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Median Prices Up in February

Median Prices Up in February

Median Prices Up in February

Fla.’s Housing Market: Inventory, Median Prices Up in February

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s housing market in February continued to show increasing inventory (active listings) and higher median prices compared to a year ago, according to Florida Realtors®’ latest housing data.

Still, economic uncertainty, inflation and interest rates fluctuating above 6% impacted the state’s housing sector. Closed sales of single-family homes statewide last month totaled 18,627, down 21.3% year-over-year, while existing condo-townhouse sales totaled 7,665, down 30.2% from February 2022, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales may occur from 30- to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written.

“The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was in the 6- to 6.5% range for much of January, which helped spur some renewed activity in the existing home sales market,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor. “While closed sales were still down substantially year over year, the numbers for February were much more favorable than what we saw in January.

“One area where we worsened compared to last month, however, was in new listings. The last time there were this few new listings in the month of February was in 2013, in both property type categories. This lack of new listings kept inventories from expanding much at all. Single-family inventory actually declined month-over-month though it was still higher year-over-year.”

In February, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes was $395,000, up 3.5% from the previous year; for condo-townhouse units, it was $315,000, up 8.6% over February 2022. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

“The supply of for-sale homes is slowly building, which is easing inventory constraints in many markets across the state,” said 2023 Florida Realtors® President G. Mike McGraw, a broker-associate with RE/MAX Central Realty in Apopka. “As more inventory becomes available, it will begin to ease some of the pressure on home prices – and that helps buyers dealing with higher interest rates and affordability challenges.

“Working with a local Realtor means consumers have an expert guide who can help them understand the complex and emotional process of buying or selling a home.”

Statewide inventory in February was higher than a year ago for both existing single-family homes, increasing by 131.4%, and for condo-townhouse units, up 106%. The supply of single-family existing homes was at a 2.7-months’ supply while existing condo-townhouse properties were at a 3.2-months’ supply last month.

Source

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Rent Or Sell Your Home?

Rent Or Sell Your Home?

Rent Or Sell Your Home?

Rent Or Sell Your Home?

Renting out a house can be an option when you’ve got to move but you aren’t quite sure if it’s time to sell. Sure, many homeowners who need to move decide to sell their current home so they can have plenty of cash to buy their next digs.

Owning rental property, after all, brings in predictable, long-term income. But make no mistake, backing into a landlord role comes with some hefty responsibilities—and no small amount of headaches.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you decide which road is right for you.

Can you afford to own two homes?

“Financial wherewithal should be the No. 1 component as you weigh whether to hold on to the house,” says John Lazenby, president of the Orlando Regional Realtor® Association. Here’s what that means:

  • First, consider whether you will need two mortgages, one for the new house you are (presumably) buying and one for the potential rental. If you have owned your home long enough, you may have enough equity that you can pay off the balance and be free and clear. If not, you’ll want to consult with a mortgage adviser to make sure you will qualify for a mortgage on both the rental and the home you’ll be living in.
  • Do the math on the return on investment of a rental. Check into local rental rates and see if there is a viable tenant stream, says Koki Adasi, team leader and founder of Koki & Associates at Long & Foster in Washington, DC. If you are depending on the rental income to cover the mortgage on your new home, you’ll need to be able to charge enough to cover that and then some. After all, a rental comes with its own expenses—like maintenance, repairs, and, if you opt for it, property management. There also may be times the house sits empty between tenants. “If the total monthly amount that you need supersedes rental market value, you may end up taking a monthly loss,” Lazenby says.
  • Also factor in potential tax benefits, advises Adasi. “Check into what costs you can write off, such as mortgage interest, property tax, operating expenses, depreciation, and repairs,” he says. In most states these expenses are tax write-offs; you also might be able to deduct fees associated with running the rental, including property management, attorneys, and cleaning services.

Will your old property appreciate?

Market conditions should weigh heavily in your decision as well.

