If you’ve ever waited until March to deal with taxes… welcome. You’re in good company. But the IRS is basically waving a giant flag right now saying: this year is worth prepping early because filing options and refund delivery are changing. And since real estate loves paperwork like my dog loves rol

Mortgage Rates Just Slipped Under 6% (Briefly): What That Means for You on the Gulf Coast If you saw the headline and thought, “Okay… so do I buy right now?” — deep breath. Daily mortgage rates dipped on Friday, January 9, 2026, breaking 6% for the first time since 2022, according to Mortgage News D

What happens to Pensacola’s Gallery Night while Palafox is under construction? Gallery Night is still happening every month—it’s just shifting its “main hangout” spots off Palafox for a bit while the New Palafox (Reimagine Palafox) project is underway. You’ll still get art, music, vendors, and downt

What do Foley’s latest planning and city council decisions actually mean for you if you live here, want to move here, or own property here? Foley is putting clearer “guardrails” around growth with an updated Comprehensive Plan, while also tackling nuts-and-bolts items like fees, infrastructure rules

If you’ve been trying to buy your first home lately and it feels like everyone else has a cheat code… you’re not imagining it. According to the National Association of REALTORS® 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, first-time buyers made up just 21% of purchases — the lowest share on record. The

Online Home Value Estimates Aren’t Local (Here’s What Actually Moves Value on the Gulf Coast) If you’ve ever looked up your home online and thought, “Wait… that is what it says my house is worth?” — you’re not alone. Online estimates can be a helpful starting point, but on the Gulf Coast, they often

Opening question: Mortgage rates dipped—so should you buy now, refinance, or just ignore the noise? Snippet answer: Rates dropping is helpful, but it’s not a magic wand. The smart move is using the dip to tighten your numbers, improve your options, and make decisions based on your monthly comfort—no

Waiting for Mortgage Rates to Drop? Here’s the Plot Twist Buyers Miss Opening question: “Should I wait for mortgage rates to fall before I buy?”Snippet answer: Maybe… but “waiting for rates” can be a shaky strategy. Rates don’t move on your timeline, and sometimes the bigger leverage is price, inven

Hangout Fest Skips 2026: What It Means for Gulf Shores and the Gulf Coast What’s happening with the Hangout Music Festival in 2026, and how could it impact the Gulf Shores area? The Hangout Music Festival — a major annual draw for Gulf Shores — will not take place in 2026. Here’s what locals, touris

Why Many Are Delaying Homeownership — and How You Can Move Forward Now Opening question:Why are so many potential buyers putting off major life milestones until they own a home? Snippet answer:A recent survey found that about 71% of aspiring homeowners are postponing big decisions—such as marriage,

Why 2025 Is a Tough Market for First-Time Buyers — And What You Can Do About It What’s driving the biggest drop in first-time homebuyers in over 40 years, and how can you navigate the current market divide? A recent NAR survey revealed that first-time buyers now make up just 21% of the market — the

🏡 1️⃣ Overpricing the Home The Mistake:Many sellers think starting high leaves room to “negotiate down,” but in today’s market, an overpriced home often sits longer and ends up selling for less than it would have if priced correctly. The Fix:Work with your agent to do a comparative market analysis

Mortgage Rates Just Hit a 12-Month Low— Here's What That Means If You're Buying Your First Home What do falling mortgage rates mean for first-time home buyers right now? Falling mortgage rates can significantly increase your buying power, especially if you're navigating the market for the first time

Why It’s Still a Smart Time to Sell Your Alabama Home (Even After School Starts) Body:Summer might feel like it’s winding down, but if you’re thinking about selling your home—don’t hang up the beach towel just yet. ☀️🏡 In many parts of Alabama and along the Gulf Coast, late summer is one of the mos

✨ How to Stage Your Home While You’re Still Living In It: A Real-World Guide for Gulf Coast Sellers ✨ Selling your home while still living in it can feel like walking a tightrope—but it doesn’t have to. With the right strategy, you can keep your home show-ready and keep your life moving. Whether you

🏡 The Wealth Gap Between Homeowners and Renters Just Got Wider: What You Need To Know A recent study from the Federal Reserve, shared in this Realtor.com article, reveals a staggering statistic: the median net worth of homeowners in the U.S. is now nearly 40 times higher than that of renters. Let’s

🛠️ Home Inspection Contingency 101: What Every Buyer Should Know Before Closing the Deal You've finally found the one—your dream home with the wraparound porch, beachy vibes, or that perfect backyard for your pup. But before you pop the champagne, there’s one crucial step you shouldn’t skip: the ho

Once a seller signs a purchase agreement, they’re generally locked in—it’s more than just a handshake. Unless the contract includes specific contingencies (like a kick-out clause), the seller cannot accept another offer without serious legal risk. However, backup offers are perfectly legal—and even

🛠️ What Does a Home Warranty Actually Cover? Buying a home is one of life’s biggest adventures—but let’s be real: when something breaks unexpectedly, it can quickly go from exciting to expensive (or at the very least, stressful). That’s where a home warranty comes in. Think of it as a financial saf

🏠 Should You Buy Down Your Mortgage Interest Rate? Here’s What You Need to Know Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make—and understanding all your options can help you save thousands over the life of your loan. One option that often gets overlooked? Mortgage buydown