Single Women Are Embracing Homeownership

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on April 1, 2024. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Emerald Coast.

In today’s housing market, more and more single women are becoming homeowners. According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 19% of all homebuyers are single women, while only 10% are single men.If you’re a single woman trying to buy your first home, this should be encouraging. It means other people are making their dreams a reality – so you can too.Why Homeownership Matters to So Many Women For many single women, buying a home isn’t just about having a place to live—it’s also a smart way to invest for the future. Homes usually increase in value...

The First Step: Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on March 1, 2024. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Mortgage Emerald Coast.

Some HighlightsIf you’re looking to buy a home in 2024, getting pre-approved is a key piece of the puzzle. Mortgage pre-approval means a lender checks your finances and decides how much you’re qualified to borrow.As more buyers re-enter the market, it’ll help you make a strong offer that stands out from the crowd.Talk to a trusted professional to learn more and begin your homebuying process today.

What You Need To Know About Saving for a Home in 2024

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on January 1, 2024. Posted in Buying Myths, 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 intimidating – but it doesn’t have to be. One way to ease those concerns is to make sure you understand some of the costs you may encounter up front. And to do that, always turn to trusted real estate professionals. They can help you set a plan and take a strategic look at your budget and your process before you even get started.Here are just a few things experts say you should be thinking about.1. Down PaymentSaving for your down payment is likely top of mind as you set out to buy a home. But do you know...

Is Owning a Home Still the American Dream for Younger Buyers?

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on December 1, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Demographics, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Emerald Coast.

Everyone has their own idea of the American Dream, and it’s different for each person. But, in a recent survey by Bankrate, people were asked about the achievements they believe represent the American Dream the most. The answers show that owning a home still claims the #1 spot for many Americans today (see graph below): In fact, according to the graph, owning a home is more important to people than retiring, having a successful career, or even getting a college degree. But is the dream of homeownership still alive for younger generations?A recent survey by 1000watt dives into how the...

Are the Top 3 Housing Market Questions on Your Mind?

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on December 1, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Emerald Coast, Move-Up Buyers, Selling Myths.

When it comes to what’s happening in the housing market, there’s a lot of confusion going around right now. You may hear one thing in conversation with your friends, see something totally different on the news, and read something on social media that contradicts both of those thoughts. And, if you’re thinking about making a move, that can leave you with a lot of lingering questions. That’s where a trusted local real estate agent comes in.Here are the top 3 questions people are asking about today’s housing market, and the data to help answer them.1. What’s Next for Mortgage Rates?Mortgage...

Unmasking Scary Myths about Today’s Housing Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

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

Some HighlightsHere’s what you really need to know about a few myths causing fear in today’s housing market.Despite common misconceptions, many people can buy a home even if they have student loans, home prices are rising nationally (not falling), and you usually don’t have to have 20% for a down payment.If you have other fears or reservations about buying a home today, get in touch with a real estate expert who can help clear those up.

The True Value of Homeownership

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

Buying and owning your home can make a big difference in your life by bringing you joy and a sense of belonging. And with June being National Homeownership Month, it’s the perfect time to think about all the benefits homeownership provides. Of course, there are financial reasons to buy a house, but it’s important to consider the non-financial benefits that make a home more than just where you live.Here are three ways owning your home can give you a sense of accomplishment, happiness, and pride. You May Feel Happier and More Fulfilled Owning a home is associated with better mental health and...

Keys to Success for First-Time Homebuyers

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on June 1, 2023. Posted in Down Payments, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Emerald Coast.

Buying your first home is an exciting decision and a major milestone that has the power to change your life for the better. As a first-time homebuyer, it’s a vision you can bring to life, but, as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shares, you’ll have to overcome some factors that have made it more challenging in recent years:“Since 2011, the share of first-time home buyers has been under the historical norm of 40% as buyers face tight inventory, rising home prices, rising rents and high student debt loads.”That said, if you’re looking to purchase your first home, here are two things...

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...

Ways To Overcome Affordability Challenges in Today’s Housing Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on May 1, 2023. Posted in Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Interest Rates, Mortgage Emerald Coast, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing.

Some HighlightsWith so few homes on the market right now, widening the scope of your search to include nearby areas could help you find more options in your budget.You can also work with a trusted lender to consider alternative financing options and search for down payment assistance.If you’ve been searching for a home but are concerned about rising costs, make sure you have a team of trusted real estate professionals for expert advice.

Category: First Time Home Buyers