Deanna Brumbaugh's Blog Posts

When you start house hunting, it’s really easy to build a mental checklist of your perfect home.The gorgeous kitchen.The big backyard.The extra bedroom.The home office.The three-car garage.The

If you’ve been thinking about buying a home, you’ve probably heard someone say, “I’m just waiting for interest rates to come down.”It’s a common strategy, but

For many buyers, the home search begins with scrolling Zillow late at night or driving through neighborhoods on the weekend.While that’s certainly part of the fun, the most successful home

For many homeowners, there comes a point when the house that once felt perfect no longer fits the next chapter of life.Maybe the kids have moved out and there are empty bedrooms collecting dust

When you’re buying a home, it’s easy to focus on the purchase price and your monthly mortgage payment. But there’s another expense that plays a big role in your monthly budget:

Buying a home is a big decision, and sometimes you get partway through the process and realize… this isn’t it.Maybe something comes up during inspections. Maybe financing shifts. Or

If you’re thinking about selling your home, you’ve probably heard the term “as is.”And at first glance? It sounds pretty great.No projects. No spending weekends at the

You did it. You closed. You got the keys. And now you’re standing in a space that is officially yours… but somehow still feels like someone else’s house.That feeling is completely

When people start thinking about selling their home, their first instinct is often: What should I fix or upgrade to get the most money?That’s a good question to ask. But interestingly, some of

Every year I talk to homeowners who are thinking about selling but not quite ready to say it out loud.They’re watching the market.They’re scrolling listings.They’re doing the

Let’s talk about the house that should have sold by now.You know the one. Homes around it are flying off the market in a weekend, and this one is still there. Still active. Still making you

5 Important Real Estate Contract Terms Every Buyer & Seller Should UnderstandReal estate contracts can feel overwhelming—packed with legal language, timelines, and fine print. But

If you own a home and you’re wondering whether you should sell it or rent it out, you’re asking exactly the right question.This decision isn’t just about what the market is doing

If you’re thinking about selling your home — even if it’s still months away — you’ve probably noticed something frustrating:Every real estate agent sounds the same

Home design in 2026 is less about chasing trends and more about creating spaces that actually work for real life. Think warmth over starkness, flexibility over formality, and homes that support how

Winter brings chilly temps, shorter days, and weather that can really put your home to the test. The good news? A little proactive maintenance goes a long way. With a few simple steps, you can keep

Spring is consistently one of the strongest real estate seasons of the year. Buyers come out in full force, homes show beautifully, and demand tends to spike. But the biggest mistake homeowners?

Touring homes in person is one of the most exciting parts of the home-buying process. But before you start walking through properties and envisioning your furniture in the living room, there are a

Choosing a real estate team isn’t just about who has the prettiest branding or the lowest split.It’s about choosing your business family — the people who will shape your income,

Buying your first home can feel a little like stepping into a world with its own language, rules, and secret handshakes… but it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right plan (and the

Deciding whether to renovate your home or sell and move on isn’t just about budgets, equity, and spreadsheets — it’s about your actual life. Your people. Your sanity. Your day-to

If you’ve ever wondered “What’s the secret to getting the MOST money when I sell my home?” — you’re not alone. Every homeowner wants that answer. And while there

Let’s be honest — most of us don’t live in perfectly staged, HGTV-ready homes. There’s usually a project (or five) that got halfway done between soccer practices, dance

If you’ve been out house hunting lately, you already know—it’s tough out there. Homes are flying off the market, new listings feel like unicorns, and it can seem like there’s

Let’s be real — a whole lot of homeowners are sitting on dreamy 2–3% mortgage rates right now, staring at today’s higher rates like 🙃 and thinking:“Why would I move

If you’ve ever laid awake at 11:47 pm wondering, “Hmm… I wonder what my house is worth right now?” just know—you are not alone. And yes, I see you over there typing

Thinking about selling your home? Timing — and prep — is everything. The better your home looks when it hits the market, the more attention (and offers 👀) it’s going to get. So

Buying a house is exciting (hello late-night Zillow scrolls 🙋‍♀️), but it’s also a huge decision. Before you start booking showings or falling in love with a kitchen backsplash, let

Spring gets all the buzz in real estate. 🌸 The snow finally melts, yards look their best, and everyone thinks it’s the time to list. But here’s the truth: in the Twin Cities, homes

If you’re shopping for a home in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or one of our many amazing suburbs, you’ve probably asked yourself: Do I really need a buyer’s agent?With Zillow, Redfin,

First impressions matter—especially in our Minnesota market. The second buyers pull up, they’re already forming opinions. And let’s be honest, here in the Twin Cities, Fall is our

If you’re considering selling your home—whether it’s a multi-million-dollar property or something under $1M—you can still take a page from the luxury playbook. Today’s

Thinking about selling your home? The million-dollar question (literally) is: how do you squeeze the most value out of your house without blowing your life savings on a remodel?Here’s the good

Congrats! 🎉 Getting pre-qualified for a home loan is a huge milestone. If you’re ready to start house hunting in the Twin Cities—Minneapolis, St. Paul, or the surrounding suburbs;

Lately it feels like the only constant is change. Mortgage rates? Up, down, sideways. Rent? Climbing faster than my kids on the jungle gym. And don’t even get me started on the news cycle;

If you’re sitting on the sidelines waiting for interest rates to magically drop back to 3%, you’re definitely not alone. I get it—3% was dreamy. Like, unicorns and avocado-toast-

Let’s talk about the question that keeps a lot of home sellers up at night:How should I price my house?It’s not just about picking a number—it’s about picking a feeling.

When was the last time you checked in on the value of your home?Most people only think about getting a home valuation when they’re preparing to sell—but knowing your home’s current

You know how in college we all ignored red flags because “it’ll probably be fine”? Yeah… turns out that strategy does not work when you’re buying a house in the Twin

If you’re getting ready to sell your home here in the Twin Cities, there’s a recent update from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) that could seriously work in your favor&mdash

Thinking about buying your first home but wondering how on earth you’re supposed to save up for it? I get it—it can feel overwhelming, especially with everything else life throws at you.

Golf season is in full swing—pun totally intended—and there’s no better time to turn that long-time dream of living on a golf course into reality!Imagine sipping your morning

Buying a home in the Twin Cities? First of all—yay! Whether you’re eyeing a classic craftsman in Minneapolis, a charming St. Paul bungalow, or a suburban gem in the south metro, you;

Short answer? Absolutely.Long answer? Let’s talk about why your front yard might just be your secret weapon in this spring market.As soon as the snow melts and the grass turns green !),

 TWIN CITIES MARKET UPDATEAs real estate agents, we hear a lot of things over and over again. One common comment we get is that “I’m waiting for prices to go back down before I buy.

It's that time of year again, folks! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and those of us who are working from home in any capacity are relocating to the great outdoors after spending months