  • “If you purchased the home at a good price and its value is rising steadily, you may want to hang on to it and accept any potential monthly loss in exchange for keeping your investment,” Lazenby says. You also might want to keep the home if you’ve recently purchased it and it has not yet increased enough in value to cover costs associated with selling, such as closing costs, transfer taxes, and other fees, says Adasi.
  • Look into comparable values in the neighborhood to evaluate the long-term outlook. Determine whether trends are pointing toward it being an up-and-coming locale or one on the decline. Although it’s impossible to predict the future, those types of evaluations can help you determine if the property is likely to rise or fall in market value.
  • And, consider the “opportunity cost.” Evaluate whether you would potentially make more investing that money elsewhere, such as in the stock market or other retirement vehicle.

Can you effectively oversee the rental?

Being a landlord isn’t for everyone, points out Lazenby. “Ask yourself if you will be able to tolerate the stress that comes with being responsible for the home you’re living in, as well as a rental, particularly if it is long-distance.”

And before you become a landlord, you need to conduct your due diligence: A decent amount of upfront research is needed on the licensing and other laws that pertain to rentals in your city, county, and state.

Will you ever want to return to your home, sweet home?

If you’re relocating, either for work or personal reasons, consider the possibility that you might return to the area at some point to be near family or friends, suggests Lazenby. If the home offered everything you wanted and the financial factors line up, you may choose to rent it out so that you one day have the option to return.

Experts in Residential Real Estate in Orlando

If you are BUYING or SELLING real estate it’s quiet often the single most important financial decision you make. For the last 30 years we have helped clients buying and selling property in Orlando and the surrounding areas. Put simply, this means the knowledge and expertise accumulated over this time ensures our clients get the best representation possible.

Our experienced agents will help and guide you through the entire process providing valuable support every step of the way.

Ready to make a Move?

Bardell Real Estate are the experts in helping you with your selling, buying or renting needs near Orlando, Florida. Make your Disney area experience a forever memorable one. Call us now to speak to a real estate agent.

 

Things To Do After Selling Your House

Things To Do After Selling Your House

Things To Do After Selling Your House

Things To Do After Selling Your House

Once you close on your home sale, you can walk away and celebrate, right? Well, not exactly! After you sell your house, you certainly should celebrate, but you have more things to think about, from tax prep to buying your next house. In “House Selling for Dummies,” authors Eric Tyson and Ray Brown lay out things you can do to save money and increase your peace of mind, post-sale.

You’re going to need to do something with any proceeds you have left from the sale. Plus there are tax implications to consider, and if you haven’t already, you need to think about where you’re going to live long term.

Here are some tips from Tyson and Brown that can help guide you.

 

Although it might be tempting to shred the paperwork or put it in storage, you’ll want to have it handy for April 15. When you file your taxes, you’ll need documentation for the expenses and proceeds of the sale. And after you file your return, you’ll want to keep the paperwork in case you’re audited.

2. Keep proof of improvements and prior purchases

This is for tax purposes, too. The IRS allows you to add the cost of improvements to your home’s cost basis during the time you own the home, which is nice if you have a sizable capital gain. But to use this tax provision, you need to keep receipts for everything you spent on home improvement.

3. Stay on top of tax laws after you sell

Because tax laws constantly change, you’ll want to keep current to avoid losing money. For example, a recent law allows you to exclude from tax a significant portion of the profits from the sale of your primary residence.

4. Put your proceeds in a money market fund

If you sell and then don’t immediately buy, you’ll need a safe place to put your money. A money market mutual fund offers safety, a reasonable rate of return, daily access to your money and check-writing privileges.

5. Choose your next home carefully

Scope out a variety of areas and housing options that meet your family’s needs.

6. Don’t feel pressured to buy

Take your time purchasing your next home; rent for awhile if you’d like extra time or want to try an area out first before buying. “Keep in mind that you have two years to defer tax on your house-sale profits,” Tyson and Brown point out.

7. Reevaluate your personal finances

If your situation changes before you buy another house — you get a promotion, have a baby, go through a divorce — you’ll need to rethink your finances and how much you can afford to pay for your new house.

