Newsletter • June 15, 2026

Not Too Hot. Not Too Cold. Is this housing market just right for buyers?

by Micah Ruddell

I’m glad you’re here!

I’ve put together a nice assortment of bite-sized pieces of real estate news, entertainment, and resources I think you’re going to enjoy. (And maybe even learn a thing or two you never knew you wanted to know!)

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on tap:

• How hot is this new listing?

• Not too hot. Not too cold. Is this housing market just right for buyers?

• 3 tips for buying a home in a hot market

But first, let’s start it off with my…

Meme of the Week

Technically, you should call me so I can analyze inventory, absorption rate, days on market, and all that fun stuff… but this might work too 😄

st-joseph-statues

How hot is this new listing?

Well, that really depends on the day…

The world’s tallest thermometer recently hit the market in California. For $1.8 million, the new owner gets a 134-foot roadside attraction, a little over 4 acres in the desert, and a retail building they can turn into a coffee shop or fast-casual spot for road-trippers to grab a bite.

It’s probably not a reliable gauge of the overall real estate market… but considering it’s located in the desert, this one certainly qualifies as a hot listing.

Not too hot. Not too cold. Is this housing market just right for buyers?

That story about the world’s tallest thermometer got me thinking about how often people talk about the real estate market being “hot”… and how many buyers seem to be waiting for the market to cool down before jumping in.

Ironically, when the market does start cooling down and becoming more buyer-friendly, people often get nervous and assume something must be wrong.

So I recently published an article taking a closer look at whether the market conditions many buyers have been hoping for may have quietly arrived… without a giant thermometer announcing it.

“How’s the market?”

I get that question a lot, and I’m always happy to answer it! But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why this newsletter doesn’t include weekly stats or price updates.

Besides, most people don’t care about real estate data until it actually matters to them. So instead of stats, I just try to keep this fun and entertaining.

Curious about a specific house? Wonder what your place is worth? Or just want a quick market snapshot?

Just hit reply and ask me! I’m always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I love any opportunity to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

In what country do homes generally depreciate in value and end up being torn down and replaced after about 30 years?

3) United States

Click the answer you think is correct.

3 tips for buying a home in a hot market

We’ve been talking about how some signs suggest the market may be cooling down and becoming a little more buyer-friendly.

But that doesn’t mean every market, neighborhood, price range, or house suddenly got the memo.

Some areas and price ranges are still as competitive as ever. And even in a cooler market overall, a well-priced house can still attract multiple offers and sell over asking price.

So I thought this would be a good time to share three tips that can help buyers stay competitive anytime the market starts heating up.

The fact is…

Interesting perspective to keep in mind if you’ve been waiting for the market to go into a deep freeze rather than simply cool off.

Image here

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Want to unsubscribe from this newsletter? Simply reply and let me know.

Newsletter • June 8, 2026

Looking for a house with a pool? You may see me do a belly flop…

by Micah Ruddell

I’m glad you’re here!

I’ve put together a nice assortment of bite-sized pieces of real estate news, entertainment, and resources I think you’re going to enjoy. (And maybe even learn a thing or two you never knew you wanted to know!)

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on tap:

• Looking for a house with a pool? You may see me do a belly flop…

• Will installing a pool add value to your home?

• When a contractor says, “This will increase the value of your home”…

But first, let’s start it off with my…

Meme of the Week

Fortunately, buying or selling a house usually involves fewer sharks! 🦈

swim-ocean-for-you

Looking for a house with a pool? You may see me do a belly flop…

As a real estate agent, I haven’t fallen into a pool while showing a house (yet!), but I can definitely relate to this poor guy…

A hotel porter recently went viral after accidentally walking straight into a swimming pool while carrying guests’ luggage. Fortunately nobody was hurt, but I imagine there was at least a brief moment where he considered changing careers.

Of course, now that I’ve said this, watch me accidentally belly flop into someone’s backyard pool while showing a house this summer!

Will installing a pool add value to your home?

Recent data suggests that only about 8% of homes in the United States have a swimming pool.

That might make installing one seem like a no-brainer if increasing your home’s value is the goal. After all, if relatively few homes have pools, shouldn’t having one automatically make your home more valuable?

Maybe. But as with most things in real estate, it ultimately comes down to supply and demand.

