I was exploring my blogs this morning, after an alert that I had an unusual amount of visits this week. Also hearing the media reporting a 24% climb in home values it caught my interest. I had to explore the factual stats. I get calls almost daily about how the trend in a neighborhood or our neighborhood in Del Webb Nocatee are evolving.  I can pretty much pinpoint who visits my Blogs and Thursday I had 78 Realtors alone view my data. I suppose something has captured our professional’s interest.  

PERHAPS ON A NATION-WIDE SURVEY 24% MAY BE THE MEDIAN HOME SALES PRICE.

Connecticut and New Jersey appear to be the ONLY two regions across the entire United States to support this Media Hype. The rest of the United States is indicating a more reasonable 11% increase. With Florida coming in at 10.8% increase for the past 4 weeks ending September 13. The Graph below is provided by the National Association of Realtors.

Now let us look at Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, Florida; I have drilled down looking at data to support these findings. We are only seeing an average 6% increase!

The data I provide is available to most all Realtors depending on what subscriptions they have or tools available to them. I worked Commercial for many years and still have many of my tools to resource! Not sure if it’s a good thing or a curse, but I am OCD about accuracy.  I find it Interesting how many agents pull my data and use it for their listing presentations, or buyers’ presentations and guides.

Here is a break down with an overall average in the 32081 Zip code

This data consist of Previously owned, All Sizes, All Bedrooms. “This does NOT include new construction!”

2018 Median price $380,000

2019 Median price $396,738   Up 4.4% from 2018

2020 Median Price $410,000   Up 3.3% from 2019

SO, LETS DRILL DOWN A LITTLE BIT

A 4 bedroom or more, 2501 sq ft heated or more, previously owned, single family

2018       Median price $403

2019      Median Price $390,000                   DOWN 3.3% from 2018

2020      Median Price $412,000                 UP 5.8% from 2019 

NORTH NOCATEE ALL PRICE RANGES

                2018      Median Price $389,000

                2019      Median Price $339,000

                2020      Median Price $406,500                 UP 19%

SOUTH NOCATEE ALL PRICE RANGES

                2018      Median Price $369,000

                2019       Median Price $396,500

                2020       Median Price $385,000                 Down 2.9%

I have been asked recently what the trends in values, specifically in Del Webb, Nocatee. What’s disheartening, is our home in this category 3 bedroom 3 bath more than 2500 Sq Ft PLUS, heated, single family at $475,000 or more in this live stream is down on average by $40,000 or more since JULY 2020! Please click on the link below to follow the trends in real time. You can come back to this chart as it changes up or down.

https://realmls.stats.showingtime.com/infoserv/s-v1/uVp2-pms

It has only been 60 days or less that I reviewed this data. You can come back and review it at any time, Previously Owned. I see some homes listed in this category, with better marketing programs and photos that would easily maintain their value of $570,000 or better. These numbers are collected by the North Florida Multiple Listing Service AND showingtime.com, and properties sold outside these realms may vary depending on location and/or view of each independent property.

Learn some of the key areas of design to highlight when marketing your home! May I also suggest viewing new models that builders offer in different communities to give you some ideas how you may want to prepare your home if you choose to sell. These trends will especially help home sellers with homes built in the 80’s and 90’s.

Open floor plans, smart homes, and outdoor areas are among the features in top demand for home shoppers this year. Home improvement website Fixr’s recent study, Single-Family Home Construction and Remodeling Trends 2020(link is external), highlights the renovation and construction choices of buyers and homeowners in 2020. The results reveal some key areas of interest in home design that real estate professionals may want to spotlight.

1. Open floor plan and two-story homes represent the most popular layouts.

While there has been a trend toward open floor plans for the past few years, 2020 is seeing an overwhelming consensus: 90% of experts selected an open floor plan as the most popular single-family layout. And it’s likely to remain so in the future.

As quarantine periods and social distancing guidelines force families to spend more time together at home, large common areas command a premium value. Family rooms, dens, and open kitchen areas are acquiring new importance.

Another large percentage—77%—are favoring two-story houses in 2020. Compare this to the 29% who preferred single-story homes, or the 2% who favor split-level residences.

2. Smart homes rank first among design choices.

A growing trend in home design is the smart home, in which AI-based automation systems are seamlessly incorporated into electric circuits, heating/cooling systems, and entrances. Buyers this year are likely to appreciate homes in which smart thermostats, security cameras, and smart outlets are already installed.

Since installation of many smart systems is relatively affordable, this represents an important opportunity for real estate professionals to make their listings trendy, modern, and full-featured.

3. Most homeowners make accessibility modifications to their home for future personal use.

Homeowners looking to age in place are exploring renovations that allow them to do so more easily. Homes with accessibility features likely will be more attractive to senior buyers as they look toward a future of independence, even as their physical abilities may decrease. This future need is a motivating factor behind such renovations (54%) than current personal use (11%) or current use for an aging relative (22%).