8. Think about what you need from an agent to help you buy

Carefully consider whether the agent who helped sell your house can meet your needs when you’re buying. Buying and selling require different skills. And, if you’re moving to a new area, you may want someone familiar with the area.

9. Think through your next down payment

Brown and Tyson recommend putting at least 20 percent down on your next house in order to qualify for the best mortgage programs. If you can afford more than 20 percent, consider whether it’s better to put that money in the down payment or to invest the money elsewhere.

“Younger home buyers willing to take on more investment risk should lean toward a 20-percent down payment, whereas older home buyers, who tend to invest less aggressively, should opt for larger down payments,” the pair recommends.

10. Remember to send change-of-address notices

The U.S. Postal Service recommends you complete your change of address 30 days before you move.

 

Experts in Residential Real Estate in Orlando

If you are BUYING or SELLING real estate it’s quiet often the single most important financial decision you make. For the last 30 years we have helped clients buying and selling property in Orlando and the surrounding areas. Put simply, this means the knowledge and expertise accumulated over this time ensures our clients get the best representation possible.

Our experienced agents will help and guide you through the entire process providing valuable support every step of the way.

Ready to make a Move?

Bardell Real Estate are the experts in helping you with your selling, buying or renting needs near Orlando, Florida. Make your Disney area experience a forever memorable one. Call us now to speak to a real estate agent.

 

Reasons Home Sales Are Falling Through Today

Reasons Home Sales Are Falling Through Today

Reasons Home Sales Are Falling Through Today

Reasons Home Sales Are Falling Through Today

For the past few years, anyone who wanted to sell their home was pretty much guaranteed a buyer, but that’s no longer the case.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a seller’s market reigned, where buyers would do just about anything to get a house, from offering way over the asking price to waiving contingencies. But the real estate landscape has changed a lot since then.

In fact, one recent survey by home warranty company Cinch Home Services of 1,000 Americans who tried to buy or sell a home in the past year found that 1 in 5 seller’s deals fell through.

The reasons these deals are failing run the gamut, but one common theme is economic uncertainty. According to the Cinch survey, 16% of deals fell through due to buyer’s job loss and in 23%, buyers pulled out because they were afraid of a recession.

“Consumers are feeling uneasy about the current state of housing and the economy,” says Ali Wolf, chief economist for Zonda. “Today’s market is different than it was just six months ago.”

Since selling a home today is no longer a given, sellers whose homes are on the market right now might be worried. While not all contracts can be saved, many can if sellers know how to properly vet a buyer and make sure they’re prepared for any curveballs that might hit before closing day. Here’s where those deal-killing pitfalls are hiding, as well as how to avoid them so your own contract crosses the finish line.

1. Higher interest rates interfere with buyer financing

Back when the market was booming and mortgage interest rates were low, many buyers could finance a home purchase without a problem. But now that interest rates have essentially doubled in the past year (from the 3% to 6% range), buyers can’t afford what they used to. In fact, the Cinch survey found that of the real estate contracts that didn’t close, 42% was due to the mortgage application being denied and 31% was due to higher interest rates.

How to save the deal: “The best bet for sellers is to require a recent pre-approval letter from the lender, written within the last 30 days,” says Elizabeth Sugar Boese. “This helps the seller by preventing a contract termination based on the loan’s monthly payments.”

And whenever interest rates are rising fast, sellers should ask if their buyers have a lock on their interest rate, which makes them immune to fluctuations within a certain time period.

“Buyers that have a mortgage rate lock are more likely to close the purchase versus those that still need a rate lock,” says Wolf.

“Home sellers should also be aware of some signs that a homebuyer is at higher risk for not closing on the deal,” says Jason Gelios, author of “How to Think Like a Realtor”.. “These signs are a smaller down payment, a need for concessions or seller credits, and/or a pre-approval from an unknown lender.”

