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Check this out!If you’re a veteran, your VA home loan benefit is powerful on its own. But paired with today's housing ma...
11/12/2026

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If you’re a veteran, your VA home loan benefit is powerful on its own. But paired with today's housing market? It could open even more doors.

Many eligible veterans and service members can buy a home with no down payment required and no monthly mortgage insurance. And that alone could make a big difference in how much money you need to buy.

But there's another opportunity right now worth knowing about.

With more homes for sale and less competition from other buyers, you may have more room to negotiate. And that could mean asking a seller to help cover closing costs, make repairs, or work with you on the price.

Think about what that combination could mean. Less money needed upfront, potentially better terms, and more of your savings left for everything that comes after you get the keys.

Talk to a loan officer about what you may qualify for and what's possible for your next move.



Brett Dalzell - (701) 305-0061

Check this out!The housing market looks a lot different than it did a few years ago.In 2021, almost none of the top 100 ...
11/11/2026

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The housing market looks a lot different than it did a few years ago.

In 2021, almost none of the top 100 metros favored buyers. But in 2026? Two-thirds of them do or are headed that way.

And depending on where you live, that means the market today is going to feel different. It shifts the power away from sellers in many places and puts it back into the hands of buyers.

For buyers, you may find sellers are more open to compromising on price and repairs than you’d expect.

For sellers, who has more power during negotiation depends ultimately on where you live. So, it’s important to have a strategy that matches your local market.

Want to know where things stand in our area? Let’s connect.



Brett Dalzell - (701) 305-0061

Check this out!Did the latest climb in mortgage rates take a bite out of your home budget and have you rethinking your m...
11/10/2026

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Did the latest climb in mortgage rates take a bite out of your home budget and have you rethinking your move?

If you’re aiming for a $2,000 monthly payment, that rise in rates cut about $22,000 from what you can spend. That’s a lot.

But what if you could close the gap?While headlines focus on lost buying power, they’re not calling enough attention to how seller concessions can offset that blow.

More than 40% of homes for sale have had a price cut, and the typical cut on a median-priced home is around $18,000. That alone could win back most of what rates took.

And you could get back even more by asking for repair credits or closing cost help, too.

How much a seller will negotiate depends on the house and the area. Send a DM to find out how much of that $22,000 you could get back around here.



Brett Dalzell - (701) 305-0061

Check this out!Low Rates or Lots of Leverage? Buyers Rarely Get Both.Higher mortgage rates come with a perk most buyers ...
11/09/2026

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Low Rates or Lots of Leverage? Buyers Rarely Get Both.

Higher mortgage rates come with a perk most buyers miss: negotiating power.

Back in 2022, after two years of rates near 3%, 95 of the top 100 metros favored sellers, according to Realtor.com. Bidding wars and offers over asking were everywhere.

Now rates are above 7%, and the picture has flipped. Today, 66 of those 100 metros lean toward buyers.

And sellers are making deals to prove it. Redfin reports nearly half of buyers now get a concession from the seller, like help with closing costs, money for repairs, or even paying to buy down the mortgage rate.

That’s the trade-off: buyers rarely get low rates and leverage at the same time. If rates dropped in a big way, more buyers would jump back in, and that leverage would likely shrink.

That doesn’t mean you have to move right now. The right time to buy is when the numbers work for you. But if you’re ready to move, today’s leverage could help make the math more doable than you think.

Just remember, every local market is different.

Want to see how much negotiating power you’d have in this area? Let’s look at homes where sellers may be open to a rate buydown or closing cost help.



Brett Dalzell - (701) 305-0061

Check this out!Toward the end of the year, the number of homes for sale usually starts to level off or dip as we enter t...
11/06/2026

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Toward the end of the year, the number of homes for sale usually starts to level off or dip as we enter the slower season in the market. But so far this year, it’s still going up.

And that break in the usual seasonal trend could be good for some buyers.

Part of the reason is that fewer people are shopping right now with mortgage rates where they are. But that gives anyone who can make the numbers work an opportunity.

If you’re able to buy at today’s rates, you have more options than you’d normally have. And that means more chances to find a home in budget – and less competition from other buyers.

You’ll likely even see sellers more willing to strike a deal.

What you’ll find depends on where you’re looking. Send a DM to see what’s on the market near you.



Brett Dalzell - (701) 305-0061

Check this out!Don't Let the Fear of a Buyer Backing Out Scare You Away from SellingWhat if you finally get an offer on ...
11/05/2026

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Don't Let the Fear of a Buyer Backing Out Scare You Away from Selling

What if you finally get an offer on your house... and then the buyer backs out?
It's every seller's nightmare. And with headlines about canceled contracts on the rise, it's a concern worth talking about.

But here's what those headlines aren't telling you: 85–90% of home sales still make it to closing.

And there's more good news. You can actually take steps to protect your sale before your house even hits the market.

According to a Redfin survey, 70% of agents say inspection or repair issues are a reason buyers back out. That's the biggest reason reported, by far.

So, what's one smart move you can make?

Consider getting a pre-listing inspection. It could help you spot potential problems early, decide what to fix, and avoid surprises that might send a buyer running.

And that's just one piece of the puzzle. The right preparation, pricing, and negotiation strategy can make a real difference.

Selling your house doesn't have to feel like a gamble. A little preparation can give you a much stronger start.

Thinking about selling? Send me a message, and let's talk about how to set your sale up for success.



Brett Dalzell - (701) 305-0061

Check this out!What Experts Forecast for Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2027Want to know what’s next for rates and pr...
11/04/2026

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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.



Brett Dalzell - (701) 305-0061

11/03/2026

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How To Win Back Your Buying Power

The recent jump in mortgage rates cut about $22k from what a buyer with a $2,000 monthly budget can spend. But you can win most of that back at the negotiating table. More than 4 in 10 homes for sale have had a price cut. And the typical cut is about $18k on a median-priced home. That’s just a price cut alone. You may also be able to ask for repair credits, closing cost help, and more. Let’s find the homes where sellers may have some wiggle room and see what we can negotiate.



Brett Dalzell - (701) 305-0061

Check this out!Home insurance has gotten pricier, and that can be frustrating when you’re budgeting for a move. Here’s w...
11/02/2026

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Home insurance has gotten pricier, and that can be frustrating when you’re budgeting for a move. Here’s what you can do about it.

Data shows homeowners who switched insurance companies saved about $440 a year compared to those who stayed with the same insurance provider. And they didn’t have to give up coverage to do it.

So, before you move, compare quotes from a few companies. You may find a better deal than you’d expect.

Not sure when to start gathering insurance quotes? Send a message to see where they fit in your homebuying timeline.



Brett Dalzell - (701) 305-0061

Check this out!The Fed just met and they decided on no rate hike and no rate cut. So, what does that mean if you're watc...
10/30/2026

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The Fed just met and they decided on no rate hike and no rate cut. So, what does that mean if you're watching and hoping for lower mortgage rates?

The short answer: don't expect this to dramatically change things.

For now, they’re holding steady. But a recent survey from Reuters asked 100 economists what to expect from here – and all 100 said the Fed will do a hike in December.

Now, the Fed doesn't directly set mortgage rates, but their actions do have an impact. Rates will also move based on inflation, economic data, and how financial markets react.

The takeaway? There’s a lot at play here – and we’ll probably see a hike the next time they meet.

Follow me for straightforward updates on what’s actually happening and why it matters for the housing market.



Brett Dalzell - (701) 305-0061

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3540 38th Avenue S, Suite I
Fargo, ND
58104

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