Buyers Have More Negotiation Power – Here’s How To Use It

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on March 27, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, Buying Tips, For Buyers, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key.

You may have heard there are more homes for sale right now. And while that’ll vary depending on the market, it means that overall, things are starting to lean in a more balanced direction. As that happens, some sellers are a bit more open to compromise. Here’s what that means for you. You may be regaining some negotiating power. That can translate into savings, perks, or even better terms on your purchase – if you know what levers to pull during negotiation. Why an Agent Is an Essential Part of the Negotiation Process The complicated part is knowing what is and isn’t on the table. That’s...

The Best Week To List Your House Is Almost Here – Are You Ready?

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on March 25, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Selling Tips.

If selling your house is on your to-do list this year, the time to start prepping is now. That’s because experts say the best week to list your house is coming up fast. A recent Realtor.com study analyzed years of housing market trends (excluding 2020 since it was an outlier) and found that April 13–19 is expected to be the ideal window to put your house on the market this year: “. . . we’ve identified April 13-19 as the best week to list for sellers . . . a seller listing a well-priced, move-in ready home is likely to find success. Because spring is generally the high season for real...

Your Roadmap to Homeownership

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on March 21, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key.

Some Highlights Buying a home isn’t just a transaction – it’s a journey. And like any great adventure, having a solid roadmap makes all the difference. ? From building your dream team to getting pre-approved, house hunting, and signing the papers on closing day – each milestone is an achievement. Your journey starts here. Connect with an agent so you have help every step along the way.?

The 3 Biggest Mistakes Sellers Are Making Right Now

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on February 5, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Selling Tips.

If you want to sell your house, having the right strategies and expectations is key. But some sellers haven’t adjusted to where the market is today. They’re not factoring in that there are more homes for sale or that buyers are being more selective with their budgets. And those sellers are making some costly mistakes. Here’s a quick rundown of the 3 most common missteps sellers are making, and how partnering with an expert agent can help you avoid every single one of them. 1. Pricing the Home Too High According to a survey by John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current...

The Secret To Selling? Using an Agent To Get Your House Noticed

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on January 30, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key.

In a recent survey, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) asked sellers what they want most from a real estate agent. The number one answer was to help market their house. It makes sense. The way your agent markets your house can be the difference between whether or not it stands out and gets attention from buyers. That’s why it’s so important to work with an expert local agent that knows what they’re doing. According to that same report from NAR, here are some of the most common methods real estate agents use to market homes, and how you benefit when your agent uses them...

How Home Equity Can Help Fuel Your Retirement

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on January 28, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, Home Prices, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key.

If retirement is on the horizon, now’s the time to start thinking about your next chapter. And you probably want to make sure you’re set up to feel comfortable financially to live the life you want in retirement. What you may not realize is you likely have a hidden goldmine of cash you’re not thinking about — and that’s your home. Data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) shows that home values have gone up nearly 60% over the last 5 years alone (see graph below): And that appreciation gave your net worth a big boost. According to Freddie Mac, over the same five-year period: “...

What To Save for When Buying a Home

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on January 9, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, Buying Tips, For Buyers, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key.

Knowing what to budget for when buying a home may feel intimidating — but it doesn’t have to be. By understanding the costs you may encounter upfront, you can take control of the process. Here are just a few things experts say you should be thinking about as you plan ahead. 1. Down Payment Saving for your down payment is likely top of mind. But how much do you really need? A common misconception is that you have to put down 20% of the purchase price. But that’s not necessarily the case. Unless it’s specified by your loan type or lender, you don’t have to. There are some home loan options...

Mortgage Forbearance: A Helpful Option for Homeowners Facing Challenges

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on January 8, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Foreclosures, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Selling Tips.

Let’s face it – life can throw some curveballs. Whether it’s a job loss, unexpected bills, or a natural disaster, financial struggles can happen to anyone. But here’s the good news. If you’re a homeowner feeling the squeeze, there’s a lifeline that many people don’t realize is still available: mortgage forbearance. What Is Mortgage Forbearance? As Bankrate explains: “Mortgage forbearance is an option that allows borrowers to pause or lower their mortgage payments while dealing with a short-term crisis, such as a job loss, illness or other financial setback . . . When you can’t afford to...

Why More Sellers Are Hiring a Real Estate Agent

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on December 27, 2024. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Infographics, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key.

Some Highlights More homeowners are realizing they need an agent’s help in this complex market – and that’s why a record-low number of people are selling without a pro by their side. Without an agent’s help, tackling pricing, staging and repairs, paperwork, negotiation, and more can be a real headache. Selling without a pro isn’t worth the hassle. Connect with an agent to see if you’d work well together.

Only an Expert Agent Can Give You an Accurate Value of Your Home

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on December 16, 2024. Posted in Agent Value, For Sellers, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Selling Tips.

In today’s digital age, it’s tempting to rely on automated tools for everything — including figuring out how much your house is worth. But be careful. The automated estimates you’re seeing online often miss key details that affect the true market value of your home. Before you toss a for sale sign in your yard and expect to bring in the number you saw for your house online, you need to understand why these tools generally aren’t spot-on and why working with an expert real estate agent is the best way to get an accurate picture of what your house is really worth. The Myth: Online Home Value...

Category: Agent Value