Are These Myths About Buying a Newly Built Home Holding You Back?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 13, 2025. Posted in Affordability, Agent Value, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, New Construction.

If you’ve been skipping over newly built homes in your search, you might be doing so based on outdated assumptions. Let’s clear up a few of the most common myths, so you don’t miss out on a solid opportunity. Myth 1: New Homes Are More Expensive It’s easy to assume a new build will cost more than an existing home, but that’s not necessarily true, especially right now. Data from Census and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the median price of a newly built home today is actually lower than a home that’s been lived in already (an existing home): So, why’s this happening? As...

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What You Need To Know About Concessions

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

Now that there are more homes for sale, buyers have more options. And sellers need to be more flexible to close the deal.

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Online Home-Buying Search Terms Recently Hit 2-Year High

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 11, 2025. Posted in For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Believe it or not, there are clear signs buyer interest is heating up again. Let’s talk about what’s really going on behind the scenes, and why the housing market might not be as quiet out there as it seems. Buyers Are Looking, and Search Trends Prove It One of the clearest ways to measure what people are thinking about is to look at what they’re searching for online. And according to Google Trends, searches for phrases like “home for sale” have been climbing steadily this year. The graph below shows an index of two common homebuyer search phrases and how popular they were on Google over...

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Why Selling Without an Agent Can Cost You More Than You Think

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 7, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, For Sale by Owner, For Sellers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

Cutting out the agent might seem like a smart way to save when you sell your house. But here’s the hard truth. Last year, homes that sold with an agent went for almost 15% more than those that sold without one. That gap is pretty hard to ignore. And with more homes on the market to compete with right now, selling on your own is a mistake that’s going to cost you. This Isn’t the Market for DIY Selling A few years ago, you might’ve gotten away with a “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) sign in your yard, navigating the process on your own. That’s because homes were flying off the market and buyers...

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A Second Home Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Retirement Plan

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 6, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Are you wondering if you’re on track to retire someday? According to Intuit, 69% of people say today’s financial environment makes it tough to plan for the future, and 68% aren’t sure they’ll ever be able to retire. That’s why many people are exploring new ways to build stability and long-term income. And that’s where real estate comes in. Why Real Estate? Here’s What It Can Do for You If you’re able to make the numbers work, buying a second home can be a powerful tool for your future retirement. It could help you: Build wealth over time: As home prices rise through the years, your second...

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3 Advantages of Buying a Newly Built Home Today

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 5, 2025. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates, New Construction.

Some Highlights Prices, rates, and finding the right home are three of the biggest challenges for buyers today. You may find better luck with all 3 if you look at newly built homes. There are more available. Builders are more flexible on prices right now. And people who buy new homes tend to get lower rates in this market thanks to the incentives builders can offer. Connect with an agent if you want to see the new builds available in and around your area.

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The Truth About Down Payments (It’s Not What You Think)

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on August 4, 2025. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Rent vs. Buy.

Buying a home is exciting… until you start thinking about the down payment. That’s when the worry can set in. “I’ll never save enough.” “I need a small fortune just to get started.” “I guess I’ll just rent forever.” Sound familiar? You’re not alone. And you’re definitely not out of luck. Here’s the thing: a lot of what you’ve heard about down payments just isn’t true. And once you know the facts, you might realize you’re a lot closer to owning a home than you think. Let’s break it all down and bust some big down payment myths while we’re at it. Myth 1: “I need to come up with a big down...

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The 3 Things You Risk by Pricing Too High

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 31, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

When selling your house, the price you choose isn’t just a number, it’s a strategy. And in today’s market, that strategy needs to be sharp. The number of homes for sale is climbing. And that means buyers have more choices and can be more selective. If your price doesn’t line up with what else is out there, they’ll scroll right past it and go on to the next one. Pricing right from the start is your best move – and a great agent can help make sure you do. Overpricing Comes at a Cost And more sellers are finding that out the hard way. They list their house based on how things were a...

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What Credit Score Do You Really Need To Buy a Home?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 30, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

According to Fannie Mae, 90% of buyers don’t actually know what credit score lenders are looking for, or they overestimate the minimum needed. Let that sink in. That means most homebuyers think they need better credit than they actually do – and maybe you’re one of them. And that could make you think buying a home is out of reach for you right now, even if that’s not necessarily true. So, let’s look at what the data really says about credit scores and homebuying. There’s No One Magic Number There’s no universal credit score you absolutely have to have when buying a home. And that means...

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Home Price Forecasts for the Second Half of 2025

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 29, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Forecasts, Home Prices, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights With all the headlines circulating recently, you may be wondering what’s next for home prices? Here’s what the expert forecasts say. Home prices are still forecast to rise nationally this year, just at a much slower pace. But price trends are going to vary by area. To have a quick conversation about what’s happening in your local market, connect with a real estate agent.

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Today’s Tale of Two Housing Markets

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 28, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Depending on where you live, the housing market could feel red-hot or strangely quiet right now. The truth is, local markets are starting to move in different directions. In some places, buyers are calling the shots. In others, sellers still hold the power. It’s a tale of two markets. What’s a Buyer’s Market vs. a Seller’s Market? In a buyer’s market, there are more homes for sale and not as many buyers. That means homes sit longer, buyers have more negotiating power, and prices tend to soften as a result. It’s simple supply and demand. On the flip side, a seller’s market happens when...

