The Central Florida 55+ market continues to be a seller’s market, specifically in our local communities in Leesburg and Clermont. Our communities are seeing a climb, based on average sales prices and the prices per square footage of sold homes (see charts below).

Although we can’t predict what 2020 will bring, we know that the 55+ demographic tends to slow during election months. If you are thinking of selling your home and capitalizing on the current trends, it might be a good idea to make the decision in the heart of the 2020 season, which is January to April for our communities.

Here at Florida Plus Realty, we love our statistical data! The facts are in the numbers. Check out what we are seeing for Leesburg and Clermont communities specifically.

The past three years have seen improved sales statistics across the communities in Leesburg. The average sales prices and the prices per sq. ft. of sold homes demonstrate this year after year.  We’ve also seen a steady reduction in the number of days on market (DOM), so homes have been selling faster as well.

We are seeing the same patterns of increased sales along with the reduction in DOM in Clermont. The Clermont communities tend to command a higher overall price, and price per sq. ft. at this point, based on their proximity to the city activity.

As we carefully watch the development of The Villages moving south into Leesburg community areas, which alongside it will bring amenities, shops, and growth, we expect to see the overall price points rise in this area over time.  Look out for an “Ask the Expert” panel meeting hosted by Florida Plus Realty, where we will be inviting the planners and developers to address the public with a Q&A session. 

In summary, our communities are enjoying a climb, and Florida Plus Realty holds a substantial market share in buyers coming into the area. If you check out 55Places.com, you will see one of our agents positioned to receive all the associated buyer activity into the Central Florida communities, including Leesburg, Clermont, Mount Dora, Deland, Poinciana, and other areas. This helps us ensure that our listing customers get the most exposure nationally and internationally via the web.

We are here to share our knowledge with you—whether planning for the right priced offer to buy a Florida home, or making sure your home listing price is exactly where it needs to be to meet your specific home selling goals. Give us a call, or stop by either one of our offices, in Leesburg or Clermont, for a cup of coffee and conversation!

5 Reasons Central Florida is the Best Place to Live in the Winter

There’s no doubt about it—winter in Florida is fabulous.

While the rest of the country is shivering in their boots, shoveling snow, scraping windshields and traversing icy roads, we Floridians are hanging out in our corner of the country sunbathing with a cocktail, only taking out our one winter coat (let’s be honest, it’s probably a sweatshirt) on those rare days it goes below 55!

1. The Weather: A different kind of winter wonderland
We like our outdoor temperatures the same way we like our customers: 55 plus! Luckily, Central Florida in the winter gives us just that. While we get the occasional day (and a few more nights) that go under 55 degrees, most days could be described as “perfect." The average temperature for a Florida winter day is 74°F, and the average winter month has less than 3” of rain. These beautiful warm, sunny days mean NO WINTER WARDROBE! That’s more closet space and money in your pocket to spend on all the fun things there are to do in Florida during the winter! We also get over an hour more daylight compared to our northern neighbors, which is great to enjoy more time in the sun!

2. Theme Parks: You’ll never go in the summer again
October through February are the absolute best times to enjoy the Central Florida attractions. There are no lines to speak of, and even if you spend a short amount of time in line, it’s pleasant when weather is so nice. That means, you’ve got a great reason for your family to travel to you! They’ll enjoy more parks, or more time at their favorite park, during their stay, and they'll also take in plenty of Vitamin D via the sunshine!

3. The Beach: All year ‘round
The beach time fun doesn’t stop in Florida! While the oceans near Central Florida may be a bit chilly for comfortable swimming, it’s the perfect time of year to enjoy the sandy shores without the tourist crowds and heat of summer time. It’s the perfect time for shelling—Sanibel Island is one of our favorite spots in Florida for this. If you are set on swimming in the sea, you can also head south for a weekend to enjoy warmer ocean temperatures. Off the shore of Miami, the ocean averages 72°F during the winter months.

4. Winter Wildlife: Snowbirds aren’t the only winter migrants
We call winter-only Floridians snowbirds for a reason! Birds love to migrate to Florida in the winter. Along with a large variety of birds, another Floridian favorite stays for the winter: the manatee! It is the perfect time of year to go bird-watching not only for the variety of birds, but also because the weather is so nice you’ll want to be outside every chance you get! You can join a birdwatching MeetUp or participate in a river tour, where you can also see other Florida wildlife, including manatee. That’s not the closest you can get to the friendly sea cow though. Check out all the awesome manatee tours you can do in Central Florida by CLICKING HERE!

