Blog - Barbara Mills

All About Real Estate

How Much Money Do You Really Need Upfront to Buy a Home Today?

One of the biggest myths in real estate is that buyers need 20% down to purchase a home. That belief alone stops countless people from moving forward — even when they’re financially ready. Here’s the truth about what you actually need upfront when buying a home in today’s Central Florida market. Down Payment Options Have […]
All About Real Estate, Home Style and Decor

Housing Trends for 2026

Housing Trends for 2026: Floor Plans, Home Offices, Wellness Spaces & Design Styles As we move into 2026, housing trends are evolving to meet the changing lifestyles of today’s homeowners. Buyers are looking for homes that offer flexibility, comfort, and functionality—spaces that support work, wellness, and everyday living. Understanding these 2026 housing trends can help […]
All About Real Estate

Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home in Central Florida — Or Should You Wait for Rates to Drop?

If you’ve been thinking about buying a home in Central Florida, you’ve probably wondered: “Should I buy now, or wait for interest rates to drop?”It’s one of the most common questions buyers are asking — and for good reason. Rates fluctuate, home prices shift, and every headline seems to paint a different picture. Here’s the […]
All About Real Estate, Learn About Buying a Home

In Search of an Interest Rate That Starts With 5?

What Rate Are You Waiting For? There’s no denying that we’ve been on a wild ride this year with mortage rates. Let’s take a look in the rearview mirror first. FreddieMac’s PRIMARY MORTGAGE MARKET SURVEY® The week ending 5/2/2024 marked the highest rate for 2024. 30 Year rates averaged 7.22%, while 15 Year rates […]

All About Real Estate How Much Money Do You Really Need Upfront to Buy a Home Today? One of the biggest myths in real estate is that buyers need 20% down to purchase a home. That belief alone stops countless people from moving forward — even when they’re financially ready. Here’s the truth about what you actually need upfront when buying a home in today’s Central Florida market. Down Payment Options Have […]

All About Real Estate Housing Trends for 2026 Housing Trends for 2026: Floor Plans, Home Offices, Wellness Spaces & Design Styles As we move into 2026, housing trends are evolving to meet the changing lifestyles of today’s homeowners. Buyers are looking for homes that offer flexibility, comfort, and functionality—spaces that support work, wellness, and everyday living. Understanding these 2026 housing trends can help […]

All About Real Estate Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home in Central Florida — Or Should You Wait for Rates to Drop? If you’ve been thinking about buying a home in Central Florida, you’ve probably wondered: “Should I buy now, or wait for interest rates to drop?”It’s one of the most common questions buyers are asking — and for good reason. Rates fluctuate, home prices shift, and every headline seems to paint a different picture. Here’s the […]

All About Real Estate In Search of an Interest Rate That Starts With 5? What Rate Are You Waiting For? There’s no denying that we’ve been on a wild ride this year with mortage rates. Let’s take a look in the rearview mirror first. FreddieMac’s PRIMARY MORTGAGE MARKET SURVEY® The week ending 5/2/2024 marked the highest rate for 2024. 30 Year rates averaged 7.22%, while 15 Year rates […]

All About Real Estate U.S. weekly mortgage rate averages as of 12/24/2025 Primary Mortgage Market Survey® Courtesy of FreddieMac Heading into the Christmas Holiday, Rates Dip Lower The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased further this week. Declining rates offer a timely and welcome gift for aspiring homebuyers. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.18% as of December 24, 2025, down from last week when it averaged 6.21%. A year […]

Learn About Buying a Home Savings for FHA Buyers In an announcement this week, buyers who obtain an FHA mortgage will see the cost of monthly mortgage insurance adjusted downward. The anticipated average yearly savings is $800. This will also help buyers qualify for a higher loan amount. When qualifying for a loan, the percent of your monthly debt versus your monthly income is […]

Home Style and Decor One of the Home Energy Tax Credit Items SAVE UP TO $1,200 IN FEDERAL ENERGY TAX CREDITS! Are you redesigning or remodeling? I came across this product article to share with you. Purchase time is January – December 2023. The federal government is now offering energy tax credits on select energy-efficient Hunter Douglas Duette® Honeycomb Shades—letting you earn 30% of the purchase price* back in […]

Home Style and Decor Top 5 Home Trends to Watch in 2023 Backyards top the list along with other up-and-coming home trends: outdoor rooms, edible gardens, and … mirrored walls. Plus, the “renovation generation” is here, and they’re not scared of a hammer. https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2022/12/top-5-home-trends-watch-2023

Learn About Buying a Home New FHFA Credit Score Rules Could Broaden Homeownership Access In October 2022, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced new guidelines for the credit score models Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae can accept from mortgage lenders. While the changes may take time to be widely implemented, they could eventually have a substantial impact on groups that have historically been excluded from homeownership. These updated […]

Learn About Buying a Home The Most Important Number You Need To Know STOP! Before you start looking at homes for sale the most important 1st step for you to take is finding out what your credit score is. Your credit score will directly influence the terms of your loan approval. If you find your credit score isn’t the best, it doesn’t mean you can’t qualify for a […]