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Category: First-Time Buyers

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

Written by Key Largo Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Key Largo Mortgage, Key Largo Mortgage Rates.

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 Myth The 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...

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The 10 Best Markets for First-Time Buyers This Spring

Written by Key Largo Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, Inventory, Key Largo Mortgage, Key Largo Mortgage Rates.

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...

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

Written by Key Largo Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Equity, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Key Largo Mortgage, Key Largo Mortgage Rates, Rent vs. Buy.

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,...

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

Written by Key Largo Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Key Largo Mortgage, Key Largo Mortgage Rates.

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 Year Let’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...

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

Written by Key Largo Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Key Largo Mortgage, Key Largo Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Rates.

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 Why After 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,...

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Before You Fall in Love with a House, Do This First.

Written by Key Largo Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Key Largo Mortgage, Key Largo Mortgage Rates.

Be honest. Have you started looking at homes online yet? If you have, it’s already time to get pre-approved. Because here’s what not enough people know. If buying a home is on your radar – even if it’s more of a someday plan than a right now plan – you don’t want to wait until later on in the process to tackle this step. No matter what you’ve heard, pre-approval isn’t about commitment. It’s about clarity. And here are the two big ways pre-approval sets you up for success.  You Know Your Numbers Up Front  During the pre-approval process, a lender will walk through your finances and tell you...

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Affordability Has Improved in All 50 States

Written by Key Largo Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Key Largo Mortgage, Key Largo Mortgage Rates.

For the past few years, affordability has been what’s stopped a lot of buyers in their tracks. Maybe it stopped you, too. At some point you probably did the math, looked at the monthly payment, and decided to pause your search and wait for things to get better. But here’s something you may have missed while you’ve been sitting on the sidelines. Over the last year, housing affordability has improved in all 50 states. Yes, you read that right. It’s gotten better in every single state. That’s based on new research coming out of First American. And while housing is still fairly expensive...

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3 Must-Do’s for First-Time Home Buyers

Written by Key Largo Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Agent Value, Buying Tips, Featured, First-Time Buyers, Key Largo Mortgage, Key Largo Mortgage Rates.

Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also be a little nerve-wrecking because it’s something you’ve never done before. And trying to think of everything you need to do can feel like a lot. But here’s the key. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. And you don’t have to do it all at once. Just tackle it one thing at a time. Here’s a simple list of 3 main things you should focus on to help you get started. 1. Assemble Your Team: Don’t Do This Alone Buying a home is a team sport. And having the right professionals by your side can make a world of difference. Here’s who...

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Should You Wait for Lower Rates?

Written by Key Largo Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Key Largo Mortgage, Key Largo Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Rates.

Mortgage rates have already dropped into the upper 5s twice this year. But after just a few days, they ticked back up into the low 6% range. If you saw that and thought, “Great. I missed it,” you’re not the only one. A lot of buyers are treating the 5s like some kind of magic number. As if moving from 6.1% to 5.99% suddenly changes everything. And from a mindset perspective, it does feel different. But here’s the part most people don’t actually run the math on. The Payment Difference Isn’t What You Think Let’s say you’re looking at a $500,000 home loan. At 6.1%, generally speaking, your...

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Renting vs. Buying: The Numbers Might Surprise You

Written by Key Largo Mortgage Syndicated User on . Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Key Largo Mortgage, Key Largo Mortgage Rates, Rent vs. Buy.

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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