5. Sunshine & Orange Juice: Two Florida staples
Our state is abundant in sunshine and makes the best orange juice, but did you know the best time to experience both of these Florida elements is in the winter? During this season, you can tour a citrus plant, go explore the orange groves and pick fresh fruit, and buy some awesome souvenirs to remind your friends and family how much you love spending your winter in The Sunshine State. There are many options to explore local farms in Florida!

Why spend another year struggling through winter, when you could be enjoying t-shirts and shorts all year long? Why shovel snow when you could be shoveling sand with your toes on the beach? Why stay cooped up inside avoiding the elements for months, when you can spend every single day of this season finding ways to spend your time outdoors? Try a winter in Florida, and you’ll never have it any other way! Whether you are looking to move or thinking about a vacation, give us a call so we can help.

Book your stay at the Clermont Cabanas Vacation Rentals - Call: 352-978-5856 or visit www.ClermontCabanas.com. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

Did you know that some surveys show that people can
be more afraid of running out of money than they are of dying?

Seventy is the new 50! I certainly feel that way as I approach my 62nd birthday—still working hard, dreaming of retirement, and yet wondering if that is really a possibility. Certainly, I don’t want to let the government keep my social security contributions, but I also want to make sure of my financial comfort. In my older age, I want to enjoy peace and happiness, without anxiety over having enough money to pay bills, AND kick up my heels sometimes!

We are the generation of solutions and action, and having a clear vision and strategy for our income is paramount. So, what are five important things to consider as retirement becomes a reality?

1. The government owes you. What is your social security income stream going to look like? You can visit the social security website and find out their specific estimate for your social security, which becomes an important part of your strategy. Visit their website here and find out all about yours.

2. Keep on working, if even just a little! Is there a way to keep on working part-time with your current employer? If you don’t love your current job, there are other ways to work part-time. Get a real estate license – as many of our agents have! They are living and loving retirement, and enjoy helping others find their best retirement home and community. (If interested, contact us for more information.) If you love Arbonne, Isagenix, or other popular health and wellness products, there are great opportunities for part-time sales right out of your own home. Or use your hobby or talent to earn some extra dollars doing what you love – like gardening, baking or painting.

3. Understand your retirement portfolio. Based on the market, your age, a withdrawal rate (% per year of your portfolio you want to take), and your reliance rate (% of overall income that is required from your portfolio), you need to evaluate how long your funds will last, and how much you need to count on #2 above. Working with a knowledgeable financial planner, an expert in these matters, can give clarity to the sometime mysterious pool of important funds.

4. Downsize your expenses to upsize your freedom. There are lots of ways to live leaner that keep your quality of life just as you like it, and for less money. A smaller home, a less expensive vehicle, selling unimportant possessions—having experiences to treasure with new access to time, becomes a lot more appealing than gathering material things.

5. Stay healthy to save lives and money. Walking, biking, swimming, dancing—all great exercise and a way to stay social. Making good eating choices, less animal products, more vegetables, and a glass of red wine (morning or night), is a critical part of your overall health plan, that can translate into fewer medical problems. Keep an eye out for meetup groups that align with your hobbies and activities! Consider Central Florida 55+ Meetup Group or visit https://meetup.com to check out groups that match your hobbies and/or interests.

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.”
Sophia Loren

We suggest starting with a “To-Do” list. Here are 6 things you can start doing now, so when the For Sale sign goes up, you and your home are set up for success!

1. Connect with a professional real estate agent

Realtors help provide comprehensive market information for your community and your home. Facts are facts, and to price effectively, we give you all the information you need to be confident in the right price. Over-pricing can cause delays in selling, and can ultimately go down a road of finally selling for less money than you could have received if priced right from the start. There is magic in right-pricing—and real estate agents know the area, the sales trends, and the specifics needed to consider based on your individual home. The Internet go-to real estate sites rely on broad assumptions from large areas, and have complex algorithms that don’t take your home attributes and nuances into consideration. There are wild swings in accuracy—and there is no need for that if you have a knowledgeable agent who has in-depth knowledge on your local housing market and keeps up with trends on a daily basis.
Florida Plus Realty’s agents can help you evaluate what home fixes and updates to invest in that bring you dollar to dollar returns. Our agents have decades of experience in Central Florida real estate, and can offer suggestions of local businesses and contractors who can help you get any work that’s needed done well and efficiently.

