Blog - Debbie Marett

Buying

What Does It Mean to Make a Principal-Only Payment?

You’ll hear the terms principal and interest when you get a home loan. Your principal is the amount you borrow for your home loan, and your interest is what you pay monthly to use the loan. To calculate the principal of a mortgage, you would subtract your down payment from the final sales price of […]
Buying

Avoid These Top Homebuyer Mistakes in Today’s Market

No one likes making mistakes, especially when they happen in what’s likely the biggest transaction of your life – buying a home. That’s why partnering with a trusted agent is so important. Here’s a sneak peek at the most common missteps buyers are making in today’s market and how a great agent will help you steer clear […]
Building a Home

Why Having Your Own Agent Matters When Buying a New Construction Home

Finding the right home is one of the biggest challenges for potential buyers today. Right now, the supply of homes for sale is still low. But there is a bright spot. Newly built homes make up a larger percent of the total homes available for sale than normal. That’s why, if you’re craving more options, it makes sense to see if […]
Uncategorized

Common Things that Homeowner’s Get Wrong about their Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

Home insurance is designed to cover you in the event that your home is damaged. You pay a monthly fee so that if and when you need to use your policy, you don’t have to spend your entire savings trying to cover the damages, or worry that you won’t have enough money to even cover […]

Buying What Does It Mean to Make a Principal-Only Payment? You’ll hear the terms principal and interest when you get a home loan. Your principal is the amount you borrow for your home loan, and your interest is what you pay monthly to use the loan. To calculate the principal of a mortgage, you would subtract your down payment from the final sales price of […]

Buying Avoid These Top Homebuyer Mistakes in Today’s Market No one likes making mistakes, especially when they happen in what’s likely the biggest transaction of your life – buying a home. That’s why partnering with a trusted agent is so important. Here’s a sneak peek at the most common missteps buyers are making in today’s market and how a great agent will help you steer clear […]

Building a Home Why Having Your Own Agent Matters When Buying a New Construction Home Finding the right home is one of the biggest challenges for potential buyers today. Right now, the supply of homes for sale is still low. But there is a bright spot. Newly built homes make up a larger percent of the total homes available for sale than normal. That’s why, if you’re craving more options, it makes sense to see if […]

Uncategorized Common Things that Homeowner’s Get Wrong about their Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Home insurance is designed to cover you in the event that your home is damaged. You pay a monthly fee so that if and when you need to use your policy, you don’t have to spend your entire savings trying to cover the damages, or worry that you won’t have enough money to even cover […]

Market Info What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025 What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025 Curious about where the housing market is headed in 2025? The good news is that experts are offering some promising forecasts, especially when it comes to two key factors that directly affect your decisions: mortgage rates and home prices. Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling, here’s […]

Uncategorized Why Did More People Decide To Sell Their Homes Recently? Why Did More People Decide To Sell Their Homes Recently? Homeowners typically slow down their moving plans as the summer months wrap up, and as a result, fewer homes are listed for sale in the fall. It’s a predictable, seasonal trend in real estate. But this year, mortgage rates came down at the same time […]

Uncategorized Home Values Rise Even as Median Prices Fall Recent headlines have been buzzing about the median asking price of homes dropping compared to last year, and that’s sparked plenty of confusion. And as a buyer or seller, it’s easy to assume that means prices are coming down. But here’s the catch: those numbers don’t tell the full story. Nationally, home values are actually rising, even if the […]

In the News Beyond the Headlines: Understanding How Proposed Changes in Real Estate Commissions Will Actually Impact You as a Buyer or Seller You’ve probably heard the news that there are changes coming in terms of how real estate commissions are paid. This might sound exciting and like a potential game-changer for you as a home seller or buyer, with headlines proclaiming things like: “Real estate commissions are being slashed!” “Selling your house will now be less expensive!” […]

Selling Why Fixing Up Your House Can Help It Sell Faster If you’re thinking about selling your house, you should know there are buyers who are ready and able to pay today’s high prices. But they want a home that’s move-in ready. A recent press release from Redfin explains: “Buyers are still out there and they’re willing to pay today’s high prices, but only if the house is in […]

Buying Things To Avoid After Applying for a Mortgage Some Highlights There are a few key things you’ll want to avoid after applying for a mortgage to make sure you’re in the best position when you get to the closing table. Don’t change bank accounts, apply for new credit, make any large purchases or transfers, and don’t co-sign loans for anyone. Here’s a good rule of thumb. Always […]

Market Info MSA Housing Inventory Reaches Highest Level in 13 Years In May, the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA reached the highest level of inventory the area has seen in 13 years at 4.9 months. With a 37.7% YoY increase in active listings, homebuyers can be much more selective in finding a home that fits their price range. In May, the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA saw a 12.8% decline […]

Buying MUDs, PIDs, PUDs & TIFs: Property Taxes You Should Know Before Buying a Home in Texas Many factors are at play when buying a home, no matter where you live. Potential homeowners need to determine their budget for a down payment, research the best type of mortgage for their needs, and make sure the home will suit all of their lifestyle needs in the long term. Though these considerations are true for home buyers […]

Uncategorized 11 Reasons Real Estate Agents Love One of the Easiest Careers to Hate

Selling 4 Things to Consider if You Are Waiting to Sell Your House Until After the Real Estate Settlement Takes Effect

Uncategorized Here Are Some Things You Shouldn’t Say When Previewing a Home

Uncategorized Buyers – You need Your Own Agent who has your Best Interests in Mind When you are purchasing a home, you want a seasonal professional to guide you through the process. I work with buyers providing advocacy, support, and expertise. As your Accredited Buyer’s Agent – ABR®, I will guide you through one of life’s most significant and impactful transactions—providing invaluable advocacy, support, and expertise. My commitment is to find […]

In the News Beyond the Headlines: Understanding How the Proposed Changes in Real Estate Commissions Will Actually Impact You As A Buyer or Seller. The Takeaway: While the headlines about changing real estate commission structures might sound exciting and like a potential game-changer for you as a home seller or buyer, they are misleading, because nobody knows exactly how things are going to play out. While it’s true that commissions may shift, the details remain uncertain. If the proposed settlement is […]

Market Info The Best Week To List Your House Is Almost Here Are you thinking about making a move? If so, now may be the perfect time to start the process. That’s because experts say the best week to list your house is just around the corner. A recent Realtor.com study looked at housing market trends over the past several years (with the exception of 2020, since it was an unusual […]

Uncategorized Good Information on Flood Insurance Understanding Flood Insurance Requirement vs Rating Neither IFPR nor Freeboard change or affect how the mandatory purchase requirement for flood insurance works. Mandatory requirements for flood insurance will still be dictated using FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and assessing whether the exact location of a habitable structure secured with a federally-backed loan comes into […]

Buying Will 2024 be a better year for homebuyers? Here’s what experts think. Following months of cooling inflation, higher rent and food prices pushed the inflation report to a 3.4% annual rate, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report. The rise indicates the Fed’s ongoing challenge to achieve a 2% target inflation rate may experience some fluctuations along the way. In December, the Fed set the housing market […]