Author: Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage

The #1 Reason Buyers Walk Away (And How To Get Ahead of It)

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 16, 2026. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

You may have seen headlines on social saying the number of buyers backing out of their contracts is on the rise – and has recently reached a high not seen since 2017. That can sound intimidating. But it varies a lot by market. And here’s the key thing to understand if you want to sell. A lot of the time, there’s one common cause. And it’s something you can actually control. Here’s what you can do to get ahead of the biggest dealbreaker before it ever becomes a problem. The Top Dealbreaker: Issues That Pop Up During the Inspection A Redfin survey shows over 70% of recently cancelled...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

One Key Sign We’re Not Headed for a Wave of Foreclosures

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 12, 2026. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Foreclosures, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Foreclosures are ticking up. And that may make your mind jump straight to thoughts of 2008 – specifically to what happened to the market during the housing crash. So, let’s do exactly what your brain already wants to do, and see if there’s any connection there. The simple truth is foreclosure filings are rising. But they’re nowhere near crisis levels. And that’s not where they’re headed either. Here’s why. Take a look at serious delinquencies – loans where the homeowner is more than 90 days late on their mortgage payments. While those have increased slightly, data from the New York Fed...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

If Your House Isn’t Getting Offers, Read This.

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 11, 2026. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Price It Right/Overpricing, Selling Tips.

Online searches for “can’t sell house” just hit an all-time high according to Google Trends. So, if your house has been sitting on the market without any bites, you’re not the only one. But it’s also not the end of the road. Homes are selling every day, so you can turn this around. You just need to take another look at your approach. If you’re feeling this pain, know this: an online search engine isn’t where you should go for your answers. It’s much better to talk to your agent. Because a search engine doesn’t know your market or your house. But your agent does. While a quick search...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Should You Wait for Lower Rates?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 9, 2026. Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Mortgage rates have already dropped into the upper 5s twice this year. But after just a few days, they ticked back up into the low 6% range. If you saw that and thought, “Great. I missed it,” you’re not the only one. A lot of buyers are treating the 5s like some kind of magic number. As if moving from 6.1% to 5.99% suddenly changes everything. And from a mindset perspective, it does feel different. But here’s the part most people don’t actually run the math on. The Payment Difference Isn’t What You Think Let’s say you’re looking at a $500,000 home loan. At 6.1%, generally speaking, your...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Spring Sellers Have an Edge. Here’s Why.

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 5, 2026. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

Homeowners looking to sell usually want three things: plenty of interested buyers, strong offers, and a short timeline. Spring is the season that most often delivers all three. So, if a move has been on your mind this year, this is the window where momentum tends to work in your favor. Here’s what makes this season so powerful for sellers. 1. More Buyers Will Be Looking Typically speaking, in the housing market, there’s no more popular time to move than the Spring. Historically, data coming out of ShowingTime proves that’s when buyer activity peaks each year. Take a look for yourself (see...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Are Home Prices Dropping? Here’s the Real Story.

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 4, 2026. Posted in Equity, For Sellers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

You’ve probably seen posts on social media talking about how “home prices are falling.” And when you see something like that, it’s normal to wonder: Is this the start of a crash? What does this mean for my house? Let’s clear this up right away. This is not a crash. And your home is not suddenly losing a lot of value. The National Story – Prices Are Still Going Up Here’s what often gets left out of what you’re seeing online. While some markets are experiencing slight declines, they’re the minority. Most places are still seeing prices rise or at the very least, hold steady. That’s why, at...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

The Hidden Advantage Repeat Buyers Have Right Now

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 2, 2026. Posted in Downsize, Equity, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Senior Market.

What if you didn’t have a mortgage payment on your next house? It may sound a little unrealistic. But for a number of homeowners, it’s actually doable. Nearly 3 in 10 homes purchased today are bought in cash, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). That’s far more than the pre-pandemic norm (see graph below): So, how are so many buyers pulling that off? The answer is simple: home equity. Back in 2020-2021, mortgage rates and the number of homes for sale were both at all-time lows. And that combination pushed home prices up, fast. If you owned a home during that time, it...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Top Mistakes Homeowners Are Making in 2026 (And How To Avoid Them)

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 26, 2026. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Price It Right/Overpricing, Selling Tips.

