Treasure Coast
Real Estate News & Market Trends

Three things I recommend that you look past when buying property

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Trying to buy a home can be confusing, and there’s a lot to focus on. That’s why I have created a list of the top three things that buyers should look past when buying a home in this market: 

1. The appliances. Yes, the kitchen appliances could be old and they might need to be replaced. However, the supply chain problems that we've had over the last eight months are now starting to loosen up, and the prices are coming down. Plus, Black Friday is coming up! All of this means more affordability. Therefore, if you're looking to buy a house right now, you should be thinking in advance and know that you're going to be able to save some money on brand-new appliances in the next couple of months.

"Prices are starting to come down a little bit as the sellers' motivations begin to increase."

2. The mechanics and lighting. Some homes do need new air conditioners, or they might have some outdated lighting. However, the government just passed a tax credit to help offset some of the costs associated with improving the energy efficiency of your home. Therefore, the government will help you by giving you tax credits to upgrade and update your property. 

3. The price. I know you're going to think I'm crazy for this one because the price is a huge deal when you're buying. I really do want you to look past it because the prices are starting to come down a little bit as the sellers' motivations begin to increase. What I would encourage buyers to do is look at houses that they like, make an offer, and then negotiate the price to try to either get some closing costs down or buy your rate down.

Take these three things into consideration during your home search and go to our website to start looking at all the new homes that are listed. As always, let us know if you have any questions; we would be glad to help you. Call or email anytime. 

I’ve been working with investors and flipping properties myself since 1998. If you have any questions about getting into the real estate investment game, call or email me. I’d be glad to help.

A few tips to help you get started as a real estate investor.

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Is now a good time to invest in real estate? The short answer is yes, but just like all markets, you have to be careful when you do so. You especially have to be cautious if you want to flip a home.

When investing in real estate, you make money when you purchase a property, not when you sell it. You have to look closely at the property you’re buying, what you’re paying for it, and how much work it will need to turn a profit.

Finding the perfect home for flipping takes an experienced eye—it’s not something you should try as a novice. You’re risking too much money upfront, and the last thing you want is to put too much cash into a property and not be able to get it back.

"The truth is that these deals are everywhere."

Instead, here’s how you should get started. The first step is to target the right properties, which is easier said than done. I recommend you work with an experienced Realtor who can help you find the best homes, which will likely be off-market ones that aren’t listed in the MLS. Once you target these properties, you should walk through it with a contractor so you can determine how much work it needs, if there are any hidden defects, and how much it will cost. This will let you work out your numbers and decide if the property is worth it.

The truth is that these deals are everywhere. There are distressed sellers, foreclosures, and looked-over homes in every market. The key is finding the deals, and that’s where an experienced Realtor can help.

I’ve been working with investors and flipping properties myself since 1998. If you have any questions about getting into the real estate investment game, call or email me. I’d be glad to help.

Whether you want to sell now or maximize your sale, I have you covered.

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search.
Selling a home? Click here for a FREE home price valuation.

Do you want to sell your home without the hassle of the open market? Our housing landscape has shifted recently, and it may not be as easy as it used to be to get top dollar. Fortunately, I can get you an instant, all-cash offer for your property, even in this market.

If you need to move soon for whatever reason, this instant sale might be for you. Maybe you got a new job in another city or state and need to move now. No matter your reason, if you need an instant offer on your home, you can get one with no strings attached.

"The market is slowing, but I can still get you an all-cash offer instantly."

This option isn’t best if you’re trying to get the absolute highest offer for your property. The open market will always be the best way to maximize your price. This program is ideal for people who need to sell now or don’t want to go through the hassle of the open market. For example, if your home needs a ton of minor repairs that you don’t want to deal with, this program could be exactly what you need.

If you reach out to me, I’ll come out to your home and give you two numbers. The first one will be what I think I can get you on the open market. The second number will be an instant cash offer with no strings attached. There will be no pressure to pick one option or the other; the choice is yours.

If you have any questions about this topic or would like me to visit your home and give you a quote, please call or email me. I look forward to hearing from you!

Here’s what sellers need to know about our shifting housing market.

