I hope your year is off to a great start. While spring may still feel a ways off, in the real estate world it arrives quickly, and often with more competition and less breathing room than people expect. Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or just keeping your options open, a little early planning can make a big difference.
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If a move is even a maybe this year, now is a great time to get ahead of the chaos. I’m always happy to get together around Lake Norman or hop on a quick call to sketch out a rough game plan, no pressure, no commitment, just a clear path forward so you’re not scrambling when the market heats up.
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~Bill (704) 912-0726
In this month's newsletter:
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Kick off your New Year with this planning method Lake Norman Area Market Trends
How to trim your existing mortgage payments!
Mortgage Rate Update Brain Snacks & Fun Facts Remember the good times!
The Controversial Fork
$980 for a single cup of coffee? On The Lighter Side
New Year Jigsaw Puzzle Decorating for Non-Decorators
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Kick off your New Year planning with this method
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Every year we do this to kick off our annual planning. It’s enormously helpful as a first step to mapping out the year’s actions. So, if you haven't started your goal setting for the year yet, pull out your notepad and follow this process! It's fun and easy.
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1. Picture each goal as if completed. Imagine it’s December 2026 and you’re looking back at a successful year. You’re listing the things you accomplished, as if they happened perfectly. Example: “I spent two amazing weeks in September exploring Italy. I didn’t stress about the cost, the logistics were seamless, and I felt refreshed.”
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2. Trace the path backward. For each outcome, ask yourself: “What had to happen just before this?” Keep tracing the dependencies back to today.
To return refreshed in September from Italy: I booked all flights, trains, and accommodations by June. I also arranged for pet care and requested time off from work by then.
To book everything by June: I had the total travel fund saved and the itinerary set by May.
To set plans by May: I began sketching my itinerary in March & April, based on what I could realistically afford (January calculations).
To set an affordable itinerary by April: I established an automatic vacation savings plan in January.
3. Execute the Plan! A big goal is now a series of intermediate objectives. Next, break each objective into focused daily & weekly tasks.
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Intersections: If you are also reverse planning a goal like buying a home or launching a side business, you will have conflicts. For instance, the money needed for the Italy trip might clash with your down payment savings. It is essential to repeat this process for all major 2026 goals and then map them out together on a master calendar to prioritize them.
December brought a typical year-end slowdown in activity across the Lake Norman market, but home values continued to show impressive strength. New listings and pending sales declined compared to last December, and closed sales dipped slightly, reflecting fewer homes changing hands during the holiday season. Despite slower activity, prices moved sharply higher, with the median sales price jumping nearly 19% year over year. Inventory remained tight at just over three months of supply, keeping the market relatively balanced but still competitive.
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What this means for buyers: Buyers had a bit more leverage in December, with homes spending more time on the market and sellers accepting slightly more negotiation. While competition eased somewhat, strong pricing and limited inventory mean buyers should still be prepared to act when the right home becomes available.
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What this means for sellers: Sellers continued to benefit from rising home values, but patience and proper pricing are increasingly important. Homes are taking longer to sell, and buyers are being more selective, making presentation and realistic pricing key to success.
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Looking ahead: As we move into early 2026, market activity is expected to pick up as buyers and sellers re-enter after the holidays. With inventory still limited and prices holding firm, the Lake Norman market is positioned for a more active spring season—likely with steady demand and continued price support rather than the rapid pace seen in previous years.
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If you’re curious how these trends might impact your next move, let’s talk and create a plan that works for you.
A mortgage isn’t something you set and forget. Interest rates rise and fall, your equity grows, your home’s value changes and more! An annual mortgage review helps you uncover financial opportunities, including:
Lowering your payment: If rates have dropped or your credit score has improved, you may qualify for a better rate—reducing your monthly payment and long-term interest.
Paying off your loan sooner: Options like biweekly payments or refinancing into a shorter term can help you build equity faster.
Consolidating debt: A HELOC or cash-out refinance may allow you to roll high-interest debt into a single, lower-interest payment.
Removing PMI: If you’ve reached 20% equity, you may be able to eliminate PMI or refinance.
Switching loan types: Moving from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed-rate loan can provide long-term payment stability.
You won’t know which options apply without reviewing your mortgage against today’s market. Give me a call and I’ll connect you with a mortgage broker for a loan review.
mortgage update
As of January 21, 2026, mortgage rates remain near recent lows with relatively small movement over the past month:
30-Year Fixed: ~6.06% (down from late December) â–Ľ modest decline year-to-date and near multi-year lows
15-Year Fixed: ~5.38% (also lower than a month ago) â–Ľ steady downward trend
5/1 ARM: ~6.11% (similar to recent weeks) ↔ minimal change
30-Year Jumbo: ~6.23%* (estimated near current conventional levels) ↔ little movement compared to month-ago averages
Overall, mortgage rates continue to sit in the mid-to-low 6% range for many fixed loans, with adjustable rates often slightly lower depending on the product and credit profile. Actual rates will vary by lender, borrower credit score, down payment, and loan specifics.
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Looking Ahead: Economic indicators and financial markets suggest a relatively stable rate environment as we head into early 2026. With inflation moderating and expectations of continued steady policy from the Federal Reserve, dramatic moves higher or lower aren’t widely anticipated in the near term. Continued support in bond markets could keep rates calm, but volatility around economic data or policy shifts remains possible.
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What this means for you: If you’re considering buying or refinancing, this stable and historically favorable rate climate presents an opportunity to evaluate options and potentially lock in a competitive rate now. While rates aren’t plunging, they’ve eased from last year’s highs and aren’t spiking — which could make now a smart time to discuss choices with your lender based on your goals and timing.
