More Contracts Are Falling Through. Here's How To Get Ahead.

When you sell a house, the last thing you want is for the deal to fall apart right before closing. But according to the latest data from Redfin, that’s happening a bit more often lately. The good news is, it’s completely avoidable if you lean on an agent for insight into why that is and how to avoid it happening to you.

This June, 15% of pending home sales fell through. That means those buyers backed out of their contracts. That’s not too much higher than the norm of roughly 12% from 2017-2019, but it’s still an increase. And it’s one you don’t want to have to deal with. 

The key to avoiding this headache is knowing what’s causing the issues that lead to a buyer walking away. A recent survey from John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC)…

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Buyer or Seller? What Side of the Housing Line is Brookings On-And What That Means For You

Ever feel like the real estate universe is playing favorites? In some markets, sellers are laughing all the way to the bank—while in others, buyers are doing high-fives because their offers are actually being considered. Let’s unpack where we stand and why that matters.

A Tale of Two Markets

On the national stage, the housing scene isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some cities still boast intense bidding wars—others? Not so much. Buyers are starting to charm their way into better deals in places where inventory is loosening, and sellers are beginning to adjust expectations.

Think of it like a yard sale: in some spots, folks are getting top dollar for grandma’s old dresser, while others are letting go of treasures at bargain prices.

What…

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For Sale-Flandreau SD-212 E Broad Ave

212 E Broad Ave, Flandreau, SD

Price Reduced

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Looking for a home that's got charm, updates, and a corner lot with some serious shade? This 1.2 story gem may be it! Tucked under mature trees and sitting proud on the corner, this place gives you 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,200 finished sq. ft. of comfy living. The attached 2-car garage is ready to roll with a metal roof, keyless entry, access door, and a newer garage door and opener (just 3 years old). You'll love that some of the windows have been replaced in the last 5 years too. And…

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Online Home-Buying Search Terms Recently Hit 2-Year High

Believe it or not, there are clear signs buyer interest is heating up again.

Let’s talk about what’s really going on behind the scenes, and why the housing market might not be as quiet out there as it seems. 

Buyers Are Looking, and Search Trends Prove It

One of the clearest ways to measure what people are thinking about is to look at what they’re searching for online. And according to Google Trends, searches for phrases like “home for sale” have been climbing steadily this year.

The graph below shows an index of two common homebuyer search phrases and how popular they were on Google over the past two years. The higher the line goes, the more popular that phrase was. A 100 on the graph shows the most popular time for each phrase:

…

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Are These Myths About Buying a Newly Built Home Holding You Back?

If you’ve been skipping over newly built homes in your search, you might be doing so based on outdated assumptions. Let’s clear up a few of the most common myths, so you don’t miss out on a solid opportunity.

Myth 1: New Homes Are More Expensive

It’s easy to assume a new build will cost more than an existing home, but that’s not necessarily true, especially right now.

Data from Censusand the National Association of Realtors(NAR) shows the median price of a newly built home today is actually lower than a home that’s been lived in already (an existing home):

So, why’s this happening? As Heather Long, Chief Economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, explains:

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Why Selling Without an Agent Can Cost You More Than You Think

Cutting out the agent might seem like a smart way to save when you sell your house. But here’s the hard truth.

Last year, homes that sold with an agent went for almost 15% more than those that sold without one.

That gap is pretty hard to ignore. And with more homes on the market to compete with right now, selling on your own is a mistake that’s going to cost you.

This Isn’t the Market for DIY Selling

A few years ago, you might’ve gotten away with a “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) sign in your yard, navigating the process on your own. That’s because homes were flying off the market and buyers were pulling out all the stops. But that’s just not the case anymore. With more inventory than we’ve seen in years, we’re not in a “list it and they…

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A Second Home Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Retirement Plan

Are you wondering if you’re on track to retire someday?

According to Intuit, 69% of people say today’s financial environment makes it tough to plan for the future, and 68% aren’t sure they’ll ever be able to retire. That’s why many people are exploring new ways to build stability and long-term income.

And that’s where real estate comes in.

Why Real Estate? Here’s What It Can Do for You

If you’re able to make the numbers work, buying a second home can be a powerful tool for your future retirement. It could help you:

• Build wealth over time: As home prices rise through the years, your second home should grow in value and increase your net worth.
• Generate extra income: Renting the home could bring in some extra income you can add…

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For Sale-Open House 336 21st Ave S-Brookings

336 21st Ave S, Brookings, SD

Open House

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336 21st Ave S is ready to welcome you! In the centrally-located Hillcrest neighborhood, this ranch home offers over 2,200 finished sq. ft. with 4 bedrooms (3 on the main level) and 2 baths. The Living Room offers tons of natural light and transitions into the generous dining room and kitchen. Downstairs, in this recently updated area, you'll find even more room to relax and entertain. The backyard is a great space to retreat that includes a paver patio, walkway, and a large storage shed. Come see…

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For Sale-Lennox SD

512 W 3rd Ave, Lennox, SD

Just Listed

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ATTENTION INVESTORS OR PROJECT DOERS! This 2 bedroom, 1 bath home has newer shingles, paint, and appliances including newer dishwasher, washer & dryer. The main level includes a kitchen, dining, living room, and laundry. The basement is unfinished and will require foundation repair—estimate available. With a few updates already in place, this property is ready for someone looking to add sweat equity or expand their rental portfolio. Why not YOU? **More Pictures…

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Is It Better To Buy Now or Wait for Lower Mortgage Rates? Here’s the Tradeoff

Mortgage rates are still a hot topic – and for good reason. After the most recent jobs report came out weaker than expected, the bond market reacted almost instantly. And, as a result, in early August mortgage rates dropped to their lowest point so far this year (6.55%).

While that may not sound like a big deal, pretty much every buyer has been waiting for rates to fall. And even a seemingly small drop like this reignites the hope we’re finally going to see rates trending down. But what’s realistic to expect?

According to the latest forecasts, rates aren’t expected to fall dramatically anytime soon. Most experts project they’ll stay somewhere in the mid-to-low 6% range through 2026 (see graph below):

In other words, no big changes are…

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