D L Real Estate Team - Real Estate One

11/01/2026

For more data driven content, visit www.DennisLHubbard.com

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.

-Dennis L Hubbard, SRS®, RENE®, mCNE®, Realtor®

10/31/2026

Knowledge is power! Use this guide to help you through the homebuying process

Buying a home is a big step. Employ these tips to help guide you.

10/31/2026

For more data driven content, visit www.DennisLHubbard.com

-Dennis L Hubbard, SRS®, RENE®, mCNE®, Realtor®

10/30/2026

For more data driven content, visit www.DennisLHubbard.com

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.

-Dennis L Hubbard, SRS®, RENE®, mCNE®, Realtor®

10/29/2026

For more data driven content, visit www.DennisLHubbard.com

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.

-Dennis L Hubbard, SRS®, RENE®, mCNE®, Realtor®

10/27/2026

For more data driven content, visit www.DennisLHubbard.com

Staging Could Put More Money in Your Pocket

-Dennis L Hubbard, SRS®, RENE®, mCNE®, Realtor®

10/27/2026

There’s a lot that goes into buying your dream home, so it’s important to have a well thought out checklist to help you navigate the process. Add these items to your to-do list:
• Obtain a preapproval letter
• Investigate your loan options
• Calculate all additional homebuying costs
• Conduct an internet search
• Consider your desired location
• Keep a list of all homes visited
• Think about your must-haves
• Work with a trusted real estate agent

Hang on to this list, and reach out when you’re ready to start the home-search process.

10/25/2026

For more data driven content, visit www.DennisLHubbard.com

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.

-Dennis L Hubbard, SRS®, RENE®, mCNE®, Realtor®