Recent studies found that real estate agent commission rates fell after industry practice changes took effect, but they have largely recovered
Key points
Analysis of more than 224,000 transactions found that 5 months after rule-change deadline, both buyer & seller agent commissions are about the same as they were a year ago
A separate report looked only at buy-side commissions and found small declines overall, but more variance at different price points
Listing agent commissions averaged 2 73% mid-January, up slightly from 2.72% last January. But improved from 2.69% postsettlement low in November. Buyer agent commissions at an avg of 2.56% in January, up from 2.5% post NAR-settlement.
MORTGAGE RATES AND MARKET CONDITIONS
FED PAUSES INTEREST RATE CUTS
Fed policymakers left the Central Banks key interest rate unchanged in the latest FOMC decision meeting. The decision to leave the Fed Funds rate at a range between 4.25% - 4.5% was widely expected, and will have little immediate impact on mortgage rates for homebuyers
Jerome Powell stated that economic indicators signal “ we don’t need to hurry to adjust our policy stance.”
Mortgage rates, which touched a two-year low of 6 08% in September, have since trended upward, topping 7% in early January In his comments, Powell acknowledged that higher rates are likely to “hold back housing activities to some extent” if they persist
TAX SEASON IS UPON US
Identifying and claiming tax deductions will reduce taxable income
Maximizing contributions to retirement accounts can increase tax benefits
Some tax deductions you may qualify as a homeowner include mortgage interest, points, and property taxes
Tax season is rapidly falling on us. Groundhogs will be seeing their shadows, and the longing of Spring bringing back lively market activity has everyone at the ready
Residential Clean Energy Credit offers 30% of the costs of new, qualified clean energy tech installed on your home from 2022-2032
LOCAL EVENTS VENICE MAIN ST. FARMERS MARKET
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Happens every Saturday morning, from 8am-1pm. Come walk the market and find fresh seafood, produce, bread and many other delicious local favorites. Bring your family or bring your pet to soak up some sun, and start your weekend
JOIN IN WITH COMMUNITY EVENTS!
Venice Farmer’s Market near Venice City Hall - 8am - 1pm SATURDAYS
Welcome back Atlanta Braves party West Villages Parkway 10am - 2pm FEB 15
Florida State Fair - held at the Fairgrounds 301 N Tampa FEB 6-17
24th Annual Venice Art Classic. 10am-5pm, Downtown Venice MAR 1-2
Venice’s Mardi Gras event - Fat Tuesday, stroll through downtown 4pm-7pm MAR 4
MARKET UPDATE
SARASOTA, CHARLOTTE, & MANATEE COUNTIES - JANUARY 2025
-23.8% MONTH OVER MONTH
1,262 SOLD HOMES +27.3% YOY AVG DAYS ON MRKT $440K MEDIAN SALE 80.3 AVG DAYS ON MARKET SIGNAL BUYERS MRKT
*Data source: RocketHomes
FEATURED HOME LISTINGS
SHOPPING FOR A NEW HOME? join in with local events!
WHITE CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE PT. 1
This copycat Cheesecake Factory - White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake is better than the original! This step by step cheesecake recipe is super easy to follow, giving you a fail-proof slice of your favorite treat, made fresh right at home for a fraction of the cost Perfect for holidays and special occasions, or just because
INGREDIENTS
Crust
26 - 30 Oreos - Finely Crushed (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup salted butter melted
1.
2.
Preheat oven to oven 325 F
Combine crushed Oreos and melted butter in a bowl and mix until evenly moistened. Press crumbs into tall 9x3 inch springform pa, & form crust to bottom/sides. Bake crust 8-10 minutes (26-30 Oreos, 1/4 cup salted butter)
3.
1/4 cup salted butter melted
1/2 cup cream or half and half
32 oz cream cheese softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large eggs room temp
Topping
2 oz white chocolate - grated/shaved on top
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling Raspberry Swirl
12 oz fresh or frozen raspberries
1/3 cup water
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
3 teaspoons cornstarch
5
Combine raspberries, water, sugar, & cornstarch in med saucepan over med heat Cook/stir until thickened and boiling-about 5 min, Strain thru wire mesh strainer (12oz raspberries, 1/3 cup water, 3 teaspoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Melt white chocolate chips and cream/half-n-half in microwave in 20 second bursts, stir between each burst until melted and smooth
4 Beat cream cheese with electric mixer until smooth Add sugar, sour cream, and flour - mix well
WHITE CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE PT. 2
6 Add eggs, beating on low speed just until combined. (4 lg eggs)
7. Mix in melted white chocolate and vanilla extract just until combined (2 teaspoons vanilla extract)
8. Pour half of the cheesecake filling into the crust. Dollop half of the raspberry sauce (about 3 tablespoons) over the batter and swirl with a skewer or knife.
9 Add remaining batter and then dollop the remaining sauce, swirl
10 Bake 60 to 70 minutes with a pan of water on the rack below the cheesecake until set Turn off oven and crack the oven door open Let the cheesecake cool for 1 hour in the oven before removing Let cool another half hour at room temperature Transfer to the fridge and chill for 34 hours until completely set
11. Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the reach stiff peaks. Sprinkle the cheesecake with the white chocolate shavings, then pipe the whipped cream in decorative swirls around the edges to finish. (1 1/4 cups heavy cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 oz white chocolate)
FEBRUARY 2025 Seaside Living GROUP
WELLEN PARK’S NEIGHBORHOOD, EVERLY, OPENS UP AMENITIES
Residents of Everly, Wellen Park’s first custom home neighborhood, are enjoying a lifestyle with luxury waterfront amenities Complete with stunning sunsets over the 50-acre lake The amenity campus opened mid-Fall The campus, along the neighborhood’s meandering signature lakes, offers pickleball courts, and a putting green to practice your golf skills Tropical landscaping, an inviting soundtrack of water from the pool and adjacent lake, and private poolside cabanas channel a vibrant vacation-vibe
There s a social hall and separate state-of-the-art fitness studio featuring modern farmhouse architecture with a coastal countenance Inside spaces include a kitchen and reception area in the social hall Everly’s zero entry swimming pool has dedicated lap lanes and is fringed by fountains and spillways
Homes in Everly are priced in the high $600,000s to $1 8 million All built by John Cannon Homes, Lee Wetherington Homes, Neal Signature Homes, and Homes by WestBay
