Weekend Projects To Boost the Value of Your Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 22, 2025. Posted in Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

With the cost of just about everything going up these days — groceries, gas and utilities — you might be feeling like now just isn’t the time to take on any home projects. But remember, you don’t need to tackle a full-on renovation to make a big impact. And if you don’t know where to start or what’s worth doing, lean on your trusted REMAX® agent for advice before you get your projects started. Sometimes, small weekend projects still pack a big punch. Here are a few examples of smart, budget-friendly updates you can do in just a few days to not only make your home feel fresh and new, but...

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What Happens to the Housing Market When the Economy Slows Down?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 22, 2025. Posted in Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

There’s a lot of noise out there about what an economic slowdown could mean for the housing market. And if it leaves you feeling a little uneasy, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing. If you’re worried about what a potential recession could mean for the value of your home, or your homebuying power, your trusted REMAX® agent is here to help set the record straight. You don’t have to fear the market when you understand what the data actually shows. A Recession Doesn’t Automatically Mean Home Prices Will Fall It’s easy to assume that if the economy slows down, home prices will fall....

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Why Now Could Be the Sweet Spot for Sellers

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 22, 2025. Posted in Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Over the past year, a lot of people put their moving plans on hold. Affordability weakened, and it was harder to find a home in budget, especially when inventory was so low. But things are shifting in a big way. Today, a rare balance is emerging — more choices when you buy, but still strong conditions when you sell. If you stepped back from your plans last year, your trusted REMAX® agent wants you to know: the door is opening again. The only question is, will you walk through it before it closes? Inventory Is Up — And That Changes the Game Last year, the lack of options made it hard to...

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What Waiting To Buy Could Cost You

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 22, 2025. Posted in Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

A lot of people want to buy a home, but they feel stuck in “wait and see” mode. Maybe you’re one of them. You’re holding your breath, hoping prices will fall or rates will come back down. But while you’re waiting, the market is moving — without you. The reality is, trying to time the market rarely works. The longer you sit on the sidelines, the harder it may get to jump in later. That’s why your trusted REMAX® agent is here to share a simple but powerful truth: Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market. Prices May Continue To Go Up While You Wait Homeownership is about the long game — and...

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More Homes for Sale Isn’t a Warning Sign – It’s Your Buying Opportunity

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 21, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Maybe you’ve heard the number of homes for sale has reached a recent high. And it might make you question if this is the start of another housing market crash. But the reality is, the data proves that’s just not the case. In most areas, more inventory isn’t bad news. It’s actually a sign of the market returning to a more stable, healthy place. What’s Going on With Inventory? Based on the latest data from Realtor.com, inventory just hit its highest point since 2020, shown with the white line in the graph below. But what you need to realize is, at the same time, inventory levels still...

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What Buyers Need To Know About Homeowners Association Fees

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 20, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

When buying a home, you’re probably thinking about mortgage rates, home prices, your down payment, and maybe even your closing costs. But you may not be thinking about homeowners association (HOA) fees. While you won’t necessarily have these, you should know it’s a possibility, depending on where you decide to live. A homeowners association is basically an organization that oversees a housing community (including shared spaces) and sets and enforces rules for things like upkeep. Some buyers love the perks that come with an HOA, others may see the fees as an extra expense. The key is...

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You Could Use Some of Your Equity To Give Your Children the Gift of Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 19, 2025. Posted in Equity, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

If you’re a homeowner, chances are you’ve built up a lot of wealth – just by living in your house and watching its value grow over time. And that equity? It’s something that could help change your child’s life. Since affordability is still a challenge, a lot of first-time buyers are struggling to buy a home in today’s market. Even if they have a stable job and a solid plan, buying can still feel out of reach. But that’s where your equity could make all the difference. To give you an idea, the average homeowner with a mortgage has $311,000 worth of equity, according to Cotality (formerly...

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Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of 2025

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 16, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Forecasts, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Some Highlights Are you wondering what to expect if you buy or sell a home in the second half of the year? Here’s what the expert forecasts tell you. Mortgage rates are expected to come down slightly. There will be more homes available for sale. And as inventory rises, home price growth will moderate. Want to know what this could mean for your plans? Connect with a local agent and talk through it together.

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Why Would I Move with a 3% Mortgage Rate?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 15, 2025. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates, Selling Tips.

If you have a 3% mortgage rate, you’re probably pretty hesitant to let that go. And even if you’ve toyed with the idea of moving, this nagging thought may be holding you back: “why would I give that up?” But when you ask that question, you may be putting your needs on the back burner without realizing it. Most people don’t move because of their mortgage rate. They move because they want or need to. So, let’s flip the script and ask this instead: What are the chances you’ll still be in your current house 5 years from now? Think about your life for a moment. Picture what the next few years...

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Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 14, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Did you know? According to a recent study, 72% of people with student loans think their debt will delay their ability to buy a home. Maybe you’re one of them and you’re wondering: Do you have to wait until you’ve paid off those loans before you can buy your first home? Or is it possible you could still qualify for a home loan even with that debt? Having questions like these is normal, especially when you’re thinking about making such a big purchase. But you should know, you may be putting your homeownership goals on the backburner unnecessarily. Can You Qualify for a Home Loan if...

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Why Buyers Are More Likely To Get Concessions Right Now

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 13, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Especially in areas where inventory is rising, both homebuilders and sellers are sweetening the deal for buyers with things like paid closing costs, mortgage rate buy-downs, and more. In the industry, it’s called a concession or an incentive. What Are Concessions and Incentives? When a seller or builder gives you something extra to help with your purchase, that’s called either a concession or an incentive. A concession is something a seller gives up or agrees to in order to reach a compromise and close a deal. An incentive, on the other hand, is a benefit a builder or seller advertises...

