Monday, March 23, 2026 / by Joyce Dungca
That kitchen you’ve been mentally redesigning...
The bathroom that really needs a refresh...
Or the outdoor space you keep saying you’ll get to someday...
What if you already have what you need to finally make it happen? Because a growing number of homeowners are realizing just that.
Homeowners are expected to spend over $522 billion on home improvements by the end of 2026 – and they’re not draining their savings accounts to get it done. Many are using their home equity.
And if you’ve owned your home for 10+ years, there’s a chance you could use your equity to fund some home upgrades too. Let’s break down what you need to know first.
What Is Equity? And How Does It Help?
Equity is the difference between what your house is worth and what you owe on your mortgage.
And according to Cotality, the average homeowner has about $313,000 worth of equity today. That’s more than enough to finally k ...
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team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, housing market
Thursday, March 19, 2026 / by Joyce Dungca
Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also be a little nerve-wrecking because it’s something you’ve never done before. And trying to think of everything you need to do can feel like a lot. But here’s the key.
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. And you don’t have to do it all at once. Just tackle it one thing at a time.
Here’s a simple list of 3 main things you should focus on to help you get started.
1. Assemble Your Team: Don’t Do This Alone
Buying a home is a team sport. And having the right professionals by your side can make a world of difference. Here’s who you need to find:
A local real estate agent is your guide from the first showing to closing day. They’ll make sure you understand all the details along the way, so you feel confident in your decision.
A trusted lender will walk you through loan options, monthly payments, and what’s realistic for ...
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team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, housing market
Thursday, March 19, 2026 / by Joyce Dungca
For the past few years, affordability has been what’s stopped a lot of buyers in their tracks. Maybe it stopped you, too.
At some point you probably did the math, looked at the monthly payment, and decided to pause your search and wait for things to get better. But here’s something you may have missed while you’ve been sitting on the sidelines.
Over the last year, housing affordability has improved in all 50 states. Yes, you read that right. It’s gotten better in every single state.
That’s based on new research coming out of First American. And while housing is still fairly expensive compared to historical standards, the pressure buyers felt over the last few years is finally starting to ease.
Some Areas Are Seeing Bigger Improvements
The first thing you need to know is that this isn’t just happening in one region or in a small handful of cities. The trend is happening almost everywhere.
Sure, in ...
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team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, housing market
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 / by Joyce Dungca
You may have seen headlines on social saying the number of buyers backing out of their contracts is on the rise – and has recently reached a high not seen since 2017. That can sound intimidating. But it varies a lot by market.
And here’s the key thing to understand if you want to sell. A lot of the time, there’s one common cause. And it’s something you can actually control.
Here’s what you can do to get ahead of the biggest dealbreaker before it ever becomes a problem.
The Top Dealbreaker: Issues That Pop Up During the Inspection
A Redfin survey shows over 70% of recently cancelled contracts happened because of issues during the home inspection (see graph below):
And that makes sense. Because today’s buyers have something they didn’t have a couple of years ago: options.
Why Fixing Things Before You List Matters More Today
A few years back, when buyers felt rushed or boxed in due to t ...
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team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, housing market
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 / by Joyce Dungca
Selling your house today isn’t about luck. It’s about strategy. The simple truth is homes with a good plan get offers. It’s the homes without one that just sit... and sit. That's why you need an agent who knows how to nail every aspect of your sale. Don’t leave your move to chance. DM me so you know what’s working for sellers in our area. #SellYourHouse #HomeSellingTips #KeepingCurrentMatters ...
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team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, housing market