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Housing Market Forecasts for the Rest of 2025

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 24, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Forecasts, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

If you’ve been watching the market, you’ve likely noticed a few changes already this year. But what’s next? From home prices to mortgage rates, here’s what the latest expert forecasts suggest for the rest of 2025 – and what these shifts could mean for you. Will Home Prices Fall? Many buyers are hoping home prices will come down soon. And recent headlines about prices dipping in some areas are making some people believe it’s just a matter of time before there’s a bigger drop. But here are the facts. While home price growth is slowing down, that doesn’t mean we’re headed for a crash....

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The U.S. Foreclosure Map You Need To See

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 23, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Foreclosures, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Foreclosure headlines are making noise again – and they’re designed to stir up fear to get you to read them. But what the data shows is actually happening in the market tells a very different story than what you might be led to believe. So, before you jump to conclusions, it’s important to look at the full picture. Yes, foreclosure starts are up 7% in the first six months of the year. But zooming out shows that’s nowhere near crisis levels. Here’s why. Filings Are Still Far Below Crash Levels Even with the recent uptick, overall foreclosure filings are still very low. In the first half of...

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The Latest Mortgage Rate Forecasts

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 22, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Forecasts, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Some Highlights If you’re tempted to delay your move in hope that mortgage rates will come down, you may want to rethink that strategy based on the latest forecast. Experts say mortgage rates are projected to stay in the 6s this year. So don’t expect a big drop. If you want to talk about what this means for your move, connect with a real estate agent. As forecasts change, having an expert who can keep you updated is essential.

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Don’t Make These Mistakes When Selling Your House

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 21, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Selling Tips.

Are you thinking about selling your house? Some common mistakes today can make the process more stressful or even cost you money. Fortunately, they’re easy to avoid, as long as you know what to watch for. Let’s break down the biggest seller slip-ups, and how an agent helps you steer clear of them. 1. Overpricing Your House It’s completely natural to want top dollar for your house, especially if you’ve put a lot of work into it. But in today’s shifting market, pricing it too high can backfire. Investopedia explains: “Setting a list price too high could mean your home struggles to attract...

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Why a Newly Built Home Might Be the Move Right Now

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 17, 2025. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Home Prices, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates, Move-Up, New Construction, Rent vs. Buy.

Are you looking for better home prices, or even a lower mortgage rate? You might find both in one place: a newly built home. While many buyers are overlooking new construction, it could be your best opportunity in today’s market. Here’s why. There are more brand-new homes available right now than there were even just a few months ago. According to the most recent data from the Census and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), roughly 1 in 5 homes for sale right now is new construction. So, if you’re not looking at newly built homes, you’re missing out on a big portion of what’s...

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Mortgage Rates Are Stabilizing – How That Helps Today’s Buyers

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 16, 2025. Posted in First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Over the past few years, affordability has been the biggest challenge for homebuyers. Between rapidly rising home prices and higher mortgage rates, many have felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. But, something pretty encouraging is happening. While affordability is still tight, mortgage rates have shown signs of stabilizing in recent months. And that may finally make it a bit easier to plan your move. Mortgage Rates Have Stabilized – For Now Over the past year, mortgage rates have had their share of ups and downs, making it tough for buyers to know what to expect. But recently,...

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The 5-Year Rule for Home Prices

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 15, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights If recent home price headlines have you feeling worried, here’s some perspective.?? Home values almost always go up in the long run. ?And the long-term gains offset any short-term dips. Basically, if you plan to live there for 5 or more years, you should be able to buffer yourself against any short-term declines. Connect with an agent to have a conversation about what’s happening with prices in your market.

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The Advice First-Time Homebuyers Need To Hear

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 14, 2025. Posted in Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Buying your first home is a big milestone – and the right support is going to make it a whole lot easier. Because while this process might be brand new to you, it’s not new to your agent. They’ve helped plenty of first-time buyers through it. They know what works, what actually matters, and how you can move through the process with a lot less guesswork. Here are a few real-world tips based on that experience of helping other first-time buyers. Tip #1: Get Pre-Approved First Rocket Mortgage says this is one of the most common mistakes first-time buyers make. And it’s easy to see why....

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The Truth About Where Home Prices Are Heading

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 10, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Forecasts, Home Prices, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

There are plenty of headlines these days calling for a housing market crash. But the truth is, they’re not telling the full story. Here’s what’s actually happening, and what the experts project for home prices over the next 5 years. And spoiler alert – it’s not a crash. Yes, in some local markets, prices are flattening or even dipping slightly this year as more homes hit the market. That’s normal with rising inventory. But the bigger picture is what really matters, and it’s far less dramatic than what the doom-and-gloom headlines suggest. Here’s why. Over 100 leading housing market experts...

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Selling and Buying at the Same Time? Here’s What You Need To Know

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 9, 2025. Posted in Equity, For Buyers, For Sellers, Inventory, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

If you’re a homeowner planning to move, you’re probably wondering what the process is going to look like and what you should tackle first: Is it better to start by finding your next home? Or should you sell your current house before you go out looking? Ultimately, what’s right for you depends on a lot of factors. And that’s where an agent’s experience can really help make your next step clear. They know your local market, the latest trends, and what’s working for other homeowners right now. And they’ll be able to make a recommendation based on their expertise and your...

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Should You Buy a Vacation Home?

Written by Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage on July 8, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, Infographics, Marathon FL Mortgage, Marathon Florida Keys Mortgage.

Some Highlights Now that summer’s here, you may be planning your next getaway. But what if you didn’t have to? ? Buying a vacation home means having a built-in escape you can use year after year. It gives you the chance to generate rental income and have a go-to retirement destination in the future. If you’re dreaming of owning your own slice of paradise, connect with an agent to see if you can make it happen this summer.?

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