Encore Mortgage Funding, Inc. NMLS #362848

10/28/2026

Who’s Buying Homes with Cash Right Now?

More than 1 in 4 homes are being bought with cash right now. But here's something that might surprise you about who's buying them.

It's not just wealthy investors swooping in with deep pockets.

A lot of these cash buyers are everyday homeowners who've built up serious equity over the years. And that equity is giving them more buying power than they may have ever imagined.

According to Cotality, the average homeowner with a mortgage has about $310,000 in equity.

Think about what that could mean for your next move.

You might have enough equity to buy your next home outright. No mortgage payment. No worrying about today's interest rates.

And even if you can't pay all cash, that equity could help you borrow significantly less.

But what if you're buying with a mortgage?

Here's some good news: Nearly 3 out of 4 homebuyers are still using financing. You're actually in the majority.

So don't let the headlines about cash buyers make you second-guess what's possible for you. Whether you're buying your first home or using equity to make your next move, there may be more opportunities than you think.

Wondering how you stack up in today's market? Send me a message. Let's talk about your options.



Sheri L. Garner Mortgage and Real Estate Advisor
Let’s connect. Your next move starts with a plan..https://www.encoremortgage.net/get-started/

10/27/2026

Is staging worth it? It may be if you want to get the most for your house.

Data shows every $1 you spend on mid-level staging could add about $3.50 to your profit when you sell.

It can save you time, too. Staged houses can also sell up to 73% faster, which means fewer weeks of keeping everything spotless for showings.

And working with a smaller budget is totally doable. Clearing off counters and arranging furniture so rooms feel open are inexpensive options that can still make a big difference on how well your house shows when it hits the market.

Not every house needs the same level of staging. Want to know which updates would help yours sell sooner – and for more? Send a message, and we’ll walk through it together.



Sheri L. Garner Mortgage and Real Estate Advisor
Let’s connect. Your next move starts with a plan..https://www.encoremortgage.net/get-started/

10/24/2026

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are making a comeback, and it's easy to see why.

In October, starting rates for ARMs were running almost a full percentage point below fixed-rate loans. On a median-priced home, that can mean your payment could be roughly $150-300 less per month.

For buyers struggling with affordability, that’s worth considering. Just know that they do come with some trade-offs – the biggest of which is that your rate (and your payment) could rise after a set timeframe.

And just in case you’re thinking…aren't ARMs risky? You should know today's ARMs aren't like the ones from 2008. But they do work differently than a fixed-rate mortgage, so it pays to understand them first.

A trusted lender can help you explore how these loans work, how they can help, and walk you through the what-ifs.



Sheri L. Garner Mortgage and Real Estate Advisor
Let’s connect. Your next move starts with a plan..https://www.encoremortgage.net/get-started/

10/23/2026

Why More Buyers Are Turning To Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Today

Today's market has more options than many people realize. Finding the right one could be as simple as getting more information about tools like ARMs. A trusted lender can run the numbers with you, walk you through the what-ifs, and help you explore the possibilities.

Is an ARM a good option for you? Talk to a loan officer to find out.



Sheri L. Garner Mortgage and Real Estate Advisor
Let’s connect. Your next move starts with a plan..https://www.encoremortgage.net/get-started/

When mortgage rates climb, buying a home can start to feel like trying to hit a moving target. Every jump in rates makes monthly payments bigger, and that pushes a lot of buyers to look for another way in.

10/21/2026

Confused by Home Price Headlines? Here’s Why.

National headlines can’t tell you what your home is worth or how much room you have to negotiate. Local data can. If you’re thinking about buying or selling, let’s look at how prices are moving in your area, so you can set your price or make your offer with confidence.



Sheri L. Garner Mortgage and Real Estate Advisor
Let’s connect. Your next move starts with a plan..https://www.encoremortgage.net/get-started/

Whether you own a house already or you’re looking to buy one, you probably care about home prices.

10/20/2026

Hoping mortgage rates will come down soon? The latest inflation report just made that outlook a little more complicated.

Inflation climbed to 3.7% in September, higher than economists expected. And while rising gas prices were a big driver, costs increased across several other categories too.

Why does that matter for housing? Because stubborn inflation makes it harder for the Fed to justify lowering their Federal Funds Rate. It could even increase the chances of another hike.

Now, the Fed doesn't directly control mortgage rates. But inflation and Fed expectations influence them, which means there's no guarantee mortgage rates will move lower anytime soon.

If you're planning to buy or sell, don't let a hoped-for rate drop be the only thing driving your timeline.

Let's look at what today's market means...



Sheri L. Garner Mortgage and Real Estate Advisor
Let’s connect. Your next move starts with a plan..https://www.encoremortgage.net/get-started/

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

♟️ LAST CHANCE TO RSVP! SHADOW CHESS IS TOMORROW NIGHT!

Please join an elevated evening of chess, cocktails and conversation with fellow professionals, entrepreneurs and strategic thinkers!

Come and watch a friendly chess competition or simply mingle and enjoy the vibe, we would love to have you!

🏆 PLAYERS MUST ARRIVE NOT LATER THAN 5:30 PM.

🍸 Your RSVP includes a welcome cocktail!

📅 TOMORROW! Tuesday, October 20
🕕 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
📍 Fogo de Chão
Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale

🥂 Light Bites • Cash Bar • Business Casual

DON'T MISS OUT! RSVP TODAY!

https://sherigarner.Relatedrealtysales.com/pages/rsvp/

Directed by Jon Haskel, National Chess Tournament Director

Presented by Encore Mortgage Funding, Inc.

10/17/2026

Are you 1 in 4 million?

If you don't own a home yet, rent is probably the biggest monthly expense you have. And if you're not getting credit for paying it - now you can.

There’s a change rolling out now that lets renters opt in to counting their on-time rental payments toward their credit history. And that could help as many as 4 million more people qualify for a mortgage.

Maybe you’re one of them.

Even if you're not ready to buy a home today, there's no downside to taking simple steps to build your credit profile for the future.

It's time to take credit for bills you already pay. Ask me how.



Sheri L. Garner Mortgage and Real Estate Advisor
Let’s connect. Your next move starts with a plan..https://www.encoremortgage.net/get-started/

10/16/2026

Home sales may be slower than last year. But that doesn't mean buyers have disappeared.

At the current pace, almost 4 million homes are expected to sell this year. That's about 11,000 each day, 450 an hour, and nearly 8 every minute.

Why? Because even in this market, there are still buyers out there who have a reason to move.

People get new jobs, families grow, people retire, downsize, and move closer to the people they love. And those changes create buyers and sellers in every kind of market.

In fact, the latest report from NAR shows sales actually ticked up slightly in September, even though they're still below last year's pace.

So, don't let a headline convince you no one is buying. You don't need every buyer. You just need the right one – and a strategy that helps your house get their...



Sheri L. Garner Mortgage and Real Estate Advisor
Let’s connect. Your next move starts with a plan..https://www.encoremortgage.net/get-started/