Category: For 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...

Myth vs. Reality: Does the Fed Control Mortgage Rates?

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on October 13, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Agent Value, Buying Tips, Economy, For Buyers, For Sellers, Mortgage Rates, Selling Tips, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

You’ve probably heard the Federal Reserve (the Fed) is raising rates again. And if you’re planning to buy or sell a house, you may be wondering what that means for you.With all the headlines, it’s easy to think the Fed sets mortgage rates. That’s actually a common myth. But the Fed’s decisions can still have an impact on them.So, where does that leave you? The next few months could get a little bumpy. But the Fed is playing the long game. And with the right plan, you can still make a move that works. Let’s break it down.Why the Fed Is Raising RatesIt all comes back to...

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...

Sellers Are Cutting Prices To Meet Buyers Where They’re At

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on August 27, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, For Buyers, Home Prices, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

You’re scrolling through listings on your phone and everything looks good until you see the price (or the estimated monthly payment). Then you close the app. Because even if you love the house, the numbers feel impossible. But here’s the thing.Nationally, there are more homes sitting on the market than there are people out there looking. And when sellers need buyers more than buyers need sellers, that shows up in the price.Lower asking prices. More price cuts. And homes priced for what buyers can actually afford – not what sellers hope someone might pay.And it may be enough to...

Worried About a Housing Crash? The Numbers Tell a Calmer Story.

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on August 27, 2026. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, Inventory, Mortgage Rates, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

A recent survey from Talker Research asked Americans to pick one word to describe how 2026 has felt so far. The winner? Stressful. And honestly, there’s been a lot going on.So, it’s understandable if you’ve been putting off buying or selling a home until things settle down. But you may be waiting on something that’s already happened. While everything else has felt shaky, the housing market has become one of the steadiest things out there. Look at the data.Home Prices Have Leveled OutAfter years of fast increases, data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows home...

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

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on August 13, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, For Buyers, For Sellers, Selling Tips, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

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...

Here’s Why Mortgage Rates Are What They Are Right Now

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on August 13, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Economy, For Buyers, For Sellers, Mortgage Rates, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

If you’re waiting for mortgage rates to fall a lot before you buy, you may be waiting a while. But before you get discouraged, there’s a number working behind the scenes that’s actually good for you right now. It’s called the spread, and once you understand it, you may see today’s rates in a whole new light.The Pattern That’s Held for 50+ YearsFor starters, mortgage rates don’t move on their own. They tend to follow the 10-year treasury yield, a number tied to how investors feel about the economy.It’s not an exact science, since plenty of other factors can move...

The Case for Putting 20% Down on Your Next Home

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on August 13, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Downsize, For Buyers, Move-Up, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

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...

Thinking About Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates? Read This First.

Written by St. Augustine Mortgage Syndicated User on August 7, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Economy, For Buyers, Forecasts, Mortgage Rates, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Mortgage.

Imagine waiting a year to buy a home, only to find mortgage rates haven’t changed much. That may sound frustrating.But it’s a real possibility.A lot of people are putting their plans on hold because they believe much lower mortgage rates are right around the corner. But, based on today’s forecasts, that may not happen. And you should know that before you decide what to do.Let’s look at why experts don’t expect a dramatic drop in rates – and the options that could help you buy anyway. Because even if rates don’t fall, you can still move. Here’s how.1. Mortgage...