Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is an exciting step toward buying a home. But there's an important question I encourage buyers to ask before they begin house hunting:
If you're approved for a $500,000 home, does that mean you should spend $500,000?
Not necessarily.
The amount a lender is willing to approve and the amount you're comfortable spending each month can be two very different numbers.
If you're thinking about buying a home in Baldwin County, Alabama, here's what I recommend considering before deciding on your home-search price range.
If you've been thinking about buying a home in Baldwin County, Alabama, you may be asking the same question many buyers are asking right now:
Should I buy a home in 2026, or should I wait?
It's understandable. Mortgage rates, home prices, inventory, and affordability can make it tempting to wait for the "perfect" time to buy.
But here's something I often remind buyers: there is rarely a perfect real estate market. There is a market that works, or doesn't work, for your individual situation.
Instead of trying to predict exactly what home prices or mortgage rates will do next, let's look at some of the factors that ca...

No time or budget for a pricey vacation? Our expert real estate advisors make the most of their free time exploring these wonderful local communities around Mobile and Baldwin County.

Each month, our Vital Signs report takes the pulse of the residential market across the two counties we serve. The number behind each market is its absorption rate — how many months it would take to sell every home currently listed if nothing new came on. Under six months means homes are moving quickly and sellers hold the advantage. Over six months means buyers have more room to negotiate. The 6.0–6.9 zone is a balanced market where neither side has a clear edge.
Last month, Mobile County made a dramatic swing toward sellers. This month, the two counties moved in opposite directions.
Baldwin County tightened even further in sellers' favor — its...

If you're house hunting along the Gulf Coast, one of the first decisions you'll face is what type of property actually fits your life. Our expert real estate advisors talk through this with buyers all over Mobile and Baldwin County, and the answer usually comes down to your budget, how much upkeep you want to deal with, and where you see yourself in five or 10 years.