https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ If you’ve been seeing headlines about foreclosure activity rising for months in a row, it’s understandable to feel concerned. On the surface, those stories can sound alarming, especially for anyone who remembers what happened during the 2008 housing crash. But when you look beyond the headlines and examine the full context, a very different picture emerges. 👉 Rising foreclosure headlines are not a red flag for today’s housing market. Wh

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ If you’ve been wondering whether 2026 is finally the year affordability improves, you’re not alone. For the past few years, rising mortgage rates and limited inventory made buying or selling feel out of reach for many. The good news? Experts agree the market is shifting in a more balanced direction, and housing affordability is improving in 2026 . In fact, 2025 marked the best affordability conditions in three years , and momentum is exp

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ Buying a home is exciting. Touring properties, imagining your furniture in each room, and picturing your next chapter is all part of the fun. But before any of that can turn into reality, there’s one crucial step that sets everything in motion: mortgage pre-approval . Whether you’re planning to buy soon or just exploring your options, getting pre-approved early gives you clarity, confidence, and control, especially in today’s market. Wha

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ A More Balanced Housing Market Is Taking Shape in 2026 If a move is on your radar for next year, there’s good reason to feel encouraged. The 2026 housing market outlook  points to a calmer, more balanced environment than we’ve seen in recent years. After a long stretch of uncertainty, marked by high mortgage rates, limited inventory, and stalled decision-making, the market is gradually shifting. While 2026 won’t be “easy,” it’s shaping u

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ Why Buying a Home in January Deserves Serious Consideration Many buyers automatically pause their home search during winter, assuming spring is the best time to buy. But current and historical housing data suggests something different. For buyers focused on value, timing, and affordability, buying a home in January  may offer a real advantage. While it may seem counterintuitive, the winter market often works in favor of serious, prepared

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ How Flexibility Expands Your Homebuying Options on a Budget One of the smartest advantages buyers can use today is surprisingly simple: flexibility. When your budget has limits, your wish list doesn’t have to. Your budget and wish list act like guardrails during your home search. When one can’t move, adjusting the other can open new possibilities. And often, small compromises are what turn frustration into progress. Recent data confirms

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ Why Selling Your House This Winter Can Help You Stand Out Spring may get most of the spotlight in real estate, but it’s not always the strongest moment to put your home on the market. Sure, more buyers show up in spring, but so do a lot more sellers. Winter works differently. With fewer homes competing for attention, selling your house this winter  can actually give you a powerful advantage. Winter Is the Season When Your Listing Shines

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ If you’re wondering how to score the best deals in today’s housing market , here’s the insider secret: Look at homes that have been sitting on the market the longest. When a listing lingers, most sellers start to get realistic, and more open to negotiation. That’s exactly where smart buyers are finding opportunities other shoppers overlook. How Buyers Are Finding the Best Deals in Today’s Housing Market According to Realtor.com , about 1

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ California probate exemptions, like trusts, small-estate affidavits, and spousal petitions, help business owners and families avoid probate delays when transferring property or business interests. Why California Probate Exemptions Matter Right Now Probate in California is slow, public, and expensive, especially when a small business or real estate is involved. With rising estate values after the pandemic and updated 2025 probate threshol

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ If it feels like new construction signs are popping up all over town, you’re not imagining it. Builders have  been active, but that doesn’t mean we’re heading toward an oversupply like the one that helped trigger the 2008 housing crash. In fact, the latest numbers show the opposite: builders are easing up, not speeding ahead. Are Builders Overbuilding Again? Builders Are Slowing Down, On Purpose Building permits, essentially permission s

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ If you’ve served in the military, or you’re the spouse of someone who has — you have access to one of the most valuable VA home loan benefits for veterans : the chance to buy a home with no down payment. Yet, according to Veterans United , about 70% of Veterans  don’t realize they qualify for this benefit. That means seven out of ten are missing a chance they’ve earned through their service. Let’s break down what makes a VA home loan suc

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ A pre-listing inspection  helps sellers prevent surprises that could derail their sale, giving buyers confidence and reducing the risk of deal cancellations before closing. A Smooth Sale Starts Before You List Selling your home isn’t just about finding a buyer, it’s about making sure the deal actually closes. Across California, homeowners are learning that one simple step before hitting the market can make all the difference: scheduling

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ When was the last time you checked your home value  with a professional? Most homeowners don’t realize how much equity  they’ve built over the years, and it could be more than you think. If you’ve owned your property for a while, it’s likely been gaining value steadily in the background. Even with recent market changes, your home equity  may have grown significantly, especially in a high-demand area like the San Gabriel Valley real estat

San Gabriel Valley real estate agent advising homeowners on selling strategy If you’re planning to sell your home in San Gabriel Valley  next year, what you do now  could be the difference between a smooth, profitable sale and a stressful rush later. Spring is traditionally the busiest season for real estate in Southern California, and the sellers who start preparing early always have the advantage. As Realtor.com  says: “If you’re aiming to sell in 2026, now is the time to s

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ Have you noticed your dream home feels just out of reach lately? You’re not the only one. Across the San Gabriel Valley real estate market , many buyers are feeling the growing gap between the “dream home” they’ve envisioned and the “doable home” that fits their budget today. But here’s the good news: that gap isn’t a dead end. It’s simply a new chapter in how people are approaching homeownership, one that rewards flexibility, creativity

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ The housing market in 2025 is showing clear signs of change. After years of rapid growth and...

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ Understanding the Divide in Today’s Real Estate Market The U.S. housing market looks very...

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ For the past few years, homebuyers across the U.S. have felt the squeeze of higher mortgage rates,...

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ Technology is reshaping the real estate industry in ways that were unimaginable just a decade...

https://www.instagram.com/tessmarquez/ What Are Property Taxes? Property taxes are local taxes charged on real estate. They’re usually...