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9 Sep, 2025

Florida homeowners considering mortgage refinancing should be aware of several key factors. As of late 2024, average 30-year fixed mortgage rates in Florida fluctuate around 6.5-7.5%, while 15-year fixed rates hover between 5.8-6.8%, influencing potential savings. Common refinance goals include lowering interest rates, shortening loan terms, or accessing cash for home improvements or debt consolidation. The break-even point, where savings outweigh refinance costs (typically 3-6% of the loan amount), is crucial in determining profitability. Florida’s housing market appreciation can impact loan-to-value ratios, potentially allowing homeowners to eliminate Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) if equity exceeds 20%. Credit score requirements for optimal refinance rates generally start at 740 or higher, with lower scores leading to less favorable terms. Florida-specific refinance programs may exist, potentially offering assistance to eligible homeowners.

9 Sep, 2025

Tomorrow I head from Boise to Jackson for the Mississippi Mortgage Banker’s Fall Conference. Certainly a topic in my email in-box and at events is how Freddie and Fannie’s market share is ebbing, and at noon PT, 3PM ET, Capital Markets Wrap (presented by Polly) will explore if F&F are fading from prominence amid the rise of alternative products, whether the market is getting ahead of itself in expecting mortgage rates to come down and what that means for lenders and investors, take a look at ARM demand and pricing, and discuss how hedging strategies shift during Fed easing cycles. At “the top of the funnel,” all of the news about occupancy fraud inspired attorney and Mortgage Musings author Brian Levy to provide his thoughts about the nuances of the topic in his latest Mortgage Musing. Sign up here to receive Levy’s Musings delivered directly to your email or you can find it on the Chrisman Commentary’s Thought Leadership page. And while we’re at the “top of the funnel,” according to Curinos’ new proprietary application index, refinances increased 47 percent in August while the purchase index decreased 2 percent for August as a whole. August 2025 funded mortgage volume decreased 4% YoY and decreased 6% MoM. Curinos sources a statistically significant data set directly from lenders to produce these benchmark figures. We drill into this data further here. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s are sponsored by Indecomm. Streamlining operations with the genius blend of automation, AI, and services. Achieve practical digital transformation and real operational impact with Indecomm’s purpose-built mortgage solutions. Hear an interview with Call Equity’s Mel Lund on how operations and sales can assist one another to drive origination volume.)

8 Sep, 2025

– Florida’s median home price in February 2024 was $415,000, up 4.8% year-over-year (Florida Realtors).

– Staging a home can increase its perceived value by up to 5% and reduce time on market by 33-50% (National Association of Realtors).

– Homes with professional photography sell 32% faster and for 3-11% more (RISMedia).

– Curb appeal investments, such as landscaping, can yield a 100-200% return on investment (ROI).

– Seller disclosures are legally required and crucial for avoiding future lawsuits; failure to disclose known defects can lead to legal action.

– Pricing strategies should consider current market trends, comparable sales (comps), and seasonality for optimal results. Overpricing can lead to longer listing times and price reductions.

– Multiple offer situations are still present in some Florida markets; sellers should strategically evaluate offers based on price, contingencies, and buyer qualifications.

– Streamlining the closing process with pre-listing inspections and title work can significantly reduce stress and potential delays.

– Capital gains tax applies to profits from the sale of a home; exemptions exist for primary residences ($250,000 for single filers, $500,000 for married filing jointly).

8 Sep, 2025

“When the economy is good, people drink. When the economy is bad, people drink. The moral? Invest in alcohol.” Here in Boise at the PNMLC, the comments about Friday’s jobs data (showing a worsening employment picture) and economy ranged from, “It’s about time we have accurate numbers that we can rely upon” to “The Trump Administration is still blaming the people compiling the numbers as opposed to the actual policies… like if you had an NFL owner who just lost big and instead of changing the quarterback or firing the coach, they axed the scoreboard operator.” “Tech” is also a discussion topic, and I received this note. “We’re a nationwide lender, and grown, and have begun the hunt for a new Point of Sale system. Any suggestions?” It depends on your channels, size, and needs (present and future), but a solid place to start is at this Marketplace, a free centralized hub for vendors and service providers across the mortgage industry to be viewed by lenders. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s are sponsored by Indecomm. Streamlining operations with the genius blend of automation, AI, and services. Achieve practical digital transformation and real operational impact with Indecomm’s purpose-built mortgage solutions. Hear an interview with Polunsky Beitel Green’s Marty Green on Fed Governor Cook’s timeline for recourse in the courts over her recent firing and various other political happenings as we approach next week’s FOMC meeting.) Company Sponsored Webinars