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Home Projects That Boost Value

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 12, 2025. Posted in Equity, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

Whether you’re planning to move soon or not, it’s smart to be strategic about which home projects you take on. Your time, energy, and money matter – and not all upgrades offer the payoff you might expect. As U.S. News Real Estate explains: “. . . not every home renovation project will increase the resale value of a home. Before you invest in a swimming pool or new addition, you should consider whether the project will pay itself off by getting prospective buyers in the door when it’s time to sell.“ That’s why, before you pick up a power tool or call a contractor, your first...

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Why You’ll Want a Home Inspection

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 9, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights Once your offer is accepted, an inspector will assess the condition of the house, including things like the roof, foundation, plumbing, and more. That information is incredibly important and paves the way for you to re-negotiate with the seller, as needed. So, you don’t want to skip this step. An inspection is your chance to avoid costly headaches and get peace of mind. Connect with an agent to talk about other ways to make your offer stand out.

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Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of the Year

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 8, 2025. Posted in Forecasts, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

From rising home prices to mortgage rate swings, the housing market has left a lot of people wondering what’s next – and whether now is really the right time to move. There is one place you can turn to for answers you want the most. And that’s the experts. Leading housing experts are starting to release their projections for the rest of the year. These insights will give you clarity – and a little more optimism than you might expect. Business Insider sums up the forecasts (and why they’re good news for you): “As mortgage rates go down this year, affordability may improve slightly for...

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Why Some Homes Sell Faster Than Others

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 7, 2025. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

As you think ahead to your own move, you may have noticed some houses sell within days, while others linger. But why is that? As Redfin says: “. . . today’s housing market has been topsy-turvy since the pandemic. Low inventory (though rising) and high prices have created a strange mix: Some homes are flying off the market, while others sit for weeks.” That may leave you wondering what you should expect when you sell. Let’s break it down and give you some actionable tips on how to make sure your house is one that sells quickly. Homes Are Still Selling Faster Than Pre-Pandemic The first...

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Stocks May Be Volatile, but Home Values Aren’t

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 6, 2025. Posted in Economy, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

With all the uncertainty in the economy, the stock market has been bouncing around more than usual. And if you’ve been watching your 401(k) or investments lately, chances are you’ve felt that pit in your stomach. One day it’s up. The next day, it’s not. And that may make you feel a little worried about your finances. But here’s the thing you need to remember if you’re a homeowner. According to Investopedia: “Traditionally, stocks have been far more volatile than real estate. That’s not to say that real estate prices aren’t ever volatile—the years around the 2007 to 2008...

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The 20% Down Payment Myth, Debunked

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 5, 2025. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Saving up to buy a home can feel a little intimidating, especially right now. And for many first-time buyers, the idea that you have to put 20% down can feel like a major roadblock. But that’s actually a common misconception. Here’s the truth. Do You Really Have To Put 20% Down When You Buy a Home? Unless your specific loan type or lender requires it, odds are you won’t have to put 20% down. There are loan options out there designed to help first-time buyers like you get in the door with a much smaller down payment. For example, FHA loans offer down payments as low as 3.5%, while VA and...

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Your Home Equity Could Make Moving Possible

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

Some Highlights Thanks to recent home price appreciation, homeowners have near record amounts of equity – and you may too. On average, homeowners have $311K worth of equity. Once you sell, you can use it to fund your down payment on your next home or maybe even to buy a smaller house in cash. If you want to find out how much equity you have, connect with an agent. Because it may make a move a lot more feasible than you’d think.?

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What an Economic Slowdown Could Mean for the Housing Market

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 1, 2025. Posted in Economy, For Buyers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Talk about the economy is all over the news, and the odds of a recession are rising this year. That’s leaving a lot of people wondering what it means for the value of their home – and their buying power. Let’s take a look at some historical data to show what’s happened in the housing market during each recession, going all the way back to the 1980s. The facts may surprise you. A Recession Doesn’t Mean Home Prices Will Fall Many people think that if a recession hits, home prices will fall like they did in 2008. But that was an exception, not the rule. It was the only time the market saw...

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A Tale of Two Housing Markets

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on April 30, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

For a long time, the housing market was all sunshine for sellers. Homes were flying off the shelves, and buyers had to compete like crazy. But lately, things are starting to shift. Some areas are still super competitive for buyers, while others are seeing more homes sit on the market, giving buyers a bit more breathing room. In other words, it’s a tale of two markets, and knowing which one you’re in makes a huge difference when you move. What Is a Buyer’s Market vs. a Seller’s Market? In a buyer’s market, there are a lot of homes for sale, and not as many people buying. With fewer buyers...

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Why Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Aren’t a Warning Sign

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on April 29, 2025. Posted in Economy, Foreclosures, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

When it feels like the cost of just about everything is rising, it’s only natural to wonder what that means for the housing market. Some people are even questioning whether more homeowners will struggle to make their mortgage payments, ultimately leading to a wave of foreclosures. And recent data showing foreclosure filings have increased is only feeding into this fear. But don’t let that scare you. If you put the latest data into context, it’s clear there’s no reason to think this is a repeat of the last housing crash. This Isn’t Like 2008 While it’s true that foreclosure filings ticked...

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

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on April 28, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

It’s not really a surprise that 70% of buyers paused their home search last year. Maybe you were one of them. And if so, no judgment. Conditions just weren’t great. Inventory was too low, prices were too high, and mortgage rates were bouncing all over. That made it really hard to find a home you loved – and could afford. And why sell if you’re not sure where you’re going to go? But here’s the thing: the market’s shifting. And it might be time to hit play again. The Inventory Sweet Spot More homeowners are jumping back into their search to make a move this year. Builders are finishing more...

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