Lisa Corwin Realtor

10/22/2026

Understanding Home Insurance Before You Buy
Home insurance can feel like something to handle near the end of the buying process. In reality, it's worth thinking about much earlier.
The property itself can affect what coverage is available and what it costs. Roof age, location, past claims, certain features, and regional risks may all matter to...

Home insurance affects more than your monthly housing costs. Learn what buyers should ask about coverage, deductibles, exclusions, and insurability.

10/21/2026

Are home prices going up or down? It depends on where you look.

Over the past year, prices in Chicago climbed almost 7%. In Seattle, they dipped about 1.6%. That’s a nearly 9-point gap between two major cities.

Look at little closer, though. Home prices are rising in 13 of the 19 major cities on this chart. And where prices are down, the dips are small (less than 2%).

So, this isn’t a crash. It’s just a market normalizing after overheating during the pandemic. And that’s hitting some areas differently than others.

Here’s what it really means. Your local market matters.

If you’re selling where prices are still rising, you may not need to cut your price. And if you’re buying where prices are softer, you may have more room to negotiate.

National headlines can’t tell you which side your neighborhood is on. Local data can. Let’s look at how prices are moving in your area, so you can set your price or make your offer with confidence.

10/21/2026

Thank you Bonnie for your review: We worked with Lisa Corwin at Howard Hanna/Coach Realtors to sell our home, and she was exceptional from start to finish. She expertly guided us through pricing, listing, and marketing our home, kept us informed throughout the process, and handled every detail professionally. Her efforts resulted in multiple offers and a seamless closing. We highly recommend Lisa to anyone buying or selling a home. We would not hesitate to work with her again or recommend her to friends and family.

Visit Lisa Corwin's agent profile on Howard Hanna | Coach Realtors. Lisa Corwin works out of the Smithtown office and can be contacted at (cell) (516) 909-8930.

10/21/2026

How Timing Can Affect a Seller's Negotiation Strategy
Negotiation isn't only about the number written on an offer. Timing can matter just as much.
An offer that arrives the first day on the market creates a different situation from one that arrives after several weeks. A buyer who can match a seller's preferred closing date may have an advantage that isn't...

Timing can shape more than a home's asking price. Learn how offers, market activity, deadlines, and seller priorities can affect negotiations.

10/20/2026

Home Projects That Can Improve Everyday Function
Not every home project needs to be about resale value or making a room look newer. Some of the most useful improvements are the ones that make everyday tasks a little easier.
If you're deciding where to spend time or money, look for the places where your home regularly slows you down.
Fix the Entryway...

A few targeted home projects can make daily routines easier. Focus on changes that improve storage, movement, lighting, and how your space works.

10/20/2026

Look at the updated Smithtown Central School District Market Watch Report.

It's important to work with a local real estate expert who understands the changing market.

10/15/2026

Why There are More Homes for Sale Right Now (and What It Means for You)

In many places right now, inventory is growing and homes are taking a bit longer to sell. And that’s information that should shape the strategy you use going in.

Whether you're buying or selling, let's look at how long homes are taking to sell in your neighborhood, so your offer, or your price, fits today's market.

Mortgage rates being back above 7% isn't exactly the news most people wanted. But it’s changing the market in ways that matter whether you’re buying or selling.

10/15/2026

10/15/2026

Looking Beyond the Mortgage: Long-Term Costs of Owning a Home
A monthly mortgage payment is one of the first numbers buyers look at, but it isn't the only one that matters. Two homes with similar purchase prices can have very different ongoing costs once taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, and other expenses are added in.
Looking beyond the loan payment...

A mortgage payment is only part of the cost of homeownership. Look at taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and other expenses before you buy.

10/14/2026

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.