2. Broken? Fix it! Looking shabby? Replace it!

Grab a piece of paper and a pen and take a walk around your home—inside and out.  Take note of the things that are broken, out of place, or not looking top notch. Your agent can help you target the things that are important to buyers.  A tidy, well maintained home sends a message to buyers that your home has been loved over the years. When it comes to small repairs like a leaky faucet, bad light bulb, or loose toilet handle, take the time to remedy these things—then your buyer won’t be tallying them up on their offer price.

Some quick hits that make a big impression: replace old fixtures, check your lighting – overhead, ceiling fans and wall sconces, replace outdated mirrors, towel bars, and maybe even the TP holders! Look at your wall plates and cabinet hardware – more quick and easy replacements. These are some touches that make sure your home feels more modern and up-to-date.

3. Clean! Clean! Clean! And Then, Clean Some More!

You know what turns potential buyers off faster than a bolt of lightning? A dirty or cluttered house! Clean and organize every nook and cranny of your home, including the closets, the attic, and any other space a potential buyer will view. If you have lived in your home for many years, start early, one drawer at a time, so you don’t get overwhelmed. Organize, toss, and donate to charity. Consider bringing in a cleaner whose specialty is deep cleaning for home sales—it is less expensive than you might imagine.

Pets? You love them, and we love them, and maybe your buyer will—but maybe they won’t. Eliminate as much evidence as possible before you start showing the house. If possible, take your pets on a walk or a ride when your house is being shown.

4. Remove Yourself and Cut that Cord!

Take a walk around the house and carry an empty box.  Fill the box with anything that says, “This is MY house.” Remove picture frames, photos, knick-knacks, trophies, mementos, collections, and personal gifts. Potential buyers need to be able to envision the home as their home, and it is challenging to do that when they are looking at an array of your personal items and photos.

Don’t stop there! Declutter every room, one-by-one. If it’s not serving a purpose, then get rid of it! That includes accessories, tchotchkes, and even furniture. If you don’t plan on including something attached to the house, remove it and replace it. An example. Your grandfather’s hand-carved mantle over the fireplace is a treasure you want to take with you: take it down now and replace it with a standard mantle. If a potential buyer sees it, they will expect it to be there when they move in.

5. Cinderella Needs to Get Ready for the Ball!

Consider your home “Cinderella,” and she needs to get ready for the Ball!  Plan on keeping your house “listing ready,” so that you don’t have to worry about each buying appointment that is made.  You also want to put the best slipper on when the photos and film are being taken for social media, real estate sites, and marketing material. Online is where the majority of buyers start their search.

There are many inexpensive things you can do with little effort to improve the look of your house. A fresh coat of neutral paint appeals to most buyers. If the carpet hasn’t been cleaned, get it professionally done. Detail clean and wax your kitchen and bathroom floors. New throw rugs, bathroom towels, pillows for beds, and other small touches, are well worth the cost. 

The front yard is the first glimpse potential buyers get of the home—check your curb appeal. Drive around the neighborhoods in your area and see what you find striking—flowers, plants, rock beds—a first impression is highly important.

6.  Establish a Deadline for Yourself!

 In the 55+ markets in Florida, peak season begins when the weather starts to cool.  Snowbirds come back in October, and season ramps up to frenzy by Jan – May.  In our demographic, however, people head to Florida when they retire, and there is no season for that. Once people are free and ready to start their best years, it doesn’t matter if it is the heat of summer, or the chilly 60 winters.

The most important thing is to sell your home when you are ready, and when your house is ready to go on the market. You want to give yourself a reasonable deadline that makes you feel comfortable. Then, stick with that deadline. This way, your house will be at its best when it hits the market!

