Mortgage Rates Are Dropping. What Does That Mean for You?

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on December 19, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Move-Up Buyers.

Mortgage rates have been a hot topic in the housing market over the past 12 months. Compared to the beginning of 2022, rates have risen dramatically. Now they’re dropping, and that has to do with everything happening in the economy. Nadia Evangelou, Senior Economist and Director of Forecasting at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains it well by saying: “Mortgage rates dropped even further this week as two main factors affecting today’s mortgage market became more favorable. Inflation continued to ease while the Federal Reserve switched to a smaller interest rate hike. As a...

You May Have More Negotiation Power When You Buy a Home Today

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on December 14, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Move-Up Buyers.

Did the frequency and intensity of bidding wars over the past two years make you put your home search on hold? If so, you should know the hyper competitive market has cooled this year as buyer demand has moderated and housing supply has grown. Those two factors combined mean you may see less competition from other buyers. And with less competition comes more opportunity. Here are two trends that may be the news you need to reenter the market. 1. The Return of Contingencies Over the last two years, more buyers were willing to skip important steps in the homebuying process, like the appraisal...

Homeownership Is an Investment in Your Future

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on December 8, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Move-Up Buyers, Rent vs. Buy.

There are many people thinking about buying a home, but with everything affecting the economy, some are wondering if it’s a smart decision to buy now or if it makes more sense to wait it out. As Bob Broeksmit, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), explains: “The desire for homeownership is strong. Many prospective buyers are waiting for the volatility in mortgage rates to subside, as well as for a clearer picture of the economic outlook.” If you’re in that position, remember that it’s important to consider not just what’s happening today but also what benefits you...

Key Advantages of Buying a Home Today

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on December 7, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Move-Up Buyers.

There’s no doubt buying a home today is different than it was over the past couple of years, and the shift in the market has led to advantages for buyers today. Right now, there are specific reasons that make this housing market attractive for those who’ve thought about buying but have sidelined their search due to rising mortgage rates. Buying a home in any market is a personal decision, and the best way to make that decision is to educate yourself on the facts, not following sensationalized headlines in the news today. The reality is, headlines do more to terrify people thinking about buying...

Prioritizing Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer in Today’s Market

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on December 5, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Move-Up Buyers.

There’s no denying mortgage rates are higher now than they were last year. And if you’re thinking about buying a home, this may be top of mind for you. That’s because those higher rates impact how much it costs to borrow money for your home loan. As you set out to make a purchase this winter, you’ll need to be strategic so you can find a home that meets your needs and budget. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, explains: “The key to making a good decision in this challenging housing market is to be laser focused on what you need now and in the years ahead, . . . Another key point...

What You Want To Know If You’re Pursuing Your Dream of Homeownership

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on December 1, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Gen Z, Housing Market Updates, Longboat Key Mortgage, Millennials, Mortgage Longboat Key, Move-Up Buyers.

If you’re a young adult, you may be thinking about your goals and priorities for the months and years ahead. And if homeownership ranks high on your goal sheet, you’re in good company. Many of your peers are also pursuing their dream of owning a home. The 2022 Millennial & Gen Z Borrower Sentiment Report from Maxwell says: “Many young adults have demonstrated their resolve to embark on the journey toward homeownership soon. More than half of millennials and Gen Zs plan to apply for a mortgage sometime within the next year.” Let’s take a look at why homeownership makes the top of so many...

Mortgage Rates Will Come Down, It’s Just a Matter of Time

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on November 21, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Move-Up Buyers.

This past year, rising mortgage rates have slowed the red-hot housing market. Over the past nine months, we’ve seen fewer homes sold than the previous month as home price growth has slowed. All of this is due to the fact that the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has doubled this year, severely limiting homebuying power for consumers. And, this month, the average rate for financing a home briefly rose over 7% before coming back down into the high 6% range. But we’re starting to see a hint of what mortgage interest rates could look like next year. Inflation Is the Enemy of Long-Term Interest...

VA Loans: Making Homes for the Brave Achievable [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on November 11, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, Down Payments, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Move-Up Buyers.

Some Highlights VA Loans can help make homeownership possible for those who have served our country. These loans offer great benefits for eligible individuals and can help them buy a VA-approved house or condo, build a new home, or make improvements to their house. Homeownership is the American Dream. One way we can honor and thank our veterans is to ensure they have the best information about the benefits of VA home loans. Content previously posted on Keeping Current Matters

VA Loans Can Help Veterans Achieve Their Dream of Homeownership

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on November 10, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, Down Payments, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Move-Up Buyers.

For over 78 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have provided millions of veterans with the opportunity to purchase homes of their own. If you or a loved one have served, it’s important to understand this program and its benefits. Here are some things you should know about VA loans before you start the homebuying process. What Are VA Loans? VA home loans provide a pathway to homeownership for those who have served our nation. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs describes the program like this: “VA helps Servicemembers, Veterans, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. As...

Taking the Fear out of Saving for a Home

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on October 31, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, Down Payments, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Move-Up Buyers.

If you’re planning to buy a home, knowing what to budget for and how to save may sound scary at first. But it doesn’t have to be. One way to take the fear out of budgeting is understanding some of the costs you might encounter. And to do that, turn to trusted real estate professionals. They can help you plan your finances and prepare your budget. Here are just a few costs experts say you can expect. 1. Down Payment Saving for your down payment is likely top of mind as you set out to buy a home. But do you know how much you’ll need to save? While each situation is different, there’s a common...

Category: Buying Myths