Florida real estate experts share buying, selling tips
Florida Realtors Chief Economist Brad O'Connor and Florida agents share practical advice on pricing homes, negotiating deals and helping buyers find affordable options.
Today's Florida housing market calls for more than a good listing price or a strong offer. Sellers need to know what their homes are really worth, buyers need to spot opportunities beyond the mortgage rate, and both need a strategy that fits today's con
ditions.
The good news? There's still room to make a deal, especially when the right advice is part of the equation.
In an Oct. 12 USA Today Network-Florida report, Florida Realtors® Chief Economist Brad O'Connor and real estate pros shared strategies for making the most of today's market.
For sellers, pricing is everything.
Ruby Tavakoli of Realty Pros Assured in Daytona Beach Shores recommends using comparable sales from the past 90 days rather than relying on older transactions.
"You've got to be realistic and base it on comps for the past 90 days, not the past year, because a lot can change," she said.
Agents also emphasized preparing homes before listing, making necessary updates and keeping properties clean and presentable. Features such as pools can help homes sell faster when priced competitively.
For buyers, there's room to negotiate.
Higher mortgage rates don't necessarily mean buyers should sit on the sidelines.
"Don't be fixated on the rate," said Tom Martin of eXp Realty in New Smyrna Beach. "Look at the high interest rates as an opportunity to negotiate the price down with seller concessions that can also buy down the rate."
O'Connor, of Florida Realtors, cautioned against waiting for pandemic-era mortgage rates to return.
"I don't see rates getting a lot higher than they're at," he said. "That said, interest rates are really hard to predict."
Buyers also have more breathing room to find homes that fit their needs rather than rushing into a purchase.
For those struggling with affordability, condos and townhomes offer another option. Florida Realtors data shows their August median sale price was $298,000, compared with $415,000 for single-family homes.
The bottom line? Sellers need to know what their homes are worth today, not what they could have fetched a year ago. And buyers who look beyond mortgage rates may discover opportunities to negotiate a better deal, explore more affordable properties or find a home that's a better fit.
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