A clear breakdown of how mortgages amortize, why early payments feel slow, and why 50-year mortgages can cost you a fortune. Smart guidance for homebuyers.

Insights

Looking at our mortgage amortization graph, we can immediately see the blue line (interest paid) skyrockets. This is because our term is 360 months, vs our auto loan of 72 months. Our mortgage rate is 6% much lower than the auto loan rate of 10%, but the loan term significantly increases the cost. If we were to keep this mortgage to its full term, most people sell the property long before this; we would pay around $460k in interest, more than we originally borrowed.

Mortage Amortization? 50-year mortgages... WHAT!?

A clear breakdown of how mortgages amortize, why early payments feel slow, and why 50-year mortgages can cost you a fortune. Smart guidance for homebuyers.

The Federal Reserve’s latest rate cut could reshape mortgage rates across Jacksonville. Here’s what it means for homeowners, buyers, and anyone watching Florida’s real estate market.

What a Fed Rate Cut Really Means for Your Mortgage, and How It Plays Out in the greater Jacksonville area

Informative blog article by CW Phipps, Realtor® in Jacksonville, Florida, explaining how the latest Federal Reserve rate cut impacts mortgage rates, refinancing, and housing affordability across Northeast Florida.

When buying a home, most prospective homeowners focus on the purchase price, rightfully so, as the purchase price is by far the largest line item cost of purchasing property. But just like buying a car from a car lot, there is more to the total cost of purchasing a home than just the sticker price.

Understanding the Cost of Buying a Home: Buyer's Closing Costs

Beyond the price: a clear breakdown of buyer closing costs—lender fees, impounds, title, taxes, and credits—and how cash to close is calculated in Florida.

Honestly, it seems like yesterday, but I've been a Realtor® for eight years; where did the time go? It flew by because I'm 45, and time is relative, but let's stay on topic! Like many, way back in 1997, I joined the military because I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do with my life, but I understood that I had responsibilities.

From Sailor to Realtor®, why I chose Real Estate

A Navy veteran turned Realtor® reflects on eight years in real estate, the lessons of service, and how time shapes perspective and purpose.

My morning routine usually starts with a zombie walk to the espresso machine, then staring at the thing while I silently wait for the morning's first shot of caffeine, followed by an hour of waking up, watching the morning news, and reading articles from the morning's financial headlines.

New Homeowner Worries Addressed

New homebuyer worries decoded: inspections, crime stats, flood maps, insurance & resale. Steps to avoid buyer’s remorse and buy with confidence.

CW Phipps, Realtor®,

EXIT 1 Stop Realty

Jacksonville, FL