And just like that, it's January 2025!

Happy New Year!

Jan 01, 2025

Hello January!

Does anyone else look at a new year and think to yourself that you never thought you would make it this far in life? 2025 always seemed so far away, yet here we are! I had an amazing holiday with family and friends and a great year in real estate, but it’s time to get back to work and start fresh! I love a clean slate. So, let’s dive into some fact or fiction for the new year.

FACT: Sellers are gearing up for listing their homes ASAP. I have multiple listings in the queue for 2025. We still have a decent amount of inventory that needs to be sold. This could result in a slight dip in the market, meaning either sellers will accept less or even list a little lower. I would not count on this being a huge cut. Certain price ranges tend to be steady no matter what market. Under 400K is usually a safe bet and homes ready to be flipped are still selling well.

FICTION: We are not going to have a crash! I find that a lot of folks like to make negative statements about the market, without basis. Unlike the prior crash, financially we are in a very different position. By now, I would have expected tons of short sales and foreclosures, but the reality is that there are very few bank owned properties listed and the same is true for short sales. People have too much invested in their homes due to financing changes, so walking away is not an easy option. I expect this will stay the same.

THE FUTURE: I hear so much from different sources so it’s hard to say what’s next. I have heard rates will drop in the third quarter, but other sources have said not to expect that much. Others are saying this will be a busy year for real estate. Personally, I have always taken the approach of having my irons in many different fires so that whatever comes, I am prepared for it. Our new marketing is set and ready to go. We are now hitting so many different areas in our advertising that hopefully it’s hard to go out there without seeing the name! Consistent marketing has helped keep us top of mind for our current folks and hopefully many more in the new year!

The bottom line is that it’s still a good time to buy and sell. If you're curious about the current market conditions or have any real estate questions, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help you navigate this market and make the most of your real estate purchase or sale. 407-948-8295

Only an Expert Agent Can Give You an Accurate Value of Your Home

In today’s digital age, it’s tempting to rely on automated tools for everything — including figuring out how much your house is worth. But be careful. The automated estimates you’re seeing online often miss key details that affect the true market value of your home.

Before you toss a for sale sign in your yard and expect to bring in the number you saw for your house online, you need to understand why these tools generally aren’t spot-on and why working with an expert real estate agent is the best way to get an accurate picture of what your house is really worth.

The Myth: Online Home Value Estimates Are Accurate

Online home valuation tools give you an approximate value for your house based on the data that’s publicly available for your home. While this can give you a rough starting point, the keyword here is rough. As an article from Ramsey Solutions says:

“Online Home Value Estimators Aren’t 100% Accurate . . . The estimates are only as reliable as the amount of public record data the real estate websites can access. The less data gathered for your particular neighborhood, county and state, the less you can depend on this number.”

The Reality: Online Estimates Miss Key Factors

Here’s the biggest issue with online estimates: they don’t take into account the unique aspects of your home or your local market. And that’s why an agent’s expertise can make such a difference when figuring out what your house is really worth. Here’s an example. A real estate agent will also factor in:

The Home’s Condition: Online tools can’t tell whether your home has been well-maintained or if it needs significant repairs. The condition of your house plays a huge role in its value, and only an in-person walk-through can account for that.
The Latest Neighborhood Trends: Is your neighborhood up-and-coming? Are there new developments or amenities nearby that make your home more desirable? Automated tools often overlook local trends that can significantly affect the value of your home.
Accurate Comparable Sales: While online estimates may use past sales data as a baseline, they don’t always reflect the most recent or most relevant comparable sales, or comps. Real estate agents, on the other hand, have access to up-to-date market data and can give you a much more accurate estimate based on real-time sales in your area.

Agents have a deep understanding of the local market, and they can provide insights that automated tools simply can’t match. As Bankrate explains:

“Online estimation tools determine pricing using algorithms that rely on publicly available information. These algorithms can vary widely from one tool to the next and typically don’t account for a home’s current condition or any upgrades or renovations that are not reflected in public records. So they are not as accurate as in-person methods, like a real estate agent’s comparative market analysis . . .”

Bottom Line

While online home value estimates can be a helpful tool to get a rough idea of what your home is worth, they aren’t foolproof. The true value of your home depends on a range of factors that automated tools just can’t account for.

To get the most accurate estimate, let’s connect. That way you have expert guidance and up-to-date market insights to set the best possible price for your home.

Sellers, wanna try out something really neat? If you own a home and would like to keep track of your equity and value, I have access to a really cool product called HomeBot. You can sign up here: HOMEBOT AI. I love this technology! It gets delivered once a month and the info is easy to read and understand. It’s a free app to use. I highly recommend you try it out. I have 500 spaces available and they are first come, first served. As always, you can always call me to get a personal evaluation of your home. 407-948-8295.

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