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Category: Key West News

Monroe County is the southernmost county in Florida. It stretches more than 100 miles from Key Largo to Key West and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. Its key population centers include Key Largo, Islamorada, Tavernier, Marathon, Big Pine Key and Key West.

The Florida Keys are renowned for being among the most pre-eminent fishing and diving destinations in the world. Recreation options include fishing, diving, kayaking, camping, bicycling and assorted other water and outdoor sports.

Homeowners Today Have Options To Avoid Foreclosure

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Foreclosures, Key West Florida News, Key West News.

Even with the latest data coming in, the experts agree there’s no chance of a large-scale foreclosure crisis like the one we saw back in 2008. While headlines may be calling attention to a slight uptick in foreclosure filings recently, the bigger picture is that we’re still well below the number we’d see in a more normal year for the housing market. As a report from BlackKnight explains:“The prospect of any kind of near-term surge in foreclosure activity remains low, with start volumes still nearly 40% below pre-pandemic levels.”That’s good news. It means the number of homeowners at risk is...

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4 Tips To Make Your Strongest Offer on a Home

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

Are you thinking about buying a home soon? If so, you should know today’s market is competitive in many areas because the number of homes for sale is still low – and that’s leading to multiple-offer scenarios. And moving into the peak homebuying season this spring, this is only expected to ramp up more.Remember these four tips to make your best offer.1. Partner with a Real Estate AgentRely on a real estate agent who can support your goals. As PODS notes:“Making an offer on a home without an agent is certainly possible, but having a pro by your side gives you a massive advantage in figuring...

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The First Step: Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage [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 looking to buy a home in 2024, getting pre-approved is a key piece of the puzzle. Mortgage pre-approval means a lender checks your finances and decides how much you’re qualified to borrow.As more buyers re-enter the market, it’ll help you make a strong offer that stands out from the crowd.Talk to a trusted professional to learn more and begin your homebuying process today.

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Why We Aren’t Headed for a Housing Crash

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Key West Florida News, Key West News, Pricing.

If you’re holding out hope that the housing market is going to crash and bring home prices back down, here’s a look at what the data shows. And spoiler alert: that’s not in the cards. Instead, experts say home prices are going to keep going up.Today’s market is very different than it was before the housing crash in 2008. Here’s why.It’s Harder To Get a Loan Now – and That’s Actually a Good ThingIt was much easier to get a home loan during the lead-up to the 2008 housing crisis than it is today. Back then, banks had different lending standards, making it easy for just about anyone to qualify...

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Why You Want an Agent’s Advice for Your Move

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, For Sellers, Key West Florida News, Key West News, Selling Myths.

No matter how you slice it, buying or selling a home is a big decision. And when you’re going through any change in your life and you need some guidance, what do you do? You get advice from people who know what they’re talking about. Moving is no exception. You need insights from the pros to help you feel confident in your decision. Freddie Mac explains it like this:“As you set out to find the right home for your family, be sure to select experienced, trusted professionals who will help you make informed decisions and avoid pitfalls.”And while perfect advice isn’t possible – not even from...

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Why Today’s Housing Supply Is a Sweet Spot for Sellers

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Key West Florida News, Key West News.

Wondering if it still makes sense to sell your house right now? The short answer is, yes. And if you look at the current number of homes for sale, you’ll see two reasons why.An article from Calculated Risk shows there are 15.6% more homes for sale now compared to the same week last year. That tells us inventory has grown. But going back to 2019, the last normal year in the housing market, there are nearly 40% fewer homes available now:Here’s a breakdown of how this benefits you when you sell. 1. You Have More Options for Your MoveAre you thinking about selling because your current house is...

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How Changing Mortgage Rates Impact You [INFOGRAPHIC]

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

Some HighlightsIf you’re looking to buy a home, it’s important to know how mortgage rates impact what you can afford and how much you’ll pay each month.That’s because even a small change in mortgage rates can have a big impact on your purchasing power. The best way to navigate changing mortgage rates and make an informed buying decision is to rely on the expertise of a local real estate professional and mortgage lender.

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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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Expert Home Price Forecasts for 2024 Revised Up

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Housing Market Updates, Key West Florida News, Key West News, Pricing.

Over the past few months, experts have revised their 2024 home price forecasts based on the latest data and market signals, and they’re even more confident prices will rise, not fall.So, let’s see exactly how experts’ thinking has shifted – and what’s caused the change.2024 Home Price Forecasts: Then and NowThe chart below shows what seven expert organizations think will happen to home prices in 2024. It compares their first 2024 home price forecasts (made at the end of 2023) with their newest projections: The middle column shows that, at first, these experts thought home prices would only...

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Some Experts Say Mortgage Rates May Fall Below 6% Later This Year

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Key West Florida News, Key West News.

There’s a lot of confusion in the market about what’s happening with day-to-day movement in mortgage rates right now, but here’s what you really need to know: compared to the near 8% peak last fall, mortgage rates have trended down overall.And if you’re looking to buy or sell a home, this is a big deal. While they’re going to continue to bounce around a bit based on various economic drivers (like inflation and reactions to the consumer price index, or CPI), don’t let the short-term volatility distract you. The experts agree the overarching downward trend should continue this year.While we...

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