How to Play Your Cards Right

How to Play Your Cards Right

In real estate, valuing and negotiating a home can feel a lot like sitting at a blackjack table. Being successful requires a mix of skill, instinct and of course luck.  The stakes can be high.

Here's the thing: you are the player, not us. Our role is not to play your hand but, rather, to stand beside you, tell you the odds, and give you the confidence to make the best move.

We know the rules and we know the odds. After 20+ years in this business, we may even be “counting cards,” spotting patterns, reading the table (aka the market).

Every now and then, though, we see a player, or a seller, decide to “hit on 18” when the dealer is showing a 6. It's a low-percentage move that makes everyone at the table wonder what they could be thinking. Sure, once in a while that player pulls a 3 and feels like a genius, but most of the time it does not end well. Overpricing a home is a lot like taking that risky hit. It may occasionally pay off, but far more often it busts the hand.

Luck will always play a part in any deal. Timing, the right buyer, and the right moment all matter. Preparation and experience are what tilt the odds in your favor. That's where we come in. While we cannot control the cards you are dealt, we can help you play them like a pro.

Market Update

The holidays are typically a quieter stretch for residential real estate, but we’re encouraged by the early signals pointing to a strong start in 2026. The government is back to work, the stock market is hovering near record highs, and the Fed appears poised for another rate cut in the coming weeks. We’re already hearing from both buyers and sellers planning for 2026—many of whom have been on the sidelines for years, not just months. If we get even a bit of momentum in January, buyer demand could ramp up quickly.

Here’s why. While it may seem logical that buyers would prefer a softer market, the opposite is often true. In a soft market, buyers worry about jumping in too early because they fear the asset they are buying may continue to depreciate. In a strong market, the opposite is true. Buyers want to “get in” because they believe the home they purchase today will appreciate in the years ahead.