Phillip Stern - Real Estate

10/15/2026

Homes Are Still Selling – Even in a Slower Market

Don't let a headline about slowing home sales convince you no one is buying. Homes are still selling every minute of every day.

If you need or want to move, let's talk about what it'll take to make sure yours is one of them.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

If you’ve seen headlines saying home sales are slowing down, you may be wondering: is this really a good time to sell?

10/14/2026

Do You Know How Much Equity You Have?

The low mortgage rate you locked in a few years ago might make moving feel off the table. But your equity could put it back on.Homeowners with a mortgage have an average of $310K in equity right now. That could go toward a bigger down payment, so you borrow less at today's rates. Or, you may be able to buy your next place in cash – without needing a mortgage at all. So, don’t write off a move just yet. Let's find out how much equity you have and what it could do for you.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

10/13/2026

Worried you might regret buying a home right now?

Even though rates are still higher than buyers would like, everyday costs are up, and the economy feels uncertain, a recent NerdWallet survey found most buyers who’ve already made the leap say they’re glad they did. Only 3% actually regret it.

That’s a good reminder that homeownership isn’t really about whether you bought at the “perfect” time, rate, or price. It’s about what owning a home can do for you over time.

As home values rise and you pay down your mortgage, you build something called equity. And that equity can eventually give you more flexibility, more financial options, and more freedom when it’s time for your next move.

So, if buying is something you still want, don’t let today’s uncertainty automatically talk you out of it.

Let’s look at what’s possible and whether there’s a path that makes sense for you.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

10/12/2026

Why Most People Are Still Glad They Bought a Home

Don’t let today’s uncertainty make you lose sight of what homeownership can do over time. Most homeowners say they’d make the same choice again. And decades of home-price growth help explain why.
If you’re wondering whether buying makes sense for you right now, let’s look at the numbers together – and what owning a home could mean for you in the years ahead.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

With everything going on, it’s understandable if you’re wondering if you’d regret buying right now.

10/11/2026

The Fed is raising the Fed Funds Rate to cool inflation, and that can keep upward pressure on mortgage rates for a while. But you can still make a move that works for you.

It just takes the right strategy.

Buyers need to know their real budget at today's rates. Sellers need a price and plan that fits what buyers can afford right now.

Relief on rates could take some time. If you're thinking about a move, let's put together a game plan built for today's rates, so you'll know your next step.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

10/10/2026

Renovate or Relocate? What To Know Before You Decide To Age in Place

Staying and moving can both be good choices. What matters most is finding the place where you'll feel comfortable and at home for years to come.

If you'd like help weighing the two, let's connect. We can look at what your house could sell for and what 55+ communities in our area have to offer, so you can decide what feels right for you.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

You've spent years making your house feel like home, celebrating milestones, making each room your own, and turning neighbors into friends. As you look ahead to the next chapter of your life, it's natural to wonder if this is still the place you want to spend it.

10/09/2026

There's been some talk about whether mortgage rates could climb to 9%. Here's some perspective.

Getting there would take a rare mix of things, all lasting a full year: a booming economy with no slowdown in jobs, the Fed raising rates more than expected, and the conflict in Iran continuing to keep oil prices high.

That's an unlikely combination. So, don’t let it make you worry.

Have questions about mortgage rates? Drop them in the comments. That's what a trusted agent is for – keeping you informed so a headline never makes your decisions for you.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

10/08/2026

Planning for the years ahead often comes down to one big decision: stay or move.

Staying in your house could mean you have to do some updates like grab bars, walk-in showers, and wider doorways. Moving to a 55+ community lets you skip the remodel and puts a lot of perks right outside your door.

Many offer on-site amenities, added security, and an HOA that takes care of shared spaces. Plus, they make it easy to feel connected to the people around you.

And the equity you've built in your current house could help you make the move.

Weighing your options? Reach out to talk through what makes the most sense for you.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

10/07/2026

I've spent my whole career around houses. 🔨 First I built and repaired them with my construction company, and now I help people buy and sell them. Every deal has taught me something.

What I've learned is that people don't need a salesman. They need someone who'll tell them the TRUTH: what their house is really worth, what a home they love actually needs, and whether that new build is worth the wait. Honesty and real talk always.

That's what I do, for both buyers and sellers:

🏠 Selling? I know which updates pay you back and which ones don't, so your home is positioned to sell for top dollar.
🔑 Buying? I'll walk the house with you like a contractor, not just a tour guide, whether it's a new build or an existing home.

75+ deals last year. 📈 One message: experience matters. 💪

30 seconds. Watch it. 👆 If this sounds like the kind of agent you'd want in your corner, let's talk. Feel free to tag the friend who keeps saying "we should really move." 😉

📞 844-PHIL-NOW (844-744-5669 | https://phillipstern.com/
Phillip Stern, REALTOR® | Real Estate Brokerage

10/07/2026

Two Moves That Can Get You Into Your First Home Sooner

Your first home may not be as far off as it feels. When the numbers make sense for you, buying a starter home and putting down less than 20% can get you there years sooner.

Want to see which starter homes in our area could fit your budget? Let's connect.

Phillip Stern - Realistar Realtor Ohio
Phone: 614-401-4195
Email: [email protected]

For a lot of first-time buyers, owning a home can feel perpetually a few years out of reach.