The Reality of Being Outbid For Home Buyers

September 4, 2025

When you find your dream home there is a sense of relief, that is until there is another bidder. Bidding wars can be discouraging but when you have the right realtor they can guide you through this process with ease. One of the biggest problems in today’s market that no one discusses is losing a home you love. Here at Martino Realty, we will talk one-on-one with home buyers at every stage, giving tips on how not to lose a home. Hiring an experienced, professional real estate agent is key. We will be your voice, giving you the green light on when you should bid and red light when not to. Having a realtor who knows your local market is going to be your strong suit.


Many times what concerns buyers is over paying but be sure to determine the price you are willing to pay for the property and don’t over exceed it. The reality is that the seller can choose a buyer for reasons other than the purchase price. The great thing about our Realtors at Martino Realty is that they will advocate on your behalf.


To meet with a Staten Island Real Estate Specialists visit https://martino-realty.com/contact or call (718) 608-9400. Conveniently Located at 7448 Amboy road in the town of Tottenville, open Monday Through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM. We will be glad to discuss your goals and needs in your future home.

Thought the Market Passed You By? Think Again.

November 20, 2025
If you stepped back from your home search over the past few years, you’re not alone – and you’re definitely not out of options. In fact, now might be the ideal time to take another look. With more homes to choose from, prices leveling off in many areas, and mortgage rates easing, today’s market is offering something you haven’t had in a while: options. Experts agree, buyers are in a better spot right now than they’ve been in quite a long time. Here’s what they have to say. Affordability Is Finally Improving Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS , says affordability is finally starting to turn the corner: “Slower price growth coupled with a slight drop in mortgage rates will improve affordability and create a window for some buyers to get into the market.” Mortgage rates have eased from their recent highs, price growth has slowed, and that one-two combo is making homes more affordable than they’ve been in months. There Are More Homes on The Market And a big reason prices are easing is because there are more homes on the market. According to the latest from Realtor.com , there are 17% more homes for sale today than there were at this time last year. That means more options, less competition with other buyers, and a chance to find the space that actually works for you. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), shares : “Homebuyers are in the best position in more than five years to find the right home and negotiate for a better price. Current inventory is at its highest since May 2020, during the COVID lockdown.” Take a look at the numbers. As Yun notes, inventory is up everywhere. Compared to this time last year, every region of the country has more homes on the market than at this time last year (see graph below):

Planning To Sell in 2026? Start the Prep Now

November 14, 2025
Planning to sell in 2026? Start prepping now by tackling repairs, decluttering, and making smart updates early for a smoother, stress-free sale next spring.

Why You Don’t Need To Be Afraid of Today’s Mortgage Rates

November 14, 2025
Mortgage rates have been the monster under the bed for a while. Every time they tick up, people flinch and say, “ Maybe I’ll wait .” But here’s the twist. Waiting for that perfect 5-point-something rate could end up haunting your wallet later. The Magic Number According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “. . . a 30-year fixed rate mortgage of 6% would make the median-priced home affordable for about 5.5 million more households—including 1.6 million renters. If rates were to hit that magic number, it’s likely that about 10%—or 550,000—of those additional households would buy a home over the next 12 or 18 months. ” When the market hits that mortgage rate sweet spot, as expert forecasters are starting to say is more likely in 2026, the psychological shift to lower rates will kick in for more of today’s hopeful buyers. That will unleash some pent-up demand that’s been waiting on the sidelines, and the increase in activity will cause prices to rise. And while a 5.99% rate might sound like a big win, if you’re waiting for that number to make your move, it might not actually save you as much as you think. Here’s how the math looks when you run the numbers (see chart below):