Real Estate Blog - April, 2026

Your House Hasn’t Sold Yet. Should You Rent It Out Instead?

When your house sits on the market longer than expected, it can get frustrating fast.

You start asking: what now? And for a growing number of homeowners, that turns into: should I just rent it instead?

While it sounds like a simple backup plan, becoming “accidental landlord” is actually a much bigger decision than most people realize. That’s when someone planned to sell, didn’t get the price or traction they hoped for, and decided to rent the house out instead.

And lately, that's happening more often.

Why the Number of Accidental Landlords Is Rising

If you’re faced with the same choice to rent or to sell, here’s what you need to know. First, you’re not alone. And that should actually be some comfort.

According to Zillow about…

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Before You Fall in Love with a House, Do This First.

Be honest. Have you started looking at homes online yet? If you have, it’s already time to get pre-approved. Because here’s what not enough people know.

If buying a home is on your radar – even if it’s more of a someday plan than a right now plan – you don’t want to wait until later on in the process to tackle this step.

No matter what you’ve heard, pre-approval isn’t about commitment. It’s about clarity.

And here are the two big ways pre-approval sets you up for success. 

You Know Your Numbers Up Front 

During the pre-approval process, a lender will walk through your finances and tell you what you can borrow based on your income, debts, credit score, and more. And once you have that number, your search becomes a lot more focused.

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New Listing and Open House - 1834 E Briarwood Circle, Brookings

1834 E Briarwood Cir, Brookings, SD

Open House

• Description
• Photos
• Marketing Your Home
• Real Estate Reports for Home Owners, Sellers & Buyers!
• Maps & Local
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Don’t Let Home Prices Headlines Fool You

Spend about 5 minutes online searching for news about the housing market, and odds are you’ll see something pop up about home prices. You may even stumble onto social media influencers saying we’re headed for a crash. Let’s get you the context you need.

The truth is prices are going to vary depending on where you live. But they're not crashing.

Here’s what you need to know.

The Local Perspective: Home Price Trends by Area

The biggest thing feeding into the confusion online is how different home price trends are by area right now. Take a look at this data from ResiClub and Zillow (see graph below).

About half of the largest metros are seeing prices go up.

The other half are seeing some declines.

Unfortunately, the online…

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Open House at 3421 Oak Lane, Brookings

3421 Oak Ln, Brookings, SD

Open House

• Lifestyle Video
• 3D Virtual Tour
• Property Video
• Description
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This beautiful, well-maintained 6 bed, 4 bath home captures that rare ''best of both worlds'' scenario--the convenience of city utilities and proximity with the quiet atmosphere typically found in rural areas. The primary suite serves as a true retreat with high-end amenities like a private deck, fireplace, and a massive walk-in closet. The combination of fresh paint, new light fixtures, and a completely remodeled lower-level family room elevates this home to ''move-in ready'' status. Added space with a…

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Open House at 217 Hickory St, Brookings

217 Hickory St, Brookings, SD

Open House

• 3D Virtual Tour
• Lifestyle Video
• Property Video
• Description
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Welcome to 217 Hickory Street in Brookings, South Dakota, located in the desirable River Ridge Addition! This split-level walkout home built in 2005 offers over 3,000 finished sq ft with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The kitchen is the heart of the home featuring an 8x8 island, double pantries, and tile backsplash. Enjoy vaulted ceilings, a gas fireplace, and a bow window that fills the living room with natural light. The primary suite includes dual sinks, a jetted tub, and separate shower. Step…

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Open House at 304 3rd St S, Brandt

304 3rd St S, Brandt, SD

Open House

• Lifestyle Video
• 3D Virtual Tour
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Step into timeless charm with this well maintained 1918 two story home offering the perfect blend of historic character and modern updates. You'll appreciate the beautiful hardwood floors, original woodwork, and inviting layout throughout. The recently updated kitchen provides functional space with today's conveniences while preserving the home's classic feel. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, main level laundry, and over 1,525 finished square feet, there is room for everyone. Situated on a large 118x140…

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This’ll Change What You Think About Investors in Today’s Housing Market

There’s a lot of noise out there right now about investors in the housing market.

Some headlines make it sound like big Wall Street firms are buying up everything in sight. And if you’re trying to purchase a home yourself, that can make it feel like the odds are stacked against you.

But when you take a closer look at the data, a very different picture starts to come into focus.

Most Investors Are Just Everyday Owners

For starters, when you hear the word investor, you probably picture big corporations. And that misconception is a large part of what’s feeding into the myth that they’re buying up all the homes.

Most investors aren’t big companies, at all.

They’re everyday people just like you.

They’re someone who owns a second…

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Open House at 508 E Wye Mesa, Brookings

508 E Wye Mesa, Brookings, SD

Open House

• 3D Virtual Tour
• Lifestyle Video
• Property Video
• Description
• Photos
• Marketing Your Home
• More

WYE not look at this mobile home? Located in the highly desirable Western Estates Mobile Home Park, 508 E Wye Mesa sits in a unique neighborhood layout that feels more like a traditional home development than a mobile home community. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home offers over 1,200 sq. ft. of comfortable living space and a welcoming layout to enjoy. Residents appreciate the pet-friendly environment, neighborhood park area, and scenic pond nearby. You'll also love being just minutes from the bike trails, Dakota Nature…

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Before You Fall in Love with a House, Do This First.

Be honest. Have you started looking at homes online yet? If you have, it’s already time to get pre-approved. Because here’s what not enough people know.

If buying a home is on your radar – even if it’s more of a someday plan than a right now plan – you don’t want to wait until later on in the process to tackle this step.

No matter what you’ve heard, pre-approval isn’t about commitment. It’s about clarity.

And here are the two big ways pre-approval sets you up for success. 

You Know Your Numbers Up Front 

During the pre-approval process, a lender will walk through your finances and tell you what you can borrow based on your income, debts, credit score, and more. And once you have that number, your search becomes a lot more focused.

18 Views, 0 Comments