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Sales In Solivita

It is a Summer slowdown in Real Estate, the summer slowdown is compounded by high interest rates and Very Hot Weather.  Homes are selling but they are remaining on the market for an average of 150 plus days.  Remember, Interest rates do not only affect the seller’s ability in Solivita to sell a home to a client but affect the buyer’s ability to sell their primary residence.  It is a domino effect.  My recommendation is to be patient, homes are selling, they are just taking a bit longer to move off the market.  We were all a bit spoiled by the crazy market of a 18 months ago when inventory was tight, and homes were selling in days.  These are the days for sellers to enjoy every Solivita Amenity, go to the pool, the gym, play golf, pickleball, visit with friends, enjoy the activities, and soon enough the perfect buyer will be at your doorstep with an offer.

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Sales in Solivita

Sales are steady, although existing home sale prices edged a bit lower year over year in May.  This is a promising sign for home shoppers, and experts do not expect nationwide price declines anytime soon.  In May, although prices elevated in the North and Midwest, prices did fall slightly in the South and West.  The Good news for Solivita homeowners and buyers, is housing prices in Solivita have remained steady.  

Thanks to an uptick in mortgage rates and elevated home pricing mixed with the housing affordability crisis, bank sector volatility, inflation, and the debt ceiling drama there is a strain on the housing market.  Homes remain on the market for more days than most seller’s desire but are selling, even with interest rates sticking between 6% and 7%.  Housing supply is holding steady despite the explosion of new homes being built, therefore the market is being sustained by low supply and a high pent-up demand.  

Single family home construction starts rose for the 3rd consecutive month indicating builder confidence is steady.  A good sign.  New home construction is taking on an increased role in the marketplace because many homeowners with loans well below current mortgage rates are electing to stay put, keeping the supply of existing homes for sale at a low level.  Best news, if you do not need a mortgage, now is still a great time to buy.

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Is It Time to Buy or Sell?

Well for the first time in many, many months we have a good quantity of homes in Solivita for sale and the inventory of homes for sale in Central Florida is again on the rise. Good News for Home Buyers, mixed news for Home Sellers. More homes on the market equates to more competition which equates to a better value for buyers.  Home Sellers, please do not despair, the value of homes, although not climbing, has not reduced substantially. Total Home Inventory is still quite low and lots of folks are still looking to buy, retire, obtain a second home, etc. so although the market has changed, the bottom has not fallen out.  Good News is Interest Rates seem to be steady, the news on the economy is good, and the hope is the market will again continue to strengthen.

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Current Housing Market

The current housing market is still strong but is showing signs of cooling off, driven by climbing interest rates.  The number of active listings and the length of time homes are on the market are climbing along with the interest rates, but homes are still selling at fair prices.  Predictions are that the housing market is beginning to reset to a more buyer-friendly direction.  Two factors driving our successful current housing market is that we are in an incredibly strong labor market driving wages up. Higher wages keep folks working later into their careers and the big plus; the current business environment offers folks the ability to negotiate remote working situations.  Lately we have sold homes to multiple clients who move to Solivita and work remotely. Every client has said “It is Nice to work in the sunshine of Florida”, plus all are looking forward to a winter without a snowy commute.  One of my clients said they love the ability to swim in the early morning or late afternoon while working remotely and maintaining a salary. Nice Gig and a Great way to ease into retirement. Lee and I are Looking forward to seeing you at the pool with your laptop.

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Current Housing Market

Good News for Seller’s – We are Still in a Seller’s Market and Home prices are holding near record highs, but sales have slowed slightly. Nationwide, Redfin Reports that roughly 60,000 home purchase agreements fell through in June or about 14.9% of homes that went under contract in June. In our brokerage we have been fortunate and only had one contract cancel recently but this could be an indicator of things to come. Redfin reports this number of cancelled contracts is the highest percentage since March and April 2020 when Covid 19 ground the housing market to a halt.

