Marissa Berends's Blog

In a real estate landscape marked by rising home prices, inflation, and student debt, Millennials and Gen Z are rewriting the traditional playbook on homeownership. No longer confined to the white-picket-fence dreams of previous generations, these younger buyers are combining innovation, flexibility, and community-mindedness to achieve their version of the American Dream. Here are some of the most creative ways they’re doing it:

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How Another War in the Middle East Could Impact the Housing Market
by Marissa Berends | 2025/06/30

The prospect of a new war in the Middle East carries serious geopolitical and economic consequences—and the ripple effects could reach deep into the U.S. housing market. While it’s impossible to predict the future with certainty, history offers insight into how war, global instability, and energy disruptions can shape real estate trends at home.

Here’s a breakdown of how another Middle Eastern conflict could impact the U.S. housing market, from interest rates and inflation to home prices and buyer sentiment.

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The Aging of the American Homebuyer: A 40-Year Shift and Its Economic Impact
by Marissa Berends | 2025/06/20

Over the past four decades, the demographic profile of U.S. homebuyers has undergone a significant transformation. In 1981, the median age of all homebuyers was 31 years, with first-time buyers typically in their late 20s. By 2024, these figures have risen sharply: the median age for all homebuyers reached 56, and for first-time buyers, it climbed to 38—both all-time highs.

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The Implications of Publicizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
by Marissa Berends | 2025/06/18

In the wake of financial reform discussions and a housing market constantly shifting under economic pressures, the long-debated question of whether to publicize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac—two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) that underpin the U.S. mortgage market—has regained momentum. As policymakers weigh the pros and cons of transitioning these entities from conservatorship into fully public companies, the implications for the mortgage industry are profound and multifaceted.

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The Shift to a Buyer’s Market in 2025: What’s Driving the Change
by Marissa Berends | 2025/06/17

After years of an aggressive seller’s market characterized by bidding wars, sky-high prices, and historically low inventory, the U.S. housing market has finally pivoted in 2025 — and buyers are beginning to regain the upper hand. This long-anticipated shift has been driven by a combination of economic, demographic, and policy-related factors that have cooled demand, boosted inventory, and leveled the playing field between buyers and sellers. The result is a notable turning point: a buyer’s market, where home seekers now have more choices, more negotiation power, and more time to make decisions.

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Why Title Searching Is Crucial to the Solar and Wind Energy Sector
by Marissa Berends | 2025/06/09

Powering the Future, One Title Search at a Time

As renewable energy projects like wind and solar farms surge across the U.S., there’s one crucial step that can’t be overlooked: title searching.

In her latest blog, Marissa Berends, Certified Abstractor & Industry Relations Coordinator at Capitol Lien, breaks down why title work is essential to the success of renewable energy development, from securing lease agreements to identifying mineral rights and easements.

-Clean energy needs clear land rights.

-Let our real estate experts help you build on a solid legal foundation.

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