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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Buying a Home May Help Shield You from Inflation

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 18, 2025. Posted in Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Rent vs. Buy.

It feels like everything is getting more expensive these days. That’s because inflation has remained higher than normal for longer than expected – and that’s impacting the costs of goods, services, and more. And with rising costs all around you, you’re probably questioning: is now really the right time to buy a home? Here’s the good news. Owning a home is actually one of the best ways to protect yourself from the rising costs that come with inflation. A Fixed Mortgage Protects You from Rising Housing Costs One of the key benefits of homeownership is that when you buy a home with a...

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Are You Asking Yourself These Questions About Selling Your House?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 17, 2025. Posted in For Sellers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some homeowners hesitate to sell because they’ve got unanswered questions that hold them back. But a lot of times their concerns are based on misconceptions, not facts. And if they’d just talk to an agent about it, they’d see these doubts aren’t necessarily a hurdle at all. If uncertainty is keeping you from making a move, it’s time to get the real answers. The ones you deserve. And to take the pressure off, you don’t have to ask the questions, because here’s the data that answers them. 1. Is It Even a Good Idea To Move Right Now? If you own a home already, you may be tempted to wait...

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Why You’ll Love Owning a Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 14, 2025. Posted in First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights Owning a home comes with many benefits, both non-financial and financial. From the sense of accomplishment and freedom of expression, to growing your net worth, it’s easy to fall in love with homeownership. What’s the top reason you’d love to own a home? Connect with an agent to come up with a plan that makes it possible.

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The Secret To Selling This Spring: Start the Prep Work Now

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 13, 2025. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

Spring is the busiest season in the housing market. It’s the time of year when buyers are most active – that means it’s when homes sell faster and for top dollar. If you’ve already got a move on your mind, why not list this spring and take advantage of the added buyer demand? Since spring is just around the corner, now’s the time to start getting your house market-ready. You’ve got just over a month to do the prep work. And while that may sound like a decent amount of time, it’s going to go by quickly. And you won’t want to rush through this important task – especially this year. The...

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Breaking Into the Market: Smart Moves for First-Time Buyers

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

If you’re like a lot of aspiring homebuyers, there’s a major hurdle standing in your way — the cost of living. From groceries to gas, eggs, and just about everything else, prices have gone up. And that rings true for home prices, too. But even when everything feels expensive, there are still ways to make homeownership more than an item on your wish list. You may just need to think about where you plan to buy a bit differently. Think of Your First Home as a Stepping Stone One of the biggest misconceptions among buyers is that their first home has to be their forever home – or that it has...

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A Record Percent of Buyers Are Planning To Move in 2025 – Are You?

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

This could be the year to sell your house – and here’s why. According to a recent NerdWallet survey, 15% of people are planning to buy a home this year. That’s actually a record high for this survey (see graph below): Here’s why this is such a big deal. The percentage has been hovering between 9-11% since 2020. This recent increase shows buyer demand hasn’t disappeared – if anything, it indicates there’s pent-up demand ready to come back to the market. That doesn’t mean the floodgates are opening and that there’s going to be a huge wave of buyers like we saw a few years ago. But this...

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Home Price Growth Is Moderating – Here’s Why That’s Good for You

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 10, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Over the past few years, home prices skyrocketed. That’s been frustrating for buyers, leaving many wondering if they’d ever get a shot at owning a home. But here’s some welcome news: that whirlwind pace of home price growth is slowing down. Home Prices Are Rising at a Healthy Pace At the national level, home prices are still going up, but at a much more moderate, normal pace. For example, in November, the year-over-year increase in home prices was just 3.8% nationally, according to Case-Shiller. That’s a far cry from the double-digit spikes that occurred in 2021 and 2022 (see graph...

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Why Buying a Home Now Is Your Winning Play

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 7, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights You may be sitting on the sidelines wondering if it’s better to buy now or wait. But buying before the spring rush may be a game-changing decision.? Moving this winter can give you significant advantages, like less competition, more negotiating power, and lower prices. If you’re able to buy now, stay ahead of the game and outrun the competition. To tackle your homebuying plans this year, connect with a local agent.?

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The Perks of Buying a Fixer-Upper

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

There’s no denying affordability is tough right now. But that doesn’t mean you have to put your plans to buy a home on the back burner. If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves (or hire someone who will), buying a house that needs some work could open the door to homeownership. Here’s everything you need to know so you can decide if this is the right move for you. What’s a Fixer-Upper? A fixer-upper is a home that’s livable but requires some renovations. Think cosmetic updates like wallpaper removal and new flooring or more extensive repairs like replacing a roof or updating plumbing....

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The 3 Biggest Mistakes Sellers Are Making Right Now

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

If you want to sell your house, having the right strategies and expectations is key. But some sellers haven’t adjusted to where the market is today. They’re not factoring in that there are more homes for sale or that buyers are being more selective with their budgets. And those sellers are making some costly mistakes. Here’s a quick rundown of the 3 most common missteps sellers are making, and how partnering with an expert agent can help you avoid every single one of them. 1. Pricing the Home Too High According to a survey by John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current...

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Author: Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage