Buying a home is often one of the most expensive endeavors one will take throughout their life, so it’s not surprising that saving for a down payment remains a major hurdle for many Floridians on their path to homeownership. But although a 20 percent down payment is considered ideal, it’s not actually as common as you might think, nor is it a necessity to buying a home.

The majority (52 percent) of buyers put down less than 20 percent on their new home.

Typically, you have to put between 3 and 20 percent of your home’s sale price down in cash to qualify for a conventional loan (30-year fixed mortgage), but there are exceptions. If you meet eligibility guidelines, you might qualify for a home loan with a  zero-down payment through Veterans Affairs

As more and more baby boomers enter retirement age, the question of whether or not to sell their homes and move will become a hot topic. In today’s housing market climate, with low available inventory in the starter and trade-up home categories, it makes sense to evaluate your home’s ability to adapt to your needs in retirement.  Should you have to relocate to Davenport or just move down the street it's a question most of us will face. 

According to the National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents (NAEBA), there are 7 factors that you should consider when choosing your retirement home.1

1. Affordability

“It may be easy enough to afford your home today but think long-term about your monthly costs. Account for property taxes, insurance,

Every homeowner wants to make sure that they maximize their financial reward when selling their home, but how do you guarantee that you receive the maximum value for your house?

Here are two ways to ensure that you get the highest price possible.

1. Price it a Little Low

This may seem counterintuitive, but let’s take a look at this concept for a moment. Many homeowners think that pricing their homes a little OVER market value will leave them with room for negotiation when, in actuality, it just dramatically lessens the demand for their houses (see chart below).

Instead of the seller trying to ‘win’ the negotiation with one buyer, they should price their house so that demand for the home is maximized. By doing so, the seller will not be

According to FloridaRentals.com, Davenport is one of the top 10 vacation spots in the state for off season rental homes. The list is compiled based on the number of searches on the website.  Courtesy of Mike Ferguson - The Lakeland Ledger

DAVENPORT — The growth in Davenport has been well-documented, but it’s not just new residents accounting for it.

According to FloridaRentals.com, Davenport is one of the top 10 vacation spots in the state for offseason rental homes. The list is compiled based on the number of searches on the website.

Vacation Homes in Davenport FL

“What it means for those areas is that a rental property is a good investment because they can likely be rented 52 weeks a year, and further, businesses supporting tourism in the areas will

A vacation home can add tremendously to your family’s quality of life. This is especially true when you make your choice carefully and thoughtfully. Here are ten tips to consider when buying a vacation home. 

1. Ease of Access

Most people only get two or three weeks of vacation time each year. If your vacation days are limited, you might like to take advantage of three-day weekends to visit your vacation home. However, you won’t be able to do that unless you can get to your vacation home fairly easily. Consider how long it takes you to get there as well as the travel expenses you’ll incur. Also bear in mind how easy or difficult it might be for your friends and extended family to travel to visit you in your vacation home. 

2. Home Owners’

A new home comes with a host of new responsibilities. Here are a few to get you started.

You’ve found the perfect home, passed inspection,&nbsp closed and hired the movers. In a few short days, you will embark on the joys (and rollercoaster) otherwise known as homeownership. From the moment you turn your key in the lock of your new dwelling, there will be a new set of points to ponder. Some are expected while others might come out of nowhere and take you by surprise. Here are some things or a new homeowner to keep in mind for the near-and short-term after closing.

Homes for Sale in Clermont FL

6 things to know as a first-time homeowner

1. Neighborly exchanges aren’t always the easiest, but it is always worth giving a try.

Click the following links to view the virtual 3-D tours of the homes available:

Click Here for:  185 2E, 5-bed Manchester
Click Here for:  184 2E, 8-bed Lancaster 
Click Here for:  183 2E, 5-bed Manchester 
Click Here for: 179 2E, 5-bed Manchester
Click Here for:  175 2E, 8-bed Lancaster
Click Here for:  174 2E, 5-bed Manchester
Click Here for:  173 2E, 8-bed Lancaster
Click Here for:  172 2E, 5-bed Manchester
Click Here for:  161 2E, 6-bed St. Martin
Click Here for:  159 2E, 6-bed St.  Martin
Click Here for:  151 2E, 6-bed Stafford
Click Here for:  137 2E, 8-bed Lancaster
Click Here for:  138 2E, 8-bed Lancaster
Click Here for:  134 2E, 7-bed conversion Freemont I
Click Here for:  133 2E, 8-bed Lancaster
Click Here for:  23 3W, 8-bed Freemont I
Click Here for:  22

Clermont is a very popular location for everyone who loves true suburban living. Clermont is located in Florida, just west of Orlando and is surrounded by beautiful views and hills. Moving to Clermont, FL allows you to experience plenty of popular landmarks such as the Citrus Tower, which was constructed in 1956. It serves as a landmark to celebrate the citrus industry in the area and has a glass-enclosed observation deck where people can experience the beauty and views of the surrounds.

Trending Clermont New Construction Neighborhoods

If you want to live in Clermont there are plenty of options to consider. With various new home residential options and a community that is friendly, warm and ideal for young families, Clermont is definitely a

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Interest rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage have climbed from 3.95% in the first week of January up to 4.61% last week, which marks a 7-year high according to Freddie Mac. The current pace of acceleration has been fueled by many factors.

Homes for Sale in Davenport FL

Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist, had this to say:

“Healthy consumer spending and higher commodity prices spooked bond markets and led to higher mortgage rates over the past week.

Not only are buyers facing higher borrowing costs, gas prices are currently at four-year highs just as we enter the important peak home sales season.”

But what do gas prices have to do with interest rates?

Investopedia explains the relationship like this:

“The price