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The Warsh Era Begins: Why the Fed’s June Decision Means You Should Stop Waiting for Lower Rates
The wait is over, but the news isn't what many were hoping for. Today, June 17, 2026, marked a historic shift in the American economy. Kevin Warsh chaired his first Federal Reserve meeting, and he didn't waste any time setting a new tone. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for interest rates to drop back to 2021 levels before you buy your next home in San Diego or Nashville, it’s time for a reality check. The Fed held rates steady at 3.5%–3.75%, but the real stor

Elizabeth Story
3 days ago


Rates, Relocations, and Luxury: 3 Big Stories Impacting California and Tennessee This Week
Welcome to your weekly briefing. It is June 8, 2026, and the real estate landscape in both California and Tennessee is shifting beneath our feet. Whether you are currently lounging on a patio in San Diego or touring properties in the rolling hills of Williamson County, the data points hitting the wires this week matter to your bottom line. As your strategic advisor at Elizabeth Story at Epique Realty, I’m here to cut through the noise. We aren't just looking at houses; we are

Elizabeth Story
Jun 8
The Story Report: Nashville Scores Super Bowl 33
It’s official. Nashville is hosting Super Bowl LXIV in February 2030. The NFL made the announcement at the Spring League Meeting in Orlando, and the energy in Music City is already electric. This isn’t just a game; it’s a massive economic engine that will reshape our skyline, our infrastructure, and our property values for the next decade. As your Expert Real Estate Agent, I’m looking past the halftime show. I’m looking at the Nashville real estate market and how this global

Elizabeth Story
May 20
![[HERO] The Fed Handoff: What a New Chairman Means for Your Real Estate Story](https://cdn.marblism.com/ie8q9_XXBrH.webp)
![[HERO] The Fed Handoff: What a New Chairman Means for Your Real Estate Story](https://cdn.marblism.com/ie8q9_XXBrH.webp)
The Fed Handoff: What a New Chairman Means for Your Real Estate Story
Change is in the air, and it isn’t just the spring breeze. As of May 15, 2026, the Federal Reserve officially handed over the gavel. Jerome Powell has stepped down, and Kevin Warsh has taken the seat as the new Fed Chairman. If you’ve been following the real estate market or keeping an eye on your home’s value in California or Tennessee, then you know that when the Fed sneezes, the housing market catches a cold: or, hopefully, a healthy dose of vitamin C. But what does this t

Elizabeth Story
May 17
![[HERO] The](https://cdn.marblism.com/n7jZv-ZRpob.webp)
![[HERO] The](https://cdn.marblism.com/n7jZv-ZRpob.webp)
The "Golden Handcuffs" Guide: Why Waiting for Lower Rates Might Be Costing You More
You’ve heard the term. You might even be living it right now. In the industry, we call it the "Golden Handcuffs" phenomenon. It’s that feeling of being trapped in your current home because your interest rate is so low: maybe 2.5% or 3%: that the idea of moving and taking on a 6% or 7% rate feels like financial suicide. I get it. I really do. On paper, staying put looks like the smartest move you could make. But as an Expert Real Estate Agent watching the Nashville real estate

Elizabeth Story
May 11
![[HERO] The Summer Move: Why the End of the School Year is Your Strategic Advantage](https://cdn.marblism.com/z5SQq9qgo0j.webp)
![[HERO] The Summer Move: Why the End of the School Year is Your Strategic Advantage](https://cdn.marblism.com/z5SQq9qgo0j.webp)
The Summer Move: Why the End of the School Year is Your Strategic Advantage
As the final school bells ring and the days get longer, most people are thinking about vacations and backyard BBQs. But if you’ve been hovering on the edge of a real estate decision, this is your moment. For families, the "Summer Window" isn’t just a break from homework: it is the most strategic time of the year to buy or sell a home. Whether you are looking to upgrade within Williamson County TN Real Estate Sales or you are planning a major life change like moving from CA to

Elizabeth Story
May 5
![[HERO] Back-to-Back Tech100 Wins: What Epique Realty’s Innovation Means for You](https://cdn.marblism.com/6ZNkwUcHBs6.webp)
![[HERO] Back-to-Back Tech100 Wins: What Epique Realty’s Innovation Means for You](https://cdn.marblism.com/6ZNkwUcHBs6.webp)
Back-to-Back Tech100 Wins: What Epique Realty’s Innovation Means for You
Epique Realty has now earned back-to-back HousingWire Tech100 Real Estate awards in 2025 and 2026. That matters. Not because awards are flashy. Not because headlines are nice. It matters because the right real estate technology creates a better experience for you when you buy or sell. As your Strategic Advisor, I look at every new tool through one lens: does this help you make a smarter move, protect your equity, and reduce friction in the transaction? That is where Epique st

