Category: First-Time Buyers

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14 Years Running: Why Real Estate Is Still America’s Favorite Investment

Written by super22 on July 17, 2026. Posted in First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Rent vs. Buy, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

Quick gut reaction. Which investment do Americans trust more than stocks, gold, savings accounts, and bonds? The answer hasn’t changed in 14 years. It’s real estate. And this year, that answer comes with even more conviction behind it. New data shows people aren’t just saying homeownership is a smart move, they’re feeling better about it than they have in years. Let’s dig into why.Real Estate Takes the Top Spot – AgainEvery year, Gallup asks Americans to name the best long-term investment. And for the 14th year in a row, real estate came out on top (see graph...

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,...

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...

Think You Have To Put 20% Down? Most First-Time Homebuyers Don’t.

Written by super22 on April 27, 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.

According to Google Trends, online searches for down payment information recently hit an all-time high. And that’s a clear sign more buyers are trying to figure out what they really need to save before making a move (see graph below):If you’re wondering the same thing, you can always turn to the internet for answers. But a lot of the time, it’s better to ask a local expert. Because here’s what a pro would tell you.The 20% Down Payment MythThe idea that you need 20% down to buy a home is one of the biggest misconceptions around the homebuying process. And the data debunks the myth.While...

The 10 Best Markets for First-Time Buyers This Spring

Written by super22 on April 20, 2026. Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, Inventory, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

For a while, buying your first home hasn’t just felt hard. It may have felt out of reach.Not because you weren’t ready.Not because you weren’t trying.But because every time you ran the numbers, they didn’t work.That’s why so many first-time buyers stepped back.But after years of sitting on the outside looking in, this Spring could give buyers like you an opening again – especially in some markets.Metros Where Buyers May Have an Easier Time Breaking into the Market Zillow just released a list of the top 50 metros for first-time buyers this Spring. And here’s a quick snapshot of the top 10...

Rent or Buy? The Real Tradeoff Most People Don’t Talk About

Written by super22 on April 16, 2026. Posted in Equity, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Rent vs. Buy, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

You’ve probably asked yourself lately: Is it even worth trying to buy a home right now? It’s a question a lot of people are asking.With today’s home prices and mortgage rates, renting can feel like the easier path. In some cases, it might even seem like the only realistic option right now. And if that’s where you are, there’s nothing wrong with that.But if you’re weighing the decision, there’s one part of the conversation that doesn’t get talked about enough.It’s what each choice does for your future.What Renting Really Gets You (And What It Doesn’t)Depending on your situation, renting does...

Getting a Tax Refund? Here’s How It Can Help You Buy a Home

Written by super22 on April 15, 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.

If you’re getting a tax refund this year, here’s something worth thinking about. That money could actually help you get closer to buying a home.It may not be something you’ve factored into your plan yet, but it can give your savings a nice boost right when you need it most. And whether your refund is a few thousand dollars or more, there are some smart ways to put that money to work as you get ready to buy.Your Refund May Be Even Bigger This YearLet’s start with the good news. People are getting even more money back in their refunds than they did last year. The visual below uses data from...

Getting a Tax Refund? Here’s How It Can Help You Buy a Home

Written by super22 on April 15, 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.

Wondering If You Should Still Buy a Home Right Now? Here’s What To Keep in Mind.

Written by super22 on April 13, 2026. Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Rates, Upper Keys, Upper Keys Florida Mortgage, Upper Keys History, Upper Keys Mortgage, Upper Keys News.

With economic headlines, global events, and near constant talk about affordability, you may be wondering if this is the right time to move. But here’s what you need to remember.While recent events do have some impact on the housing market, they don’t take buying off the table. You just have to use a different strategy.Mortgage Rates Have Been Up Slightly – Here’s WhyAfter trending down for most of 2025, mortgage rates have been higher again for over roughly a month now. And experts say it’s a result of what’s happening overseas and in the broader economy. As Mark Fleming, Chief...