Yoder Real Estate

10/09/2026

Our CEO, Kevin Yoder, joined Sharra Mercer and Brian Mathieson on the AI Unfair Advantage panel at LPT Realty’s FallCon 2026.

Numbers can tell us about showing activity, comparable homes, and price. They can’t tell us why a move matters to a family, how much timing matters to a seller, or which tradeoffs a buyer is willing to make.

At Yoder Real Estate, our job is to understand both the information and the person making the decision—then explain what matters and recommend the next step clearly.

10/09/2026

Today’s rental pressure could become tomorrow’s homeownership challenge.

New Urban Institute research found that 1 in 5 renters ages 18–64 missed or paid rent late at least once in 2025, the highest share the survey has recorded.

The number that deserves more attention: among middle-income renters, payment difficulties jumped from 14.3% to 21.6% in one year.

Renters who fall behind have less room to save. That doesn’t stop them from becoming homeowners, but it can make the path longer.

The question isn’t only who can afford to buy today. It’s who is building the capacity to buy tomorrow. The market is always communicating. Our job is to interpret it.

See the numbers in the slides. 👉

📞 (616) 942-2449
🌐 www.SoldByYoder.com

10/08/2026

A 7% mortgage rate doesn't automatically make renting the better deal.

Here's something worth looking at.

A new Homes.com analysis found that buying has historically outperformed renting in many situations where home prices were relatively low compared with rental costs, even when mortgage rates were above 7%.

The interesting part isn't the mortgage rate.

It's the relationship between what a home costs to buy and what that same home would cost to rent. That relationship can look very different depending on the property, price range and location. And the numbers still need to account for taxes, insurance, maintenance, your expected time in the home and the alternatives for your money.

For some buyers, ownership may create a stronger long-term financial outcome.

For others, renting may be the better decision.

The question isn't simply whether you can afford to buy. It's whether buying makes financial sense compared with renting.

That's a calculation worth making before deciding either way.

📞 (616) 942-2449
🌐 www.SoldByYoder.com

10/08/2026

The Fed raised rates and 30-year mortgages are near 6.95%. Before you give up a 3% rate, ask these three questions to decide whether selling or staying leaves you in a stronger position.

Book a Move-or-Stay Strategy Review now to look at your equity, the potential next-home payment, and your timing. Link in comments.

10/07/2026

The next decade won't just reshape the housing market.

It will reshape families.

Realtor.com estimates that nearly 14 million homes could transition over the next decade as Baby Boomers age. That doesn't mean millions of homes suddenly hit the market. It means millions of families will face important decisions about aging in place, downsizing, inheritance and long-term planning.

The biggest housing story of the next decade may not be new construction. It may be generational transition.

For homeowners, this is a reminder that planning isn't just financial. It's personal.

And the families who start those conversations early will usually have more options later.

📞 (616) 942-2449
🌐 www.SoldByYoder.com

10/06/2026

After a day on the river, walking the trails, or simply enjoying the beauty of your own 9.08 wooded acres, this Craftsman-style estate welcomes you home with spaces designed to bring everyone together.

Imagine hosting Thanksgiving around the dining table. Summer evenings on the deck overlooking the meadow. Friends and family gathered around the lower-level wet bar while the fire crackles upstairs. Morning coffee on your private balcony before the rest of the house wakes up.

At 🏡 7373 Thornapple Dales Dr SE, every space was designed to bring people together—from the open-concept kitchen and living area to the finished lower level, expansive outdoor living spaces, and secluded fire pit beneath the trees.

If you're searching for a home where every season becomes a reason to gather, this is one you won't want to miss. View the full listing in the comments or send us a message to schedule your private showing.

10/05/2026

Uncertainty doesn't stop the housing market.
It changes how people make decisions.

The latest jobs report came in weaker than expected, reminding us that economic headlines can influence confidence, not just markets. When uncertainty rises, buyers often take more time. Sellers adjust expectations. Lenders watch conditions closely.

That doesn't mean opportunities disappear.

It means strategy matters even more.

The people who make the best real estate decisions aren't the ones who react to every headline. They're the ones who understand the bigger picture and make decisions based on their own goals, timeline and financial situation.

Uncertainty changes behavior. Preparation creates confidence.

📞 (616) 942-2449
🌐 www.SoldByYoder.com

10/05/2026

Can you picture yourself here?

FOR THE BUYER WHO'D RATHER WATCH THE SUNRISE FROM A TREE STAND THAN A TRAFFIC JAM.

This isn't just a home - it's 9.08 wooded acres of mature timber, established trails, open meadow, a peaceful pond, and 208 feet of private Thornapple River frontage, creating the kind of habitat and privacy outdoor enthusiasts spend years searching for.

Whether your passion is wildlife, hunting, hiking, fishing, kayaking, or simply owning land that feels untouched, this Craftsman estate delivers a lifestyle that's increasingly difficult to find this close to Grand Rapids.
🌲 9.08 wooded acres
🦌 Habitat for abundant wildlife
🌊 208' of private river frontage
🥾 Private trail, boardwalk & viewing platform
🔥 Fire pit patio beneath the trees

Check out the full listing link in the comments or send us a message now to schedule a private showing.

10/05/2026

✈️ You may have spotted the large outbuilding in our recent post about this Kent City estate. It deserves a closer look, too!

Tthe 58-by-110-foot hangar offers approximately 6,380 square feet of clear-span space, a massive airplane hangar door, electricity, water, internet, and an upper loft.

For aviation enthusiasts, there’s also an interesting piece of history: a former 1,800-by-100-foot turf runway once associated with the privately owned Tyrone Township Airport. The runway is not currently operational, but a future owner could investigate restoring private aviation use, with independent verification of condition, feasibility, zoning, and all governmental and aviation requirements.

Whether your interest starts with aviation, a vehicle collection, or a serious workshop, this is a space worth exploring in person.

The home is available with 34 acres or the full 64.27-acre estate. Message us to compare the offerings and request a private showing.

Full listing in the comments.

10/03/2026

Licensed Real Estate Sales Agent — Sales Partner Track

West Michigan opportunity inside Yoder Real Estate, brokered by LPT Realty. Looking for one licensed Sales Partner candidate. Strong fit for an agent who wants structure, coaching, and a listing-led path.

Small team. High standards. Learn seller strategy, negotiation, and AI-enabled real estate systems. Work directly with our CEO, Kevin Yoder, a 25-year West Michigan real estate veteran.

Not for someone who just wants leads.

Apply here 👇

Yoder Real Estate