The Enclave at Bear Lake, Apopka, FL

04/30/2024

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2024/04/tasks-new-homeowners

New buyers have an opportunity to put their own stamp on their home. Make homeownership easier by learning where the main water and gas valves are, among other tips.

04/02/2024

https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2024/04/5-pieces-real-estate-advice-sellers?utm_campaign=4-02-24+Florida+Realtors+News&utm_medium=email&utm_source=iPost

Realtors can provide essential information when preparing a home for a sale since they know what buyers are seeking. Consider the following tips for successfully listing a home.

02/05/2024

Don't get discouraged. Even though home prices likely won't decline much this year (or the immediate foreseeable future), real estate is still a wealth builder, especially if you plan to stay in your home for a while, which more and more people are doing. Homes are not only assets but possess "consumptive value"...meaning it's a place to live in, enjoy, and make memories. Hypothetically, if you buy your home with a loan and stay in it for 30 years, you will have value (a lot of it) and the end of the 30 years, along with a roof over your head that whole time, and no doubt a lot of good memories. While it's true that you have to comfortably afford the payments, it's not about solely about "how much did I get it for." I've always said "buy a home that you love!"

Despite predictions housing prices would come down, values keep rising in 2024. The reason? The tight inventory.

12/07/2023

I've been licensed for 29 years and it's always been this way. FSBO sellers have, on average, sold for 8-9% less than sellers who go on the open market with a real estate professional. That's just the financial part of the equation, there's so much more as the article highlights. Whether it's Valence Realty Group or someone else, use a *real estate* professional!

Survey: Sellers who go-it alone are twice as likely to be unsatisfied with the experience – and more likely to say their earlier opinion, “agents are overpaid,” was wrong.

08/09/2023

Mortgages revolve around a 20% down payment, and buyers who put less down use mortgage insurance to do so – yet many don’t understand what that means.

06/06/2023

For you landlords (and potential tenants) out there...

Starting July 1, renters may get the option to pay a monthly fee instead of a security deposit. However, fee money cannot be used to cover any damage costs.

05/31/2023

The Miami area led the nation in price gains with 14.1%, year-to-year, but of 8 Fla. metros included, even the lowest-ranking one (Tampa, No. 36) saw a 5.6% gain.

03/07/2023

If it's too good to be true...

A scam converts Airbnb listings into discounted “Home for sale” ads targeting first-time buyers. If a buyer asks to tour the home, the scammer rents it for a day to do so.

01/09/2023

While this is just one opinion, it provides a snapshot of where real estate may be headed in 2023. If you need to sell, you may want to consider doing so in the spring to be safe. If you need to buy, later in 2023 may be better (generally speaking, buying after August is better for buyers anyway...)

Knock’s market index forecasts a divided nation in 2023, with sellers retaining an edge on the eastern side of the U.S. and buyers gaining leverage on the west.

12/12/2022

Some target homeowners with high equity and low cashflow – so mainly older adults – with a promise that home equity can help them make ends meet.

10/04/2022

Mortgages must still be paid after a hurricane, but Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA have programs to help after a disaster – providing homeowners request it.

10/04/2022

A federal program operated by Fla. offers unemployment assistance to self-employed workers who will lose income due to damage inflicted by Hurricane Ian.