What should you do before mortgage rates drop, especially if you’re buying a home in Metro Detroit?Mortgage rates don’t drop with a countdown clock. They drift.And when they do, buyer competition returns fast.In this video, I explain exactly what home buyers should do before mortgage rates drop, so you’re prepared before leverage disappears — not reacting after the fact.If you’re asking:❓ Should I wait for mortgage rates to drop before buying?❓ How do I prepare to buy a home in Metro Detroit in 2026?❓ What matters more than interest rates when buying a house?This episode is for you.I break down:✅ Why waiting for mortgage rates to drop often hurts buyers✅ The difference between pre-approval and pre-qualification✅ How to stress-test your home buying budget before rates move✅ Why watching neighborhoods matters more than watching listings✅ How Metro Detroit buyers can position themselves ahead of the next market shift📞 Contact Leslie E. Martin, Realtor® | Metro Detroit Real Estate Expert📧 leslie@leslieemartin.com📱 Phone: (734) 846-8358🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/💼 Google Business Page: https://share.google/UUzTvC67ItmnyRg4p🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartin📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leslieemartin📖 Canvas Rebel: https://www.canvasrebel.com/meet-leslie-martin-2/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtorThis video is part of my market strategy series and leads directly into the next episode: Who Wins in the Next Market Shift — and WhyIf this episode helped you think differently about timing and preparation, the next step isn’t rushing into anything — it’s getting clarity.Feel free to reach out if you want to talk through your numbers, your timeline, or whether it makes sense to start preparing now. No pressure. Just a conversation.I’m Leslie Martin, a Metro Detroit Realtor®, and I look forward to helping you make your next move.Chapters00:00 Why buyers miss mortgage rate drops00:30 Why waiting for rates costs buyers leverage00:50 Pre-approval vs pre-qualification explained01:30 How to stress-test your home buying budget01:55 Why payment comfort matters more than rates02:16 What matters more than interest rates02:27 Why buyers should watch neighborhoods, not listings02:57 How buyer leverage changes when rates drop03:20 When the best time to buy actually is03:40 Who wins in the next housing market shift04:01 How to prepare without rushing your decision#MortgageRates #MetroDetroitRealEstate #HomeBuyingTips

Everyone says they’re waiting for mortgage rates to drop — but very few people understand what actually happens to the housing market when they do.Lower rates don’t always mean lower prices. In many cases, they bring more buyers back into the market at the same time, increase competition, and change the pace of the market faster than most people expect.In this video, I break down what really happens when mortgage rates drop, who benefits first, and why waiting without a plan can quietly put you at a disadvantage — whether you’re buying or selling a home in Metro Detroit.📞 Contact Leslie E. Martin, Realtor® | Metro Detroit Real Estate Expert📧 leslie@leslieemartin.com📱 Phone: (734) 846-8358🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/💼 Google Business Page: https://share.google/UUzTvC67ItmnyRg4p🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartin📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leslieemartin📖 Canvas Rebel: https://www.canvasrebel.com/meet-leslie-martin-2/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtorI’ll walk you through:✅ How buyer demand typically reacts when rates drop✅ Why competition often increases before prices adjust✅ Which buyers tend to benefit first✅ How sellers can position themselves ahead of a market shift✅ Why preparation matters more than timingIf you’re trying to decide whether to buy, sell, or wait, this video will help you think strategically instead of emotionally.▶️ Next video: What Should You Do Before Mortgage Rates Drop?If you have questions about your specific situation, feel free to reach out to me directly or visit my website to learn more.

