Why Your Asking Price Matters Even More Right Now

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 9, 2024. Posted in For Sellers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

If you’re thinking about selling your house, here’s something you really need to know. Even though it’s still a seller’s market today, you can’t pick just any price for your listing. While home prices are still appreciating in most areas, they’re climbing at a slower pace because higher mortgage rates are putting a squeeze on buyer demand. At the same time, the supply of homes for sale is growing. That means buyers have more options and your house may not stand out as much, if it’s not priced right. Those two factors combined are why the asking price you set for your house is more...

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Not a Crash: 3 Graphs That Show How Today’s Inventory Differs from 2008

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 8, 2024. Posted in Economy, Foreclosures, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Even if you didn’t own a home at the time, you probably remember the housing crisis in 2008. That crash impacted the lives of countless people, and many now live with the worry that something like that could happen again. But rest easy, because things are different than they were back then. As Business Insider says: “Though many Americans believe the housing market is at risk of crashing, the economists who study housing market conditions overwhelmingly do not expect a crash in 2024 or beyond.” Here’s why experts are so confident. For the market (and home prices) to crash, there...

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Things To Avoid After Applying for a Mortgage [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 5, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Some Highlights There are a few key things you’ll want to avoid after applying for a mortgage to make sure you’re in the best position when you get to the closing table. Don’t change bank accounts, apply for new credit, make any large purchases or transfers, and don’t co-sign loans for anyone. Here’s a good rule of thumb. Always connect with your loan officer before making any financial decisions once you’ve started the mortgage process.

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Homeownership: The Heart of the American Dream

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 4, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, Equity, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Everyone’s vision for the future is personal and unique. But for many, common goals include success, freedom, and prosperity — values closely tied to having your own home and the iconic feeling of achieving the American Dream. A recent survey by Bankrate reveals exactly that: homeownership is still a part of the American Dream. The results show, at 78%, that owning a home tops the list, surpassing other significant milestones such as retirement, having a successful career, and more (see below): So, why is buying a home important to so many today? One reason is the financial and physical...

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Homeowners Gained $28K in Equity over the Past Year

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 3, 2024. Posted in Equity, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

If you own a home, your net worth has probably gone up a lot over the past year. Home prices have been rising, which means you’re building equity much faster than you might think. Here’s how it works. Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan. Over the past year, there have still been more people wanting to buy than there are homes available for sale, and that’s pushed prices up. That rise in prices has translated directly into increasing equity for homeowners. How Much Equity Have You Earned over the Past 12 Months? According to the latest Homeowner...

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Real Estate Still Holds the Title of Best Long-Term Investment

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 2, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

With all the headlines circulating about home prices and mortgage rates, you may be asking yourself if it still makes sense to buy a home right now, or if it’s better to keep renting. Here’s some information that could help put your mind at ease by showing that investing in a home is still a powerful decision. According to the experts at Gallup, real estate has been crowned the top long-term investment for a whopping 12 years in a row. It has consistently beat out other investment types like gold, stocks, and bonds. Just take a look at the graph below – it speaks volumes: But why does...

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What To Do When Your House Didn’t Sell

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 1, 2024. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

If your listing expired and your house didn’t sell, it’s totally natural to feel a mix of frustration and disappointment. And as you’re working through that, you’re probably also wondering what went wrong and what you should do next. If you still need to move and want to get it back on the market, here are some things to consider as you look back. Was It Priced for Today’s Market? Setting the right price from the start is key. While it might be tempting to try shooting high with your price, that can slow down the selling process big time. If your house was priced higher than others similar...

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Housing Market Forecast for the 2nd Half of 2024 [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 28, 2024. Posted in Forecasts, Home Prices, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Some Highlights Wondering what the second half of the year holds for the housing market? Here’s what expert forecasts say. Home prices are expected to climb moderately. Mortgage rates are forecast to come down slightly. And, home sales are projected to hold steady. If you have questions about what to expect for the rest of the year, connect with a local agent to have a conversation about what it means for you and your plans.

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The Difference Between an Inspection and an Appraisal

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 27, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

When you decide to buy your first home, you may come across a number of terms and conditions you’re not familiar with. While you may have a general idea of what an inspection is, maybe you’re not sure why you need one or how it’s different from an appraisal. To keep it simple, here’s an explainer of each one and what they mean for you as a homebuyer. Home Inspection Once you’re under contract on a home you’d like to buy, getting an inspection is a key part of the process. An inspection gives you a clear idea of the safety and overall condition of the home – which is important for such a...

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Focus on Time in the Market, Not Timing the Market

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 26, 2024. Posted in Economy, For Buyers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Should you buy a home now or should you wait? That’s a big question on many people’s minds today. And while what timing is right for you will depend on a lot of other personal factors, here’s something you may not have considered. If you’re able to buy at today’s rates and prices, it may be better to focus on time in the market, rather than timing the market. The Downside of Trying To Time the Market Trying to time the market isn’t a good strategy because things can change. Here’s an example. For the better part of this year, projections have said mortgage rates will come down. And while...

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How Long Will It Take To Sell My House?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 25, 2024. Posted in For Sellers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

You want your house to sell fast. And you may be wondering how long the whole process is going to take. One way to get your answer? Work with a local real estate agent. They have the expertise to tell you how quickly homes are selling in your area and what’s impacting timelines for other sellers. That way you have realistic expectations and can work together to come up with a plan that’s based on today’s market. Here’s a high-level overview of just one of the factors a great agent will walk you through – the supply of homes for sale and how that impacts your process. The Growing Supply of...

