In sunny and vibrant Florida, a surprising trend is emerging - especially among retirees: many people are choosing to relocate due to the escalating cost of living. This shift is driven by several factors that are making it increasingly challenging for retirees and working people alike to maintain their lifestyle in the Sunshine State. Here's a closer look at the seven key expenses that are influencing this trend:

Rising Housing Costs

It's pretty wild what's happening in Florida's housing market. Redfin's data shows that home values have shot up by a whopping 80% in just five years. Even with mortgage rates climbing, people are still buying – home sales went up by 5% in September 2023 compared to the year before. This boom isn't just about more…

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Last week, Democrats in Congress proposed two separate bills aimed at reshaping the housing market as a direct response to the increasing involvement of big investors, like hedge funds, in the residential real estate market. If you got outbid in the last few years by a cash buyer, there’s a good chance it was one of these large institutional hedge funds that were the buyer.

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There are 2 separate bills. The Senate bill would require hedge funds to sell off all their single-family homes over the next decade and bans them from buying any…

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Navigating Home Financing with Rate Buy Downs

In the ever-evolving landscape of South Florida real estate, understanding your financing options is crucial. A mortgage interest rate buy down, especially in a market with higher rates, can provide significant financial benefits.

How Does A Rate Buy Down Work?

This strategy involves temporarily reducing the mortgage interest rate, resulting in lower initial monthly payments. For a 3/2/1 buy down, the rate decreases by 3% in the first year, 2% in the second, and 1% in the third, before reverting to the standard rate.

Applying It to a $750,000 Home Purchase

With the current standard rate at roughly 6.9% as of early December 2023, let's see how this impacts a 30-year fixed mortgage:

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Understanding mortgage payments can be overwhelming, especially if you're having trouble paying your mortgage. In the dynamic South Florida real estate market, many homeowners find themselves in this challenging situation. Understanding that while this can be a stressful experience, there are viable strategies and solutions available is important. This guide helps you deal with late mortgage payments by giving understanding advice and useful tips.

Understanding Your Mortgage and Late Payments

It's important to know your mortgage contract, especially your monthly payment and what happens if you pay late. Typically, lenders notify credit bureaus after 30 days of a missed payment, which can adversely affect your credit.

Many mortgages have a grace…

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The State of the Housing Cycle: Insights from Experts

For prospective homebuyers in South Florida, the current market dynamics present a challenging yet stable landscape. Ken H. Johnson, a noted real estate economist at Florida Atlantic University, observes that while we're possibly at the apex of the housing cycle, with sales moderating and prices leveling, this doesn't necessarily foretell a market crash. According to Johnson, the equilibrium we're seeing is characteristic of a market at its cycle's zenith. The consensus among housing economists is that a significant downturn is unlikely, primarily due to the imbalance between the limited housing inventory and the high demand in Southeast Florida.

This imbalance, where demand continuously…

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