted online marketing help your home reach homebuyers. Your agent should have a plan to highlight your home’s strengths and get it in front of motivated buyers.

5. Partner with a Pro

Every market shift is different. A seasoned experienced agent who can decipher the local trends can guide you on timing, pricing, and marketing. They’ll help you avoid the mistakes, and make sure your home stands out from the competition.

Final Thought

Home selling can be stressful, but in selling in a transitional market can add additional anxiety. Selling in a transitional market doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right strategy, you can attract homebuyers and move forward with confidence.

What’s your home worth?

By Dan Krell

Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

August 20, 2025August 20, 2025

Is Another Real Estate Bubble on the Horizon

With home prices hitting record highs in many markets, it’s no surprise that “real estate bubble” talk is making the rounds again. But is today’s market truly on the brink of a collapse like we saw in 2008? Although the answer is likely to be “no,” there is some nuanced data to consider.

Is Another Real Estate Bubble on the Horizon

Is There Another Real Estate Bubble on the Horizon?

Unlike the crash of 2008, today’s lending environment is far more regulated. Buyers are generally more qualified, with stronger credit profiles and larger down payments. Inventory continues to be historically low, and demographic demand (highlighted by Millennials entering peak homebuying years) is keeping upward pressure on prices.

That said, increased interest rates over the past year have cooled affordability, causing pricing corrections in some overheated markets. While a nationwide crash seems unlikely in the near term, there are several regional markets that could see sharper declines, especially where prices have far outpaced income growth.

Real Estate Cycles

According to Ted Nicolais, there are defined cycles to the real estate market. Nicolais maps out the cycles as follows:

The first phase is the “recovery.” Home prices are at the bottom, and demand increases. Available real estate units decrease while economic activity increases.

The second phase is the “expansion.” Housing inventories dwindle, there is little is available to buy, and finding a rental becomes difficult. Until new/additional inventory is added, price growth accelerates. During a real estate boom, people are willing to pay escalating prices because of limited inventory, and the prospect of “future growth”

Phase three is “hyper supply.” When housing demand begins to be satisfied, inventories fist stabilizes and then swells. Price growth slows.

Phase four is the “recession.” Occupancy rates and home prices fall.

Things to consider:

Housing inventory is still below average.
Mortgage interest rates are already declining from recent highs. Some experts have talked about future Fed rate cuts.
The National Association of Realtors June Housing snapshot indicated a 2 percent median increase in home prices.

The Bottom Line

It’s true, the housing market does feel different than it has over the last few years. But it’s unlikely that we are headed for a full blown bubble bust like we saw in 2008. And given the indicators, housing will continue to cycle through the expansion phase in the near future.

Housing has been in the midst of a market adjustment from the extremes of recent years, which is not a full-blown bubble burst. For buyers, this could mean more negotiating room. For sellers, pricing strategy will be key in the months ahead. Staying informed and working with an experienced agent can help you navigate whatever comes next.

What’s your home worth?

By Dan Krell

July 18, 2025July 18, 2025

Market Slowing Down – What this means

Is the Housing Market Slowing Down? What That Means for You

The red flags are waving and there’s whispers of on the streets: the housing market may be cooling. After years of dizzying climbs, bidding wars, and sight-unseen offers, the pace is finally easing. But is this truly a slowdown, a healthy reset, or just a pause?

Signs of a Changing Housing Market

In many parts of the country, homes are taking longer to sell. Days on market are ticking up, price cuts are becoming more common, and buyers, once frantic, are now cautious, weighing rising mortgage costs against the fear of overpaying.

But it’s important to see this in context. After the frenzied, almost feverish market of the past few years, what we’re witnessing might simply be a return to normal. A market slowing down, where buyers can pause to breathe, sellers may need to be realistic, and negotiation, once a lost art, becomes relevant again.

What This Means for Buyers

If you’re a buyer who’s been sidelined by steep prices and stiff competition, this shift could finally open the door. You may see fewer bidding wars and more opportunities to inspect, deliberate, and perhaps even negotiate on price or repairs. Still, with rates holding steady at higher levels, smart budgeting remains crucial.

What This Means for Sellers

For sellers, it’s a gentle reminder that strategy matters. Pricing your home based on hopeful headlines from last year may lead to longer waits and inevitable reductions. The silver lining? Serious buyers are still out there. Homes that show well and are priced right continue to move, just perhaps not in a weekend.

A Balanced Perspective

Markets evolve and are cyclical. What matters most is having a plan tailored to today’s conditions, not last year’s headlines. Whether buying or selling, working with an agent who understands these subtle shifts can make all the difference, helping you navigate this nuanced new landscape with confidence.

Thinking of making a move? Have a meaningful conversation with your agent about your local market, and what this “slowdown” really means for you.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2025

What’s your home worth?