I recently published an article that takes a deeper dive (ahem… pun intended) into the topic and explains why installing a pool may still make perfect sense even if resale value isn’t the biggest return you get from it.

<b>Free Guide: How To Prepare Your House For Sale</b>

Free Guide: How To Prepare Your House For Sale

Do too little and you’ll leave money on the table — or worse, not sell your house at all. Do too much and you’ll lose time or money on things that don’t have a good return on investment.

This is why I created this free guide to help you prepare your house just the right amount…

…so you can sell it for as much as possible, and as quickly as possible.

Let Me Read the Guide

“How’s the market?”

I get that question a lot, and I’m always happy to answer it! But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why this newsletter doesn’t include weekly stats or price updates.

Besides, most people don’t care about real estate data until it actually matters to them. So instead of stats, I just try to keep this fun and entertaining.

Curious about a specific house? Wonder what your place is worth? Or just want a quick market snapshot?

Just hit reply and ask me! I’m always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I love any opportunity to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

Which state has the highest number of residential swimming pools?

Click the answer you think is correct.

When a contractor says, “This will increase the value of your home”…

Since we were just talking about whether installing a pool adds value to your home, I thought it was the perfect time to touch on something related… how home improvement companies often claim a particular upgrade will increase your home’s value.

One of the most common assumptions homeowners make is that if a contractor says an upgrade will pay for itself, it automatically will.

Unfortunately, it’s usually not that simple.

So I put together a list of six things worth keeping in mind anytime someone is promising their product or service will increase what your home is worth.

The fact is…

This is reassuring. Apparently 41% of pools are a lot harder for me to accidentally fall into while showing houses this summer! 🤣

re-fact-home-pools

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Want to unsubscribe from this newsletter? Simply reply and let me know.

Newsletter • June 1, 2026

The odds of seeing a bear at an open house are low…but never zero!

by Micah Ruddell

I’m glad you’re here!

I’ve put together a nice assortment of bite-sized pieces of real estate news, entertainment, and resources I think you’re going to enjoy. (And maybe even learn a thing or two you never knew you wanted to know!)

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on tap:

• The odds of seeing a bear at an open house are low… but never zero

• Data says home sellers over 70 may be leaving money on the table

• Put your home-selling instincts to the test

But first, let’s start it off with my…

Meme of the Week

As you’re about to see… avoiding bears may actually become a theme in this newsletter. 😄

Image here

The odds of seeing a bear at an open house are low… but never zero

People don’t always think of New Jersey as a place overflowing with nature and wildlife. But it is called the Garden State for a reason.

And sometimes that nature strolls right up to your front door… and rings the doorbell.

A black bear recently wandered onto a homeowner’s porch in Sparta, NJ, looked directly into their Ring doorbell camera, and then casually walked away with another bear waiting nearby.

Data says home sellers over 70 may be leaving money on the table

A recent study found that homeowners over the age of 70 often receive lower prices for their homes compared to younger sellers. But before anyone takes that personally, there are some very understandable reasons why that may happen.

I recently published an article breaking down a few of those reasons, along with some simple ways homeowners can better protect themselves and make more informed decisions when it comes time to sell.

<b>Free Guide: How To Prepare Your House For Sale</b>

Free Guide: How To Prepare Your House For Sale

Do too little and you’ll leave money on the table — or worse, not sell your house at all. Do too much and you’ll lose time or money on things that don’t have a good return on investment.

This is why I created this free guide to help you prepare your house just the right amount…

…so you can sell it for as much as possible, and as quickly as possible.

Let Me Read the Guide

“How’s the market?”

I get that question a lot, and I’m always happy to answer it! But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why this newsletter doesn’t include weekly stats or price updates.

Besides, most people don’t care about real estate data until it actually matters to them. So instead of stats, I just try to keep this fun and entertaining.

Curious about a specific house? Wonder what your place is worth? Or just want a quick market snapshot?

Just hit reply and ask me! I’m always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I love any opportunity to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

A girl in Los Angeles County, CA was recently given a permit to keep what kind of animal on her residential property?

C) Miniature hippo

Click the answer you think is correct.

Put your home-selling instincts to the test

Selling a home comes with a surprising number of decisions, tradeoffs, and judgment calls. Price too high or price too low? Renovate or leave things alone? Accept the first offer or hold out for another?