When you are ready to sell your home, no matter what time of year, give Florida Plus Realty agents a call for a free consultation and home valuation.  Regardless if you are just starting to think about selling, or ready to pack up and move in two months, our specialists care about your personal circumstances. We tailor a selling and moving plan around you.

Our team of real estate professionals are here to help. So, give us a call or stop by one of our local offices for a cup of coffee and conversation!

Finding Your Home

Finding the right home and area to live can be fun, but it can also be overwhelming or frustrating. Though most homes for sale are widely available for buyers to assess on web sites, agents know the communities and homes in the area you are searching. And in some cases, sellers don't want the fact that they're selling to be widely publicized. In those instances, only the real estate agents know the houses for sale.

If you are like most buyers, you have specific wants and needs. Mendenhall calls it the "purple room" phenomenon. If a buyer wants a house with a purple room, she says, the experienced real estate agent will know the house that's for sale that has just that room!

Whether you want a home with a good yard for your four-legged roomy, a hobby room, or no-fuss landscaping, agents can help you narrow your search and focus your time and energy on homes closely matched to your particular hopes and needs.

Pricing Expertise

Once you find that special place, you have to decide how much you want to offer. You don’t want to pay too much, but you also don’t want to offer too little and walk away empty handed. You may be competing with other offers (see Art of Negotiation below), and making the right offer will give you the best opportunity to secure the home you want! An agent will be familiar with the market, communities and homes in the area, and can help you determine the true value of the home. If they have a lot of experience in a market, they will know how well a neighborhood holds its value, too.

There is more to consider than just price. Contingencies and financing play a part in the seller’s decision of what offers to accept or reject. Making sure you have all your ducks in a row – the information you need when your offer is presented – is critical. An agent can help you navigate these as well, making sure the strongest offer is put forward.

The Art of Negotiation

When you are ready to buy a home, even though it is emotional and personal to you, being focused, objective and level-headed can make or break a deal. A good agent is highly trained and skilled in price negotiations, counter offers, and repair requests that may come in after an inspection. Money is at stake, and this is the time for confidence and care. When you have an agent representing you, you have their broad expertise to help maximize your financial standing. They represent your best interest at this critical stage, and help guide you through the process.

The Players and The Process

There is a lot to navigate during the “closing process”, which is normally around 30-60 days. Right from the start you have deadlines – paying the deposit, setting the inspection, requests for repairs, appraisals, contingencies, etc. And there are lots of people to deal with during the transaction: the sellers, their agent, title company, inspectors, lawyers, lenders and more.

And all this is just the normal stuff, what happens if there is a problem? As a sale progresses to closing, all kinds of pitfalls can kill the deal. A real estate agent knows to watch for trouble before it's too late. For example, the title of the house may not be clear or maybe the lender is causing a problem by not meeting the timeline on financing.

Dealing with all this can make even the most organized and relaxed person want to pull their hair out. An agent will be familiar with each step of the process, and will be a steady source of support and information to keep everything moving along.

The Paperwork (YUCK!)

Navigating real estate forms and documents required in a home sale can be daunting. From offers to contracts to disclosures to inspection reports to title documents…oh my! Understanding and completing these documents is darn near the equivalent of a cardio workout. And while you may--and should--keep all these files yourself, you can count on your agent to keep that information organized and safeguarded for you not only during the sale but for years to come should you need them.

A real estate agent is trained and experienced in navigating the process from start to finish, no matter what surprises may bounce in and out. They are with you no matter what: we can’t promise it will all be easy, but we can promise we will stand by you all the way, helping ensure it is as smooth as possible, walking with you through to a successful closing on your new home.

Florida Plus Realty—Here’s Why!

• Nobody knows Central Florida 55+ active adult living like we do! We live and love the active adult lifestyle ourselves, which is why we know it better than anyone.
• This knowledge helps us to narrow your search to communities and homes that match your hopes and needs.
• Many team members hold the Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation, ensuring we serve with the education, information and integrity you deserve.
• We help you find the perfect property and negotiate the best possible price so you can stop searching and start living your ideal active adult lifestyle in Central Florida
• Service-oriented, communicative, and friendly team to serve you!
• Don’t just take our word for it! Click Here to see what our customers have to say about their experience with us.