Let’s be clear: selling your house is absolutely possible right now. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), roughly 11k homes sell every day in this country. And the sellers who are making their moves happen all have one thing in common: they’ve adjusted their strategy to match today’s market. They’re realizing inventory has grown. Homebuyers are more selective. And buyer expectations are higher. The sellers who struggle are usually approaching today’s market with yesterday’s expectations. Here are the three biggest mistakes they’re making – and how to avoid them....

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Renting vs. Buying: The Numbers Might Surprise You

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 25, 2026. Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Rent vs. Buy.

Renting can feel like the easier choice right now. There’s no big down payment. No dealing with surprise repairs. And no long-term commitment. But then your rent goes up again. And again. And suddenly the thing that seemed flexible starts looking… expensive, especially considering you’re not building any equity. And once that happens, it’s easy to feel a little trapped in the cycle. That’s because there’s so much chatter today about how buying a home isn’t affordable. But the truth is, the math may work out better than you’d expect based on what’s changed recently. Buying Is More...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

How Your Equity Could Help Younger Generations Buy a Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 23, 2026. Posted in Equity, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Senior Market.

For a lot of parents or grandparents, watching a family member struggle to buy their first home right now is hard. That’s because you saw firsthand how homeownership gave your life more stability and helped grow your net worth – and you want your loved ones to have those same opportunities. But with all the affordability challenges in recent years, that can feel like an uphill battle – even though it’s slowly improving lately. Here’s what you may not realize. You may be in a unique position to help (thanks to the equity in your current house). The Equity Advantage You May Not Be...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

The Price You Set Can Make (or Break) Your Sale

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 19, 2026. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Price It Right/Overpricing, Selling Tips.

There’s one decision you’re going to make when you sell that determines whether your house sells quickly, or it sits. Whether buyers make an offer, or scroll past it. Whether you walk away with the maximum return, or you end up cutting the price later. And that’s your asking price. The #1 Mistake Sellers Make Today: Trusting the Wrong Number If you’re thinking of moving and trying to figure out what your house may sell for, it’s tempting to start with an online home value tool. They’re fast, free, and easy. And you don’t have to talk to anyone. But here’s the problem: they don’t know...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

The Real Reason Home Sales Slowed in January. And It’s Not What You Think.

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 18, 2026. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

If you saw headlines that talked about how “home sales fell sharply in January,” it probably raised an eyebrow – especially if you’re thinking about selling your house. But context matters. Yes, in January, home sales declined. But that has more to do with seasonality and the weather than it does with any big drop off in demand. What’s Really Behind the Decline? Reports coming out of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) say the pace of home sales fell roughly 8.4% last month compared to the month before. And that’s true. But it isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. Data show it’s...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Move-Up Buyers Are Choosing New Construction

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 16, 2026. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up, New Construction.

At some point, a house that once felt perfect just… doesn’t anymore. Maybe you need more space. Maybe working from home turned your dining room into a permanent office. Maybe the layout just doesn’t match how you live now. If your current house is starting to feel like it’s holding you back instead of supporting your life, it’s natural to think about making a move. But that brings up the next big question: once you sell, where do you go? For a growing number of buyers, the answer is something brand new. New Construction Is a More Popular Choice Lately According to the National Association...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Four Ways Your Home Equity Can Work for You

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 12, 2026. Posted in Equity, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

You may have heard homeowners today have a lot of equity built up. But what does that really mean? Let’s break it down. Because your equity isn’t just a number, it’s a powerful asset that can help you take your next big step in life. How Much Equity Does the Typical Homeowner Have? Here’s how it works. As you pay down your loan and home prices rise through the years, the share of your home that you own free and clear grows. That’s your equity. And according to data from the Census and ATTOM, two-thirds of homeowners have a substantial amount of it today. 39% own their home outright without...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Inventory Is Making a Comeback in 2026

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 11, 2026. Posted in For Buyers, Forecasts, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

After a long stretch where buyers were competing for too few homes, inventory has made a comeback over the past year. And depending on where you live, that’s opening up your options in a meaningful way. According to Realtor.com, the number of homes available for sale in January was the highest it’s been since 2020. Here’s why that’s such a big deal. Getting back to pre-pandemic levels signals a slow and steady return to what’s typical: Now, it’s worth noting, nationally we’re not there yet – and having more inventory improving won’t suddenly “fix” the market. But the growth we’ve seen...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Why Townhomes Are Popular with Today’s First-Time Buyers

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 9, 2026. Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, New Construction.

