Fantastic Finish – Davidson Realty 2022 Awards

February 24, 2023

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Each year, the Davidson Realty family feels a renewed sense of gratitude for the Northeast Florida community and each other. In addition to providing expert real expert services to the Northeast Florida community, Davidson Realty held more than thirty charitable and customer appreciation events in 2022, including the Davidson Cares Clay Day event which raised more than $100,000 for local organizations. The 2022 Davidson Realty calendar stayed full with more than twenty-eight training sessions, twenty-six sales meetings, eighteen bible studies, twelve birthday celebrations, and ten pizza and notes sessions. Davidson Realty also proudly welcomed ten new agents to the brokerage. 

 

The annual Davidson Realty Awards Banquet is a special night dedicated to celebrating and reflecting on all that was achieved in the past year. This year, Davidson Realty agents and staff voted for a banquet theme of “Party Through the Decades” and everyone was inspired to dress up accordingly for the occasion. The Tringali Barn in St. Augustine, Florida was decorated with centerpieces and party favors from the 20s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, including lifesize Rubix Cubes and old-fashion car cut outs. The party featured a popcorn and candy bar, build your own root beer float station, Italian food and desserts, and a custom decades cake from Cinottis. A big thank you to the awards committee: Andrea Gallagher, Matt Burkhart, and Mirtha Barzaga who spent months creatively planning. On the day of the event, the committee had additional help and support from Liz Pappaceno and Andrea’s parents (Mike and Mary DelPrete). It gives us great pleasure to acknowledge the hardworking agents and their accomplishments in 2022. 

 

Michele Wiedenhaefer

Davidson Property Management – Most Rentals in 2022

 

 

Terri Apodaca

Davidson Property Management – Most Properties Referred in 2022

4 Million Dollars Closed

3 Million Dollars Sold

 

Malaika Carew

Davidson Property Management – Rookie Agent of the Year

 

 

Bonnie Weinstein

5 Years of Service

4 Million Dollars Closed

3 Million Dollars Sold

 

Matt Burkhart

10 Years of Service

 

Judy Kashou

15 Years of Service

 

Jennifer Todd

3.5 Million Dollars Closed

 

Reba Barkley

4 Million Dollars Closed

 

Candy Gil

3.5 Million Dollars Closed

3 Million Dollars Sold

 

Margherite Myers

3.5 Million Dollars Closed

3.5 Million Dollars Sold

 

Caitlyn Hawkins

3.5 Million Dollars Closed

4.5 Million Dollars Sold

 

Lynn Whitley

4 Million Dollars Closed

4 Million Dollars Sold

 

Ron Savarese

4 Million Dollars Closed

4.5 Million Dollars Sold

 

Liz Pappaceno

4.5 Million Dollars Closed

5 Million Dollars Sold

 

Suzy Evans

6 Million Dollars Closed

6 Million Dollars Sold

$7,500 Bonus

 

Rebecca Schaffer

6 Million Dollars Closed

7.5 Million Dollars Sold

 

Mirtha Barzaga

15 Years of Service

14 Million Dollars Closed

14 Million Dollars Sold

2022 Closing Agent of the Year

2022 Sales Agent of the Year

2022 Listing Agent of the Year

$10,000 Bonus – 7th year

 

TEAMS

Shelley & Tim Nemethy

15 Million Dollars Closed

13 Million Dollars Sold

$7,500 Bonus – 3rd year

 

2022 Special Recognition Awards 

Shirley Barber

The Flower Power Value People First Award – the first to always help anyone, anytime and does it with a smile. She treats the people and this building with such reverence and respect like we were her own family. She does it so quietly and unassumingly. Great example of always putting others first!

 

Rebecca Schaffer

The Break on Through to the Other Side Break Out Year Award – Doubled her business from last year in closings and sales!

 

 

Amy Thorton 

The Totally Tubular Team Player Award – instrumental in helping Sherry with the reconciliations and various accounting tasks in 2022.

 

We would also like to recognize our amazing staff for all their support throughout the year: Shirley Barber, Matt Burkhart, Matt Davidson, Sam Davidson, Rochelle Richardson, and Andrea Gallagher. 

 

Additionally, we’d like to thank our property management team who help take care of all our owners and tenants: Laura Hendricks, Amy Thornton, and Judy Kashou.

