Flagler County / Palm Coast Canal Homes Market Report September 2022
/Canal Homes Market Report Flagler County Palm Coast September 2022
Monthly Flagler County Waterfront Sales Reports & Florida Realtors® News
PENDING! 204 Beachway
/204 Beachway is now PENDING!
With a multiple bid situation, I was able to write up the strongest offer to put my buyers in best position to get their dream freshwater canal home.
JUST SOLD! 1500 S Central Flagler Beach, Fl 32136
/Congratulations to both our Buyers on their purchase of 1500 S Central Flagler Beach, Fl!
I showed my buyers this beauty via FaceTime while they were out of town and was able to negotiate a price below apprisal.
To sell your home give us a call or text at 386-793-1426
Consumer Confidence Relatively Unchanged in July
/By Marla Martin
U.S. consumers remain optimistic: July’s confidence index is about the same as June’s, after gains in each of the prior 5 months – and the highest since Feb. 2020.
NEW YORK – The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index was relatively unchanged in July, following gains in each of the prior five months. The Index now stands at 129.1, up from 128.9 in June.
The Present Situation Index – based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions – rose from 159.6 to 160.3. The Expectations Index – based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions – was virtually unchanged at 108.4, compared to 108.5 last month.
“Consumer confidence was flat in July but remains at its highest level since February 2020,” says Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators at The Conference Board. “Consumers’ appraisal of present-day conditions held steady, suggesting economic growth in Q3 is off to a strong start. Consumers’ optimism about the short-term outlook didn’t waver, and they continued to expect that business conditions, jobs and personal financial prospects will improve.”
Franco says short-term inflation expectations eased slightly but they’re still elevated. “Spending intentions picked up in July, with a larger percentage of consumers saying they planned to purchase homes, automobiles, and major appliances in the coming months.,” she added, and “consumer spending should continue to support robust economic growth in the second half of 2021.”
Present situation
Consumers’ appraisal of current business conditions improved slightly in July.
• 26.4% of consumers said business conditions are “good,” up from 25.2%.
• 19.3% of consumers said business conditions are “bad,” up from 19.1%.
Consumers’ assessment of the labor market was relatively flat.
• 54.9% of consumers said jobs are “plentiful,” up from 54.7%.
• 10.5% of consumers said jobs are “hard to get,” unchanged from June.
Expectations six months from now
Consumers’ optimism about the short-term business conditions outlook eased slightly in July.
• 33.4% of consumers expect business conditions will improve, down from 33.7%.
• 10.5% expect business conditions to worsen, down from 10.8%.
Consumers were mixed about the short-term labor market outlook.
• 27.7% of consumers expect more jobs to be available in the months ahead, up from 26.6%.
• Conversely, 16.8% anticipate fewer jobs, up from 15.7%.
Consumers remained upbeat about their short-term financial prospects.
• 20.6% of consumers expect their incomes to increase, up from 20.0%.
• Only 8.6% expect their incomes will decrease, up from 8.4%.
The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey is conducted for The Conference Board by Toluna, a technology company that delivers real-time consumer insights and market
© 2021 Florida Realtors®
PENDING! 1500 Central S Flagler Beach, Fl 32164
/Congratulations to our buyers at 1500 Central S Flagler Beach, Fl 32164!
To sell your home give us a call or text at 386-793-1426
JUST SOLD! 12 Cedarfield Court Palm Coast, 32137
/Congratulations to our buyers at 12 Cedarfield Court!
To sell your home give us a call or text at 386-793-1426
PENDING! 12 Cedarfield Court Palm Coast, 32137
/Congratulations to our buyers at 12 Cedarfield Court!
To sell your home give us a call or text at 386-793-1426
JUST SOLD! 504 Riverside Drive, Holly Hill FL 32117
/Congratulations to our buyers at 12 Cedarfield Court!
To sell your home give us a call or text at 386-793-1426
PENDING! 504 Riverside Drive, Holly Hill Fl 32117
/Congratulations to our buyers at 504 Riverside Drive, Holly Hill Fl 32117!
To sell your home give us a call or text at 386-793-1426
JUST SOLD! 326 N 12th Flagler Beach, Fl 32136
/Congratulations to both our Buyers and Sellers on 326 N 12th Flagler Beach, Fl!
I was able to get multiple offers on this beachside beauty and got my seller a great sales price!