 

2. Homes aren’t appraising for what buyers offered

Another problem with loans today is that even if the buyer is solid, the property itself can throw a wrench in things if the appraisal falls short of what the buyers offered to pay. This is known as an appraisal gap, and it’s a huge problem for sellers—and buyers—right now.

According to the Cinch survey, 35% of deals that fell through during the past year were because a home appraised for significantly lower than the purchase price.

“Home sales are falling through because sellers are still pricing their homes as if it was six months ago, thinking they are going to be getting lots of offers over asking price,” says Nathaniel Hovsepian, co-founder of the Expert Home Buyers in Augusta, GA.

Even if sellers luck out and get a sky-high offer, a lower appraisal means the homebuyer has to figure out how to make up the difference. If the buyer can’t, or doesn’t want to, the deal is off.

How to save the deal: When you’re looking to price your home, make sure you’re on target with what similar homes in your area have appraised for within the past three months. In general, you want to price your home within 10% of those numbers.

But then also consider that the market is cooling.

“A seller reluctant to price their property at the lower market price may find themselves chasing a declining market,” says real estate agent and lawyer Bruce Ailion, of Re/Max Town & Country in Atlanta. “And that can become extremely costly.”

 

3. Buyers are driving a harder bargain

When the market was red-hot, buyers were willing to give up a lot to win the bid. In many cases, that meant giving up contingencies for appraisals, financing, and home inspections.

But now that buyers have a bit more leverage with negotiations, contingencies are back—particularly home inspections. And if your own home’s inspection uncovers termites or a leaky roof, know that buyers will dig in their heels today.

According to the Cinch survey, 38% of home purchase deals that didn’t close in the past year was due to something found during a home inspection.

How to save the deal: As a seller today, you just have to accept that buyers will no longer throw caution to the wind and waive all contingencies. They have the leverage today to do their due diligence—and if a home inspection turns up problems, you may have to make repairs or other compromises to keep the buyer happy.

Gelios had a deal almost go awry recently when, upon inspection, it was discovered that the shower in the primary bathroom would not be operable until it was remodeled by the new owner.

“After the inspection was completed, I reached out to the listing agent and stated that we needed to adjust the offer price to reflect a newly remodeled walk-in shower,” says Gelios.

Fortunately, Gelios says, the seller agreed to renegotiate a lower price and the deal was saved. And that is what is needed by sellers who don’t want the contract to fall apart.

“One of the most common ways to save a deal from dying is to renegotiate fairly for both buyer and seller,” says Gelios. “Whatever the buyer is looking to renegotiate should also be fair to the seller—avoiding any overabundant requests or higher price adjustments that are way out of whack.”

As a seller right now, you’ve got to be willing to give a little.

“Sellers that want the contract to move forward should be willing to work with the buyer,” says Wolf. “Consider helping with the closing costs or addressing many of the items on the home inspection list.”

 

Experts in Residential Real Estate in Orlando

If you are buying or selling real estate it’s quiet often the single most important financial decision you make. For the last 30 years we have helped clients buying and selling property in Orlando and the surrounding areas. Put simply, this means the knowledge and expertise accumulated over this time ensures our clients get the best representation possible.

Our experienced agents will help and guide you through the entire process providing valuable support every step of the way.

Ready to make a Move?

Bardell Real Estate are the experts in helping you with your selling, buying or renting needs near Orlando, Florida. Make your Disney area experience a forever memorable one. Call us now to speak to a real estate agent.

 

How Much Is My House Worth?

How Much Is My House Worth?

How Much Is My House Worth?

How Much Is My House Worth?

 

Maybe you’ve been inspired by those “Sold” signs in your neighborhood; maybe you’re just ready for a change of scenery. Whatever the case, a great way to get an idea of how much your home is worth is to look at the recent sale prices of other homes in your neighborhood.

Comps can help you figure it out

By identifying the sale prices of similar properties in your area, known as “comparables” (or comps), you can come up with a realistic asking price. When using comps, you’ll want to compare apples to apples—that is, homes that have a similar square footage and amenities as yours. You also want to look at homes that were sold within the same six-month period and that are similar in style.

