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Fannie Mae Is Relaxing Some Student Loan Policies


If you have a student loan or are a cosigner on one, listen up. Fannie Mae just introduced three new rule changes that will affect those with student debt. 

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If you have a student loan or you are a cosigner on one, I have some good news for you. 

Fannie Mae, the nation's largest underwriter of mortgages, recently introduced three new rules that will affect those with student debt.

These new rules can make it easier to get a mortgage, and they can make it easier to pay off your (or your kids’) student loans.

The first change is for those on income-based repayment plans, where having a high debt-to-income ratio is the No. 1 reason for not being approved for a mortgage. 

Fannie Mae previously used a very conservative 1% of the total loan instead of the actual monthly payment. This can drastically lower your debt-to-income ratio and give you a much better chance of qualifying for a mortgage.

Some folks are lucky enough to have their student debt paid by their parents or even by their employer. The thing is, Fannie Mae didn't take this into account when calculating the debt-to-income ratio. That's the second new change.
If you can qualify for a mortgage right now, you definitely should.
If your employer or your parents have been paying off your student debt and you can show evidence of this for the past 12 months, then this debt won’t be counted in your debt-to-income ratio. This makes it more likely you will qualify for a mortgage.

If you can qualify for a mortgage right now, you definitely should. Rates are still at a historical low, and lots of great houses have recently come on the Vero Beach market.

Fannie Mae also makes it possible to refinance your mortgage for more than the value of your home. Normally, there is a 0.25% fee that applies to any cash you take out in this way.

The third big change is that Fannie Mae will now waive that fee when you use this cash to pay off a student loan. 

This applies whether the loan is yours, or you're a cosigner. If the mortgage rate is significantly lower than the student loan rate, it can make sense to refinance in this way, and the new rule makes it cheaper to do so. 

If you need help understanding these new guidelines to see whether they’re right for you, or you have questions about putting them into practice, get in touch with me at (772) 236-7862 or Kelly@KellyFischerTeam.com. I’ll be glad to help. 

I hope to hear from you soon!

Showing Tips for Sellers

There are certain topics you should avoid talking about with a potential buyer. Here are four of the most important ones to steer clear of.

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Selling a home isn’t easy. You might have to show it a dozen or more times in order to find the right buyer. We think it’s a good idea if you aren’t home during any showings, but that’s not always possible

If you do happen to be present at a showing, avoid these four topics at all cost. In fact, try to keep the talking to a minimum.
Don’t be present during showings in the first place
1. How much you spent on “Blank.” As soon as you start talking about what you spent on something, the buyer will get nervous about the premium you are going to ask in your sale price for it. Just leave it alone.

2. How perfect your house is. Nobody’s home is truly perfect. In all my years, I have only seen one perfect inspection. Every other home has had flaws.

3. Repairs you’ve been “meaning to get to.” What you’re really saying is that there are flaws in the home that you don’t like. Avoid pointing out any flaws to buyers. Let them find them on their own.

4. Anything related to price. Just don’t mention it. Let’s wait and see if they are interested before we start discussing any particulars.

Try to get out of the home during showings if you can. If you can’t, just make sure you avoid these four topics and you should be fine. If you have any questions for me in the meantime, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I would love to hear from you soon.

What to Look for in a Vacation Home

Investing in a secondary or vacation home is a great way to make money and enjoy the Vero Beach lifestyle.

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Vacation and second homes are very popular in our area. Many people purchase a second home that they only use occasionally for the first few years, but eventually move into permanently. 

The Wall Street Journal and the National Association of Realtors reported that prices of vacation properties are very close to a level last seen before the housing crisis. Secondary homes appreciated 4.2% in 2016, following a 28% gain in previous years. 

There is no question that demand for real estate is up in Florida. Before you purchase in an investment property, there are a few things you should consider: 
  1. Budget: How often do you intend to use the property? What kind of income can be generated based on your usage and the seasonality of the population?
  2. Location: Most vacationers want to be close to the beach. The good news is that here in Vero Beach, most homes are only 15 minutes away from the shore.
  3. Entertainment options: Is there a pool on the property? What about golf courses, restaurants, or shopping nearby? Your guest will want plenty of things to do while they are here. 
  4. Activities: Stock up on kayaks, paddleboards, fishing supplies, and more so that your residents can enjoy their time here. 
Our little piece of paradise continues to attract vacationers and snowbirds alike thanks to our friendly, relaxed lifestyle. 
In Vero Beach, most homes are only 15 minutes away from the shore.
As the owner of a vacation home, you will enjoy more profit and fewer headaches by purchasing a newer home. Not only will you have less maintenance, but new construction aesthetics really appeal to vacationers. Condos and reasonable new construction properties are good options for you. 

Before you sign the dotted line, though, review the Homeowners Association documents and confirm that rentals are permitted. Beware of certain restrictions, like pet policies or the number of times you can rent out your unit. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to help you find that perfect vacation property!

Tips on Purchasing and Selling at the Same Time

Today I’m going over some great tips for buying your next home while selling your existing one.

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A lot of people, especially if they are out of state or if they currently own a home, are having a hard time buying homes. Luckily, there are a few tips I have that can help you win in this market. 

First, if you are someone owns their home free and clear, that’s fantastic. My suggestion would be to meet with a lender, set up a home equity loan, and be prepared to pay cash if at all possible. Not only will it make the process easier for you, it will also give you a competitive edge over all the other buyers.  

Second, if you own a home but don’t have enough equity for the first option, you should meet with a lender to find out if you are qualified to get a second mortgage. We do have some lenders here in town that can help you with bridge financing and help you buy your next home before your existing one sells. 
If you hire the right agent and price your home competitively, you should have no problem getting it sold.
Third, you could request an extended closing date in your offer. It’s a bit of a risk, but it has worked for a lot of people. If the seller isn’t in a rush to move, for example if they are waiting for their kids to finish school, you can ask for a four or five month out closing date. You do need to be prepared in case your home doesn’t sell during that time. However, if you hire the right agent and price your home competitively, you should have no problem getting it sold. 

There are a lot of things that need to fall into place in order for you to successfully buy and sell a home at the same time, but if you have the right agent, it can successfully be managed. We talk to a lot of people who were very nervous about undertaking buying and selling at the same time, but as long as you do things in the order that is best for your financial circumstances, everything should go smoothly. 

If you have any questions about buying and selling at the same time, or if you have any other real estate questions, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.