 

The Davidson Realty Team is proud of all the hard work displayed in 2022 and is eager to witness the success that will come in 2023. These accolades would not be possible without the trust and loyalty of Davidson Realty clients. Thank you for choosing Davidson Realty for your real estate needs. If you are interested in experiencing the Davidson difference, call us today at (904) 940-5000. 

 

Northeast Florida Market Update

February 16, 2023

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“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”

Henry Ford

 

In the 2023-2026 Florida and Metro Forecast, Dr. Sean Snaith, the director of the University of Central Florida Institute of Central Forecasting said “The U.S. economy is either in or on the brink of a recession. Because of the forecasted shape of the recession: a gradual decline into recession and 12 or more months in the downturn followed by a gradual climb out of recession, we have dubbed the recession the Pasta Bowl Recession.” If you haven’t heard him speak, take the opportunity. He is very smart and very funny.

 

A few interesting predictions from the forecast are:

 

Real Gross State Product will mildly contract during the recession as growth will slow to -1.3% in 2023, turning positive in 2024 and accelerating in 2025 to reach 1.7% by 2026.

 

The unemployment rate was 2.9% in 2022. The recession will push up the rate to 4.6% in 2023, and to 5.8% in 2024, before easing slightly to 5.4% in 2025 and 5.0% in 2026.

 

Housing starts were 192,294 in 2022 with starts decelerating to 133,829 in 2023 and 134,755 in 2024 before ticking up to 149,920 in 2025 and 152,865 in 2026.

 

The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) market stats for January 2023 show the median sales price is stable, closed sales are down, pending sales are up and inventory is up slightly from last month.

 

The median sales price of $330,000 is down 2.4% from December and up 3.4% from last January. There were 1,525 closings which is down 30% from last month and 33% from last year. This reflects the last several months of very low buyer demand.

 

There were 2,248 pending sales in January. This was the most since August of 2022. Nationally, pending sales increased for the first time since May.

 

“This recent low point in home sales activity is likely over,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Mortgage rates are the dominant factor driving home sales, and recent declines in rates are clearly helping to stabilize the market.”

 

There were 3,451 new listings in January which is 32% higher than the previous month and 19% higher than last year. The active inventory went from 6,231 last month to 6,403. When you read how much inventory has increased, keep in mind how many of the new listings were absorbed. There is plenty of demand and the spring buying season looks to be warming up.

 

I love this time of year with March Madness coming, Baseball Spring Training starting and the real estate market getting back to a more normal rhythm. If we can help you with any of your real estate needs, please let us know.

Serving with Intention – Matthews Design Group Supports Davidson Cares Clay Day

February 9, 2023

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Davidson Cares Clay Day is a success because of participants and sponsors who truly love helping the community. Matthews Design Group has been a sponsor of Clay Day every year and enjoys having fun for a good cause. 

 

“Davidson Cares Clay Day allows our team at Matthews Design Group to add our service efforts with other organizations to provide a greater impact to our community. Davidson Cares makes it easy and fun to give back all while allowing our group to participate in something they love doing,” shares Rob Matthews, President of Matthews Design Group. “It is amazing to see so many in the development community come together to support wonderful organizations like Investing in Kids! and St. Augustine Youth Services.”

 

Established in 2005, Matthews Design Group has become the largest civil engineering firm based in St. Johns County and offers full-service civil and land development engineering throughout Florida. Matthews Design Group corporately and individually embraces the responsibility to make a positive difference in the communities in which its employees live, work, and play. Their team prioritizes staying involved and supporting the community by giving back their time and resources. 

 

“Matthews Design Group is an intentional organization! They are generous and take an active role in supporting our community,” shares Sherry Davidson, President of Davidson Realty.“I’m grateful for their giving hearts and commitment to supporting the Northeast Florida community.”

 

Over the past seven years, Davidson Cares Clay Day has raised more than $441,000 to support charities in need because of generous sponsors like Matthews Design Group. To learn more about Matthews Design Group visit their website at www.mdginc.com or call (904) 826-1334.

 

Davidson Cares Clay Day

The 7th Annual Davidson Cares Clay Day was held on October 20, 2022, at Jacksonville Clay Target Sports. Davidson Cares Clay Day included two-sport shooting events, beginner skeet, and sporting clay. Individuals and teams from beginner to expert levels participated.

 

In association with the event, there was a raffle contest. Prizes included a 65-quart YETI cooler with 13 full-size liquors and a 12-Gauge Beretta A400 XCEL Sporting shotgun.

