The Irwins’ Halloween Potion Spellbook
Neighborly fun, festive recipes, and a little real estate magic 
Hi friends!  We’re Team Irwin — your neighborhood real estate duo with a spooky side.
We had so much fun handing out our “adult potions” this Halloween that we wanted to share the recipes with you (plus a few family-friendly treats, too!). Whether you picked up a Jell-O shot at our cooler or you’re reading this from home, we’re so glad you’re here.
Grab a cauldron (or a shaker) and let’s get brewing! 
 ADULT POTIONS
 Bloody Sunrise (Tequila Jell-O Shots)
Ingredients:
1 box (6 oz) strawberry or cherry Jell-O
2 cups boiling water
1 cup cold water
1 cup tequila
Optional: a few drops of grenadine on top for that “bloody” effect
Directions:
Dissolve Jell-O in boiling water and stir well.
Add tequila and cold water, mix again.
Pour into 2-oz cur ...

The Reason Homes Feel Like They Cost So Much (It’s Not What You Think)

Scroll through your feed and you’ll see plenty of finger-pointing about why homes cost so much. And according to a national survey, a lot of people believe big investors are to blame.
Even though data shows that’s not true, nearly half of Americans surveyed (48%) think investors are the top reason housing feels so expensive (see graph below):
But that theory doesn’t actually hold up once you look at the data.
The Truth About InvestorsInvestors do play a role in the housing market, especially in certain areas. But they’re not buying up all the homes like so many people on social media say.
Nationwide, Realtor.com found only 2.8% of all home purchases last year were made by big investors (who own more than 50 properties). That means roughly 97% of homes were bought and sold by regular people, not corporate giants. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, explains:
“Investors do own significant shares of . ...

 


You’ve got big plans for 2026. But what you do this year could be the difference between a smooth sale and a stressful one. If you’re thinking of selling next spring (the busiest season in real estate), the smartest move you can make is to start prepping now. As Realtor.com says:
“If you’re aiming to sell in 2026, now is the time to start preparing, especially if you want to maximize the spring market’s higher buyer activity.” 
Because the reality is, from small repairs to touch-ups and decluttering, the earlier you start, the easier it’ll be when you’re ready to list. And, the better your house will look when it’s time for it to hit the market.
Why Starting Now Matters
Talk to any good agent and they’ll tell you that you can’t afford to skip repairs in today’s market. There are more homes for sale right now than there have been in years. And since buyers have more to choose from, your house is. ...

If you’ve seen headlines or social posts calling for a housing crash, it’s easy to wonder if home values are about to take a hit. But here’s the simple truth.
The data doesn’t point to a crash. It points to slow, continued growth.
And sure, it’s going to vary by local area. Some markets will see prices rise more than others. And some may even see small, short-term declines. But the big picture is: home prices are expected to rise nationally, not fall, over the next 5 years.
The Real Story Is in the Expert Forecasts
In the Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES) from Fannie Mae, each quarter over 100 leading housing market experts weigh in on where they project home prices will go from here. And in the report that was just released, the experts agree prices are projected to climb nationally through at least 2029 (see graph below):
Here’s how to read this visual. Each bar in that graph shows an increase, not a loss. It’s just that the anti. ...

If you paused your plans to move because of high rates or prices, it may finally be time to take a second look at your numbers. Affordability is improving in 39 of the top 50 markets, according to First American. And that’s the 5th straight month where buying a home has started to get a little bit easier.
Let’s break this down into real dollars, so you can see the difference this could make for you (and your move).
Monthly Payments Are Coming Down
One of the clearest signs of this shift is in monthly payments. The latest data from Redfin shows mortgage payments on a median-priced home are now $283 lower than they were just a few months ago (see graph below):
This kind of monthly savings adds up fast, and totals nearly $3,400 over the course of a year.
While this isn’t enough to completely change the affordability game overnight, think about it this way. When you’re putting together a homebuying budget, a few hundred dollars could be the difference betwe. ...