Real Estate Blog

Why Pre-Approval Is More Important Than Ever This Spring

Spring is here, and so is the busiest season in real estate. More buyers are out looking for homes, which means more competition for you. If you want to put yourself in the best position to buy, there’s one step you can’t afford to skip, and that’s getting pre-approved for a mortgage.

Some buyers think they can wait until they’ve found a home they love before talking to a lender. But in a season where homes can sell fast, that’s a risky move. Getting pre-approved before you start your search is a much better bet.

Here’s what you need to know about this early step in the buying process.

What Is Pre-Approval?

Pre-approval gives you a sense of how much a lender is willing to let you borrow for your home loan. To determine that number, a…

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The Best Week To List Your House Is Almost Here – Are You Ready?

If selling your house is on your to-do list this year, the time to start prepping is now. That’s because experts say the best week to list your house is coming up fast.

A recent Realtor.com study analyzed years of housing market trends (excluding 2020 since it was an outlier) and found that April 13–19 is expected to be the ideal window to put your house on the market this year:

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4 Things To Expect from the Spring Housing Market

Spring is in full swing, and the housing market is picking up along with it. And if you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to buy or sell, here’s the inside scoop on why this spring may be a great time to make your move.

1. There Are More Homes for Sale

After a long stretch of tight inventory, the number of homes for sale is finally improving. According to recent national data from Realtor.com, active listings are up 27.5% compared to this time last year.

Look at the graph below and follow the green line for 2025. You can see, even though inventory levels still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic norms (shown in gray), that number is higher than it has been going into the spring market over the past few years (see graph…

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Open House-108 Wagon Wheel Circle-Brookings

108 Wagon Wheel Cir, Brookings, SD

Open House

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

This 1985 mobile home got a complete makeover six years ago, and it still shines today! With 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,216 sq. ft., this home has been well cared for and maintained, making it an incredible find. Updates from the last renovation still stand strong— paint, updated bathrooms, and quality flooring make this home move-in ready. Then a new furnace in 2020 and front door in 2022. The vinyl siding adds durability and curb appeal, while the large lot gives you room to enjoy the outdoors. The…

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New Listing-531 Copper Mountain Circle-Brookings

Blog Post 4

531 Copper Mountain Cir, Brookings, SD

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

Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac, this 5 Bed, 3 Bath, walk-out ranch offers comfort & functionality. With over 2,600 finished sq. ft., this home features 6-panel doors, Main Level Laundry, and a kitchen with a Breakfast Bar. The lower level boasts a cozy family room with a gas fireplace. Step outside onto the 2-tier deck, where you'll have plenty of room for entertaining or enjoying the beautifully landscaped yard. A sprinkler system and established perennials add…

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How Buying or Selling a Home Helps Your Local Economy

Whether you’re buying or selling a house, here’s something to think about that most people don’t. Your decision doesn’t just impact your life and your family’s, it sparks a ripple effect that has a positive impact on your entire community.

Every year, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) puts out a report that breaks down the financial impact that comes from people buying and selling homes.

The data shows that if you buy an existing (previously lived-in) home, you're giving the local economy a boost of just over $60K. And if you buy a newly built home, that number goes up to over $125K (see visual below):

That’s because of all the people needed to build, fix up, and sell homes. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National…

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What You Need To Know About Homeowner’s Insurance

Homeowner’s insurance is a must-have to protect what’s probably your biggest investment – your home. And while you never want to think about worst-case scenarios, the right coverage is basically your safety net if something goes wrong. Here’s how it helps you.

• Covers Repairs and Rebuilding Costs: If your home is damaged by fire, storms, or other covered events, your policy helps pay for repairs or even a full rebuild.
• Protects Your Belongings: Many policies can also cover personal items like furniture, electronics, and clothing if they’re stolen or damaged.
• Provides Liability Coverage: If someone gets injured on your property, homeowner’s insurance can help cover medical bills or legal expenses.

In the simplest sense, it gives…

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Is It Time To Put Your House Back on the Market?

If you took your house off the market in late 2024, you’re not the only one. Newsweek reports that data from CoreLogic and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) says nearly 73,000 homes were pulled from the market in December alone – that's more than any other December going all the way back to 2017 (see graph below):

Whether it was because offers weren’t coming in, the timing around the holidays felt overwhelming, or they wanted to see if the market would improve in the new year – a lot of other homeowners decided to press pause, too.

But now, with spring fast approaching, it’s time to reassess. The market is already picking up, and waiting any longer to jump back in may only mean you’d face more competition from other sellers down the road.

…

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Rising Inventory Means This Spring Could Be Your Moment

Rising Inventory Means This Spring Could Be Your Moment

Want to know two reasons this spring might finally be your time to buy? Inventory has grown and sellers may be more willing to negotiate as a result. That means you’ve got more options and more power than buyers have had in years. Let’s break it down.

1. You Have More Homes To Choose From

The number of homes for sale this February was higher than it’s been in any of the past five Februarys – and that’s great news for your home search. The graph below uses the latest data from Realtor.com to show the supply of homes on the market has grown by 27.5% in just the last year:

More choices for your search is a good thing – and experts also say that inventory is projected to continue rising…

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Is the Housing Market Starting To Balance Out?

For years, sellers have had the upper hand in the housing market. With so few homes for sale and so many people who wanted to purchase them, buyers faced tough competition just to get an offer accepted. But now, inventory is rising, and things are starting to shift in many areas.

So, is the market finally balancing out? And does that mean buyers will have it a bit easier now? Here’s what you need to know.

What Makes It a Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s Market?

It all comes down to how many homes are for sale in an area compared to how many buyers want to buy there. That’s what ultimately determines who has the most leverage.

• A Seller’s Market is when there are more buyers than homes available, so sellers hold the power. This leads to…

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