Author: Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage

Is the Housing Market Starting To Balance Out?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 13, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

For years, sellers have had the upper hand in the housing market. With so few homes for sale and so many people who wanted to purchase them, buyers faced tough competition just to get an offer accepted. But now, inventory is rising, and things are starting to shift in many areas. So, is the market finally balancing out? And does that mean buyers will have it a bit easier now? Here’s what you need to know. What Makes It a Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s Market? It all comes down to how many homes are for sale in an area compared to how many buyers want to buy there. That’s what ultimately...

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Buying Your First Home? It’s Okay To Feel Nervous

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 12, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Buying your first home is exciting, but let’s be real – it can also feel overwhelming. It’s a big step, and with that comes plenty of questions. Am I making the right decision? Can I really afford this right now? Will I be able to make ends meet if I have unexpected repairs? What if I lose my job? Here’s the thing: every first-time homebuyer has these thoughts. The homebuying process has always been a mix of excitement and nerves, and that’s completely normal. Here’s some information that can give you a bit of perspective, so you don’t have these concerns. Focus on What You Can...

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Mortgage Rates Hit Lowest Point So Far This Year

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 11, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

If you’ve been holding off on buying a home because of high mortgage rates, you might want to take another look at the market. That’s because mortgage rates have been trending down lately – and that gives you a chance to jump back in. Mortgage rates have been declining for seven straight weeks now, according to data from Freddie Mac. And the average weekly rate is now at the lowest level so far this year (see graph below): While that may not sound like a significant shift, it is noteworthy. Because the meaningful drop from over 7% to the mid-6’s can change your mindset when it comes to...

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Should I Buy a Home Right Now? Experts Say Prices Are Only Going Up

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 10, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

At one point or another, you’ve probably heard someone say, “Yesterday was the best time to buy a home, but the next best time is today.” That’s because nationally, home values continue to rise. And with mortgage rates still stubbornly high and home prices going up, you may be holding out for prices to fall or trying to time the market for that perfect rate. But here’s the truth: waiting for the right moment could cost you in the long run. Home Prices Are Still Rising – Just at a More Normal Pace The idea that prices will drop dramatically is wishful thinking in most markets. According to...

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Do You Know What Your House Is Really Worth?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 7, 2025. Posted in Equity, For Sellers, Home Prices, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights Over the past 5 years, home prices have risen dramatically. If you own a home, that means your house may be worth a lot more than you think. ? Nationally, prices are up nearly 60% since 2019. ?And, if selling has been on your mind, you can use that bigger-than-expected return to power your next move. If you want to know how much your home is worth in today’s market, reach out to a local agent.? The number may surprise you.

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Is It a Good Time To Buy a Home?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 7, 2025. Posted in Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Are you wondering what’s going on with home prices? Mortgage rates? Or asking yourself if it’s even a good time to buy a home? It’s a big decision—and you don’t have to do it alone. That’s where your trusted local RE/MAX® agent comes in.

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5 Spring Home Maintenance Tasks You Don’t Want To Forget

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 7, 2025. Posted in Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Spring is a season of renewal, and as a homeowner, it’s easy to get swept up in the day-to-day of life. But maintaining your home is an important part of protecting the long-term value of your investment. So, whether you own a house already or you’re planning to become a homeowner this year, here are five essential spring home maintenance tasks you don’t want to overlook. Save this as your helpful resource to come back to year after year. 1. Clean Your Gutters Winter weather can leave behind debris, like leaves and twigs, clogging your gutters. If water can’t flow freely, it can lead to...

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Pre-Approval Is the Homebuying Step You Can’t Afford To Skip

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 7, 2025. Posted in Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

There’s one essential step in the homebuying process you may not know a whole lot about, and that’s pre-approval. Here’s a rundown on what it is and why it’s so important to take care of before you start looking at homes with your RE/MAX® agent. What Is Pre-Approval? Pre-approval is like getting the green light from a lender. It gives you a sense of how much they’re willing to let you borrow for your home loan. To determine that number, a lender starts by looking at your financial history. Here are some of the documents they may ask you for during this process: W-2s and tax returns Pay...

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Why the Average Homeowner Has $319K in Equity

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 7, 2025. Posted in Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

If you already own a home, have you ever stopped to think about how much wealth you’ve built up just from being a homeowner? As home values rise, so does your net worth. And, if you’ve been in your house for a few years (or longer), there’s a good chance you’re sitting on a pile of equity — maybe even more than you realize. What Is Home Equity? Home equity is the difference between what your house is worth and what you owe on your mortgage. For example, if your house is worth $500,000 and you still owe $200,000 on your home loan, you have $300,000 in equity. It’s essentially the wealth...

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The Latest Expert Forecasts for the 2025 Housing Market

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 6, 2025. Posted in Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

After several years of rising home prices and volatile mortgage rates, it looks like the housing market will start to head in a more normal direction in 2025 – at least according to the latest forecasts. And if you’ve been thinking about making a move, that means the uncertainty that could’ve been throwing off your plans may be coming to a close. Here’s a look at the latest expert forecasts on two of the biggest factors expected to shape the market in the year ahead. Will Mortgage Rates Come Down? Everyone’s keeping an eye on mortgage rates, and they’re projected to settle in the mid-6%...

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Headed Back Into the Office? You May Decide To Move

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 6, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

It’s no secret that remote work has surged over the last few years. And that flexibility gave a lot of people the freedom to move — and work — from wherever they wanted. But now, a growing number of companies are requiring employees to return to the office. And that’s leading some people to make decisions about where they live and if they need to move. How Return-to-Work Policies Are Impacting Housing During the rise of remote work, a lot of employees took the opportunity to move away from expensive or crowded city centers. Some opted for suburban neighborhoods and larger homes with...

