Davidson Realty, Inc.

Best Strategies to Win a Bidding War

June 2, 2022

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Posted by in News, Northeast Florida Market Trends

When buying a home in today’s real estate market, be prepared to pull out every weapon in your arsenal. Most agents are dusting off strategies and techniques they haven’t used since the early 2000s to compete in this competitive seller’s market. “Homes are selling fast and for thousands over list price. Homebuyers need to be ready to move quickly and aggressively when they find a home they love,” shares Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson. 

 

Putting together an offer to sellers? Make it strong! With only a month’s worth of inventory up for sale, more and more buyers are making all-cash offers. Cash sales are attractive because the seller has seemingly no risk of financing problems and they save time with the elimination of the underwriting process. 

 

Opt for a shorter inspection period or no inspection. Make an estimate of how much necessary improvements will cost and consider them in your offer. For newer homes, waiving the inspection could be a valid tactic, but the buyer must truly understand and be comfortable with it as it could be extremely risky. 

 

Allowing the seller to rent back the home for a short time is another way to appeal to the seller’s needs. If the seller needs time to find or move into their next home, the buyer can allow the seller to stay for a set period of time and pay rent, usually the mortgage payment, or stay rent-free as the buyer would begin paying the mortgage. Being flexible could be what helps you win a bidding war!

 

Waive the appraisal contingency. The appraisal contingency allows a buyer to get out of a pending sale if the appraised market value of the home is less than the agreed upon contract price. If the contingency is waived, the buyer agrees to pay the difference between what the bank is willing to lend on the appraised value and the contract price. Waiving the appraisal contingency is clearly an attractive strategy, however, the buyer needs to be aware of the risk. 

 

A tool many agents are recommending to buyers to win bidding wars is an escalation or escalator clause which states the buyer will pay a certain amount above the highest bid. This clause makes the offer more attractive because it guarantees it will beat the highest bid. Usually, a limit is set on the clause to avoid the buyer overspending.

 

Footing the bill for closing costs and paying the commission for both sides of the transaction is another way to sweeten the deal for the seller. Additionally, writing a “love” letter could appeal to the emotions of the seller. Trusting your agent to help you select the strategies that work best for your situation is key. 

 

In this real estate market, be ready and act fast! For expert advice on strategies to catch the seller’s attention and put your offer at the top of the list, contact Davidson Realty today at (904) 940-5000. 

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5 Hidden Gem Neighborhoods in Northeast Florida Worth Visiting

May 17, 2021

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Posted by in Community Involvement, Featured Neighborhood, Neighborhoods, Ponte Vedra, Restaurants

No matter where you explore in Northeast Florida you are bound to find beauty and interest. “Northeast Florida is richly diverse and provides residents a wide variety of activities, restaurants, and sites to enjoy and make wonderful memories. Each neighborhood has a unique culture that truly enriches the First Coast,” shares Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson. We’re sharing some new, some old, and some neighborhoods you may have forgotten about in Northeast Florida you need to check out! 

 

San Marco

Take a stroll along tree-lined San Marco Square and you’ll see there is no shortage of incredible dining, boutiques, and art galleries. The Mediterranean-influenced neighborhood which is just a few minutes from Downtown Jacksonville is a perfect place to spend an afternoon exploring. A few of our favorite spots to visit in historic San Marco are Grape and Grain Exchange, Aardwolf Brewing Company, Stellers Gallery, and Heyday!

 

Springfield

As the oldest neighborhood in Jacksonville, Springfield offers residents a historic and eclectic experience. Established in 1869, Springfield, located just north of Downtown Jacksonville, was home to the city’s wealthiest residents. Today, the neighborhood is filled with restored mansions, hip restaurants, and locally-owned shops. Springfield also hosts popular festivals including Porchfest. Be sure to make a pit stop at Strings Sports Brewery while touring Springfield. 

 

Riverside/Avondale

Antique meets modern in charming, historic Riverside and Avondale! Home to the world-class Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, you won’t want to miss the charm and culture that Riverside and Avondale provide. Drive around the area and you’ll see gorgeous million dollar waterfront homes, locally-owned restaurants, and beautiful parks. Memorial Park, Pinegrove Market and Deli, and Kickback’s Gastropub are definitely places to visit in the area. Oh, and for dessert Whit’s Frozen Custard. 

 

Ponte Vedra Beach

If you have visited Ponte Vedra Beach before, you likely only skimmed the surface of what this stunning resort town has to offer. Prior to becoming a prominent luxury town with world-class golf courses, Ponte Vedra was a pristine wilderness home to valuable minerals giving it the nickname “Mineral City.” Discover Northeast Florida’s natural beauty with a hike at the GTM Reserve or play at TPC Sawgrass, one of the most famous golf courses in the world. Head to Ponte Vedra for date night and try LuLu’s Waterfront Grille or 3 Palms Grille.

 

Nocatee

Perhaps one of the newest go-to areas in Northeast Florida is Nocatee. Although this master-planned community hasn’t been around long, it’s definitely worth visiting! Enjoy lunch at Treylor Park (we suggest the Ahi Tuna Flatbread or the Treylor Park Nachos Grande!) or Timoti’s Seafood Shak before heading to Makk Fashions or Really Good Beer Stop. With new businesses popping up all around Nocatee, you’ll likely have more places to try each time you visit. 

 

Although all these neighborhoods have their own unique flair, one thing reigns true whether you call St. Augustine, Jacksonville, The Beaches, or anywhere in between home… Northeast Florida is the PERFECT place to live! 

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4 Ways to Sweeten the Deal When Buying a Home

May 5, 2021

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Posted by in News, Northeast Florida Market Trends

The real estate market is unlike anything we’ve seen before. Inventory is low, demand is high, and homes are flying off the market! “With the current market conditions, listings are receiving multiple offers and buyers need to be ready to act fast with their best offer when they see a listing they love,” shares Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson. In such an intensely competitive market, trust the real estate experts at Davidson Realty to help you put your best foot forward with these strategies. 

 

Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

The first thing you should do when you decide to purchase a home is obtain a pre-approval letter. A pre-approval letter not only states what a lender is willing to lend to you but shows the seller you are serious and prepared to purchase a home. A pre-approval letter shows legitimacy and a sign of good faith that they can afford to buy the home. Sellers are more likely to select an offer that is pre-approved than one that is not. 

 

Eliminate Contingencies

A clean offer is extremely attractive to sellers. “Any contingencies you have in your offer could be a negative to the seller. Sellers want a low risk and speedy closing,” shares Sherry. Appraisals are often a major cause of home sales falling through. Eliminating this step allows for a smooth sale process with minimal chance of things going wrong. As the buyer, you are effectively taking the risk off the home seller and putting it on to yourself. 

 

Make an All-Cash Offer

All-Cash offers provide the unique opportunity of keeping the sale primarily between the buyer and the seller. Cash offers tend to be stronger than offers utilizing traditional financing because they are less risky for the seller. With a cash sale, no appraisal is necessary since there is no mortgage lender involved. The absence of a mortgage lender also allows for a quicker closing. A fast timeline is advantageous for sellers because the sooner they close, the sooner they get paid.  

 

Be Flexible

Including a flexible timeline in your offer can go a long way with sellers. Depending on the sellers’ situation they may need more or less time in the home than the traditional 30-day closing period. If you are not in a hurry to move, being as adaptable as possible will be to your advantage as the sellers will then be able to decide what works best for them. This can go a long way, especially if competing offers come with strict deadlines. 

 

If you are ready to begin the search for your next home, call Davidson Realty today to help you get started. 

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Unparalleled Support. That’s The Davidson Difference.

January 5, 2021

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Posted by in Career Opportunity, News, Staff

With more than 1.5 million Realtors © in the United States and 10,000 Realtors © in Northeast Florida, it is imperative for agents to select a brokerage that is committed to their achievements and growth to set them apart from the rest.  

 

Davidson Realty provides their agents with a toolbox to equip them with the resources necessary to build a thriving career. Since 1989, Davidson Realty has been among the top real estate brokerages in Northeast Florida and continues to build a reputation of providing trustworthy and personalized service to their clients. 

 

Agents at Davidson Realty receive unparalleled support from day one. “At Davidson Realty, we strongly believe in a “Pay It Forward” culture. We believe in putting people and relationships first. And that starts with our agents,” shares Andrea Gallagher, Davidson Realty Sales and Training Manager. “By investing our time and resources in supporting our agents we take the guesswork out for them and allow them to fully focus on serving their customers and community. The agents we see most successful in this industry are ones who have meaningful relationships with their customers and the greater community.” 

 

The Davidson Realty team organizes various in-house programs to continually provide agents with tools to build their own success. Agents receive monthly training from qualified professionals on topics including: lending, title, new construction, development, contracts, social media, public relations, tax, inspections, and listings. Davidson Realty agents also have one-on-one coaching and training sessions available with President Sherry Davidson and Sales and Training Manager Andrea Gallagher to discuss transaction issues and help with contracts. In addition to one-on-one coaching, Davidson Realty has a successful mentoring program. “New agents are paired with an experienced agent that not only guides but is their 50/50 partner for the new agents’ first two transactions from start to close. The mentor and mentee meet frequently to discuss processes to build their business including lead generating strategies, creating a listing package, and understanding contracts and listing agreements,” shares Andrea Gallagher. 

 

Davidson Realty also organizes group coaching sessions, a book club series, and goal setting and yearly business planning workshops. Sherry Davidson and Andrea Gallagher are both certified mentors for Brian Buffini’s Real Estate training courses and teach his classes in offices regularly. These training sessions are for all experience levels of agents and are endorsed by the National Association of Realtors.  

 

Along with the in-person training and mentoring, Davidson Realty Agents receive business, marketing, and technical support. Davidson Realty has an in-house graphic designer to design and coordinate mailings of flyers, postcards, invitations, pop-by tags, and more for customer and community events. Agents have access to a transaction management system for all their transaction document needs as well as listing services such as MLS listings, contract maintenance, and text riders for signs. The Davidson Realty Team create and design customized monthly emails for each of their agents and assist with building business pages on various social media platforms. 

 

On top of the abundant in-house support, Davidson Realty agents truly become part of a greater family that is eager to help agents make dreams come true for their clients. If you are interested in joining Davidson Realty’s team of real estate experts, contact Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson at 904-940-5000. Give yourself and your career the opportunity to thrive.

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WE’RE NOT LIKE OTHER REAL ESTATE TEAMS. IT’S THE DAVIDSON DIFFERENCE.

September 25, 2020

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Posted by in Community Involvement, News, Staff

Every year more and more people choose a career in real estate because of its flexibility, opportunities for career growth, earning potential, and job satisfaction. In an industry where success stems from hard work and a strong network, it is essential to be a part of a brokerage that can provide the resources to take your career to the next level.

 

Since 1989, Davidson Realty has been among Northeast Florida’s top real estate brokerages. What sets Davidson Realty apart is its focus and dedication to their agents. By providing ongoing, extensive training programs, agents are continuously sharpening their skills and knowledge of industry trends. “The professional support and the continued focus on industry education is invaluable,” shares longtime Davidson Realty Agent Jennifer Todd. Both new and experienced agents receive the technical and marketing support they need from in-house mentors who share their own industry knowledge. “Davidson Realty provides expertise in every aspect of the real estate industry, from land acquisition, development, permitting, construction, and sales. There is never a time when a question comes up and I don’t have someone to reach out to for support”, Todd continues. Davidson Realty provides the tools to ensure clients receive an exceptional experience and agents reach their goals.

 

Voted the area’s #1 “Best Place to Work” by Jacksonville Business Journal, Davidson Realty understands the importance of having confidence from the team members of your brokerage. Davidson Realty is a local, family-owned organization that celebrates the success of its agents. “Davidson Realty takes pride in the family-style camaraderie we have nurtured with our agents and staff,” shares Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson. “That family culture coupled with our dynamic programming creates an environment where everyone helps each other. We all win, particularly our customers.”

 

Agents at Davidson Realty are drawn to the strong workplace community. Jennifer Todd, who began selling World Golf Village real estate in 2002, says there was no other real estate company she would have considered working with, and to this day she feels the same way. “The family environment at Davidson Realty is second to none. We have watched our children graduate from high school together, shared weddings, and the arrival of grandchildren. We have supported each other through family illnesses and the loss of family members. Jim Davidson even offered to sit with my son-in-law for the night shift while going through leukemia treatment. We laugh together, we cry together, and we celebrate our successes together.” Jennifer’s story is just one of many in the Davidson Realty team.

 

As families do, Davidson Realty’s team of agents love to have fun together. From outings to team-building contests, there is no shortage of excitement. An activities committee plans company-wide events that in the past have included Movie Nights, Kickball games, Bowling outings, St. Augustine Trolley Tour, and Jumbo Shrimp games. Davidson Realty and their agents also work together to continually give back to the community. Every other month, Davidson Realty’s World Golf Village office hosts a Blood Drive to benefit their community.

 

It’s clear that Davidson Realty is special. If you are interested in joining Davidson Realty’s team of real estate experts, contact Davidson Realty President, Sherry Davidson at 904-940-5000. Give yourself and your career the opportunity to thrive.

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