Category: First-Time Buyers

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Why Most People Are Still Glad They Bought a Home

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on October 13, 2026. Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Home Prices, Rent vs. Buy, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

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...

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

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on October 4, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, Equity, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Forecasts, Home Prices, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

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 St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on October 4, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Rates, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

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...

Big Investors Are Backing Off and That’s Your Opening

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on August 7, 2026. Posted in First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

For years, a lot of would-be homebuyers have worried about the same thing. How do you compete with big investors who can swoop in, pay cash, and snap up the houses you want?Well, worry a little less. Because right now, those big investors aren’t buying up the market. They’re backing out of it.Investors Are Buying Fewer Homes Than They Have in YearsAccording to Redfin, investor home purchases just fell to their lowest level since 2020 – when the start of the pandemic temporarily caused pretty much all homebuying to pull way back. Before that, you’d have to go all the way...

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

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on April 27, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

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 St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on April 20, 2026. Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, Inventory, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

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 St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on April 16, 2026. Posted in Equity, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Rent vs. Buy, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

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 St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on April 15, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

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...

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

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on April 13, 2026. Posted in Affordability, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Rates, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

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...

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

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on April 2, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, First-Time Buyers, For Buyers, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

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 what...