Author: Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage

What Experts Project for Home Prices Over the Next 5 Years

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on September 12, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

If you’re planning to buy a home, one thing to consider is what experts project home prices will do in the future and how that might affect your investment. While you may have seen negative news over the past year about home prices, they’re doing far better than expected and are rising across the country. And data shows, experts forecast home prices will keep appreciating. Experts Project Ongoing Appreciation Pulsenomics polled over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts in the latest quarterly Home Price Expectation Survey (HPES). The results show what...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Planning to Retire? Your Equity Can Help You Make a Move

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on September 11, 2023. Posted in Demographics, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Myths.

Reaching retirement is a significant milestone in life, bringing with it a lot of change and new opportunities. As the door to this exciting chapter opens, one thing you may be considering is selling your house and finding a home better suited for your evolving needs. Fortunately, you may be in a better position to make a move than you realize. Here are a few reasons why. Consider How Long You’ve Been in Your Home From 1985 to 2009, the average length of time homeowners stayed in their homes was roughly six years. But according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), that number is...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Home Price Forecasts Revised for 2023 [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on September 8, 2023. Posted in Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Pricing.

Some Highlights Last year, some housing experts projected a decline in home prices by the end of 2023. But that didn’t happen – inventory was just too low. While it’s normal for experts to re-forecast throughout the year, the good news for 2023 is that prices are no longer projected to decrease. Connect with your trusted real estate agent to find out what’s happening with home values in your local area. Sources https://www.mba.org/docs/default-source/research-and-forecasts/forecasts/mortgage-finance-forecast-dec-2022.pdf...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Get Ready for Smaller, More Affordable Homes

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on September 7, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Have you been trying to buy a home, but higher mortgage rates and home prices are limiting your options? If so, here’s some good news – based on what Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at Zonda, has to say – smaller, more affordable homes are on the way: “Buyers should expect that over the next 12 to 24 months there will be a notable increase in the number of entry-level homes available.” In some ways, smaller homes are already here. When the pandemic hit, the meaning of home changed. People needed the space their home provided not only as a place to live, but as a place to work, go to school,...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Mortgage Rates: Past, Present, and Possible Future

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on September 6, 2023. Posted in Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

If you’re hoping to buy a home this year, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates. Since mortgage rates impact what you can afford when you take out a home loan – and affordability is a challenge today – it’s a good time to look at the big picture of where mortgage rates have been historically compared to where they are now. Beyond that, it’s important to understand their relationship with inflation for insights into where mortgage rates might go in the near future. Giving Context to the Sticker Shock Freddie Mac has been tracking the 30-year fixed mortgage rate since...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Expert Home Price Forecasts Revised Up for 2023

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on September 5, 2023. Posted in Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Pricing.

Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023. That led to a lot of fear and questions about whether there was going to be a repeat of the housing crash that happened back in 2008. But the headlines got it wrong. While there was a slight home price correction after the sky-high price appreciation during the ‘unicorn’ years, nationally, home prices didn’t come crashing down. If anything, prices were a lot more resilient than many people expected. Let’s take a look at some of the expert forecasts from late last...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Why It’s Still a Seller’s Market Today

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on September 4, 2023. Posted in For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Myths.

Even though activity in the housing market has slowed from the frenzy that was the ‘unicorn’ years, it’s still a seller’s market because the supply of homes for sale is so low. But what does that really mean for you? And why are conditions today so good if you want to sell your house? The latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows housing supply is still astonishingly low. Housing inventory is measured by the number of available homes on the market. It’s also measured by months’ supply, meaning the number of months it would take to sell all...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Homeowners Have a Lot of Equity Right Now [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on September 1, 2023. Posted in For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights Your equity grows as you pay down your home loan and as home prices increase. With home prices rising again, your equity is getting an extra boost. Almost half of homeowners are equity rich because they have at least 50% equity in their homes. If you’ve been in your home for a while, you might have gained a considerable amount of equity, too. Want to find out how much equity you have? Connect with a trusted real estate agent for a Professional Equity Assessment Report (PEAR).

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

How Inflation Affects the Housing Market

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 31, 2023. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Have you ever wondered how inflation impacts the housing market? Believe it or not, they’re connected. Whenever there are changes to one, both are affected. Here’s a high-level overview of the connection between the two. The Relationship Between Housing Inflation and Overall Inflation Shelter inflation is the measure of price growth specific to housing. It comes from a survey of renters and homeowners that’s done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The survey asks renters how much they’re paying in rent, and homeowners how much they’d rent their homes for, if they weren’t living in...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Buyer Traffic Is Still Stronger than the Norm

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 30, 2023. Posted in Demographics, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Myths.

Are you putting off selling your house because you’re worried no one’s buying because of where mortgage rates are? If so, know this: the latest data shows plenty of buyers are still out there, and they’re purchasing homes today. Here’s the data to prove it. The ShowingTime Showing Index is a measure of buyers touring homes. The graph below uses the latest numbers available and compares them to the same month in the last normal years to show just how active today’s buyers still are: As you can see, when June 2023 numbers are stacked alongside what’s typical for the housing market at this...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Why You May Still Want To Sell Your House After All

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 29, 2023. Posted in Demographics, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Myths.

