Category: Buying Tips

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

Written by Treasure Island FL Mortgage Syndicated User on August 9, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Economy, For Buyers, Forecasts, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Treasure Island FL, Treasure Island FL Mortgage.

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...

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

Written by Treasure Island FL Mortgage Syndicated User on July 30, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, For Buyers, Mortgage Treasure Island FL, Treasure Island FL Mortgage.

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...

Home Price Growth Slowed Down. That May Be Changing.

Written by Treasure Island FL Mortgage Syndicated User on July 30, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, Mortgage Treasure Island FL, Selling Tips, Treasure Island FL Mortgage.

After more than a year of headlines talking about how home prices are going to crash, the latest data shows that price growth may be starting to pick back up again. And depending on whether you’re buying or selling, that shift means something different for you.The Numbers May Be Starting To TurnFor the past couple of years, home price growth has been moderating – cooling from around 7% in mid-2024, according to Redfin (see graph below). But look at the right side of that graph. The pace of that growth appears to have hit its low point and started to turn.While a couple months of data...

You May Not Want To Skip Over That House That’s Been Sitting on the Market

Written by Treasure Island FL Mortgage Syndicated User on February 1, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Mortgage Treasure Island FL, Treasure Island FL Mortgage.

When you see a house that’s been sitting on the market for a while, the reaction is almost automatic. You start thinking:What’s wrong with it?Why hasn’t anyone bought it yet?Am I missing something?That mindset made sense a few years ago. But in today’s market, you may actually miss out.More Time on Market Isn’t Automatically a Concern AnymoreA few years ago, homes sold in just a matter of days. Sometimes, hours. Anything that lingered longer than that raised concerns. But that’s no longer the baseline.Inventory has grown. Buyers have more choices. And homes are taking longer to sell...

Thought the Market Passed You By? Think Again.

Written by Treasure Island FL Mortgage Syndicated User on November 1, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Inventory, Mortgage Treasure Island FL, Treasure Island FL Mortgage.

If you stepped back from your home search over the past few years, you’re not alone – and you’re definitely not out of options. In fact, now might be the ideal time to take another look. With more homes to choose from, prices leveling off in many areas, and mortgage rates easing, today’s market is offering something you haven’t had in a while: options.Experts agree, buyers are in a better spot right now than they’ve been in quite a long time. Here’s what they have to say.Affordability Is Finally Improving Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, says affordability is finally starting...

Why You Don’t Need To Be Afraid of Today’s Mortgage Rates

Written by Treasure Island FL Mortgage Syndicated User on November 1, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, Downsize, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Treasure Island FL, Move-Up, Treasure Island FL Mortgage.

Mortgage rates have been the monster under the bed for a while. Every time they tick up, people flinch and say, “Maybe I’ll wait.” But here’s the twist. Waiting for that perfect 5-point-something rate could end up haunting your wallet later.The Magic NumberAccording to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):“. . . a 30-year fixed rate mortgage of 6% would make the median-priced home affordable for about 5.5 million more households—including 1.6 million renters. If rates were to hit that magic number, it’s likely that about 10%—or 550,000—of those additional households would buy a home...

What Credit Score Do You Really Need To Buy a Home?

Written by Treasure Island FL Mortgage Syndicated User on August 1, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Treasure Island FL, Treasure Island FL Mortgage.

According to Fannie Mae, 90% of buyers don’t actually know what credit score lenders are looking for, or they overestimate the minimum needed.Let that sink in. That means most homebuyers think they need better credit than they actually do – and maybe you’re one of them. And that could make you think buying a home is out of reach for you right now, even if that’s not necessarily true. So, let’s look at what the data really says about credit scores and homebuying.There’s No One Magic NumberThere’s no universal credit score you absolutely have to have when buying a home. And that means there’s...

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

Written by Treasure Island FL Mortgage Syndicated User on July 1, 2025. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Treasure Island FL, Treasure Island 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...

Buyers Have More Negotiation Power – Here’s How To Use It

Written by Treasure Island FL Mortgage Syndicated User on April 1, 2025. Posted in Agent Value, Buying Tips, For Buyers, Mortgage Treasure Island FL, Treasure Island FL Mortgage.

You may have heard there are more homes for sale right now. And while that’ll vary depending on the market, it means that overall, things are starting to lean in a more balanced direction. As that happens, some sellers are a bit more open to compromise. Here’s what that means for you.You may be regaining some negotiating power. That can translate into savings, perks, or even better terms on your purchase – if you know what levers to pull during negotiation.Why an Agent Is an Essential Part of the Negotiation ProcessThe complicated part is knowing what is and isn’t on the table. That’s where...

Is an Accessory Dwelling Unit Right for You? Here’s What To Know

Written by Treasure Island FL Mortgage Syndicated User on March 1, 2025. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Mortgage Treasure Island FL, Treasure Island FL Mortgage.

Are you having a hard time finding the right home in your budget? Or maybe you already own a home but could use some extra income or a designated space for aging loved ones. Either way, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) could be the smart solution you’ve been looking for in today’s market.What Is an ADU?According to Fannie Mae, an ADU is a small, separate living space that’s on the same lot as a single-family home. It must include its own areas for living, sleeping, cooking, and bathrooms independent of the main house. And they can take shape in a few different ways. Fannie Mae adds, an ADU...