The housing market hasn’t felt this energized in a long time – and the numbers backing that up are hard to ignore. Mortgage rates have eased almost a full percentage point this year, and that shift is starting to wake up buyers.

Home loan applications have risen. Activity has picked up. And sellers who step in early could benefit from the momentum long before the competition catches on.

Let’s take a look at what’s happening behind the scenes and how you can take advantage of it.

When Rates Come Down, Buyer Activity Goes Up

In today’s market, buyer demand is closely tied to what happens with mortgage rates. As rates come down, applications for home loans go up. Rick Sharga, Founder and CEO of the CJ Patrick Company, explains it like…

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1085 Circle Dr, Brookings, SD

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$ CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE 2 BEDROOMS 2 BATHROOMS 0.23 acres Lot

Come full 'Circle' to the corner of comfy and cozy!! With a large, welcoming living room that boasts lots of natural light. You will feel the 'cozy' when you sit in front of the gas fireplace. Two large bedrooms on the main level, a generously sized bathroom, and a great dining space that leads to the 3 season room--all make this house a truly great home! The lower level is waiting for you to put your own finishing touches but has a great rec room space, added…

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One of the biggest homebuying advantages you can give yourself today is surprisingly simple: a flexible wish list.

Think of it like this. Your wish list and your budget are the guardrails of your search. And when your budget needs to hold firm, there’s another lever you can pull. That’s seeing if you truly need all of your desired features. Because the truth is, a small compromise could be the difference between feeling stuck and getting the keys to your next home.

The data shows more buyers are using that strategy to offset affordability hurdles in today’s market. A recent study from Cotality found most buyers (70%) ended up compromising on one or more items from their original wish list. But before they started searching, only 33% expected…

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A lot of people are asking the same thing right now: “Is it even a good time to sell?” And the truth may come as a bit of a surprise...

For many homeowners, the answer is a strong yes.

Why? Because of one major factor working in your favor: your equity. Odds are, if you’ve lived in your home for a while, you know you have significant equity. But how much are we really talking about? The number might just change everything about your next move.

The Hidden Wealth of Homeownership

Here’s how it works. When you own a home, you build up something called equity.

Each time you make a mortgage payment, you’re chipping away at your loan balance. And that helps your ownership stake in your home grow. At the same time, home values typically…

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Spring gets all the attention, but it’s not always the best time to sell a house. Yes, more buyers show up, but so do a lot of other sellers.

Winter is different. With fewer homes on the market, your house has a much better chance of standing out. And that one advantage can make a big difference.

Winter Is When Your Listing Stands Out

History shows the number of homes for sale tends to drop during the winter months. It’s a trend that’s predictable almost every year.

Data from Realtor.com shows this pattern clearly. Inventory dips in the winter (the green circles in the graph below), then climbs again as soon as spring approaches:

And based on the latest data available, it looks like that pattern may be true again in 2025. The graph…

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Over the past few years, one of the biggest real estate trends across the United States has been a noticeable shift away from big-city living and toward suburban and small-town communities. And no, this isn’t just a temporary phase.

At Brookings Home Team, we’re seeing this trend show up locally in real ways — from out-of-area buyers relocating to Brookings, to longtime renters finally making the jump into homeownership here.

So what’s driving this movement, and why does it matter if you live in or are considering Brookings, South Dakota?

Let’s break it down.

What’s Fueling the Shift to Small-Town Living?

1. Remote and Hybrid Work Changed the Game

More Americans can now work from home or commute only a few days a week. That…

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New home construction today is giving buyers something it feels like they haven't gotten much lately: a real shot at both the home they want and the deal they need. More brand-new options are on the market right now, and builders are rolling out incentives that make these homes more affordable than many people expect.

It’s a combination that doesn’t come around often – and it’s putting buyers in a surprisingly strong position this season. Here’s why this moment matters and why it’s worth partnering with your own local agent to take advantage of it.

1. More New Homes Are Available Now – and That May Not Last

There’s more new construction on the market today than normal. And for buyers, that means:

  • More cutting-edge communities
  • More…

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If you’re like a lot of homeowners, you’ve probably thought: “I’d like to move… but I don’t want to give up my 3% rate.” That’s fair. That rate has been one of your best financial wins – and it can be hard to let go. But here’s what you need to remember...

A great rate won’t make up for a home that no longer works for you. Life changes, and sometimes, your home needs to change with it. And you’re not the only one making that choice.

The Lock-In Effect Is Starting To Ease

Many homeowners have been frozen in place by something the experts call the lock-in effect. That's when you won't move because you don’t want to take on a higher rate on your next home loan. But data from Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) shows the lock-in effect is…

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Whether it’s at a family gathering, your company party, or catching up with friends over the holidays, the housing market always finds its way into the conversation.

Here are the top three questions on a lot of people’s minds this season, and straightforward answers to help you feel more confident about the market.

1. “Will I even be able to find a home if I want to move?”

Yes, more than you could a year or two ago.

The number of homes for sale has been rising over the past few years. According to data from Realtor.com, there have been more than one million homes on the market for six straight months, something that hasn’t happened since 2019 (see graph below):

That means two things:

  • Buyers have more options.
  • Sellers have…

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Want to know how to find the best deal possible in today’s housing market? Here’s the secret. Focus on homes that have been sitting on the market for a while.

Because when a listing lingers, sellers tend to get more realistic – and, more willing to negotiate. And that’s where the savviest buyers are finding homes other buyers overlook.

The Opportunity: 1 in 5 Homes Has Had a Price Cut This Year

According to Realtor.com, about 1 in every 5 listings (20.2%) have dropped their asking price at least once. And while so many things in today’s housing market vary by region, that number is consistent throughout the country. That tells you one thing...

No matter where you live, there’s a chance to score a better deal. You just need to know…

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