Paused Your Moving Plans? Here’s Why It Might Be Time To Hit Play Again

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 31, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Last year, 70% of buyers abandoned their home search – and maybe you were one of them. It makes sense. Inventory was low, prices were high, and mortgage rates were up and down like a rollercoaster. All of that made it really hard to find a home you loved – and could afford. But guess what? The market is shifting. So, if you paused your moving plans in 2024, it might be time to hit play again. Here’s why. More Inventory Opens Up More Options Even if you could make the numbers work, the lack of available homes in recent years probably made it hard to come by something that fit your needs....

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National Housing Trends To Watch

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 28, 2025. Posted in Home Prices, Infographics, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights At a national level, the housing market has shifted over the past year. There are more homes for sale, price growth has moderated, and homes are taking a little longer to sell. Do you want to know how your area compares? Connect with a real estate agent to go over what’s happening locally and what this means for you.

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Buyers Have More Negotiation Power – Here’s How To Use It

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 27, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

You may have heard there are more homes for sale right now. And while that’ll vary depending on the market, it means that overall, things are starting to lean in a more balanced direction. As that happens, some sellers are a bit more open to compromise. Here’s what that means for you. You may be regaining some negotiating power. That can translate into savings, perks, or even better terms on your purchase – if you know what levers to pull during negotiation. Why an Agent Is an Essential Part of the Negotiation Process The complicated part is knowing what is and isn’t on the table. That’s...

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Why Pre-Approval Is More Important Than Ever This Spring

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

Spring is here, and so is the busiest season in real estate. More buyers are out looking for homes, which means more competition for you. If you want to put yourself in the best position to buy, there’s one step you can’t afford to skip, and that’s getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Some buyers think they can wait until they’ve found a home they love before talking to a lender. But in a season where homes can sell fast, that’s a risky move. Getting pre-approved before you start your search is a much better bet. Here’s what you need to know about this early step in the buying process....

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The Best Week To List Your House Is Almost Here – Are You Ready?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 25, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

If selling your house is on your to-do list this year, the time to start prepping is now. That’s because experts say the best week to list your house is coming up fast. A recent Realtor.com study analyzed years of housing market trends (excluding 2020 since it was an outlier) and found that April 13–19 is expected to be the ideal window to put your house on the market this year: “. . . we’ve identified April 13-19 as the best week to list for sellers . . . a seller listing a well-priced, move-in ready home is likely to find success. Because spring is generally the high season for real...

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4 Things To Expect from the Spring Housing Market

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 24, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Spring is in full swing, and the housing market is picking up along with it. And if you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to buy or sell, here’s the inside scoop on why this spring may be a great time to make your move. 1. There Are More Homes for Sale After a long stretch of tight inventory, the number of homes for sale is finally improving. According to recent national data from Realtor.com, active listings are up 27.5% compared to this time last year. Look at the graph below and follow the green line for 2025. You can see, even though inventory levels still haven’t...

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Your Roadmap to Homeownership

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 21, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights Buying a home isn’t just a transaction – it’s a journey. And like any great adventure, having a solid roadmap makes all the difference. ? From building your dream team to getting pre-approved, house hunting, and signing the papers on closing day – each milestone is an achievement. Your journey starts here. Connect with an agent so you have help every step along the way.?

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How Buying or Selling a Home Helps Your Local Economy

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 20, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Whether you’re buying or selling a house, here’s something to think about that most people don’t. Your decision doesn’t just impact your life and your family’s, it sparks a ripple effect that has a positive impact on your entire community. Every year, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) puts out a report that breaks down the financial impact that comes from people buying and selling homes. The data shows that if you buy an existing (previously lived-in) home, you’re giving the local economy a boost of just over $60K. And if you buy a newly built home, that number goes up to...

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What You Need To Know About Homeowner’s Insurance

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

Homeowner’s insurance is a must-have to protect what’s probably your biggest investment – your home. And while you never want to think about worst-case scenarios, the right coverage is basically your safety net if something goes wrong. Here’s how it helps you. Covers Repairs and Rebuilding Costs: If your home is damaged by fire, storms, or other covered events, your policy helps pay for repairs or even a full rebuild. Protects Your Belongings: Many policies can also cover personal items like furniture, electronics, and clothing if they’re stolen or damaged. Provides Liability Coverage: If...

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Is It Time To Put Your House Back on the Market?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 18, 2025. Posted in Economy, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

If you took your house off the market in late 2024, you’re not the only one. Newsweek reports that data from CoreLogic and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) says nearly 73,000 homes were pulled from the market in December alone – that’s more than any other December going all the way back to 2017 (see graph below): Whether it was because offers weren’t coming in, the timing around the holidays felt overwhelming, or they wanted to see if the market would improve in the new year – a lot of other homeowners decided to press pause, too. But now, with spring fast approaching, it’s time to...

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Rising Inventory Means This Spring Could Be Your Moment

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 17, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Want to know two reasons this spring might finally be your time to buy? Inventory has grown and sellers may be more willing to negotiate as a result. That means you’ve got more options and more power than buyers have had in years. Let’s break it down. 1. You Have More Homes To Choose From The number of homes for sale this February was higher than it’s been in any of the past five Februarys – and that’s great news for your home search. The graph below uses the latest data from Realtor.com to show the supply of homes on the market has grown by 27.5% in just the last year: More choices for...

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What You Need To Know About Pre-Approval

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

Some Highlights Before you even start looking at homes, there’s something you should do first – and that’s get pre-approved for your mortgage. Pre-approval is when a lender checks your finances and decides how much you’re qualified to borrow for your home loan. This helps you determine your budget and makes your offer stand out for sellers. ?Connect with a trusted lender to get the process started.

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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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Author: Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage