Is it the right time for first-time homebuyers to buy a house?

Ingrid Dodd Realtor Recently Sold

Is this the right time for first-time homebuyers to jump in or should they stand on the shore? The real estate market has been a wild ride in the last few years. There are areas in Florida where home prices shot up over 60% between 2020 and 2022. And for anyone who bought a home […]

Homestead Exemption in Florida

Homestead Exemption in Florida

Applying for Homestead Exemption in Florida Florida homeowners have the fortunate property tax saving advantage of Homestead Exemption. This exemption can lower the home’s estimated value for tax purposes up to $50,000. If you live in your property, the first $25,000 of the $50,000 exemption applies to all property taxes. The second $25,000 applies to […]

2023 Market Trends for Real Estate

2023 market trends in real estate

Here is the lowdown on the 2023 market trends for real estate in Central Florida as we move into 2023. There are some things to look out for (like rising insurance premiums in Florida) but also some positive trends that could make it easier to buy a home this year. Market Slowdown After real estate […]

What’s up with Florida’s Homeowner’s Insurance?

Florida homeowner's insurance - House damaged in Hurricane Irma

Have you noticed a change in your Florida homeowner’s insurance? In the last few years, 400,000 Floridians have been dropped or not renewed by their homeowner insurance company (I’m one of them). Recently 14 insurance carriers left the state refusing to do business here anymore, and five closed down altogether. In 2019 the average homeowner’s premium […]

Interest Rates, Housing Prices, and Should You Buy?

Should you buy a house? Interest rates, real estate, and the economy in general are taking a wild ride this summer. In an attempt to curb a 9%+ inflation rate, the Fed started raising interest rates in March and in mid-June hiked the benchmark rate three-quarters of a point. A few days ago on July […]

Rent versus Buy

Should you rent or should you buy? That’s an interesting question in this market. Rents are going sky-high but so are home prices. Couple that with inflation, and housing just seems to become unaffordable along with all the other necessities of life. Here are some good questions to ask yourself when considering whether to buy […]

What is the future of real estate in Central Florida?

I get asked the same sort of real estate question pretty often: “What do you think will happen with real estate?” “Are we in a real estate bubble?” “Will it get easier to buy a house in the future?” “Will prices come down?” There are big things are driving the market: Mortgage rates are up and […]