Today's Market News:
This Year's Been Great! Let's Make Next Year Better.
As we ring in the New Year, I want to thank you for your trust and shared commitment to homeowners. The real estate market is poised to reset for 2026, and I'm ready to help make it your best yet.
Buyers Prioritized Lifestyle Over Luxury in 2025
Recently, Zillow released data derived from millions of property searches carried out during 2025. A major change was noted: instead of searching for more square footage, people searched for homes with relaxing features and additional comforts.
Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's home trends expert, noted: "Across the country, buyers want homes that can flex for families, offer access to nature and deliver small daily comforts that make life easier and more joyful."
Interests in outdoor and experience-driven features grew sharply. These included searches for pools, patios, and views. So did privacy features like gated communities and fenced yards.
Top 2024 searches like ranch, duplex, cabin and acreage were replaced by rising interest in pool, lake and waterfront, even in landlocked states like Mississippi, Montana and Oklahoma.
Demand for multigenerational living options rose, as did searches for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), guest houses, and in-law suites.
Searches for properties in different regions reflected growing priorities.
Buyers in the Southwest entered keywords like casita, guest house and solar, while those in the Mountain West region searched for ranch, horses, river and acreage. Beach, oceanfront, dock, balcony and gated community dominated Coastal region searches.
Some buyers in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kentucky searched for barndominiums. These are properties that double as a home and workspace. Some also provide storage for RVs, campers, boats and ATVs. Searches for acreage were also common.
Pacific Northwest searches often featured the keywords ADU, modern, view, yard and waterfront.1
Why You Need New Headshots Every Year (Or Two)
Recent social media discussions have included initial face-to-face meetings between agents. One agent thought he was at the wrong title office when first meeting another agent, as she looked nothing like her LinkedIn headshot.
Recent data found that 73% of prospective clients stated that an agent's image would impact their decision to hire them, especially when they're wearing a genuine smile. In addition, marketing materials that include headshots outperform other materials.
Starting 2026 with a new headshot can help you feel prepared and more.
You'll feel more confident. When you invest in a professional headshot, the photographer should highlight your best features. When you look good, you tend to feel good.
You'll look truly professional. If you're making do with a selfie, a professional headshot will improve your image.
You'll tell prospects who you are. An updated photo of yourself reflects your personality and style. It can also help you feel genuine and aligned with how others see you.
It can be motivating. Simply seeing yourself in a positive light can inspire you to maintain or improve other areas of your life, such as health, fitness, or professional development.2
The Most Affordable Cities for 2025
While home prices made this year challenging for buyers and sellers alike, some cities still offered affordable options this year. Recent data released by Redfin identified the top 10, with the Midwest and South regions home to most affordable areas.
St Louis suburb Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO came in first. Buyers would only be spending an average of 16% of their income on housing each month, which is half the national average.
Ferguson, MO (17.6%), Detroit, MI (17.9%), Broussard, LA (18.4%) and Bayou Cane, LA (18.6%) round out the top five.
While most of these cities offer diversity and green spaces, their ratings from various sources, such as Niche.com and Bestplaces.net, vary. For example, Bayou Cane is home to highly rated public schools but has higher crime rates. In addition, some homes for sale may not offer sufficient square footage for growing families.
For buyers in other regions, homes in West Mifflin, PA, Dunbar, WV and Garfield Heights, OH also provided opportunities.3
Veggie Packed Strata
Sources: 1zillow.mediaroom.com, 2newmoonphotographynj.com, 3redfin.com
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