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

Written by Marco Island Mortgage Syndicated User on June 13, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, Marco Island Mortgage, Mortgage Marco Island.

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...

Savings Strategies Every First-Time Homebuyer Needs To Know

Written by Marco Island Mortgage Syndicated User on June 12, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Marco Island Mortgage, Mortgage Marco Island.

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...

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

Written by Marco Island Mortgage Syndicated User on June 11, 2024. Posted in For Sale by Owner, For Sellers, Marco Island Mortgage, Mortgage Marco Island, 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...

The Wealth-Building Power of Homeownership [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marco Island Mortgage Syndicated User on June 8, 2024. Posted in Equity, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Marco Island Mortgage, Mortgage Marco Island.

Some Highlights If you’re trying to decide if buying a home is worth it, consider the long-term benefits, like building equity as home values grow over time. According to the FHFA, home values have increased by 315.7% since 1991. Home equity is one reason owning your own place can really pay off in the long run. When you’re ready, talk with a local real estate professional.

Your Equity Could Make a Move Possible

Written by Marco Island Mortgage Syndicated User on June 7, 2024. Posted in Equity, For Sellers, Marco Island Mortgage, Mortgage Marco Island, Selling Tips.

Many homeowners looking to sell feel like they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. Today’s mortgage rates are higher than the one they currently have on their home, and that’s making it harder to want to sell and make a move. Maybe you’re in the same boat. But what if there was a way to offset these higher borrowing costs? There is. And the money you need probably already exists in your current home in the form of equity. What Is Equity? Think of equity as a simple math equation. Freddie Mac explains: “. . . your home’s equity is the difference between how much your home...

The Sweet Spot for Buying Luxury Homes

Written by Marco Island Mortgage Syndicated User on June 6, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, Inventory, Marco Island Mortgage, Mortgage Marco Island, Move-Up.

If you’ve been looking for a home at the high end of your market, but haven’t found the right one, you may have put your search on hold. But according to recent data, now may be the time to jump back in. Here’s why. There Are More Luxury Homes To Choose From What’s considered the top-end of the market, or a luxury home, will always vary by location. But generally speaking, they’re homes that are valued in the top 5% of any given market. According to a recent report from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, the selection of luxury homes is increasing (see graph below): As the graph...

What To Expect if You Buy or Sell a Home This June

Written by Marco Island Mortgage Syndicated User on June 5, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Marco Island Mortgage, Mortgage Marco Island.

June is a busy month in the housing market because a lot of people buy and sell this time of year. So, if you’ve got a move on your mind and you’re looking to make it happen this month, here’s a snapshot of what you need to know to make sure you’re ready. If You’re Buying This June A lot of homebuyers with children like to move after one school year ends and before the next one begins. That’s one reason why late spring into summer is a popular time for homes to change hands. And whether that’s a motivator for you or not, it’s important to realize more buyers are going to be looking right...

More Than a House: The Emotional Benefits of Homeownership

Written by Marco Island Mortgage Syndicated User on June 4, 2024. Posted in Affordability, For Buyers, Marco Island Mortgage, Mortgage Marco Island.

With all the headlines and talk about housing affordability, it can be tempting to get lost in the financial side of buying a home. That’s only natural as you think about the dollars and cents of it all. And while you ultimately need to be able to afford a home you buy, don’t lose sight of why homeownership was so important to you in the first place. That’s because buying a home is so much more than just a financial transaction. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says: “The benefits of purchasing and owning your place of residence are both financial and emotional – pride in...

Top Reasons To Own a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Marco Island Mortgage Syndicated User on June 1, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Infographics, Marco Island Mortgage, Mortgage Marco Island.

Some Highlights Buying a home has powerful financial and non-financial benefits. It creates more stability, helps grow your net worth, and gives you an undeniable sense of pride. While today’s market can be challenging for buyers, use these reasons to remind you of why homeownership is so worthwhile. When you’re ready to enjoy all the amazing advantages that come with owning a home, get in touch with a local real estate agent.

The Biggest Mistakes Buyers Are Making Today

Written by Marco Island Mortgage Syndicated User on May 31, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Marco Island Mortgage, Mortgage Marco Island.

Buyers face challenges in any market – and today’s is no different. With higher mortgage rates and rising prices, plus the limited supply of homes for sale, there’s a lot to consider. But, there’s one way to avoid getting tripped up – and that’s leaning on a real estate agent for the best possible advice. An expert’s insights will help you avoid some of the most common mistakes homebuyers are making right now. Putting Off Pre-approval As part of the homebuying process, a lender will look at your finances to figure out what they’re willing to loan you for your mortgage. This gives...

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