To sell your home give us a call or text at 386-793-1426
How Effective Is National Flood Insurance? GAO Does an Audit
/By Kerry Smith, Florida Realtors
The government agency that oversees other agencies said that FEMA needs to inspect high-risk-flood communities more often – notably the ones in Fla. and Texas.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) audits other government agencies to hold them accountable, and it recently completed an audit of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – and specifically the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Communities that participate in NFIP must mitigate possible flood damage, and rates are determined by how well they do that.
FEMA inspects communities to see how well they follow NFIP requirements. The visits include evaluations of recent construction. Until 2019, FEMA’s goal was to visit all communities considered to be high-risk for flooding every 5 years.
However, FEMA did not meet this goal in Florida or Texas in 2008-2019, citing a lack of resources according to the GAO. As a result, many high-risk communities received only one visit in this period – and some weren’t visited at all.
“Without regular monitoring, FEMA’s ability to ensure communities comply with requirements is limited,” GAO reported. Without the inspections, FEMA can’t track violations or deficiencies, or whether the community resolved earlier cited issues.
In Florida, the GAO found that records on visits remained open for years, and FEMA staff weren’t able to say whether that “indicated unresolved deficiencies or incomplete recordkeeping.”
One key problem GAO said was a community’s ability to assess damage on a property after a flood, and whether it’s damaged by 50% or more of its value to ensure it’s then rebuilt to current NFIP standards.
However, “FEMA generally does not collect or analyze the results of these assessments, limiting its ability to ensure the process operates as intended,” the GAO report said. “Furthermore, FEMA has not clarified how communities can access NFIP claims data. Such data would help communities target substantial damage assessments after a flood.”
The GAO made four recommendations to FEMA:
Assess different approaches for ensuring compliance with NFIP requirements
Ensure data on community visits are up-to-date and complete
Ensure communities collect data on substantial damage assessments
Clarify policies on data sharing between FEMA and NFIP communities
FEMA said it agreed with the GAO’s recommendations.
The text of the GAO report is available online.
© 2020 Florida Realtors®
PENDING! 326 N 12th Street Flagler Beach, Fl 32136
/PENDING!!!
The real estate market is still moving! I am representing both the Buyers and Seller on this gorgeous Flagler Beach Canal Home! Buyers are still looking! But Buyers are looking more online through virtual tours. Having an online presence is of the upmost importance in today’s market to get maximum exposure! If you’re thinking about selling, I own multiple mobile friendly online platforms ranked on Google and other search engines, that will get your home in front of more buyers, that will in return get you more money for your property.
Give me a Call or Text at 386-793-1426 for more info. - Robert “Bobby” Keith, Realtor
March Pending Sales Plunge 20.8%; NAR Calls It Temporary
/By Kerry Smith, Florida Realtors
The usual spring home-selling season took a hit due to the pandemic, but most experts consider it a bump in the road rather than a long-term change.
WASHINGTON – Pending home sales fell 20.8% in March – expected declines as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).
The drop was widespread, and each of the four major regions tracked by the index saw drops in month-over-month contract activity and year-over-year pending home sales transactions.
The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) – a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings – decreased 20.8% to 88.2 in March. Year-over-year, contract signings declined too though not as much at 16.3%. An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001.
“The housing market is temporarily grappling with the coronavirus-induced shutdown, which pulled down new listings and new contracts,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “As consumers become more accustomed to social distancing protocols, and with the economy slowly and safely reopening, listings and buying activity will resume, especially given the record low mortgage rates.”
“The usual spring buying season will be missed, however, so a bounce-back later in the year will be insufficient to make up for the loss of sales in the second quarter,” Yun says. “Overall, home sales are projected to have declined 14% for the year.
“Although the pandemic continues to be a major disruption in regards to the timing of home sales, home prices have been holding up well,” Yun adds. “In fact, due to the ongoing housing shortage, home prices are likely to squeeze out a gain in 2020 to a new record high. I project the national median home price to increase 1.3% for the year, though there will be local market variations and the upper-end market will likely experience a reduction in home price.”
March pending home sales regional breakdown
The Northeast PHSI dropped 14.5% to 82.3 in March – 11.0% lower than a year ago. In the Midwest, the index decreased 22.0% to 85.6 last month, and it’s down 12.4% from March 2019.
Pending home sales in the South sank 19.5% to an index of 103.7 in March, a 17.8% drop from March 2019. The index in the West fell 26.8% in March 2020 to 71.4, down 21.5% from a year ago.
© 2020 Florida Realtors®
Mortgage Rates Hit All-Time Low – 3.23%
/By Kerry Smith
The pandemic-slowed economy pushed the average 30-year mortgage rate to its lowest point in at least 50 years – since Freddie Mac started tracking rates in 1971.
