Category: Affordability

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Why Most People Are Still Glad They Bought a Home

Written by Destin FL Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on October 12, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Destin FL Mortgage, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Home Prices, Mortgage Destin FL, Rent vs. Buy.

With everything going on, it’s understandable if you’re wondering if you’d regret buying right now. Everyday expenses cost more. Mortgage rates are higher than you’d like. And when the economy feels uncertain, taking on a mortgage can feel like a much bigger leap. But here’s some perspective that may help…Most people who already made that leap would do it again.According to a recent survey from NerdWallet, the vast majority of recent buyers (74%) were glad they bought their current home. Only a very small 3% of people regret it:And here’s a big reason why so many people feel it was worth...

Myth vs. Reality: Does the Fed Control Mortgage Rates?

Written by Destin FL Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on October 8, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Agent Value, Buying Tips, Destin FL Mortgage, Economy, For Buyers, For Sellers, Mortgage Destin FL, Mortgage Rates, Selling Tips.

You’ve probably heard the Federal Reserve (the Fed) is raising rates again. And if you’re planning to buy or sell a house, you may be wondering what that means for you.With all the headlines, it’s easy to think the Fed sets mortgage rates. That’s actually a common myth. But the Fed’s decisions can still have an impact on them.So, where does that leave you? The next few months could get a little bumpy. But the Fed is playing the long game. And with the right plan, you can still make a move that works. Let’s break it down.Why the Fed Is Raising RatesIt all comes back to...

Two Moves That Can Get You Into Your First Home Sooner

Written by Destin FL Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on October 6, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Destin FL Mortgage, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Destin FL, Rent vs. Buy.

For a lot of first-time buyers, owning a home can feel perpetually a few years out of reach. Saving for a down payment takes time, and each year you spend renting can make owning feel further off.But buying your first home doesn’t have to happen to feel like a far away goal. Two choices you control can bring your first home years closer, even with affordability as tight as it is right now.How Long Buying Really TakesFirst, one quick definition. “Breaking even” is the point where owning has cost you about the same as renting would have over the same period. And after that...

The Mortgage Rate You See Online Isn’t Necessarily the One You’d Get.

Written by Destin FL Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on September 29, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Destin FL Mortgage, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Destin FL, Mortgage Rates.

You may have seen the headlines saying mortgage rates have climbed to the highest point since January 2025. And if that’s left you reluctant to buy a home, here’s what you need to remember… That’s not necessarily the number you’d get. It’s a common misconception that the rate you see in the headlines is the same one you’d get when you buy. The truth is, mortgage rates shift often, and the rate you actually end up with can vary a lot from what you may see or hear about. What Determines Your Real Rate? Advertised rates and “real rates” aren’t always the...

Why So Many Sellers Are Cutting Their Price Right Now

Written by Destin FL Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on September 25, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Agent Value, Buying Tips, Destin FL Mortgage, For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, Mortgage Destin FL, Price It Right/Overpricing, Selling Tips.

Price cuts are turning up everywhere right now, and they read very differently depending on which side of the deal you’re on.Sellers tend to worry a cut means walking away with less than they hoped. Sometimes that’s true, but more often it just means the market moved faster than the listing did.Buyers, for their part, often assume a cut means something’s wrong with the house. Most of the time, that’s not it.This is what’s actually driving all those price cuts, and why it matters no matter which side of the deal you’re on.42% of Homes for Sale Are Now Carrying a Price...

3 Things You Can Actually Control About Your Mortgage Rate Right Now

Written by Destin FL Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on September 23, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Destin FL Mortgage, For Buyers, Mortgage Destin FL, Mortgage Rates, New Construction.

If you’re trying to buy a home, affordability is probably what keeps you up at night. And as you watch mortgage rates tick up again lately, it’s fair to wonder if you should just hit pause and wait for them to go down. For now, though, they’re headed the other way. Mortgage News Daily data shows how rates have risen this year (see graph below):And if you’re wondering why? There are actually a number of reasons. Mortgage rates are impacted by the situation overseas, economic data, inflation numbers, oil prices, and even decisions from the Federal Reserve (who recently decided to hike...

The Best Time To Buy a Home in 2026 Is Almost Here

Written by Destin FL Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on September 23, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Destin FL Mortgage, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Destin FL, Mortgage Rates.

Want to buy a house this year, but not sure if the timing’s right? Seasonally, it may actually be a better time to buy than you expect.Yes, mortgage rates have been ticking up lately – and that’s creating some real challenges with affordability. No one’s arguing that. But there are also predictable trends that happen this time every year that can put some wind back in your sails.According to research coming out of Realtor.com, nationally, the week of September 27 – October 3 will be the best time to buy this year for this very reason:“The week of September 27–October 3 brings together the...

Sellers Are Cutting Prices To Meet Buyers Where They’re At

Written by Destin FL Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on August 27, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Destin FL Mortgage, For Buyers, Home Prices, Mortgage Destin FL.

You’re scrolling through listings on your phone and everything looks good until you see the price (or the estimated monthly payment). Then you close the app. Because even if you love the house, the numbers feel impossible. But here’s the thing.Nationally, there are more homes sitting on the market than there are people out there looking. And when sellers need buyers more than buyers need sellers, that shows up in the price.Lower asking prices. More price cuts. And homes priced for what buyers can actually afford – not what sellers hope someone might pay.And it may be enough to...

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

Written by Destin FL Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on August 16, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Destin FL Mortgage, Economy, For Buyers, For Sellers, Mortgage Destin FL, Mortgage Rates.

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...

The Case for Putting 20% Down on Your Next Home

Written by Destin FL Mortgage Mortgage Syndicated User on August 10, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Destin FL Mortgage, Downsize, For Buyers, Mortgage Destin FL, Move-Up.

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...