Why Buying a Home Makes More Sense Than Renting Today

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on May 1, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Emerald Coast, 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...

Facts About Closing Costs [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on April 1, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Mortgage Emerald Coast, Move-Up Buyers.

Applying For a Mortgage? Here’s What You Should Avoid Once You Do.

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on January 1, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Emerald Coast.

While it’s exciting to start thinking about moving in and decorating after you’ve applied for your mortgage, there are some key things to keep in mind before you close. Here’s a list of things you may not realize you need to avoid after applying for your home loan. Don’t Deposit Large Sums of Cash Lenders need to source your money, and cash isn’t easily traceable. Before you deposit any amount of cash into your accounts, discuss the proper way to document your transactions with your loan officer. Don’t Make Any Large Purchases It’s not just home-related purchases that could disqualify you from...

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

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on December 1, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Gen Z, Housing Market Updates, Millennials, Mortgage Emerald Coast, 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...

Taking the Fear out of Saving for a Home

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on November 1, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, Down Payments, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Emerald Coast, 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...

A Real Estate Professional Helps You Separate Fact from Fiction

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on August 1, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Emerald Coast, Pricing, Selling Myths.

If you’re following the news, chances are you’ve seen or heard some headlines about the housing market that don’t give the full picture. The real estate market is shifting, and when that happens, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. That’s where a trusted real estate professional comes in. They can help debunk the headlines so you can really understand today’s market and what it means for you. Here are three common housing market myths you might be hearing, along with the expert analysis that provides better context. Myth 1: Home Prices Are Going To Fall One piece of fiction many buyers...

Homeownership Could Be in Reach with Down Payment Assistance Programs

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on July 1, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, Down Payments, Emerald Coast Mortgage, For Buyers, Mortgage Emerald Coast.

A recent survey from Bankrate asks prospective buyers to identify the biggest obstacles in their homebuying journey. It found that 36% of those polled said saving for a down payment is one of their primary hurdles to buying a home. If you feel the same way, the good news is there are many down payment assistance programs available that can help you achieve your homeownership goals. The key is understanding where to look and learning what options are available. Here’s some information that can help you. You Can Qualify Even if You’ve Purchased a Home Before There are several misconceptions about...

Owning Is More Affordable than Renting in the Majority of the Country

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on February 1, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Interest Rates, Mortgage Emerald Coast, Pricing, Rent vs. Buy.

If you were thinking about buying a home this year, but already pressed pause on your plans due to rising home prices and increasing mortgage rates, there’s something you should consider. According to the latest report from ATTOM Data, owning a home is more affordable than renting in the majority of the country. The 2022 Rental Affordability Report says: “. . . Owning a median-priced home is more affordable than the average rent on a three-bedroom property in 666, or 58 percent, of the 1,154 U.S. counties analyzed for the report. That means major home ownership expenses consume a smaller portion...

How To Think Strategically as a Buyer in Today’s Market

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on December 1, 2021. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Emerald Coast, Move-Up Buyers.

The game of chess can provide incredible lessons to apply to all aspects of life, including the homebuying process. Chess requires you to plan and think about your strategy from the very beginning of the game. The homebuying process, like chess, requires strategy and planning. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your plan is as strong as possible when you begin your home search. Pre-Approval: the Best Opening Play To Make as a Homebuyer It’s important to have a great opening play when you’re buying a home. And the best move you can make when you begin your home search is getting...

The Mortgage Process Doesn’t Have To Be Scary [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on November 1, 2021. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Mortgage Emerald Coast, Move-Up Buyers.

Some Highlights Applying for a mortgage is a big step towards homeownership, but it doesn’t need to be one you fear. Here are some tips to help you prepare. Know your credit score and work to build strong credit. When you’re ready, lean on your agent to connect you with a lender so you can get pre-approved and begin your home search. Any major life change can be scary, and buying a home is no different. Let’s connect so you have an advisor by your side to take the fear out of the equation. Content previously posted on Keeping Current Matters

Category: Buying Myths