Category: Buying Tips

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Who Has the Upper Hand in Today’s Housing Market?

Written by super22 on August 16, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, For Sellers, Selling Tips, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

Ask around and almost every homebuyer out there wants to know if there’s a way to get a better deal. And just about every seller wants to know if they’ll still get top dollar.The interesting thing is… both can be right at the exact same time. It just depends on where you live.That’s because today’s housing market isn’t moving in one direction anymore. Some markets clearly favor buyers. Others still favor sellers. But most are sitting somewhere in the middle.And knowing which market you’re actually in can completely change the strategy you use to buy or...

The Case for Putting 20% Down on Your Next Home

Written by super22 on August 16, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Downsize, For Buyers, Move-Up, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

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...

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

Written by super22 on August 2, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, For Buyers, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

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 super22 on August 2, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, Selling Tips, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

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...

The “Take It or Leave It” Attitude Is Fading from the Market – What That Means for You

Written by super22 on July 13, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, For Sellers, New Construction, Selling Tips, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

Negotiations are back. More buyers are asking for better deals, and more sellers are giving them. Builders are throwing in extras, too. That’s why whether you’re buying or selling today, there are two terms you’ll hear a lot: concession and incentive.A concession is something a seller agrees to during negotiations to get a deal done.An incentive is a perk a builder (or a seller) advertises upfront to attract buyers.Let’s run through what you need to know about both and how they could play a role in your move.More Sellers Are Agreeing to ConcessionsAlmost half (46%) of homeowners who sold...

Student Loans Are Back in the News. Don’t Let It Put Your Homeownership Plans on Hold.

Written by super22 on July 8, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

Student loans are back in the spotlight. And whether you’ve been following the headlines closely or just catching bits and pieces here and there, there’s a good chance they’ve been on your mind lately.And if you’re questioning whether you have to hit pause on your plans to buy a home, here’s the thing you have to remember:Having student loans doesn’t automatically mean buying a home has to wait.The Biggest Myth About Student Loans and Buying a HomeOne of the most common misconceptions among first-time buyers is that they have to pay off their student loans...

Down Payments Are Smaller Than They’ve Been Since 2021

Written by super22 on July 3, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

Saving for a down payment can feel like the hardest part of buying a home. And with affordability as tight as it’s been lately, it’s fair to wonder how anyone manages it right now. Here’s something you may not have seen coming. Some people are getting their foot in the door with a smaller down payment.According to Realtor.com, the typical buyer put down about $23,400 in early 2026 – that’s around $5,000 below what was typical the year before (a 19% drop year over year). That’s the lowest down payments have been since 2021 (see graph below):So why are buyers putting less money down,...

The 1 Factor That Explains Everything Happening with Home Prices Right Now

Written by super22 on July 3, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, Inventory, Selling Tips, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

You’ve probably heard that home prices are cooling off. And that’s true – nationally. But zoom in on individual markets across the country, and the picture looks completely different depending on where you are.Some areas are still seeing solid price growth. Others have gone flat. A few have actually dipped slightly negative. So, what’s causing all of that variation? It All Comes Down to InventoryHere’s the simple version:When there are more homes for sale, buyers have options.More options, means less competition.Less competition means sellers can’t push prices...

That House That’s Been Sitting Could Be Your Best Shot at a Deal

Written by super22 on June 28, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

Open up a home search and you’ll see them. Listings that have been on the market for two months. Three. Some longer.Most buyers scroll right past them, assuming something’s wrong with the house. But that instinct could be costing you, since the longer a home sits, the more motivated the seller usually gets.Where Some Buyers Are Finding Better DealsIf affordability has been your #1 hurdle to buying, here’s a surprisingly simple strategy that could help you finally get your foot in the door. Start with the homes that have been sitting the longest. That’s often where the best deals...

4 Ways To Give Your Offer an Edge This Spring

Written by super22 on May 5, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

Looking to buy a home this season? Here’s what you should know. Buyers have more leverage today than they’ve had in years. There are more homes to choose from and, in many areas, sellers are more open to negotiation. But that doesn’t mean competition is gone completely. These days, it varies a lot depending on where you’re hoping to move. If you’re buying in a popular neighborhood, or in a market where there aren’t many homes for sale, you may still find yourself competing with another buyer.And that’s especially true in the Spring. Here’s how to stay one step ahead of any...