Elizabeth Story
May 3
![[HERO] Middle-Class Homeownership Act qualifies for the ballot](https://cdn.marblism.com/iuGUZGi7Bif.webp)
![[HERO] Middle-Class Homeownership Act qualifies for the ballot](https://cdn.marblism.com/iuGUZGi7Bif.webp)
Middle-Class Homeownership Act qualifies for the ballot
If you have been following the California real estate market lately, you know that the "dream of homeownership" has felt a little more like a "marathon through a mountain range" for a lot of hard-working families. Between high interest rates and the lack of inventory, the middle class has been feeling the squeeze more than ever. But I have some incredible news that could change the game for thousands of you. The Middle-Class Homeownership Act has officially qualified for the

Elizabeth Story
Apr 26
![[HERO] Nashville’s New Grind: Does Starbucks Moving Downtown Mean More Than Just a Double Shot?](https://cdn.marblism.com/ScBlr_q3GDl.webp)
![[HERO] Nashville’s New Grind: Does Starbucks Moving Downtown Mean More Than Just a Double Shot?](https://cdn.marblism.com/ScBlr_q3GDl.webp)
Nashville’s New Grind: Does Starbucks Moving Downtown Mean More Than Just a Double Shot?
If you’ve driven through downtown Nashville lately, you’ve seen the cranes. They are basically our state bird at this point. But even in a city used to "big news," the recent announcement that Starbucks is opening a massive $100 million Southeast headquarters right in the heart of our city has everyone talking. We aren't just talking about a new coffee shop on the corner. We are talking about 2,000 corporate jobs, a massive tech and supply chain hub, and a significant shift i

Elizabeth Story
Apr 24
![[HERO] The Great Land Grab: What a 77% Surge Means for the Tennessee Market](https://cdn.marblism.com/YQBrzmBrFEe.webp)
![[HERO] The Great Land Grab: What a 77% Surge Means for the Tennessee Market](https://cdn.marblism.com/YQBrzmBrFEe.webp)
The Great Land Grab: What a 77% Surge Means for the Tennessee Market
If you have been keeping even half an eye on the real estate market lately, you know it has been a wild ride. We have seen interest rates dance, inventory vanish, and prices climb like they were training for an Olympic event. But while everyone was hyper-focused on the four walls and a roof of existing homes, something even more dramatic was happening right beneath our feet. The dirt itself became the hottest commodity on the planet. Realtor.com recently released its first-ev

Elizabeth Story
Apr 24
![[HERO] BNA is Leveling Up: Southwest Airlines and Nashville](https://cdn.marblism.com/e_yGj6lShPi.webp)
![[HERO] BNA is Leveling Up: Southwest Airlines and Nashville](https://cdn.marblism.com/e_yGj6lShPi.webp)
BNA is Leveling Up: Southwest Airlines and Nashville's Sky-High Growth
If you’ve spent any time at Nashville International Airport (BNA) lately, you know the role has changed. This is no longer just a transportation story. It is an economic indicator. As a Strategic Advisor in the Nashville real estate market, I pay close attention to the signals behind population growth, capital investment, and housing demand. Right now, BNA is sending a clear message. Southwest Airlines isn’t just a carrier here; they are the dominant operator, handling a stag

Elizabeth Story
Apr 23
![[HERO] Rate Dip Alert: Is This the Window You](https://cdn.marblism.com/n-pEhf0vAya.webp)
![[HERO] Rate Dip Alert: Is This the Window You](https://cdn.marblism.com/n-pEhf0vAya.webp)
Rate Dip Alert: Is This the Window You've Been Waiting For?
If you’ve been keeping a close eye on the market this spring, you know that "volatility" has been the word of the year. But as of mid-April 2026, the narrative is shifting. For the first time in several months, we are seeing a meaningful retreat in mortgage rates. After hovering stubbornly above the 6.5% mark, 30-year fixed rates have dipped to a four-week low, landing in the 6.3% to 6.4% range. While a fraction of a percentage point might not sound like a revolution, in the

Elizabeth Story
Apr 23
![[HERO] Seller Market Alert: Purchase Applications Are Surging: Is Your Home Ready?](https://cdn.marblism.com/Yg46SUOCVSz.webp)
![[HERO] Seller Market Alert: Purchase Applications Are Surging: Is Your Home Ready?](https://cdn.marblism.com/Yg46SUOCVSz.webp)
Seller Market Alert: Purchase Applications Are Surging: Is Your Home Ready?
The real estate market just hit a major turning point. If you have been waiting for a sign to list your property, this is it. Data from the last week shows a massive shift in buyer behavior that you cannot afford to ignore. Purchase applications rose 12% weekly and a staggering 14% year-over-year. Buyers are no longer sitting on the sidelines. They are active, they are motivated, and they are hunting for homes right now. This surge isn't just a fluke; it is a signal that the

