Category: For Buyers

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Should I Rent or Buy a Home? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 17, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Rent vs. Buy.

Some Highlights While renting may be less expensive in some areas right now, there are two big benefits homeownership provides that renting can’t. ? Owning a home means you get to say goodbye to rising rents and hello to stability. It also gives you the chance to gain equity as home values rise over time. If you’re ready to learn more about the perks of owning a home, connect with a local real estate agent.

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The Number of Homes for Sale Is Increasing

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 16, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

There’s no denying the last couple of years have been tough for anyone trying to buy a home because there haven’t been enough houses to go around. But things are starting to look up. There are more homes up for grabs this year. The graph below uses the latest data from Realtor.com to show in April 2024 there were more homes for sale than there were over the last few years (2021-2023): As Realtor.com explains: “There were 30.4% more homes actively for sale on a typical day in April compared with the same time in 2023, marking the sixth consecutive month of annual inventory growth.” But...

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Why a Condo May Be a Great Option for Your First Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 15, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Having a hard time finding a first home that’s right for you and your wallet? Well, here’s a tip – think about condominiums, or condos for short. They’re usually smaller than single-family homes, but that’s exactly why they can be easier on your budget. According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), condos are typically less expensive than single-family homes (see graph below): So, if you’re comfortable with a smaller space and want to buy your first home this year, adding condos to your search might be easier on your wallet....

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Home Prices Are Climbing in These Top Cities

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 13, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Thinking about buying a home or selling your current one to find a better fit? If so, you might be wondering what’s going on with home prices these days. Here’s the scoop. The latest national data from Case-Shiller and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) shows they’re going up (see graphs below): As you can see, home prices were rising for most of 2023. But over the course of December and January, they were virtually flat – which is pretty normal for that time of year. But here’s what you need to know now. As of February, when the spring market kicked off, prices...

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The Top 2 Reasons To Consider a Newly Built Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 9, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, New Construction.

When you’re planning a move, it’s normal to wonder where you’ll end up and what your future home is going to look like. Maybe you’ve got a specific picture of that house in your mind. But unless you came into this process knowing you want to buy a newly built home, you may not have pictured new home construction. A trusted real estate agent can help walk you through these two reasons you may want to reconsider that. 1. Adding Newly Built Homes Could Give You More Options There are two types of homes on the market: new and existing. A newly built home refers to a house that was just built...

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How Buying or Selling a Home Benefits Your Community

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 8, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, it’s important to know it doesn’t just impact you—it helps out the local economy and your community, too. Every year, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) puts out a report that breaks down the financial impact that comes from people buying and selling homes (see visual below): When a house is sold, it really boosts the local economy. That’s because of all the people needed to build, fix up, and sell homes. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), explains how the housing...

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Tips for Younger Homebuyers: How To Make Your Dream a Reality

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 7, 2024. Posted in First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

If you’re a member of a younger generation, like Gen Z, you may be asking the question: will I ever be able to buy a home? And chances are, you’re worried that’s not going to be in the cards with inflation, rising home prices, mortgage rates, and more seemingly stacked against you. While there’s no arguing this housing market is challenging for first-time homebuyers, it is still achievable, especially if you have professionals on your side. Here are some helpful tips you may get from a pro. 1. Explore Your Options for a Down Payment If a down payment is your #1 hurdle, you may have options...

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Builders Are Building Smaller Homes [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on May 3, 2024. Posted in First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights Having a hard time finding a home in your budget? ?Builders may have a solution that can help. Builders are shifting their attention to what buyers want most right now – smaller, more affordable homes. If you want to see what’s available locally and in other areas nearby, connect with an agent to explore your options together.

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Is a Multi-Generational Home Right for You?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on April 25, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Ever thought about living in the same house with your grandparents, parents, or other loved ones? You’re not alone. A lot of people are choosing to buy multi-generational homes where everyone can live together. Let’s check out why they think it’s a good idea to see if it might be a good fit for you, too. Why People Are Choosing Multi-Generational Living According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), here are just a few key reasons buyers opted for multi-generational homes over the past year (see graph below): Two of the top reasons had to do with aging parents. 27%...

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The Best Way To Keep Track of Mortgage Rate Trends

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on April 23, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

If you’re thinking about buying a home, chances are you’ve got mortgage rates on your mind. You’ve heard about how they impact how much you can afford in your monthly mortgage payment, and you want to make sure you’re factoring that in as you plan your move. The problem is, with all the headlines in the news about rates lately, it can be a bit overwhelming to sort through. Here’s a quick rundown of what you really need to know. The Latest on Mortgage Rates Rates have been volatile – that means they’re bouncing around a bit. And, you may be wondering, why? The answer is complicated because...

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Is It Getting More Affordable To Buy a Home?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on April 18, 2024. Posted in Affordability, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Over the past year or so, a lot of people have been talking about how tough it is to buy a home. And while there’s no arguing affordability is still tight, there are signs it’s starting to get a bit better and may improve even more throughout the year. Elijah de la Campa, Senior Economist at Redfin, says: “We’re slowly climbing our way out of an affordability hole, but we have a long way to go. Rates have come down from their peak and are expected to fall again by the end of the year, which should make homebuying a little more affordable and incentivize buyers to come off the sidelines.”...