WASHINGTON – The pandemic-slowed U.S. economy pushed the average 30-year mortgage rate to its lowest point in at least 50 years, according to Freddie Mac, which started tracking rates in 1971.
The size and depth of the secondary mortgage market is helping keep rates at record lows, Freddie Mac says. Today’s low rates are driving higher refinance activity and a modest uptick in demand for new-home purchases.
However, not everyone can take advantage of today’s low rates. In some cases, banks have tightened lending restrictions and are making loans only to well-qualified buyers or home refinancers. In addition, some potential homebuyers in January are now out of work as applications for unemployment skyrocket.
At 3.23%, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is down 0.10% week-to-week (from 3.23%) and 0.91% compared to this same time last year.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 2.77% this week. That’s down .0.09% from last week (from 2.86%) and down 0.83% year-to-year.
The 5/1 hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage averaged 3.14 % this week.
Economists at Fannie Mae predicted this week that 30-year rates could go as low as 2.9% in 2021, however it’s unclear yet what effect the COVID-19 pandemic will have over the long term.
“In our view, the negative shock will apply to both the home purchase and rental markets. On the demand side, early indications are that the purchasing benefit of lower interest rates are being offset by the downturn in employment,” says Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae.
“On the supply side, the number of listings is falling, as those with homes to offer may either be hesitant to allow strangers to tour their home or worry that the lack of demand is placing downward pressure on the sales price they might otherwise receive,” Duncan adds.
© 2020 Florida Realtors®
PRICE ADJUSTMENT! 326 N 12th St. Flagler Beach, Fl 32136
/This dream home has just been reduced to $695,000. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to own a home on the north side of N 12th Street in Flagler Beach!
Call or text Robert “Bobby” Keith for more info 386-793-1426
Fla.’s Home Sales and Median Prices Show Gains at End of 2019
/Fla.’s Home Sales and Median Prices Show Gains at End of 2019
Fla. Realtors data: Single-family sales up 5.9%, median price up 3.7% year-over-year while condo median price up 3.8% over 2018’s end. Condo sales eased slightly, down 0.8%, compared to a year ago. A growing economy and strong jobs outlook bode well for 2020.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida’s housing market wrapped up 2019 with more sales, higher median sale prices and more pending inventory compared to the year before, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.
“Florida’s economy is growing and every day, more than 900 people are moving to the Sunshine State, according to state economists,” says 2020 Florida Realtors President Barry Grooms, a Realtor and co-owner of SaraBay Suncoast Realty Inc. in Bradenton.
“The state’s jobs market remains strong with the latest unemployment rate (December 2019) at a record low of 3% – even better than the national unemployment rate of 3.5%. Mortgage interest rates have continued to remain at historically low levels, which is good news for homebuyers. And Florida’s homeownership rate in 4Q 2019 was 66.6%. All of these factors are positive signs for the state’s housing market in 2020.”
4Q 2019
Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 70,839 in the fourth quarter of 2019, up 11.6% compared to the year-ago figure, according to data from Florida Realtors research department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.
“Fueled by low mortgage interest rates, sales of Florida homes in the 4th quarter were very strong compared to a year ago,” says Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor. “Meanwhile, the number of properties being listed for sale has not been changing much, so the result is that the surge in sales is continuing to drive down inventory levels. As long as we continue to see these low rates, we should expect this trend to keep pushing home values upward.”
The statewide median sales price for existing single-family homes for 4Q 2019 was $265,900, up 4.3% from 4Q 2018. New pending sales for existing single-family homes for the quarter rose 13.2% compared to a year ago, while pending inventory was up 8.7% from 4Q 2018.
Looking at Florida’s year-to-year comparison for sales of condo-townhouses, a total of 26,932 units sold statewide in 4Q 2019, up 3.3% compared to the same period a year earlier. The statewide median price for condo-townhouse properties for the quarter was $195,000, up 5.9% over the previous year. New pending sales for condo-townhouses for 4Q 2019 increased 6.8% compared to a year ago, while pending inventory was up 4% from the same quarter the previous year.
Year End 2019
Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 294,120 at the end of 2019, up 5.9% compared to the 2018 figure, according to data from Florida Realtors research department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations.
Looking to 2020, Chief Economist O’Connor forecasts a robust outlook for Florida’s housing market this year. In-migration to the Sunshine State from other states remains strong, with the five top origin states being New York, Georgia, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively. In fact, in-migration to Florida helped to drive increased home sales in 2019, according to O’Connor.
