Skip to main content
Available 7 Days/Week       MON - FRI  8am - 7pm       SAT - SUN  10am – 6pm
Call us (386) 456-6380
Apply Now

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.

Keys to Success for First-Time Homebuyers

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

Buying your first home is an exciting decision and a major milestone that has the power to change your life for the better. As a first-time homebuyer, it’s a vision you can bring to life, but, as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shares, you’ll have to overcome some factors that have made it more challenging in recent years:“Since 2011, the share of first-time home buyers has been under the historical norm of 40% as buyers face tight inventory, rising home prices, rising rents and high student debt loads.”That said, if you’re looking to purchase your first home, here are two things...

Continue reading

Today’s Real Estate Market: The ‘Unicorns’ Have Galloped Off

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

Comparing real estate metrics from one year to another can be challenging in a normal housing market. That’s due to possible variability in the market making the comparison less meaningful or accurate. Unpredictable events can have a significant impact on the circumstances and outcomes being compared. Comparing this year’s numbers to the two ‘unicorn’ years we just experienced is almost worthless. By ‘unicorn,’ this is the less common definition of the word:“Something that is greatly desired but difficult or impossible to find.” The pandemic profoundly changed real estate over the last few...

Continue reading

Why Buying a Home Makes More Sense Than Renting Today

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.

Wondering if you should continue renting or if you should buy a home this year? If so, consider this. Rental affordability is still a challenge and has been for years. That’s because, historically, rents trend up over time. Data from the Census shows rents have been climbing pretty steadily since 1988. And, data from the latest rental report from Realtor.com shows rents continue to grow today, even though it’s at a slower pace than we saw at the height of the pandemic:“In March 2023, the U.S. rental market experienced single-digit growth for the eighth month in a row . . . The median asking...

Continue reading

Ways To Overcome Affordability Challenges in Today’s Housing Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

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

Some HighlightsWith so few homes on the market right now, widening the scope of your search to include nearby areas could help you find more options in your budget.You can also work with a trusted lender to consider alternative financing options and search for down payment assistance.If you’ve been searching for a home but are concerned about rising costs, make sure you have a team of trusted real estate professionals for expert advice.

Continue reading

The Three Factors Affecting Home Affordability Today

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

There’s been a lot of focus on higher mortgage rates and how they’re creating affordability challenges for today’s homebuyers. It’s true that rates climbed dramatically since the record-low we saw during the pandemic. But home affordability is based on more than just mortgage rates – it’s determined by a combination of mortgage rates, home prices, and wages.Considering how each one of these factors is changing gives you the full picture of home affordability today. Here’s the latest.1. Mortgage RatesWhile mortgage rates are higher than they were a year ago, they’ve hovered primarily between...

Continue reading

Why Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Are Nothing Like 2008

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

You’ve likely seen headlines about the number of foreclosures climbing in today’s housing market. That may leave you with a few questions, especially if you’re thinking about buying a house. Understanding what they really mean is mission-critical if you want to know the truth about what’s happening today.According to a recent report from ATTOM, a property data provider, foreclosure filings are up 6% compared to the previous quarter and 22% since one year ago. As media headlines call attention to this increase, reporting on just the number could actually generate worry and may even make you...

Continue reading

What Are the Experts Saying About the Spring Housing Market?

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

The housing market’s been going through a lot of change lately, and there’s been uncertainty surrounding what will happen this spring. You may be wondering if more homes will go on the market, what’s next with home prices and mortgage rates, or what the best advice is for someone in your position right now.Here’s what industry experts are saying right now about the spring housing market and what it means for you:Selma Hepp, Chief Economist, CoreLogic:“We see more competition among buyers . . . Housing supply also tends to grow during the spring months. And this is also the time of year when...

Continue reading

Why You May Want an Energy-Efficient Home [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 HighlightsSince inflation is increasing the cost of goods and services, it may make sense to look for an energy-efficient home.Energy prices have increased over the last year, so look for energy-efficient features in your home search.If you’re looking to buy a home this year, work with a real estate expert so you have a partner to help you consider which features are most important to you.

Continue reading