Posts from August 2026
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31
Should You Price Your Home High and Leave Room to Negotiate?
There's a question sellers have been asking Realtors forever:
"Why don't we price it a little high and leave ourselves room to negotiate?"
I understand the logic.
If you really want $500,000, why not list at $525,000? Then if the buyer negotiates, you have somewhere to go.
The problem is that buyers don't necessarily look at it that way.
They don't know that you're willing to take $500,000.
They only know that your house is listed for $525,000.
And before they ever negotiate with you, they have to decide your house is worth seeing.
Buyers are comparing you before they walk through the door
Years ago, buyers relied much more heavily on their Realtor to tell them what was available.
Today they can si...
24
How's the Market? It Depends
One of the questions I get asked all the time is, "How's the real estate market?"
And my answer these days is usually: It depends.
That may sound like I'm avoiding the question, but I'm really not.
Because there isn't just one real estate market.
The market can look very different depending on whether you're buying, selling or investing. It can also change depending on your price range, where you're looking and even whether you're talking about a single-family home or a condo.
If You're a Buyer
For many buyers, today's market offers something we didn't have much of during the COVID-era market: choices.You may have more time to compare properties, look at what has been sitting on the market and negotiate things that would have been much harder to negotiate a few years ago.
But that doesn't mean every property is sitting around waiting for an offer.
A home that is priced well and checks t...
17
What Happens After Your Offer Is Accepted? A Florida Realtor Explains
Getting an offer accepted on a house feels like a finish line. You've spent weeks or maybe months looking at homes. You've found the one you want. You've negotiated the price and terms, everyone has signed the contract, and finally you can relax.
Except you're not finished.
In many ways, this is when some of the most important work begins.
I've had buyers tell me after closing that they didn't realize how many things were happening behind the scenes between contract and closing. That's understandable. Most people don't buy and sell houses every day. Realtors do.
And while every transaction is different, there are several things that commonly happen after a Florida home goes under contract.
First, we start watching the calendar
Real estate contracts have deadlines:
- Inspection periods expire.
- Financing deadlines arrive.
- Deposits are due.
- Appraisals have to be completed.
- Associati...
11
Selling a Home in Today's Florida Market: Why Buyers Are Being Pickier
If you sold a house during the pandemic-era real estate market, you may remember what it was like.
A house would hit the market and sometimes have multiple offers within days. Buyers were making decisions quickly because they knew another buyer might be right behind them. In some cases, sellers could get away with things that would be much harder to get away with today.
That market is gone. But that does not mean homes aren't selling.
In fact, Florida single-family home sales in June 2026 were up 9.3% compared with June of last year, while condo and townhouse sales were up 14%. (www2.floridarealtors.org)
People are buying homes.
The difference is that today's buyer often has something buyers didn't have much of a few years ago: Choice.
And when buyers have choices, sellers have to compete for their attention.
Buyers don't have to overlook as much anymore
During the frenzy of a few years...
3
Why Today's Florida Buyers Have More Negotiating Power Than They've Had in Years
For several years buyers felt like they had to make instant decisions, waive contingencies, and compete with multiple offers.
Today's market looks very different.
That doesn't mean every home is a bargain. It means buyers who are prepared have more opportunities to make smart decisions.
More Inventory Means More Choices
Across Florida, inventory has increased compared with the extremely competitive market of recent years. Buyers often have more homes to compare before making a decision.
Instead of asking: "Can I find anything?", buyers are now asking: "Which one fits me best?" Here in Ormond Beach and throughout Volusia County, I'm seeing buyers take more time comparing homes and asking for repairs or closing cost assistance that would have been difficult to negotiate just a few years ago.
Negotiation Is Back
Many sellers are realistic about today's market. That can c...
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