Logan LaBonte, Realtor

11/06/2026

Sellers, this one is for you...

If you're thinking about cutting your price to attract buyers, it may be beneficial to consider a rate buydown instead—it can deliver a much bigger impact on the monthly payment that buyers care about most. Talk to your agent or lender about whether a buydown makes sense for your situation.

11/02/2026

If you're selling a home in your local market, here's what's happening: builders with inventory sitting unsold are getting more aggressive with incentives and price cuts, which means they're competing harder for buyers. This shift in builder motivation could affect how you position your home and what you can realistically expect, so it's worth understanding where builders stand right now. Let me help you figure out how this changes your strategy.

10/26/2026

Remember a few years ago when buyers were saying, “I’m tired of getting outbid. I just wish I had some room to negotiate!” 😅

Well… here’s something worth paying attention to.

According to NAHB’s October 2026 national survey:
🏡 43% of builders cut prices—the highest share recorded during 2020–2026.
🏡 Among builders cutting prices, the average reduction was 6%.
🏡 65% offered sales incentives.

That doesn’t mean every house is a bargain or every neighborhood is a buyer’s market. But it does give buyers a reason to take another look.

Here’s the thing: opportunities don’t always show up when everything feels comfortable. Sometimes they show up when you’re nervous about taking the next step.

Rates matter. Your monthly payment matters. And buying has to make sense for YOUR family.

But if you’ve been waiting for room to negotiate, let’s see what’s possible. You may have more options than you think. 😊

Message me and let’s talk through what buying around Landrum, Campobello, or the Upstate could look like for you!

10/19/2026

Same time of year. 2 very different stories. And mortgage rates are a big reason why.

Last fall, mortgage rates came down and the number of homes for sale barely budged. This fall, rates have climbed above 7%. Some buyers have pulled back, homes are taking longer to sell, and instead of coming off the market, more listings are sticking around.

Since August, the number of homes for sale has grown by about 25,000. So, what does that mean for you?

Buying? You’ve got more homes to choose from and potentially more room to negotiate on price, repairs, or closing costs.
Selling? Buyers have more options, so you’ve got to give them a reason to choose your house. That means getting the price right from day one and making sure your house stands out from the competition.

Want to know what this shift looks like where you live? Drop a comment or send me a DM, and let’s look at the local numbers together.

10/15/2026

Good news if you're house hunting: the asking price may not be the final word. Right now, about 60% of homes are selling below their original asking price. With budgets stretched thin, a little give on price or terms can take some pressure off your wallet. But how much you can negotiate depends on where you're buying. So, let's chat about what you can ask for in the neighborhoods you're eyeing.

10/09/2026

🏡 Does the Fed control mortgage rates?

This is a common misconception! The Fed sets a short-term interest rate, but mortgage rates also respond to inflation, the economy, and what investors expect to happen next.

That means a Fed rate cut doesn’t automatically mean mortgage rates drop—and a hike doesn’t mean they rise by the same amount.

If you’re thinking about buying, start with a monthly payment you’re comfortable with at today’s rates. Future rates are hard to predict!

Want help figuring out where to start? Let’s chat 😊

You've probably heard the Federal Reserve (the Fed) is raising rates again. And if you're planning to buy or sell a house, you may be wondering what that means for you.

10/01/2026

This post isn’t trying to convince anyone to BUY NOW. Just showing the national data and waiting for lower rates isn’t always the move.

Buying now beat waiting two years 61% of the time, according to a new study from AD Mortgage that analyzed 23 years of housing data across all 50 states + DC, from 2000 through 2022.

The study compared two scenarios: buying a home that year or waiting two years to buy.

It factored in home prices, mortgage rates, a 15% down payment and the additional savings a buyer could accumulate while waiting.

Across every state and year combination, buying sooner came out ahead 61% of the time.

Obviously, the results varied upon the location. 

But another interesting finding was that lower mortgage rates didn’t automatically make waiting the better move.

Rates could fall while home prices climbed enough to wipe out the benefit of waiting. In some periods, buying at the higher rate still produced the better financial outcome.

The point isn’t that buying now is always better.

It’s that waiting for the “perfect” rate doesn’t guarantee a better deal either.

09/22/2026

It really is! 💕

This tiny town boasts an impressive concentration of antique stores, perfect for treasure hunters. Link in comments to find out more. ⬇️

09/17/2026

🚨 The Fed raised rates 0.25% — so did mortgage rates just go up 0.25% too?

Nope. 👀

The Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, and there’s a lot more happening behind the scenes than one headline might make you think.

So if you’re considering buying a home, don’t let today’s news automatically scare you out of the market.

Swipe through 👉 for what the rate hike actually means, how mortgage rates are determined, and what buyers could realistically see.

At the end of the day, the question isn’t “Are rates good or bad?”

It’s “Does buying make sense for ME right now?”

And that’s a conversation I’m always happy to have. 🏡

📍 Upstate SC
Logan LaBonte | REALTOR®
JOY Real Estate

09/11/2026

My job makes it hard for me not to day dream 💭 I mean why not have a fireplace in your kitchen?