So I thought you might have a little fun with this quick quiz that puts you in a few common real estate situations to test whether your instincts would help or hurt you when it comes time to sell.

The fact is…

You see! Open houses do help you avoid bears!

Image here

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Want to unsubscribe from this newsletter? Simply reply and let me know.

Newsletter • May 26, 2026

A garbage can costs how much?! And 5 other surprising costs of homeownership essentials…

by Micah Ruddell

I’m glad you’re here!

I’ve put together a nice assortment of bite-sized pieces of real estate news, entertainment, and resources I think you’re going to enjoy. (And maybe even learn a thing or two you never knew you wanted to know!)

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on tap:

• He had no excuse to not know what time it was!

• A garbage can costs how much?!

• 7 creative ways to avoid talking to your neighbors

But first, let’s start it off with my…

Meme of the Week

As an agent, I can also confirm that some buyers get just as excited when a seller throws in a 12-year-old fridge to sweeten the deal!

Image here

He had no excuse to not know what time it was!

A Florida man was recently arrested for performing what could best be described as some “unwanted handyman services.”

Apparently he decided to head over to his neighbor’s house at 3AM to “fix” their Ring camera light. But the late-night timing wasn’t the only issue…

He was reportedly wearing nothing but sandals, a headlamp… and a watch.

A garbage can costs how much?!

When people think about the hidden costs of owning a home, they usually picture things like unexpected repairs or higher-than-expected utility bills.

But there are some much smaller costs that just seem shockingly expensive simply because nobody prepares you for the price tag. Like the first time you’re standing in the aisle of a home improvement store and wondering whether you accidentally grabbed the premium luxury version of… a garbage can.

I recently published an article highlighting that, and 5 other surprisingly common expenses that homeowners often don’t think about until they’re standing in a store wondering, “Wait… this costs how much?”

<b>Want to find the home of your dreams?</b>

Want to find the home of your dreams?

And also get it at the best price possible? Then download your free copy of this guide: The Ultimate Home Buyer’s Guide

Let Me Read the Guide

“How’s the market?”

I get that question a lot, and I’m always happy to answer it! But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why this newsletter doesn’t include weekly stats or price updates.

Besides, most people don’t care about real estate data until it actually matters to them. So instead of stats, I just try to keep this fun and entertaining.

Curious about a specific house? Wonder what your place is worth? Or just want a quick market snapshot?

Just hit reply and ask me! I’m always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I love any opportunity to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

Until 2001, residents of Victoria, Australia were required by law to hire a licensed contractor for which of the following basic home maintenance tasks?

A) Gutter cleaning

B) Changing a light bulb

C) Fixing a leaky faucet

D) Installing a smoke detector

Click the answer you think is correct.

7 creative ways to avoid talking to your neighbors

We all have neighbors we enjoy catching up with… and then there are those moments where you’re bringing in groceries, dragging your $80 trash can to the curb, rushing somewhere, or simply not in the mood for an unexpected 20-minute conversation.

So I thought you might get a kick out of this list of some creative ways to avoid talking to neighbors! They’re not super practical, but they might make you feel a little better about simply pretending to check your phone or having your earbuds in.

The fact is…

So this is the guy you can thank the next time you’re buying one of those surprisingly expensive trash cans 😄

Image here

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Want to unsubscribe from this newsletter? Simply reply and let me know.

Market News • Newsletter • May 18, 2026

Solar panels can be a bright idea, but…(6 things they can impact when selling your home)

by Micah Ruddell

I’m glad you’re here!

I’ve put together a nice assortment of bite-sized pieces of real estate news, entertainment, and resources I think you’re going to enjoy. (And maybe even learn a thing or two you never knew you wanted to know!)

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on tap:

• A not-so-dead dead-end street

• Sunlight shouldn’t outshine everything else

• Solar panels can be a bright idea, but…

But first, let’s start it off with my…

Meme of the Week

Pop quiz!

Image here

A not-so-dead dead-end street

One reason people love living on a dead-end street or cul-de-sac is because there’s usually less traffic and therefore… less noise.

Unfortunately, residents in one London neighborhood are being woken up in the middle of the night because they live on one.

Waymo self-driving cars have reportedly been mistakenly driving down their street, only to realize there’s nowhere to go and back all the way out because it’s too tight to turn around. And when they do, they blast a loud warning alarm that sounds like a siren the entire time.