 

Money raised from the event and raffles went directly to Builders Care, St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS), Investing in Kids (INK!), Port in the Storm Homeless Youth Center, and Hope is Restored.

 

Giving from the Heart – The Landmark Foundation Supports Davidson Cares Clay Day

January 27, 2023

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Since 2016, the Landmark Family has been a gracious and generous sponsor of Davidson Cares Clay Day at the highest level. Through Landmark Title’s nonprofit division, The Landmark Foundation proudly supports Davidson Cares. “As a public charity ourselves, The Landmark Foundation enjoys collaborating with like-minded individuals to help raise money for a fellow non-profit that does so much for the community,” shares David Heekin, President of Landmark Title. 

 

“Landmark Title has blossomed as a successful title company and The Landmark Foundation has graciously and impressively served and supported the community,” shares Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson. “I truly admire The Landmark Foundation for consistently sponsoring two Builders Care ramp builds each month. The commitment to fund and arrange volunteers is amazing.”

 

The common desire to serve the community makes the Davidson and Landmark families a natural fit. “We have been a sponsor for Clay Day for several years and the main reason being Sherry Davidson. She is an amazing woman with a big heart who truly puts others first and cares about her community. Davidson Cares’ focus on children and education is a worthy cause and something that is easy for us to get behind and support,” continues Heekin. 

 

Over the years, the Landmark team has graciously shared their knowledge and resources with the Davidsons. During the recession, David Heekin provided invaluable insight regarding short real estate sales. Heekin lead training and served on panels to help educate others in the real estate industry about short sale transactions. In 2013, when William Li joined the Landmark Title team as Vice President, Landmark Title rented executive suites in the Davidson Realty office because their business was expanding so rapidly. Li would frequently join the Davidson Realty team for sales meetings, training sessions, and would always make himself available as a resource to Davidson Realty agents.

 

Davidson Cares Clay Day is proud to have the support and sponsorship from Landmark Title as they continue to support local charities. To learn more about Landmark Title, visit their website at www.landmarktitle.com or call (904) 998-9733.

 

Davidson Cares Clay Day

The 7th Annual Davidson Cares Clay Day was held on October 20, 2022, at Jacksonville Clay Target Sports. Davidson Cares Clay Day included two-sport shooting events, beginner skeet, and sporting clay. Individuals and teams from beginner to expert levels participated.

 

In association with the event, there was a raffle contest. Prizes included a 65-quart YETI cooler with 13 full-size liquors and a 12-Gauge Beretta A400 XCEL Sporting shotgun.

 

Money raised from the event and raffles went directly to Builders Care, St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS), Investing in Kids (INK!), Port in the Storm Homeless Youth Center, and Hope is Restored.

Northeast Florida Real Estate Market Update

January 23, 2023

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“Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” Les Brown

Don’t be fearful of the real estate market, it appears to be stabilizing after the wild ride we have been on.

 

I agree with Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) President, Mark Rosener’s comments on our local real estate market for December. He pointed out that the closed and pending sales, inventory and sales prices have been relatively stable for the last 3 to 4 months.

 

The median sales price of $337,745 is up 4.6% from last year, but down 0.9% from November. All counties had slight decreases in prices month-to-month except St. Johns County which was up 6.2%.

 

There were 2,096 closed sales which is down 35.9% from last year, but up 7.6% from November. Pending sales of 1,782 were down 29.6% from last year and down 1.8% from November.

 

National pending home sales slid for the sixth consecutive month in November, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) – a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on contract signings — fell 4.0% to 73.9 in November. Year-over-year, pending transactions dropped by 37.8%. An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001.

 

“The market may be thawing since mortgage rates have fallen for five straight weeks,” Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist. “The average monthly mortgage payment is now almost $200 less than it was several weeks ago when interest rates reached their peak for this year.”

 

Builder sentiment in the single-family housing market posted an unexpected gain in January, rising for the first time in 12 straight months. Economists had predicted a slight decline. Sentiment rose four points to 35 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. Anything below 50 is still considered negative sentiment. The metric stood at 83 in January 2022.

 

All three of the index’s components posted gains in January: current sales conditions rose four points to 40, sales expectations in the next six months increased two points to 37, and buyer traffic rose three points to 23.

 

Most of the builders and Realtors I have spoken with are cautiously optimistic that the fear we have seen about rates and prices, is improving with the stability we are seeing.

 

If we can assist you in any way with a purchase, sale, investment property or rental, please let us know.

 

Happy New Year! Wishing you a prosperous 2023,

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