Posts in category 'Weekly Snippet'

Jay Mattlin, Real Estate Broker with Key Realty

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Weekly Real Estate Snippet - Which hurts more? Losing a house… or paying too much? (And how to avoid both of those things.)

July 11th, 2026 by Jay Mattlin

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:

• Come for the AC, stay for the meatballs…

• Which hurts more? Losing a house… or paying too much?

• 9 thoughts you go through after submitting an offer on a house

But first, let's start it off with my...

Meme of the Week

If you've ever lost out on a house you loved, you probably know exactly what this feels like. If not… hopefully I can help you avoid finding out the hard way.

Come for the AC, stay for the meatballs…

If you've ever traveled overseas during the summer, you've probably noticed that air conditioning isn't nearly as common as it is here in the U.S. As a brutal heat wave continues across parts of Europe, people in France have apparently discovered one of the best places to cool off… IKEA.

Videos have been circulating online showing shoppers stretching out on sofas, relaxing in living room displays, and generally making themselves right at home while escaping the heat.

To be fair, IKEA practically invites people to wander around and imagine themselves living there. But perhaps the least they could do is buy a plate of Swedish meatballs before heading back out into the heat.

Which hurts more? Losing the house… or paying too much?

It's not uncommon for buyers to worry about whether they're paying too much for a house. It's totally human and understandable. But what people often don't think about is how they'll feel if they lose it altogether.

I recently published an article about why losing a house you truly love can sometimes sting more than wondering if you overpaid for one… and a few simple ways to help avoid both of those feelings.

Whether you're actively house hunting or just thinking about buying someday, I think you'll find the perspective helpful.

"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 these buildings is the world's first air-conditioned office building?

A) Empire State Building – New York, NY

B) Milam Building – San Antonio, TX

C) Wrigley Building – Chicago, IL

D) Eastern Columbia Building – Los Angeles, CA

Click the answer you think is correct.

9 thoughts you go through after submitting an offer on a house

Making an offer on a house can feel like crossing the finish line… until about 30 seconds later when your brain suddenly decides it's time to think through every possible outcome.

If you've ever bought a house, you'll probably relate to more than a few of these! And if you haven't yet, consider this a fun little preview of what's waiting for you. ?

The fact is…

I guess the balloons at my open houses are safe… unless I accidentally use 300 weather balloons.

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.

Categories: Weekly Snippet

July
8

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - Which is better? Boardwalk or B&O Railroad…What Monopoly (and The Beatles!?) can teach us about real estate

July 8th, 2026 by Jay Mattlin

I'm glad you're here!

Here's a sneak peek at what's on tap:

• Don't bank on Beatlemania

• What Monopoly (and The Beatles!?) can teach us about real estate

• 8 games you probably don't want to play against a real estate agent

But first, let's start it off with my...

Meme of the Week

Just to make sure you know I'm flexible, if you prefer a 5-star rating system, I'm also accepting responses in the form of 4.8 to 5 stars ?

Don't bank on Beatlemania

Most people feel like there's something special about their home, whether it's the memories attached to it, the upgrades they've made, the neighborhood, or a story that makes it stand out from every other house nearby.

But as the owner of a house where George Harrison once stayed is finding out, even something truly unique doesn't always guarantee a line of buyers.

It was originally listed for $105,000 in March, but has reportedly been struggling to find a buyer and is now relisted for $99,000.

On one hand, it's a reminder that buyers don't always value the same things sellers do. On the other hand, maybe it's just a slow market and needs a little more time to… let it be.

What Monopoly (and The Beatles!?) can teach us about real estate

Whether you're a fan of The Beatles, Monopoly, or have been thinking about buying an investment property someday, I think you'll enjoy this article I recently published.

It takes a look at how John Lennon and George Harrison approached the game of Monopoly while on tour… and why the properties people are most drawn to (in the game, or in real life) aren't always the ones that make the most sense to buy.

I think you'll find the perspective especially interesting if buying an investment property has crossed your mind. But even if investing isn't on your radar right now, I still think you'll get a kick out of it.

"How's the market?"

Trivia Time

Why was the royal family banned from playing the classic real estate game, Monopoly?

1) Queen Elizabeth II thought it made family members too vicious.

2) They're not allowed to touch money, whether it's real or fake.

3) It's not considered a "classic" enough game for a royal to play.

