AnnMarie Shrum, Realtor - Space Coast, Florida

12/15/2025

Love where you live!

11/27/2025

11/13/2025

I'm delighted to bring this 1-bd, 2-ba with a Bonus room in Titusville to market! Click on the image or contact me directly if you have any questions or would like to learn more about the listing details.

10/14/2025

No one really tells you the real reason to get pre-approved before you start looking at homes.

It’s not just so your Realtor knows you qualify.

It’s so we can fix anything that could slow down or completely derail your loan before you’re under contract.

A lot of buyers think, “I pay $2,200 a month in rent, so I’m good.”

But behind the scenes:

- Bonus or commission income? Lenders average it over two years, even if last month was your best month ever.
- Missing a single W-2 or year-end paystub? We have to stop and chase it down from HR before you can move forward.
- Own a business? Lenders use your tax returns, not your gross sales, and write-offs can shrink your qualifying income fast.

All of that takes time.

And if we’re doing it after you’ve found the home you love, you risk losing it to a buyer who’s already ready.

Pre-approval isn’t busywork.

It's for you to know and understand your numbers and be prepared the second the right home hits the market

10/02/2025

‼️ Government Shutdown & Mortgage Impact Update

🏡 Here’s what it means for the real estate side:

✅ Conventional (Fannie/Freddie) – No impact

✅ VA Loans – Still operational, but appraisals and verifying eligibility may take longer

✅ FHA Loans – Can continue to close, though condo approvals and staff responses may be delayed

❌ USDA Loans – No new commitments/guarantees during the shutdown. Existing commitments can still close and will be guaranteed once operations resume

📄 Tax Transcripts (IRS) – Online services to remain fully operational

🪪 Social Security Validation – Is non-operational during shutdown. Will affect loans where this is needed.

🌊 Flood Insurance (NFIP) – New/renewal policies may pause. Private flood coverage is an option

👩Federal Employees – If furloughed, that income cannot be used for qualification until they return to work.

⚡ Key Takeaways: USDA loans are on hold unless commitment has already been issued.
FHA/VA is mostly business as usual with possible delays, depending on the loan specifics.
All other programs will continue operating normally.

📞 If you have questions on something specific, feel free to reach out! As your favorite real estate agent, I’m never closed and always here to help! 😜

10/01/2025

I'm delighted to bring this buildable RV lot, in Titusville to market! Lake front! Click on the image or contact me directly if you have any questions or would like to learn more about the listing details.

09/18/2025

Don't miss out on this 2-bd, 2-ba property on a golf course in Titusville!

Open house Saturday 9/20 from 11-2

Click on the image or contact me directly if you have any questions or would like to learn more about the listing

09/13/2025

More buyers are choosing FHA mortgages for their flexible eligibility requirements. Agents who understand the ins and outs of FHA financing can help ensure a smooth transaction from contract to close.

Learn more: https://www.nar.realtor/magazine/real-estate-news/sales-marketing/navigating-fha-loan-requirements-crafting-home-purchase-agreements-with-ease

08/12/2025

🚨 Attention Agents & Sellers: 🚨
An FHA loan does NOT automatically mean a buyer has bad credit or no money in the bank!

🗣 Here’s the truth: Right now, FHA loans often have the lowest interest rates. Even well-qualified buyers with solid credit and plenty of funds may choose FHA simply because the rate is better. In many cases, FHA rates can be in the low 6% range, while conventional rates might be in the mid 6 or 7% — and that lower rate can help a buyer qualify for more home.

💡 Myth #1: FHA is only for buyers with little money down.
Reality: Conventional loans offer as low as 3% down, which is less than FHA’s 3.5%.

💡 Myth #2: FHA borrowers have low credit scores.
Reality: Yes, FHA allows scores as low as 580, but many FHA buyers have scores well into the 700s. Sometimes they choose FHA because it allows a higher DTI (debt-to-income ratio), making it easier to qualify — especially for buyers with student loans or other obligations.

💰 Some buyers will use the difference in down payment requirements (3.5% FHA vs. 5% conventional) to buy down their interest rate, which can make their monthly payment lower with FHA, even after adding mortgage insurance.

📊 Key difference:
• FHA max DTI: 56.9%
• Conventional max DTI: 50%
That means some buyers can qualify for more home with FHA.

🤷‍♀️ Most buyers care about their monthly payment, not whether they have mortgage insurance for the life of the loan.

✅ Conventional loans are great — and if they’re the best fit, we use them! But many times, FHA simply makes more sense for the buyer’s situation.

📢 Agents: If you’re presenting offers, please know the facts so you can educate sellers. If a seller says “no FHA buyers,” ask why — and if it’s because they think FHA buyers are weak, kindly correct them.

⚠ Valid reasons to decline FHA:
• FHA 90-day flip rule
• Property condition won’t meet FHA standards and seller can’t or won’t make repairs

💡 Bottom line: Don’t count out an FHA offer without knowing the full picture. Education is key — the more we know, the more we grow! 🌱

Message me if you are ready to look for your new home!

07/23/2025

06/25/2025

📊May2025 Brevard County Housing Statistics are now available for Single-Family Homes and Townhouses/Condos!

🚀Provided by the Space Coast Association of REALTORS®, the trusted voice for real estate in Brevard County.

🌐 Explore the full reports: www.SpaceCoastMLS.com
📸 Access the social media graphic in your Launch Pad resource library!

🤓 Quick Recap: https://bit.ly/3ZHFEQQ