Author: Sherry Davidson
President of Davidson Realty

Since launching Davidson Realty in 1989, Sherry Davidson has built the firm to include nearly 60 agents and exceed $100 million in annual sales. She is known throughout the First Coast as an authority on all things residential real estate, having served on the Board of Directors for Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, Florida Realtors® (a division of the National Association of Realtors), and Builders Care (charitable arm of Northeast Florida Builders Association).

Thanks to Sherry’s leadership, Davidson Realty has been recognized as one of the state’s Best Companies to Work For (Florida Trend Magazine), as well as one of the region's Best Places to Work and 50 Fastest Growing Companies (Jacksonville Business Journal). Get to know Davidson Realty’s talented team of agents by clicking here or call us at (904) 940-5000.

Northeast Florida Real Estate Market Update

January 23, 2023

 | 

“Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” Les Brown

Don’t be fearful of the real estate market, it appears to be stabilizing after the wild ride we have been on.

 

I agree with Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) President, Mark Rosener’s comments on our local real estate market for December. He pointed out that the closed and pending sales, inventory and sales prices have been relatively stable for the last 3 to 4 months.

 

The median sales price of $337,745 is up 4.6% from last year, but down 0.9% from November. All counties had slight decreases in prices month-to-month except St. Johns County which was up 6.2%.

 

There were 2,096 closed sales which is down 35.9% from last year, but up 7.6% from November. Pending sales of 1,782 were down 29.6% from last year and down 1.8% from November.

 

National pending home sales slid for the sixth consecutive month in November, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) – a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on contract signings — fell 4.0% to 73.9 in November. Year-over-year, pending transactions dropped by 37.8%. An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001.

 

“The market may be thawing since mortgage rates have fallen for five straight weeks,” Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist. “The average monthly mortgage payment is now almost $200 less than it was several weeks ago when interest rates reached their peak for this year.”

 

Builder sentiment in the single-family housing market posted an unexpected gain in January, rising for the first time in 12 straight months. Economists had predicted a slight decline. Sentiment rose four points to 35 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. Anything below 50 is still considered negative sentiment. The metric stood at 83 in January 2022.

 

All three of the index’s components posted gains in January: current sales conditions rose four points to 40, sales expectations in the next six months increased two points to 37, and buyer traffic rose three points to 23.

 

Most of the builders and Realtors I have spoken with are cautiously optimistic that the fear we have seen about rates and prices, is improving with the stability we are seeing.

 

If we can assist you in any way with a purchase, sale, investment property or rental, please let us know.

 

Happy New Year! Wishing you a prosperous 2023,

Doing Good for the Community: Watson Civil Supports Davidson Cares Clay Day

January 19, 2023

 | 

Davidson Cares Clay Day is an event that is proud to raise money and awareness for worthy causes AND bring Northeast Florida organizations together to strengthen relationships. For the last six years, Watson Civil has generously supported Davidson Cares Clay Day as a sponsor and brings their passion for the community to the event every year.  

 

John Watson, President and CEO of Watson Civil, first met the Davidsons in 1996 when construction began on World Golf Village. “Whenever I was driving customers around the dirt roads to show off the development, John would always make sure I could get around the equipment and not get stuck. That was the beginning of a wonderful friendship!,” shares Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson. 

 

The Davidson Cares Clay Day is an annual staple for Watson Civil Construction. “We look forward to this event each year for a few different reasons. We thoroughly enjoy the chance for fellowship with our industry peers and friends. Clay Day also gives us the ability to have some additional team-building time with employees within our own firm. But most importantly, it provides the opportunity to partner with The Davidson Companies to support some terrific charities and schools in our local community,” shares John Watson. “It has been a lot of fun to watch the support grow each year. We admire The Davidson Companies for establishing Davidson Cares and for bringing the community and supporters together for such wonderful causes that provide services for our local youth. We are excited and looking forward to the next Davidson Cares Clay Day!”

 

As a horizontal contractor, Watson Civil specializes in large site infrastructure, underground, and road and bridgework. Watson Civil’s clients range from state and local governments to private developers and national home builders. 

 

“Watson Civil has a remarkable reputation. John Watson has a vibrant energy and handles everything that comes his way head-on,” shares Davidson. “Our partnership with Watson Civil is treasured and we look forward to making more memories at Clay Day for years to come.”

 

Davidson Cares Clay Day is proud to have the support and sponsorship from Watson Civil as they continue to give back in Northeast Florida. To learn more about Watson Civil Construction visit their website at www.watsoncivil.com or call (904) 297-1800.

