2025 Housing Market Forecasts

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on January 17, 2025. Posted in Home Prices, Infographics, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Mortgage Rates.

Some Highlights Wondering what to expect when you buy or sell a home this year? Here’s what the experts say lies ahead. Mortgage rates are projected to come down slightly. Home prices are forecast to rise in most areas. And, there will be more homes available for sale. Want to know more about what this could mean for your plans this year? Connect with a local agent to discuss your 2025 goals.

One Homebuying Step You Don’t Want To Skip: Pre-Approval

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on January 16, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, Home Prices, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key.

There’s one essential step in the homebuying process you may not know a whole lot about and that’s pre-approval. Here’s a rundown of what it is and why it’s so important right now. What Is Pre-Approval? Pre-approval is like getting a green light from a lender. It lets you know how much they’re willing to let you borrow for a home. To determine that number, a lender looks at your financial history. According to Realtor.com, these are some of the documents a lender may ask you for during this process: W-2s from the last two years Tax returns from the last two years Pay stubs from the last 30...

Roughly 11,000 Homes Will Sell Today – Will Yours Be One of Them?

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on January 15, 2025. Posted in For Sellers, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key.

Are you hesitant to sell your house because you’re worried no one’s buying with rates and prices where they are right now? Here’s some perspective that can help. The market actually isn’t at a standstill. While there weren’t as many sales last year as there’d be in a normal market, roughly 4.15 million homes still sold (not including new construction), according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). And the expectation is that number will rise in 2025. That means more people will likely move this year, and they need homes to buy. Homes like yours. But even if we only match last year’s...

The Truth About Credit Scores and Buying a Home

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on January 14, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key.

Your credit score plays a big role in the homebuying process. It’s one of the key factors lenders look at to determine which loan options you qualify for and what your terms might be. But there’s a myth about credit scores that may be holding some buyers back. The Myth: You Need To Have Perfect Credit According to Fannie Mae, only 32% of potential homebuyers have a good idea of what credit score lenders actually require. That means two-thirds of buyers don’t actually know what lenders are looking for – and most overestimate the minimum credit score needed. The Reality: Perfect Isn’t Necessary But...

How Much Home Equity Have You Gained? The Answer Might Surprise You

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on January 13, 2025. Posted in Equity, Home Prices, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key.

Have you ever stopped to think about how much wealth you’ve built up just from being a homeowner? As home values rise, so does your net worth. And, if you’ve been in your house for a few years (or longer), there’s a good chance you’re sitting on a pile of equity — maybe even more than you realize. What Is Home Equity? Home equity is the difference between what your house is worth and what you owe on your mortgage. For example, if your house is worth $500,000 and you still owe $200,000 on your home loan, you have $300,000 in equity. It’s essentially the wealth you’ve built through homeownership....

How Mortgage Rates Affect Your Monthly Payment

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on January 10, 2025. Posted in Infographics, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Mortgage Rates.

Some Highlights Experts say rates will come down slightly in the year ahead – but some volatility is expected. So, you shouldn’t try to time the market. Instead, it’s better to focus on how even a small change impacts your future mortgage payment. As rates come down, even a little bit, your monthly payment on your next home will too. Want to see what this looks like at a different price point? Connect with an agent or lender.

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 that...

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 pay...

Expert Forecasts for the 2025 Housing Market

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on January 7, 2025. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Forecasts, Home Prices, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key, Mortgage Rates.

Wondering what’s in store for the housing market this year? And more specifically, what it all means for you if you plan to buy or sell a home? The best way to get that information is to lean on the pros. Experts are constantly updating and revising their forecasts, so here’s the latest on two of the biggest factors expected to shape the year ahead: mortgage rates and home prices. Will Mortgage Rates Come Down? Everyone’s keeping an eye on mortgage rates and waiting for them to come down. So, the question is really: how far and how fast? The good news is they’re projected to ease a bit in 2025....

Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market

Written by Longboat Key Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on January 6, 2025. Posted in Equity, For Buyers, Longboat Key Mortgage, Mortgage Longboat Key.

Trying to decide whether it makes more sense to buy a home now or wait? There’s a lot to consider, from what’s happening in the market to your changing needs. But generally speaking, aiming to time the market isn’t a good strategy – there are too many factors at play for that to even be possible. That’s why experts usually say time in the market is better than timing the market. In other words, if you want to buy a home and you’re able to make the numbers work, doing it sooner rather than later is usually worth it. Bankrate explains why: “No matter which way the real estate market is leaning,...

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