Navigating Peak Real Estate Season with Dale Vermillion

Selling a Home? Stand Out With These Tips

If you’re on the selling side, you’ll need more than a “For Sale” sign. Here are a few key steps to rise above the noise:

• Price your home right from day one. Use recent comps, a professional appraisal, and work with a local agent who knows your area.
   
• Stage your home well. With more buyers relying on online home tours and 360° walkthroughs, curb appeal and clean, well-lit interiors matter more than ever.
   
• Declutter and simplify. Remove excess items and ensure the space feels open and welcoming—both inside and out.

Buying a Home? Here’s How to Prepare Wisely

For starters, you need to understand that pre-approval is not the same as pre-qualification. Pre-qualification is often based on unverified info. You want a full pre-approval, where your application, income, credit, and down payment are all verified.

This not only makes your offer more attractive to sellers but also helps you understand what you can realistically afford. And that’s the other key point—know your budget. Don’t rely solely on what a lender says you qualify for.

• Create a detailed budget based on your actual income and expenses.
• Consider your long-term financial goals, not just your current desires.
• Most importantly, pray about your decision. Ask God for wisdom and peace before making such a significant commitment.

What About Mortgage Rates in 2025?

Many are still waiting for interest rates to drop—but experts say don’t hold your breath.

The Fed rate may drop a few times this year, but that mostly affects short-term debt like credit cards and auto loans. Mortgage rates, on the other hand, are driven by the 10-year Treasury note.

As inflation eases, mortgage rates may follow, but they’re expected to remain relatively stable for now.

If you’re a buyer, now could be the right time to act, with high inventory and lower competition. But as always, make sure your decision is rooted in financial wisdom and prayerful dependence on God. Only buy what you can afford, and trust the Lord through the process.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I just retired and received a $20,000 check. I'm not sure what I should do with this money. I have a Roth, some savings, an annuity, and a 401(k), but I haven't talked to a financial planner about my current financial status. What should I do with this $20,000?
• I write one check every Sunday to tithe to my church. If everything goes electronic, I don't know how to track it.
• As I get closer to having my home paid off, I would like to know if it's better to keep an outstanding balance on my mortgage to maintain the mortgage credit and homestead credit for property taxes, or just pay off the home and deal with increased taxes.
• Years ago, when we were leading classes with Howard Dayton, our group discussed how collecting offerings at church feels very personal. When the offering basket is passed and a deacon holds it, we almost see it as Jesus' hand holding out the basket. It becomes a very personal act of giving, almost like giving directly to Jesus himself. I'm curious how many people over 65 still write a lot of checks.

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Bankrate.com
• Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU)
• An Uncommon Guide to Retirement: Finding God's Purpose for the Next Season of Life by Jeff Haanen
• Navigating the Mortgage Maze: The Simple Truth About Financing Your Home by Dale Vermillion
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App