CKM TEAM REALTY

What Does That Mean in the Capital District?

September 23, 2026

A headline can make the housing market sound contradictory: sales are slowing, more homes are available nationally, and prices are still rising. That is exactly what the latest Homes.com report found. In August, its U.S. median sale price reached $395,000, up 2.1% from a year earlier, while sales fell 4.3% and the number of homes for sale rose 5.4%.

For buyers and sellers around Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, and nearby communities, the key question is whether that national pattern describes our market. The answer is: only partly.

A different inventory story close to home

The Greater Capital Ass...

Click Here to Read More...

If you've owned your home for several years, there's a good chance you've heard someone say, "You probably have a lot of equity."

But what exactly does that mean?

Home equity is one of those real estate terms people hear frequently but may not fully understand. And for homeowners throughout Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga County, and the surrounding Capital District communities, understanding your equity can be important when deciding what comes next.

Whether you're thinking about selling, buying another home, downsizing, or simply wondering where you stand financially, it helps to understand how that equity was created in the first place.

What Is Home Equity?

Simply put, home equity is the difference between what your home is currently worth and what you still owe on your mortgage. For example, imagine your home could sell f...

Click Here to Read More...

When homeowners prepare to sell, much of the attention naturally goes toward getting the property ready for the market. Fresh paint, decluttering, landscaping, staging, professional photography, and pricing are usually high on the list. But there is another part of the selling process that deserves attention before the first buyer ever walks through the door: the home inspection.

Many sellers think of a home inspection as something that happens after an offer is accepted and technically, that is often when the buyer's inspection takes place. But waiting until then to think about the condition of your home can leave you dealing with surprises at one of the most important points in the transaction. A little preparation before listing can help you understand your property better, decide which repairs deserve attention, and reduce the chances of being caught off guard later.

What Is a Home Inspector Looking For?

Click Here to Read More...

If you have been thinking about buying a home, selling your current property, or simply keeping an eye on the housing market, mortgage rates are once again making headlines.

After a relatively calm period in August, mortgage rates moved higher following Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh's closely watched speech at the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium. The daily national average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached 6.87% on Monday, August 31, according to Mortgage News Daily, the highest daily level of 2026 at that point.

And rates have continued to move. Mortgage News Daily reported the average 30-year fixed rate at 6.89% on September 1; another reminder of just how quickly mortgage rates can change. For buyers and sellers, whether here in New York's Capital District or anywhere else in the country, the important question isn't simply, "How high are mortgage rates?"

The better question is:

Click Here to Read More...

Late August in New York's Capital District is a bit of a transition period. We're still enjoying warm days, but cooler evenings are beginning to remind us that fall and eventually winter isn't very far away.

For homeowners, this is one of the best times of year to take a good look around the house.

Whether you live in Albany, Colonie, Guilderland, Bethlehem, Troy, Schenectady, Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs, or one of our surrounding communities, a little attention now can help prevent small problems from becoming much bigger and more expensive once colder weather arrives.

And if you're considering selling your home this fall, these same maintenance items can also make a difference in how buyers see and experience your property.

Start at the Top: Roof and Gutters...

Click Here to Read More...