There are a number of reasons that contracts fall through, inspection issues, a life event, and now the main reason, rising mortgage rates are forcing some buyers out of the market. If rates were at 5% when an offer was made but reached 5.8% by the time the deal was set to close, the buyer may no longer be in a position that allows them to qualify for a loan.Since the housing market has cooled in recent weeks, as the Federal Reserve has boosted interest rates to quell inflation, house hunters have a bit more freedom to seek concessions from sellers, but higher rates also make housing less affordable.

Bottom Line, if you find a house you love, make an offer, and joyfully enjoy your new address. Historically home values hold and if you remain in a home for over 5 years, and you love living in it, you cannot go wrong. 

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How to Choose a Real Estate Broker

Choosing the Correct Real Estate Agent is an important step in every real estate transaction. A good agent will come to the table with contacts, experience, and the ability to save a transaction that may not be moving forward smoothly. An Educated Consumer is the best consumer and all BVR Agents are open, honest, and educate their clients along the way.

When looking for a realtor we always recommend you ask trusted friends or family for a recommendation of a realtor they may have worked with. I also recommend that every client interview at least two realtors. Ideally, the interview and selection process of a realtor will be quick. A good realtor will come prepared with a home value analysis and current comps in your neighborhood. The realtor you choose should be a realtor with experience in your neighborhood, a realtor with an honest reputation, and a realtor that will not only work for you, but listen to your needs, and work with you.

The Real Estate Market is still “a buyer’s market” therefore homes are selling quickly, but as mortgage interest rates rise the experts predict the market will slow down a bit. Housing inventory is still in short supply and pricing of homes is commodity based (supply and demand) so at this time in the cycle it does not appear that house prices will be dropping anytime soon.

If you are considering the sale of your home, a BVR Realtor is always happy to come out and meet with you to discuss your home and provide a detailed report estimating your value. If you are looking to buy a home in Solivita or in our surrounding areas, call any of our realtors, we are always happy to work with folks to find them the home of their dreams.

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Real Estate News

Our housing market is highly competitive and has been for quite some time.  There are more folks looking to buy a home than folks looking to sell.  Housing prices, like all commodities, are based on Supply and Demand.  Many of our buyers have found themselves in situations with multiple offers, quick closing dates, and homes selling at unbelievable prices, making home buyers wonder if this is the right time to jump into the market.  If you purchase a home you love and plan to stay in the home for at least five years, you cannot go wrong.  Although interest rates are climbing, in five years interest rates are predicted to be even higher, therefore a home purchased now may be a bit overpriced, but your mortgage interest is still quite low, putting two x’s in the win column.  One X for the home you love, and one for the still favorable mortgage interest.  Historically home values rise, in this market it is possible for a year or two you may be underwater, but if you stay for a few years and enjoy your home you cannot lose.  Remember, in Real Estate the Mantra is Location, Location, Location and Solivita is an Award Winning Community in Central Florida, the perfect location and the Perfect Community.  You can always redo your kitchen, or change the paint color, but you cannot change your location and if you buy in Solivita your location is as good as “money in the bank”.

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A Few Days on the East Coast or a Few Days on the West Coast

If a Beach Adventure is more your style why not try STUART, a lovely Atlantic Coast City, known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World,” just north of Palm Beach and South of Vero Beach. Stuart has an historic, pedestrian friendly downtown, beautiful Atlantic beaches, great river views, charming cafes, and art galleries. Stay in a beachfront accommodation, in town, or on the river. Lee and I like the East Coast Beaches in the summer and the West Coast Beaches in the winter, so the East Coast is always our summer beach pick. Wherever you choose to hang your hat for a few days, enjoy the sunshine and the fun this area offers.