Should you buy a home now—or wait?It’s one of the most common real estate questions people are Googling, searching on YouTube, and even asking AI. And depending on who you listen to, now is either the worst time to buy… or the best opportunity in years.In this episode, I’m not here to predict the housing market. I’m here to help you decide what makes sense for you, especially if you’re buying in the Metro Detroit area.📞 Contact Leslie E. Martin, Realtor® | Metro Detroit Real Estate Expert📧 leslie@leslieemartin.com📱 Phone: (734) 846-8358🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/💼 Google Business Page: https://share.google/UUzTvC67ItmnyRg4p🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartin📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leslieemartin📖 Canvas Rebel: https://www.canvasrebel.com/meet-leslie-martin-2/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtorWhether you’re a first-time buyer, relocating, downsizing, or feeling stuck renting, I walk through how I help buyers think about this decision by focusing on real life—not headlines—including affordability, timing, and long-term plans.📍 Local insight for Metro Detroit buyers🏡 Practical guidance, not hype🧭 Designed to stay relevant in any marketIf you’d like to talk through your specific situation, feel free to reach out.Chapters:00:00 Should I buy a home now or wait?00:29 Why this question feels so confusing right now01:27 The mindset shift most buyers miss01:40 The 3 things that matter more than headlines03:26 Why waiting is still a decision03:55 What I’m seeing in Metro Detroit right now04:25 How I help buyers decide04:37 Final thoughts + how to reach me#metrodetroitrealestate #homebuyingadvice #michiganrealestate

Is the housing market resetting in 2026 — and what does that actually mean for Metro Detroit?In this episode, I break down why this isn’t a crash or a boom, but a shift toward balance, and how buyers and sellers in Southeast Michigan should be thinking about the year ahead.📞 Contact Leslie E. Martin, Realtor® | Metro Detroit Real Estate Expert📧 leslie@leslieemartin.com📱 Phone: (734) 846-8358🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartinThinking about buying or selling a home in Metro Detroit? If the housing market feels different right now, you’re not imagining it. Nationally, experts are calling 2026 the start of a housing market reset. Not a crash, not a boom, but a shift toward balance.In this video, I break down what the 2026 housing reset really means for Metro Detroit, including Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. National headlines don’t always reflect what’s happening locally, and our market is behaving very differently than many pandemic boom cities.Here’s what I cover in this episode:✅ Why the 2026 housing market is shifting toward balance✅ What mortgage rates around 6% could mean for buyers✅ Why Metro Detroit home prices are holding steadier than national averages✅ How wage growth is quietly improving affordability✅ What I’m seeing from buyers and sellers right now on the ground✅ Why pricing strategy matters more than ever in this market✅ How changing lifestyles, multi-generational living, and flexible layouts are shaping demand✅ Why Metro Detroit’s stability continues to attract long-term buyersI also talk specifically about what I’m seeing in communities like Northville, Plymouth, Grosse Pointe, and parts of Oakland County, where demand remains rooted in fundamentals like jobs, livability, and long-term value, not hype.This is a market that rewards preparation and clarity, not rushing or trying to time headlines. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, move-up buyer, downsizer, or homeowner considering a sale in 2026, understanding how this reset applies to your situation is key.💬 I’d love to hear from you:Do you feel like the market right now favors buyers, sellers, or no one at all?And what are you most curious about heading into 2026...prices, rates, timing, or whether waiting still makes sense?Drop your thoughts in the comments. I read them, and they help shape future videos.If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Metro Detroit and want to talk through how this market applies to you personally, feel free to reach out anytime.*Chapters*00:00 – The 2026 Housing Market Reset Explained00:39 – Why the Market Is Shifting Toward Balance01:18 – Why Metro Detroit Is Different From National Trends01:54 – What Buyers and Sellers Are Really Doing Right Now02:08 – Affordability in 2026: Why the Math Is Improving02:47 – What Sellers Need to Understand in a Reset Market03:23 – Pricing Strategy: Why Some Homes Move and Others Sit03:38 – Lifestyle Shifts Changing Housing Demand03:55 – What Buyers Want in Metro Detroit Homes Right Now04:12 – Rent Trends and Why Some Renters Are Reconsidering Buying04:26 – The “Refi and Remodel” Mindset04:51 – Climate, Stability, and Why the Midwest Matters05:21 – What This Reset Means for Buyers and Sellers in 202605:54 – Why Clarity Matters More Than Timing06:10 – What’s Coming in the Next Episode#metrodetroitrealestate #HousingMarketReset#leslieemartin

