2 Reasons Why Today’s Mortgage Rate Trend Is Good for Sellers

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 17, 2024. Posted in For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Myths.

If you’ve been holding off on selling your house to make a move because you felt mortgage rates were too high, their recent downward trend is exciting news for you. Mortgage rates have descended since last October when they hit 7.79%. In fact, they’ve been below 7% for over a month now (see graph below): And while they’re not going back to the 3% we saw during the ‘unicorn’ years, they are expected to continue to go down from where they are now in the near future. As Dean Baker, Senior Economist at the Center for Economic Research, explains: “It also appears that mortgage rates are now falling...

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Why You May Want To Seriously Consider a Newly Built Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 16, 2024. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Myths.

Are you putting off your plans to sell because you’re worried you won’t be able to find a home you like when you move? If so, it may be time to consider a newly built home and the benefits that come with one. Here’s why. Near-Record Percentage of New Home Inventory Newly built homes are becoming an increasingly significant part of today’s housing inventory. According to the most recent report from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): “Newly built homes available for sale accounted for 31% of total homes available for sale in November, compared to an approximate 12% historical average.” That...

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Homeownership Is Still at the Heart of the American Dream

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 15, 2024. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

Buying a home is a powerful decision, and it remains at the heart of the American Dream. Unlike renting, owning a home means more than just having a place to live – it offers a sense of belonging, stability, and freedom. According to Nicole Bachaud, Senior Economist at Zillow: “The American Dream is still owning a home. There’s a lot of pent-up demand for ownership; that isn’t going to go away.” Let’s explore just a few of the reasons why so many Americans continue to value homeownership. The Financial Benefits of Owning a Home One possible reason homeownership is viewed so highly is because...

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Home Prices Forecast To Climb over the Next 5 Years [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 12, 2024. Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Pricing, Rent vs. Buy.

Some Highlights If you’re worried about what’s next for home prices, know the HPES shows experts are projecting they’ll continue to rise at least through 2028. Based on that forecast, if you bought a $400,000 house this year, experts say it could gain over $72,000 in equity over the next five years. If you’re worried about falling home prices, don’t be. Many experts forecast they’ll keep rising for years to come. If you have questions, ask a local real estate agent.

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The Dramatic Impact of Homeownership on Net Worth

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 11, 2024. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Rent vs. Buy.

If you’re trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home this year, here’s a powerful insight that could give you the clarity and confidence you need to make your decision. Every three years, the Federal Reserve releases the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), which compares net worth for homeowners and renters. The latest report shows the average homeowner’s net worth is almost 40X greater than a renter’s (see graph below): One reason a wealth gap exists between renters and homeowners is because when you’re a homeowner, your equity grows as your home appreciates in value and you...

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Avoid These Common Mistakes After Applying for a Mortgage

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 10, 2024. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

If you’re getting ready to buy a home, it’s exciting to jump a few steps ahead and think about moving in and making it your own. But before you get too far down the emotional path, there are some key things to keep in mind after you apply for your mortgage and before you close. Here’s a list of things to remember when you apply for your home loan. Don’t Deposit Large Sums of Cash Lenders need to source your money, and cash isn’t easily traceable. Before you deposit any cash into your accounts, discuss the proper way to document your transactions with your loan officer. Don’t Make Any Large...

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Ways Your Home Equity Can Help You Reach Your Goals

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 9, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

If you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity. If you’re not familiar with that term, Freddie Mac defines it like this: “. . . your home’s equity is the difference between how much your home is worth and how much you owe on your mortgage.” That means your equity grows as you pay down your home loan over time and as home values climb. While it’s true home prices dipped slightly last year, they rebounded and have been climbing in many areas since then. Here’s why that price growth is good news for...

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What Lower Mortgage Rates Mean for Your Purchasing Power

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 8, 2024. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

If you want to buy a home, it’s important to know how mortgage rates impact what you can afford and how much you’ll pay each month. Fortunately, rates for 30-year fixed mortgages have come down significantly since the end of October and are currently under 7%, according to Freddie Mac (see graph below): This recent trend is great news for buyers. As a recent article from Bankrate says: “The rate cool-off somewhat eases the housing affordability squeeze.” And according to Edward Seiler, AVP of Housing Economics and Executive Director of the Research Institute for Housing America at...

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Achieving Your Homebuying Dreams in 2024 [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 5, 2024. Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

Some Highlights Planning to buy a home in 2024? Here’s what to focus on. Improve your credit score, plan for your down payment, get pre-approved, and decide what’s most important to you. Partner with a trusted real estate agent so you have expert advice on how to achieve your homebuying goals this year.

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Why Pre-Approval Is Your Homebuying Game Changer

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 4, 2024. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

If you’re thinking about buying a home, pre-approval is a crucial part of the process you definitely don’t want to skip. So, before you start picturing yourself in your new living room or dining on your future all-season patio, be sure you’re working with a trusted lender to prioritize this essential step. Here’s why. While home price growth is moderating and mortgage rates have been coming down in recent weeks, affordability is still tight. At the same time, there’s a limited number of homes for sale right now, and that means ongoing competition among hopeful buyers. But, if you’re strategic,...

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Thinking About Buying a Home? Ask Yourself These Questions

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 3, 2024. Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing.

If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, you’re probably paying closer attention than normal to the housing market. And you’re getting your information from a variety of channels: the news, social media, your real estate agent, conversations with friends and loved ones, the list goes on and on. Most likely, home prices and mortgage rates are coming up a lot. Here are the top two questions you need to ask yourself as you make your decision, including the data that helps cut through the noise. 1. Where Do I Think Home Prices Are Heading? One reliable place you can turn to for information...

