What areas does Beyond Realty serve?

Beyond Realty serves Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Venice, Wellen Park, North Port, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte. The brokerage is headquartered at 2170 Main Street, Suite 103, in downtown Sarasota, FL 34237.

What makes Beyond Realty different from large brokerages?

Beyond Realty is owner-operated: founder Darren Dowling and the leadership team are directly involved in every transaction. The firm ranks in the top 1.5% of brokerages nationwide (Side network) and pairs boutique, white-glove service with institutional-grade marketing and data.

Who leads Beyond Realty?

Beyond Realty is led by founder Darren Dowling (FL license #3338622), a licensed Realtor® since 2015, voted Best Realtor® in SRQ Magazine's "Best of SRQ" (2019) and ranked in RealTrends "America's Best," alongside co-founder Wendy Dowling and managing broker Johanna Bolick (FL license BK3636468).

What are the best Sarasota-area communities for families?

Lakewood Ranch is consistently ranked the #1 best-selling multi-generational community in the U.S., with A-rated schools and 150+ miles of trails. Palmer Ranch, Wellen Park, and West Villages in Venice are also popular with families for newer construction, parks, and top-rated school zones.

How do I get a home valuation in Sarasota or Manatee County?

Request a free valuation at beyondrealtyfl.com/home-valuation or call/text (941) 467-3448. Beyond Realty prepares valuations using current Sarasota and Manatee County MLS micro-market data, not automated estimates alone.

Three Things Buyers Can Do in Today’s Housing Market

Beyond Realty

It’s clear the 2022 housing market has been defined by rising mortgage rates. With rates on the rise, it’s also become more costly to purchase a home. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

“Compared to one year ago, the monthly mortgage payment rose to $1,944 from $1,265, an increase of 53.7%.”

If you’re thinking of buying a home or have been trying to recently, that’s a big increase in a monthly mortgage payment – and it may be causing you to press pause on your plans. This jump is making homes less affordable, especially compared to the last two years when mortgage rates were at historic lows.

The good news is you can navigate today’s housing market and this rising rate environment with a few simple tips. Here are three things you may want to consider to help make your homeownership goals a reality.

1. Expand Your Search Area and Criteria

If you’ve been looking for a home in the city center or a specific area that’s starting to feel out of your price range, you may want to try looking a little further out in a location that could be more affordable. Expanding your search location or re-prioritizing the items on your wish list can open up opportunities you haven’t considered, and that could help you afford more of what you need (and want) in a home. As CNET notes:

“Area growth is likely to keep pace with the market, which means that the outskirts of town might be hopping within five years. Consider stepping out of your ideal location by searching in the nearby cities. You may find better prices and more square footage.”

2. Explore Alternative Financing Options

Working with a trusted lender to learn about the different loan types and options is essential too. According to Nerd Wallet:

“A variety of mortgages are available with varying down payment and eligibility requirements.”

Experts know how to point you in the right direction when it comes to exploring ways to find the best home loan for your situation. With rising mortgage rates making it more costly to finance a home today, there may be an ideal option out there your loan officer can introduce you to. This could make a home purchase more affordable and within your financial reach over the life of your loan.

3. Look for Grants, Gift Funds, and Down Payment Assistance

There are also many options available when it comes to securing the funding you need to purchase a home. One valuable resource to explore is downpaymentresource.com. Searching for specific down payment assistance options available in your local community could be a game changer when it comes to taking your first step toward homeownership. As NAR indicates:

“Many local governments and non-profit organizations offer down-payment assistance grants and loans, targeted to area borrowers and often with specific borrower requirements.”

Plus, there are programs and special benefits for individuals working in certain professions or with unique statuses, including teachers, doctors and nurses, and veterans.

Ultimately, that means there are many federal, state, and local programs available for you to explore. The best way to do that is to connect with a local real estate professional and your lender to learn more about what’s available in your area.

Bottom Line

If you’ve been searching for a home and have found yourself stepping out of the process because you’re worried about rising costs, let’s connect. Having a team of local advisors on your side may be just what you need to guide your search in a new and more affordable direction.

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Why Most People Are Still Glad They Bought a Home With everything going on, it’s understandable if you’re wondering if you’d regret buying right now. Everyday expenses cost more. Mortgage rates are higher than you’d like. And when the economy feels uncertain, taking on a mortgage can feel like a much bigger leap. But here’s some perspective that may help… Most people who already made that leap would do it again. According to a recent survey from NerdWallet, the vast majority of recent buyers (74%) were glad they bought their current home. Only a very small 3% of people regret it: And here’s a big reason why so many people feel it was worth it, even now. Homeownership Is a Long-Term PlayWhen you’re deciding whether to buy, it’s easy to focus on what’s happening right now. What’s today’s mortgage rate? Are prices going up or down? Those things matter. But don’t get so caught up in buying in the perfect moment that you miss the bigger picture. A home isn’t typically something you buy for just a year or two. It’s a longer-term play. And when you zoom out, it all starts to fall into perspective – especially if you look at home prices and equity. According to data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), home prices nationally have risen 33.4% over just the past five years (see map below): And that appreciation has helped current homeowners build some serious wealth. Research from Bankrate shows homeowners gained an average of nearly $150,000 in wealth over the past five years as equity steadily rose across 90% of major metro areas. That’s one of the biggest benefits of homeownership. As you pay down your mortgage and your home appreciates over time, your ownership stake – your equity – can grow. Now, Zoom Out Even FurtherThe five-year numbers are impressive. But the numbers get even more dramatic when you look at decades instead of individual market cycles. FHFA data shows home prices nationally have risen 336% since 1991. Sit with that for a second. Three hundred percent (see map below): That doesn't mean prices go up every single year. And it doesn't mean buying is automatically the right decision for everyone today. You should only buy when the numbers (and the payment) work for you. What it does show is why trying to perfectly time the market can make you miss the bigger picture. Over time, homeowners gain a lot of equity. And that equity can eventually become a powerful financial resource. As Freddie Mac explains: “Your home's equity is part of your total wealth as a homeowner. If you decide to sell your home, the equity you have built over time will come back to you in the sale. . . If it's time to upsize or downsize, you can use that cash for the down payment on your next home.” Basically, if you can afford to do it, buying a home now could set you up for future moves. And just in case you’re someone who’s worried about what happens if prices do fall, after you buy, remember: you’re not buying for one year. Prices can dip. They have before. But historically, they’ve risen far more over the long run. And the longer you own your home, the more time you have to ride out those ups and downs and keep building equity. Bottom LineDon’t let today’s uncertainty make you lose sight of what homeownership can do over time. Most homeowners say they’d make the same choice again. And decades of home-price growth help explain why. If you’re wondering whether buying makes sense for you right now, let’s look at the numbers together – and what owning a home could mean for you in the years ahead.

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