Trends Realty - Stearn & Associates

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Trends Realty - Stearn & Associates We specialize in Uniontown & Lake Local. We live it. We sell it. We know it.
-Uniontown Specialists
-Lake Local Experts. Call us today!

Greg and I help Uniontown homeowners sell confidently and help buyers win in Lake Local — without stress or guesswork About This Team

Specialties: Buyer's Agent, Listing Agent, Relocation, Purchase Loan

With our 30+ years combined experience in this industry, we know what you want!!! Timely service, knowledge, and experience you can trust! Let our *FREE* Buyers Service plan start working for you! Whether you are considering buying a home, selling a home, or both, we can help. We serve Stark, Summit, Portage, and the surrounding counties, including the communities of North Canton, Green, Uniontown, Hartville, Jackson Township, Massillon, Lake Township, Marlboro Township, Plain Township and the Alliance area.

The Home Insurance Move That Could Save You $440 a YearWhen was the last time you shopped around for home insurance? Bec...
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.

Pop quiz. What credit score do you need to buy a home? If your answer was B) 660 or C) 700 … you’re not alone. A lot of ...
11/01/2026

Pop quiz. What credit score do you need to buy a home?

If your answer was B) 660 or C) 700 … you’re not alone. A lot of people believe you need "perfect" or “near perfect” credit.

But you probably don’t need as high a credit score as you think.

Even though a Veterans United survey shows 57% of would-be buyers think you need at least a 660, the long-standing benchmark for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans is 620, and even that isn’t a hard rule for every loan.

So the real answer? Both A) 620 and D) “it depends” are right.

And with all the changes to credit models lately, even more people will be able to buy than before.

Don’t let myths keep you locked into a lease. Let’s find out where you actually stand.

In case you haven’t heard, 27% of homes sold in September were bought with cash, according to NAR. That’s more than 1 in...
10/31/2026

In case you haven’t heard, 27% of homes sold in September were bought with cash, according to NAR. That’s more than 1 in 4.

When you hear a number like that, it’s easy to wonder how that’s even possible nowadays – especially with so many people struggling with affordability.

You might picture wealthy investors with deep pockets…but not all cash buyers are who you'd think.

Some are just regular homeowners who’ve built up enough equity over the years to sell their house and buy their next one in cash.

So sure, affordability is tight. But that doesn't mean buying a home today is only possible for the wealthy or big investors.

If you own a home and you’ve lived there for a while, you may be in a better position to move than you think.

Want to know how much equity you have? Let’s find out what it could do for your next move.

Credit Scoring Is Changing: 3 Things Homebuyers Should KnowThink you need a 700 credit score to buy a home? You might be...
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.

Who’s Buying Homes with Cash Right Now?More than 1 in 4 homes are being bought with cash right now. But here's something...
10/29/2026

Who’s Buying Homes with Cash Right Now?

More than 1 in 4 homes are being bought with cash right now. But here's something that might surprise you about who's buying them.

It's not just wealthy investors swooping in with deep pockets.

A lot of these cash buyers are everyday homeowners who've built up serious equity over the years. And that equity is giving them more buying power than they may have ever imagined.

According to Cotality, the average homeowner with a mortgage has about $310,000 in equity.

Think about what that could mean for your next move.

You might have enough equity to buy your next home outright. No mortgage payment. No worrying about today's interest rates.

And even if you can't pay all cash, that equity could help you borrow significantly less.

But what if you're buying with a mortgage?

Here's some good news: Nearly 3 out of 4 homebuyers are still using financing. You're actually in the majority.

So don't let the headlines about cash buyers make you second-guess what's possible for you. Whether you're buying your first home or using equity to make your next move, there may be more opportunities than you think.

Wondering how you stack up in today's market? Send me a message. Let's talk about your options.

10/28/2026

Staging Could Put More Money in Your Pocket

If you’re selling soon, staging can help you draw in buyers and get the most for your house. Mid-level staging can bring a 350% return on what you spend. On a $400k house, the typical $4k cost can add about $18k in value. That could mean about $14k more in your pocket at closing. Working with a smaller budget? Even just decluttering and rearranging furniture can make a big difference. Let’s walk through your house together and pinpoint the updates that’ll help it sell sooner – and for more.

Buyers, this is big.The housing market is giving you a level of negotiating power we haven't seen since the years follow...
10/27/2026

Buyers, this is big.

The housing market is giving you a level of negotiating power we haven't seen since the years following the housing crash.

According to Redfin, there are now 63% more sellers than buyers nationwide, and 41 of the 50 largest metros favor buyers. That means, in most places, you have more say in what you're willing to pay, what you're willing to accept, and what you want to negotiate.

And sellers have more reason to listen.

Of course this varies market to market, but this shift is creating opportunities for buyers who are ready to jump in – even with today’s higher rates.

DM me, and let's make sure you know how to take advantage of it.

10/26/2026

New Homes Cost Less in 1 in 3 Major Markets

Newly built homes now cost less than existing ones in about 1 in 3 major markets. How much less, exactly? Nationally, a newly built home typically sells for about $35,000 less. So, brand-new could be more budget-friendly than you think. Want to see how newly built and existing homes compare where you’re looking? Let’s tour one of each.

Are home prices going up or down? It depends on where you look.Over the past year, prices in Chicago climbed almost 7%. ...
10/25/2026

Are home prices going up or down? It depends on where you look.

Over the past year, prices in Chicago climbed almost 7%. In Seattle, they dipped about 1.6%. That’s a nearly 9-point gap between two major cities.

Look at little closer, though. Home prices are rising in 13 of the 19 major cities on this chart. And where prices are down, the dips are small (less than 2%).

So, this isn’t a crash. It’s just a market normalizing after overheating during the pandemic. And that’s hitting some areas differently than others.

Here’s what it really means. Your local market matters.

If you’re selling where prices are still rising, you may not need to cut your price. And if you’re buying where prices are softer, you may have more room to negotiate.

National headlines can’t tell you which side your neighborhood is on. Local data can. Let’s look at how prices are moving in your area, so you can set your price or make your offer with confidence.

To Sell or Rent? How To Choose the Best Path for Your House.Your house isn't selling as quickly as you hoped. So, should...
10/24/2026

To Sell or Rent? How To Choose the Best Path for Your House.

Your house isn't selling as quickly as you hoped. So, should you just rent it out instead? It's a question more homeowners are asking. And the numbers show just how common this backup plan is becoming.

According to Parcl, about 9% of homes currently listed for rent were originally listed for sale.

That's a lot of homeowners becoming landlords when selling didn't go according to plan.

But before you trade your "For Sale" sign for a "For Rent" sign, there's something worth considering.

Being a landlord isn't always the easy passive income opportunity it sounds like.
Landlord insurance typically costs about 25% more than regular homeowners insurance. Property management can eat up around 10% of your rental income.

And that's before unexpected repairs, vacancies, or late-night maintenance calls.
Suddenly, renting might not look quite as simple.

Now, that doesn't mean renting is a bad idea. For some homeowners, it's absolutely the right move.

But if selling is what you really want, don't give up on that plan just yet.
Sometimes, the difference between a house that sits and one that sells comes down to the changing the strategy.

Thinking about renting your house because selling feels harder than expected? Send a message. Let's compare the numbers and figure out which option actually makes the most sense for you.

Address

2730 Edison Street NW, Suite A
Uniontown, OH
44685

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+13304181212

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