Melissa's Home Journal

  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...

  If you own a home in Texas—or you’re thinking about buying one—you’ve probably noticed that homeowners insurance has become a much bigger part of the conversation. Between rising premiums, severe Texas weather, higher construction costs, and changes in coverage options, insurance isn’t something we should think about only when we’re sitting at the closing table. It’s becoming an important part of the true cost of homeownership . And while I’m certainly not an insurance expert, I do believe part of my job as your Realtor® is helping you know which questions to ask and which things deserve a closer look. The Three A’s: Affordability, Availability & Adequacy When it comes to homeowners insurance in Texas, there are really three things homeowners and buyers should be thinking about: Affordability — What will the policy cost, and how does that premium affect your overall monthly housing budget? Availability — Can you obtain coverage on the home, and what options are available ba...

  Thinking About Using Your 401(k) to Buy a Home? Read This First If buying a home is on your mind, you may have seen some recent conversations about using money from your 401(k) to help with the down payment. And I understand why it can sound tempting. When home prices, interest rates, and everyday expenses are already stretching the budget, looking at money you’ve worked hard to save and thinking, “Could this help me buy a home sooner?” is a pretty natural question. But before you make that move, there are a few things worth considering. Your 401(k) Is an Option — But It May Not Be Your Best First Option For many people, a 401(k) represents years of saving and investing for retirement. Depending on your plan and circumstances, you may be able to borrow from or withdraw money from those funds to purchase a home. But just because you can doesn’t necessarily mean you should . Taking money from your retirement account can have consequences, including possible taxes or penalties, de...