Search

Leave a Message

I agree to be contacted by Beth Helvey via call, email, and text for real estate services. To opt out, you can reply 'stop' at any time or reply 'help' for assistance. You can also click the unsubscribe link in the emails. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Privacy Policy.

Thank you for your message. I will be in touch with you shortly.

Is Now the Right Time to Refinance?

Beth Helvey September 2, 2025

Mortgage rates are trending downwards; following the Fed’s 0.50 percent rate cut in September, mortgage rates are now falling between 5.75 and 6.08%. And as interest rates fall, many homeowners that bought when rates were higher are wondering if now is the right time to refinance.

So, the question is: is it?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined things to consider when determining if now is the time to refinance your mortgage, including:

Refinancing is extremely popular right now—but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right. If you’re thinking about refinancing, you’re not alone. According to the article, refinancing applications are up a whopping 127 percent year over year. But just because a lot of homeowners are refinancing right now doesn’t necessarily mean that you should refinance. Refinancing comes with costs—including application fees, appraisal fees, and title insurance—and in order for those costs to make financial sense, ideally, you’ll want to refinance when rates are 2 percent lower than your current mortgage interest rate.
Refinancing can help you tackle debt. If you’re currently struggling with a lot of debt—like credit card debt, which carries a much higher interest rate—a cash-out refinance could give you the cash you need to pay off your credit cards and pay back the debt with a lower interest rate.
Refinancing can be a good option to replace ARMs. With mortgage rates so high over the past few years, some buyers opted for adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) to make their home purchase more affordable. But ARMs are unpredictable, so refinancing to get a fixed-rate mortgage (even if the rate is slightly higher than the ARM) could be a solid option for locking in your mortgage payments for the next 15 to 30 years.

Florida Real Estate Blog

Sarasota Real Estate Market Report | Feb 23 – March 1, 2026

Explore the latest Sarasota real estate market trends for Feb 23 – March 1, 2026. See updates on pending sales, closed transactions, price changes, and buyer activity … Read more

January 2026 Sarasota Real Estate Market Update: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

First-Time Home Buyer in Sarasota?

How to Prep for a Mortgage Before You Fall in Love With a House

Why People Love Living in Sarasota, Florida: Downtown, Beaches, and Lifestyle

What To Do in Sarasota When It’s Freezing

Freezing = anything that requires a jacket we forgot we owned

12 Classic Mom Sayings That Double as Real Estate Advice

You May Not Want To Skip Over That House That’s Been Sitting on the Market

7 Creative Ways to Decide Who Gets the “Better” Room When Renting with Roommates

7 Real Estate Photo Tricks That Aren’t Fooling Anyone

Your Home May Be Part of the Great Wealth Transfer — But It Could Be Costly for Your Heirs

Mortgage Rates Recently Hit a 3-Year Low. Here’s Why That’s Still a Big Deal.

Why Rising Foreclosure Headlines Aren’t a Red Flag for Today’s Housing Market

Home Updates That Actually Pay You Back When You Sell

5 Things You’ll Regret Dragging Along with You When You Move to a New Home

New Construction Could Help Affordability, But Buyers Should Watch This One (First) Step

Are Big Investors Really Buying Up All the Homes? Here’s the Truth.

The #1 Regret Sellers Have When They Don’t Use an Agent

Curb Appeal Secrets: Win Your Street’s Unspoken Beauty Contest

The Credit Score Myth That’s Holding Would-Be Buyers Back

Market Monday

Market Report for January 5-11,2025

The Lost Art of the Welcome Wagon - 7 Things That Should Make a Comeback

Tired of the Term “Cozy”? Here Are 15 Real Estate “Code Words” with Funnier (And Fresher) Alternatives

Leased Solar Panels Could Impact Your Buyer’s Ability to Get a Mortgage

Expert Forecasts Point to Affordability Improving in 2026

Thinking about Selling Your House As-Is? Read This First.

Why FSBOs Are Rarer Than Ever — And Why That Might Surprise You

Why Pre-Approval Should Be Your First Step – Not an Afterthought

Safety and Crime Rates Are the Top Two Concerns for Homebuyers... So Why Can’t Your Agent Tell You if an Area Is Safe?

How RSVP-ing “No” to Wedding Weekends Could Be Key to Owning Your First Home

Why January Is the Best Time to Kickstart Your 2026 Home Search

More Buyers Are Planning To Move in 2026. Here’s How To Get Ready.

Not Sure If You’re Ready To Buy a Home? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions.

