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Don’t Fall for These Real Estate Agent Myths

Written by Florida Mortgage Experts Syndicate User on September 27, 2024. Posted in Agent Value, Buying Tips, For Buyers, For Sellers, Selling Tips.

When it’s time to buy or sell a home, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is who you’ll work with as your agent. That choice will have an impact on your entire experience and how smoothly it goes.As you figure out who you’ll partner with, it’s important to know what to expect and what to look for. Unfortunately, there may be some myths holding you back from making the best decision possible. So, let’s take some time to address those, and make sure you have the information you need to find the right agent for you.Myth #1: All Real Estate Agents Are the SameYou might think all...

Why Buying Now May Be Worth It in the Long Run

Written by Florida Mortgage Experts Syndicate User on September 26, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, Equity, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Home Prices.

Should you buy a home now or should you wait? That’s a question a lot of people have these days. And while what’s right for you is going to depend on a lot of different factors, here’s something you’ll want to consider as you make your decision.As soon as you buy, you’ll start gaining equity. And you’d be surprised how quickly that can add up – even with more moderate home price appreciation.Each quarter, Fannie Mae releases the Home Price Expectations Survey. It asks over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists what they forecast for home prices...

The Down Payment Assistance You Didn’t Know About

Written by Florida Mortgage Experts Syndicate User on September 25, 2024. Posted in First-Time Buyers, For Buyers.

Believe it or not, almost 80% of first-time homebuyers qualify for down payment assistance, but only 13% actually use it. And if you’re hoping to buy a home, this is a mission-critical gap to close – fast (see graph below):Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your down payment in today’s housing market.Amplify Your Down Payment PotentialFor first-time buyers, the name of the game with down payments is making sure you’re taking advantage of all the resources out there designed to help you. And a bunch of them can get you to your goal faster than you may have thought possible. For...

Lower Mortgage Rates Boost Your Buying Power

Written by Florida Mortgage Experts Syndicate User on September 21, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, Infographics, Mortgage Rates.

Some HighlightsMortgage rates are trending down and that’s great news for your bottom line.As rates drop, your monthly payment on your next home does too. Even a small change in mortgage rates can have a big impact on your purchasing power.If you put your search on hold when mortgage rates were higher, think about how much you could save now that rates are coming down.

The Latest Builder Trend: Smaller, Less Expensive Homes

Written by Florida Mortgage Experts Syndicate User on September 19, 2024. Posted in Affordability, For Buyers, New Construction.

Even though affordability is improving, buying a home can still feel tough right now. But here’s some good news: builders are focusing their efforts on building smaller homes, and they’re offering key incentives to buyers. And both of these things can be a big help if you’re worried about finding a home that’s right for your budget. Builders Are Building Smaller Homes During the pandemic, homebuyers were looking for larger homes—and many could afford them. Builders responded to that demand and created bigger spaces to help people with things like working from home, setting up home...

Mortgage Rates Drop to Lowest Level in over a Year and a Half

Written by Florida Mortgage Experts Syndicate User on September 18, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Mortgage Rates.

Mortgage rates have hit their lowest point in over a year and a half. And that’s big news if you’ve been sitting on the homebuying sidelines waiting for this moment.Even a small decline in rates could help you get a better monthly payment than you would expect on your next home. And the drop that’s happened recently isn’t small. As Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, says:“Mortgage rates have fallen more than half a percent . . . and are at their lowest level since February 2023.”But if you want to see it to really believe it, here’s how the math shakes out. Take a closer look at...

The Best Time To Buy a Home This Year

Written by Florida Mortgage Experts Syndicate User on September 17, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Inventory, Mortgage Rates.

A shift is underway in the housing market this season. And if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right moment to jump back into your homebuying search, this is a great time to do it. That’s because the best week to buy a home this year is just around the corner. Your sweet spot is here. The experts at Realtor.com study seasonal trends to figure out the ideal week for homebuyers:“Nationally, the best time to buy in 2024 is the week of Sept. 29–Oct. 5. This week historically has shown the best balance of market conditions that favor buyers. Inventory tends to be high, prices...

What To Know About Closing Costs

Written by Florida Mortgage Experts Syndicate User on September 13, 2024. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers.

Now that you’ve decided to buy a home and are ready to make it happen, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the costs that are a typical part of the homebuying process. And while your down payment is probably the number one expense on your mind, don’t forget about closing costs. Here’s what you need to know.What Are Closing Costs?Simply put, your closing costs are the additional fees and payments you have to make at closing. And while they’ll vary based on the price of the home and how it’s being financed, every buyer has these, so they shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s just that some...

The Real Story Behind What’s Happening with Home Prices

Written by Florida Mortgage Experts Syndicate User on September 12, 2024. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices.

If you’re wondering what’s going on with home prices lately, you’re definitely not the only one. With so much information out there, it can be hard to figure out your next move.As a buyer, you might be worried about paying more than you should. And if you’re thinking of selling, you might be concerned about not getting the price you’re aiming for. So, here’s a quick breakdown to help clear things up and show you what’s really happening with prices—whether you’re thinking about buying or selling. Home Price Growth Is Slowing, but Prices Aren’t Falling...