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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.

Sellers: Don’t Let These Two Things Hold You Back

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.

Many homeowners thinking about selling have two key things holding them back. That’s feeling locked in by today’s higher mortgage rates and worrying they won’t be able to find something to buy while supply is so low. Let’s dive into each challenge and give you some helpful advice on how to overcome these obstacles.Challenge #1: The Reluctance to Take on a Higher Mortgage RateAccording to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the average interest rate for current homeowners with mortgages is less than 4% (see graph below):But today, the typical 30-year fixed mortgage rate offered to...

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Pricing Your House Right Still Matters Today

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

While this isn’t the frenzied market we saw during the ‘unicorn’ years, homes that are priced right are still selling quickly and seeing multiple offers right now. That’s because the number of homes for sale is still so low. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows 76% of homes sold within a month and the average saw 3.5 offers in June.To set yourself up to see advantages like these, you need to rely on an agent. Only an agent has the expertise needed to find the right asking price for your house. Here’s what’s at stake if that price isn’t accurate for today’s market...

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Key Housing Market Trends [INFOGRAPHIC]

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

Some HighlightsIf you’re considering buying or selling a home, you’ll want to know what’s happening in the housing market.Housing inventory is still very low, prices are climbing back up, and homes are selling fast when priced right.Connect with a real estate agent if you want more information about your local area and what the trends mean for your plans to buy or sell.

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Homebuyers Are Still More Active Than Usual

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

Even though the housing market is no longer experiencing the frenzy that was so characteristic of the last couple of years, it doesn’t mean today’s market is at a standstill. In actuality, buyer traffic is still strong today.The ShowingTime Showing Index is a measure of how much buyers are touring homes. The graph below uses that index to illustrate buyer activity trends over time to help put today into the proper perspective.It shows there’s seasonality in real estate. If you look at the last normal years in the market (shown in gray), there was a consistent pattern as buyer activity...

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Tips for Making Your Best Offer on a Home

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

While the wild ride that was the ‘unicorn’ years of housing is behind us, today’s market is still competitive in many areas because the supply of homes for sale is still low. If you’re looking to buy a home this season, know that the peak frenzy of bidding wars is in the rearview mirror, but you may still come up against some multiple-offer scenarios.Here are a few things to consider to help you put your best foot forward when making an offer on a home.1. Lean on a Real Estate ProfessionalRely on an agent who can support your goals and help you understand what’s happening in today’s housing...

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Don’t Fall for the Next Shocking Headlines About Home Prices

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

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? And it’s no surprise you don’t have the clarity you need on that topic. Part of the issue is how headlines are talking about prices.They’re basing their negative news by comparing current stats to the last few years. But you can’t compare this year to the ‘unicorn’ years (when home prices reached record highs that were unsustainable). And as prices begin to normalize now, they’re talking about it like it’s a bad thing and making people fear what’s...

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Foreclosure Numbers Today Aren’t Like 2008

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Distressed Properties, For Buyers, Foreclosures, Housing Market Updates, Key West Florida News, Key West News.

If you’ve been keeping up with the news lately, you’ve probably come across headlines talking about the increase in foreclosures in today’s housing market. This may have left you with some uncertainty, especially if you’re considering buying a home. It’s important to understand the context of these reports to know the truth about what’s happening today.According to a recent report from ATTOM, a property data provider, foreclosure filings are up 2% compared to the previous quarter and 8% since one year ago. While media headlines are drawing attention to this increase,...

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Real Estate Continues To Be the Best Investment [INFOGRAPHIC]

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

Some HighlightsAccording to a recent Gallup poll, real estate has been voted the best long-term investment for 11 years in a row, beating gold, stocks, bonds, and more.Owning real estate means more than just having a home—it’s an investment in your future. That’s because it’s typically a stable and secure asset that tends to increase in value as time goes on.Connect with a local real estate agent if you’re ready to buy a home and invest in your future.

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Owning Your Home Helps You Build Wealth

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, Rent vs. Buy.

You may have heard some people say it’s better to rent than buy a home right now. But, even today, there are lots of good reasons to become a homeowner. One of them is that owning a home is typically viewed as a good long-term investment that helps your net worth grow over time.Homeownership Builds Wealth Regardless of Income LevelYou may be surprised to learn homeowners across various income levels have a much higher net worth than renters who make the same amount. Data from First American helps illustrate this point (see graph below):What makes wealth so much higher for homeowners? A...

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Explaining Today’s Mortgage Rates

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

If you’re following mortgage rates because you know they impact your borrowing costs, you may be wondering what the future holds for them. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to answer that question because mortgage rates are notoriously hard to forecast.  But, there’s one thing that’s historically a good indicator of what’ll happen with rates, and that’s the relationship between the 30-Year Mortgage Rate and the 10-Year Treasury Yield. Here’s a graph showing those two metrics since Freddie Mac started keeping mortgage rate records in 1972:As the graph shows, historically, the average spread...

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