Syed Hashmi

Syed Hashmi is the Managing Broker for Guidance Realty and specializes in Residential & Commercial RE

Syed Hashmi is the President and Managing Broker at Guidance Realty, bringing over 22 years of expertise in the Chicagoland real estate market. His extensive experience has provided him with deep insights and a keen understanding of the industry. Syed is dedicated to the growth of his brokers and values the trust his clients place in him. Known for his accessibility, unwavering integrity, high ethical standards, and commitment to exceptional customer service, Syed has earned the respect of both clients and colleagues. He prioritizes mentoring his agents, equipping them with the best tools to ensure their success. Whether assisting a first-time homebuyer with a critical financial decision or guiding a seasoned Realtor® through a complex transaction, Syed approaches each situation with compassion and professionalism, consistently delivering outstanding results.

11/11/2026

Could the midterm elections mean lower mortgage rates? History gives us an interesting reason to keep an eye on what happens next.

The election is bringing us a divided government. That means the President and Congress won't be controlled by the same political party.

And here's what's interesting: in 4 of the last 5 midterm elections that led to divided government, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate was lower one year later.

Does that mean rates are guaranteed to fall this time? No.

Inflation, the economy, and the Federal Reserve still have a much bigger influence on where mortgage rates go. And the historical declines weren't all the same size.

But rates have edged down slightly over the past few weeks. So, it'll be interesting to see whether history repeats itself.

Want to know if this trend continues and what it could mean for your next move? Follow along for updates.

11/10/2026

Bidding wars. Offers over asking. For years, sellers had the upper hand in most major markets. Now, two-thirds of the top 100 metros favor buyers – up from almost none in 2021. The balance of power in the housing market is shifting. And where you live can completely change your strategy. Because it’s not happening everywhere. Want to know where your local market stands? Let’s chat.

11/09/2026

A lot of people are waiting for rates to fall… but here’s something you may not be thinking about.

While lower mortgage rates sound great, they usually come with a catch.

When rates drop, more buyers tend to jump back in. And suddenly, there's more competition and less room to negotiate on price, closing costs, or even a seller-paid rate buydown.

That's the trade-off most buyers overlook: lower rates and stronger negotiating power rarely come at the same time.

Right now, nearly half of buyers are getting concessions from sellers. And with rates expected to stay relatively steady over the next year, that's an advantage worth knowing about.

Does that mean you should rush to buy? Absolutely not. The numbers still need to work for you.

But here's the thing: the mortgage rate is only one part of what makes a home affordable. What you can negotiate matters, too.

Curious what that could mean for your budget? Let's take a look.

11/06/2026

Toward the end of the year, the number of homes for sale usually starts to level off or dip as we enter the slower season in the market. But so far this year, it’s still going up.

And that break in the usual seasonal trend could be good for some buyers.

Part of the reason is that fewer people are shopping right now with mortgage rates where they are. But that gives anyone who can make the numbers work an opportunity.

If you’re able to buy at today’s rates, you have more options than you’d normally have. And that means more chances to find a home in budget – and less competition from other buyers.

You’ll likely even see sellers more willing to strike a deal.

What you’ll find depends on where you’re looking. Send a DM to see what’s on the market near you.

11/05/2026

Wondering where mortgage rates are headed?

The latest forecasts from Fannie Mae, MBA, and Wells Fargo show rates settling in somewhere between about 6.9% and 7.5% through the end of 2027. That means no big drop is expected, and there’s no big spike to worry about either.

Why? These forecasts are based on where the economy, the job market, and world events stand today. Until those things change, rates probably won’t either.

While it may not be the direction you were hoping for, that kind of steadiness does make it a lot easier to plan your next move.

Let’s run the numbers on what buying or selling looks like at today’s rates, so you can decide based on your goals, not the headlines.

11/04/2026

The headlines about home sales falling through may sound scary. But here's something sellers should know. Most sales go through just fine. Only roughly 10-15% hit a snag.

And the #1 reason those buyers back out is something you can actually head off before it ever becomes a problem.

By getting a pre-listing inspection, you can avoid surprises and keep your sale moving forward, because you’ll already know what the buyer’s inspection will find and can fix it before you ever list or go in ready to negotiate.

Don't let fear of the what-ifs hold you back. With the right prep and a smart strategy, selling is still possible. I help people do it every day.

Let's talk about how to set your house up for success.

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.

11/02/2026

Home insurance has gotten pricier, and that can be frustrating when you’re budgeting for a move. Here’s what you can do about it.

Data shows homeowners who switched insurance companies saved about $440 a year compared to those who stayed with the same insurance provider. And they didn’t have to give up coverage to do it.

So, before you move, compare quotes from a few companies. You may find a better deal than you’d expect.

Not sure when to start gathering insurance quotes? Send a message to see where they fit in your homebuying timeline.

10/30/2026

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.

10/29/2026

The Fed just met and they decided on no rate hike and no rate cut. So, what does that mean if you're watching and hoping for lower mortgage rates?

The short answer: don't expect this to dramatically change things.

For now, they’re holding steady. But a recent survey from Reuters asked 100 economists what to expect from here – and all 100 said the Fed will do a hike in December.

Now, the Fed doesn't directly set mortgage rates, but their actions do have an impact. Rates will also move based on inflation, economic data, and how financial markets react.

The takeaway? There’s a lot at play here – and we’ll probably see a hike the next time they meet.

Follow me for straightforward updates on what’s actually happening and why it matters for the housing market.

Address

3774 W Devon Avenue
Lincolnwood, IL
60712

Website

https://syedhashmi.guidancerealty.com/

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