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Home Buying Mortgages Real Estate

Mortgage Rates Dropped Last Month

We saw a reversal in mortgage rates last month after a rapid rise in April. Average U.S. rates for 30-year fixed rate mortgages are currently at 4.64%. At the end of last month, they were sitting at 4.73%. While it is great to see upward momentum reverse for the moment, the general forecast continues to be for a slow continued rise over the rest of the year.

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Home Buying Home Selling Luxury Homes Real Estate

The Luxury Condo Market is Heating Up in Manatee

The Sarasota and Manatee county markets for condos & townhomes remain disconnected for properties between $600k and $1M. In Manatee, it is better to be a buyer; however, in Sarasota the market is balanced. While the $1M+ condo market in Sarasota has favored sellers all year, this is the first month that we also see it happening in Manatee.

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Home Buying Home Selling Real Estate

May Local Real Estate Market Update

Whether you are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate, it is important to understand market conditions. Real estate is hyper-local, with market dynamics changing from subdivision to subdivision. However, county trends will give you a good idea of what to expect.

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Home Buying Home Selling Luxury Homes Real Estate

May Luxury Single Family Home Update

Although the luxury single family home market ($1M+ homes) is much better balanced this year than last, it is still a strong buyer’s market in both Manatee and Sarasota counties. Markets are generally considered in “balance” when there is about six months of inventory for sale at the current pace of home sales. When the inventory gets greater than that, buyers tend to have more leverage than sellers in negotiations.

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Home Buying Home Prices Home Selling Real Estate

Is Rooftop Solar Finally Ready for Florida?

Although the Florida Public Service Commission opened the door for significantly more residential rooftop solar in Florida last month, make sure you do your homework before walking through it. While I am a big fan of solar power, I am a bigger fan of people protecting their pocketbooks.