Davidson Realty, Inc.

Northeast Florida Real Estate Market Update

November 19, 2021

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Posted by in News, Northeast Florida Market Trends

“Gratitude can turn common days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” -William Arthur Ward

I rely on the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) market statistics in my analysis each month. NEFAR has changed the company providing the statistics and the information is now interactive and allows you to choose property type, County, or region. Go to NEFAR.com and click on the market stats tab to check it out.

 

The median sales price of $310,000 is up 17.8% from last October, but unchanged from last month. Of the closings in October, 28.5% closed over list price. This is up 103.2% from last October, but down 7.3% from last month.

 

The inventory of homes for sale continues to be extremely low. There were 4,270 active properties for sale which is down 31.1% from last October and 7.9% from last month. The 1.4 months of inventory available is also down 25.8% year over year and 9.5% from last month.

 

The Northeast Florida real estate market may see smaller price increases and fewer multiple offers, but there is still a strong imbalance between buyer demand and homes available. It is still a seller’s market.

 

I wanted to share some interesting information from the 2021 National Association of Realtors (NAR) Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Jessica Lautz, Vice President of Demographics and Behavioral Insights at NAR, says both buyers and sellers “have been driven by the desire to be close to family and friends, as well as the need for a larger home” during the pandemic.

 

Of the sellers who also became buyers, many traded up to bigger, more expensive, and often newer homes, with 46% purchasing a larger home and 28% one of the same size. In the past years, convenience to work and affordability had ranked as top factors for reasons to move.

 

The pandemic likely spurred occupants to shorten their homestay, as tenure in the home decreased to eight years from 10 years, according to the report – the largest single-year change in home tenure since NAR began collecting such data. Historically, tenure in the home has been six to seven years, but it increased to nine to 10 years following the Great Recession.

 

It will be interesting to see how remote work opportunities play out in the future. It seems like employees and companies are still figuring out the new rules and how that will affect home sizes and locational choices.

 

I want to express my gratitude for your friendship and support in 2021. Davidson Cares raised $75,000 at our Clay Day thanks to all the generous people in northeast Florida. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

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Real Estate Market Update

October 19, 2021

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Posted by in News, Northeast Florida Market Trends

“In playing ball, and in life, a person occasionally gets the opportunity to do something great. When that time comes, only two things matter: being prepared to seize the moment and having the courage to take your best swing.” – Hank Aaron

 

A lot of wisdom from Hank Aaron. I hope you are enjoying watching the MLB playoffs.

 

The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors market stats for September show similar trends to the last few months. Prices are still rising at double-digit rates, with plenty of buyer demand, and a small supply of homes available.

 

The median sales price in September is $307,230 setting a record. This price is $7,000 more than August and $50,000 more than January 2021. This is an increase of 19.7% over last September.

 

The average sales price in September is $370,751 which is up 16.9% over last September. Numbers don’t always tell the human impact. We are seeing so many buyers on the sidelines right now because the homes they would like to buy between $300,000 and $400,000 are very difficult to find and get an offer accepted.

 

Our local buyers are competing with the strong influx of out-of-town buyers who consider our local area home prices more affordable compared to their previous market. The buyers wanting to use VA or FHA financing are also struggling because most sellers prefer cash or a conventional loan.

 

Affordability has impacted pending sales which were 3,201 in September, down 5.1% from last September, but up 10.9% year-to-date. Also, closings of 2,945 down 12.5% from last September, but up 12.9% year-to-date.

 

We are still seeing multiple offers, with 35.5% of homes selling over list price but that is down from 44.3% in July and 40.6% in August. Homes are still selling quickly with days on market at 30 days down 51.6% from last September when it was 62 days.

 

The market has calmed a little and possibly more buyers that have been sidelined will be able to find the home they want. I am very optimistic about the Northeast Florida real estate market. It is a great time to sell. Please let us know if we can assist you in any way.

