Shawn Cox-Mistretta's Blog Posts

You’ve found the house. The offer has been accepted. Inspections are underway, and everyone is looking forward to closing.Then the lender says the property doesn’t qualify for financing

In real estate, the words “best and final offer” usually signal that negotiations are coming to an end. The seller is drawing a line, and the buyer must decide whether to accept the

Real estate negotiation is not one-size-fits-all.Every property is different. Every seller is different. Every buyer has different priorities. And every offer has its own strengths, weaknesses, and

You've Worked Hard for Your Home. Make Sure Your Next Move Honors That.For many Golden Years homeowners in Billings and Billings Heights, a home is much more than four walls and a roof.It's where

When Is the Right Time to Sell? A Billings Homeowner's Story One of the most common questions I hear from Golden Years homeowners in Billings is: "How do I know when I'm ready to sell?" It's a fair

For many homeowners in their Golden Years, selling a home isn't just a real estate decision—it's a life decision.Over the years, I've noticed something important. The homeowners who experience

For years, housing affordability has been one of the biggest challenges facing buyers across the country. Home prices remain elevated, inventory remains tight in many markets, and first-time buyers

There’s a moment I see over and over again with homeowners here in Billings.A call comes in that starts with: “We need to sell.”Not want to—need to.Maybe it’s the

The housing market in Billings continues to show steady activity, with consistent buyer demand and limited inventory in many price ranges. While the pace may feel different than the rapid shifts of

When Adult Children Mean Well — But Selling Still Needs to Be Your DecisionFor many homeowners, especially those who have lived in their home for many years, decisions about selling can

One of the most common things I hear from homeowners is:“We’re just waiting for the perfect time to sell.”It sounds logical. After all, selling a home is a big decision, and it

A Straight Answer for Billings HomeownersIf you're thinking about selling your home in Billings, one of the most common questions is:“Do I need to fix everything before I list my home?&rdquo

After more than 30 years in real estate, I’ve noticed something consistent among Golden Years Homeowners: the hesitation isn’t about market statistics. It’s about timing —

When Ann first reached out to me, she lowered her voice—almost like she was admitting something she wasn’t ready to say out loud.“I’m not sure I should even be calling,;

After more than three decades in real estate, I’ve learned that selling a home later in life is rarely “just a transaction.” It’s emotional. It’s layered. And for many

If you’re a long-time Billings homeowner entering your golden years, even thinking about selling can feel overwhelming. This isn’t just a real estate decision — it’s a life

🔑 6 Topics to Discuss with a Buyer’s Agent 🔑If you’re ready to buy a home, partnering with a buyer’s agent (like me!) is one of the best decisions you can make. Here are six

Your landscaping can help lower your heating costs! 🌳✨ Known as windbreaks – dense evergreen trees or shrubs planted on the north and northwest sides of a home – can

A Quick Guide to Property Taxes for Homebuyers🏡 Buying a home comes with more than just a mortgage—property taxes are a key cost that can catch buyers off guard if they’re not.

🏡 When Is the Best Time to Buy a Home? 🏡The simple answer is “when you’re ready to move!”—but if you’re looking to maximize your budget, timing DOES matter

If you’re buying or selling a home, you may have heard your real estate agent mention the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). You might wonder, “Isn’t the MLS the same as the consumer

🔑 6 Topics to Discuss with a Buyer’s Agent 🔑If you’re ready to buy a home, partnering with a buyer’s agent (like me!) is one of the best decisions you can make. Here are six

🏠 Homebuyer Q&A: What counts as a housing expense when I’m figuring out my homebuying budget?You’ve probably heard that your housing costs shouldn’t exceed a certain

🔍 Should You Attend the Home Inspection? Here’s My Take as a Buyer’s Agent 🏡 Congrats—your offer was accepted! Now it’s time to schedule the home inspection.

