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

Written by Condotel Financing Florida Syndicated User on April 28, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Buying Tips, Condotel Financing Florida, Condotel Mortgage Financing, First-Time Buyers, Florida Condotel, For Buyers, 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 Condotel Financing Florida Syndicated User on April 24, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Condotel Financing Florida, Condotel Mortgage Financing, First-Time Buyers, Florida Condotel, Inventory, 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...

Affordability Has Improved in All 50 States

Written by Condotel Financing Florida Syndicated User on March 20, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Condotel Financing Florida, Condotel Mortgage Financing, First-Time Buyers, Florida Condotel, For Buyers, Mortgage.

For the past few years, affordability has been what’s stopped a lot of buyers in their tracks. Maybe it stopped you, too.At some point you probably did the math, looked at the monthly payment, and decided to pause your search and wait for things to get better. But here’s something you may have missed while you’ve been sitting on the sidelines.Over the last year, housing affordability has improved in all 50 states. Yes, you read that right. It’s gotten better in every single state.That’s based on new research coming out of First American. And while housing is still fairly expensive compared...

3 Must-Do’s for First-Time Home Buyers

Written by Condotel Financing Florida Syndicated User on March 19, 2026. Posted in Agent Value, Buying Tips, Condotel Financing Florida, Condotel Mortgage Financing, Featured, First-Time Buyers, Florida Condotel, Mortgage.

Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also be a little nerve-wrecking because it’s something you’ve never done before. And trying to think of everything you need to do can feel like a lot. But here’s the key.You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. And you don’t have to do it all at once. Just tackle it one thing at a time.Here’s a simple list of 3 main things you should focus on to help you get started.1. Assemble Your Team: Don’t Do This AloneBuying a home is a team sport. And having the right professionals by your side can make a world of difference. Here’s who you...

Should You Wait for Lower Rates?

Written by Condotel Financing Florida Syndicated User on March 10, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Condotel Financing Florida, Condotel Mortgage Financing, First-Time Buyers, Florida Condotel, For Buyers, Mortgage, Mortgage Rates.

Mortgage rates have already dropped into the upper 5s twice this year. But after just a few days, they ticked back up into the low 6% range. If you saw that and thought, “Great. I missed it,” you’re not the only one.A lot of buyers are treating the 5s like some kind of magic number. As if moving from 6.1% to 5.99% suddenly changes everything. And from a mindset perspective, it does feel different.But here’s the part most people don’t actually run the math on.The Payment Difference Isn’t What You ThinkLet’s say you’re looking at a $500,000 home loan. At 6.1%, generally speaking, your...

Renting vs. Buying: The Numbers Might Surprise You

Written by Condotel Financing Florida Syndicated User on February 26, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Condotel Financing Florida, Condotel Mortgage Financing, First-Time Buyers, Florida Condotel, For Buyers, Mortgage, Rent vs. Buy.

Renting can feel like the easier choice right now. There’s no big down payment. No dealing with surprise repairs. And no long-term commitment.But then your rent goes up again. And again. And suddenly the thing that seemed flexible starts looking… expensive, especially considering you’re not building any equity. And once that happens, it’s easy to feel a little trapped in the cycle.That’s because there’s so much chatter today about how buying a home isn’t affordable. But the truth is, the math may work out better than you’d expect based on what’s changed recently.Buying Is More...

Why Townhomes Are Popular with Today’s First-Time Buyers

Written by Condotel Financing Florida Syndicated User on February 10, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Condotel Financing Florida, Condotel Mortgage Financing, First-Time Buyers, Florida Condotel, Mortgage, New Construction.

Buying your first home can feel frustrating when the numbers don’t line up the way you expected. You may know you’re ready but finding something that fits your life and your budget is the hard part.That’s where townhomes come in.Townhomes are becoming a bigger part of today’s housing supply, and that shift is opening doors for first-time buyers in a way we haven’t seen in years. That’s because they offer a more realistic path to step into homeownership without stretching yourself too thin, especially in a market where affordability can still feel tight.There Are More Townhomes To Choose...

It’s Getting More Affordable To Buy a Home

Written by Condotel Financing Florida Syndicated User on February 5, 2026. Posted in Affordability, Condotel Financing Florida, Condotel Mortgage Financing, First-Time Buyers, Florida Condotel, For Buyers, Mortgage.

There’s finally a little good news for anyone who’s been priced out or sitting on the sidelines.Buying a home is getting more affordable.Monthly payments have started to come down, and the squeeze buyers have been feeling for the past few years is slowly loosening. Now, that doesn’t mean everyone can suddenly afford a home, but with how tough the market’s been, the improvement we’re seeing matters.Affordability Is Finally Moving in the Right DirectionOne of the best ways to see this shift is by looking at how much of a household’s income it takes to buy a home.According to Zillow, housing...

Home Insurance Costs Are Rising: What Buyers Should Plan For

Written by Condotel Financing Florida Syndicated User on February 3, 2026. Posted in Buying Tips, Condotel Financing Florida, Condotel Mortgage Financing, First-Time Buyers, Florida Condotel, For Buyers, Mortgage.

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. And homeowner’s insurance is what protects that investment. Think of it as your safety net. NerdWallet explains it:Covers Repairs and Rebuilding Costs: If your home is damaged by fire, storms, or other covered events, it helps pay for repairs and possibly even a full rebuild, if that’s deemed necessary.Protects Your Belongings: It can also cover personal items like furniture, electronics, jewelry, and clothing if they’re stolen or damaged.Provides Liability Coverage: And, if someone gets injured on your property, your policy...

Top 2026 Housing Markets for Buyers and Sellers

Written by Condotel Financing Florida Syndicated User on January 29, 2026. Posted in Condotel Financing Florida, Condotel Mortgage Financing, First-Time Buyers, Florida Condotel, For Buyers, For Sellers, Forecasts, Mortgage.

Who doesn’t love a top 10 list? Well, here are two top 10 lists for the housing market this year. But before you take a look, there’s something you should know.If a move is on your radar for 2026, here’s the most important thing you need to understand upfront: there isn’t one housing market this year – there are many.Experts agree 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most geographically split housing markets in years. Some areas are tilting in favor of sellers, while others are opening real doors for buyers. Who has the advantage depends almost entirely on where you are. Selma Hepp, Chief...

Category: First-Time Buyers