 

Thanks for all the support of Davidson Cares Clay Day! We sold out for the first time ever.

 

A group of Davidson Realty agents are participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, November 6th at UNF. My mother and so many others suffered from this horrible disease. We would love to have you join us!

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Real Estate Market Update

August 23, 2021

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Posted by in News, Northeast Florida Market Trends

“Your reputation is what people say about you. Your character is what God knows about you.” Bobby Bowden

 

Whether an FSU fan or not, most people respect and love Bobby Bowden.

 

The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors market stats for July have a few interesting twists. Prices continue to rise, pending and closed sales are down compared to July 2020, and new listings are up.

 

New listings of 3,915 are up 6.9% month over month and 5.3% year to date. The inventory of homes for sale of 4,668 is up slightly from the June number of 4,586. It is still down 40.6% from last July. The months supply of inventory is at 1.4 months which is the same as June but down 50% from last July. Since 5 to 6 months supply of inventory is a balanced market, we are still in a seller’s market.

 

There were 3,287 pending sales in July down 10.6% from last July. However, pending sales are up 13.4% year-to-date. There were 3,149 closings in July down 16.2% from last July but we are up 16.7% year-to-date. The month-to-month comparisons are difficult to interpret because last June and July were the two highest months for sales last year and July was the highest month for closings as a result of the slowdown in April and May 2020 due to Covid.

 

NAR’s chief economist, Lawrence Yun is predicting interest rates to increase to 3.3% by the end of the year on 30-year fixed rate mortgages and average 3.6% in 2022. He predicts existing-home sales will decline marginally from 6 million in 2021 to 5.99 million in 2022.

 

Dr. Yun also predicts housing starts will improve to 1.65 million in 2022 from 1.565 in 2021 and existing-home prices will increase at a slower pace of 4.4% in 2022 compared to 14.1% in 2021.

 

The July median sales price is $303,600 up 15% month-over-month and 13.7% year-to-date. The average sales price is $381,499 up 18.4% month-over-month and 18.6% year-to-date. An amazing 45.6% of listings sold for an amount over list price.

 

It does appear the speed of the market is slowing a little and there may be more opportunities for first-time homebuyers and buyers using FHA or VA loans. Sellers were seeing so many cash offers and conventional loans, that many didn’t want to accept government backed loans because of their inflexibility. The market calming down a little will be good for everyone.

 

Please take a minute to go to DavidsonCares.com and sign up for Clay Day on October 21st or buy a ticket to one of our raffles. We have our YETI cooler full of alcoholic beverages and tickets for 8 people at Concerts for a Cause which is an amazing event watching live music outside.

 

Have a great Labor Day holiday and enjoy the rest of your summer. Please let us know if we can help you with any real estate questions.

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Pros and Cons: New Construction vs. Resale

July 2, 2021

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Posted by in New Home Construction, Northeast Florida Market Trends

Owning a home is likely more difficult now than ever before. With the slim inventory of homes for sale, homes are FLYING off the market. From the rise in home prices to competitive bidding wars, homeowners have to wonder: is it worth just buying new construction?

 

“This question is tough to answer these days. The inventory is slim and prices have gone up on both sides. For most buyers, timeline is the key decision driver when choosing between new construction or an existing home,” shares Davidson Realty agent Shelley Nemethy.

 

 

Pros of Building New Construction 

  • Newness – When buying new construction, you’ll be the first to call this house HOME! Buyers buying new homes enjoy the peace of mind of having a warranty through the builder and fewer renovations.
  • Design – New construction homes also often feature more modern architecture and floorplans. You’ll find more open floor plans, additional bathrooms and spaces that can adapt to the needs of your family. New homes will leave you and your family only to make minor modifications, if any, to feel at home.