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Housing sales have fallen by over 20% in our market—are we heading for a crash? In my opinion, our market isn’t about to crash, but the data shows we are facing a major correction. What does this mean for our housing market, and is it still possible to get a great deal?

First, let's address why our market is correcting so dramatically. It turns out that interest rates matter more than many people thought. When rates increased by about 3% a few months ago, demand fell as a natural result.

"By selling now, you can secure a great deal and prepare for the future."

However, demand didn’t completely go away. Houses are still selling, just not at the breakneck pace they were before. Some sellers are struggling in this market because they’re holding out for last year’s prices. You can still get an amazing deal if you list your home now, but you need the right expectations. In my experience, home sales are mainly dipping because sellers ignore great offers from buyers to wait for something better.

Smart homeowners are taking great offers even if they aren’t as crazy as what they could have received a few months ago. The truth is that our market shift is here to stay for the time being. The longer you wait, the more you risk losing some of your equity. By selling now, you can secure a great deal and prepare for the future.

If you have questions about today’s topic or anything else, please call or email me. I am always willing to help!

A few changes in our real estate market are making things interesting.

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Our real estate market is starting to get interesting. Today I’m sharing a market update with the latest stats from June 2022. 

Our market is experiencing some changes, and the most significant right now is the increase in inventory. Due to rising interest rates, sellers realize that now is the time to get their homes on the market. Week over week, we’re seeing growth in the number of houses for sale. 

Over the last several months, we saw very few price reductions; sellers were selling their homes quickly and for over asking price, so there was no need. However, now price reductions are starting to happen, especially in price points originally set at $450,000 and over. For the next few months, I expect to see more price adjustments, particularly in the Port St. Lucie market. Prices will continue to decline as inventory escalates, which will lead to a more competitive marketplace for buyers and put some pressure on sellers.

"You can still get a higher price now than you would if you wait."

However, buyers will have more choices and a little more negotiating power, and it’ll be a better time for them to buy than it has been for a while. There will be opportunities at all price points. If you’re considering selling, now is the time to get your home on the market; price adjustments will be gradual between now and the end of the year, so you can still get a higher price now than if you wait.

If you have any real estate questions or needs, feel free to reach out anytime via phone or email. I would love to help you.

Here’s how buyers and sellers can win in this tough market. 

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In case you don’t know, interest rates have shot up over the last couple of weeks. Some people are panicking, but they shouldn’t be. There’s a method for savvy buyers and sellers to beat the market and create a win-win situation, and today I want to discuss how you can use it. 

First, what exactly is happening with interest rates? Rates were about 3.5% at the beginning of the year, but now they’re closer to 5.5%. As a result, demand is slowing, and more homes are staying on the market longer. Some buyers are sitting on the sidelines waiting for prices to fall, but I’m not sure if this is a good idea. Supply is still relatively low, so our high prices aren’t going anywhere. 

To explain how you can win in this tough market, let’s go over an example. Let’s say someone is listing a home for $400,000. Some agents tell their sellers they need to lower their prices if they want to secure a sale, but that isn’t necessarily the case. If the buyers want to keep their monthly payments low, sellers can offer to pay for some closing costs instead of lowering their prices. The buyer can then use this extra money to buy down their interest rate.

"Both buyers and sellers can win in this market."

On a $400,000 home, paying $15,000 to buy down a buyer’s rate will create more savings than dropping the price by $15,000. Buying down the rate to 4.5% will create a monthly savings of around $300. Lowering the price will only save the buyer $85 per month. By offering to help buy down the buyer’s rate, both parties can win in this market. 

If you have questions about today’s topic or anything else related to real estate, please call or email me. I am always willing to help!

Three things about rising interest rates that every seller should know.

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What does it mean for home sellers now that interest rates have passed 6%? Here are three things to keep in mind if you’re thinking about listing your home this year:

1. Buyers may have a harder time qualifying for loans. Suppose a buyer had already been pre-approved by a lender for up to $300,000 at a 3% rate. Over the next 60 days, the buyer looks for a home but can't find anything within that range. Many buyers will need a new pre-approval since higher rates lower the amount they can qualify for.

