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Category: Affordability

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

Written by The Villages FL Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, Economy, For Buyers, For Sellers, Mortgage Rates, The Villages FL, The Villages FL Mortgage.

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

Written by The Villages FL Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Downsize, For Buyers, Move-Up, The Villages FL, The Villages FL Mortgage.

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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Renting vs. Buying: The Numbers Might Surprise You

Written by The Villages FL Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Rent vs. Buy, The Villages FL, The Villages FL Mortgage.

Renting can feel like the easier choice right now. There’s no big down payment. No dealing with surprise repairs. And no long-term commitment.But then your rent goes up again. And again. And suddenly the thing that seemed flexible starts looking… expensive, especially considering you’re not building any equity. And once that happens, it’s easy to feel a little trapped in the cycle.That’s because there’s so much chatter today about how buying a home isn’t affordable. But the truth is, the math may work out better than you’d expect based on what’s changed recently.Buying Is More...

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Why Buying a Home Still Pays Off in the Long Run

Written by The Villages FL Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Rent vs. Buy, The Villages FL, The Villages FL Mortgage.

Renting can feel much less expensive and much simpler than buying a home, especially right now. No repairs, no property taxes, no worrying about mortgage rates – you just pay the bill and move on with your life.But here’s the part people don’t talk about enough: renting doesn’t help you build your financial future. Meanwhile, homeowners grow their net worth just by owning a home.So, if you’ve been wondering whether buying is still worth it, the long-term math is clearer than you might think.Renting vs. Owning: How the Costs Really CompareLet’s break down one of the key differences between...

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Multi-Generational Homebuying Hit a Record High – Here’s Why

Written by The Villages FL Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, The Villages FL, The Villages FL Mortgage.

Multi-generational living is on the rise. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 17% of homebuyers purchase a home to share with parents, adult children, or extended family. That’s the highest share ever recorded by NAR (see graph below):And what’s behind the increase? Affordability. NAR explains:“In 2024, a notable 36% of homebuyers cited “cost savings” as the primary reason for purchasing a multigenerational home—a significant increase from just 15% in 2015.”In the past, caregiving was the leading motivator – especially for those looking to support aging parents. And...

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Two Resources That Can Help You Buy a Home Right Now

Written by The Villages FL Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, The Villages FL, The Villages FL Mortgage.

A recent report from Realtor.com says 20% of Americans don’t think homeownership is achievable. Maybe you feel the same way. With inflation driving up day-to-day expenses, saving enough to buy your first home is more of a challenge. But here’s the thing. With the right resources and help, you can still make it happen.There are options that can help make buying a home possible today — even if your savings are limited or your credit isn’t perfect. Let’s explore just two of the solutions that could help get you into your first home no matter the market.1. FHA LoansIf your down payment savings...

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Buying Beats Renting in 22 Major U.S. Cities

Written by The Villages FL Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, For Buyers, Home Prices, Inventory, Mortgage Rates, The Villages FL, The Villages FL Mortgage.

That’s right—according to a recent study from Zillow, in 22 of the 50 largest metro areas, monthly mortgage payments are now lower than rent payments (see chart below):As mortgage rates have eased off their recent peak, home prices have moderated, and inventory has ticked up, affordability has improved significantly. When you add all of that up, it’s getting less expensive to buy a home than to rent one in many parts of the country.This is a big deal if you’ve been renting for a while now. But if you don’t see your city on this list, don’t sweat it. Things are moving fast, and your area...

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Equity Can Make Your Move Possible When Affordability Is Tight [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by The Villages FL Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, Equity, Infographics, Move-Up, The Villages FL, The Villages FL Mortgage.

Some HighlightsDid you know the equity you have in your current house can help make your move possible?Once you sell, you can use it for a larger down payment on your next home, so you’re borrowing less. Or, you may even have enough to be an all-cash buyer. The typical homeowner has $298,000 in equity. If you want to find out how much you have, connect with a local real estate agent for a Professional Equity Assessment Report.

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