 

Cons of Building New Construction

  • Supply Shortages – Due to the Covid pandemic, many industries have experienced limited supply, delays, and labor restrictions. This has trickled down to impact home building as the cost of lumber, metal and other supplies have been affected by the pandemic. In turn, the decreased supply has increased cost which of course is passed along to the homebuyer.
  • Longer Timeline – With a new home build, homebuyers usually have to wait months to get into a new home. With the current shortage of supplies, there is an even greater risk of delays. Some homebuilders limit the number of lots available for sale in an effort to keep on schedule. “If you have time to build, you have more time to save money for closing costs,” shares Davidson Realty agent, Terri Apodaca.

 

Pros of Buying Resale

  • Shorter Timeline – When buying a resale, the closing day is often negotiated in the offer. Typically, new home owners gain possession in one to two months after their offer is accepted.
  • Character – Existing homes generally have more traditional layouts and features that elevate the home. These charming touches provide a unique dimension to an existing home.
  • Location – “Older homes are often in areas more convenient to metro areas and in more established neighborhoods with more development surrounding. Yards are typically more spacious with mature landscaping. Buyers also won’t have to worry about the congestion of construction taking place,” shares Apodaca.

 

Cons of Buying Resale

  • Competitive Market – With so few homes for sale, most homes are receiving multiple offers. Prospective home buyers have to be patient, persistent, and ready to make their best offer quickly to achieve their dream of owning a home.
  • Increasing Home Prices – As a side effect of the low supply and high demand for homes, home prices have skyrocketed making it harder to afford a home that would normally be in reach.
  • Home Improvements – Often buying a resale comes with a few compromises. Upgrades, remodels, and projects could be on your to do list after closing to make your new home the home of your dreams.

 

If you are interested in buying or selling in Northeast Florida, trust the real estate experts at Davidson Realty. Davidson Realty has more than 30 years of experience and has built strong relationships with many of Northeast Florida’s leading home builders. This advantage along with their extensive experience buying and selling resale homes, make them the perfect partners to help you navigate the real estate market. For more information, contact Davidson Realty at (904) 940-5000.

 

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The Real Estate Market: How Long Will This Go On?

June 28, 2021

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Posted by in New Home Construction, News, Northeast Florida Market Trends

The story of the real estate market has kept most real estate professionals and home buyers and sellers on the edge of their seats. With such unprecedented and unpredictable times, the biggest cliffhanger is: How long will the real estate market stay like this? 

 

There is no doubt that the real estate market has remained strong for longer than most predicted. “I believe the housing market could remain strong for a while longer. Currently, there is only a 1.1 months supply of homes available in our area. When a balanced market is between 5 to 6 months of inventory, it is clear that demand is still very strong for homes in Northeast Florida,” shares Sherry Davidson, President of Davidson Realty. Additionally, home builders have been building fewer new construction homes since the Great Recession which equates to 4 to 5.5 million fewer homes built, based on historical averages. 

 

As the market has continued to stay strong, more people are getting more “comfortable” with the current real estate market conditions. “Three different surveys indicate more sellers plan to put their homes on the market. This, coupled with homebuilders increasing the pace of new construction, will help increase the supply of homes for sale,” shares Davidson. “Interest rates may rise slightly which may slow demand. I predict we will see more normality in the real estate market by the end of this year or 2022,” Davidson continues. 

 

Because of the increased demand, home prices have been on the rise! “We have been seeing double-digit price increases during this time in the real estate market,” shares Davidson. The National Association of Realtors Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, predicts we will see median existing-home sales prices increase more than 7% in 2021. 

 

With the increase in home prices, those who have taken advantage of this seller’s market are finding it difficult to buy a new home. While some secured a home prior to selling, many are seeking rental homes or staying with family to buy some time. “If you want to avoid the multiple offer situation and frantic pace of the market, we may see less craziness as we get more inventory. Regardless, now more than ever before you need a real estate professional to help you navigate the market,” shares Davidson. 

 

This time in the real estate market will likely be a period that will go down in history as a story full of twists and turns. If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling their home, contact the Northeast Florida real estate experts at Davidson Realty today at (904) 940-5000. 

 

 

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