Author: Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage

2025 Housing Market Forecasts

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 17, 2025. Posted in Home Prices, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Some Highlights Wondering what to expect when you buy or sell a home this year? Here’s what the experts say lies ahead. Mortgage rates are projected to come down slightly. Home prices are forecast to rise in most areas. And, there will be more homes available for sale. Want to know more about what this could mean for your plans this year? Connect with a local agent to discuss your 2025 goals.

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One Homebuying Step You Don’t Want To Skip: Pre-Approval

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 16, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, Home Prices, 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 of what it is and why it’s so important right now. What Is Pre-Approval? Pre-approval is like getting a green light from a lender. It lets you know how much they’re willing to let you borrow for a home. To determine that number, a lender looks at your financial history. According to Realtor.com, these are some of the documents a lender may ask you for during this process: W-2s from the last two years Tax returns from the last two years Pay stubs from the last...

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Roughly 11,000 Homes Will Sell Today – Will Yours Be One of Them?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 15, 2025. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Are you hesitant to sell your house because you’re worried no one’s buying with rates and prices where they are right now? Here’s some perspective that can help. The market actually isn’t at a standstill. While there weren’t as many sales last year as there’d be in a normal market, roughly 4.15 million homes still sold (not including new construction), according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). And the expectation is that number will rise in 2025. That means more people will likely move this year, and they need homes to buy. Homes like yours. But even if we only match last...

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The Truth About Credit Scores and Buying a Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 14, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Your credit score plays a big role in the homebuying process. It’s one of the key factors lenders look at to determine which loan options you qualify for and what your terms might be. But there’s a myth about credit scores that may be holding some buyers back. The Myth: You Need To Have Perfect Credit According to Fannie Mae, only 32% of potential homebuyers have a good idea of what credit score lenders actually require. That means two-thirds of buyers don’t actually know what lenders are looking for – and most overestimate the minimum credit score needed. The Reality: Perfect Isn’t...

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How Much Home Equity Have You Gained? The Answer Might Surprise You

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 13, 2025. Posted in Equity, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

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 you’ve built through...

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How Mortgage Rates Affect Your Monthly Payment

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 10, 2025. Posted in Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Some Highlights Experts say rates will come down slightly in the year ahead – but some volatility is expected. So, you shouldn’t try to time the market. Instead, it’s better to focus on how even a small change impacts your future mortgage payment. As rates come down, even a little bit, your monthly payment on your next home will too. Want to see what this looks like at a different price point? Connect with an agent or lender.

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What To Save for When Buying a Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 9, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Knowing what to budget for when buying a home may feel intimidating — but it doesn’t have to be. By understanding the costs you may encounter upfront, you can take control of the process. Here are just a few things experts say you should be thinking about as you plan ahead. 1. Down Payment Saving for your down payment is likely top of mind. But how much do you really need? A common misconception is that you have to put down 20% of the purchase price. But that’s not necessarily the case. Unless it’s specified by your loan type or lender, you don’t have to. There are some home loan options...

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Mortgage Forbearance: A Helpful Option for Homeowners Facing Challenges

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 8, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Foreclosures, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

Let’s face it – life can throw some curveballs. Whether it’s a job loss, unexpected bills, or a natural disaster, financial struggles can happen to anyone. But here’s the good news. If you’re a homeowner feeling the squeeze, there’s a lifeline that many people don’t realize is still available: mortgage forbearance. What Is Mortgage Forbearance? As Bankrate explains: “Mortgage forbearance is an option that allows borrowers to pause or lower their mortgage payments while dealing with a short-term crisis, such as a job loss, illness or other financial setback . . . When you can’t afford to...

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Expert Forecasts for the 2025 Housing Market

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 7, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Forecasts, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Wondering what’s in store for the housing market this year? And more specifically, what it all means for you if you plan to buy or sell a home? The best way to get that information is to lean on the pros. Experts are constantly updating and revising their forecasts, so here’s the latest on two of the biggest factors expected to shape the year ahead: mortgage rates and home prices. Will Mortgage Rates Come Down? Everyone’s keeping an eye on mortgage rates and waiting for them to come down. So, the question is really: how far and how fast? The good news is they’re projected to ease a bit in...

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Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 6, 2025. Posted in Equity, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Trying to decide whether it makes more sense to buy a home now or wait? There’s a lot to consider, from what’s happening in the market to your changing needs. But generally speaking, aiming to time the market isn’t a good strategy – there are too many factors at play for that to even be possible. That’s why experts usually say time in the market is better than timing the market. In other words, if you want to buy a home and you’re able to make the numbers work, doing it sooner rather than later is usually worth it. Bankrate explains why: “No matter which way the real estate market is...

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Get Ready To Buy a Home in 2025

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 3, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights If buying a home is on your goal sheet this year, here’s how to make it happen. Focus on improving your credit, planning for your down payment, getting pre-approved, and prioritizing your wish list. But first, connect with a trusted agent and lender so you have expert advice every step of the way.

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Home Staging FAQ: What You Need To Know

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 2, 2025. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

You may have heard that staging your home properly can make a big difference when you sell your house, but what exactly is home staging, and is it really worth your time and effort? Here are a few quick FAQs that can help you decide how much you should prioritize staging as you prep for your move. What Is Home Staging? Staging is the process of arranging and decorating your house to highlight its best features and make it as appealing as possible to potential buyers. It can range from simple touch-ups to more extensive setups, depending on your needs and budget. How Does It Help Me Sell My...

