Category: First-Time Buyers

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Want a More Affordable Home? Don’t Overlook Condos.

Written by Deerfield Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on October 20, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Deerfield Beach Condo Mortgage, Deerfield Beach Mortgage, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Rent vs. Buy.

When you picture buying your first home, chances are you’re imagining a traditional single-family house with its own yard, maybe a garage, and little extra room to grow. But with affordability still tight, getting everything on that list right away may come with a higher price tag than you’re comfortable with right now.So, if you’re running the numbers and buying a house like that feels like a stretch, there may be another way in. A condo.Because in a lot of markets, condos come with a significantly lower price tag. And that could make them a smart way to get your foot in the door.Condos...

The Biggest Credit Hurdle for Renters Who Want To Buy

Written by Deerfield Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on October 17, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, Deerfield Beach Condo Mortgage, Deerfield Beach Mortgage, First-Time Buyers, Rent vs. Buy.

What’s the biggest payment you make every month? If you’re a renter, it’s probably your rent. But did you know that you can pay your rent on time, every time, for years, and it may never show up in your credit history? It’s pretty frustrating, especially if you’d like to buy a home someday and you’re trying to build your credit.The good thing is that’s changing right now. Here’s what you need to know and why it could open a door you thought was closed.The Problem for Would-Be BuyersYou’re not the only one frustrated. According to Zillow, nearly a third of applicants...

Why Most People Are Still Glad They Bought a Home

Written by Deerfield Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on October 13, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Deerfield Beach Condo Mortgage, Deerfield Beach Mortgage, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Home Prices, 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...

Two Moves That Can Get You Into Your First Home Sooner

Written by Deerfield Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on October 6, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Deerfield Beach Condo Mortgage, Deerfield Beach Mortgage, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, 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...

Hoping for (or Dreading) a Housing Crash? The Experts Just Weighed In.

Written by Deerfield Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on October 1, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, Deerfield Beach Condo Mortgage, Deerfield Beach Mortgage, Equity, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Forecasts, Home Prices.

Half the buyers out there are scared home prices are about to crash. The other half are hoping they will.A recent survey from Clever found 58% of Gen Z buyers are actually rooting for a crash, just so homeownership feels within reach.So, what do the forecasts actually say?Every quarter, Fannie Mae surveys more than 100 housing experts on where prices are headed. The newest results are in. And spoiler alert: they’re not calling for a crash – not even the pessimists.What the Newest Numbers Actually SayThe panel’s latest forecast has prices climbing every single year through at least...

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

Written by Deerfield Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on September 29, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Deerfield Beach Condo Mortgage, Deerfield Beach Mortgage, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, 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...

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

Written by Deerfield Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on September 17, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Deerfield Beach Condo Mortgage, Deerfield Beach Mortgage, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, 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...

Remote Work Could Be Your Affordability Answer

Written by Deerfield Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on September 8, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Agent Value, Buying Tips, Deerfield Beach Condo Mortgage, Deerfield Beach Mortgage, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers.

For most first-time buyers, the hardest part of buying a home is making the numbers work. You budget, you save, and the finish line still feels far away. But your salary is only half the equation. Where you live shapes what you can afford just as much. And if you can work remotely, you have an advantage a lot of buyers don’t. You’re not tied to living where the jobs are, so you can look where your money goes further.Where You Work Doesn’t Have To Dictate Where You LiveRemote job openings are on the rise. According to FlexJobs, remote job postings climbed 22% from the quarter...

Why Buyers Shouldn’t Overlook a Fall Move

Written by Deerfield Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on September 4, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Deerfield Beach Condo Mortgage, Deerfield Beach Mortgage, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Home Prices, Inventory, Mortgage Rates.

You’ve been waiting for something to change before you buy. It just might not be the thing you expected…While everyone’s paying attention to mortgage rates, only the savviest buyers know that the changing season can start tipping things in their favor. Because every fall, buyers tend to get more to choose from, better prices, and more room to negotiate. And that’s why Hannah Jones, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, says:“We always see that the best time to buy window usually falls in the early fall around October.”And that’s exactly why, if you’ve been waiting for a better moment...

Thinking About Tapping into Your 401(k) To Buy a Home? Read This First.

Written by Deerfield Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on September 1, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Deerfield Beach Condo Mortgage, Deerfield Beach Mortgage, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers.

Lately, headlines have floated an eye-catching idea about tapping into your 401(k) to cover a down payment on a home. Maybe you’ve caught the buzz and wondered whether that money could get you into a home faster, especially with affordability as tough as it is. Here’s what you need to remember. Pulling from your retirement savings is a big decision, so take time to weigh all your options first and be sure to talk with a financial expert before you do anything.Why Dipping into a 401(k) Can Be TemptingData from Empower shows many Americans have built up considerable retirement...