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Category: Rent vs. Buy

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Should You Rent Out or Sell Your House?

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in For Sellers, Key West Florida News, Key West News, Rent vs. Buy, Selling Tips.

Figuring out what to do with your house when you’re ready to move can be a big decision. Should you sell it and use the money for your next adventure, or keep it as a rental to build long-term wealth?It’s a question many homeowners face, and the answer isn’t always straightforward. Whether you’re curious about the potential income from renting or worried about the responsibilities of being a landlord, there’s a lot to consider.Let’s walk through some key questions to ask to help you make the best decision for your situation.Is Your House a Good Fit for Renting?Even...

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The Perks of Buying over Renting

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Key West Florida News, Key West News, Rent vs. Buy.

Thinking about buying a home? While today’s mortgage rates might seem a bit intimidating, here are two solid reasons why, if you’re ready and able, it could still be a smart move to get your own place.1. Home Values Typically Go Up Over TimeThere’s been some confusion over the past year or so about which way home prices are headed. Make no mistake, nationally they’re still going up. In fact, over the long-term, home prices almost always go up (see graph below): Using data from the Federal Reserve (the Fed), you can see the overall trend is home prices have climbed steadily for the past 60...

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Is It Better To Rent Than Buy a Home Right Now?

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Key West Florida News, Key West News, Rent vs. Buy.

You may have seen reports in the news recently saying it’s more affordable to rent right now than it is to buy a home. And while that may be true in some markets if you just look at typical monthly payments, there’s one thing that the numbers aren’t factoring in: and that’s home equity. Here’s a look at how big of an impact equity can have and why it’s worth considering as you make your decision.What the Headlines Are Based onThe graph below uses national data on the median rental payment from Realtor.com and median mortgage payment from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to compare...

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Why Homeowners Are Thankful They Own

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.

Countless people have set out on the exciting journey of homeownership. Ask around and you’ll find the vast majority are thankful they took the leap and bought a home. But why? It’s because of the many emotional and lifestyle benefits that come with being a homeowner.So, if you’re trying to decide if you want to rent or buy a home, here are just a few of the many benefits you could look forward to if you buy.It’s a Safe HavenOwning a home goes beyond just having a roof over your head. It provides a sense of security and safety. In fact, in a survey from Fannie Mae, respondents say “having a...

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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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Why Homeownership Wins in the Long Run

Written by Key West Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Key West Florida News, Key West News, Pricing, Rent vs. Buy.

Today’s higher mortgage rates, inflationary pressures, and concerns about a potential recession have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year? While it’s true this year has unique challenges for homebuyers, it’s important to think about the long-term benefits of homeownership when making your decision.Consider this: if you know people who bought a home 5, 10, or even 30 years ago, you’re probably going to have a hard time finding someone who regrets their decision. Why is that? The reason is tied to how home values grow with time and how, by extension, that grows your...

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Homeownership Helps Protect You from Inflation [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, Rent vs. Buy.

Some HighlightsWondering if it makes sense to buy a home today even when inflation is high? When other costs go up due to inflation, buying a home helps you keep your monthly housing expense steady.Rents typically increase with inflation. Maybe that’s why, according to a recent survey, 65.1% of landlords say they plan to raise the rent of at least one of their properties within the next 12 months.Especially when inflation is up, having a stable housing payment can be helpful. Connect with a local real estate agent so you can learn more and start your journey to owning a home today.

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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...

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Reasons To Consider Condos in Your Home Search

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

Are you having trouble finding a home that fits your needs and your budget? If so, you should know there’s an option worth considering – condominiums, also known as condos. According to Bankrate:“A condo can be a more affordable entry point to homeownership than a single-family home. And as a homeowner, you’ll build equity over time and have access to tax benefits that a renter wouldn’t.”That’s why expanding your search to include additional housing types, like condominiums, could help you accomplish your homeownership goals this spring, especially if you can be flexible about the space you...

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What’s Ahead for Home Prices in 2023

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, Move-Up Buyers, Rent vs. Buy.

Over the past year, home prices have been a widely debated topic. Some have said we’ll see a massive drop in prices and that this could be a repeat of 2008 – which hasn’t happened. Others have forecasted a real estate market that could see slight appreciation or depreciation depending on the area of the country. And as we get closer to the spring real estate market, experts are continuing to forecast what they believe will happen with home prices this year and beyond.Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, says:“While 2023 kicked off on a more optimistic note for the U.S. housing...

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