Why You Need To Use a Real Estate Agent When You Buy a Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 7, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

If you’ve recently decided you’re ready to become a homeowner, chances are you’re trying to figure out what to do first. It can feel a bit overwhelming to know where to start, but the good news is you don’t have to navigate all of that alone. When it comes to buying a home, there are a lot of moving pieces. And that’s especially true in today’s housing market. The number of homes for sale is still low, and home prices and mortgage rates are still high. That combination can be tricky if you don’t have reliable expertise and a trusted advisor on your side. That’s why the best place to start is...

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How To Turn Homeownership into a Side Hustle

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on December 6, 2023. Posted in Demographics, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers, Rent vs. Buy.

Does the rising cost of just about everything these days make your dream of owning your own home feel less within reach? According to Bankrate, many people are seeking additional income through side hustles, possibly to cope with those increasing expenses and save for a home. This trend is particularly popular with younger individuals who may be dealing with student loan debt (see graph below): Here are two strategies that can not only make homeownership more affordable in the short term, but turn it into a lucrative side hustle that can pay off down the road. Transforming the Challenge...

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Are The Top 3 Housing Market Questions on Your Mind?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on November 28, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers, Selling Myths.

When it comes to what’s happening in the housing market, there’s a lot of confusion going around right now. You may hear one thing in conversation with your friends, see something totally different on the news, and read something on social media that contradicts both of those thoughts. And, if you’re thinking about making a move, that can leave you with a lot of lingering questions. That’s where a trusted local real estate agent comes in. Here are the top 3 questions people are asking about today’s housing market, and the data to help answer them. 1. What’s Next for Mortgage Rates? Mortgage...

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Is Wall Street Buying Up All the Homes in America?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on November 27, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you may find yourself interested in the latest real estate headlines so you can have a pulse on all of the things that could impact your decision. If that’s the case, you’ve probably heard mention of investors, and wondered how they’re impacting the housing market right now. That could leave you asking yourself questions like: How many homes do investors own? Are institutional investors, like large Wall Street Firms, really buying up so many homes that the average person can’t find one? To answer those questions, here’s the real story of what’s happening...

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Life-Changing Events That Move the Housing Market

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on November 13, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Demographics, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

Life is a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, like the excitement of welcoming a new addition, retiring and starting a new adventure, or the bittersweet feeling of an empty nest. If something like this is changing in your own life, you may be considering buying or selling a house. That’s because through all these life-altering events, there is one common thread—the need to move. Reasons People Still Need To Move Today According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) there have been a lot of this type of milestone or life change over the last two years (see graph below): And,...

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VA Loans Help Heroes Achieve Homeownership [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on November 10, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

Some Highlights VA home loans can help people who served our country become homeowners. These loans can help qualified individuals purchase a VA-approved home or condo, build a new home, or enhance their current one. Owning a home is the American Dream, and one way to show our appreciation to veterans is by providing them with important information about the advantages of VA home loans.

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How VA Loans Can Help Make Homeownership Dreams Come True

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on November 9, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Demographics, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

For more than 79 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped millions of veterans buy their own homes. If you or someone you care about has served in the military, it’s essential to learn about this program and its advantages. Here are some important things to know about VA loans before you buy a home. The Many Advantages of VA Home Loans VA home loans provide a pathway to homeownership for those who have served our nation, and they’re a great benefit for buyers who qualify. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs: Options for No Down Payment: Qualified borrowers can often...

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Thinking About Using Your 401(k) To Buy a Home?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on November 8, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

Are you dreaming of buying your own home and wondering about how you’ll save for a down payment? You’re not alone. Some people think about tapping into their 401(k) savings to make it happen. But before you decide to dip into your retirement to buy a home, be sure to consider all possible alternatives and talk with a financial expert. Here’s why. The Numbers May Make It Tempting The data shows many Americans have saved a considerable amount for retirement (see chart below): It can be really tempting when you have a lot of money saved up in your 401(k) and you see your dream home on...

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Homeowner Net Worth Has Skyrocketed

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on November 7, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers, Rent vs. Buy.

If you’re weighing your options to decide whether it makes more sense to rent or buy a home today, here’s one key data point that could help you feel more confident in making your decision. Every three years, the Federal Reserve Board releases the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). That report covers the difference in net worth for both homeowners and renters. Spoiler alert: the gap between the two is significant. The average homeowner’s net worth is almost 40X greater than a renter’s. And here’s the data to prove it (see graph below): The Big Reason Homeowner Net Worth Is So High In the...

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Don’t Believe Everything You Read About Home Prices

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on November 2, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers, Selling Myths.

According to the latest data from Fannie Mae, 23% of Americans still think home prices will go down over the next twelve months. But why do roughly 1 in 4 people feel that way? It has a lot to do with all the negative talk about home prices over the past year. Since late 2022, the media has created a lot of fear about a price crash and those concerns are still lingering. You may be hearing people in your own life saying they’re worried about home prices or see on social media that some influencers are saying prices are going to come tumbling down. If you’re someone who still thinks prices are...

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Unmasking Scary Myths about Today’s Housing Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on October 27, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

Some Highlights Here’s what you really need to know about a few myths causing fear in today’s housing market. Despite common misconceptions, many people can buy a home even if they have student loans, home prices are rising nationally (not falling), and you usually don’t have to have 20% for a down payment. If you have other fears or reservations about buying a home today, get in touch with a real estate expert who can help clear those up.