Sunlight shouldn’t outshine everything else

A real estate website recently introduced a new “Sun Score” feature designed to estimate how much natural light a home gets throughout the day. And while that may sound useful, it also raises an interesting question: how much information is too much information when searching for a home?

Today’s buyers already have access to more ratings, scores, and data than ever before. While tools like this can be helpful, they can also make it easy to overanalyze smaller details while losing sight of bigger priorities.

I recently published an article that takes a closer look at the topic, and why it’s important not to let a bright room completely cloud your judgment when house hunting.

<b>Free Guide: How To Prepare Your House For Sale</b>

Free Guide: How To Prepare Your House For Sale

Do too little and you’ll leave money on the table — or worse, not sell your house at all. Do too much and you’ll lose time or money on things that don’t have a good return on investment.

This is why I created this free guide to help you prepare your house just the right amount…

…so you can sell it for as much as possible, and as quickly as possible.

Let Me Read the Guide

“How’s the market?”

I get that question a lot, and I’m always happy to answer it! But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why this newsletter doesn’t include weekly stats or price updates.

Besides, most people don’t care about real estate data until it actually matters to them. So instead of stats, I just try to keep this fun and entertaining.

Curious about a specific house? Wonder what your place is worth? Or just want a quick market snapshot?

Just hit reply and ask me! I’m always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I love any opportunity to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

The famous playwright, George Bernard Shaw, had a backyard writing shed with what unique feature?

1) It rotated to follow the sun.

2) It had a secret underground passage from his house.

3) It had a small stage for actors to perform his latest work.

4) It had no windows so he wouldn’t be distracted.

Click the answer you think is correct.

Solar panels can be a bright idea, but…

Solar panels can absolutely lower energy bills and make a home more appealing to some buyers. But depending on how they’re financed, owned, or installed, they can also create a few unexpected complications when it comes time to sell.

So I thought you might find this quick list of things homeowners should know about solar panels before putting their home on the market helpful—especially since a lot of buyers and sellers don’t realize some of these issues even exist until they’re already under contract.

The fact is…

Makes you wonder what “Sun Score” those homes would’ve gotten!

Image here

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Want to unsubscribe from this newsletter? Simply reply and let me know.

Newsletter • May 12, 2026

12 classic mom sayings…that double as real estate advice

by Micah Ruddell

I’m glad you’re here!

I’ve put together a nice assortment of bite-sized pieces of real estate news, entertainment, and resources I think you’re going to enjoy. (And maybe even learn a thing or two you never knew you wanted to know!)

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on tap:

• Can you imagine moving every 26 days?

• 66% of buyers think they need “perfect” credit to buy a house…

• 12 classic mom sayings that double as real estate advice

But first, let’s start it off with my…

Meme of the Week

Listen, I’m not saying this is the right thing to do… I’m just saying I understand the thought process 😜

Image here

Can you imagine moving every 26 days?

Moving is not something most people want to make a habit of. The average American moves around 11 or 12 times in their lifetime, but those moves are usually spread out over decades.

So can you imagine having to move every 26 days… and then move right back to where you came from just 24 hours later?

Well, one family does exactly that in order to spend most of the year living at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort in an RV. Because of resort rules, they can only stay for 26 consecutive days before having to leave for at least 24 hours.

Fortunately for them, their home is on wheels. So every few weeks, they pack up the RV, spend a day somewhere else, and then head right back to Disney.

66% of buyers think they need “perfect” credit to buy a house…

A recent survey found that 66% of potential homebuyers believe they need near-perfect credit to qualify for a mortgage—or at least to secure a good interest rate.

The reality is, most buyers are purchasing homes with credit scores that are far from perfect. But if you don’t realize that, it’s easy to spend years assuming you’re not ready yet instead of actually exploring your options.

I recently published an article that dives a little deeper into where this misconception comes from, why the range of acceptable credit scores is often wider than people think, and why it’s worth talking to a few lenders before assuming the answer is no.

<b>Want to find the home of your dreams?</b>

Want to find the home of your dreams?

And also get it at the best price possible? Then download your free copy of this guide: The Ultimate Home Buyer’s Guide

Let Me Read the Guide

“How’s the market?”

I get that question a lot, and I’m always happy to answer it! But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why this newsletter doesn’t include weekly stats or price updates.