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Housing Market Forecast: What’s Ahead for the 2nd Half of 2024

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 24, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Forecasts, Home Prices, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

As we move into the second half of 2024, here’s what experts say you should expect for home prices, mortgage rates, and home sales. Home Prices Are Expected To Climb Moderately Home prices are forecasted to rise at a more normal pace. The graph below shows the latest forecasts from seven of the most trusted sources in the industry: The reason for continued appreciation? The supply of homes for sale. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains: “One thing that seems to be pretty solid is that home prices are going to continue to go up, and...

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The Downsides of Selling Your House Without an Agent

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 21, 2024. Posted in For Sale by Owner, For Sellers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

Some Highlights Considering selling your house without an agent? You should know there are some serious downsides to handling it on your own. You’ll be missing out on marketing tools that draw in more buyers, pricing and market expertise, essential negotiation skills, in-depth knowledge of the fine print in contracts, and so much more. Don’t take all of this responsibility on. Instead, connect with an agent so you have someone with the knowledge and experience you’ll need on your side.

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Why a Vacation Home Is the Ultimate Summer Upgrade

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 20, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Luxury / Vacation, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Summer is officially here and that means it’s the perfect time to start planning where you want to vacation and unwind this season. If you’re excited about getting away and having some fun in the sun, it might make sense to consider if owning your own vacation home is right for you. An Ameriprise Financial survey sheds light on why people buy a second, or vacation, home (see below): Vacation destination or a place to get away from the stresses of everyday life (81%) – Having a second home to use as a vacation spot can be a special place where you go to relax and take a break from your...

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What You Need To Know About Today’s Down Payment Programs

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 19, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

There’s no denying it’s gotten more challenging to buy a home, especially with today’s mortgage rates and home price appreciation. And that may be one of the big reasons you’re eager to look into grants and assistance programs to see if there’s anything you qualify for that can help. But unfortunately, many homebuyers feel like they don’t know where to start. A recent Bank of America Institute study asked prospective buyers where they lack confidence in the process and need more information. And this is what topped the list: 53% said they need help understanding...

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Worried About Mortgage Rates? Control the Controllables

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 18, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, Economy, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Chances are you’re hearing a lot about mortgage rates right now. You may even see some headlines talking about last week’s Federal Reserve (the Fed) meeting and what it means for rates. But the Fed doesn’t determine mortgage rates, even if the headlines make it sound like they do. The truth is, mortgage rates are impacted by a lot of factors: geo-political uncertainty, inflation and the economy, and more. And trying to pin down when all those factors will line up enough for rates to come down is tricky. That’s why it’s generally not worth it to try to time the market. There’s too much at...

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Do Elections Impact the Housing Market?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 17, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

The 2024 Presidential election is just months away. As someone who’s thinking about potentially buying or selling a home, you’re probably curious about what effect, if any, elections have on the housing market. It’s a great question because buying or selling a home is a major decision, and it’s natural to wonder how such a major event might impact your plans. Historically, Presidential elections have only had a small, temporary impact on the housing market. Here’s the latest on exactly what’s happened to home sales, prices, and mortgage rates throughout those time periods. Home Sales...

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Real Estate Is Still the Best Long-Term Investment [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 14, 2024. Posted in Equity, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Rent vs. Buy.

Some Highlights According to a recent poll from Gallup, real estate has been voted the best long-term investment for twelve straight years. That’s because a home is so much more just than a roof over your head. It’s also an asset that typically grows in value over time. If you’ve been debating if it makes more sense to rent or buy, connect with a real estate agent to talk about why homeownership can be a better bet in the long run.

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Homebuilders Aren’t Overbuilding, They’re Catching Up

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 13, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

You may have heard that there are more brand-new homes available right now than the norm. Today, about one in three homes on the market are newly built. And if you’re wondering what that means for the housing market and for your own move, here’s what you need to know. Why This Isn’t Like 2008 People remember what happened to the housing market back in 2008. And one of the factors that contributed to that crash was that there were too many homes for sale. While only part of the oversupply back then came from builders, the lasting impact is that some people still feel uneasy when they hear...

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Home Prices Aren’t Declining, But Headlines Might Make You Think They Are

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 12, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

If you’ve seen the news lately about home sellers slashing prices, it’s a great example of how headlines do more to terrify than clarify. Here’s what’s really happening with prices. The bottom line is home prices are higher than they were a year ago at this time, and they’re expected to keep rising, just at a slower pace. But a recent article from Redfin notes, “Price Drops Hit Highest Level in 18 Months As High Rates Dampen Buyer Demand.” And that might make you think prices are declining. Now, while it’s true the latest report from Realtor.com also shows 16.6% of homes on the market had...

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Savings Strategies Every First-Time Homebuyer Needs To Know

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

If homeownership is on your goal sheet for your future, you’re probably working on your savings. And a big priority is making sure you’ve got a plan in place for things like your closing costs, down payment, and more. Here are a few strategies that can help speed up that process. Budget and Track Your Expenses: To start, create a detailed budget that tracks the money you’ve got coming in and the money going out. This’ll give you a better look at your finances as a whole. Cut Down on Unnecessary Spending: Now that you have your budget sheet done and you know how you’re spending your...

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Selling Smart: Why a Real Estate Agent Makes All the Difference

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on June 10, 2024. Posted in For Sale by Owner, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

If you’re considering selling your house on your own as a “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO), you want to think about if it’s really worth the extra stress. Going this route means shouldering a lot of responsibilities by yourself – and, if you’re not an expert, that opens the door for mistakes to happen and can quickly become overwhelming. A report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows two key areas where people who sold their own house struggled the most: pricing and paperwork. Here are just a few of the ways an agent makes those tasks a whole lot easier. Getting the Price Right...

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