Rob Howard- Realtor

05/29/2026

sitting on the sidelines waiting for 5% rates? That math just got harder.

Fannie Mae just raised its rate forecast. The 30-year fixed is now projected to hold in the low-to-mid 6% range through 2026 and into 2027. The drop everyone's been waiting for keeps getting pushed further out.

Here's what most buyers don't know:

The historical average for the 30-year fixed is around 7.7% going back to 1971. Today's rates sit below that. Waiting for a number that may never come back means paying more for the same house while prices keep climbing.

The good news is there are ways to soften the rate right now:

- Temporary buydowns (2-1, 3-2-1) to ease them into the payment

- Permanent buydowns to lock a lower rate for the life of the loan

- ARMs for buyers planning to move or refi in a few years

05/29/2026

Discover why this floor plan is exceptionally popular, offering ease of living, functionality, and spaciousness. The dining area is thoughtfully positioned, and the living area provides ample space between the kitchen and couch. With a full basement and large bedrooms, the 'Faraday' plan is one of the most livable and functional townhomes in the area.

You can build this plan in
Horsham ( only 2 left !! So let’s hurry ) from mid 600s
Or
Maple Glen / Ambler Grand opening. Amazing location!! Priced from Low 700s!

Let’s go see them today and don’t miss out if Horsham appeals to you , and receive some amazing grand opening incentives in Upper Dublin as well !!

Click link to do a virtual walkthrough..

05/27/2026

Only 3 left and look at this AMAZING VALUE! Yes , I know everything has gotten so expensive but what you’re getting here is a win in many categories!

*First Floor Owners Suite ( and not having to pay for Adult community )
*$50,000 discount on the price
*settlement in November or December of this year ( giving you plenty of time to prep an existing home if need to sell , or peace of mind to relax this summer knowing you already have a great home )
* over 2400 square feet! Becoming increasingly rare for newer townhomes at this price point
*2-Story Great Room!
*loft are upstairs
*2 Additional Flex Rooms on top of 2 Bedrooms on second floor, providing amazing versatile living and space that most want if living in a townhome!
*CAN STILL SELECT YOUR OWN FINISHES ( FLOORING, TILE, CARPET , APPLIANCES !! )
*2 Car Garage
*Rear Deck included
*Full Basement
* Low HOA of $190.00!
*walking trails connecting to existing park
*community is all sold , so end of Construction!
*Montgomery County!

Time is Ticking! Come see why this is a Stamped with my Approval Value in the market place!
If looking to downsize this is a great opportunity , and want space to entertain, kids , grandkids, family and friends! Without the high HOA or 55 and over communities at same price or higher for way less space and functionality!

603 America Dr, Horsham, PA 19044 is a townhouse listed for sale at $710,430. This is a 3-bed, 3-bath, 2,465 sqft property.

05/27/2026

Come this weekend to check out my latest listing in Briarcliffe!! Perfect for First Time Homebuyer, Investor or hell, anybody!

1139 Tremont Dr, Glenolden, PA 19036 is a townhouse that will be listed for sale at $250,000. This is a 3-bed, 2-bath, 1,152 sqft property.

05/26/2026

DID YOU KNOW?

* The designer of the new $640,000 first electric Ferrari is the same guy who designed the computer I am writing this on.....Apple's Jony Ive! Of course, while we were about to celebrate the impact EV's might have on making homes close to roads quieter, Ferrari's LUCE engine roar, so critical to Ferraris, can be provided by what the company calls an “external amplification system” that pumps the natural sound of the electric axles out to the street. It can also be turned on in the cabin for driving feedback in “performance mode.” What is the #1 complaint on NYC's 311 hotline? Noise...... (WSJ)

* Is security the ultimate luxury? Stone Creek Ranch, located in Delray Beach, Fla., is one of the hottest new neighborhoods for the ultra-rich, but it didn’t always start out that way. The development was created in the early 2000s a stone’s throw away from the marshy land of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. It now has 24/7 armed security guards with just 37 multi-million-dollar homes on 2.5-acre-minimum lots, 1 hour from Miami. (FORTUNE)

* The number of office-to-apartment conversions in the U.S. pipeline at the start of 2026 grew to 90,300 units, a 28% increase in a year. (WSJ)

* Today in 1995, 31 years ago, Microsoft CEO Bill Gates issued his famous "Internet Tidal Wave" memo, declaring the internet the "most important single development" since the IBM PC. More recently, Bill Gates said:

"Of all the things humans have ever

created, AI will change society the most."

05/24/2026

DID YOU KNOW?

* In a split second this email will reach over 50,000 recipients.....on this day in 1844 the first Telegraph Message was sent by inventor Samuel F. B. Morse who transmitted the historic message, “What hath God wrought?”, over a telegraph line spanning 40 miles from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore, Maryland.....not far away in 2001 - a quarter century ago - Apple made retail history by opening its first two physical stores in McLean, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Today there are about 272 in the US and 540 globally....some of the most successful and profitable bricks-and-mortar retail stores from one of the world's largest trillion-dollar .....TECH companies!

