The Best and Worst States for Retirement in the US

Choosing where you will make your home during your golden years is a huge decision. There are tons of factors to consider. Some of them, like whether or not you want to be close to family, can be complicated. However, Florida Realty Marketplace can help you break down considerations like tax friendliness or healthcare quality. Some states in the country offer better benefits in these areas than others, and perhaps starting there can help you narrow down your choices.

Best States For Retirement

Florida

Along with beaches and Disney World, one of Florida’s defining characteristics is its population of retirees. Sunny, warm Florida – whose average annual temperature is second in the country only…

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What Should You Renovate Before Selling Your Home?


When it’s time to sell your home, there is plenty of work to consider- having it staged, having photos taken, finding the right sales price, and working with an agent to get it listed. Most people would likely prefer to avoid more in-depth projects, but the reality is that renovations can often be helpful in the sales process. Simple renovations may add enough value to your home to make them worth your time, but only if you are strategic about the process. In a market that is favorable to sellers, it can be tempting to sell a property as-is, but you may be leaving money on the table.

Why Renovate Before Selling

It can feel counterintuitive to renovate a home that you are not going to live in and…

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Is Hosting An Open House A Good Idea? Your Question Answered

You have taken those first major steps towards reselling your house. You have secured an excellent real estate agent, staged your house to the best of your ability, taken and uploaded incredible photos that show off all your favorite parts of the house, and listed your house everywhere buyers might see it. And they will! The digital age has made selling and buying homes more accessible than ever. 

Even still, some practices that date back before the internet are still a great idea to implement today if you want to ensure your home sells at a competitive price. One of the best tricks in the book is the open house. An open house is a scheduled event where potential buyers can stop by to…

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Central Florida Real Estate Market Recap of August 2022

This is the second month in a row that the median home price has fallen with the median price recorded at $377,500

August 2022 Recap

State of the Market

  • The median home price for August 2022 was recorded at $377,750, a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to July’s median home price, $380,900. This is the second month in a row that the median home price has fallen.
  • Inventory rose 3.7% in August, from 6,518 to 6,762. This is the fourth straight month of inventory increases.
  • Homes spent an average of 27 days on the market in August, jumping 28.6% from July when the average was 21 days.
  • Interest rates remained relatively flat – 4% in July vs. 5.3% in…

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Should You Renovate First Before Selling Your Home?

should

Maybe your family has outgrown your space or you simply need a new point of view. It could be that something about the kitchen annoys you, or you’ve just always wanted some particular feature that is currently missing. Whatever the reason, almost every homeowner eventually bumps up against a seemingly inevitable question: renovate or sell?

The honest answer is “it depends.” Obviously, every homeowner’s circumstances are different, but also, what some may list as a pro, others might list as a con. The only way to decide what works for you is to consider some important factors that can influence your decision.

Budget

If you are considering renovating to sell your house, you will need to…

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Your Checklist for Finding The Best Neighborhood In Florida

Moving to a brand new state can be a lot of things- exciting, overwhelming, and even confusing. Deciding where your family will live for the foreseeable future is a huge commitment, especially if you aren’t familiar with the area. As big as Florida is, nearly every type of community is available, so the neighborhood you choose could have a huge impact on your experience. But if you’re asking yourself, “what should I know before I move to Florida?” this guide is for you. Read on for tips on choosing the neighborhood that fits your needs.

Location 

If you are moving to Florida for a job, to be near family, or anything else with a geographic component, this will be the place to start.…

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Is a USDA Loan Right for You?

If you thought U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans were just for farmers, think again. Many homes in small towns and even the suburbs are eligible for USDA loans. But hey, if you are a farmer, you can probably benefit from this loan type too.

What is a USDA Loan?

A USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan is a 30-year mortgage with an interest rate determined by the lender. They were long thought of as just for farmers, but the program has been expanded in recent years to help families without adequate housing finance the purchase of a home in a rural area.

A USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan is 30 years, with an interest rate determined by the lender. No down payment is required (yes!), which sets these…

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Central Florida Real Estate Market Recap of July 2022

The Median home price has fallen for the first time in 6 months, with a decrease of 1.6% compared to June.

July 2022 Recap

State of the Market

  • The median home price for July 2022 was recorded at $380,900, a decrease of 1.6% compared to June. This is the first time in six months that the median home price has fallen.
  • Inventory jumped by 19.9% in a single month, from June to July – that's 1,081 more homes for sale. This is the third straight month of double-digit inventory increases.
  • Looking at May-July of this year compared to the same period last year, inventory has risen 67.38%. There has been an average of 2,121 more homes on the market this summer…

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Central Florida Real Estate Market Recap of June 2022

Housing inventory jumped 41% in June with an additional 1,586 more homes on the market in June

June 2022 Recap

State of the Market

  • Inventory increased by 41.2% from May 2022 to June 2022, with 1,586 more homes on the market in June compared to May. This is the second month in a row with a surge in inventory, following May’s increase of 44.2%.
  • Inventory increased by 75.5% from June 2021 to June 2022, jumping from 3,098 homes in June 2021 to 5,437 in June 2022.
  • June’s median home price was recorded at $387,000, an increase of 1.9% compared to May 2022; this sets a record high for the fifth month in a row. This is a 22.9% increase from June 2021 to June 2022,…

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'Why do I need an agent?' 7 quick answers for doubters

Real estate agents still play a valuable role in the age of algorithms and DIYers

Many people believe that if you have the right algorithm, you will find the perfect property or that a transaction is as simple as what is shown on reality TV shows.

What most don’t realize is the negotiating expertise required, what it takes to overcome transaction problems (and they can be numerous) and that you must know and coordinate the best service providers (as many as 25) to get the deal closed.

All these aspects of expertise can save homebuyers or sellers thousands of dollars, or make them thousands of dollars, while ensuring that they are legally protected in all the steps to closing.

If…

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