Real Estate News in the Central Florida Area and Around the Country.

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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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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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 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

'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…

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Where are the best places to live in florida right now?

Where Are The Best Places To Live In Florida Right Now?

When most people picture Florida, the first things that come to mind are the beautiful beaches and the seemingly endless supply of sunny days and clear skies. This is absolutely a draw - after all, it is the Sunshine State! But Florida has so much to offer, from theme parks to historic sites, and many cities meet almost any needs. 

Florida is so much more than just the bustling Miami nightlife you see on TV. In fact, some of the most popular cities for new residents are far north of well-known South Beach! 

The top ten places to live in Florida are:

  1. Sarasota
  2. Naples
  3. Melbourne 
  4. Davenport
  5. Tampa
  6. Clermont
  7. …

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Central Florida Real Estate Market Recap of May 2022

May’s median home price was recorded at $379,950, an increase of 2.7% compared to $370,000 in April 2022

May 2022 Recap

State of the Market

  • Inventory increased by 44.2% from April 2022 to May 2022, with over 1200 additional homes hitting the market in May compared to April – this is the highest monthly increase in Orlando inventory to date
  • May’s median home price was recorded at $379,950, an increase of 2.7% compared to $370,000 in April 2022; this sets a record high for the fourth month in a row.
  • Interest rates increased from 4.9% in April 2022 to 5.3% in May 2022. This is the highest interest rates in the Orlando area have been since 2009. This is also…

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Central Florida Real Estate Market Recap of April 2022

April’s median home price was recorded at $370,000. This sets a record high for the third month in a row.

April 2022 Recap

State of the Market

  • April’s median home price was recorded at $370,000, an increase of 2.5% compared to $361,000 in March 2022; this sets a new record high for the third month in a row.
  • Interest rates increased by 17.6% from 4.2% in March 2022 to 4.9% in April 2022. This is a 66% increase compared to April 2021 when interest rates were at 3%.
  • Overall sales in April decreased by 7.3%, with a total of 3,800 sales compared to 4,100 sales in March 2022. This is a 7% decrease compared to April 2021 when overall sales were recorded at 4,081.
    • …

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Central Florida Real Estate Market Recap of March 2022

March’s median home price was recorded at $361,000. This sets a record high for the second month in a row.

March 2022 Recap

State of the Market

  • March’s median home price was recorded at $361,000, an increase of 4.6% compared to $345,000 in February 2022. This sets a record high for the second month in a row.
  • Interest rates increased by 8.7% from 3.9% in February 2022 to 4.2% in March 2022.
  • Overall sales in March increased by 28.2%, with a total of 4,100 sales compared to 3,198 sales in February 2022.
  • Homes spent an average of 27 days on the market in March, down 10% from February 2022 when the average was 30.
  • Inventory increased in March by 7.1% from…

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