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Affordable Homeownership Strategies for Gen Z

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

The idea of owning a home has always been a big part of the American Dream. It’s a symbol of stability, independence, and having a place to truly call your own. But for Gen Z, the “Zoomers” born between 1997 and 2012, making that dream a reality can feel like quite the challenge today with higher mortgage rates and rising home prices. But achieving that goal of owning your first home can still be attainable, even today, with some strategic planning and resourcefulness. Explore Financing and Down Payment Assistance Options With prices rising all around you, it can be hard...

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Invest in Yourself by Owning a Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on October 25, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing.

Are you wondering if it makes sense to buy a home right now? While today’s mortgage rates might seem a bit intimidating, here are two compelling reasons why it still may be a good time to become a homeowner. Home Values Appreciate over Time There’s been a lot of confusion around what’s happened with home prices over the past two years. While they did dip ever so slightly in late 2022, this year they’ve been appreciating at a more normal pace, which is good news for the housing market. And while looking at price movement over just a year or two can make you worry prices are usually this unpredictable,...

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How Buying a Multi-Generational Home Helps with Affordability Today

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on October 17, 2023. Posted in Demographics, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers, Rent vs. Buy.

In today’s world of rising housing costs, many buyers are looking for ways to still be able to buy a home. Some of them have found a solution in multi-generational living. Multi-generational living is when two or more adult generations live together under one roof. This includes siblings, parents, or even grandparents. Here’s an in-depth look at why more buyers are choosing this option today, so you can see if it may be right for you too. Reasons To Buy a Multi-Generational Home According to a recent study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the top two reasons people are opting...

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The Difference Between Renting and Buying a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on October 13, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers, Rent vs. Buy.

Some Highlights When deciding between buying a home or renting, think about these three important factors. Buying a home means avoiding rising rents, owning a tangible and valuable asset, and growing your wealth over time. If you’re ready to enjoy the advantages of owning a home, connect with a local real estate expert to discuss your options.

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The Latest Expert Forecasts for Home Prices in 2023

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on October 11, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

Are you thinking about making a move? If so, all the speculation that home prices would crash this year may have you feeling a bit on edge about your decision. Let the data and the experts reassure you. Prices aren’t in a downward spiral and will actually finish the year strong. Even though you may have heard talk that prices would drop 5, 10, or even 20% this year, that hasn’t happened. The big reason why is the supply of homes for sale is too low. There are just more buyers looking to buy than homes available, and that’s kept prices from falling. To prove this year wasn’t a bust for home...

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Are You a Homebuyer Worried About Climate Risks?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on October 5, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Demographics, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

The increasing effects of natural disasters are leading to new obstacles in residential real estate. As a recent article from CoreLogic explains: “As the specter of climate change looms large, the world braces for unprecedented challenges. In the world of real estate, one of those challenges will be the effects of natural catastrophes on property portfolios, homeowners, and communities.” That may be why, according to Zillow, more and more Americans now consider how climate risks and natural disasters can impact their homeownership plans (see below): This study goes on to explain that climate...

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Understanding the Benefits of Owning Your First Home

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on October 4, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Interest Rates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

Are you considering buying your first home? If so, it can be helpful to know what led other people to make that decision. According to a recent survey of first-time homebuyers by PulteGroup: “When asked why they purchased their first home recently, the answer was simple: because they wanted to. Either the desire to stop renting or recognition that homeownership is a smart financial investment was the main motivator for 72% of respondents.” While that survey looked specifically at first-time homebuyers buying newly built homes, the same sentiment is true for just about anyone buying their first...

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Unpacking the Long-Term Benefits of Homeownership

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on October 2, 2023. 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 soon, higher mortgage rates, rising home prices, and ongoing affordability concerns may make you wonder if it still makes sense to buy a home right now. While those market factors are important, there’s more to consider. You should think about the long-term benefits of homeownership too. Think about this: if you know people who bought a home 5, 10, or even 30 years ago, you’re probably going to have a hard time finding someone who regrets their decision. Why is that? The reason is tied to how home values grow with time and how, by extension, that...

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The Return of Normal Seasonality for Home Price Appreciation

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on September 26, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing, Selling Myths.

If you’re thinking of making a move, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? Despite what you may be hearing in the news, nationally, home prices aren’t falling. It’s just that price growth is beginning to normalize. Here’s the context you need to really understand that trend. In the housing market, there are predictable ebbs and flows that happen each year. It’s called seasonality. Spring is the peak homebuying season when the market is most active. That activity is typically still strong in the summer but begins to wane as the cooler...

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Beginning with Pre-Approval

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

If you’re looking to buy a home this fall, there are a few things you need to know. Affordability is tight with today’s mortgage rates and rising home prices. At the same time, there’s a limited number of homes on the market right now and that’s creating some competition among buyers. But, if you’re strategic, there are ways to navigate these waters. The first thing you’ll want to do is get pre-approved for a mortgage. That way you’ll know your numbers and can set yourself up for success from the start of your home search. What Pre-Approval Does for You To understand why it’s such an important...

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How Remote Work Helps with Your House Hunt [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on September 22, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Demographics, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Move-Up Buyers.

Some Highlights While remote work peaked during the pandemic, many people still work from home today. If you’re one of them, it could have an unexpected benefit when you’re looking to buy a home. If you can work from home, you might have more choices for where to live. Connect with a real estate agent to talk about your options and what’s most important to you.

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Category: Move-Up Buyers