Besides, most people don’t care about real estate data until it actually matters to them. So instead of stats, I just try to keep this fun and entertaining.

Curious about a specific house? Wonder what your place is worth? Or just want a quick market snapshot?

Just hit reply and ask me! I’m always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I love any opportunity to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

Which global movement began with a man building a tiny wooden house in his yard to honor his book-loving mother?

A) Tiny House Nation

B) Book Nook Collective

C) Little Free Library

D) The Reading Porch Project

Click the answer you think is correct.

12 classic mom sayings that double as real estate advice

Moms have a signature way of getting their point across—usually through one-liners that are both universal and impossible to forget. As it turns out, a lot of those classic “mom-isms” also translate surprisingly well into real estate advice.

So I thought you might get a kick out of this list of 12 classic mom sayings you’ve probably heard dozens of times… but never realized could apply to buying or selling a house.

The fact is…

OK, building a house from scratch with no experience is impressive… but was she able to get the kids to clean their rooms and pick up their socks?

Image here

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Want to unsubscribe from this newsletter? Simply reply and let me know.

Newsletter • March 25, 2026

Should you renovate, or relocate? A fun quiz to help you decide

by Micah Ruddell

I’m glad you’re here!

I’ve put together a nice assortment of bite-sized pieces of real estate news, entertainment, and resources I think you’re going to enjoy. (And maybe even learn a thing or two you never knew you wanted to know!)

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on tap:

• Mirror, mirror on the… what the heck is THAT?!

• Would you pay to improve a neighbor’s yard?

• Should you renovate, or relocate?

But first, let’s start it off with my…

Meme of the Week

If your name is on here… maybe that’s a sign. And if it’s not, but you want to be on that list, let me know and I’ll add it. 😄

people-buyers-this-year

Mirror, mirror on the… what the heck is THAT?!

Real estate agents often catch other agents accidentally reflected in bathroom mirrors or trying to hide behind shower curtains in listing photos. It can be funny… but also a little painful to see.

If you can’t pull it off cleanly, it’s probably better to hire a pro — or at least get good at editing photos.

Well, AI is making it easier to clean up little photo mishaps without needing to be a Photoshop expert. But one agent recently learned the hard way that it’s still worth checking the final result after AI added a creepy-looking creature crawling out of a mirror — and he somehow missed it before posting the photos.

Would you pay to improve a neighbor’s yard?

Most homeowners know curb appeal matters when they’re getting ready to sell. But a recent survey suggests your neighbor’s yard might matter more than you think. In fact, nearly half of homeowners said they’d consider chipping in to improve a neighbor’s lawn if it meant their own home would sell faster or for more money.

It’s an interesting idea… but it’s not necessarily an offer your neighbor will appreciate, even if it comes with free lawn care. So I recently published an article about why this can be a tricky conversation — and a few tactful ways to think about it if you ever find yourself in that position.

“How’s the market?”

I get that question a lot, and I’m always happy to answer it! But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why this newsletter doesn’t include weekly stats or price updates.

Besides, most people don’t care about real estate data until it actually matters to them. So instead of stats, I just try to keep this fun and entertaining.

Curious about a specific house? Wonder what your place is worth? Or just want a quick market snapshot?

Just hit reply and ask me! I’m always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I love any opportunity to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

Officials from the Swedish island of Gotland launched the “World’s Ugliest Lawn” competition in order to do which of the following:

A) Shame people into taking more pride in their curb appeal

B) Normalize ugly lawns so people don’t feel ashamed

C) Raise enough money to sod their entire island

D) Promote water conservation

Click the answer you think is correct.

Should you renovate, or relocate?

For some, renovating a home is a thrilling opportunity to reimagine their space and build instant equity. For others, it’s the start of a multi-month saga involving uncontrollable delays, budget explosions, and a fine layer of drywall dust that may linger until your next renovation project.

Sometimes the right move is to pick up that hammer and get to work. Other times? You might be better off selling and finding a home that’s already “just right.”

So before you rip out your cabinets or start shopping for tile you saw on Instagram, take this fun little quiz to find out if you’re ready to renovate, or ready to relocate.

The fact is…

Here’s a fun fact for all of you who love mowing your lawn!

And a not-so-fun fact for the rest of you…

Image here

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Want to unsubscribe from this newsletter? Simply reply and let me know.

