College Park Living - March 2021

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Your College Park Market Update Good News for Sellers this Spring

by Brian Spain

T Brian Spain Broker

DIRECT:(407) 494-1444 OFFICE:(321) 303-2850 Brian@LRFlorida.com

Lakeside Realty 1809 Edgewater Drive Orlando, FL 32804

he housing market of 2020 was many things, but it was never static. There were initial expectations that sale prices would continue rising while interest rates remained low, then the pandemic threw a wrench into the rosy forecasts of so many professionals. This wrench made the year a messy and uncertain one, but it wasn’t all bad news, especially in the housing market.

At first blush, the economic turbulence of the pandemic looked to be a real threat to the real estate market. The odds were not in our favor. The real estate industry, a business that normally operates on face-to-face interactions and in-person home tours, was forced to fundamentally change – and fast. And yet, the housing market did not collapse. There were ups and downs (and a whole lot of uncertainty) in April and May, but by the end of the summer the market, overall, was prospering with high prices and fast sales. So why did it work out that way, and how can these revelations equip homeowners as we head into 2021’s Spring market? Let’s get into it:

THE COLLEGE PARK MARKET REMAINS STRONG While the initial rebound has leveled off, prices still remain high, especially here in College Park. The median sales price for a single family home in College Park in January 2021 was $445,000 – a 29.7 percent increase over the median sale price in January 2020 of $343,000. Keep in mind that we are comparing today’s numbers to a period prior to the stay-athome orders, making it all the more remarkable. In addition to high prices, sellers who properly prepare, price, and market their home are enjoying very fast sales. Realtor.com shows the national average “Days on Market” for 2020 had sellers waiting 65 days (which is faster than usual), and here in College Park we closed out 2020 with an average Days on Market of 45 days

and a median Days on Market of just 19 days. It’s important to note that these numbers represent our local averages. Not all sellers will get offers at the top of the market or sell quickly, and some sellers will beat these averages handsomely. A seller’s success in today’s market directly corresponds to how well their home is prepared in advance of listing, whether or not it is strategically priced, and how well – and how comprehensively – it is showcased and marketed. THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN A SALE We saw greater integration of technology to make contact-free real estate transactions practical and accessible for buyers and sellers. The MVP of that technology was 3D Virtual Tours. According to a Google survey, 67% of participants said they wanted to see a virtual tour when looking at a listing. Professional photography and videography also proved important during the pandemic. Pre-pandemic, according to the National Association of Realtors, homes with 20 or more photos sold over 50% faster than homes with one photo; now, with constraints on in-person tours, homes without dazzling online presentations languish far longer than those that are properly showcased. In 2020, it became critical that a home’s online presentation virtually transported the buyer into the home. Today, in addition to mastering visual technology, agents who are selling homes quickly and

at the highest market prices have mastered virtual transactions and have comprehensive safety plans to make it possible to bring buyers into a home. These adaptations aren’t going anywhere, and will continue to benefit sellers long after the pandemic wanes. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SPRING 2021? As we approach the busy Spring market, it’s not going to be about “besting” last year. March 2020 and the months that followed saw temporary market lows for obvious reasons. Rather, this Spring market is going to be about how efficiently the market will meet the increased demand. Sellers who hit the market early in the season – and work with the right agent – should expect a fast sale at a great price. The biggest question we’re getting from sellers is about whether or not they’ll find a replacement home in time, and what they would do if put in that position. Our team, like other top teams, have strategies and plans in place for this very concern, so our best advice is to not let this be a roadblock. Instead, discuss this concern with your agent, and let it guide your planning. If you are considering a move and want a professional analysis of your home’s value (or would like to learn more about the strategies our team uses to successfully sell homes – and find replacement homes – in today’s market), give us a call at 407-494-1444. We have learned a lot from 2020 and are more equipped than ever to generate the best offers for your home. n

MARCH 2021 – INSIDE:

PLAN AHEAD FOR TEEN DRIVERS Your Money Page 2

TIME TO REFINANCE? Ask the Expert Page 4

SPRUCE IT UP In The Home Page 6

THE TRAIL AND BEYOND Travel Page 9

CROSSWORD, SCRABBLE & SUDOKU Page 11

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THE SHIFT TO EXPERIENCED AGENTS 2020 was the year that many sellers admitted they couldn’t risk their home’s value with a hobbyagent, or a buddy who happens to have a license. Homes listed for-sale-by-owner or by an inexperienced agent experienced

longer sales cycles and substantially lower prices than professionally sold homes, because they were far less visible to buyers who were making decisions almost entirely online. It’s the agents who quickly adopted new tech and procedures who created competition among buyers, hastening the pace of transactions. Many less experienced agents left the market, as sellers became much more discerning of their representation (concerned specifically with who could help them navigate all the limitations and uncertainty). With the right adaptations and the strong agents driving the bus, market activity soon resurged.


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