(352) 978-1934 or info@floridaplusrealty.com
Your Friends ~ Your Neighbors ~ Your Realtors

Pricing
Expertise

Most experts agree, one
of the most important decisions you make is setting the right price for your
home. The right price accurately reflects the value of your home based on
market conditions (demand) and recent sales activity related to homes that have
similar characteristics to your own: this is what brings the buyers!

Right
pricing nets the seller the most for their home in the shortest amount of
time.  The strategy to shoot for the moon
often ends up with incremental price drops over time, and then finally selling
much later for less than you might have gotten if priced right in the
beginning!  A real estate agent’s
experience is invaluable when it comes to extracting real-time data from the
multi-listing system, evaluating it based on your particular home
characteristics vs. other homes, and factoring in your motivation and timing.
It is critical to understand all the elements of a market comparable analysis,
and a good agent can illuminate everything you need to know to price your home
to sell.

Buyer
Appeal

When
it comes to making your home look its absolute best, decisions on exactly what
are cost effective yet distinctive are critical. Having your home appeal to the
broadest range of buyers is an art and a science. Whether it is décor, minor
repairs or upgrades – a few key changes make a big difference to the eye of the
beholder. You want buyers to walk into your home and see themselves living
there. So what does bring the biggest bang for the bucks? An experienced agent
spends time with buyers routinely, and knows what turns them on or off in a
home!  A few hinters:

Maximum
Exposure

Once
your home hits the market, it has to get maximum exposure! Making sure your
home is visible and appealing to potential buyers is the next most important
step. A real estate agent has access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which
makes your property instantly available to the largest possible number of motivated
buyers – locally and nationally. A good agent uses professional-quality photos and
aerial film, giving the absolute best first impression to serious buyers, who
widely access the internet during their search process. When you look at the
photos and films, you should want to change your mind and just stay put!  That good. That important.

The
Art of Negotiation

When you sell a home,
even though it is emotional and personal to you, being focused, objective and
level-headed can make or break a deal.  A
good agent is highly trained and skilled in price negotiations, counter offers,
and repair requests that may come in after an inspection. Money is at stake,
and this is the time for confidence and care. When you have an agent
representing you, you have their broad expertise to help maximize your
financial standing. They represent your best interest at this critical stage,
and help guide you through the process.

The
Paperwork (YUCK!)

Navigating real estate forms and documents required in a home sale can be daunting. From offers to contracts to disclosures to inspection reports to title documents…oh my! A real estate agent is trained and experienced in navigating the process from start to finish, no matter what surprises may bounce in and out.  They are with you no matter what: we can’t promise it will all be easy, but we can promise we will stand by you all the way, helping ensure it is as smooth as possible, walking with you through to a successful closing on your property.

Florida Plus Realty - Here's Why!

• We don’t wait for other realtors to bring buyers, we have a pool of our own! 
• We are the face of Central Florida on the national mega Neighborhoods.com and 55 Places websites, which bring thousands of customers to Central Florida.
• Aerial footage, specialized flyers, personal networking through Neighborhoods.com and 55 Places customer base, provides widest possible exposure of your home.
• Florida Plus Realty sends out a newsletter to over 5,000 customers, featuring select communities & featured listings.
• Service-oriented, communicative, and friendly team to serve you!
• Don’t just take our word for it! Click Here to see what our customers have to say about their experience with us.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=122&v=bKHtYd6HBrE[/embed]

Lakes of Mount Dora is a pristine 55+, active adult community located in the beautiful, art-centric town of Mount Dora, Florida. Explore this community from all angles in this brand-new video footage of this Central Florida community.

"[We] loved the firm! Margie Smith is a great salesperson who cares about people. She helped us find the perfect home & went an extra mile by finding us a rental while awaiting the close of our property - no small feat! A bit of difficulty at close, mostly due to our lender, but thought it could have gone smoother. [We] give you 4.75 stars!"

Kathy & Mike  Morrison, August 2018

From the end of January when we first contacted Diana to now this experience has been so helpful and professional. Thank you for helping us to get through a very stressful time. Wishing you future success.

- Caryl H, April 2018

Thank you so much Amanda and Diana for all that you have done! We truly appreciate everything! We we're very fortunate to have found you! Best wishes!

-Eric H, April 2018