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Tag: #mortgagesiestakeyfl

Worried About a Housing Crash? The Numbers Tell a Calmer Story.

A recent survey from Talker Research asked Americans to pick one word to describe how 2026 has felt so far. The winner? Stressful. And honestly, there’s been a lot going on.So, it’s understandable if you’ve been putting off buying or selling a home until things settle down. But you may be waiting on something that’s already happened. While everything else has felt shaky, the housing market has become one of the steadiest things out there. Look at the data.Home Prices Have Leveled OutAfter years of fast increases, data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows home...

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Most Home Sales Close – Here’s How To Keep Yours on Track

Few things are as rattling as the thought of your home sale falling through at the last minute, right before closing. All that waiting, all that progress, out the window.But if you’re getting ready to sell, here’s what you should know. Even in today’s market, it rarely comes to that. Buyers who are moving at today’s rates and prices are generally moving because of some big life change. That means they’re motivated, and eager to get all the way to the closing table.According to the latest data from Redfin, only about 1 in 7 pending sales are falling through. Meaning the vast majority make it...

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One Number Could Change Everything About Your Next Move

When’s the last time someone told you what your house is worth? Not what some online valuation tool guessed. Not what your neighbor’s house sold for. What yours is actually worth right now.For a lot of homeowners, it’s been years. And if you’ve been thinking about moving, but higher home prices or mortgage rates have made you hesitate, here’s why it’s time to take a second look at that number.Your House May Be Worth More Than You ThinkHome values have climbed significantly over the past 5-10 years. And even though today’s market is more balanced, homeowners are...

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Who Has the Upper Hand in Today’s Housing Market?

Ask around and almost every homebuyer out there wants to know if there’s a way to get a better deal. And just about every seller wants to know if they’ll still get top dollar.The interesting thing is… both can be right at the exact same time. It just depends on where you live.That’s because today’s housing market isn’t moving in one direction anymore. Some markets clearly favor buyers. Others still favor sellers. But most are sitting somewhere in the middle.And knowing which market you’re actually in can completely change the strategy you use to buy or...

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Here’s Why Mortgage Rates Are What They Are Right Now

If you’re waiting for mortgage rates to fall a lot before you buy, you may be waiting a while. But before you get discouraged, there’s a number working behind the scenes that’s actually good for you right now. It’s called the spread, and once you understand it, you may see today’s rates in a whole new light.The Pattern That’s Held for 50+ YearsFor starters, mortgage rates don’t move on their own. They tend to follow the 10-year treasury yield, a number tied to how investors feel about the economy.It’s not an exact science, since plenty of other factors can move...

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The Case for Putting 20% Down on Your Next Home

If you’re planning to buy your next home soon, you’ve probably heard the old rule about saving 20% for your down payment.The truth is, you usually don’t have to. Plenty of loan options let qualified buyers put down much less. But a lot of repeat buyers are choosing to put down 20% anyway.So, why are they if they don’t have to?Two reasons. They know a bigger down payment pays off, and after years in their current house, they’ve built up enough equity that it’s finally possible.Repeat Buyers Put More Money DownAccording to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the typical repeat buyer...

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Thinking About Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates? Read This First.

Imagine waiting a year to buy a home, only to find mortgage rates haven’t changed much. That may sound frustrating.But it’s a real possibility.A lot of people are putting their plans on hold because they believe much lower mortgage rates are right around the corner. But, based on today’s forecasts, that may not happen. And you should know that before you decide what to do.Let’s look at why experts don’t expect a dramatic drop in rates – and the options that could help you buy anyway. Because even if rates don’t fall, you can still move. Here’s how.1. Mortgage...

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Big Investors Are Backing Off and That’s Your Opening

For years, a lot of would-be homebuyers have worried about the same thing. How do you compete with big investors who can swoop in, pay cash, and snap up the houses you want?Well, worry a little less. Because right now, those big investors aren’t buying up the market. They’re backing out of it.Investors Are Buying Fewer Homes Than They Have in YearsAccording to Redfin, investor home purchases just fell to their lowest level since 2020 – when the start of the pandemic temporarily caused pretty much all homebuying to pull way back. Before that, you’d have to go all the way...

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Here’s Where To Start if You’re Selling and Buying at the Same Time

If you’re a homeowner getting ready to move, one question usually comes first: should you buy your next home before you sell, or sell your current house before you start looking?There’s no single right answer. The best call depends on your finances, your local market, and your timeline. And a trusted agent can help you weigh all of it.But in a lot of cases these days, selling first puts you in the stronger spot.The Advantages of Selling FirstSelling is usually the trickier half of a move today, so getting it done first clears your biggest hurdle. And that’s especially true right...

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Buying a Home? Here’s What You Should Know About Home Insurance Costs.

If buying a home is on your radar, you’ve probably been keeping an eye on mortgage rates and home prices. But don’t forget about homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance has always been part of owning a home. But over the past few years, it’s become a larger expense for many homeowners – something that’s especially frustrating when affordability already feels tight.The good news? While premiums are still rising, the latest data shows those increases are beginning to slow. Here’s what buyers should know.Home Insurance Costs Have Gone UpYou’ve probably heard...

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