Steed Realty Group

February's Florida housing stats make interesting reading. Single family home prices up 11.1%, condos and townhouses up a much lower 5.6%. Inventory levels remain low especially for single family homes hence rising prices. Rising prices persuade owners to sell, so inventory levels might increase.

Tough times for first time buyers and renters as rents are rising quickly. We recently sold a sub $200k property in 3 days at full asking price and for cash. 8 other offers tabled.

Orlando Housing Outlook 2016 looks solid. Last year the median sale price of homes sold rose 9% and actual sales volume rose 15%. The issue was falling inventory in quarter 4 and unrelenting demand, particularly in the sub $200k range. Great opprtunities for investors who want to buy then rent out properties (high yield + capital growth). Potential problems for first time buyer affordability - hence the high rental demand.

Orlando area is booming in terms of job creation so 2016 should be a good year overall.

Halloween season good for Realtors? My colleague just called to say she'd met the professional photographer at her new listing...and he instructed her to be his buyer agent!! She then got a call from a guy who had been given her card - his home was for sale through another agent but staggeringly he "needed a good Realtor to find him a new home"!! He is buying at double his sale price. Glad his existing and d***y agent doesn't work with me.

Moral of the tale - get professional photos for listings (lol) target listings...and if you win a listing do ask the client if they also want to buy somewhere else to live!!!