Newsletter • March 18, 2026

“Good fences make good neighbors”…As long as you keep these tips in mind!

by Micah Ruddell

I’m glad you’re here!

I’ve put together a nice assortment of bite-sized pieces of real estate news, entertainment, and resources I think you’re going to enjoy. (And maybe even learn a thing or two you never knew you wanted to know!)

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on tap:

• Something fishy is going on here…

• “Good fences make good neighbors”

• 6 ways finding your dream home is like finding a four-leaf clove

But first, let’s start it off with my…

Meme of the Week

I love this sentiment! But if your home starts feeling a little too cozy when everyone shows up, I’m always happy to help you find one with a little more room.

quote-irish-proverb

Something fishy is going on here…

You may have come across a story going viral about a man claiming he was kidnapped by a gang of dolphins, taken underwater, and forced to build a multilevel, multifamily structure made from coral.

If the story sounded a little unbelievable to you, your instincts were correct. Local police say the entire thing was just a hoax meant to grab attention and generate clicks online.

But if you were hoping to hop on the waiting list for a unit in the building once it was finished… it sounds like you’ll have to keep waiting.

“Good fences make good neighbors”

Speaking of viral stories, you may have seen one making the rounds about a homeowner who discovered their neighbor’s fence was built a couple of feet over the property line. Instead of apologizing or discussing how to fix it, the neighbor reportedly claimed “squatters’ rights” and insisted the land was now theirs. Most likely that claim won’t hold up, but it sounds like the courts will have to sort it out.

Situations that extreme are rare, but fence disputes between neighbors actually happen more often than people realize. Which is why I recently published an article with several tips worth keeping in mind if you’re thinking about installing a fence of your own.

It’s a lot easier to plan things out upfront than to argue about them after the posts are already in the ground.

“How’s the market?”

I get that question a lot, and I’m always happy to answer it! But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why this newsletter doesn’t include weekly stats or price updates.

Besides, most people don’t care about real estate data until it actually matters to them. So instead of stats, I just try to keep this fun and entertaining.

Curious about a specific house? Wonder what your place is worth? Or just want a quick market snapshot?

Just hit reply and ask me! I’m always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I love any opportunity to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

Which of the following household cleaning supplies do many people have a superstition about, believing that it’s bad luck to bring the one you used in your old home into your new home?

A) Your old dustpan

B) Your old broom

C) Your old toilet brush

D) Your old vacuum

Click the answer you think is correct.

6 ways finding your dream home is like finding a four-leaf clover

Since it’s St. Patrick’s Day week, I thought you might get a kick out of this lighthearted list comparing house hunting to searching for a lucky four-leaf clover.

The fact is…

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum

Image here

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Want to unsubscribe from this newsletter? Simply reply and let me know.

Newsletter • March 12, 2026

Things agents say now that would’ve made no sense in the 1980s. Plus, it’s amazing what we take for granted!

by Micah Ruddell

I’m glad you’re here!

I’ve put together a nice assortment of bite-sized pieces of real estate news, entertainment, and resources I think you’re going to enjoy. (And maybe even learn a thing or two you never knew you wanted to know!)

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on tap:

• Would you grab coffee here?

• Saving for a house isn’t as easy as many experts make it sound

• Things agents say now that would’ve made no sense in the 1980s

But first, let’s start it off with my…

Meme of the Week

On one hand, I’m obviously just joking…

But the longer days really are a huge deal to me (and my buyers) at this time of year!

Image here

Would you grab coffee here?

Whether it’s a home or a business, the old saying about location, location, location being the three most important things in real estate usually holds true. When it comes to businesses, that normally means a spot that’s easy to find, easy to reach, has plenty of parking, and hopefully plenty of walk-in traffic.

But apparently the exact opposite can work too…

If you’re looking for a caffeine kick and an adrenaline rush, this cliffside café might be worth checking out. Just make sure you have reservations before rappelling down to sip your coffee while dangling over the ocean.

Saving for a house isn’t as easy as many experts make it sound

It seems like every few years someone comes up with a new way to make saving for a house down payment sound not only possible, but easy. There was the “Latte Factor,” where buyers were told skipping their daily coffee would do the trick. Then came the warnings about avocado toast. Now there’s something called the “$27.39 Rule,” which suggests simply saving that much per day.

If only it were always that easy!

