Beth Goethel Group - RE/MAX Preferred Real Estate

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Local experts in South Central Wisconsin Real Estate & Property Management - Let us help you!

11/06/2026

A few things I'll never apologize for as your REALTOR®! 🏡

I'll tell you when a home isn't the right fit, send you a listing the second I think you'll love it, and ask you to think twice before making a big decision.

Not because I want to make the process complicated, but because I want you to feel confident about the home you choose.

Buying a home is a big deal, and sometimes my job means telling you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear.

At the end of the day, I'm here to look out for you, celebrate the wins, and make sure you find a home you truly love! 🤍

11/06/2026

Selling Your Home? What You Should Know About Price Cuts vs. Rate Buydowns.

What if you could make your house more attractive to buyers without lowering your asking price?

With 43% of sellers cutting prices right now, according to HousingWire, it's a question worth asking – especially because there's another way to give buyers what they really want: a lower monthly payment.

It's called a mortgage rate buydown. And the difference can be pretty remarkable.
Here's an example.

Let's say you're willing to offer a buyer $10,000 to help get your house sold.

A $10,000 price reduction could save that buyer about $70 a month.

But putting that same $10,000 toward a temporary mortgage rate buydown could save them roughly $500 a month in the first year.

Same amount from you. A much bigger impact on their immediate budget.

Now, those savings won't last forever with a temporary buydown. But for the right buyer, that upfront relief could be exactly what makes your house stand out.

Thinking about selling? Send me a message. Let's explore which incentives could attract buyers while protecting your bottom line.

11/05/2026

What the Silver Tsunami Means if You’re Planning To Sell

The term “silver tsunami” makes it sound like a wave of houses is about to hit the market all at once. The research says otherwise.

According to Realtor.com, about 13.9 million homes owned by older Americans are expected to change hands by 2036. That's a big number. But it's spread across a decade, at roughly 1.3 to 1.5 million homes a year.

The pace is important. After the 2008 housing crash, builders spent years not building enough homes to keep up with demand, and the country still hasn't caught up. As longtime homeowners sell over time, their houses will help ease a shortage that's already there.

For buyers, that can mean more options. For sellers, it means there's no reason to put your plans on hold because of a trend that’s expected to play out over the next 10 years.

What matters more is what's happening in your area right now: how many homes are for sale nearby, what similar houses are selling for, and what buyers want.

Planning a move in the next year or so? Let's talk about what the local numbers mean for your house.

11/04/2026

Before you choose a list price, don’t just look at what the house down the street sold for six months ago. 🏡

Pay attention to these 3 signals:

• Active competition: What similar homes can buyers tour right now?
• Recent price reductions: If comparable homes are cutting prices, that can be a sign buyers are pushing back.
• Days on market: If homes like yours are sitting longer, pricing and positioning matter even more.

The goal isn’t simply to list as high as possible. It’s to price your home where it can attract attention, create urgency, and still protect your bottom line.

Thinking about selling? Start with the market that exists today, not the one from last season.

11/04/2026

What Experts Forecast for Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2027

Want to know what’s next for rates and prices? The forecasts are in.

And the outlook for the housing market in 2027 comes down to one word: steady.

The latest forecasts from Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and Wells Fargo show mortgage rates holding fairly flat through 2027. No big drop expected. No big spike either.

Lenders agree. In a recent HousingWire survey, 70% of mortgage executives said they expect rates to be around 7.5% or higher six months from now.

Home prices are on a steady path too. On average, those same forecasts show national prices rising about 1% to 1.5% a year through 2027.

So what does that mean for you?

If you’re buying, slower price growth gives you a little more breathing room. And instead of waiting on a rate drop that may not come, you can focus on what you can control, like a monthly payment that feels comfortable today.

If you’re selling, your house should keep holding its value, which makes it easier to plan your move around your goals and timeline.

Just keep in mind, these are national numbers. What’s happening in your neighborhood could look different.

Curious what a move could look like at today’s rates and prices? Let’s run the numbers together.

11/02/2026

The purchase price gets most of the attention, but it’s not the only part of a home offer that can be negotiated. 👀🏡

Depending on the property, market, contract, and your financing, buyers may also be able to negotiate things like:

• Closing costs or seller concessions to help reduce the cash needed at closing
• Repairs or repair credits after the home inspection
• Closing date and possession based on what works for both sides
• Appliances or other items the seller may be willing to leave behind
• Interest-rate buydown contributions if your loan allows them
• Home warranties for additional coverage after closing
• Contingency terms and timelines, including inspection or financing deadlines

And here’s the important part: the strongest offer isn’t always the one with the highest price. Sometimes the terms, timing, flexibility, and overall structure of the offer matter just as much to a seller.

That’s why having a strategy before you submit an offer matters. You want to know where you have room to negotiate, what’s worth asking for, and where you may be better off staying competitive.

Thinking about buying a home? Let’s talk through the offer strategy before you get to the negotiating table.

11/02/2026

The Home Insurance Move That Could Save You $440 a Year

When was the last time you shopped around for home insurance? Because that one move could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

With home insurance taking up a bigger chunk of monthly housing costs, that's an opportunity worth looking into.

And the numbers are pretty eye-opening.

According to Intercontinental Exchange, homeowners who switched insurance companies saved an average of $440 a year. Their premiums dropped 6.6%, while homeowners who stayed with their existing provider saw costs climb 10.4%.

That's a big difference just for shopping around.

And here's more good news: Home insurance costs are still rising, but the pace of those increases is finally slowing down.

So, what does this mean if you're buying a home?

Don't assume the first insurance quote you get is the best one. Comparing providers could help you keep your monthly payment more manageable.

And if you're open to new construction, there's another potential advantage. Newly built homes typically cost 10–15% less to insure than older ones, according to John Burns Research and Consulting.

Want help finding ways to make your next move more affordable? Send me a message. Let's talk.

10/31/2026

Thinking about selling? Before you start making updates or guessing what your home might be worth, take a look at how it would actually compete in today’s market. 🏡

Your home’s potential depends on more than square footage. Condition, location, recent comparable sales, current competition, buyer demand, and presentation all play a role.

Sometimes a few strategic changes can strengthen your position. Other times, the smartest move is simply understanding where your home stands before you do anything at all.

If selling has been on your mind, start with the numbers and a clear plan.

10/30/2026

What if the smaller house actually gives you a bigger life? 🏡✨

Less space can mean less upkeep, fewer weekend projects, lower monthly expenses, and more freedom to spend your time and money on the things you actually enjoy.

Downsizing isn’t always about giving something up. Sometimes it’s about choosing a home that fits your life better now.

More ease. More flexibility. More room for what matters outside the four walls!

10/30/2026

Credit Scoring Is Changing: 3 Things Homebuyers Should Know

Think you need a 700 credit score to buy a home? You might be surprised by how wrong that number is.

And if you've been putting off buying because of your credit, this could change everything.

According to a recent Veterans United survey, 57% of prospective buyers think they need a credit score of at least 660 to qualify for a mortgage. And 34% believe they need 700 or higher.

But here's what many people don't realize.

The traditional benchmark for many conventional loans has been 620. And with recent changes to mortgage credit scoring, even that isn't a hard-and-fast requirement for every loan.

Plus, lenders are beginning to adopt newer credit scoring models that could help millions more Americans get evaluated for a mortgage.

So, the number you see on your credit monitoring app may not tell the whole story about your ability to buy a home.

Does that mean everyone can qualify? Of course not. But it does mean you shouldn't count yourself out before talking to a professional.

Curious where you actually stand? Send me a message, and let's connect you with a lender who can help you find out.

Address

144 4th Avenue
Baraboo, WI
53913

Website

http://www.bethgoethel.com/

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