Elizabeth Story
Apr 23
![[HERO] 3 Nashville Real Estate Stories You Might Have Missed (Davidson + Williamson Market Update)](https://cdn.marblism.com/w_Aa1OHZiuC.webp)
![[HERO] 3 Nashville Real Estate Stories You Might Have Missed (Davidson + Williamson Market Update)](https://cdn.marblism.com/w_Aa1OHZiuC.webp)
3 Nashville Real Estate Stories You Might Have Missed (Davidson + Williamson Market Update)
If you have been watching the Nashville skyline lately, you know the cranes aren’t going anywhere. In fact, the numbers we are seeing this spring are getting bigger, bolder, and a lot more interesting for anyone looking to buy, sell, or invest in Middle Tennessee. While the national headlines might be stuck on interest rate loops, here on the ground in Davidson and Williamson Counties, the real story is about long-term confidence. We aren’t just growing; we are maturing into

Elizabeth Story
Apr 22
![[HERO] 3 Nashville Real Estate Stories You Might Have Missed (Davidson + Williamson Market Update)](https://cdn.marblism.com/w_Aa1OHZiuC.webp)
![[HERO] 3 Nashville Real Estate Stories You Might Have Missed (Davidson + Williamson Market Update)](https://cdn.marblism.com/w_Aa1OHZiuC.webp)
3 Nashville Real Estate Stories You Might Have Missed (Davidson + Williamson Market Update)
If you have been watching the Nashville skyline lately, you know the cranes aren’t going anywhere. In fact, the numbers we are seeing this spring are getting bigger, bolder, and a lot more interesting for anyone looking to buy, sell, or invest in Middle Tennessee. While the national headlines might be stuck on interest rate loops, here on the ground in Davidson and Williamson Counties, the real story is about long-term confidence . We aren’t just growing; we are maturing into

Elizabeth Story
Apr 21
![[HERO] Looking For No-HOA Luxury in Williamson County? Here Are 10 Things You Should Know](https://cdn.marblism.com/5jnVjsS5uOE.webp)
![[HERO] Looking For No-HOA Luxury in Williamson County? Here Are 10 Things You Should Know](https://cdn.marblism.com/5jnVjsS5uOE.webp)
Looking For No-HOA Luxury in Williamson County? Here Are 10 Things You Should Know
For many buyers looking into Tennessee Luxury Real Estate , the ultimate dream isn't just a high-end kitchen or a five-car garage: it’s freedom . In 2026, the trend of "unrestricted luxury" is stronger than ever. Whether you are relocating to Tennessee from the West Coast or just moving across the county, you’ve likely noticed that many of the most beautiful homes for sale in Brentwood TN and Franklin are tucked away in communities with strict Homeowners Associations (HOAs)

Elizabeth Story
Apr 16
![[HERO] Living Without Limits: Why](https://cdn.marblism.com/zhl-me7AtFU.webp)
![[HERO] Living Without Limits: Why](https://cdn.marblism.com/zhl-me7AtFU.webp)
Living Without Limits: Why 'No HOA' is the Ultimate Luxury in Williamson County
When you start browsing homes for sale in Franklin TN , it doesn’t take long to notice a pattern. Many of the most beautiful, sprawling estates are tucked away in master-planned communities. These neighborhoods are gorgeous, don't get me wrong. But they often come with a thick binder of rules: the dreaded Homeowners Association (HOA) covenants. For many of my clients relocating to Tennessee , especially those coming from highly regulated areas in California, the ultimate drea

Elizabeth Story
Apr 13
![[HERO] March 2026 Luxury Market Update: Williamson County Real Estate Secrets Revealed](https://cdn.marblism.com/dhGM3aRau50.webp)
![[HERO] March 2026 Luxury Market Update: Williamson County Real Estate Secrets Revealed](https://cdn.marblism.com/dhGM3aRau50.webp)
March 2026 Luxury Market Update: Williamson County Real Estate Secrets Revealed
Welcome to the heart of the 2026 spring market. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee lately, you know that Williamson County isn’t just a place to live: it’s a global destination for luxury lifestyle. As we step into March, the air is crisp, the dogwoods are preparing to bloom, and the real estate market is moving at a pace we haven’t seen in years. Whether you are looking to curate your next estate in Franklin or sell a custom masterpiece i

Elizabeth Story
Apr 1
![[HERO] Do You Really Need to Wait for Rates to Drop? Here’s the Truth About Buying Your First Home in Tennessee Right Now](https://cdn.marblism.com/BzUTXmTre2n.webp)
![[HERO] Do You Really Need to Wait for Rates to Drop? Here’s the Truth About Buying Your First Home in Tennessee Right Now](https://cdn.marblism.com/BzUTXmTre2n.webp)
Do You Really Need to Wait for Rates to Drop? Here’s the Truth About Buying Your First Home in Tennessee Right Now
If I had a nickel for every time I heard the phrase, "I’m just going to wait for rates to come down," I’d probably be retired on a beach in Malibu right now. But I’m not, I’m here in the thick of the Nashville real estate market , helping people like you navigate one of the most confusing (and exciting) financial decisions of your life. It’s March 2026. We’ve seen the Federal Reserve play a game of "will they, won't they" with interest rates for years. We saw the cuts in late

Elizabeth Story
Mar 26
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