Rodney Cantrell’s Blog

Determining your budget starts with housing costs, especially rent, which affects essentials, savings, and discretionary spending.GOBankingRates used Apartment List's data to find avg rents for various unit types in every state.

Northeast Florida Association of Realtors reported ↑ 5% in median home prices. Sales for single-family homes: ↓ 16% -Duval County single-family: $390,280

The US avg home value is $347,972, ↑ 2.3%yearly; and Florida's cities ranked based on the Home Values Index.Lake Buena Vista leads with a typical home value of $5,041,427, ↑ 7.7%. Sea Ranch Lakes follows at $1,818,173, with a 12.3% annual price increase.

Choosing the right mortgage lender is vital for homeownership. Factors to consider include interest rates, loan terms, customer service, and lender reputation. It's important to evaluate your financial situation, research lenders, compare rates and fees, and understand different loan types. Regular communication with the lender and asking the right questions is crucial. Credit scores significantly…

Budget Caution: Avoid overextending; prioritize affordability to prevent stress and financial strain later on.Emergency Fund Neglect: Overlooking emergency funds risks financial strain from unexpected repairs or job changes.

Down payment requirements vary, but options include 3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, and even zero down for VA and USDA loans.Avg closing costs in Florida amount to 2.3% of the purchase price, shared between the buyer and seller.

South Florida is known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant culture, but not everyone is friendly. A new housing development in West Palm Beach aims to protect the environment, while a proposed apartment complex in the SoSo community faces controversy. The historic Gulfstream Hotel is being restored, and high-profile buyers like William P. Lauder and…

National Avg: In Q3 2023, 35% of U.S. home sales involved seller concessions. Florida Metros: Miami (35.4%) and Orlando (34.3%) align with the national avg. Tampa Surge: Tampa saw a notable rise, with 43.1% of sales involving concessions.

Florida dominates the nation's top housing developments, with Babcock Ranch, Ave Maria, Lakewood Ranch, and Wellen Park seeing increased sales. Tampa General Hospital plans to expand into Babcock Ranch. Florida accounts for 40% of sales in top US master-planned communities. Warby Parker has also opened its first physical stores in Southwest Florida. Continue to full…

Using a home equity line of credit (HELOC) is an unconventional approach to paying off your mortgage early. While tapping your home equity to reduce your home loan balance has several potential … Continue to full article