Southwest Florida’s Housing Market and the Upcoming “Season” By: D. Michael Burke & Hunter D. Habib As we step into the upcoming “season” here in Southwest Florida, it’s an opportune moment to delve into how this annual phenomenon influences both our local housing market as a whole and the specific landscape here in Verandah. The […]
The Net Worth Advantage: Homeowners vs. Renters
The decision to rent or own a home is not just about having a place to live; it also has significant implications for your financial future. One key aspect that often comes into play is net worth … the value of your assets minus your liabilities. Numerous studies and statistics highlight a compelling trend: homeowners […]
The Danger of Do-It-Yourself Divorce
Ken & Barbie have been married 20 years and have owned their current home for over 10 years. Without the benefit of legal or tax advice, they decide to divorce with Ken taking his retirement and Barbie taking the equity in the home which are equal in value. It appears to be equitable until a […]
Exploring Down Payment Sources for First-Time Homebuyers
Aspiring homeowners can overcome the challenge of saving for a down payment by taking advantage of various sources of assistance. Discover a variety of down payment sources available to first-time homebuyers, from family gifts and retirement account withdrawals to tax refunds and down payment assistance programs, empowering them to achieve their dream of homeownership. Implementing […]
October 2023 – SWFL Real Estate Market Update
October 2023 MARKET UPDATE BY: D. MICHAEL BURKE & HUNTER D. HABIB Florida has long been a sought-after destination for those in search of sun, surf, and a vibrant lifestyle. But in recent years, two interconnected trends have been shaping the real estate landscape in the Sunshine State: a notable inventory shortage and a […]
Protect yourself with a new construction inspection
Builders of new homes offer or are required to warrant their work for a specified period. Municipal inspections are generally required during different stages to “ensure the life, health, safety, and welfare of the public” but even if something is missed, the ultimate responsibility for building to code belongs to the builder, even if the […]
Higher Interest Rates May be the Help You Need
Like opening and closing a faucet increases and decreases the water flow, lowering interest rates increases home sales and raising interest rates decreases home sales. When home sales increase during periods of limited inventory, demand increases and prices go up. Contrarily, when home sales decrease, demand could lessen and prices moderate. There is opportunity with […]
Shopping Mortgage Rates
Nobel Prize recipient, Richard Thaler, in his research into seemingly irrational economic behaviors, “found that consumers generally search too little, get confused while evaluating complex alternatives, and are slow to switch from past choices, even if it costs them.” “Why are consumers leaving money on the table?” Based on this behavior, a borrower securing a […]
Handling an Appraisal Gap
An appraisal gap describes the difference between the sales price and the lower amount of the appraisal required by the mortgage being obtained by the buyer. It becomes an issue if the seller is not willing to lower the price or the buyer is not willing to pay the difference in cash. Looking at the […]
Make your home offer the most appealing
Sales in March 2023 were down 2.4% month over month and still down 22.0% year over year according to the NAR Housing Snapshot. The median sales price dipped 0.9% to $375,700 and there are 2.6 months supply of homes on the market compared to 2 months a year ago. “Inventory levels are still at historic […]