If you’re buying or selling a home in Metro Detroit, going under contract feels like a huge relief, but it’s also the moment when everything speeds up. Inspections, appraisals, financing, title work, and emotional highs and lows all happen fast, and if you don’t know what’s normal, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.In this episode, I walk you through what really happens after you go under contract, step by step, based on what buyers and sellers actually experience here in Metro Detroit. This isn’t contract language or legal jargon, it’s the real timeline, the emotional shifts, and the moments where people tend to panic even when the deal is moving exactly as it should.If you’re wondering what’s noise, what matters, and what deserves your attention once a contract is signed, this episode will help you feel prepared and confident throughout the process.📞 Contact Leslie E. Martin, Realtor® | Metro Detroit Real Estate Expert📧 leslie@leslieemartin.com📱 Phone: (734) 846-8358🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartinOnce a home goes under contract, buyers and sellers often expect things to slow down. In reality, this is when the most important steps begin. From inspections and appraisals to financing approvals, title work, and final walkthroughs, this phase determines whether a deal stays on track or falls apart.In this episode, I explain:--What buyers and sellers typically feel at each stage--Why certain steps feel stressful even when nothing is wrong--How preparation earlier in the process affects what happens later--What “normal” really looks like between contract and closingThis epidsode is especially helpful if you’re buying or selling a home in Metro Detroit and want a realistic understanding of the process beyond headlines and advice from friends or social media.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Why Deals Fall Apart After Going Under Contract00:10 – Why Things Speed Up Instead of Slowing Down00:28 – What to Expect Once a Contract Is Signed00:52 – The Emotional Shift for Buyers and Sellers01:26 – The Inspection Period and Why It Creates Anxiety01:58 – How Expectations Shape Inspection Outcomes02:11 – Appraisals and the Moment Value Gets Tested02:38 – Why Waiting Is Often the Hardest Part02:54 – Financing Behind the Scenes03:27 – Title Work and Why It Matters03:56 – Final Walkthroughs and Approaching Closing04:12 – What’s Normal vs. What Should Worry You04:37 – When to Ask Questions and Get Guidance#MetroDetroitRealEstate #HomeBuyingProcess #HomeSellingTips

Before you buy a home or accept an offer, you need to understand real estate contingencies. In this video, Metro Detroit Realtor® Leslie Martin explains inspection, appraisal, financing, and title contingencies—and how they can protect or derail a deal.Before you buy a home or accept an offer, you need to understand real estate contingencies. In this video, Metro Detroit Realtor® Leslie Martin explains inspection, appraisal, financing, and title contingencies—and how they can protect or derail a deal.Contingencies are the “if this happens” clauses in a real estate contract that protect buyers and sellers from unexpected risks. Used correctly, they create clarity, leverage, and smoother closings. Used incorrectly—or waived without understanding the consequences—they can lead to costly mistakes.In this video, I break down:--What inspection contingencies actually cover--How appraisal contingencies work in competitive Metro Detroit markets--When appraisal guarantees make sense (and when they don’t)--Why financing contingencies protect more than just buyers--How title contingencies prevent last-minute closing disasters--The real risks of removing contingencies to win an offerI also share real-world examples from transactions in Plymouth, Grosse Pointe, Northville, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, and Chesterfield, so you can see how these clauses actually play out—not just how they’re explained online.If you want to read a deeper dive article about real estate contingencies, be sure to check out this article I wrote: https://www.leslieemartin.com/understanding-real-estate-contingencies/If you’re buying or selling a home in Metro Detroit and want help structuring a strong, smart offer, feel free to reach out with questions.📞 Contact Leslie E. Martin, Realtor® | Metro Detroit Real Estate Expert📧 leslie@leslieemartin.com📱 Phone: (734) 846-8358🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartinChapters:00:00 What Are Real Estate Contingencies?00:34 Inspection Contingency Explained01:46 Appraisal Contingency & Appraisal Gaps02:48 Financing Contingency Explained03:51 Title Contingency & Title Searches04:53 The Risk of Removing Contingencies05:38 Final Advice for Buyers & Sellers

