Michael Leachman, Broker Tú Familia Real Estate

10/24/2024

Today's lower inventory, combined with competing builder incentives and new regulations requiring buyer agents to sign a compensation agreement with their buyers has created a great opportunity to buy new. Pricing in these new communities ranges from the $200k's right up in to the luxury market.

These opportunities can result in buyers needing much less cash to close than resale. Here's why:

-Most builders are paying most or all of the real estae commission that buyers may have to pay for a resale home.

-If you use their partnered lender, there are usually additional incentives like paying down interest rates (I have seen 3.99%!), flex cash that sometimes can be used for down payments as well as closing costs, and builder flex cash.

-Some builders are even paying fees to break a lease!

The best news is that that's where most of the inventory is right now anyway. And there were already advantages in buying new such as low maintenance for years since everything is new, and more efficient energy use.

08/23/2024

08/16/2024

Starting Aug. 17, new rules will roll out that change how real estate agents are paid to help people buy and sell their homes. Buyers will need to sign contracts before touring any homes. Sellers will no longer automatically cover the costs of agents fees for buyers.

Below is an infographic to help understand what the changes to buyers and sellers.

As always, we at Dream Home Team of Watson Realty Corp are well informed of the changes and stand ready to help both sellers and buyers get the bet net and outcome possible. Let me know if you have any questions at all.

02/09/2024

Home equity is like a savings account / investment. If your renting, you are giving away this advantage to your landlord. When you own, equity can be used for expenses, retirement, upsizing or downsizing, or unexpected expenses. Millions of Americans had a big gain in equity from property appreciation over the last several years. Do you want to cash in?

Are you on the fence about selling your house?

02/07/2024

Check out our new listing! Walking distance to San Marco Square.

1130 Holly Ln

Open House this weekend 2/10 11-2 and 2/11 12-3

01/26/2024

Florida friends!
Florida Homestead Exemption for your primary residence deadline to file is March 1st!

If you recently bought a primary residence in Florida (or if you bought one in the past but didn't know OUCH! ) this exemption will:

-save you hundreds $$$ on your 2024 propery and every year for as long as the home remains your primary residence.

-cap the amount your taxes can go up each year at 3%

-if your previouse home was also in Florida you likely can carry over some additional savings (portability) from that home (if you sold it).

IT'S A GOOD THING!

11/08/2023

There were always advantages to buying new construction as mentioned below. Buying new construction always saves on repairs, updates, renovations and maintenance cost and now energy efficiency. But in today's market, we can add some other very attractive advantages:

AVAILABLE INVENTORY - We have been extremely short on inventory for years now, and that included new construction until recently. Now there are move in ready homes available now in nearly all price ranges and many areas with various builders to choose from.

INTEREST BUYDOWNS - Virtually all builders have incentives to help buy down interest rates with their prefered lenders. This increases affordability,but also lowers mortgage payments and the amount you will spend on interest over the life of the loan. Each builder is a bit different on what they offer or their prefered lender can accomodate, but I can help provide that information. 3.99% is even possible for a temporary buydown, but some incentives can get buyers as low as 5% on a fixed 30 year mortgage!

GIVE TIME TO SELL AN EXISTING HOME - When you already have a home that you need to sell, some builders give you time to do so, making that transition much less stressful.

REDUCED PRICING - Now that builders have caught up with demand and have some inventory sitting, 2023 has seen many of them slashing prices so they can keep producing. There are also communities that are building out there last lots looking to get their models and last builds sold to close out for the next project.

What community and builder is best for you? Let's talk!

If you’re looking to buy a house, you may find today’s limited supply of homes available for sale challenging.

12/22/2022

Unique and versatile property alert! This pool home includes a guest house that could be used as an in law suite, rental or for family and friends to visit. It's has a great space for year round entertaining complete with a built in bar. There is ample parking both in the driveway in front and also in back leading to the detached garage. Bring your boat or motor home and still have plenty of parking space left over! All in a great location!
Offered at $385,000

This updated pool home is in a perfect location for enjoying the great outdoors nd entertaining with easy access to the airport. Guest apartment could be used for rental income. The main 4 bedroom/2 bathroom house features all brick structure, water filtration system, enclosed patio with tiki bar, a...

10/20/2022

Live today!

Come check out this beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 full bath home in Ashley Oaks! With .45 of an acre, there is plenty of room for a pool and community allows RV parking. This HOA does allow motor homes to be parked at the residences! It has an irrigation well to save on utuilities as well. It also features...

06/28/2022

Finally! The market is becoming more favorable toward buyers.

There’s no denying the housing market has delivered a fair share of challenges to homebuyers over the past two years. Two of the biggest hurdles homebuyers faced during the pandemic were the limited number of homes for sale and the intensity and frequency of bidding wars. But those two things have...

05/31/2022

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, you’re at an exciting decision point. And anytime you make a big decision like that, one thing you should always consider is timing. So, what does the rest of the year hold for the housing market? Here’s what experts have to say.

05/29/2022

Movin' on up! Or down actually for you empty nesters.

Some Highlights Warmer weather and longer days mean summer is almost here. Celebrate by upgrading to the home of your dreams so you can enjoy all the season has to offer. When you list your house, you can capitalize on today’s sellers’ market to fuel your upgrade. Then, you can move to a home wi...