Katherine Frazier Real Estate

11/06/2026

Selling Your Home? What You Should Know About Price Cuts vs. Rate Buydowns.

What if you could make your house more attractive to buyers without lowering your asking price?

With 43% of sellers cutting prices right now, according to HousingWire, it's a question worth asking – especially because there's another way to give buyers what they really want: a lower monthly payment.

It's called a mortgage rate buydown. And the difference can be pretty remarkable.
Here's an example.

Let's say you're willing to offer a buyer $10,000 to help get your house sold.

A $10,000 price reduction could save that buyer about $70 a month.

But putting that same $10,000 toward a temporary mortgage rate buydown could save them roughly $500 a month in the first year.

Same amount from you. A much bigger impact on their immediate budget.

Now, those savings won't last forever with a temporary buydown. But for the right buyer, that upfront relief could be exactly what makes your house stand out.

Thinking about selling? Send me a message. Let's explore which incentives could attract buyers while protecting your bottom line.

11/05/2026

Today’s content creators are seeking properties that prioritize natural light, flexible spaces, and unrivaled views—in other words, a home that works as beautifully for their business as it does for living. Explore the rise of “content-first luxury” in the Fall 2026 issue of Prestige Magazine via the link in the comments.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties | (678) 585-0070 | DRE: 286219

11/05/2026

The Home Insurance Move That Could Save You $440 a Year

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.

11/04/2026

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.

11/03/2026

From energy costs to mortgage rates, major forces are impacting buyers and sellers right now. See where the real estate market is heading next in this blog post via the link in the comments.

Got questions? Feel free to reach out.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties | (678) 585-0070 | DRE: 286219

11/03/2026

How To Win Back Your Buying Power

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.

11/03/2026

Do you love that farmhouse vibe? Here's a few more ways to get it!

If you’re a fan of that rustic look, or just love to feature beautiful wood in your space, the...

11/02/2026

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.

11/01/2026

Clocks fall back, evenings get cozier, and home starts to matter even more. If yours isn’t quite right, let’s find one that is.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties | (678) 585-0070 | DRE: 286219

10/31/2026

The best kind of treat this spooky season? Finding a home that makes you light up like a jack-o’-lantern.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties | (678) 585-0070 | DRE: 286219