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Category: For Buyers

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The Truth About Down Payments

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Key West Florida News, Key West News.

If you’re planning to buy your first home, saving up for all the costs involved can feel daunting, especially when it comes to the down payment. That might be because you’ve heard you need to save 20% of the home’s price to put down. Well, that isn’t necessarily the case.Unless specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% down. That means you could be closer to your homebuying dream than you realize.As The Mortgage Reports says:“Although putting down 20% to avoid mortgage insurance is wise if affordable, it’s a myth that this is always necessary. In fact,...

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Strategic Tips for Buying Your First Home

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Key West Florida News, Key West News.

Buying your first home is a big, exciting step and a major milestone that has the power to improve your life. As a first-time homebuyer, it’s a dream you can make come true, but there are some hurdles you’ll need to overcome in today’s housing market – specifically the limited supply of homes for sale and ongoing affordability challenges.So, if you’re ready, willing, and able to buy your first home, here are three tips to help you turn your dream into a reality.Save Money with First-Time Homebuyer Programs                                       Paying the initial costs of...

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Achieve Your Dream of Homeownership with Condos and Townhomes [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Key West Florida News, Key West News.

Some HighlightsIf you’re trying to buy a home but are having a hard time finding something in your budget, here’s something that can help: consider condos and townhomes.They may better fit your budget, can help you start building equity, and tend to require minimal upkeep and less maintenance.Looking at condos and townhomes can make it easier to find and buy a home. When you’re ready, connect with a local real estate agent.

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2 of the Factors That Impact Mortgage Rates

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in For Buyers, Interest Rates, Key West Florida News, Key West News.

If you’re looking to buy a home, you’ve probably been paying close attention to mortgage rates. Over the last couple of years, they hit record lows, rose dramatically, and are now dropping back down a bit. Ever wonder why?The answer is complicated because there’s a lot that can influence mortgage rates. Here are just a few of the most impactful factors at play.Inflation and the Federal ReserveThe Federal Reserve (Fed) doesn’t directly determine mortgage rates. But the Fed does move the Federal Funds Rate up or down in response to what’s happening with inflation, the economy, employment...

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Why It’s More Affordable To Buy a Home This Year [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Key West Florida News, Key West News, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing.

Some HighlightsHome affordability depends on three factors: mortgage rates, home prices, and wages.Mortgage rates are down from their recent peak, home prices are expected to rise at a slower pace, and wages are increasing faster than usual.That’s good news if you want to buy a home because it means affordability is getting better.

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The Top Benefits of Buying a Multi-Generational Home

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Key West Florida News, Key West News, Move-Up Buyers.

Has the idea of sharing a home with loved ones like your grandparents, parents, or other relatives crossed your mind? If so, you’re not alone. More buyers are choosing to go this route and buy a multi-generational home. Here’s a look at some of the top reasons why, to see if a home like this may be right for you too.Why Buyers Are Opting for Multi-Generational LivingAccording to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), two of the top reasons buyers are opting for multi-generational homes today have to do with affordability (see graph below):First-time buyers are focused most on cost...

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Are More Homeowners Selling as Mortgage Rates Come Down?

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Key West Florida News, Key West News, Move-Up Buyers.

If you’re looking to buy a home, the recent downward trend in mortgage rates is good news because it helps with affordability. But there’s another way this benefits you – it may inspire more homeowners to put their houses up for sale.The Mortgage Rate Lock-In EffectOver the past year, one factor that’s really limited the options for your move is how few homes were on the market. That’s because many homeowners chose to delay their plans to sell once mortgage rates went up. An article from Freddie Mac explains:“The lack of housing supply was partly driven by the rate lock-in effect. . . ....

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Experts Project Home Prices Will Increase in 2024

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Key West Florida News, Key West News, Pricing.

Even though home prices are going up nationally, some people are still worried they might come down. In fact, a recent survey from Fannie Mae found that 24% of people think home prices will actually decline over the next 12 months. That means almost one out of every four people are dealing with that fear, and you might be, too.To help ease that concern, here’s what experts forecast will happen with prices this year.Experts Project a Modest IncreaseCheck out the latest home price forecasts from eight different sources (see graph below):The blue bar on the left means, on average,...

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Key Terms Every Homebuyer Should Learn [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Key West Florida News, Key West News, Move-Up Buyers.

Some HighlightsBuying a home is a big deal and can feel especially complicated if you don’t know the terms used during the process.If you want to become a homeowner this year, it’s a good idea to learn these key housing terms and understand how they relate to the current housing market. That will help you feel confident when you buy a home. Connect with a local real estate agent so you can get expert help with any questions you have.

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3 Key Factors Affecting Home Affordability

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, Key West Florida News, Key West News, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing.

Over the past year, a lot of people have been talking about housing affordability and how tight it’s gotten. But just recently, there’s been a little bit of relief on that front. Mortgage rates have gone down since their most recent peak in October. But there’s more to being able to afford a home than just mortgage rates.To really understand home affordability, you need to look at the combination of three important factors: mortgage rates, home prices, and wages. Let’s dive into the latest data on each one to see why affordability is improving.1. Mortgage RatesMortgage rates have come down...

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