Is a new home at the top of your wish list this year? 🎄🏡 🎁 While most people are focused on gifts and gatherings, savvy buyers know the end of the year can be a strategic time to

It might seem like a red flag—but it doesn’t always mean something’s wrong. Homes can change hands for all kinds of reasons. Still, if a home’s ownership history

Congrats! 🏡 You’re officially a homeowner! Now that the keys are in your hand, it’s time to get familiar with a few home maintenance skills that can save you serious money — and

🏡 Negotiating your home purchase is a critical part of getting the right home, at the right terms, with your future financial stability in mind. Every move you make, from your first offer to the

🍂 🏡 This fall is shaping up to be the most buyer-friendly season we’ve seen in a long time. Here’s why:🏘️ More Homes to Choose FromHousing supply is the highest it&rsquo

🍂 Fall Home Maintenance Tip: Disconnect and Store Your Outdoor Hoses! 🍂As temperatures drop, it’s time to prep your outdoor faucets and hoses to avoid damage. Here’s how:1️⃣

Realtor.com/Getty ImagesYou found the house, made an offer, and got the good news: The seller accepted. But when you check the listing a few days later, you notice it’s still marked as &ldquo

Homebuyer Assistance ProgramsWondering how you’ll ever manage to save 20% for a down payment? Saving for a down payment can feel like an overwhelming hurdle in your quest for,

SHAREBuying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. It can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer. Between

Some HighlightsThere are a few key things you’ll want to avoid after applying for a mortgage to make sure you’re in the best position when you get to the closing.

Ah, the house showing — a chance to imagine yourself knocking out walls and doing gut rehabs on other people's kitchens. That's the stuff dreams are made of (or at least HGTV episodes)

An all-cash offer for your home might seem like the golden ticket, but take the time to weigh all your options.Fact Checked Are Cash Offers Better for Sellers?Getting ready to sell your home?

Many types of property, from small condo buildings to sprawling, gated golf communities, are managed by homeowners associations (HOAs) which typically collect dues in exchange for amenities and

Yes, more homes are available now vs. earlier this year, but inventory for existing homes remains critically low, and prices aren’t dropping. For many buyers, that raises the question: Is it

❓Q: I found a house listed “as is”—should I even consider it?🛠️ A: Maybe! (I know—everyone’s favorite answer. But hear me out.)When a home is listed

Buying your first home in today’s market can feel tough. Between high home prices and mortgage rates, affordability is still a big challenge. And some buyers are making one simple

10'000 Hours/Getty ImagesThe stagnant home market is threatening more than just buyers and sellers hoping to transact in the year ahead. It’s also risking their break-even point

New homes aren't immune to problems that could become major headaches.SaveMoreWhy You Need a New Home InspectionMoreGETTY IMAGESWhen it comes to new real estate, it is better to be safe than sorry

During the rise of remote work, a lot of employees took the opportunity to move away from expensive or crowded city centers. Some opted for suburban neighborhoods and larger homes with yards, while

When planning to buy a dream home, it’s easy to get caught in the thrill and make mistakes. They fall in love with a house without checking the neighborhood, ignore hidden costs, or rush into

Look what's Happening with Montana Property Taxes! This is Good News for full time residents.Realtor.comCalifornia buyers have flocked to Montana in recent years, snapping up

🏡 Thinking about buying a home? Most people know that the first step is to save for a down payment, and the second step is to get pre-approved …But what about the other steps buyers often

If you’re ready to buy a home, partnering with a buyer’s agent (like me!) is one of the best decisions you can make. Here are six essential topics that we need to discuss to get the most

Buy Now or Wait? ✅🏡❌ With high home prices and mortgage rates hovering between 6-7%, many buyers are asking: Is now the right time to buy, or should I wait for better conditions?

🏡 Thinking about buying a home? Avoid these common mistakes in today’s market:❌ Trying to time the market: The housing market is influenced by countless factors—interest rates,

Don’t Let This One Factor Derail Your Home Purchase! ❌ Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is a key number lenders use to decide whether to approve your mortgage. This ratio has derailed

Multigenerational living is on the rise, with 17% of homebuyers last year choosing homes to accommodate multiple generations under one roof. Families are coming together for cost savings, caregiving