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Things To Consider If Your House Didn’t Sell

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 2, 2024. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Myths.

If your listing has expired and your house didn’t sell, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of frustration and disappointment. Understandably, you’re probably wondering what may have gone wrong. Here are three questions to think about as you figure out what to do next. Did You Limit Access to Your House? One of the biggest mistakes you can make when selling your house is restricting the days and times when potential buyers can tour it. Being flexible with your schedule is important, even though it might feel a bit stressful to drop everything and leave when buyers want to see it....

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3 Keys To Hitting Your Homeownership Goals in 2024

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on January 1, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

If buying or selling a home is your goal for 2024, it’s important to understand today’s housing market, know your why, and work with industry experts to bring your homeownership vision for the new year into focus. Over the last year, the economy had a big impact on the housing market, and likely on your wallet too. That’s why it’s critical to have a clear picture of not just the market today, but also on what you want out of it when you buy or sell a home. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, explains: “The key to making a good decision in this challenging housing market is to be...

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The Benefits of Working With an Agent When You Sell Your House [INFOGRAPHIC]

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

Some Highlights When it comes to selling your house, the expertise of a trusted real estate agent can make a big difference. They’ll explain what’s happening today, what that means for you, and how to price and market your house. They’re also skilled negotiators and well versed in the contracts and disclosures involved. Partner with a trusted real estate professional so you have expert advice throughout the entire process.

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What You Need To Know About Saving for a Home in 2024

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 28, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

If you’re planning to buy a home, knowing what to budget for and how to save may sound intimidating – but it doesn’t have to be. One way to ease those concerns is to make sure you understand some of the costs you may encounter up front. And to do that, always turn to trusted real estate professionals. They can help you set a plan and take a strategic look at your budget and your process before you even get started. Here are just a few things experts say you should be thinking about. 1. Down Payment Saving for your down payment is likely top of mind as you set out to buy a home. But do you know...

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Retiring Soon? Why Moving Might Be the Perfect Next Step

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 27, 2023. Posted in Baby Boomers, Demographics, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

If you’re thinking about retirement or have already retired this year, it’s a good time to consider if your current house is still a good fit for the next chapter in your life. Fortunately, you may be in a better position to make a move than you realize. Here are a few things to think about as you decide whether or not to sell and make a move. How Long You’ve Been in Your Home From 1985 to 2008, the average length of time homeowners typically stayed in their homes was only six years. But according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), that number is rising today, meaning many homeowners...

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Get Ready To Buy a Home by Improving Your Credit Score

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 26, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

As the new year approaches, the idea of buying a home might be on your mind. It’s an exciting goal to set, and it’s never too early to start laying the groundwork. One crucial step to prepare for homeownership is building a solid credit score. Lenders review your credit to assess your ability to make payments on time, pay back debts, and more. It’s also a factor that helps determine your mortgage rate. An article from CNBC explains: “When it comes to mortgages, a higher credit score can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. This is because your credit score directly impacts your...

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These Non-Financial Benefits Turn a House into a Happy Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 25, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

There’s no denying the long-term financial benefits of owning a home, but today’s housing market may have you wondering if now’s still the time to buy. While the financial aspects of homeownership are important, the non-financial and emotional reasons are too. Here’s why. The word home truly means something different to everyone. Whether it’s sharing memories with loved ones around the kitchen table or settling in to read a book in your favorite chair, the emotional connections we have to our homes can be just as important as the financial ones. Here are some of the things that turn a house...

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Get Your House Ready To Sell This Winter [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 22, 2023. Posted in For Sellers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights As you get ready to sell your house, there are a few things you should add to your to-do list to make it inviting and boost curb appeal. To name just a couple, it’s a good idea to declutter, take down personal photos and items, touch up any scuffs on the walls, and tidy up your landscaping. Let’s connect so you have advice on what else you may want to do to get your house ready to sell this season.

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Sell Smarter: Why Working with a Real Estate Agent May Beat Going Solo

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 21, 2023. Posted in For Sellers, FSBOs, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Myths.

If you’re thinking about selling your house on your own, called “For Sale by Owner” or FSBO, there are some important things to consider. Going this route means taking on a lot of responsibilities by yourself – and that can be a bit of a headache. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found two of the most difficult tasks for people who sell their house on their own are getting the price right and understanding and performing paperwork. Here are just a few of the ways an agent helps with those difficult tasks. Getting the Price Right Setting the right price for...

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Why Mortgage Rates Could Continue To Decline

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 20, 2023. Posted in Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

When you read about the housing market, you’ll probably come across some information about inflation or recent decisions made by the Federal Reserve (the Fed). But how do those two things impact you and your homebuying plans? Here’s what you need to know. The Federal Funds Rate Hikes Have Stalled One of the Fed’s primary goals is to lower inflation. In order to do that, they started raising the Federal Funds Rate to slow down the economy. Even though this doesn’t directly dictate what happens with mortgage rates, it does have an impact. Recently inflation has started to cool, a signal...

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Expert Quotes on the 2024 Housing Market Forecast

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 19, 2023. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home soon, you probably want to know what you can expect from the housing market in 2024. In 2023, higher mortgage rates, confusion over home price headlines, and a lack of homes for sale created some challenges for buyers and sellers looking to make a move. But what’s on the horizon for the new year? The good news is, many experts are optimistic we’ve turned a corner and are headed in a positive direction. Mortgage Rates Expected To Ease Recently, mortgage rates have started to come back down. This has offered hope to buyers dealing with affordability...

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