Melissa's Home Journal

  When people begin thinking about a move later in life, the focus is often on the house itself. One story instead of two. Less yard work. A smaller footprint. A walk-in shower. Maybe a home that is easier to maintain and better suited for the years ahead. All of those things matter. But there is another part of the decision that is just as important: Where is the home located? Because even the perfect house can become the wrong choice if the location makes everyday life harder. The House Is Only Part of the Picture Recent research on older adults continues to reinforce how important transportation, neighborhood design, and proximity to everyday needs can be. Many older adults still rely heavily on driving, especially in suburban communities. That can work perfectly well today. But it is worth thinking ahead. If driving became more difficult five or ten years from now, could you still get where you need to go? Would someone have to drive you to the grocery store? How far away is yo...

  For years, we’ve heard about the “silver wave” — the growing number of older Americans who will eventually face decisions about where and how they want to live. That wave is no longer somewhere in the distance. It’s here. According to new research from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies , the oldest Baby Boomers are turning 80 in 2026, and the number of households headed by someone age 80 or older is projected to double over the next two decades . That doesn’t mean every older homeowner needs to sell their home. Far from it. But it does mean more families will be having conversations about aging in place, right-sizing, moving closer to family, accessibility, maintenance, caregiving, and what the next chapter should look like. The Hardest Time to Make a Housing Decision Is During a Crisis One thing I’ve learned from working with seniors and their families is that housing decisions are much easier when there is time to think. When a move happens because of a sudden health...

  If you’ve been thinking about buying a home, chances are you’ve been keeping an eye on mortgage rates. And if you’ve seen a headline about rates going up, you may have thought: “Well, I guess I’ll just wait.” Before you put your homebuying plans on hold, there’s something important to know: The mortgage rate you see online isn’t necessarily the rate you would receive. There Isn’t One Mortgage Rate for Everyone Those rates you see in the news, online, or on social media are helpful for showing us the general direction of the market. But they aren't a personalized quote. Your actual mortgage rate depends on several factors specific to you , including: Your credit score and credit history Your debt-to-income ratio The amount of your down payment The type of loan you're using The length of the loan The property you're purchasing Your overall financial situation That means two people buying similarly priced homes could potentially receive different interest rates. This is one ...

By Melissa Sauters, Realtor® | Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) | Boot Team Realty Maybe you’ve noticed the yard is getting harder for your parents to maintain. Perhaps they’ve mentioned wanting to be closer to family, or they’re simply tired of taking care of more house than they use. You want to help. But how do you bring up a move when their home holds decades of memories? Helping your parents downsize starts with listening. Before looking at homes or sorting through closets, talk about what they want everyday life to look like. Then build a plan together, one manageable step at a time. Start with a conversation about their wishes “You need to move” can be a hard place to begin. Try a question that leaves room for their perspective: “What do you enjoy most about living here, and what has become more difficult?” Or: “If you could make everyday life a little easier, what would you change?” Their answers may surprise you. They might want less yardwork but still want space...

  If you’ve talked with friends, neighbors, or family about the housing market lately, you may have noticed something interesting. One person says, “Homes are sitting longer.” Someone else says, “My neighbor’s house sold right away!” And believe it or not, both can be true. Today’s housing market isn’t behaving the same way across every neighborhood or every price range. That’s why I always remind homeowners that the national headlines only tell part of the story. What really matters is what’s happening where you live, in your price range, and with homes similar to yours. We’re Seeing Different Markets at Different Price Points Recent national housing data shows a noticeable difference in buyer activity depending on the price of the home. Higher mortgage rates and rising home prices have stretched affordability for many buyers, particularly first-time buyers. That means the pool of buyers shopping at some of the more affordable price points may be smaller than it was a few years ag...

  It sounds like something that couldn’t possibly happen: Someone pretends to be you, lists your property for sale and attempts to walk away with the proceeds. Unfortunately, it’s a real estate scam that homeowners need to be aware of—and new research shows attempts are becoming much more common. According to a 2026 study from the American Land Title Association (ALTA), 59% of title firms surveyed reported encountering at least one seller impersonation fraud attempt during the previous calendar year. That’s more than double the 28% reported in ALTA’s 2024 study. As a Realtor®, part of my job is helping my clients understand not only how to buy and sell real estate, but also how to protect what they already own. What Is Seller Impersonation Fraud? Seller impersonation fraud happens when a criminal pretends to be the legitimate owner of a property and attempts to sell it without the real owner’s knowledge or permission. Scammers may gather information about an owner through public p...