Tag: #floridakeysmortgage

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 ItOne 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 the...

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 SellingA 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 were...

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 YouIf 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 home...

Some HighlightsPrices, 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.

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...

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 CostAnd more sellers are finding that out the hard way. They list their house based on how things were a year ago...

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 NumberThere’s no universal credit score you absolutely have to have when buying a home. And that means there’s...

Some HighlightsWith 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.

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 there...

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. As...