“I try to find properties within 150 square feet either side of the subject property with similar features,” says Rick Snow.

“The number of bedrooms doesn’t really matter because they are all figured into the square footage, but baths—half, three-quarter, or full—give more value,” he says. “For example, a three-bedroom, two-bath home that is 1,800 square feet would come out the same as a four-bedroom, two-bath home that’s 1,800 square feet; but a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath would be worth more.”

How to search for comps

A good place to start your research is realtor.com®’s Just Sold feature. Just enter your ZIP code, and click “Search.” A list of recently sold homes in your area will pop up, along with their sale price. This will give you a general idea of the home prices in your area, but to really home in on a sensible price for your home, you should call on a real estate agent.

“Agents can discuss pricing of other sales or pending sales in your area with other agents to help you estimate home values,” says Michele Lerner, author of “Homebuying: Tough Times, First Time, Any Time.” “A [real estate agent] can also provide you with a free comparable market analysis to help you decide if you want to sell your home.”

And while it’s a great idea to find out about recent home sales in your community, you also should recognize your home might not sell for a similar price.

In general, the real estate market changes rapidly, and timing is a large factor in a sale price. Many of the factors of the larger market are out of your hands: Mortgage rates, the local economy, the national economy, consumer confidence, and the availability of homes for sale all influence a final price.

Will home improvements affect your sale price?

If you look through similar listings and feel like your house isn’t up to snuff, you might think about remodeling before putting your home on the market. But before you hire a contractor, determine if the cost of a remodel will be worth the value it will add to your property.

Snow says homeowners often believe they can recapture money that is spent on improvements dollar for dollar, but that just isn’t the case.

“Many improvements add marketability but not additional value,” he says. “Even projects that add value typically don’t bring back a dollar-for-dollar return on investment.”

Homeowners might also make improvements that are too specific to their personal taste and won’t appeal to a wide variety of buyers.

“When I am looking at the house, in my mind I’m thinking how much it will cost me to get rid of this or that. Many buyers then base their offer on value minus ‘what it’s going to cost me to make it the way I want it,’” says Snow.

If you are going to make some improvements with the hopes of increasing your home’s value, just be careful not to do too much remodeling.

“Be sure to consider the potential negative consequences of ‘overimproving’ your home for the neighborhood,” Lerner says. “It could be harder to sell your home in the future if it’s much larger or more expensive than the surrounding homes.”

Remember, buyers weigh many factors when they decide to buy a house, and digging deep into your home’s value can help you get the best price.

Ready to make a Move?

Bardell Real Estate are the experts in helping you with your selling, buying or renting needs near Orlando, Florida. Make your Disney area experience a forever memorable one. Call us now to speak to a real estate agent.

 

How to become a real estate agent

How to become a real estate agent

How to become a real estate agent

How to become a real estate agent

If you’re wondering how to become a real estate agent, you’re not alone. It’s a question thousands of people Google every month in America, as they consider joining the millions of real estate licensees in the U.S. And for good reason: Helping people buy the perfect home or make tons of money selling their house is exciting!

Still, buying and selling real estate isn’t as easy as it might look. And it’s a notoriously tough industry for newbies; some real estate experts like industry vet Tom Ferry estimate that a majority of all new agents fail within the first five years.

All of which means you should carefully weigh the risks and rewards of joining this profession. Just so you know what you’ll need to invest in terms of time and money upfront, here are the steps it takes.

  1. Take a real estate pre-licensing course
  2. Take the real estate licensing exam
  3. Activate your real estate license
  4. Consider becoming a Realtor®
  5. Join a brokerage

How much do real estate agents make?

Not to mention the rather enticing fact that real estate can be a lucrative field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, real estate agents make an average of $49,000 per year—and the top 10% tier of agents can earn more than three times that amount.

“We can make as much money as doctors and lawyers, and they spend tens of thousands of dollars on their degrees,” says Rae Wayne.

Still, that’s not to say the process is easy. Here’s a general overview of how you get there.