"If your agent suggests you adjust your price to draw in more buyers, do so sooner than later before rates increase again."

2. There may be fewer buyers in your price bracket. Since rising rates reduce buyers’ purchasing power, you’ll have fewer people who are able to afford your home. That could lead to you getting a lower sales price for your home.

3. You need to learn about your market conditions. Consult with your Realtor to determine what’s happening in your local market area. Take the feedback you receive from showings to heart; if your agent suggests you adjust your price to draw in more buyers, do so sooner rather than later before rates increase again.

Though increasing rates may make things a little more difficult, homes will still sell even in an uncertain market. If you have any questions about the market or how to sell your home for the most money possible, give us a call or send us an email. We’d love to help you.

Four great reasons why you'll love to move or retire to the Treasure Coast. 

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I love living on the Treasure Coast, and I bet you would too. Don’t believe me? Here are the top four reasons you should move or retire to the Treasure Coast:

1. The weather. With an average temperature of 77 degrees, the Treasure Coast has great weather. We have six to seven months of spring, and that wonderful weather gives you plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors. Nothing beats sunshine.

2. The beaches. Hutchinson Island has some of the most beautiful, untouched beaches in south Florida that are also accessible. They don't get nearly as much traffic as other beaches in Florida.

"Nothing beats sunshine."

3. The amount of waterfront property. We have the Saint Lucie and Indian rivers on the Treasure Coast. Because of all our waterfront property, you can find a home with river-to-ocean access at a reasonable price. 

4. Golf, fishing, and other activities. We have plenty of year-round activities. There are at least seven championship golf courses along the Treasure Coast, and we have the world’s best fishing right here in Stuart, Florida.

If you’re thinking about moving to the Treasure Coast, call me anytime at (772) 370-8631. I can give you helpful insights on where to go, what to do, and where to stay. I would be glad to answer any questions you have.

Five bold predictions for the direction of our market in 2022.

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Today I want to share my five bold predictions for the real estate market in the second half of 2022. Some of these predictions will drastically shake up our market. Not only do I expect that inventory will rise as much as 120%, but I think home sales will also cool off.

You can watch the full video above or skip to each section using the timestamps provided:

0:00 — Introducing today’s topic

0:34 — Prediction No. 1: Inventory will continue to rise significantly

1:36 — Prediction No. 2: Home sales will cool off slightly

2:36 — Prediction No. 3: Builder inventory will rise

3:33 — Prediction No. 4: We will still see few foreclosures

4:20 — Prediction No. 5: Interest rates will remain stable at around 5.5%

5:07 — We won’t see a bubble like in 2008

5:48 — Wrapping up

If you have any questions about these predictions, call, text, email, or send a pelican. I would love to hear from you and talk about our market in more detail.

Here’s how we market homes differently to benefit our sellers.

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Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation

Homeowners often ask how we’re going to market their properties. If you’re thinking about selling your home, marketing should be a huge concern for you; after all, you want your property to reach the most potential buyers. 

It's estimated that 70% of all agents spend $0 on marketing each month. That's crazy! If you happen to list your house with a broker who isn't spending money on marketing, you may not be getting the proper exposure. Additionally, it's estimated that about 30% of all brokers spend less than $500 a month on marketing. That's not enough for one listing, much less multiple homes.

"It's one of our core values to make sure our sellers get the most money for their homes. "

So what do we do differently? We cracked the code on Zillow, Realtor.com, and other forms of online marketing. We even bought marketing packages in bulk. Each month, we spend between $35,000 and $45,000 to market all of our properties. That gives us a big discount on our marketing plan, and it gives you the exposure you need in any price range. 

Whether yours is a manufactured home down in Hobe Sound or a luxury waterfront listing in Sewell’s Point, you can be sure that your house will get the exposure it needs on all the major online platforms that buyers flock to. That way, you’re more likely to get top dollar when you sell.

You see, it’s one of our core values to make sure our sellers get the most money for their homes, and to do that, we have to generate buyers. We tend to concentrate on internet buyers coming from New York and the Upper Midwest; they are ready and willing to pay the highest price for your house.

If you have any questions about selling your home or how we utilize marketing to increase your bottom line, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.