MARCH 2025 Seaside Living GROUP
NEWS INSIDE:
TIS THE SEASON?
Why Spring is considered home buying season
GULF COAST SPRING FISHING
Get ready for one of the most active times of year, in fishing terms
SPRING CLEANING
Tips to prepare for the Spring real estate season
A SLOW START DOESNT MEAN A SLOW FINISH
Despite a slow start for home sales in 2025, some economists and real estate professionals see promise for the busy spring homebuying season The National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales Index fell 4.6% in January to hit an all-time low. Home affordability issues persist as homeownership costs continue to outpace income levels and mortgage rates remain elevated However, that could change during the spring, which is typically one of the best times to sell a home, according to Realtor.com.
“I see the spring market as an opportunity to start new momentum due to the number of buyers waiting out the markets,” said Phil Crescenzo Jr , Nation One Mortgage Corporation southeast division vice president.
Key Takeaways
Recent housing data has pointed to a slow start to 2025, but recent improvements in interest rates have some economists cautiously optimistic about the key spring sales season. Mortgage rates have fallen seven weeks in a row, encouraging more potential homebuyers to shop around Rising inventory levels could help build momentum in the housing market during what is typically the busiest season for home sales.
POST-WINTER REAL ESTATE: WHY SPRING IS HOME BUYING SEASON
Historically, spring and summer have been the busiest times in the real estate market But the traditional seasonality of homebuying and selling was upended by the pandemic: Home sales slowed significantly amid stay-at-home orders, then dramatically spiked, and the market remained volatile for quite some time.
The good news is, things have since returned to something closer to normal. One positive sign: After years of a distinct lack of available homes for sale, which kept homebuyers at a disadvantage, Realtor.com is forecasting an 11.7 percent increase in existing housing inventory for 2025. This increase would bring more balance to the supply-and-demand metric and also more leverage for buyers.
In other words, seasonality may once again become the most important factor in determining the best time of year to buy a house. Here’s what to know about buying in high season versus buying in a more traditionally slow period.
Late spring and early summer are typically considered peak homebuying season.
However, the increased competition among buyers can lead to higher prices.
Buyers hoping to score a deal may want to wait until fall or winter, when competition and prices typically ease
What’s your Florida Lifestyle?
Thinking of buying or selling your home this upcoming season? Let our team at the Seaside Living Group help guide you through the homebuying process with our expert skill and care
Celebrated on March 17th, the anniversary of St Patrick’s passing in the fifth century
St Patrick was actually born in Roman Britain, and not Ireland, in the late 4th century.
His real name was Maewyn Succat, but later changed to Patricus after becoming a priest
The banishing of snakes is a symbol of St Patricks Day
LOCAL EVENTS VENICE AREA REAL
HOT SPOTS
PARADISO, VENICE
The Gran Paradiso neighborhood is a Tuscaninspired, access controlled community. At over 1,000 acres, you are surrounded by nature’s grandeur with lakes and nature preserve ’ s providing the backdrop to you ’ re awaiting elegant and easy lifestyle
Venice Farmer’s Market near Venice City Hall - 8am - 1pm
MARCH 16 Sarasota Jazz Festival - Sarasota Municipal Auditorium MAR 17-22
Music on Main - Lakewood Ranch. 6pm-9pm APR 4 My Hometown Fest 12pm-5pm Food, beer, music from around the country 5851 Benderson Cir, Sarasota MAR 29 Fresh Harvest Farmers Market9am-1pm - Downtown Wellen Park
SPRINGTIME FISHING ON THE GULF COAST
The end of the winter months on the Gulf Coast is great for a variety of species Springtime in Florida means Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish Don’t let some of the world’s best time for sportfishing slip by!
TARPON
The Silver Kings, aka Tarpon, begin their run back north from April thru July With peak time being May and June
Boca Grande Pass is considered the world’s largest gathering of Tarpon. With massive schools seen during “Hill Tides”, which triggers crab hatchings, and feeding mania
Feeding most often occurs at dawn and dusk. With the best bites typically being on strong falling tides, coming on the two or three days of either side of a new or full moon Live crab, and threadfin herring seems to trigger the most action
REDFISH
Redfish begin to show themselves more actively as the March sun begins to bring warmer waters, and returning baitfish to the areas
Juvenile Reds are most common in Spring (under 30 inches) near inshore waters. Grassy flats, oyster beds and muddy bottoms, with nearby flowing water.
Fish the last hour of incoming tides, especially near new or full moons Using live baits like shrimp, pinfish or whitebait brings success. Artificial lures, spoons and soft plastics also work.
SNOOK
While Snook bite year round, they really love warm waters Peak Snook season takes place May thru September They begin turn on when early season hotspells. March sees Snook becoming active hunting, aggressive feeders once again.
Searching for these spooky fish, for best results, seek canal mouths, mangrove shorelines, deep bend rivers, troughs inside mangroves, deep cuts on the backside of islands. Beaches, like Anclote Key, Honeymoon Island, and Fort Desoto are famous for holding large Sideliners Light tackle and live bait, such as pilchards, will garner the best results
MARCH 2025 Seaside Living GROUP
TIPS TO PREPARE FOR THE SPRING REAL ESTATE SEASON
etting up to speed on the homes that are currently available for sale and those you know will act your leads and send them something personal in order to open up a line of contact Doing usiness prospects once spring fever hits.
2. Spring clean your client list
Not every client you have is going to be a winner Don't be afraid to move on from the ones who are taking up too much of your time and prohibiting you from gaining better prospects.
3. Host a homebuyer seminar
Pick a weeknight or weekend where you might have some spare time and host a spring real estate homebuyer education seminar. Advertise your event and create a list of topics to cover (such as credit scoring dos and don'ts, what to expect during the loan process and loan programs) Find useful information you can share at your seminar at WelcomeHomeResource com Not only will this event increase your credibility, it will also grow your leads database and improve your chances of getting more business
As you know, in the spring real estate market, great homes go FAST Connect your buyers with lenders for pre-approval, help them get their documents ready and make sure their checkbook is handy for that earnest money before looking at houses This will help lock things up as quickly as possible for when they find "the one " and are ready to make an offer