Chuck Barberini Real Estate

  If you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to become a homeowner in the next twelve months, there’s probably a lot on your mind. You’re thinking about your finances, today’s mortgage rates, home prices, the current state of the economy, and more. And, you’re juggling how all of those things will impact the choice you’ll make. It’s a lot. But here’s what you need to remember. While housing market conditions are definitely a factor in your decision, your own personal situation and your finances matter too. As an article from  NerdWallet  says: “Housing market trends give important context. But whether this is a good time to buy a house also depends on your financial situation, life goals and readiness to become a homeowner .” So, instead of trying to time the market, focus on what you can control. Here are a few questions that can give you clarity on whether or not you’re ready to make your move. 1. Do you have a stable job? Buying a home ...

  Hearing talk about home prices falling? That may leave you worried about whether your house is losing value. But here’s what you need to know. While some local markets have seen small price dips this year, home prices are not falling nationally. So, don’t let the headlines scare you. The vast majority of the country is actually seeing prices rise. While that may feel surprising after the headlines you’ve seen, the map below uses year-over-year data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to make that clear: Let’s break down what this really shows. Most states are seeing prices rise ( the blue in that map ). Not fall. Now, the gains aren’t as big as they’ve been in recent years, but that’s okay. The story is still, prices are growing. And that positive majority is exactly why data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows, nationally, home prices are up 2.1% compared to last year. But the headlines don’t draw attention to this. They feed on the negative. But...

  “Just Thinking" Happy Friday! The weather’s still cool, the days are getting shorter, and we’re charging headlong into Christmas. Hard to believe that it is just two weeks from yesterday. Something to look forward to as we juggle the prep and the stress that always seems to sneak in this time of year. Christmas isn’t just about celebrating the birth of Jesus, it’s about family, friends, traditions, and remembering those we’ve loved and lost. It’s a season that brings all kinds of emotions: the joy of the holiday, the melancholy for those who aren’t with us, the letdown when, after all of the anticipation, the big day comes and goes, the relief of pulling it off for another year and the gratitude for the people and blessings around you. Take a deep breath and soak it in, because ready or not, here it comes! I read a couple articles that got me thinking about music this week, how so many artists who changed and enhanced the musical backdrop of our time have died early and what imp...

  Check Out This Weeks Newsletter What Buyers and Sellers Really Expect From the 2026 Housing Market Consumers are heading into 2026 with one eye on opportunity and the other on the panic button. They’re nervous about the economy, anxious about their finances, yet more determined than ever to buy or sell a home. A new survey from Clever Real Estate reveals a clear split in consumer sentiment. People expect financial stress, rising prices, and even recession-level uncertainty. But they’re also eager to take action, upgrade their space, and finally make the move they’ve been putting off. Understanding what buyers and sellers expect from the housing market can help you stay ahead of the questions and concerns that will shape real decisions in the coming year. The Economic Anxiety Driving 2026 Housing Decisions Consumers feel the pressure. The survey shows only 40% of those planning to buy or sell in 2026 believe the U.S. economy is heading in the right di...

  A lot of people are asking the same thing right now: “Is it even a good time to sell?” And the truth may come as a bit of a surprise... For many homeowners, the answer is a strong yes . Why? Because of one major factor working in your favor: your equity. Odds are, if you’ve lived in your home for a while, you know you have significant equity. But how much are we really talking about? The number might just change everything about your next move. The Hidden Wealth of Homeownership Here’s how it works. When you own a home, you build up something called equity . Each time you make a mortgage payment, you’re chipping away at your loan balance. And that helps your ownership stake in your home grow. At the same time, home values typically rise – which drives up the overall value of your home. When you put those two things together, you’re building wealth automatically, month after month, year after year. And that combo can add up to real dollars that can make a real difference in your...

  Spring gets all the attention, but it’s not always the best time to sell a house . Yes, more buyers show up, but so do a lot of other sellers. Winter is different. With fewer homes on the market, your house has a much better chance of standing out. And that one advantage can make a big difference. Winter Is When Your Listing Stands Out History shows the number of homes for sale tends to drop during the winter months. It’s a trend that’s predictable almost every year. Data from Realtor.com shows this pattern clearly. Inventory dips in the winter ( the green circles in the graph below ), then climbs again as soon as spring approaches: And based on the latest data available, it looks like that pattern may be true again in 2025. The graph shows the supply of homes for sale is starting to come down as we head into the end of the year. And if history is any indicator of where it goes next, it’ll continue to fall just like it usually does. Here’s why knowing this gives you an edge....