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Why a Pre-Listing Inspection May Be Worth It in Today’s Market

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 5, 2025. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

Selling a house comes with a lot of moving pieces, and the last thing you want is a deal falling apart over unexpected repairs uncovered during the buyer’s inspection. That’s why it pays to anticipate potential issues before buyers ever step through the door. And one way to do that is with a pre-listing inspection. What Is a Pre-Listing Inspection? A pre-listing inspection is essentially a professional home inspection you schedule before putting your house on the market. Just like the inspections your buyer will do after making an offer, this process identifies any issues with the...

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More Buyers Are Making Moves — Is It Time To Sell?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 4, 2025. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

More people are taking steps to buy a home. And, if you’ve been waiting for the right time to move, this may be the sign you’ve been looking for. For the past few years, a lot of would-be homebuyers hit pause on their plans. With rising mortgage rates and affordability challenges, buying just didn’t seem doable. But now, more of them are getting back out there. That’s because they’re getting used to the fact that this may be the new normal for the market – especially as forecasts show mortgage rates may be starting to stabilize. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): ...

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Is a Newly Built Home Right for You? The Pros and Cons

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 3, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, New Construction.

When searching for a home, you don’t want to skip over new builds as an option. Right now, there are more newly built homes to choose from than there would normally be in the market. And those added choices come with some pretty incredible benefits. Talking to your agent is the best way to see if this type of home makes sense for you. Here’s a quick rundown of some things your agent will walk you through – including a few of the top perks of buying a newly built home today and some potential things you’ll want to think about before you ink any contracts. The Perks of Buying a Newly Built...

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Is It Better To Rent or Buy a Home Today?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 28, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Rent vs. Buy.

Some Highlights A study shows that 70% of prospective buyers fear the long-term consequences of renting. And here’s why.? Rent usually rises over time and that can make it harder to save up to buy a home. But when you buy, you can stabilize your housing expenses and grow your net worth as home values rise. While renting may be the less expensive option in some markets, it can’t match the long-term benefits of homeownership. What’s your #1 reason for wanting to buy?

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Do You Know How Much Your Home Is Worth?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 27, 2025. Posted in For Sellers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Over the past few years, you’ve probably seen a whole lot of headlines about how home prices keep going up. But have you ever stopped to think about what that actually means for your home? Home prices have risen dramatically over the past five years — far more than usual. And if selling has been on your mind, this could mean a bigger-than-expected payday when you list. So, how much has your home’s value really changed? Let’s break it down. The Rapid Rise of the Past 5 Years Typically, home prices go up by about 2-5% a year. But in 2021-2022, there were double-digit increases. And at the...

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Is an Accessory Dwelling Unit Right for You? Here’s What To Know

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 26, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Are you having a hard time finding the right home in your budget? Or maybe you already own a home but could use some extra income or a designated space for aging loved ones. Either way, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) could be the smart solution you’ve been looking for in today’s market. What Is an ADU? According to Fannie Mae, an ADU is a small, separate living space that’s on the same lot as a single-family home. It must include its own areas for living, sleeping, cooking, and bathrooms independent of the main house. And they can take shape in a few different ways. Fannie Mae adds, an...

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Are Investors Actually Buying Up All the Homes?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 25, 2025. Posted in Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Are you trying to buy a home but you feel like you’re up against deep-pocketed Wall Street investors snatching up everything in sight? Many people believe mega investors are driving up prices and buying up all the homes for sale, and that’s making it hard for regular buyers like you to compete. But here’s the truth. Investor purchases are actually on the decline, and the big players aren’t nearly as active as you might think. Let’s dive into the facts and put this myth to rest. Most Investors Are Small, Not Mega Investors A common misconception is that massive institutional investors are...

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How To Buy a Home Without Waiting for Lower Rates

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 24, 2025. Posted in Forecasts, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Many people are hoping mortgage rates will come down before they buy a home. But will that actually happen? According to the latest forecasts, experts say rates will decline, but not by as much as a lot of people want. The good news? Even if they don’t drop substantially, there are still ways to make buying a home more affordable. How Much Will Rates Drop? A few months ago, experts were forecasting mortgage rates could dip below 6% by the end of the year. But recent projections suggest that may not happen after all. While mortgage rates are still expected to decline some later this year,...

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Should I Update My House Before I Sell It?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 21, 2025. Posted in For Sellers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

Some Highlights With more homes for sale and buyers being more selective, it’s smart to make strategic updates.? But how do you decide what’s worth doing? ?You lean on an agent. An agent will be able to tell you what buyers want, quick wins that’ll have a big impact, and what projects have the best ROI. What projects are on your to-do list before selling? With only a month left before spring, connect with a local agent so you know what’s worth the time and effort.

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Seller Concessions: A Smart Strategy To Get Your House Sold

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 20, 2025. Posted in For Sellers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

For the past few years, it’s been mostly a seller’s market. But dynamics are shifting as the number of homes for sale grows. And that means that the market is balancing out a bit. As a result, some sellers are finding they need to be more flexible to close a deal. One strategy that can help? Offering concessions. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains: “As home inventory begins to grow and buyers regain some advantage in the market, sellers may consider offering more in negotiations to make the deal more attractive and get to the closing table.” What Are Seller...

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The Return to Urban Living — Why More People Are Moving Back to Cities

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 19, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

After years of suburban and rural migration during the pandemic, cities have been making a comeback in the past couple of years. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the percentage of people moving to cities has risen to 16%. While that may not sound like a big number to you, it is the highest level in a decade – and that’s a big deal (see graph below): And data from BrightMLS seems to confirm this trend. In a recent survey, 1 in 5 (20.6%) people looking to buy say they want to live in the city. So, what’s behind this ongoing shift back to urban living? Let’s break down...

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