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...
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.
Real estate contracts have deadlines:
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...
Amy Goodson | Team Goodson
One of the questions I hear most often is:
"Should I buy a condo or a house?"
Most buyers assume the answer depends on price.
In reality, the better choice usually depends on something much more important:
How do you want to live?
I've worked with buyers who were convinced they wanted an oceanfront condo until they realized they wanted more privacy, a yard, and space for visiting family.
I've also worked with buyers who started looking at houses before discovering they would much rather spend weekends on the beach than maintaining a lawn.
Neither choice is automatically better.
The goal isn't finding the perfect property.
The goal is finding the property that fits your lifestyle.
Many buyers compare the asking price of a condo with the asking pri...
Buying a condo in Ormond Beach has always been appealing — from oceanfront sunrises on A1A to low-maintenance living perfect for full-time residents, snowbirds, and investors. But in 2025, the condo-buying process looks different than it did even a few years ago. New regulations, insurance changes, structural inspection requirements, and rising HOA expectations mean buyers need a clear, local guide.
Here's everything you need to know before making your move.
Florida's updated Milestone Inspection requirements mean condo buildings must complete structural evaluations at specific ages and intervals.
This affects: