Gena Brunell-Realtor, Realty ONE Group Elite, DRE# 01994049

02/16/2026

Move-Up Buyers Are Choosing New Construction

If your current house isn’t meeting your needs anymore, don’t assume your only choice is an existing home. New construction is becoming a real contender, especially for move-up buyers who want space, features, and a home that works for how they live now.

Curious whether new construction might be a fit for you? Let’s chat.

At some point, a house that once felt perfect just… doesn’t anymore.

02/15/2026

Buying your first home can feel frustrating when the options don’t seem to match your budget. But if you check out townhomes, the numbers may actually work better than you’d expect.

Townhomes make up nearly 1 in 5 new homes being built today, which is the highest share on record.

And with more townhomes on the market, you have more options in what’s typically one of the most affordable ways into homeownership.

Sure, they may be a bit smaller – but that usually means they're priced a bit lower, too.

So why not consider a townhouse for your first place? DM me if you want to see what’s available locally.

02/14/2026

Reasons To Fall in Love with Homeownership

Torn between renting for another year or finally buying a home? Having your own place gives you more stability, more freedom, and more chances to grow your wealth – and that's easy to fall in love with.

02/13/2026

Did you know? Two-thirds of homeowners today either own their house free and clear, or they have at least 50% equity in their homes.

And that’s exactly the kind of equity that changes decisions. It can:
Open the door to selling and buying again.
Put you in a position where you can renovate instead of move.
Set you up to start a business or go back to school.

Want to know how much you have?

I'm offering free equity estimates right now to homeowners in our area. If you want to claim yours and find out how much you have (or how you can use it), DM me.

02/12/2026

Four Ways Your Home Equity Can Work for You

Your home equity is one of the biggest financial assets you have. Whether you’re thinking about moving, remodeling, or working toward a big goal, it’s worth exploring your options. Reach out to a financial advisor to learn more.

What’s one goal you have that you'd go after right now, if you had the funds for it?

You may have heard homeowners today have a lot of equity built up. But what does that really mean? Let’s break it down.

02/11/2026

Inventory Is Making a Comeback in 2026

Inventory isn’t fully back to normal everywhere. But it’s moving in the right direction. And, in some areas, it’s already there.

If you’ve been waiting for a moment when you have options and a little breathing room, this is the strongest setup buyers have seen in a long time.

If you want to know what’s happening in our local market, let’s talk.

After a long stretch where buyers were competing for too few homes, inventory has made a comeback over the past year.

02/10/2026

Renting isn’t bad . . . but some relationships are meant to be temporary.

For a lot of people, there comes a point when flexibility starts feeling like uncertainty, and they want something more committed, more stable.

If that sounds like you, maybe it’s time to stop renewing your lease and start falling in love with homeownership instead.

Ready to break up with renting? DM me and let’s talk it through.

02/09/2026

Why Townhomes Are Popular with Today’s First-Time Buyers

If buying your first home feels just out of reach, the right option might not be a different timeline. It might be a different type of home.

If you want to talk through whether a townhome makes sense for you or see what’s available in our area, let’s connect.

Buying your first home can feel frustrating when the numbers don’t line up the way you expected.

02/08/2026

Everyone talks about how spring is the best time to buy a home.

But there’s another window buyers often overlook that has some seriously great perks: winter.

Want to know 3 reasons buying just a few weeks earlier could save you thousands?

Drop a comment or DM me and I’ll send the details.

02/07/2026

Buying a home is getting more affordable, and this graph helps explain why.

It shows how much of a household’s income typically goes toward buying a home. As a general rule, spending 30% or less of your income on housing is considered affordable.

For the last couple of years, the math was still well above that threshold. But lately, things have been getting better thanks to a mix of lower mortgage rates, slower home price growth, and rising wages.

While affordability isn't going to snap back overnight, the trend is finally moving in the right direction.

If you want to talk through what this means for your buying power, send me a message and let’s break it down.

02/06/2026

It’s Getting More Affordable To Buy a Home

For the first time in quite a while, affordability is easing. That’s a meaningful shift.

And because this improvement isn’t happening everywhere at the same speed, understanding what’s changing locally is what really makes a difference. If you want to see how these trends show up in our area, let’s talk it through.

There’s finally a little good news for anyone who’s been priced out or sitting on the sidelines.