Thomas Upton Compass Real Estate

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Thomas Upton Compass Real Estate Luxury Property Specialist with Compass Realty, proudly serving North Georgia for over 15 years.

Whether buying, selling, or investing, I'm committed to making the real estate experience seamless, strategic, and successful for you.

Newly built homes now cost less than existing ones in about a third of major markets.And nationally, the gap is pretty b...
11/03/2026

Newly built homes now cost less than existing ones in about a third of major markets.

And nationally, the gap is pretty big. A newly built home typically sells for about $35,000 less than an existing one.

Prices can look very different from one area to the next, though. So, what neighborhoods do you have your eye on? Let’s tour a new home and an existing one, and see how they compare.

SAVE ON YOUR ELECTRICAL BILL ,
11/03/2026

SAVE ON YOUR ELECTRICAL BILL
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11/03/2026

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.

Homeowners thinking about selling: buyers are still paying close to list, so the first price has to be right.Nationally,...
11/03/2026

Homeowners thinking about selling: buyers are still paying close to list, so the first price has to be right.

Nationally, 21.5% of home listings had a price drop in the four weeks ending Oct. 25, up from 20.9% a year ago. Homes that sold averaged 98.3% of list price, unchanged from last year (Redfin, Oct. 29, 2026).

That's good news for a seller who plans well. Get the first price right and you give buyers a reason to act early.

If your home didn't sell the first time, message me "Second Opinion." I'll send you a written take on why it sat and what I'd change, no cost and no commitment.

Thomas Upton | Compass | (678) 414-6968

Homeowners thinking about selling: the national price headline is smaller than it sounds.The U.S. median home-sale price...
11/02/2026

Homeowners thinking about selling: the national price headline is smaller than it sounds.

The U.S. median home-sale price was $389,601 for the four weeks ending Oct. 25, down 0.1% from a year ago. That's the second straight week below last year, after three straight years of increases (Redfin, Oct. 29, 2026).

That's flat, not a crash. A seller with a plan built on today's numbers doesn't need the market to do the work.

If your home didn't sell the first time, message me "Second Opinion." I'll send you a written take on why it sat and what I'd change, no cost and no commitment.

Thomas Upton | Compass | (678) 414-6968

What if the home you can afford is one you haven't even considered yet?If you've been searching for your first home and ...
11/02/2026

What if the home you can afford is one you haven't even considered yet?

If you've been searching for your first home and feeling like everything you love is just outside your budget, here's an option that deserves a second look: condos.
And the numbers might surprise you.

According to Zillow, the typical starter condo costs about $197,000 nationwide. That's roughly 6% less than the typical starter home. And in some markets, the affordability advantage is even bigger.

That could be the difference between continuing to rent and finally getting the keys to a place of your own.

Think about it. A condo could help you buy in a neighborhood you thought was out of reach, spend less on space you don't really need, and enjoy amenities like a pool or gym without the upkeep of a traditional house.

Sure, there are trade-offs. HOA fees, shared walls, and less outdoor space are all worth considering. But for the right buyer, those trade-offs could open a door that felt closed.

Your first home doesn't have to be your forever home. It just has to be the right first step.

Curious what condos are available in your price range? Send a message, and let's see what options you might be missing.

When was the last time you shopped around for home insurance? Because that one move could save you hundreds of dollars a...
11/02/2026

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.

Here's something most buyers overlook…When the housing market slows down, homeowners and builders don't always have the ...
10/31/2026

Here's something most buyers overlook…

When the housing market slows down, homeowners and builders don't always have the same priorities.

A homeowner may be willing to wait for a better offer. But builders with completed homes sitting unsold often have more reason to keep sales moving.

In October, over 60% of builders offered some type of incentive. And almost half (43%) cut prices.

That could mean more negotiating opportunities for you.

The trick is knowing where to look. Let's find the builders with more move-in-ready homes available right now and see what they're willing to offer to get their inventory sold.

What if you finally get an offer on your house... and then the buyer backs out?It's every seller's nightmare. And with h...
10/31/2026

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.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN...ENJOY AND BE SAFE ,
10/30/2026

HAPPY HALLOWEEN...ENJOY AND BE SAFE
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2475 Northwinds Pkwy Suite 300
Alpharetta, GA
30009

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