The Secret to a Happier Home? A Little Personal Space for You and Your Partner

Reasons To Be Optimistic About the 2026 Housing Market

Turning a House Into a Home: The Benefits You Can Actually Feel

November 2025 Real Estate Market Report: Trends in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Sarasota

The Greatest Christmas Story Ever Told (Real Estate Version)

Your House Didn’t Sell. What Now?

Santa's Workshop Found! It's in New Jersey...and It's For Sale

Headlines Have You Worried about Your Home’s Value? Read This.

Is January the Best Time To Buy a Home?

9 Christmas Wreath Ideas to Welcome a Steady Stream of Holiday Guests

Should You Decorate When Selling Your Home During The Holiday Season?

Home Tour: A Sarasota Midcentury House, Built for Continuity

10 Reasons Santa Would Be a Great Real Estate Agent

Is Buyer Demand Picking Back Up? What Sellers Should Know.

Inside Our Favorite AD100-Designed Kitchens of 2025

Your Equity Could Change Everything About Your Next Move

Should You Create a Dedicated Home Office Before Selling Your House?

Need to Sell Your Home Before Buying? This Could Be the Solution.

This May Be the Best Time To Buy a Brand-New Home

Hallmark Holiday Movie Towns Where You Can Afford To Live Happily Ever After

Why More Homeowners Are Giving Up Their Low Mortgage Rate

The 3 Housing Market Questions Coming Up at Every Gathering This Season

Your Car Payment May Be Costing You More House than You Think

How To Find the Best Deal Possible on a Home Right Now

Why Buying a Home Still Pays Off in the Long Run

Why So Many People Are Thankful They Bought a Home This Year

Is There Really a “Best Day of the Year” to Score a Deal on a House?

4 Reasons Your House Is High on Every Buyer’s Wish List This Season

Most Experts Are Not Worried About a Recession

October 2025 Real Estate Market Report: Trends in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

Downtown Sarasota’s Zenith Building to Be Replaced by Waldorf Astoria Residences

The Top 2 Things Homeowners Need To Know Before Selling

Want Real Feedback About Your Home Before Listing It? Ask Your Agent to Be Brutally Honest... Not Your Friend.

The Housing Market Is Turning a Corner Going into 2026

A 50-Year Mortgage Might Arrive Soon—Here’s How to Decide if It’s Right for You

Would You Let $80 a Month Hold You Back from Buying a Home?

Are Builders Overbuilding Again? Let’s Look at the Facts.

Why Buyers Shouldn’t Expect to Spend the Night in a Home Before Buying It (Even if It Is “Trendy”)

The VA Home Loan Advantage: What Every Veteran Should Know Right Now

Florida Holds Firm as Best State to Retire

What a Government Shutdown Really Means for the Housing Market

Why Your Home Equity Still Puts You Way Ahead

Why Some Homes Sell Quickly – and Others Don’t Sell at All

How To Make Sure Your Sale Crosses the Finish Line

Thought the Market Passed You By? Think Again.

9 Scary Things Real Estate Agents Fear Hearing

14 Moments When Being a Real Estate Agent Is Like Starring in a Horror Movie

Where Does Stephen King Live? Hint: It’s Not His Famous Maine Victorian

September 2025 Real Estate Market Report: Trends in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

In These Real-Life Halloweentowns, October Is Both Scary and Sweet

Would You Buy a Haunted House? (There’s a 50/50 Chance You Might!)

The Reason Homes Feel Like They Cost So Much (It’s Not What You Think)

Planning To Sell in 2026? Start the Prep Now

Is the Housing Market Going To Crash? Here’s What Experts Say

To Renovate or Relocate… That Is the Question (This Quiz Will Help You Answer It)

The $280 Shift in Affordability Every Homebuyer Should Know

2026 Housing Market Outlook

Why a Multifamily Home Could Be a Smarter Option (Even if Single-Family Builds Equity Faster)

Why More Buyers Are Turning to New Construction This Year

Is Now the Time to Get a Deal on New Construction Homes?

Don’t Let Unrealistic Pricing Cost You Your Move

Why Home Prices Aren’t Actually Flat

Why Experts Say Mortgage Rates Should Ease Over the Next Year

October Events in Sarasota: All Treats, No Tricks at Lakewood Ranch!

Unwritten Laws of Real Estate: 7 Things Agents Do Without Being Taught

Why October Is the Best Time To Buy a Home in 2025

What Buyers Say They Need Most (And How the Market’s Responding)

Work With Beth

I’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring your options, I'm here to provide answers, insights, and the support you need. Contact me and start planning your next move.