 

Davidson Cares Clay Day

The 7th Annual Davidson Cares Clay Day was held on October 20, 2022, at Jacksonville Clay Target Sports. Davidson Cares Clay Day included two-sport shooting events, beginner skeet, and sporting clay. Individuals and teams from beginner to expert levels participated.

 

In association with the event, there was a raffle contest. Prizes included a 65-quart YETI cooler with 13 full-size liquors and a 12-Gauge Beretta A400 XCEL Sporting shotgun.

 

Money raised from the event and raffles went directly to Builders Care, St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS), Investing in Kids (INK!), Port in the Storm Homeless Youth Center, and Hope is Restored.

 

United to Serve: MasterCraft Builder Group Supports Davidson Cares Clay Day

January 12, 2023

 | 

The overwhelming success of Davidson Cares Clay Day is thanks to the hard work of countless individuals and organizations. However, MasterCraft Builder Group is truly owed a great deal of gratitude as their Clays for a Cause event was the inspiration for Sherry Davidson, President of Davidson Realty, to start a similar event of her own. 

 

“MasterCraft’s Clays for a Cause event was so fruitful and brought together an amazing group of people for a great cause. When I decided I wanted to do something similar, I reached out to Chris Shee, Founder and CEO of MasterCraft Builder Group, and he graciously provided me with the insight to create an event that was our own,” shares Sherry. 

 

“Davidson Cares’ Clay Day is a wonderful day of uniting a community of friends to shoot a round of sporting clays while supporting worthy, local charitable causes. It’s not just about raising money, but also increasing awareness of needs that are right under our nose,” shares Chris Shee. “Our companies both share the same mission of being charitable and our sporting clay shoots are one of the ways we practice this. While the events have their own unique formats, charities, and themes, three things remain the same: love, grace for the needy, and glory to Him.”

 

Davidson Realty and MasterCraft Builder Group have bonded over their passion for giving back to the community and providing excellent service to their clients. MasterCraft Builder Group is a semi-custom builder and community developer that specializes in thoughtful designs and exceptional quality to meet the needs of the modern family by providing luxury living at an affordable price. MasterCraft Builder Group has homes in RiverTown, TrailMark, SilverLeaf, and Madeira.

 

Over the past year, these two organizations have supported one another in various ways. In addition to continuing to sponsor Clays for a Cause, Davidson Realty was a major sponsor for MasterCraft’s Concerts for a Cause which benefits Builders Care, an organization that both Sherry and Chris serve on as board members. Davidson Realty also sponsored the 1st Hometown Hero’s Ride, an event that MasterCraft helped organize to benefit Veterans and First Responders. MasterCraft was recently involved with the reconstruction for Port in the Storm, which inspired Davidson Realty to add the organization as one of the Clay Day beneficiaries. 

 

“Seeing Port in the Storm as one of the beneficiaries of Clay Day this year was really exciting. MasterCraft has supported their organization for several years including doing two almost complete renovations due to emergency disasters. This shelter for struggling or homeless teenagers and young adults provides a safe place to sleep. Helping them is what we are called to do. Port in the Storm is a wonderful mission and the fact that Davidson Cares chose this local cause as part of their 2022 event is just terrific,” continues Chris. 

 

Davidson Cares Clay Day is proud to have the support and sponsorship from MasterCraft Builder Group as they continue to support local charities. To learn more about MasterCraft Builder Group, visit their website at mastercraftbuildergroup.com or call (904) 295-1604.

 

Davidson Cares Clay Day

The 7th Annual Davidson Cares Clay Day was held on October 20, 2022, at Jacksonville Clay Target Sports. Davidson Cares Clay Day included two-sport shooting events, beginner skeet, and sporting clay. Individuals and teams from beginner to expert levels participated.

 

In association with the event, there was a raffle contest. Prizes included a 65-quart YETI cooler with 13 full-size liquors and a 12-Gauge Beretta A400 XCEL Sporting shotgun.

 

Money raised from the event and raffles went directly to Builders Care, St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS), Investing in Kids (INK!), Port in the Storm Homeless Youth Center, and Hope is Restored.

Davidson Realty: Spreading Good Cheer in Northeast Florida

December 22, 2022

 | 

Since 1989, Davidson Realty has been proud to deliver expert real estate services to Northeast Florida. The same compassion and commitment given to clients for their real estate needs is also given to the greater community. Davidson Realty has created a thriving culture focused on serving all of Jacksonville and St. Augustine. 

