Wednesday, February 4, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
For a growing number of homeowners, retirement isn’t some distant idea anymore. It’s starting to feel very real.
According to Realtor.com and the Census, nearly 12,000 people will turn 65 every day for the next two years. And the latest data shows as many as 15% of those older Americans are planning to retire in 2026. And another 23% will do the same in 2027.
If you’re considering retiring soon too, here’s what you should be thinking about.
Why Downsize?
Now's the perfect time to reflect on what you want your life to look like in retirement. Because even though your finances will be going through a big change, you don’t necessarily want to feel like you’re living with less.
But odds are, what you do want is for life to feel easier.
Easier to enjoy.
Easier to manage.
Easier to maintain day-to-day.
The Top Reasons People Over 60 Move
You can see these benefits show up in the data when you look at why people over 60 are moving. The National ...
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for sellers, home equity, senior living, downsize, senior market
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
When you see a house that’s been sitting on the market for a while, the reaction is almost automatic. You start thinking:
What’s wrong with it?
Why hasn’t anyone bought it yet?
Am I missing something?
That mindset made sense a few years ago. But in today’s market, you may actually miss out.
More Time on Market Isn't Automatically a Concern Anymore
A few years ago, homes sold in just a matter of days. Sometimes, hours. Anything that lingered longer than that raised concerns. But that’s no longer the baseline.
Inventory has grown. Buyers have more choices. And homes are taking longer to sell across the board. Those are some of the reasons why the typical time it takes a home to sell has climbed this year:
And it’s not that 73 days is slow. That’s actually pretty normal for this time of year. It just feels slow because you heard so much about houses being snapped up in the buying frenzy a few years ago.
That shift alone explains a lot o ...
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for buyers, home buying, buying tips
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
Property taxes are one of the highest ongoing costs of owning a home in Marietta and across Cobb County. If this is your primary residence, a homestead exemption can lower your bill, sometimes by a meaningful amount. This guide breaks it all down with local context, practical steps, and simple examples so you know what to do next.
What is a Homestead Exemption?
A homestead exemption reduces the taxable assessed value of your primary residence. In Georgia, homes are commonly assessed at a percentage of fair market value. Any approved homestead exemption is subtracted from that assessed value. The county, city, and school millage rates then apply to the reduced amount, which lowers your annual tax bill.
The exemption must be in place for the tax year when the home is your primary residence as of January 1. So occupancy and ownership on January 1 are key for eligibility.
Who qualifies in Cobb
Most owner-occupants can qualify for a basic exemption if the home is your primary residen. ...
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for buyers, for sellers, agent value, local market, community information
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
If you’re thinking about selling your house this year, you may be torn between two options:
Do you sell it as-is and make it easier on yourself? No repairs. No effort.
Or do you fix it up a bit first – so it shows well and sells for as much as possible?
In 2026, that decision matters more than it used to. Here’s what you need to know.
More Competition Means Your Home’s Condition Is More Important Again
Over the past year, the number of homes for sale has been climbing. And this year, a Realtor.com forecast says it could go up another 8.9%. That matters. As buyers gain more options, they also re-gain the ability to be selective. So, the details are starting to count again.
That’s one reason most sellers choose to make some updates before listing.
According to a recent study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), two-thirds of sellers (65%) completed minor repairs or improvements before selling (the blue and the green in the chart be ...
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for sellers, selling tips
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 / by Lme Realty Group
If you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to become a homeowner in the next twelve months, there’s probably a lot on your mind. You’re thinking about your finances, today’s mortgage rates, home prices, the current state of the economy, and more. And, you’re juggling how all of those things will impact the choice you’ll make. It’s a lot.
But here’s what you need to remember. While housing market conditions are definitely a factor in your decision, your own personal situation and your finances matter too. As an article from NerdWallet says:
“Housing market trends give important context. But whether this is a good time to buy a house also depends on your financial situation, life goals and readiness to become a homeowner.”
So, instead of trying to time the market, focus on what you can control. Here are a few questions that can give you clarity on whether or not you’re rea. ...
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for buyers, first time home buyers, home buying