Step 1: Take a pre-licensing course

Cost: $200 to $300

States require people to take pre-licensing training from a certified institution before they can sit for the real estate licensing exam. The required number of training hours can vary significantly by jurisdiction: In Virginia, for example, real estate agents must take 60 hours of pre-licensing training, but in California they need to take 135 hours.

The course will teach you real estate principles (terms like “lien,” “escrow,” and “encumbrance”), real estate practices (like how to determine a property’s value), and the legal aspects of the business. Go to your state real estate commission’s website to find information on licensing requirements and a list of accredited pre-licensing institutions.

Pre-licensing courses can be taken in person or online, so consider your learning habits before deciding where to enroll. (Some people focus better in a classroom setting, Wayne points out.)

Step 2: Take the licensing exam

Cost: $100 to $300

Revisit your state real estate commission’s website for instructions on how to sign up to take the licensing exam. (Most states outsource administration of the exams to third-party testing centers.) Exams are typically divided into two portions: one on federal real estate laws and general real estate principles, the second on state-specific laws. Both typically consist of 60 to 100 multiple-choice questions, including math questions that require you to use a calculator (e.g., prorating taxes for a specific property). Most pre-licensing courses provide students with sample tests, and many real estate commissions publish sample questions online.

So what are the odds you’ll pass? In some states like Florida, 50% fail the first time. The bright side is you can usually take the exam as often as you want over a two-year period. But once two years elapse, applicants are required to retake the pre-licensing course.

Step 3: Active your real estate agent license

Pass the test? Congratulations! Here’s what you need to do next to start engaging with clients:

  • Activate your license through your state real estate commission’s website. Activation fees vary but typically cost around $200 to $400.
  • Pay for membership to the local multiple listing service. Membership in your local MLS is essential, since you must use the system to list properties, which are then dispersed to websites like realtor.com®. The service also enables you to easily pull a property’s tax information, analyze market trends, and see listings before they go on the market.

Step 4: Consider becoming a Realtor®

In order to become a full-fledged Realtor®—a licensed agent with the ability to use that widely respected title—you need to be a member of the National Association of Realtors®. No exceptions. So what’s the advantage?

Membership in the NAR  offers a number of benefits, including access to real estate market data, discounts on education courses, and transaction management services. And being able to use Realtor on your business card and your marketing materials also adds credibility.

Step 5: Join a brokerage

In order to become a real estate agent and legally practice real estate, you must work under a supervising broker. Real estate brokers are licensed by the state to oversee real estate transactions and ensure that real estate salespeople (that’s you!) are adhering to the required legal and ethical standards. Think of it as a similar safeguard to how stockbrokers must work at a licensed firm to trade stocks, rather than just winging it on their own. Eventually, you could also apply for a license to become a real estate broker as well, but you will first want to get a few years as an agent under your belt.

Don’t expect to waltz in and collect an hourly salary: Most brokerages pay their agents only by commission. In other words, you get paid only when you complete a transaction, and you typically won’t receive benefits. Due to this pay structure, brokerages are typically eager to welcome new agents, since it comes at no cost to the company. So be sure to find a brokerage you like, one that is open to taking you on so you can receive some on-the-job training.

 

Join Our Team!

You worked hard to get your real estate license and we think you should be able to keep earning from that investment. We also know you want to make sure your friends, colleagues and past clients receive the same stellar service that you provided to them in the past.

Refer Florida was created specifically to serve agents here in Florida. It allows you to keep your licenses active, earn extra income and avoid the costs associated with traditional brokerages, MLS’s and trade associations. If you know someone wanting to buy or sell anywhere in the US simply complete the form and leave the rest to us. No showings, no contracts, no worries. Choose Refer Florida – referrals made easy.

 

Visit our website or call us today to learn more!  863-424-2309

Ready to make a Move?

Bardell Real Estate are the experts in helping you with your selling, buying or renting needs near Orlando, Florida. Make your Disney area experience a forever memorable one. Call us now to speak to a real estate agent.