7 Sep, 2025

– Staged homes sell 73% faster than non-staged homes.
– Staging can increase a home’s selling price by up to 20%.
– 22% of seller’s agents reported an increase of 1-5% of the dollar value offered by buyers, compared to similar homes.
– Key staging areas are living room, master bedroom, kitchen, and bathrooms.
– Focus on decluttering, depersonalizing, and creating a clean, neutral aesthetic.
– Curb appeal is crucial: landscaping, fresh paint, and a welcoming entryway matter.
– Staging ROI can range from 586% to 1300%.
– 38% of buyer’s agents said staging positively affects a buyer’s view of the home.

6 Sep, 2025

The Florida home buying process involves pre-approval, property search, offer submission, contract negotiation, inspections, appraisal, financing finalization, and closing. A 2023 Florida Realtors survey indicated that the median closing time is 30-45 days. Florida is a buyer beware state, emphasizing due diligence. Key considerations include property taxes (average effective rate around 0.84%), homeowners insurance (average premium exceeding $6,000 annually, significantly higher than the national average), flood zones requiring separate flood insurance, and potential for hurricane damage. As of late 2024, Florida’s housing market is showing signs of price stabilization after significant appreciation in previous years, but inventory remains relatively tight in many areas. Earnest money deposits typically range from 1-3% of the purchase price. A seller’s disclosure is required, but its scope can vary. Homestead exemption provides property tax reductions for primary residences. Title insurance is crucial to protect against ownership disputes.

5 Sep, 2025

Florida offers several resources for first-time homebuyers, including down payment and closing cost assistance. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) is a primary provider. One key program is the Florida Assist Second Mortgage, offering up to $10,000 in deferred, non-amortizing, zero-interest loans for down payment and closing costs. The Florida Hometown Heroes Loan Program provides lower first mortgage interest rates and down payment/closing cost assistance to eligible frontline workers. To qualify as a first-time homebuyer, applicants generally cannot have owned a home in the past 3 years. Income and purchase price limits apply and vary by county. For example, maximum income limits can range from roughly $80,000 to over $120,000 depending on location and household size. Homebuyer education courses are often required for program participation. The availability of funds for these programs can fluctuate, so checking with Florida Housing or approved lenders is crucial.

5 Sep, 2025

It’s a well-known fact that the monthly jobs report is more capable of causing big reactions in rates than any other economic data. It happened last month in grand fashion, and it is happening again this morning.  Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP), which is a count of new jobs created, came in at a mere 22k for August versus a median forecast of 75k. This is actually not the biggest miss when it comes to NFP, but it’s big enough to spark a reaction in the bond market. In general, weaker jobs numbers prompt investors to buy bonds. When investors buy bonds, the price of those bonds goes up. When bond prices go up, rates go down. Today’s net effect is an average top tier 30yr fixed rate drop from 6.45% yesterday to 6.29% today. This is back in the same range as the low rates in the Fall of 2024. [thirtyyearmortgagerates]

4 Sep, 2025

The Florida home buying process typically involves these key steps: Pre-approval for a mortgage, working with a real estate agent, searching for properties, making an offer, conducting inspections, securing financing, and closing. Florida’s median home price in October 2024 was $415,000 (Florida Realtors). Inventory levels remain low, with months’ supply around 3.0, indicating a seller’s market in many areas. Property taxes are a significant cost consideration, averaging around 0.97% of assessed value statewide. Homeowners insurance is crucial due to hurricane risk, with average annual premiums exceeding $6,000 in some coastal counties. The closing process can take 30-45 days, and buyers typically pay 2-5% of the purchase price in closing costs. Understanding homestead exemptions is essential for primary residences to reduce property tax liabilities.