Even though you may feel reluctant to sell your house because you don’t want to take on a mortgage rate that’s higher than the one you have now, there’s more to consider. While the financial side of things does matter, your personal needs may actually matter just as much. As an article from Bankrate says: “Deciding whether it’s the right time to sell your home is a very personal decision. There are numerous important questions to consider, both financial and lifestyle-based, before putting your home on the market.” So, ask yourself this: why did I want to move in the first place? Chances...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Gen Z: The Next Generation Is Making Moves in the Housing Market

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 28, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Demographics, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Generation Z (Gen Z) is eager to put down their own roots and achieve financial independence. As a result, they’re turning to homeownership. According to the latest Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 30% of Gen Z buyers transitioned straight from living under their parents’ roofs to owning their own homes. If you’re a member of this generation, and you’re interested in pursuing your own dream of homeownership, here’s some information you may find helpful on why and where your peers are buying. The Reasons Gen Z Want To...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Today’s Housing Market Has Only Half the Usual Inventory [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 25, 2023. Posted in For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Myths.

Some Highlights There are only about half the number of homes for sale compared to the last normal years in the market. That means buyers don’t have enough options right now. So, if you work with an agent to list your house, it should be in the spotlight. If you’re thinking of selling, get in touch with a local real estate agent so your house can stand out while there’s such a shortage of supply and buyers are craving more options.

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

More Jobs and Better Pay Leads to More Buyer Demand

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 24, 2023. Posted in For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Myths.

There’s been talk about a recession for quite a while now. But the economy has been remarkably resilient. Why? One reason is employment and wages have stayed strong. Let’s look at the latest information on each one and why both are good news if you’re thinking about selling your house. More Jobs Are Being Created Instead of facing the job losses typical of any recession, the economy has been growing and adding jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 187,000 jobs were created in July, which is up from the 185,000 created in June. That means more people are finding work. In...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Why You Need a True Expert in Today’s Housing Market

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 23, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Myths.

The housing market continues to shift and change, and in a fast-moving landscape like we’re in right now, it’s more important than ever to have a trusted real estate agent on your side. Whether you’re buying your first home or selling once again, it’s mission critical to work with an expert who can guide you through each unique step of the process. The reality is, not all agents operate the same way. To truly make a powerful and confident decision as you buy or sell a home, you need a real estate expert who uses their knowledge of what’s really happening with home prices, housing...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Why You Don’t Need To Fear the Return of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 22, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, Interest Rates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

If you remember the housing crash back in 2008, you may recall just how popular adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) were back then. And after years of being virtually nonexistent, more people are once again using ARMs when buying a home. Let’s break down why that’s happening and why this isn’t cause for concern. Why ARMs Have Gained Popularity More Recently This graph uses data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) to show how the percentage of adjustable-rate mortgages has increased over the past few years: As the graph conveys, after hovering around 3% of all mortgages in 2021, many...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Why Median Home Sales Price Is Confusing Right Now

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 21, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Pricing, Selling Myths.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is set to release its most recent Existing Home Sales (EHS) report tomorrow. This monthly release provides information on the volume of sales and price trends for homes that have previously been owned. In the upcoming release, it’ll likely say home prices are down. This may seem a bit confusing, especially if you’ve been following along and reading the blogs saying home prices have hit the bottom and have since rebounded. So, why would this say home prices are falling when so many other price reports say they’re going back up? It all depends on...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Don’t Expect a Wave of Foreclosures [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 18, 2023. Posted in Foreclosures, Infographics, Interest Rates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights With ongoing high inflation pushing up everyday costs, some people are worried that’ll create a flood of foreclosures. Here’s why that’s unlikely. Fewer people are seriously behind on mortgage payments right now. If foreclosures were going to rise a lot, more people would need to be late on their payments. Since most are paying on time, a wave isn’t coming. If you’re concerned about a flood of foreclosures, the data shows that’s not likely.

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

People Want Less Expensive Homes – And Builders Are Responding

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 17, 2023. Posted in For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Pricing.

In today’s housing market, there are two main affordability challenges impacting buyers: mortgage rates that are higher than they’ve been the past couple of years, and rising home prices caused by low inventory. To overcome those challenges, many people are working with their agents to find less expensive homes. And with newly built homes making up a historically large percentage of the total available inventory today, that search often includes brand new homes. People Are Spending Less on Newly Built Homes The graph below uses the latest information from the Census to show, in June, more...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Don’t Expect a Flood of Foreclosures

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 16, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, For Sellers, Foreclosures, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Myths.

The rising cost of just about everything from groceries to gas right now is leading to speculation that more people won’t be able to afford their mortgage payments. And that’s creating concern that a lot of foreclosures are on the horizon. While it’s true that foreclosure filings have gone up a bit compared to last year, experts say a flood of foreclosures isn’t coming. Take it from Bill McBride of Calculated Risk. McBride is an expert on the housing market, and after closely following the data and market environment leading up to the crash, he was able to see the foreclosures coming in...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Equity Is a Game Changer for Homeowners Looking To Sell

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 15, 2023. Posted in For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers, Selling Myths.

If you’re a homeowner, you might be torn on whether or not to sell your house right now. Maybe that’s because you don’t want to take on a higher mortgage rate on your next home. If that’s your biggest hurdle, understanding your equity may be exactly what you need to help you feel more comfortable making your move. What Equity Is and How It Works Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan. And recently, that equity has been growing far faster than you may expect. Over the last few years, home prices rose dramatically, and that gave your equity a big boost very...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl

Where Are People Moving Today and Why?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 14, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Plenty of people are still moving these days. And if you’re thinking of making a move yourself, you may be considering the inventory and affordability challenges in the housing market and wondering what you can do to help offset those. A new report from Gravy Analytics provides insight into where people are searching for homes and what they’re prioritizing most right now. That information could help you plan your own move. 1. People Are Moving to Cities with Lower Housing Costs One big factor motivating where buyers are going is affordability and that’s no big surprise. People are...

#marathonflmortgage, #marathonflmortgagerates, #mortgagemarathonfl