Davidson Realty, Inc.

Real Estate Market Update

February 16, 2021

 | 
Posted by in News, Northeast Florida Market Trends

“Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.” John Wooden

 

The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors market stats for January 2021 confirms what we are seeing in the market every day. The Inventory of Homes for Sale is 4,296 homes, down 51.6% from last January when there were 8,876. We have 1.4 months supply of inventory which is down 57.6% from 3.3 months last January. These numbers are staggering. The available inventory is lower than in the crazy period of 2004 and 2005.

 

It is the perfect storm if you are considering selling your home. When a new listing comes available buyers are offering list price with escalation clauses to pay more. Some buyers are removing appraisal and inspection contingencies to get their offer accepted. It is a very competitive market and you need expert advice to manage the process.

 

Buyer demand is strong as evidenced by 2,970 pending sales in January up 17.9% from last January. Closed sales of 2,210 is up 11.2%. With strong buyer demand and lower than normal inventory, prices continue to increase. The median sales price in January is $256,995 up 10.8% over last January. The average price is $319,811 up 16.0%.

 

National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Chief Economist, Dr. Robert Dietz and Florida Realtors Chief Economist, Dr. Brad O’Connor spoke at a recent Florida Realtors event and shared some interesting insights. Dr. Dietz said Florida had strong growth in new construction with 2020 building permits up “an incredible 30% year-over-year.”

 

The NAHB chief economist said he tracked data to look at the often-cited “shift to the suburbs” for housing in the latter part of 2020 due to COVID-19. He found that large metro areas with high density in the urban core still experienced a year-over-year growth rate of about 5.7% in 3Q 2020, but the lower-density, lower-cost suburbs out from the cities reported a growth rate of about 15%. Dietz also looked further out from Florida’s urban cores at communities known for second homes, investment homes or retirement. He said those areas reported a year-over-year growth rate of about 23.2% in 3Q 2020.

 

Dr. O’Connor explained that buyer wealth and available inventory matter more than density. “So, I would hypothesize that’s why you’re seeing a suburban shift in new home sales. And, why you’re seeing an overall greater surge in sales of upper-priced and luxury homes in Florida is that these kinds of homes are more freely available, and because many of the folks who are able to afford these kinds of properties also tend to be those who will be most able to work from home going forward.”

 

The northeast Florida housing market remains strong. It will be interesting to see what happens in the spring which is typically our strongest season. Enjoy the great spring weather and all the sports that are resuming. Thank you for your continued support and please let us know if we can help you with any real estate needs

 

 

Comments currently closed.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TOP PRODUCERS FOR JANUARY 2021

February 8, 2021

 | 
Posted by in Agent Feature, Top Agents

Buyer demand in January is still very strong. We had over $9 million in sales for the month. I would like to recognize our Top Performers for the month.

 

Lynn Whitley is our Top Producer (most closings) for January. Lynn is a true professional who is always improving herself with training. She is a Broker Associate and has earned many designations to serve her customers better. She gives the same level of care to less expensive transactions as she does to the luxury properties. Her customers rave about her service.

 

 

The Top Overall Sales and Top Lister is Mirtha Barzaga. Mirtha sold 4 of her listings in January and her overall sales volume was $2.6 Million for the month. Mirtha was just awarded Top Sales, Listings and Production (closings) for 2020. She is always one of our Tops.

 

 

Read more

Comments currently closed.

Real Estate Market Update

January 21, 2021

 | 
Posted by in News, Northeast Florida Market Trends

“Have enough courage to start and enough heart to finish.” – Jessica N. S. Yourko

 


This quote seems like a wonderful way to begin a new year that looks to be a wild ride. All predictions are for continued strong demand for homes in the northeast Florida area and nationwide.

 

I have huge respect for Dr. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist. At a recent event co-presented by RISMedia and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Dr. Yun indicated that the momentum from the second half of 2020 will continue into 2021. His predictions for the new year are interest rates at historic low levels, increased job creation due to the stimulus package recently passing and vaccines being widely distributed, improved unemployment rate, and more housing inventory.

 

He also expects the following:

– Strong home sales momentum, with sales up roughly 8 to 12 percent in 2021 vs. 2020

– Home prices rising more moderately, about 4 percent nationwide

 

The demand for homes in our area remains strong, but the supply of homes continues to decrease. There were 4,549 homes available for sale in December 2020 down 46.9% from the 8,569 available in December 2019 according to the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors market stats.

 

There is 1.5 months supply of homes for sale in our area down 53.1% from last December’s 3.2 months of supply. A balanced market is 5 to 6 months of supply. If you are buying or selling a home, you need guidance from a professional. We are seeing crazy things happening in this market on both sides of the transaction.

 

– Pending sales of 2,685 were up 25.7% December over December and up 12.9% year over year.

– Closed sales of 3,187 were up 15.2% December over December and up 8.2% year over year.

– Median sales price of $267,000 is up 11.3% December over December and 9.0% year over year.

– Average sales price of $331,242 is up 14.6% December over December and 11.8% year over year.

 

New home construction has increased and will help with the supply of homes, but builders are facing challenges also. From a blog posted today on the National Association of Homebuilders site, “Rising material costs led by a huge upsurge in lumber prices, along with a resurgence of the coronavirus across much of the nation, pushed builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes down three points to 83 in January, according to the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. Despite the drop, builder sentiment remains at a strong level.” Any number over 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor.

 

Thank you for all the support of Davidson Realty and Davidson Property Management. If we can assist you with any of your real estate needs, please let us know.

Comments currently closed.

How COVID-19 Impacted Real Estate in 2020

January 15, 2021

 | 
Posted by in News, Northeast Florida Market Trends

The resilience of the real estate market was perhaps the biggest surprise in 2020. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the loss of millions of jobs, and a crippled economy, millions of American’s made waves in the real estate industry by browsing and, oftentimes, purchasing a new home. With thousands of businesses negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the real estate market saw positive trends and record-setting numbers.

 

The 2020 real estate market was expected to see steady growth. Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors (NAR) Chief Economist predicted there to be more than 750,000, for an 11% increase, in new home sales while existing homes sales would be repressed by low supply of homes to more than 5.56 million for a modest 4% increase. The median home price was anticipated to land at  $270,400 for an increase of 4.3%. Overall, the NAR was forecasting a healthy year for real estate. 

 

At the end of the first quarter of 2020, in the infancy of the pandemic, the real estate market was merely reacting to the sudden, bizarre changes that were happening in the world. With the new phrase called “social distancing” added to American vocabulary, all players in the real estate industry were in uncharted waters. With schools closing and businesses shut down, the needs of home seekers shifted.  

 

The COVID-19 pandemic made an interesting impact on the real estate market. While inventory was low and homes were selling quickly, the NAR reported a surge of people moving to more rural areas from larger, more crowded cities while desiring more moderate climates. “We are seeing many buyers coming from the Midwest, Northeast, and South Florida,” shares Sherry Davidson, President of Davidson Realty. This shift was caused by multiple COVID-19 related effects. Offices started allowing employees to work exclusively from home to successfully socially distance and people were enjoying the new routine COVID-19 brought and desired a slower pace of life. 

 

Throughout the changing times, Davidson Realty was able to adjust to new safety procedures and listen to the new needs of their clients. “Buyers were looking for homes that were more in tune to the daily needs of their families. Many were working from home and homeschooling their children, requiring more functional space for work and play,” shares Sherry Davidson. “Families were eager to purchase a home, but with inventory at record lows, we were seeing multiple offer situations and buyers were paying more than appraised values. Sellers were in a position to not consider offers with contingencies for financing and appraisals.” With interest rates at record-setting lows, buyers were eager to get their hands on their dream home. 

 

Although NAR has not yet released their year-end sales report, NAR reported in December they were expecting to reach 5.52 million in purchases in 2020, which is the highest annual mark since 2006. They also anticipate the median home price will hit a record-setting high at $293,000. Lawrence Yun has stated that the momentum from the second half of 2020 will carry into 2021.  Yun foresees interest rates remaining favorable and an increase in supply which will give home buyers more choices and repress home price growth. 

 

It’s safe to say the real estate market is still on fire. If you are interested in buying or selling your home, contact Davidson Realty today at (904) 940-5000. 

Comments currently closed.

Generous Visionaries – Hutson Companies Supports Davidson Cares Clay Day

January 13, 2021

 | 
Posted by in Community Involvement, Events, News

Since the beginning, Hutson Companies has been a major sponsor to Davidson Cares Clay Day. The generosity of Hutson Companies is truly admirable. In 2018, Hutson Companies pledged to match up to $40,000 as an additional contribution to St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS), one of the organizations that benefit from Davidson Cares Clay Day. That year, more than $52,000 was raised and, thanks to the thoughtfulness of Hutson Companies, SAYS efforts to shape the future of at-risk youth was supported further.

 

The partnership between Davidson Realty and Hutson Companies spans many years. From helping Hutson Companies sell farmland in Elkton and Hastings to, most recently, commercial land in OakLeaf Plantation, the respect and trust between Davidson Realty and Huston Companies has formed a thriving friendship.

 

“David Hutson is an amazing real estate visionary. He has built homes and developed beautiful communities successfully for many years. David’s work is truly exceptional,” shares Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson. “In addition to their incredible work in the real estate industry, David and Nancy Hutson are extremely generous supporters to numerous local charities. They seem to fly under the radar to avoid recognition, but their contributions to our community are staggering.”

 

The Hutson Companies is known for developing family-friendly communities while being both environmentally and financially conscious. Since 1973, The Hutson Companies has developed dozens of residential communities in Northeast Florida to total more than 20,000 home sites. The Hutson Companies is presently developing projects in Clay, Duval, and St. Johns Counties.

 

One of the Hutson Companies’ latest developments is OakLeaf Plantation. OakLeaf Plantation is a master-planned community in southwest Jacksonville spanning 6,400 acres of land in both Clay and Duval Counties. This project is the largest development of regional impact in Clay County. The Hutson Companies has been recognized with numerous awards for their work on OakLeaf Plantation, including Developer of the Year by the Northeast Florida Builder’s Association.

 

Davidson Cares Clay Day is proud to have the support and sponsorship from Hutson Companies as they continue to do incredible work in Northeast Florida. To learn more about Hutson Companies visit their website at www.hutsoncompanies.com or call (904) 429-9965.

 

Davidson Cares Clay Day

The 5th Annual Davidson Cares Clay Day was held on October 29, 2020, 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 were invited to participate and enjoy a safe shooting experience with no group gatherings.

 

In association with the event, there was also a raffle contest. Prizes included a 65-quart YETI cooler with 13 full-size liquors.

 

The $40,500 raised from the event and raffles went directly to Builders Care, St. Augustine Youth Services (SAYS), and Investing in Kids (INK!) in equal sums.

 

Visit DavidsonCares.com to learn more about these organizations and donate to support their causes.

Comments currently closed.
« Newer Posts   Older Posts »

Davidson Realty