Todd Gehrke - Mortgage GURU

06/16/2026

Home Prices Are Rising in 71% of Markets

Even though you may be hearing talk about prices crashing online, it’s not true nationally. While some areas are seeing slight declines, prices are still going up in 71% of markets. That means the majority are seeing prices rise, not fall. So, don’t believe everything you hear online. If you want the truth, lean on the pros.

06/15/2026

Should You Pay for Your Buyer’s Closing Costs? What Sellers Need To Know.

The sellers having the most success today are the ones who understand the market has changed and are adapting to meet it where it is.

Sometimes that means negotiating on closing costs. Sometimes it means offering something else. The key is knowing which concessions are worth it for our local market.

If you’re wondering what's normal in our area, what's worth negotiating, and where it makes sense to stand firm, let’s connect.

A few years ago, sellers could get away with saying "no" to just about everything.

06/11/2026

Two Big Reasons To Move This Summer

Could waiting until later this year work out? Sure. But it's important to understand what you may gain by moving now too – that way you have the full picture before you decide.

If a 2026 move is on your radar, let’s connect and talk about what matters most to you. Depending on your priorities, Summer could be your moment.

A lot of people who want to move are telling themselves the same thing: "Maybe I'll just wait until later this year once things calm down."

06/10/2026

Lower Asking Prices Are a Win for Today’s Buyers

If affordability has been your top concern, the recent dip in prices is an opening. Want to see what that looks like in our area? Let’s connect.

If affordability has been the biggest thing standing between you and a home, there's a little good news.

06/10/2026

Think home prices will drop?
Many people say, “I’ll wait until things go back to 2019.”
Here’s what the numbers say.
Realtor.com ran the math on monthly mortgage payments.
For payments to fall back to 2019 levels, one of two things must happen:
--Household incomes rise 56 percent
--Mortgage rates fall to 2.65 percent
Rates today sit far above 2.65 percent.
A 56 percent income jump across households would take years.
So when someone says, “Prices will crash and we’ll be back to normal,”

What would need to change in your income?
What would need to happen with rates?

In 2019, a buyer faced lower prices and low rates.
Today, even if prices dip, higher rates keep payments high.
Monthly payment drives decisions.

If you plan to buy:

Run the numbers based on payment, not price
Stress test your budget at current rates
Decide based on your timeline, not the news cycle

Waiting for 2019 again is not a plan.
A clear budget is.
What would a 56 percent raise do for your buying power?

06/09/2026

Summer Guides for Buying or Selling a Home

Moving this Summer, and not sure where to start? The new Summer Guides for buying or selling a home have your answers. For your free digital copy, let’s connect.

06/08/2026

Could Moving a Bit Further Out Change Everything About Your Budget?

Affordability is a real challenge, but it's not an unsolvable one. The key is being open to places you might not have considered before. A local real estate agent can help you find them.

Ready to find out which areas have the best affordability right now? Reach out today.

Whether you're dreaming about buying your first home or wondering if it’s time to move on from the one you're in, affordability is probably weighing on your mind.

06/04/2026

What Rising Inflation Means for Your Move

Inflation is still above where the Fed wants it, and that means mortgage rates are likely to stay elevated for a while. But for people who need to move, strategy matters far more than trying to perfectly time the market.

Wondering what this means for your specific situation? Reach out today. Let's cut through the noise together and make a plan that actually works for you.

Data shows inflation is moving in the wrong direction. But before the headlines send anyone into a panic, here's what's actually going on, why it matters for the housing market, and what it means if you're thinking about buying or selling.

06/03/2026

The Mid-Year Housing Market Update: Why Forecasts Changed in 2026

The housing market hasn’t rebounded as quickly as experts originally hoped. But that doesn’t mean it’s stalled.

Higher inflation and lingering economic uncertainty caused economists to revise their forecasts for this year. But importantly, when those two things settle down, many experts believe the market will regain its momentum.

So don’t see this revision in forecasts as a sign of trouble. See it as a temporary reaction to overall conditions and uncertainty.

If you want to know what’s happening in our local market, and what it could mean for your plans for the rest of this year, let’s connect.

If the housing market feels confusing right now, you’re not alone.

06/01/2026

Less House, More Home: Why Smaller Homes Are Paying Off for Today’s Buyers

Today’s smaller single-family homes and condos have more going for them than the square footage suggests. They can give your budget some breathing room and put you in a community designed with lifestyle in mind.

Curious about the options in our area? Let's connect.

You started shopping with a specific mental image of your future home in your mind. Then the houses in your budget came in smaller than you pictured.