Clam Pass Park in Naples located at the end of Seagate Drive, this 35 Acre mangrove forest is the gem of North Naples. Clam Pass Park is a public beach with a parking lot with a fee, and a tram that crosses a boardwalk through a mangrove swamp. The sand is like fine sugar and the beach is shallow. This is a great, quiet place to hang out on the Gulf Coast for a few days. If you swim or wade across Clam Pass, the beach extends for miles and is lined with sea grape trees and lush foliage. The red, white, and black mangrove trees are resistant to salt from the gulf and the ¾ mile walk is remarkable as you stroll along Outer Clam Bay. The park is open daily from 8 am to sundown. This beach is a local beach and is the perfect place to “get away from it all” but, If you are staying at the Naples Grand Beach Resort, this is the hotel beach.

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Although it is only May it feels like Summer in Florida:

Most folks that have relocated to Florida full time adjust to the summer sun by being active early in the day, relaxing by the pool or the clubhouse in the hot summer afternoons, and then enjoy the evening in the cool of the air conditioning. Lee and I have been Full Time Florida Residents for about 20 years; and after all this time, are fully acclimated to the heat. If you are a full-time resident, enjoy every moment of the summer sun, but please be careful, use sunblock, and stay hydrated.

We wish all our Snowbird friends, clients, and neighbors safe travels to their summer destinations. We will miss you in Solivita and look forward to your return in the late fall or early winter when our weather is WONDERFUL, our sky is a deep blue, and the activities in Solivita are in full swing. 

Summer Fun:

McKee Botanical Gardens: June 18, 2022 is the Waterlily Celebration in Vero Beach at McKee Botanical Gardens. We have been enjoying this once very popular roadside attraction for years.  In fact, if you go back in the Bella Verde Archives on our website to June 2021 you can read all about the history of this unusual historic garden in Vero Beach. The Waterlilies were beautiful last year, and we expect another spectacular explosion of delicate and lovely waterlilies this year. Please visit the Gardens remotely to see dates, times, and events at: https://mckeegarden.org.  If you go, bring your camera as you will be treated to some lovely photo opportunities. 

Lake Placid Caladium Festival, Lake Placid, Florida     July 29 – 31, 2022
A rare small-town festival in the summer, offering arts and crafts, beer garden, food booths, entertainment and a car and bike show. Lake Placid is known as the Caladium Capital of the World. 

Lake Placid is One of Florida’s prettiest small towns, and it boasts almost 50 outdoor murals in the downtown area. This area of Florida has lots of lakes and beautiful farmland. Visit the Sugar Sand Distillery, Henscratch Farms, or if you visit during the Caladium Festival buy some bulbs to plant. Lake Placid’s attractions include 27 freshwater lakes and Toby’s Clown School and Museum. This little Central Florida town has something for everyone. Lake Placid is truly a day away from it all with the small-town charm and is the perfect stop for folks looking for a day filled with simple pleasures. The Caladium Bulbs are world famous, and produce brilliant, beautifully patterned foliage. If you are looking to add some color to your garden, this little bulb is happy to grow in Florida year after year and will bring bursts of color to your yard.

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Design Trends 2022 – Sustainability, Efficiency, and Patience

The latest trends are not trendy at all say the designers. Gone are the days of making your home look like a catalog, instead embrace old family pieces and mix them with new treasures. Homes are reflecting the individuality of the owners, comfortable, authentic, and sentimental. When you mix old items with new items you home and room will feel and look timeless. Vintage glass, a good vintage furniture piece, and Vintage China are all back in style. We were just at the Antique Market in Mount Dora, and I can confirm shopping vintage is not only for the 55 Plus Set, but younger clients are also embracing the look and character of vintage items and are driving the prices up. We have a few Vintage items that we have refreshed  and made them uniquely ours. These projects were fun and creative and make a great talking point, plus we are enjoying the look of our vintage items in our home. The world is experiencing supply chain and shipping delays, making the time right for us to rethink items you may have packed away. May I suggest, you look through your garage, closets, boxes, and unpack your paint brush, put on your designer hat, and make something old new again.