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New Year, New Home: How To Make It Happen in 2025

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 1, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

This is the time when a lot of people take a moment to reflect and set their goals for this year. And as you picture what you want your 2025 to look like, one thing that may pop into your mind is the vision of you in a new home. But how do you get there? And where do you start? Here’s some advice that can help you get the ball rolling. Focus on Your Why To lay the foundation, you need to focus on your why. While the dollars and cents are important, so is the driving force behind your desire to move. Maybe you need more space for a growing family, want to sell so you can downsize, or are...

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Simple Steps To Help You Save for Your First Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 31, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Turning a dream into reality starts with one thing: a plan. And if buying your first home is on your list of goals, now’s the perfect time to put a plan in motion to help you save. And the best part? Reaching your savings goal doesn’t mean making huge sacrifices overnight – small, consistent steps can get you there over time. Here are a few strategies that can help speed up the process. Step 1: Build a Budget That Works for You Knowing where your money’s going is the first step to saving more of it. Take some time to track the money you’ve got coming in and going out. This helps you spot...

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How Eco-Friendly Features Can Boost Your Home’s Value

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 30, 2024. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

Selling your house? Or just looking to increase the value and appeal of your home for when you do? Here’s something you should know – homebuyers are increasingly looking for homes with environmentally friendly features. What Energy Efficient Features Do Buyers Want? According to recent data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), when buyers think about eco-friendly features, they’re looking for (see visual below): Heating and cooling costs: 82% of buyers consider heating and cooling costs to be one of the most important factors when looking for a home. And efficient heating and...

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Why More Sellers Are Hiring a Real Estate Agent

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 27, 2024. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights More homeowners are realizing they need an agent’s help in this complex market – and that’s why a record-low number of people are selling without a pro by their side. Without an agent’s help, tackling pricing, staging and repairs, paperwork, negotiation, and more can be a real headache. Selling without a pro isn’t worth the hassle. Connect with an agent to see if you’d work well together.

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What’s Motivating More Buyers To Choose a Newly Built Home?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 26, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Planning to buy a home soon? Why not go for something brand-new? Because data shows a lot more buyers are seeing the appeal of new home construction these days – and you may find out it’s what you want too. The National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains that newly built homes accounted for 15% of all homes sold last year. That’s a significant increase, and is actually the highest percentage in 17 years (see graph below): To get a closer look at why so many people are opting for a brand-new home, NAR surveyed recent buyers. And here are the top reasons why new builds gained so much...

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The Personal Joys of Having a Home To Call Your Own

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 25, 2024. Posted in First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

There’s no doubt that owning a home comes with significant financial benefits. And this time of year is a great time to reflect on the other reasons why owning a home is so meaningful. A house is more than four walls and a roof – it’s a place where memories are made, connections are built, and life happens. From the sense of accomplishment that comes with owning your own home to the joy of creating a space that’s uniquely yours, the emotional connections we have to our homes can be just as important as the financial ones. Here are some of the things that turn a house into a happy home....

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The #1 Reason People Move: To Be Closer to Family and Friends

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 24, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Have you ever thought about packing up and moving to be closer to the people who mean the most to you? Maybe you’re tired of long drives to see your family or wish your kids could spend more time with their grandparents. Clearly, a lot of other people feel the same way. According to recent data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the desire to be near family and friends is the #1 reason people move (see graph below): That’s because moving isn’t just about finding a new house – it’s about living a life where you’re surrounded by the people who matter most. Whether it’s catching...

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How Home Equity May Help You Buy Your Next Home in Cash

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 23, 2024. Posted in Equity, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

Building equity in your house is one of the biggest financial advantages of homeownership. And right now, homeowners across the country are sitting on record amounts of it. Here’s a look at how that equity could be a game changer for you, and why it’ll flip your perspective from “Why would I move right now?” to “Why wouldn’t I?” Home Equity: What Is It? Home equity is the difference between how much your house is worth and how much you still owe on your mortgage. For example, if your house is valued at $400,000 and you only owe $200,000 on your mortgage, your equity would be $200,000. Why...

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Struggling To Sell Your House? Read This.

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 19, 2024. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

When you sell your house, ideally, you want it to go something like this: your house sells for top dollar, you get it sold quickly, and it all goes down without a hitch. But what many people don’t realize is that even in today’s market where there are more buyers than homes for sale, there are still things that can cause delays or even keep a house from selling. According to Zillow, in 2024, as many as 1 in 3 sellers took their home off the market before it ultimately sold. And while the reasons those houses didn’t sell are going to vary, there are some general themes that come...

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The Biggest Perks of Buying a Home This Winter

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 18, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Waiting for perfect market conditions often means missing out. Because what you may not realize is, if you’re ready and able to buy, this time of year could actually give you an edge. Here’s why. As the weather cools down, the housing market can too – and that works in your favor. You Likely Won’t Feel as Rushed Homes tend to take a little longer to sell during this time of year. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the average time a house sits on the market jumps up during the winter months (see the green bars in the graph below): This is partly because fewer buyers...

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