Dekota Oechsle Realtor & Mortgage Loan Originator

09/17/2026

Buyers spent the last year waiting on prices to come down but they didn't.

Georgia's statewide median sales price over the last 12 months for all property types went from $358,500 to $359,000. Single family homes came in at $367,500 both years. Sept 2025 - Sept 2026.

The rate is what moved. Freddie Mac's weekly survey average on the 30-year fixed went from 6.35% a year ago to 6.76% this month. Same house, same asking price, about 4% less buying power on the same monthly budget.

However, buyers did pick up something in the trade. Inventory across Georgia is up 4.4%. Homes are taking 59 days to sell instead of 54. Some areas are seeing 70+ days to sell on average. Sellers are getting 95.2% of original list price, down from 95.9%. There is more to choose from and more room to negotiate than there was a year ago.

So waiting did not save money on the house. It traded a lower rate last year for a better negotiating position today. Whether that works in your favor depends on your numbers, not the averages.

I can show you what the house you are looking at does to a monthly payment, and we can go from there. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Dekota Oechsle, Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #2811815.
678-384-3327

NorthStar Mortgage Advisors, a division of Canopy Mortgage, LLC. NMLS #1359687 | www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee #60668.

Sources: Georgia Association of REALTORS Housing Supply Overview, July 2026. Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, weeks ending 9/11/2025 and 9/10/2026.

Market data shown is not a quote or an offer of credit. Rates are subject to change without notice. All loans subject to credit and property approval. Equal Housing Lender.

09/11/2026

Everyone's using AI to turn their photo into an 80's portrait right now. Feels like a good excuse to look at what a 30 year mortgage rate actually looked like back then.

1980: 13.74%
1981: 16.64% (the all time high)
1982: 16.04%
1983: 13.24%
1984: 13.88%
1985: 12.43%
1986: 10.19%
1987: 10.21%
1988: 10.34%
1989: 10.32%

Today's rates may not be where you want them, but they're a lot easier to live with than that.

Rates shown are annual averages (Freddie Mac PMMS, 1980–1989) and are historical only, not a current offer. Rates are subject to change without notice. Message me if you want to know what you'd actually qualify for today.

Dekota Oechsle, Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #2811815 NorthStar Mortgage Advisors, a division of Canopy Mortgage, LLC NMLS #1359687
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org
Equal Housing Lender

09/02/2026

Sometimes it takes 18+ months for the right property to come available.

What started as a Winter Vacation home idea in Jan 2025 has turned into a more permanent move that included the purchase of two beautiful homes in Sun City Peachtree. I'm extremely grateful for the trust and patience along the way but today we closed on "The One" to call home. Welcome to Griffin, GA!

Dekota Oechsle REALTOR®
Real Broker LLC
C: 678-215-8230
O: 855-450-0442

07/21/2026

Financing raw land in Georgia works differently than financing a house. Lenders see vacant land as a bigger risk than a home with four walls and a roof, so they typically ask for a larger down payment, offer shorter loan terms, and...

Read more: https://georgialandandhome.com/blog/land-loans-in-georgia

07/15/2026

The price of a home and the cost of waiting to buy are two different things.

When people consider buying a home, they naturally focus on the purchase price and the current interest rate.

Those numbers matter. But they are only part of the decision.

Waiting can have a cost too.

While you wait, you may continue paying rent without building equity. Home values could increase. Interest rates could move higher or lower. The same home may require a larger down payment or a higher monthly payment later.

And if today’s mortgage rates are the main reason you are hesitant to buy, consider the effective interest rate on rent:

It is 100%.

Every dollar of rent goes toward your landlord’s property. None of it reduces a loan balance or builds ownership in the home where you live.

That does not mean renting is always a bad decision. Renting may make sense when you need flexibility, are still building savings, or are not financially prepared for the responsibilities of homeownership.

It also does not mean everyone should rush to buy because they are afraid of missing out.

The point is that waiting is not automatically free.

A good decision looks beyond today’s purchase price and compares the complete cost of both options:

What will it cost to buy?

What could it cost to wait?

The right time to buy is when the home, payment, responsibilities, and overall strategy make sense for your finances and goals.

Before deciding that you should wait, let’s put the numbers on paper and determine whether waiting is truly the better financial decision.

Dekota Oechsle
678-215-8230
REALTOR® | Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS #2811815

Real Broker LLC
855-450-0442

Northstar Mortgage Advisors
678-748-3629
NMLS #1359687

07/13/2026

Turning raw land into a homesite in Georgia starts with confirming that the property is legally and physically buildable. Before clearing trees or moving dirt...

Learn how to turn raw land into a build-ready homesite in Georgia, including zoning, soil tests, septic, utilities, access, permits, clearing, and grading.

07/13/2026

The first two weeks after a home hits the market are important.

That is when the listing is fresh, buyers are watching and most active, agents are paying attention, and online activity is usually strongest. If the price, photos, condition, or showing access are off, you can lose momentum quickly.

Before going live, make sure your home is prepared, priced, photographed, and positioned correctly. Need some professional help? Give me a call.

Dekota Oechsle
REALTOR® | Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS #2811815
Real Broker LLC | Northstar Mortgage Advisors
C: 678-215-8230

07/10/2026

One thing I like about Griffin is that it gives people options. Historic homes, newer subdivisions, rural properties, acreage, and access to surrounding areas like Pike, Lamar, Henry, Fayette, and Butts County.

For some buyers, it is about affordability. For others, it is about space. That is why location research matters before you start picking houses. What questions do you have about Griffin, GA?

07/09/2026

Still eyeing that piece of land? There is still time to get it before Georgia's Deer Season kicks off on September 12.

Dekota Oechsle
REALTOR® | Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS #2811815 GRML # 2811815
Real Broker, LLC | Northstar Mortgage Advisiors

07/08/2026

Pre-Approvals ≠ Your Home Budget. Just because you are approved up to a certain price does not mean that should be your target. Your real budget should be based on your comfort level for payment, including taxes, insurance, HOA, maintenance, and lifestyle. Assume that taxes and insurance will increase yearly so plan accordingly.

The goal is not to buy the most house possible. The goal is to buy the right home with a payment that still lets you live your life.

Dekota Oechsle
REALTOR® | Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS #2811815 GRML #2811815
C: 678-215-8230