Your Home, Your Equity, Your Move: How to Make the Smart Real Estate Decision Right Now

Featuring Chad Johnson of Bell Mortgage

Are rising interest rates keeping you from buying your next home—or making a move at all? You’re not alone. Many buyers and homeowners pressed pause over the last year, waiting for the “right” moment. Here’s the good news: the market has shifted, and new opportunities are opening up for buyers, sellers, and those considering relocation.

In the latest episode of Fly the Coop, Cari Ann Carter, founder of The Cari Ann Carter Group, sits down with Chad Johnson of Bell Mortgage, a trusted mortgage expert with decades of experience, to break down what’s really happening in today’s housing and mortgage market—and how you can use it to your advantage.

Mortgage interest rates have recently hit a three-year low, and that’s changing the conversation around affordability, buying power, and equity strategy for homeowners across the country.

Why Today’s Mortgage Market Is Different

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation? Today’s mortgage world is no longer one-size-fits-all.

Buyers and homeowners now have access to:

• Creative financing strategies

• Flexible loan products

• Equity-driven solutions that weren’t widely used in the past

This shift allows buyers to make strategic moves—even in a changing market—without waiting for perfect conditions.

How to Use Your Home Equity to Move Forward

If you already own a home, your equity may be the key to unlocking your next move.

In this episode, Cari Ann and Chad discuss:

• HELOCs (Home Equity Lines of Credit)

• Bridge loans that allow you to buy before you sell

• Smart ways to leverage equity without overextending yourself

These strategies can help homeowners purchase their next home first, avoiding rushed decisions or temporary housing while waiting for their current home to sell.

Buying Before You Sell: Is It Possible?

Yes—and for many buyers, it’s one of the smartest moves right now.

With the right lending strategy, you can:

• Secure your next home before listing your current one

• Avoid contingent offers in competitive markets

• Reduce stress and gain negotiating power

This approach is especially valuable for move-up buyers, empty nesters, and relocating families who need certainty and flexibility.

You Don’t Need 20% Down to Buy a Home

One of the biggest myths in real estate? That you need 20% down—especially on higher-priced homes.

Chad breaks down:

• Programs that allow buyers to purchase with as little as 1% down

• Options requiring as little as $1,000 out of pocket

• Why keeping cash on hand can sometimes be a smarter financial move

For many buyers, especially first-time buyers and relocation clients, these options open doors that once felt closed.

Renovation and Construction Loans: Build Equity Faster

Can’t find the perfect home? Consider creating it.

Renovation and construction loans allow buyers to:

• Purchase homes with potential

• Renovate immediately using financing

• Build equity faster instead of overpaying for turnkey properties

This strategy is especially powerful in markets with growing inventory and more negotiation opportunities.

Relocation Real Estate: Moving Anywhere in the U.S.

The Cari Ann Carter Group specializes in local and national relocation, helping buyers move seamlessly across the country.

In this episode, we discuss relocation solutions for buyers moving to:

• Florida

• The Carolinas

• Arizona

• Texas

• Colorado

• And beyond

With a strong national network and trusted lending partners, our team helps clients make confident moves—no matter where life is taking them next.

Is Now the Right Time to Re-Enter the Market?

If you paused your home search last year, now may be the moment to take another look.

With:

• Increasing housing inventory

• Lower interest rates

• More flexible financing options

Many buyers are discovering they can afford more than they thought—and with less competition than in previous years.

Love It or Leave It: A Complimentary Consultation

Not sure what your next move should be? We offer a free “Love It or Leave It” consultation designed to help you answer the most important questions:

• Should you stay and renovate?

• Should you sell and move?

• Where should the money come from?

• How do you align your home with your lifestyle and long-term goals?

👉 Schedule your consultation here:
https://carianncartergroup.com/love-it-or-leave-it

Work With Experts You Can Trust

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a move-up buyer, an empty nester, or planning a cross-country relocation, having the right guidance makes all the difference.

📞 Connect with The Cari Ann Carter Group and Chad Johnson at Bell Mortgage to explore the smartest path forward for your lifestyle and finances.
🌐 https://carianncartergroup.com

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Your home. Your equity. Your move.
Let’s make it a smart one.