* In April, just six cities out of the top 100 markets had typical home prices below $300,000, and all had a swell of new listings. Most were in the Midwest, where home sales have outperformed the national level this year, likely due to the relative affordability of homes in the region. Pittsburgh held the lowest median listing price for the month, at $248,625, followed by Detroit, at $248,900. Cleveland; Buffalo, NY; St. Louis; and Birmingham, AL.

* In 19 of the 100 largest US metropolitan areas, the alignment between listing prices and incomes has gotten better than it was even before the pandemic. Areas where pricing is moderating is being mostly driven by rising inventory....what a shocking revelation! 🤔(NY TIMES/Newscorp)

05/23/2026

Only 3 lots left to build in Horsham, Montgomery County! Priced from $644,900, you can currently get some great close-out specials. Three dynamic floor plans are available to choose from, including one with a first-floor owner's bedroom. The minimum square footage is 2,465, giving you the most value at this price point compared to other similar resale and builders. Get more for your money here and experience a quality lifestyle. A $30,000 incentive is available until 5/31. Let's explore this together. Quality build with options! If you don't want Horsham, these floor plans are also being built in Maple Glen/Upper Dublin. Priced from the low 700s. Free Finished Basement if under agreement by 5/31!!! Summer kick-off is here; it's time to start thinking about your next move in 2026 and early 2027. Who's ready?

3 listings were shared with you

05/22/2026

Love what I do and able to bring buyers and sellers together! Today my seller sold her home in Phoenixville officially to this amazing buyer. It was bittersweet for my seller but I am so thrilled for the buyer. Im always ready to help buyers and sellers across the board with all aspects of Real Estate. It’s more than just these happy settlement photos , so much goes into a specific transaction. I love what I do and I’m excited and honored to help you , your family and friends find their special place right here in Greater Philly.

05/21/2026

Building a home is an exciting and unique experience. For many, it is perceived as an unattainable goal. However, while some builders may not offer much in terms of value, quality, or floor plan options, there are others that stand out, and as an agent, I can inform clients about alternative options available in our competitive local market in the Philadelphia region. Before we proceed, take a look or virtually walk through a fantastic floor plan being built in the Upper Dublin School District, minutes from trains and downtown Ambler, with easy access to Route 309 and the Turnpike. Priced from the $700s, this boutique community offers a turn-key luxury lifestyle that is within reach, providing a fantastic opportunity for those starting out, relocating, or considering downsizing without sacrificing space or location. This community offers peace of mind from foundation to flooring. For more information, please call or text, and let's explore together!

05/20/2026

DID YOU KNOW?

* Starting with some MIDWEEK GOOD NEWS...in the past half-century:
1. Traffic fatalities per mile driven have fallen by roughly 62%.
2. The average American reaching 65 today can expect to live 3.6 more years.
3. The air is 79% cleaner by the Environmental Protection Agency’s measure. (WSJ)

* There are several ways parents - and grandparents - can help younger family members buy a home: a cash down payment as a gift, a family loan, cosigning on a mortgage, buying the house outright or inheritance. 22% of first-time buyers used a gift or loan from family or friends to help with a down payment in 2025....DOWN from a peak of 36% in 2010. Around 8% use inheritance. One stipulation of a recent parent buying for their kids? They had to buy within 10 minutes of their home. (WSJ)

* The share of mortgages using alternative lending practices is still a small portion of the market, but it has doubled in size over the past three years. They stood at nearly 6% of all home loan originations in 2025, the highest percentage since the housing crash two decades ago. (WSJ)

* LIFE-flation? The services that define 21st-century middle-class life—healthcare, child care, education—have risen two to three times as fast as overall consumer prices since 2000.

* Since 1975, median family income has risen by more than 50%, from about $68,000 to $106,000 in inflation-adjusted terms—a gain of roughly $38,000. But much of the difference comes from one of the most important social shifts of the past half-century: Labor-force participation among married mothers rose from about 45% in 1975 to 72% in 2025.

* The 30-year US Treasury yield surged to the highest level since 2007.... placing pressure on all asset classes. The 10-Year is over 4.63%..... below the most recent high of 4.92% that lasted 3 weeks during 2023's inflation surge. Markets are telling us that in the face of rising inflation, they strongly expect that most members of the Fed’s monetary committee will vote either to raise rates or, at best, to leave them unchanged. (CNBC)

* In July, Wagner Park in New York City reopened after a 2-year overhaul that elevated it 10 feet to conceal a buried floodwall beneath the central lawn, protecting it from storm surge. It also features a 63,000-gallon underground cistern for rainwater reuse and gardens planted with native, salt-resistant species. The park is now designed to withstand a 100-year storm and is expected to offer protection against severe storms through the 2050's based on projected sea level rise.