Melissa Kaplan - Realtor

04/01/2026

New Listing - Sanibel Island! $3,900,000

For Sale: 4 bed, 4 bath Single Family located at 6351 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel, FL 33957 for $3,900,000. MLS # 2026014582. RARE Gulf-front opportunity at the very end of Sanibel Island before the Captiva bridge. This ~0.69-...Click to READ MORE

03/11/2026

Should You Wait for Lower Rates?

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for that magic number for rates, that strategy may not pay off as much as you’d expect.

Let's connect so you can double check the math at your price point. You may realize payments are already within your range.

Mortgage rates have already dropped into the upper 5s twice this year. But after just a few days, they ticked back up into the low 6% range.

02/04/2026

12/09/2025

This May Be the Best Time To Buy a Brand-New Home

With most builders offering generous incentives and a wider selection of new homes for sale, buyers may be looking at one of the best times in years to buy a new build.

Let's connect if you want to know which communities, builders, and incentives offer the most value today. Having your own agent (not the builder’s representative) makes the sale and negotiation process that much easier for you.

If you could have a brand-new home for less than you may expect, would you be interested?

New home construction today is giving buyers something it feels like they haven't gotten much lately: a real shot at both the home they want and the deal they need.

12/05/2025

Why More Homeowners Are Giving Up Their Low Mortgage Rate

Life doesn’t wait for the perfect rate. Maybe you shouldn’t either.

With mortgage rates down from their peak and forecast to dip slightly more in 2026, moving may be more feasible than you think. If you’re ready to see what’s possible in our market, let’s talk.

If you’re like a lot of homeowners, you’ve probably thought: “I’d like to move… but I don’t want to give up my 3% rate.”

12/04/2025

The 3 Housing Market Questions Coming Up at Every Gathering This Season

Talk about the housing market can feel loud and confusing, especially when you’re hearing so many different takes. If you want to understand what these trends mean for your goals, let’s connect and walk through it together.

Whether it’s at a family gathering, your company party, or catching up with friends over the holidays, the housing market always finds its way into the conversation.

12/02/2025

How To Find the Best Deal Possible on a Home Right Now

If you want to find the best deal possible on a home right now, start by looking where others aren’t.

With 1 in 5 sellers cutting prices and many growing more flexible by the week, the homes that have been sitting a little longer could be your best opportunity to save.

Let’s talk about where to find them in our area.

Want to know how to find the best deal possible in today’s housing market? 

11/28/2025

Why So Many People Are Thankful They Bought a Home This Year

The people who bought a home this year didn’t wait for perfect market conditions to line up. They acted on what they needed in their life. And they’re thankful they did.

If you’re feeling the pull toward something better, let’s talk through your goals. Your next home could bring you more space, more connection, and more happiness than you think.

Homebuyers are weighing their options right now, and they certainly have a lot on their minds. 

11/27/2025

Why Buying a Home Still Pays Off in the Long Run

Renting may feel less expensive today, but owning is what builds real wealth over time. And with affordability starting to improve, the path to homeownership may be opening up more than you think.

If you’re curious what buying could look like for you, let’s connect. We can figure out your next move, pressure-free.

Renting can feel much less expensive and much simpler than buying a home, especially right now.

11/25/2025

4 Reasons Your House Is High on Every Buyer’s Wish List This Season

There are plenty of good reasons to put (or keep) your house on the market during this time of year.

If you want to talk strategy for how to make the most of this season in our market, let’s connect.

When the holidays roll around, travel plans, family gatherings, and all the chaos of the season may make you think it’s better to pull your listing off the market or to wait until 2026 to sell your house. But here’s the thing.

11/21/2025

Most Experts Are Not Worried About a Recession

Most Americans think a recession is coming. But most experts don’t.

So, you don’t necessarily have to put your moving plans on hold. If your finances are solid, your job is stable, and you have a real need to move, you can still make it happen.

What’s holding you back from making your next move? Let’s talk it over.

Homebuyers are watching the economy closely, and for good reason.