If you’re selling a home in Chesterfield Township or anywhere in Metro Detroit, this real story shows why accepting a day-one offer can cost you thousands — and why strategy always beats pressure.About this video:A buyer tried to pressure me into canceling an open house the very same day my Chesterfield Township listing went live — but sticking to the strategy led to multiple offers and a sale well over asking. If you're selling a home in Metro Detroit, this shows how preparation, staging, and smart marketing protect your bottom line and maximize your final sale price.📞 Contact Leslie E. Martin, Realtor® | Metro Detroit Real Estate Expert📧 leslie@leslieemartin.com📱 Phone: (734) 846-8358🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartinWhen this Chesterfield Township home hit the market, my sellers and I had already done everything right — staging, prep, professional photography, and a full marketing plan. Within hours of going live, we received a full-ask offer… and a demand to cancel the open house immediately.But accepting a day-one offer without letting the market work? That’s one of the biggest mistakes sellers can make.By sticking to the plan — and not bowing to pressure — the open house was packed, showings stayed steady, and the home brought in multiple offers by Sunday evening. The sellers ultimately accepted an offer well over the asking price. Momentum matters. Exposure matters. Marketing matters. And this story is proof.If you’re wondering what your home could realistically sell for with a strong Metro Detroit strategy behind it, reach out anytime.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Buyer Pressure on Day One of a Chesterfield Township Listing00:00 – Full-Ask Offer Within Hours of Going Live00:15 – How We Prepared This Chesterfield Township Home to Sell00:36 – The Day-One Full Price Offer Arrives00:47 – Buyer Demands We Cancel the Open House00:58 – Why Accepting a Day-One Offer Can Hurt Sellers01:07 – Showings, Momentum & Protecting Seller Interests01:20 – How I Pushed Back (Professionally) as the Listing Agent01:35 – Handling Buyer Pressure Without Losing Leverage01:54 – Packed Open House & Weekend Showings02:03 – Multiple Offers Roll In by Sunday02:12 – Final Offer Accepted Well Over Asking Price02:22 – Why Strategy Always Beats Buyer Pressure02:29 – Key Takeaways for Metro Detroit Home Sellers02:49 – Competition Creates the Best Sale Price02:51 – Thinking About Selling? Here’s Your Next Step02:59 – Contact Leslie E. Martin – Metro Detroit Realtor®

Buying a home in the Metro Detroit area? Learn about 5 common issues that show up during a home inspection and what they mean for buyers. From roof repairs to outdated electrical panels and plumbing, find out how to handle inspection reports with confidence when buying a home in Troy, Grosse Pointe, Birmingham, or Northville.📞 Contact Leslie E. Martin, Realtor® | Metro Detroit Real Estate Expert📧 leslie@leslieemartin.com📱 Phone: (734) 846-8358🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartinBuying a home in Metro Detroit—whether it’s in Birmingham, Grosse Pointe, Northville, or Plymouth—can be exciting, but the home inspection often brings a few surprises. In this video, I’m breaking down five common issues that show up during a home inspection and explaining what they really mean for buyers.Not every red flag is a deal breaker! Understanding what’s normal, what’s negotiable, and what’s a serious concern can save you thousands and help you move forward with confidence.If you’re planning to buy a home in Oakland, Wayne, or Macomb County, this video will help you feel prepared when your inspection report lands in your inbox.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Buying a Home? Here’s What to Expect00:10 – 5 Common Issues That Show Up in Home Inspections00:22 – Issue #1: Roof Condition & Negotiation Tips00:42 – Issue #2: Outdated Electrical Panels (Federal Pacific, Zinsco)01:03 – Issue #3: Foundation Cracks – Cosmetic or Serious?01:21 – Issue #4: Old Plumbing & Galvanized Pipes01:38 – Issue #5: HVAC Systems Near the End of Their Life01:58 – The Big Takeaway: Inspections = Informed Decisions02:14 – Comment: What’s the Most Surprising Inspection Issue You’ve Seen?02:20 – Need a Trustworthy Home Inspector? Let’s TalkWhy Watch✅ Learn what inspection issues really mean (not every one is a deal breaker)✅ Know how to negotiate repairs or price adjustments confidently✅ Get peace of mind before you buy your Metro Detroit home