4) It takes too long to finish playing a full game.

Click the answer you think is correct.

8 games you probably don't want to play against a real estate agent

Game nights can be a great way to relax with friends and family, have some fun, and share a few laughs. But they also have a way of bringing out people's competitive side!

If you enjoy playing games but enjoy winning even more, you may want to think twice before sitting down to play against a real estate agent. We tend to pick up some surprisingly useful skills in our line of work that might give us an unfair advantage.

But just in case you find yourself inviting one over for game night, here's a fun list of 8 games you might want to tell them there are too many missing pieces… and choose another one instead.

The fact is…

If only you could use Monopoly money as a down payment!

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.

Categories: Weekly Snippet

June
27

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - The American Dream doesn't always start with the dream home. Even for Arnold Schwarzenegger… and apparently Sigourney Weaver

June 27th, 2026 by Jay Mattlin

I'm glad you're here!

Here's a sneak peek at what's on tap:

• Not the type of "dream" home they were hoping for

• The American Dream doesn't always start with the dream home

• Ever find yourself looking at houses you can't afford online?

But first, let's start it off with my...

Meme of the Week

Your dream home doesn't always happen in one move… sometimes it's a few good moves stacked together.

Not the type of "dream" home they were hoping for ?

Apparently when you say you're looking for your dream home, you have to be a little more specific about the type of dream!

A real estate agent in Arkansas was recently walking up to a house with his buyer and found a large black snake slithering up the front door as if it was waiting to tour the house too. If that wasn't enough to send them back to the car, they soon discovered more snakes hiding in the eaves and even inside the electrical panel.

The agent and his client literally described the experience as "an actual nightmare."

I'm curious… would you still want to see the house?

The American Dream doesn't always start with the dream home

June is National Homeownership Month, which may not feel all that exciting if buying a home seems further away than ever.

But one thing that often gets overlooked is that not every homeowner started with the house they originally pictured in their head. For a lot of people, the path involved compromises, tradeoffs, creative thinking, or simply taking a first step that looked different than they expected.

I recently published an article about why the path to homeownership doesn't always happen the way people imagine, why the first home isn't always the dream home… and what Arnold Schwarzenegger has to do with any of it.

"How's the market?"

Trivia Time

Which unusual place did actress Sigourney Weaver live in for a period of time while attending Stanford University?

A) A treehouse

B) The school auditorium

C) Her car

D) A hotel

Click the answer you think is correct.

Ever find yourself looking at houses you can't afford online?

Checking out amazing houses online has become something of a national pastime. So know that you're not alone if you occasionally find yourself going down the rabbit hole of looking at drool-worthy real estate you may never actually step foot in… let alone buy.

But whether you're actively house hunting, hoping to buy someday, or just addicted to the daydream of it all, everyone seems to have one thing in common: looking at houses they can't afford.

So I published a list of nine thoughts you've likely had while doing exactly that, just to show you how normal it is.

The fact is…

Not sure how Instagram got dragged into it, but it's nice to see younger buyers are willing to make sacrifices for their dream home!

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.

Categories: Weekly Snippet

June
20

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - Not Too Hot. Not Too Cold. Is this housing market just right for buyers?

June 20th, 2026 by Jay Mattlin

I'm glad you're here!

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 ?

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?"

Trivia Time

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

1) Japan

2) China

3) United States

4) India

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.

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.

Categories: Weekly Snippet

June
13

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - Looking for a house with a pool? You may see me do a belly flop…

June 13th, 2026 by Jay Mattlin

I'm glad you're here!

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! ?

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.

"How's the market?"

Trivia Time

Which state has the highest number of residential swimming pools?

1) Arizona

2) California

3) Florida

4) Texas

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! ?

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.

Categories: Weekly Snippet

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Posts in category 'Weekly Snippet'

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - Which hurts more? Losing a house… or paying too much? (And how to avoid both of those things.)

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - Which is better? Boardwalk or B&O Railroad…What Monopoly (and The Beatles!?) can teach us about real estate

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - The American Dream doesn't always start with the dream home. Even for Arnold Schwarzenegger… and apparently Sigourney Weaver

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - Not Too Hot. Not Too Cold. Is this housing market just right for buyers?

Weekly Real Estate Snippet - Looking for a house with a pool? You may see me do a belly flop…

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