Buyers also are evaluating potential homes with accessibility modifications in mind. For instance, a front yard with space for a ramp will be more appealing than one with front steps leading directly to the street.

4. Energy efficient homes with tight building envelopes are among the top designs for green construction.

As Americans deal with furloughs, layoffs, and economic uncertainty, many are paying more attention to their energy bills. Energy efficient homes are suddenly much more attractive than conventional properties, and buyers who may not have ever considered green construction are making energy efficiency a priority.

Sixty-two percent of design experts say energy efficient homes are a top priority in 2020, according to Fixr’s study, far outweighing other options like cool roofs or solar panels.

Experts say a tight building envelope—more than exterior or interior insulation—is the most common way to prevent energy seepage. A tight building envelope minimizes air transfer and can be an important feature of an energy efficient and environmentally friendly home. A home with both effective insulation and a tight building envelope will provide the best value to a buyer who desires lower energy bills and minimal heating requirements.

Experts say a tight building envelope—more than exterior or interior insulation—is the most common way to prevent energy seepage. A tight building envelope minimizes air transfer and can be an important feature of an energy efficient and environmentally friendly home. A home with both effective insulation and a tight building envelope will provide the best value to a buyer who desires lower energy bills and minimal heating requirements.

5. Family space and outdoor kitchens are trending in 2020.

Outdoor playsets, firepits, and recreation-oriented yards are seeing an uptick in popularity, especially among married couples with kids. For real estate and staging pros, this means that a little attention to backyards, porches, and other outdoor living areas can ignite extra buyer interest.

This is a 2020 trend that has only been cemented by quarantine rules and social distancing regulations. As playgrounds, parks, and outdoor amusements became unavailable, families were forced to think in terms of what outdoor activities they could offer their children on their own property.

But outdoor living spaces aren’t limited to playgrounds, decks, and patios. Fixr’s research shows that outdoor kitchens were nearly twice as popular as a traditional patio. The outdoor kitchen is another trend that has been steadily increasing over the past few years, and it will be interesting to see how it continues to evolve in 2020 and 2021. New recommendations for socially distant entertaining, which may be better suited for meals and meetings with friends outside, may increase the number of homeowners wanting both outdoor kitchens and seating spaces.

6. Contemporary and modern will be the most common styles used in modular construction.

Modular and prefab construction continues to be widely used, and Millennials are most likely to build modular homes. As part of the Fixr survey, consumers were asked which style of prefab building would be most popular in 2020. A large majority (62%) indicated that a contemporary, modern style would be most commonly selected by home buyers. The runner-up choice was ranch-style—but it was only selected by 22% of respondents.

This year has been in many ways an uncharted year, full of unexpected surprises. But even as priorities have changed, many home buying and renovation trends have remained consistent. Keeping track of these trends can help us stay relevant as we navigate the real estate industry in a socially distant world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Yuka Kato is an industry analyst at fixr.com, a leading home improvement website dedicated to providing the most accurate cost guides and advice. She writes about interesting trends and insights in the construction and remodeling industry.

Remotely staging properties is a growing trend in the pandemic. This service may stick around even after the health crisis is over, considering the success some staging experts are having. My listings get advice and suggestions for staging their home for a higher net at closing. My listings receive Aerial and photography that excels in marketing techniques to capitalize on the highest and quickest sale possible. This is why I was put in the RE/MAX “HALL of FAME” List with the Best! Dan Swing CALL .. 904-671-9225 and Central and Central West Coast of Florida 863-412-6382!

This is an example of a video staging consultation with sellers in April, and then the home went under contract in just 12 hours. The homeowner emailed pictures of the home to staging company, they met over a FaceTime video call for two hours to stage the 3,000-square-foot property, inside and out.

In the family room, the staging discussion on the fireplace in the back corner. The staging provider had the sellers move the sofa and pare down the furniture and accessories, which drew eyes to the fireplace first.

It was also urged that the sellers remove distracting decorative items and accessories, limiting kitchen countertops to only three items.

On curb appeal, it was recommended they showcase the front porch, such as with the addition of rocking chairs, hanging baskets of flowers, a fresh coat of paint on the front door, and a new doormat. “Today’s buyers are very discerning due to HGTV and Pinterest,” said one staging company. “Getting compelling and beautiful listing photos is always critical, but even more so in our current reality.”

I have a contact that may arrange a plan for my buyers by offering remote staging consultations even after the pandemic. “I have been pleasantly surprised at how effective they are,”

How much do you want to truly sell your home for? Do you want to sell it quickly? Are you willing to invest a few $$ to maximize your return? $$$$$

Sometimes a little paint, different lighting, a few items of decor will more than pay for the time and effort put into preparing the sale of your property. I’ve been selling homes for over 20 years, and did not get into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame without helping my sellers, buyers and associate Realtors.

Credits, National Association of Realtors 8/2020