Tuesday’s Home Strategy Weekly · Issue 378

At Home With Paul

It was a great feeling to hear that we are finally getting a break from the frigid weather for the next week or so. After everything we’ve dealt with lately, the idea of a warm up and some melting snow is more than welcome. It feels like everyone around here is ready for a little shift in the weather and pace.

The weekend had a nice mix of family time and getting together with friends. My sister-in-law’s family came into town on Friday for their granddaughter’s first birthday, which set the tone for the weekend. The celebration itself took place on Saturday, and it was really nice catching up with family and spending time together for such a special milestone.

After the birthday party on Saturday, we stopped at The Churchville Inn on the way home for dinner. It’s one of those places that always feels comfortable and familiar. The food was very good, the service was friendly and attentive, and it made for a relaxing way to wrap up a full day before heading home.

Sunday included some work with clients in the afternoon, then shifted into football mode later on. We headed over to a friend’s house for their annual Super Bowl party. It was strange finally coming to terms with the fact that the Eagles were no longer the reigning Super Bowl champions, but the game itself was interesting to watch. It turned into a defensive battle, and Seattle just kept chipping away, scoring slowly but steadily. Being around good friends, good food, and plenty of conversation made the night enjoyable, and it felt like a lot of people were doing something similar with family and friends.

Now the focus turns to what’s ahead. I’m looking forward to the warmer stretch this week, watching the snow finally disappear, spring training getting underway, and Valentine’s Day right around the corner.

A Market Thought I'm Seeing

Lately, I’ve been paying less attention to the exact words coming out of the Federal Reserve and more attention to the tone behind them. Right now, that tone feels measured, patient, and far less reactive than it did over the past couple of years. And that matters more locally than many people realize.

The Fed is clearly signaling that it wants to avoid doing harm. Inflation has cooled enough that they are no longer in a rush to tighten further, but economic uncertainty still has them moving carefully. That steadiness has filtered directly into mortgage rates, which have settled into a narrower range instead of swinging week to week. Around our region, that consistency is quietly changing behavior.

I’m seeing buyers take more time to plan instead of rushing or freezing. Sellers are having more grounded conversations about pricing and timing, not driven by fear of missing a peak or panic over a drop. When rates feel predictable, even if they are not perfect, people regain the ability to think strategically.

What stands out to me most is that this environment rewards clarity over urgency. Local buying power has not suddenly exploded, but it has become easier to understand. That alone lowers stress and improves decision making on both sides of the table.

It feels like we are in a season where patience and preparation matter more than bold predictions, and where thoughtful moves may end up being the most confident ones.

Local Market, At A Glance

Over the past week, I’ve been paying close attention to how our local market is behaving under less than ideal conditions. Between a stretch of bitter cold and the distraction of Super Bowl weekend, it would have been easy to assume activity would stall. Instead, what I’m seeing is something more encouraging. Even with fewer new listings coming to market, buyer activity held up better than expected, and contracts continued to move forward.

That tells me there is real intent behind today’s buyers. These are not people casually browsing. They are prepared, watching closely, and ready to act when the right opportunity shows up. On the seller side, I’m noticing a similar mindset. Many homeowners are being thoughtful about timing and positioning, understanding that serious buyers are still out there, even when conditions are not perfect.

Seasonal slowdowns are normal, but this feels different. The market is showing resilience rather than hesitation. With a break in the weather ahead and routines returning to normal, I expect that underlying momentum to become more visible in the coming days.

From my perspective, this is one of those moments where the market quietly shows its strength. Not flashy, not frantic, just steady and purposeful. Those are often the weeks that set the tone for what comes next.

Weekly Local Market Activity, Recent Snapshot

Market Numbers, At A Glance

What I see in this sales chart is steady underlying demand over the past year, with activity holding up well even when short term conditions could have slowed momentum.

Number of Sales, Past 12 Months

Mortgage Rates, In Context

Rates have stayed remarkably steady, and I’m noticing that this consistency is starting to calm some of the hesitation I’ve seen from both buyers and sellers. There’s a common belief that decisions should wait for a perfect number, but in practice, confidence often grows when conditions stop swinging week to week. Stability gives people space to think clearly about timing, affordability, and long-term plans rather than reacting emotionally to headlines.

Small moves can still lead to big progress.

A Thought I Shared on Video This Week

Somewhere in the middle of the week, I caught myself thinking about how often people only look at their credit when they are already under pressure. It changes the whole feeling of the decision. There’s a short video I made about why early awareness creates breathing room, and why timing can be the difference between rushed and manageable, if you’re curious.

A Deeper Look I Wrote About This Week

Refinancing often gets framed as a race to the lowest rate, but that approach leaves out the bigger picture. I’ve found that the smartest refinance decisions come from understanding timing, goals, and real numbers, not headlines. In this blog, I break down how to know when refinancing actually supports your situation.

​Explore the full refinancing perspective here.​

A Home That Just Came To Market

Brookside Estates

We just brought a new listing to market that buyers are paying attention to because homes that combine privacy, craftsmanship, and thoughtful updates rarely come together at this level. It has been positioned to highlight lifestyle, scale, and how effortlessly it supports both everyday living and entertaining, which aligns closely with current buyer behavior in the luxury segment. You can see the photos and full details here.​

A Recent Sale Worth Noting

Greenbrook

This home sold in just 6 days for $5,000 over asking price, and the result came down to preparation, pricing, and timing. We positioned it to highlight flexibility, livability, and how the space actually works day to day, which helped buyers quickly understand the value without hesitation. That clarity created early momentum and a smooth path to contract. You can see the photos and full details here. If you’re curious how this approach could apply to your home, feel free to reach out.

A Few Local Things I'm Watching

Here are a few local developments I’ve been keeping an eye on.

• Pennsylvania enacted a new law that redirects estates of residents who die without a will or heirs into local community foundation funds rather than transferring them entirely to the state. Read more.​
• Buckingham Township is moving forward with nearly $5 million in state-funded projects to install PFAS treatment systems across its public water infrastructure.
• Quakertown Community School District approved plans to replace its aging elementary school with a new facility designed to support long-term enrollment growth and updated programming.
• Cheltenham Township is preparing for construction to begin on a large-scale mixed-use redevelopment of the former Melrose Country Club property.

Paul Rosso

RE/MAX Properties, Ltd

Bucks County & Philadelphia Region

Call or Text: 215-778-9687​

​paulrossosellshomes.com​