The advice is well-meaning and meant to be encouraging, but at times it can come across as a bit tone deaf. That’s why I recently published an article sharing some perspective on why saving for a down payment can feel so difficult — and why even small, consistent progress still matters more than any catchy rule..

“How’s the market?”

I get that question a lot, and I’m always happy to answer it! But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why this newsletter doesn’t include weekly stats or price updates.

Besides, most people don’t care about real estate data until it actually matters to them. So instead of stats, I just try to keep this fun and entertaining.

Curious about a specific house? Wonder what your place is worth? Or just want a quick market snapshot?

Just hit reply and ask me! I’m always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I love any opportunity to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

Doing which of the following in your house everyday increases your chances of becoming a millionaire by 206%?

A) Making your bed.

B) Turning down the thermostat by 5 degrees.

C) Only flushing the toilet every third time you use it.

D) Cooking your meals in the microwave instead of in the oven.

Click the answer you think is correct.

Things agents say now that would’ve made no sense in the 1980s

Technology has changed so much since the 80’s! While we may not have flying cars, or live on Mars quite yet, a lot of our world would look and sound like a sci-fi novel to people just a few decades ago.

For a little fun, perspective, and appreciation for how far things have come in the world of real estate, I recently put together a fun list of things agents say today that would have made absolutely no sense back in the 1980s. It’s a funny little reminder of just how much the real estate world has changed.

The fact is…

Not a bad idea for saving up a down payment!

re-fact-change-collection

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Want to unsubscribe from this newsletter? Simply reply and let me know.

Newsletter • March 3, 2026

Real estate contract cancellations are at a “record high” (I put that in quotes for a reason…)

by Micah Ruddell

I’m glad you’re here!

I’ve put together a nice assortment of bite-sized pieces of real estate news, entertainment, and resources I think you’re going to enjoy. (And maybe even learn a thing or two you never knew you wanted to know!)

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on tap:

• On the fence about robots taking over?

• Real estate contract cancellations are at a “record high”

• Stock photos are hilarious!

But first, let’s start it off with my…

Meme of the Week

And just like that, Halloween will be right around the corner again!

bring-on-spring

On the fence about robots taking over?

Some people think we should be worried about robots taking over the world. Some aren’t worried about it at all. Only time will tell how concerned we should be, but for now, it looks like we have some time before it’s a real threat.

At least based upon what happened to one homeowner in California…

A food delivery robot went through her garden uprooting plants, and then drove through her fence and dragged a portion of it along for the ride to its next stop.

Real estate contract cancellations are at a “record high”

According to recent headlines, real estate contract cancellations are at their highest January level since 2017. However, while that might sound alarming, it’s only a 0.6 percentage point increase compared to last January, and a 2.7 percentage point increase compared to January 2017.

Unfortunately, headlines are often designed to grab your attention, not necessarily make things sound normal.

While the claims are factually correct, cancellations are normal, and the increases are not as drastic as they may sound. If you want a more objective take on what’s going on, check out this article I recently published.

“How’s the market?”

I get that question a lot, and I’m always happy to answer it! But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why this newsletter doesn’t include weekly stats or price updates.

Besides, most people don’t care about real estate data until it actually matters to them. So instead of stats, I just try to keep this fun and entertaining.

Curious about a specific house? Wonder what your place is worth? Or just want a quick market snapshot?

Just hit reply and ask me! I’m always glad to give you any information, thoughts, or data you want. (And of course, no obligation or pressure! I love any opportunity to talk about the market.)

Trivia Time

In which U.S. city are the McDonald’s “Golden Arches” turquoise, rather than yellow?

A) Santa Fe, NM

C) Asheville, NC

Click the answer you think is correct.

Stock photos are hilarious!

There are lots of misperceptions about what it’s like to be a real estate agent.

But it’s easy to see why people outside the industry would have a skewed view of an agent’s life when you look at it through the lens of stock photos! For example, check out these nine things agents are often depicted doing in stock photos for a quick laugh.

And if you’ve never looked through stock photos of people in your career, it might be fun to give it a try the next time you’re bored.

The fact is…

Selling for less makes sense when you use a word like that… but taking longer to sell is a really interesting tidbit!

Image here

That wraps it up for this week!

Be on the lookout for the next one!

Want to unsubscribe from this newsletter? Simply reply and let me know.

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