“It was exciting to see the almost 6% growth (5.9%) in closed single-family sales in 2019 from 2018,” O’Connor says. “Florida topped over $100 billion (total of $101.9 billion) in volume in home sales last year, up 8.3% from 2018; for condo-townhouses, we reached $31.6 billion in volume, up 1.8% over the 2018 figure.”
The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes at year’s end was $264,000, up 3.7% from the previous year. New pending sales for existing single-family homes rose 5.2% at the end of 2019 compared to the previous year, while pending inventory for single-family homes increased 8.7% from a year ago.
Looking at Florida’s year-to-year comparison for sales of condo-townhouses, a total of 115,659 units sold statewide in 2019, down slightly (0.8%) from 2018. The statewide median price for condo-townhouse properties at the end of the year was $192,000, up 3.8% from year-end 2018. New pending sales for condo-townhouse units for the end of 2019 increased 0.2% compared to a year ago, while pending inventory for condo-townhouses was up 4% from year-end 2018.
At the end of 2019 and also for 4Q 2019, inventory for single-family homes stood at a 3.4-months’ supply, while inventory for condo-townhouse properties was at a 5.2-months’ supply, according to Florida Realtors.
The interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.94% for 2019, down significantly from the previous year’s average of 4.54%, according to Freddie Mac.
To see the full statewide housing activity reports, go to Florida Realtors Media Center at and look under Latest Releases, or download the 4Q 2019 and Year End 2019 data report PDFs under Market Data.
© 2020 Florida Realtors®
National Home Warranty Day
/
A question I get a lot from home buyers is “Do I need a home warranty?”
Since today is National Home Warranty Day, I wanted to go over what a home warranty is, and what it covers.
A home warranty is different from home owner’s insurance in that the home warranty covers the repair or replacement of your appliances that break down through normal wear and tear.
There’s also different types of home warranties out there that cover various things in your home, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs. Home warranties can be handy and help give you piece of mind knowing that if something does break, you’re covered.
Do you have a question about home warranties? Feel free to give Robert “Bobby” Keith a call/text at 386-793-1426.
U.S. Housing Supply Reaches All-Time Low
/Realtor.com: Housing inventory dropped 13.6% in Jan. – the steepest year-over-year decline in over four years. The current supply of for-sale homes in the U.S. is the lowest it’s been since realtor.com began tracking it in 2012. It’s down 10%-20% in the four Fla. cities tracked.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – National housing inventory declined 13.6% in January – the steepest year-over-year decrease in more than 4 years – pushing the supply of for-sale homes in the U.S. to the lowest level ever since realtor.com began tracking the data in 2012.
Based on realtor.com’s analysis, January’s steep year-over-year decline amounted to a national loss of 164,000 listings that tightens the housing shortage plaguing the U.S.
And based on realtor.com’s data, a dearth of for-sale homes shows no signs of easing in the near future as the volume of newly listed properties also declined by 10.6% since last year.
“Homebuyers took advantage of low mortgage rates and stable listing prices to drive sales higher at the end of 2019, further depleting the already limited inventory of homes for sale,” says Danielle Hale, realtor.com’s chief economist. “With fewer homes coming up for sale, we’ve hit another new low of for sale-listings in January.”
Hales calls it a “challenging sign for the large numbers of millennial and Gen Z buyers coming into the housing market this homebuying season, as it implies the potential for rising prices and fast-selling homes – a competitive market.”
The supply shortage is found at every price tier throughout the U.S., but it’s especially pronounced at the entry-level. In January, properties priced under $200,000 declined by 19%, an acceleration compared to December’s decline of 18.1%.
The decline in inventory of mid-tier properties priced between $200,000 and $750,000 also accelerated, to a decline of 12% year-over-year, compared to December’s 10.2% decline. Even upper-tier properties priced at more than $750,000 declined by 5.9% year-over-year compared to December’s decline of 4.4%.
As inventory dropped, both listing prices and days-on-market reacted to the imbalance of supply and demand. The median U.S. listing price grew by 3.4% year-over-year, to $299,995 in January, while prices in 18 metros grew by more than 10%.
Of the 50 largest metros, 46 saw year-over-year gains in median listing prices, with Philadelphia as the nation’s standout with a 16.0% increase over last year. Additionally, with the lack of supply, homes are selling in an average of 86 days – two days more quickly than January of last year.
Florida housing markets’ year-to-year changes
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater: Active listings down 20.2%, with 4 fewer days on the market
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford: Active listings down 15.8%, with 6 fewer days on the market
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach: Active listings down 11.2% with 3 fewer days on the market
Jacksonville: Active listings down 10.5% with 5 fewer days on the market
© 2020 Florida Realtors®
