September home prices, mortgage-rate perspective, local investment and practical Florida homeowner tips.
October is here! 🍂 And while Florida may not exactly feel like fall yet, our local real estate market is definitely changing.
Whether you're thinking about buying, selling, investing, relocating or purchasing a second home, here's a quick look at what happened during September in Volusia and Flagler Counties — and what it could mean for you.
The September median sold price in Volusia County was approximately $340,000, while the median asking price was approximately $365,000.
Buyers have more choices and, in many cases, more negotiating room than they did during the frenzy of the past few years.
For sellers, this means one thing is becoming increasingly important: price it correctly from the beginning.
Buyers are paying attention. An overpriced home can sit. A well-priced and well-presented home can still attract serious buyers.
Explore local communities including Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach and DeLand.
Flagler County showed many of the same trends. The September median sold price was approximately $365,000, with a median listing price of approximately $410,000.
For buyers looking in Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and surrounding areas, the current market may offer opportunities that simply weren't available when inventory was extremely tight.
And for sellers? Presentation, condition and pricing strategy matter.
Market conditions and negotiating opportunities can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. The right decision starts with your goals and the details of the property.
One of the most common things I hear is: “I'm just going to wait until mortgage rates come down.”
I understand the thinking. But there is another side to that decision.
If mortgage rates drop significantly, you're probably not going to be the only buyer who notices. Lower rates could bring more buyers back into the market.
That doesn't mean everyone should run out and buy a house. It means don't base your entire real estate decision on trying to predict one number.
You can't control tomorrow's mortgage rate. But you can evaluate the opportunities available today.Visit my buyer resources to start exploring your options.
One thing I continue to watch closely is where companies, developers and investors are putting their money throughout Volusia and Flagler Counties.
We're continuing to see investment in:
Why does that matter?
Major companies generally aren't making multimillion-dollar investment decisions based on what the real estate market is doing next Tuesday. They're looking years ahead.
That doesn't mean every development is automatically good, and it certainly doesn't guarantee that property values will only go up. But it is another important piece of the puzzle when you're evaluating the long-term direction of an area.
October is a good time to give your Florida home a little attention before the holidays arrive.
Change the filter and make sure the drain line is clear. Florida isn't finished with warm weather yet.
Check weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors for deterioration or potential moisture intrusion.
Remove leaves and debris that could prevent proper drainage.
Look for cracks, peeling paint, damaged stucco or areas where water may be getting into the home.
Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly and replace batteries where needed.
Look for broken sprinkler heads, leaks and sprinklers spraying the house instead of the landscaping.
Keep plants and shrubs from growing directly against your house where they can trap moisture and provide an easy pathway for pests.
Because you can't have an October newsletter without at least one thing that feels like fall!
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a standard loaf pan.
Mix the flour, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice together in one bowl.
In another bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, eggs, oil, milk, sugars and vanilla.
Slowly combine the wet and dry ingredients and stir just until mixed.
Pour into the loaf pan and bake approximately 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Real estate is local. What's happening in Port Orange may be completely different from what's happening in New Smyrna Beach. Daytona Beach can behave differently from Ormond Beach. DeLand can be different from Palm Coast or Flagler Beach.
And even within the same city, one neighborhood can perform very differently from another.
Wondering “What would my house actually sell for?” or “Does buying right now make sense for me?”
Let's look at the actual numbers for your property, your neighborhood and your situation.
No pressure. No gimmicks. Just good information so you can make the decision that's right for you.
Find out what your home is worth or explore seller resources .
Contact Stefani