Get Your Home Ready For Spring Selling Season!
Recent study reveals that 1 in 10 mortgage requests are for a Florida home purchase
According to a recent study conducted by Lending Tree, Florida ranks as the number 1 place for buyers. The study broke the Florida housing market down into 5 distinctive markets.
Not to our surprise, Southwest Florida is a retirement destination while central and south Florida have an abundance of international buyers. The bulk of buyers in Jacksonville are first time and entry level buyers. Tampa/St. Pete area all interconnected, but are very different markets with Tampa booming and generating plenty of job opportunities.
-Builder Magazine calls Florida “explosive”.
Overall, Florida is still battling high buyer demand and low inventory which continues to push home prices up. Builders are moving outside of centrally located areas to help provide more affordable housing. Buyers that have been struggling with housing affordability are now willing to compromise on school zones and commute time in order to purchase something new.
Bottom line, the Florida real estate market is still thriving and home prices are continuing to rise. If you have been thinking about buying or selling, give us a call so we can discuss your options.
Spring Selling Season May Be Here Early!
The housing market seems to be picking up and experts are pointing to lower interest rates. Spring selling season may be here early this year!
In the suburbs of Dallas, real estate professionals are reporting lines of buyers waiting to get inside open houses.
"It kind of caught us a little bit off-guard," says a real estate professional with RE/MAX. "We actually did get a surge of buyers coming in and matter of fact, I worked with two this weekend, one of which is under contract; another is about to be."
Mortgage rates increased for most of 2018, nearing 5 percent by the 4th quarter which prompted a dip in home sales. In recent weeks, rates have decreased to an average of 4.41 percent and are now sitting at a 10-month low.
Home prices have begun to slow as well, December home prices were up 4.7 percent annually, the smallest gain in 6 years according to CoreLogic, a real estate data firm. Slowing prices and lower interest rates have buyers eager to get out there and purchase a home while they have an advantage.
If you're thinking about buying or selling, now is the time to do it! Give us a call so we can discuss your real estate goals.
A Better Perspective on Housing Affordability
Housing affordability has become more challenging in recent month and has been a big focus in the headlines. We must, however, consider that this is following the worst housing crash in American history. Over the past decade, the market was flooded with foreclosure and short sale properties being sold at a 10-50% discounts. There were so many that this impacted the value of non-distressed properties as well. Lower mortgage rates were a result in order to help the economy.
Since then, mortgage rates have risen, home prices have bounced back, and the economy has gained strength. Now that the economy has made a recovery, this has impacted housing affordability. This is, however, necessary to give historical context to the subject of affordability.
Two weeks ago, CoreLogic reported on what they call the “typical mortgage payment”.
As they explain:
“One way to measure the impact of inflation, mortgage rates and home prices on affordability over time is to use what we call the ‘typical mortgage payment.’ It’s a mortgage-rate-adjusted monthly payment based on each month’s U.S. median home sale price. It is calculated using Freddie Mac’s average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20 percent down payment…
The typical mortgage payment is a good proxy for affordability because it shows the monthly amount that a borrower would have to qualify for to get a mortgage to buy the median-priced U.S. home…
When adjusted for inflation, the typical mortgage payment puts home-buyers’ current costs in the proper historical context.”
Here is a graph showing the results of CoreLogic’s research:
According to the graph, the most recent calculation remained 28% below the all time peak of $1,275 in 2006.
St Patty's Day Shamrock Shake Cupcakes
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Frosting Ingredients:
1 C unsalted butter
3 C powdered sugar
3-5 TBsp heavy cream
2 tsp mint
Cupcake Ingredients:
¾ C flour
¾ C sugar
1¼ tsp baking powder
½ C unsalted sweet cream butter
2 eggs
½ C whole milk
1 tsp pure vanilla
1½ tsp mint extract
4 drops of leaf green coloring
(Optional) Chocolate fudge sauce
CUPCAKE DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a cupcake tin with cupcake liners
2. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients and butter, then mix together with an electric mixer on a low speed for a minute or two. The mixture will look like sand.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, and continue to mix on low speed until combined.
4. Gradually add in the mint, vanilla and milk and mix until all combined.
5. Add in a couple of drops of food coloring and mix. Be sure the color has mixed throughout the batter thoroughly before determining whether you want to add more color. (It’s easier to add more color than take away!)
6. Fill cupcake liners about 3/4 full. Bake at 350°F for approximately 20 minutes or until the edges of the cupcakes are starting to brown slightly and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean.
7. Set the cupcake pan aside to let cool.
FROSTING DIRECTIONS
1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl with an electric mixer.
2. To get the consistency you like, add small amounts of powdered sugar or heavy cream if needed.
3. Snip the end of an icing bag off, then slide an icing tip into the bottom. Spoon frosting into a piping bag and pipe onto cooled cupcake.
4. Drizzle with chocolate sauce if desired and garnish with a straw.
March 2019 Events
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Listing Inventory
1514 SW 52nd Ln.
Live large in this direct gulf access luxury home. Located in the coveted SW Cape, convenient to Cape Harbour where you will find shopping, dining, & entertainment. This spacious pool home features over 3,700 sqft of air-conditioned living space & provides plenty of room to host friends & family with 4-bedrooms + den, 3.5-bathrooms, & a HUGE bonus room! The gourmet kitchen features 42” raised panel cabinets, granite counter tops, tile back-splash, large breakfast bar, stainless-steel appliances, & a dry bar. Outside you will find the beautiful heated pool & spa with pebble tech coating, a newly pavered lanai, & an outdoor kitchen with Viking grill. Bring your boat & enjoy the deep-water canal with direct gulf access & NO bridges. This home has a 7,500 lb. boat lift & composite boat dock. Additional special features include: a music system, generator, self-cleaning pool, lifetime pebble tech pool coating warranty, electric hurricane shutters on most windows, programmed landscape lighting, some impact windows, built-in closet in master, custom window treatments, newly re-screened lanai, extra storage, central vacuum, screened upstairs balcony, tile in living areas, & more!
Offered at: $955,000
5574 Williamson Way
Great opportunity for seasonal or full-time residents! Enjoy living the Florida lifestyle in the highly sought-after 55+ Whiskey Creek Community. Ideally located in South Fort Myers near shopping, dining, beaches, and more. This spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bath villa features over 1,700 sqft. of air-conditioned living space and boasts lots of natural light. This unit backs up to a beautifully landscaped green area and is just a short stroll to the community pool. Enjoy golfing on the pay as you play executive golf course, stop by the clubhouse for a relaxing lunch, or cool off at the community pool on those hot summer days. Make this your perfect home in paradise, schedule your showing today!
Offered at: $149,900
1822 SW 1st Ave.
This charming 4-bedroom, 2-bath pool home will make you feel like you’re in a serene coastal paradise! Conveniently located in SW Cape near shopping, dining, and entertainment. Tasteful designer paint colors throughout and neutral tile flooring are just a couple things that make this home MOVE-IN-READY! The updated kitchen overlooks the pool and features an island with breakfast bar, granite countertops, tile backsplash, and stainless-steel appliances. The master retreat has crown molding, double closets, and a private master bath with double sinks and walk-in shower. The additional bedrooms and a convenient pool bath are located on the opposite side of the home. The sparkling pool and spacious fenced backyard make this home great for entertaining! Schedule your showing TODAY!
Offered at: $249,900
4935 SW 21st Pl.
This lovely 3-bedroom, 2-bath pool home is nestled amongst gulf access homes in the desirable SW Cape. Convenient to Cape Harbour where you will find shopping, dining, and entertainment. This property features a great room floor plan with lots of natural light and tile throughout. The light and bright kitchen features white cabinets, a breakfast bar, pantry, and neutral countertops and back-splash. The master suite has sliders leading out to the lanai and a private master bath. The additional bedrooms are located on the opposite side of the home with a pool bath for added convenience. Enjoy entertaining on the spacious lanai or cool off on hot summer days in your private screened pool. All assessments have been paid on this property!
Offered at: $265,000
2009 SW 3rd Ter.
Welcome to this light & bright 3-bedroom, 2-bath pool home! Enjoy entertaining in the open concept floor plan and admire your sparkling pool views from almost any room. Prepare your favorite meal in the lovely kitchen complete with a center island, breakfast bar, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, and tile backsplash. Unwind after a long day in your spacious master retreat with private master bath and walk-in shower. Invite your friends and family for a cookout on your expansive lanai with pass-through window to the kitchen. Cool off on those hot summer days in your private screened pool. Schedule your appointment to see this move-in-ready home today!
Offered at: $205,000
122 SE 43rd St.
Motivated seller, bring offers! Enjoy the Florida lifestyle in this lovely GULF ACCESS pool home with NEW ROOF! Perfect for a full-time residence, vacation home, or an investment property. Upon entering you will notice an open and airy floor plan, kitchen with updated appliances, and ceramic tile throughout the living areas. The home features a split plan with two bedrooms at the front of the home and the master at the rear. The sparkling pool has a mansard enclosure and is perfect for summer cookouts and parties all year round. Enjoy the convenience of docking your boat right in your own backyard on your 10,000 lb boat lift. Take in the scenery on your short 20-minute ride to the river from your gulf access canal with just one bridge! Desirable location, convenient to shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. Call to schedule your showing today!
Offered at: $274,900
1311 SE 16th St.
Enjoy the Southwest Florida lifestyle in this impeccably updated pool home with NEW ROOF and NEW SEAWALL! Located on a Gulf access canal, this home is also just minutes from extensive shopping and dining. Whole-house upgrades include Pergo flooring & ceramic tile throughout, a whole-house salt water softener/filter system, PGT impact windows, sliding doors and a hurricane garage door, new A/C installed in October 2016, new hot water heater in December 2016, and a new roof in August 2017. The spacious island kitchen has been remodeled with granite counters, stone back-splash, custom 42” cherry cabinets, under-cabinet lighting, & stainless-steel appliances. Just a few of the other upgrades throughout the home include built-in cabinets in the garage and laundry room, upgraded light fixtures and ceiling fans in many rooms, and custom plantation shutters in the master bedroom and den. The screened lanai has had all cage panels replaced last year, and the salt-water pool has just had a new pool pump installed. All assessments are PAID! Don’t miss out on this gorgeous home!
Offered at: $349,900
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9242 Palm Island Cir.
Live the Florida lifestyle in the gated community of Palm Island – a boater’s paradise! Conveniently located just minutes from downtown Fort Myers with plenty of amenities! Low maintenance and low HOA fees make this a great opportunity for seasonal or full time residents! This Gulf access pool home is a short 15-minute trip to the river and is Move-In-Ready! You will love the abundance of natural light and wonderful pool views as you enter this bright and airy home. Neutral tile flooring and paint flow throughout the open concept floor-plan. The kitchen features neutral countertops and cabinets, an upgraded induction cook top, a pantry, and breakfast bar. The spacious owners retreat features two closets, and a private master bath with double sinks and separate shower and soaking tub. The beautiful heated pool was built in 2013 and features a sun shelf and pavered pool deck. Dock your boat right in your own backyard on your 7,500 lb. covered boat lift. Additional features include, accordion shutters on lanai, new exterior paint, and impact resistant windows.
Offered at: $379,900
3302 SE 19th Pl.
Unrestricted Sailboat Access to the Gulf, just minutes to the river! Complete with a 7,000 lb. boat lift! This spacious pool home is located in the desirable neighborhood of Palaco Grande. As you enter the home into the formal living room, you will notice the large pocket sliders offering picture-perfect views of your sparkling pool and canal. The convenient triple-split floor plan places the owners retreat at the front of the home. Here you will find plenty of space to relax, sliding glass doors leading out to the pool, and a private bathroom with double sinks and walk-in shower. The sizable kitchen offers a center island, plenty of cabinet space, stainless-steel appliances, and a pass-through window to the lanai. Enjoy the views with your morning cup of coffee on the large screened lanai or take a swim in the solar heated pool. Additional features include a metal roof, a large indoor laundry room, hurricane shutters on windows, hurricane impact garage door, & more!
Offered at: $399,900