May 20, 2025May 20, 2025

A Shifting Landscape

April 2025 Housing Market Report: A Shifting Landscape in Maryland-DC

The April 2025 housing market across the Maryland and DC Metro region paints a portrait of contradiction: inventory surged, buyer activity softened, and yet home prices pressed higher into record territory. This complex dynamic reflects a shifting landscape influenced by economic turbulence, workforce reductions, and a widespread push for return-to-office policies.

As the spring market unfolds, buyers and sellers find themselves navigating unfamiliar territory, where more choices and longer market times coexist with rising prices and regional volatility.

Inventory Surge: A Turning Point for Supply

The most defining trend of April was a nearly 50% year-over-year increase in active listings. With many more homes on the market by month’s end, buyers suddenly have options that were virtually nonexistent in the hyper-competitive climate of recent years. This expansion of supply is largely attributed to broader economic pressures and job-related relocations.

This dramatic uptick in inventory has begun to reshape the negotiation landscape, subtly shifting leverage away from sellers,though not enough to bring prices down just yet.

Persistent Caution

Despite the newfound abundance of homes, buyer enthusiasm has tempered. New pending sales were down 6.6% from April 2024, revealing that elevated mortgage rates, job insecurity, and broader market hesitancy are suppressing demand.

Prices Press Higher

In what may seem counterintuitive, median home prices hit a new record in April. The regional median reached $655,215,up 2.4% year-over-year,underscoring how limited housing availability in prior years continues to ripple through pricing.

This resilience signals that while demand has softened, sellers are still commanding strong prices,especially in premium or well-located properties.

Time on Market & Months of Supply: A Market in Transition

Homes are lingering slightly longer: the median days on market ticked up by 1 day overall, with condos seeing the most pronounced slowdown (+4 days). Correspondingly, months of supply increased to 2.36, up 0.74 months year-over-year,signaling movement toward a more balanced market.

While these numbers remain seller-friendly by historical standards, they mark a shift from the frantic pace of the past three years.

What It All Means

The April 2025 data reflects a housing market rebalancing rather than retreating. Inventory is rising, giving buyers breathing room. Prices remain firm, sustained by years of under-supply and cautious sellers. And while economic factors like job security and interest rates weigh heavily, they haven’t yet tipped the scales into a buyer’s market.

Looking Ahead: What to Watch

As we move deeper into the spring and summer selling seasons, several key questions will shape the trajectory of the market:

Will mortgage rates drop meaningfully enough to stimulate buyer demand?
Will the surge in inventory stabilize or continue to grow?
How will job market uncertainty,especially in government-heavy areas,affect buyer behavior?

One thing is clear: in 2025, the Maryland-DC Metro housing market is no longer a sprint. It’s a shifting landscape that requires a strategic game; where timing, property type, and location matter more than ever.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2025

Homes for sale.

February 13, 2024February 13, 2024

Low inventory home buyer strategies

I’ve written about the low housing inventory phenomenon many times over the course of a decade. I’ve also written about low inventory home buyer strategies in the past. Yes, this has been an issue for that long, although it has ebbed and surged. One consequence has been that many potential homebuyers have stayed away from the market, waiting for conditions to improve.

Low inventory home buyer strategies

Housing market conditions have left many homebuyers frustrated over the last few years. The outlook isn’t that much better this year. Housing inventory shortages will likely continue to hold buyer activity in check.

Although it is expected that many more homes will be sold this year compared to last, the pent up buyer demand will impact the average number of homes on the market at any given time. In plain language, on the current trajectory homes will continue to sell quickly and at appreciating prices.

Are you one of those still waiting for the housing market conditions to tip in favor homebuyers? Or are you just entering the market? Regardless, low inventory home buyer strategies, such as being prepared and proactive, will help you on your home buying journey.

If you’re paying cash for the home, make sure you have access to your funds (or prepared to get access) prior to entering into a contract. Having assets doesn’t necessarily mean it’s liquid or easily accessed. Ask for the process to get your funds from the institution holding your assets.

If you’re getting a mortgage, get preapproved. Having a preapproval will not only help you create a buying budget, it will give you a head start on the buying process. The preapproval letter attached to your offer tells the home seller the bank will give you loan based on the information they reviewed.

If you’re planning on working with a real estate agent, choose your agent before you start visiting open houses. Not knowing if and with whom you’re working can create an unnecessary delay on making an offer. Delays can put you out of the running if there is a tight deadline for offers.

That said, be prepared to make an offer quickly. Communicate to your agent your offer in price and terms. Most likely, the agent can quickly send the offer to the listing agent by having you electronically sign it.

It’s likely that your first (or subsequent) offer won’t be accepted, especially in a multiple offer situation. Always have a plan B, C, and D, which may include looking for off-market homes for sale, and the possibility of renting.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2024

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