Buying your first home can feel frustrating when the numbers don’t line up the way you expected. You may know you’re ready but finding something that fits your life and your budget is the hard part. That’s where townhomes come in. Townhomes are becoming a bigger part of today’s housing supply, and that shift is opening doors for first-time buyers in a way we haven’t seen in years. That’s because they offer a more realistic path to step into homeownership without stretching yourself too thin, especially in a market where affordability can still feel tight. There Are More Townhomes To Choose...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Top 3 Reasons To Buy a Home Before Spring

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 5, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

If you’re planning to buy a home this year, you may be focused on the spring market. And hoping that when spring does hit, you’ll see: Mortgage rates drop a little more. More homes hit the market. But here’s what most buyers don’t realize. Buying just a few weeks earlier could mean paying less, dealing with less stress, and feeling less rushed. Here are three reasons why accelerating your timeline over the next few weeks could actually be a better play. 1. Holding Out for Lower Rates May Pay Off A lot of buyers are hoping mortgage rates will fall even further. But that’s not the best...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

It’s Getting More Affordable To Buy a Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 4, 2026. Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

There’s finally a little good news for anyone who’s been priced out or sitting on the sidelines. Buying a home is getting more affordable. Monthly payments have started to come down, and the squeeze buyers have been feeling for the past few years is slowly loosening. Now, that doesn’t mean everyone can suddenly afford a home, but with how tough the market’s been, the improvement we’re seeing matters. Affordability Is Finally Moving in the Right Direction One of the best ways to see this shift is by looking at how much of a household’s income it takes to buy a home. According to Zillow,...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Home Insurance Costs Are Rising: What Buyers Should Plan For

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on February 2, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. And homeowner’s insurance is what protects that investment. Think of it as your safety net. NerdWallet explains it: Covers Repairs and Rebuilding Costs: If your home is damaged by fire, storms, or other covered events, it helps pay for repairs and possibly even a full rebuild, if that’s deemed necessary. Protects Your Belongings: It can also cover personal items like furniture, electronics, jewelry, and clothing if they’re stolen or damaged. Provides Liability Coverage: And, if someone gets injured on your property, your...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Why So Many Homeowners Are Downsizing Right Now

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 29, 2026. Posted in Downsize, Equity, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Senior Market.

For a growing number of homeowners, retirement isn’t some distant idea anymore. It’s starting to feel very real. According to Realtor.com and the Census, nearly 12,000 people will turn 65 every day for the next two years. And the latest data shows as many as 15% of those older Americans are planning to retire in 2026. And another 23% will do the same in 2027. If you’re considering retiring soon too, here’s what you should be thinking about. Why Downsize? Now’s the perfect time to reflect on what you want your life to look like in retirement. Because even though your finances will be...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Top 2026 Housing Markets for Buyers and Sellers

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 28, 2026. Posted in First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Forecasts, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Who doesn’t love a top 10 list? Well, here are two top 10 lists for the housing market this year. But before you take a look, there’s something you should know. If a move is on your radar for 2026, here’s the most important thing you need to understand upfront: there isn’t one housing market this year – there are many. Experts agree 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most geographically split housing markets in years. Some areas are tilting in favor of sellers, while others are opening real doors for buyers. Who has the advantage depends almost entirely on where you are. Selma Hepp, Chief...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

You May Not Want To Skip Over That House That’s Been Sitting on the Market

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 26, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

When you see a house that’s been sitting on the market for a while, the reaction is almost automatic. You start thinking: What’s wrong with it? Why hasn’t anyone bought it yet? Am I missing something? That mindset made sense a few years ago. But in today’s market, you may actually miss out. More Time on Market Isn’t Automatically a Concern Anymore A few years ago, homes sold in just a matter of days. Sometimes, hours. Anything that lingered longer than that raised concerns. But that’s no longer the baseline. Inventory has grown. Buyers have more choices. And homes are taking...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl