Found 12 blog entries tagged as buyers.

by Karen Williams-deCastro- Realtor®, C2EX, RSPS, GRI, SRS, ABR, SFR, AHWD

ALL BUYERS AND SELLERS in Monroe County, Florida. I am here with an exciting real estate market update for June 2023 for Florida Keys SINGLE FAMILY HOMES for sale! 

 Did you know that currently there are only 5.66 Months Supply of Inventory? Now you do! So what does that mean? That means the market is hot, and properties are moving fast!⚡️ But that's not all, over the last 12 months, Months Supply of Inventory has increased by an impressive +77.43%!

 If you're selling, you'll be delighted to hear that the List to Sold Price percentage is a fantastic 95.2%! This means you can expect to get great value for your property when working with me as your REALTOR®.

 

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 Florida Keys Real Estate Market Update

Good news for home seekers and investors in the Florida Keys!  Despite an increase in available properties and longer days on the market compared to last year, homes are still selling swiftly when priced appropriately. 

When priced right, properties are attracting eager buyers, leading to quick and successful sales. So, if you're a seller, partnering with a knowledgeable realtor who understands the local market is crucial to ensure your property is competitively priced. 

It's essential to be cautious when setting your listing price. Homes not priced correctly may experience more negotiations, with buyers being able to secure an average discount of about 92% off the original…

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May numbers are in! As of June 1st: Median sold price continues to increase. Month over month May saw a decrease of average days on market and a slight uptick in the original list price to sold price ratio. Our absorption rate is now over 6mo of inventory. While we are fully back in a neutral market in the Keys, homeowners and buyers should feel good about home values holding steady. *Oh, by the way ... I can help connect you with great Realtors anywhere in North America! I'm never too busy for referrals!  Erin Kiel REALTOR® GRI, AHWD, C2EX Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Destinations

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by Karen Williams-deCastro- Realtor®, C2EX, RSPS, GRI, SRS, ABR, SFR, AHWD

When you are looking at Real Estate, you likely think to yourself: location, location, location. And not many places are more beautiful than the Florida Keys. But ever since the Federal Reserve began its series of inflation-fighting interest rate hikes last year, a new mantra has emerged for a lot of us: mortgage rates, mortgage rates, mortgage rates. 

Higher rates had the immediate impact of dampening homebuyer affordability and demand. But this year, we’re seeing further repercussions. While analysts expected listing inventory to swell as sales declined, instead, homeowners have been pushing off plans to sell because they feel beholden to their existing, lower mortgage…

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by Karen Williams-deCastro- Realtor®, C2EX, RSPS, GRI, SRS, ABR, SFR, AHWD

It’s not easy being a first-time homebuyer right now. Not just in the Florida Keys, but everywhere. At the end of last year, housing affordability hit an all-time low.(1) Additionally, mortgage rates have risen significantly since 2021, while inventory remains tight for many property categories, but especially for starter homes. Even lower-priced condos are harder to snag these days, as investors and downsizers muscle out first-timers by offering stronger, often cash-heavy bids. (2)

In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, only 26% of last year’s homebuyers were first-timers—the lowest share on record and down from 34% a year prior. This underscores…

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By Karen Williams-deCastro- Realtor®, C2EX, RSPS, GRI, SRS, ABR, SFR, AHWD

Keeping a clean and orderly home is a challenge for many of us. Between busy work schedules, social obligations, and family commitments, it’s tough to keep up with daily chores—let alone larger seasonal tasks.

The effort is worthwhile, however. A sanitary environment can keep you and your family healthier by minimizing your exposure to germs and allergens.1 Plus, researchers have found that organized, uncluttered homes have quantifiable mental health benefits, too, including reduced stress, improved emotional regulation, and increased productivity.2

The reality is, we enjoy our homes more when they are in good order. It’s much easier to relax without piles of unopened…

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 by Karen Williams-deCastro- Realtor®, C2EX, RSPS, GRI, SRS, ABR, SFR, AHWD

Last year was one for the real estate history books. The pandemic helped usher in a buying frenzy that caused home prices to soar nationwide by a record 19.9% between August 2020 and August 2021.1


However, there were signs in the fourth quarter that the red-hot housing market was beginning to simmer down. In the month of October, only 60.3% of sales involved a bidding war—down from a high of 74.5% in April.2 While this trend could be attributed to seasonality, it could also be a signal that the real estate run-up may have passed its peak.

 

So what’s ahead for the U.S. housing market in 2022? Here’s where industry experts predict the market is headed in the…

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by Karen Williams-deCastro- Realtor®, C2EX, RSPS, GRI, SRS, ABR, SFR, AHWD

According to the FBI, more than one million burglaries are committed in the United States each year, with victims suffering an estimated $3 billion in combined property losses.1 Fortunately, there are some proven tactics you can use to decrease your likelihood of a home invasion.

Most burglars won’t go to extreme lengths to enter a residence. They are looking for easy access with minimal risk. A monitored security system can be an effective deterrent—homes without one are 300% more likely to be burglarized—but it isn’t the only way to protect your property.2 The strategies below can help to maximize your home’s security and minimize your chances of being targeted by…

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#6 Aspects to Consider When Purchasing Investment Property in the Florida Keys

  1. Location!  It’s no secret to YOU how magnificent the Florida Keys are.  And lucky for an investment property owner here, it isn’t a secret for the rest of the world either!  The Florida Keys, as a whole, are a Top Tourist Destination resulting in vacation and short term rental price increases.  Additionally, monthly and longer term rentals are also increasing in year round demand (not just the typical “high season” months of Jan-May).  Limited properties in general, drive up appreciation of rentals and overall home values year after year.
  2. Financing! If using financing to purchase, keep in mind you will have to bring more money to the table of an investment property…

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