Treasure Coast
Real Estate News & Market Trends

You need to do these three essential tasks after closing on your new home.

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If you just closed on your new property, congratulations! Now that the excitement of moving in has settled, it's time to focus on a few key things to ensure that you're properly prepared for what's to come. Here are three important tasks you should complete right away:

1. Set up automatic payments with your bank. You likely received paperwork at closing regarding your mortgage payments, but you may not be sure where, when, and how to make them. It's best to reach out to your lender and get your payments set up on autopay. Then, consider applying extra payments toward your principal or making an extra payment throughout the year to reduce your overall interest.

"This is how you set yourself up for success."

2. Gather all of your documents. While you did receive paperwork at closing, it's important to gather all of your documents in one place, including your survey, closing statement, deed, and any other relevant documents. Keep them in a safe and easily accessible location.

3. File your homestead exemption. If you're in Florida, make sure to file your homestead exemption as soon as possible. Don't wait until the next year—get your driver's license switched over and file your homestead exemption right away.

By taking care of these three tasks immediately after closing, you'll be setting yourself up for success in the future. Congratulations again on your new property! If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out to me by phone call or email. I look forward to hearing from you.

Two things you need to consider before choosing a lender and a home loan.

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Today, I'm here to talk about interest rates, the fees lenders charge, and why they're both important. If you are a prospective homebuyer, it is essential to keep in mind that in addition to the interest rate, lenders also charge upfront fees, which is how they make their money. Therefore, it is crucial to consider both before you make any decisions. 

For instance, one lender may offer you an interest rate that is 0.25% less than another lender’s, but they might also charge you thousands of dollars more in upfront fees. If you plan to refinance your home in the next three to four years, it may not be wise to opt for a slightly lower interest rate with significantly higher upfront fees. 

My recommendation is to check with at least two or three lenders to get their rates and the upfront costs associated with the loan, such as loan origination fees. This way, you can compare all of the data to make a well-informed decision that balances both factors. Also, don't hesitate to get pre-approved by a few different lenders; it won’t affect your credit score. 

If you have any questions about how to do this, feel free to contact me at (772) 370-8631. I would be happy to hear from you, so reach out anytime.

Here are the main differences between investor buyers and retail buyers.

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What’s the difference between a retail buyer and an investor buyer? Many of my clients have been asking me this question, so I am here today with the answer.

Typically, retail buyers offer the most money for your home since they purchase it at market value. They want to buy a property to live in and may pay cash or take out a loan. Their primary goal is to use and enjoy the home as a primary or vacation residence. While renting it out is possible, personal use is usually the priority.

Homes in good condition, insurable, and qualifying for most types of financing are usually marketed to retail buyers. When a real estate agent assesses your property, they generally provide a market value. However, homes that require significant repairs or are in poor condition may require an investor or iBuyer. There are some slight differences between the two, but in general, these types of buyers often offer cash and buy the property "as is" with few or no inspections.

The investor buyer considers the current condition of the property, the estimated cost to bring it up to retail value, and then subtracts an amount to make a profit on the property. In general, these parties don’t offer market value for your home.

If you want the most value for your house, approach a retail buyer and have a broker or Realtor assess its value. However, if your property requires significant repairs, an investor buyer may be the better option.

If you're considering selling your property and are concerned about its condition, please do not hesitate to call or email me. I will be happy to assist you.

If you’re thinking about buying in this area, consider these things first.

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Buying a home is one of the most significant investments most people make in their lifetime. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure you make an informed decision when purchasing a property on the Treasure Coast of Florida. Here are the four most important things to consider when buying a home in this region:

1. The age of the roof. The Treasure Coast region is prone to hurricanes, which can cause severe damage to roofs. Therefore, it's essential to ensure that the roof is as new as possible or has been replaced in the last several years. A new roof can prevent leaks and keep your home protected during hurricane season.

2. Getting a home inspection. An inspection report provides a detailed overview of the property's condition, including any existing issues or necessary repairs. It's advisable to get a home inspection with every property you consider purchasing. Not only will this help you identify potential problems, but it can also help you negotiate discounts.

"Be informed to make sure your investment is protected."

3. Your financing options. It's essential to get pre-approved before you start looking at properties, especially since some properties may not qualify for certain types of financing. Discussing your financing options with your lender and agent is an excellent way to ensure you get the best deal.

4. Insurance. Hurricanes can cause wind and flood damage, making insurance very important. It's advisable to contact your local insurance carrier to get a quote before you proceed with buying a property. Understanding the insurance costs and coverage options can help you make an informed decision when purchasing your home.

If you keep these factors in mind, you can make an informed decision and ensure your investment is protected. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me by phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you.

Here’s what you need to know about selling waterfront properties now.

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Now may be the perfect time to sell your waterfront property. If you own a property with river-to-ocean access, you could sell for a huge profit right now.

Why is now the perfect time to sell? The truth is that there isn’t a lot of inventory in our market, and this is especially true for waterfront properties. So if you are thinking about selling your waterfront property, especially anything along the Saint Lucie River, you might want to consider speaking to an agent. The market conditions are right.

"The market conditions are right to make a big profit."

Buyers right now are looking for a house with a dock and navigable canal or river access. Fixed bridges are not ideal, but we may be able to find you a buyer who is looking for that. Buyers are also looking for homes in top condition, especially in regard to the roof. If you have a newer roof, that’s a huge plus. 

As always when you sell a house, make sure you declutter and clean things up. That makes it easier for buyers to picture themselves living in your home and will probably increase your profit. 

Right now is a fantastic opportunity for sellers with waterfront properties. As always, call or email me with any questions. I’d love to hear from you.

Why owning a vacation home has many advantages over renting one.

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It's that time of year again—the snowbirds are here in force! During this time, there is one question that I get asked frequently: “Should I purchase a vacation home or rent one?” In short, I believe there is a lot of value in owning instead of renting, and I’m here today to explain it all to you.

One advantage of owning a vacation property is appreciation. Homes have been appreciating by 20% every year in this area, and it could go down slightly, but overall the value of this investment is high. Also, renting a vacation home in this area is expensive—I’ve seen two-bedroom units on the beach rent for $4,000 a month, which is significantly more than what you would be paying for a mortgage.

"There are a lot of benefits to owning instead of renting here on the Treasure Coast."

Another advantage of owning is the tax benefits. Talk to your tax adviser about this, but there are things you can write off by owning a vacation property in Florida that will offset some of the costs. Plus, another way you can offset costs is by leasing it during the time of the year when you're not there. You can use sites like Airbnb and VRBO to do this.

The last benefit to owning that I want to mention is the return on your investment. You’ll get family vacations, the fun of having family and friends around, great memories, and relaxing times by the beach, all in a home where you can do whatever you want to.

Therefore, there are a lot of benefits to owning instead of renting here on the Treasure Coast. If you have any questions or want help finding a property to buy, I am here to help! You can call or email me anytime, and I would be more than happy to help with your real estate needs.

These are three things you should do before you list your home.

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We are moving into the selling season here on the Treasure Coast. Are you thinking about listing your home on the market? If you are, here are the three d's you need to do before selling.

Feel free to watch the full video above or use these timestamps to browse specific topics at your leisure:

0:00 — Introduction

1:18 — Depersonalize your home

2:24 — Declutter your home

3:31 — Deep clean your home

5:09 — Get a pre-inspection

5:41 — Get professional photos

6:37 — Wrapping up

If you need more help prepping your home for the market or have any real estate-related questions, call or email me. I’d love to connect with you.

Here is what you need to know about snowbirds this winter season.

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It’s official: The snowbirds are here! In case you don’t know, snowbirds are folks from the Northern U.S. who try to escape the winter by purchasing a vacation home in a southern state like Florida. It’s hard to blame these people for wanting to get away, and they present a unique opportunity for those looking to sell during this time of year. Whether you’re looking to purchase a home on the Treasure Coast or sell one, now might be the time to make a move.

You can listen to my full explanation of this topic in the video above or skip to each section using the timestamps provided:

0:00 - Introduction

1:13 - What snowbirds bring to our area

2:28 - Why snowbirds might be interested in condos

4:13 - Why I recommend snowbirds get off the island

5:14 - Townhomes might be the best choice

7:03 - Why you should look for a property in an HOA

7:30 - Wrapping up today’s topic

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

From our team to your family, we want to wish you a happy holiday season.

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Merry Christmas and happy holidays! I have two important messages to share with you all. First, the big news is the opening of our new office in Port St. Lucie, Florida. This office has been a long time in the making, and we appreciate all the support. We have purchased a commercial property right on Highway 1. Please look us up and stop by. 

As for my second message, I want to express to all our friends, family members, loyal customers, and colleagues my sincere appreciation for your trust and confidence in my team and myself. Thank you for your continued support. We love helping people make their real estate dreams come true, so thank you for working with us and supporting our business.

This may be a busy time of year, but I am always here to help you and answer any questions you may have. Call or email me anytime, I’d love to help you. In case I don’t hear from you until 2023, have a happy New Year!

Two big things affect home prices as our housing market is correcting.

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Home prices may fall, but how much? The demand for housing in our area is still very high, so don’t worry about that. However, prices may go down, and there are two main factors that affect that. 

The first factor, and the biggest, is the interest rate. Buyers are now being approved for a lot less, so there are fewer qualified buyers in the market. This affects the inventory, which is the second factor. Since there are fewer buyers, houses are staying on the market longer, and inventory has risen. 

As a result of these things, I believe that short term, prices will go down a little bit. It should just be around 5%, but adjustments will have to be made. This is all causing a slight correction in the market.

"There are fewer qualified buyers in the market today."

If you’re trying to sell a home, make sure that your price is realistic for the current market. For this, I suggest getting a Realtor to help you. Have two or three agents come out to your house and give you a comprehensive overview of the market and an accurate valuation of your home. They should also be able to give an estimate of how long it will take to sell and how much money you’ll have in your pocket at the end of the transaction. 

As always, I am here for you if you have any questions, concerns, or comments. Call or email me, and I would be happy to help!