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Is It Better To Rent Than Buy a Home Right Now?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on April 17, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Rent vs. Buy.

You may have seen reports in the news recently saying it’s more affordable to rent right now than it is to buy a home. And while that may be true in some markets if you just look at typical monthly payments, there’s one thing that the numbers aren’t factoring in: and that’s home equity. Here’s a look at how big of an impact equity can have and why it’s worth considering as you make your decision. What the Headlines Are Based on The graph below uses national data on the median rental payment from Realtor.com and median mortgage payment from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to...

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Ways To Use Your Tax Refund If You Want To Buy a Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on April 12, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Have you been saving up to buy a home this year? If so, you know there are a number of expenses involved – from your down payment to closing costs. But did you also know your tax refund can help you pay for some of these expenses? As Credit Karma explains: “If one of your goals is to stop renting and buy a home, you’ll need to save up for closing costs and a down payment on the mortgage. A tax refund can give you a start on the road to homeownership. If you’ve already started to save, your tax refund could move you down the road faster.” While how much money you may get in a tax refund is...

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Builders Are Building Smaller Homes

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on April 11, 2024. Posted in First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

There’s no arguing it, affordability is still tight. And if you’re trying to buy a home, that may mean you need to look at smaller houses to find one that’s still in your budget. But there is a silver lining: builders are focused on building these smaller homes right now and they’re offering incentives. And that can help give you more options that fit the bill. Newly Built Homes Are Trending Smaller During the pandemic, homebuyers wanted (and could afford) larger homes – and builders delivered. They focused on homes that were bigger, so people had more space for things like working from...

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The Top 5 Reasons You Need a Real Estate Agent when Buying a Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on April 9, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

You may have heard headlines in the news lately about agents in the real estate industry and discussions about their commissions. And if you’re following along, it can be pretty confusing. But here’s the thing you really need to know – expert advice from a trusted real estate agent is priceless, now more than ever. And here’s why. A real estate agent does a lot more than you may realize. Your agent is the person who will guide you through every step when buying a home and look out for your best interests along the way. They smooth out a complex process and take away the bulk of the stress...

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Don’t Let Your Student Loans Delay Your Homeownership Plans

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on April 8, 2024. Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

If you have student loans and want to buy a home, you might have questions about how your debt affects your plans. 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? Here’s a look at the latest information so you have the answers you need. A Bankrate article explains: “Roughly 60 percent of U.S. adults who have held student loan debt have put off making important financial decisions due to that debt . . . For Gen Z and millennial borrowers alone, that number rises to 70...

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Top 5 Reasons To Hire an Agent When Buying a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on April 5, 2024. Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights Hiring an agent when buying a home helps you understand the buying process and the local market. They’ll also go over contracts and fine print with you, so you understand what you’re agreeing to. Plus, they’re good at negotiating, making sure you get the best deal. Expert advice from a trusted real estate professional is priceless. Connect with a local agent today.

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Newly Built Homes Could Be a Game Changer This Spring

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on April 3, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Buying a home this spring? You’re probably navigating today’s affordability challenges and dealing with the limited number of homes for sale. But, what if there was a solution that could help with both? If you’re having a hard time finding a home you love, and mortgage rates are putting pressure on your budget, it may be time to look at newly built homes. Here’s why. New Home Construction Is an Inventory Bright Spot When looking for a home, you can choose between existing homes (those that are already built and previously owned) and newly constructed ones. While the number of existing...

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Is It Easier To Find a Home To Buy Now?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 28, 2024. Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

One of the biggest hurdles buyers have faced over the past few years has been a lack of homes available for sale. But that’s starting to change. The graph below uses the latest data from Realtor.com to show there are more homes on the market in 2024 than there have been in any of the past several years (2021-2023): Does That Mean Finding a Home Is Easier? The answer is yes, and no. As an article from Realtor.com says: “There were nearly 15% more homes for sale in February than a year earlier . . . That alone could jolt the housing market a bit if more “For Sale” signs continue to...

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Single Women Are Embracing Homeownership

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 27, 2024. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

In today’s housing market, more and more single women are becoming homeowners. According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 19% of all homebuyers are single women, while only 10% are single men. If you’re a single woman trying to buy your first home, this should be encouraging. It means other people are making their dreams a reality – so you can too. Why Homeownership Matters to So Many Women For many single women, buying a home isn’t just about having a place to live—it’s also a smart way to invest for the future. Homes usually increase in...

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What Every Homebuyer Should Know About Closing Costs

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 25, 2024. Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Before making the decision to buy a home, it’s important to plan for all the costs you’ll be responsible for. While you’re busy saving for the down payment, don’t forget you’ll want to prep for closing costs too. Here’s some helpful information on what those costs are and how much you should budget for them. What Are Closing Costs? A recent article from Bankrate explains: “Closing costs are the fees and expenses you must pay before becoming the legal owner of a house, condo or townhome . . . Closing costs vary depending on the purchase price of the home and how it’s being...

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3 Helpful Tips for First-Time Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on March 22, 2024. Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights Trying to buy your first home? If you’re worried about affordability today or the limited number of homes for sale, these tips can help. Look into homebuyer programs, expand your search area, and consider a multi-generational home. Connect with a local real estate agent so you have an expert on your side to help you make your dream a reality.

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