  New home construction today is giving buyers something it feels like they haven't gotten much lately: a real shot at both the home they want and the deal they need . More brand-new options are on the market right now, and builders are rolling out incentives that make these homes more affordable than many people expect. It’s a combination that doesn’t come around often – and it’s putting buyers in a surprisingly strong position this season. Here’s why this moment matters and why it’s worth partnering with your own local agent to take advantage of it. 1. More New Homes Are Available Now – and That May Not Last There’s more new construction on the market today than normal. And for buyers, that means: More cutting-edge communities More move-in-ready homes More floor plans to pick from More upgraded designs and modern features But that variety may not last. Data from Zonda shows that even though it feels like new homes are popping up just about everywhere, builders have actually sta...

  “Just Thinking" I really had a hard time getting my thoughts together this week. I started and stopped multiple times, nothing flowed. This is the first “Just Thinking” since Thanksgiving, so thoughts of family, friends, loved ones lost and new adventures kept coming to mind, yet no traction. With all that being said, I changed directions this week and am doing a compilation of thoughts, observations and questions. Let’s see how it goes. Well, it’s Christmas time, you can’t be a City Boomer without thinking about the roof rides at “The Big E’, but I wrote about them last year, so I won’t rehash. Realistically the only time that we would go to the Emporium downtown was at Christmas, most of the time we would go to Stonestown. Not the Stonestown Galleria that we all know today, this was an open-air mall that was built in the 50’s with palm trees and generous overhangs, designed to shield shoppers from Bay Area weather. This was one of Northern California’s first regional shopping ...

  Check Out This Weeks Newsletter Realtor.com Says Relief Is Coming to the Housing Market. Here’s the Full 2026 Forecast. The U.S. housing market has been stuck in a pressure cooker for years now.  Buyers pushed to their limit. Sellers reluctant to give up their ultra-low mortgage rates. Renters squeezed as pandemic-era housing shortages drove rents to record highs.  But according to Realtor.com’s new 2026 Housing Forecast, that long stretch of imbalance will finally start to ease next year.  This isn’t a dramatic rebound. It’s a gradual correction that finally helps more buyers move. And if you spend every day working in housing, that shift matters. The forecast shows a market inching back toward balance. Mortgage rates hold steadier. Price growth cools. Inventory keeps rising. Rents soften where new supply hits.  None of these shifts will solve the affordability crisis, but together they create a better playing field for consumers and those helping the...

  If you’re like a lot of homeowners, you’ve probably thought: “I’d like to move… but I don’t want to give up my 3% rate.” That’s fair. That rate has been one of your best financial wins – and it can be hard to let go. But here’s what you need to remember... A great rate won’t make up for a home that no longer works for you. Life changes, and sometimes, your home needs to change with it. And you’re not the only one making that choice. The Lock-In Effect Is Starting To Ease Many homeowners have been frozen in place by something the experts call the lock-in effect. That's when you won't move because you don’t want to take on a higher rate on your next home loan. But data from Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) shows the lock-in effect is slowly starting to ease for some people. The share of homeowners with a mortgage rate below 3% ( the yellow in the graph below ) is slowly declining as more people move. And while some of the people with a rate over 6% are first-time buyers,...

  Whether it’s at a family gathering, your company party, or catching up with friends over the holidays, the housing market always finds its way into the conversation. Here are the top three questions on a lot of people’s minds this season, and straightforward answers to help you feel more confident about the market. 1. “Will I even be able to find a home if I want to move?” Yes, more than you could a year or two ago. The number of homes for sale has been rising over the past few years. According to data from Realtor.com , there have been more than one million homes on the market for six straight months, something that hasn’t happened since 2019 ( see graph below ): That means two things: Buyers have more options. Sellers have more places they can move to next. Many homeowners who held off are realizing the shelves aren’t bare anymore. So, if you hit pause on your home search last year because nothing fit your needs, it may be worth another look. With more homes on the market now,...

  Want to know how to find the best deal possible in today’s housing market ? Here’s the secret. Focus on homes that have been sitting on the market for a while. Because when a listing lingers, sellers tend to get more realistic – and, more willing to negotiate. And that’s where the savviest buyers are finding homes other buyers overlook. The Opportunity: 1 in 5 Homes Has Had a Price Cut This Year According to Realtor.com , about 1 in every 5 listings (20.2%) have dropped their asking price at least once. And while so many things in today’s housing market vary by region, that number is consistent throughout the country. That tells you one thing... No matter where you live, there’s a chance to score a better deal. You just need to know where to look. And that’s where your agent comes in. The Tactic: Target Homes That Have Been Sitting the Longest Your agent can help you identify which homes have been on the market the longest. Those are the ones where you’re more likely to get a di...