 

During this giving season, Davidson Realty agents have been hard at work to spread good cheer to their Northeast Florida neighbors. “Our agents are true servant leaders. They have a genuine passion for helping those in need and, at Davidson Realty, we celebrate that joy for giving,” shares Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson. 

 

For the last eleven years, veteran agent Mirtha Barzaga, has held two food and toy drives to benefit the Homeless Coalition, an organization that provides clothes, food, and other supplies for the homeless. Mirtha calls upon her fellow Heritage Landing residents to help her support this worthy cause during her Thanksgiving drive and her many friends in The King & Bear for her Christmas drive. Several of her family members from South Florida come to support her efforts to bring joy to those less fortunate. 

 

Similarly, agents Liz Pappaceno and Reba Barkley also enjoy giving back to the Homeless Coalition. Liz held several food and toy drives this season in Sevilla while Reba held her drive in Austin Park. Both Liz and Reba were overwhelmed by the generosity in the Northeast Florida community and are constantly taking advantage of opportunities to do good in the community and that spirit is contagious. 

 

The joy of giving back to the community is a sentiment shared with all Davidson team members. Caitlyn Hawkins had a busy season of giving this year! Caitlyn organized and donated snack packs and food to the Beaches Mission House and BEAM Food Banks and donated toys and books to the local Foster Closet. Additionally, Caitlyn has spent time cleaning waterways and participating in beach clean ups throughout the year both with various organizations and independently. 

 

Stacy Cornell volunteered her time and was a sponsor for the Belles and Beaus of the River Society event this December. “I was proud to sponsor three families in need by collecting items from an angel tree and presenting those items to each of the families at the conclusion of the event. This event is a highlight in my year and so well done with various activity stations, hot chocolate station, snow machine, a movie, and letters and pictures with Santa,” shares Cornell. 

 

Doing good together is always a joy! This year, Reba Barkely, Candy Gil, Rebecca Schaffer, Jeanne Denton-Scheck, and Margherite Myers volunteered at the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) Hunger Fight Pack-a-Thon event. These Davidson agents joined hundreds of fellow NEFAR members to provide 75,000 meals for hungry children, families, and seniors in Northeast Florida. 

 

“At Davidson Realty, we are incredibly proud of our team and their various philanthropic endeavors,” shares Davidson. “Ultimately, we are grateful for the continued support from the community and, as a team, we hope to show our appreciation by continuing to give back and help our community be an even better place to live.”

 

Northeast Florida Real Estate Market Update

December 21, 2022

 | 

“Love the giver more than the gift.” – Brigham Young

A quote to live by whether a human giver or our one true holy God.

 

The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors market stats for November continue to show the median sales price stabilizing. The number of closed sales and pending sales are down, and the active inventory is up slightly. I believe everyone was shocked by the speed of the change in the real estate market.

 

The median sales price is $340,000 for November which is down 4.2% from the previous month and up 5.3% from the previous year. The uncertainty and volatility in housing market metrics have economists and forecasters predicting divergent outcomes for the 2023 national housing market.

 

· Redfin Corp predicts home prices will fall 4%.

· Zillow Group Inc. predicts home prices to remain flat.

· Realtor.com predicts home prices to appreciate 5.4%.

· Lawrence Yun, chief economist National Association of Realtors predicts prices to increase 1%.

· Fannie Mae is predicting prices to fall 1.5%.

· Capital Economics is predicting a fall of 8%.

· Wells Fargo & Co. is predicting a 5.5% decline.

 

I think everyone agrees in some areas prices will increase and others decrease, but it doesn’t look like the gloom and doom headlines we are seeing.

 

All the predictions I have seen are for fewer transactions in 2023. Realtor.com is predicting the Jacksonville MSA to have 3% fewer sales in 2023, but prices will increase 4.6%.

 

The active inventory is 7,019 which is up 1.3% from the previous month. The months supply of inventory is 3.8 months which is up 32% from 2.8 months in October. It appears many buyers and sellers are staying put right now.

 

Soaring rents have forced millions of millennials to move back in with their parents. A recent survey by Pollfish of 1,200 people estimated one in four millennials are living with their parents. That’s equivalent to about 18 million people between the ages of 26 and 41. Some economists are predicting a great looming demand as household formation will rise and there are not enough housing units at affordable prices.

 

As we enter 2023, we will see which predictions are the closest. Please let us know if you are considering an investment property or need to buy, sell, or rent. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

« Newer Posts   Older Posts »

Davidson Realty