How We Can Work with Clients During this Challenging Time!

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  It is hard to say what our future will look like in real estate or for that matter anything in our world, post this pandemic. While there is a lot of “bad” to focus on, I am really trying to focus on any positives that may come out of this time.   I am certain for many of us, the time at home with our children, has provided us with opportunities that we most definitely did not prioritize in the past. Realtors are constantly “on” – responding to clients, conducting searches, showing property, coordinating towards closings, educating ourselves, sharing information with our clients and prospects and so on.    So, to “have” to slow down has been actually wonderful.

I am spending time doing things with my son that I just hadn’t found the time – we played checkers, twister and even taught him how to cook (even though it is most definitely not my forte).

As for business – when I slow my mind down and really pay attention to the calls we are receiving – I realize that our clients, friends, prospects DO rely on us for real estate guidance.   I think this has always been there, but I just didn’t slow down to realize it.

Today a prospect called and asked us to list one of his homes for rent.  He had been listed as for sale by owner and hadn’t received calls – the truth is for this one, I analyzed how he was marketing the home and his price point and gave him guidance rather than taking the listing.  Why? Because his margins are very tight and I felt that I could help him without his having to pay an agent for this rental – so he reduced to the number I suggested based upon comps and I had him reorder his photos, remove some photos, alter his write up and voila – the phone started ringing. 

We are here to help – give guidance, be supportive, educate and be a resource for all.  As a thank you for helping him with his rental listing…. And unbeknownst to me…he has another property that he wants us to put up for sale.

For my fellow Realtors, be a trusted resource, offer guidance, continue your education so you can continue to be an expert.  Now is the time when you can create some blogs, record videos, etc. and work to share your knowledge.

By: Amy Snook

January 2020 Market Report

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      As I write this market report, I realize there are two very important aspects of how we are all evaluating the real estate market today.  Certainly the numbers from the most recent market report of January 2020 tell a story but also the recent stock market tumble in light of the corona virus concerns is top of everyone’s minds.

      Let’s start by talking about January results because they are important to decisions we all will be making today to sell or buy in Florida.  First – January was a great month in Florida Real Estate – especially in Palm Beach County. When comparing to January 2019, January 2020 showed an increase in the number of sales, both average and median prices and total dollar volume.  However, new listings were down from January last year as well as December 2019 – for a myriad of reasons.  What does this mean to our Palm Beach County market? – Well, we now have less inventory and as a result for the market from $300,000 to $599,999 – we have a balanced market – so, therefore, buyer’s make realistic offers and seller’s realize that there is no longer an advantage in a balanced market so before you choose not to respond to an offer – maybe consider a counter!  With inventory trending down this balanced market condition may change – stay tuned. The higher end market, however, is a different story – over $600,000 and upwards of the $1,000,000 mark it is still a buyer’s market – a great amount of homes are sitting – over $1 million shows 19 months of inventory  – reminder that 6-9 months is considered a balanced market. If you are holding out for a cash buyer, we would suggest reconsidering – cash sales as a percent of all sales is around 37% – but with the interest rates so low, the cost of borrowing money is even more desirable. What do we recommend? That we as agents, dig deep into the pre-approvals – talk to the lenders who pre-approved the buyer – have they run credit, have they reviewed tax returns or w2s? IN other words how far into the process did they go and do they have any concerns?    Homes are being sold – the process, as always, needs to be properly managed and homes need to be properly marketed!

 As for our recent turn in the financial markets – and how this will impact real estate in Florida – Personally, I believe homes will continue to move in Florida – we may simply have to adjust how we show and how we all work together to get homes sold.  There is even more value in videos and remote showings – photography is critical.   Also – how we interact at face to face showings – for now we simply don’t shake hands – we just need to be smart about how we do business – in any field right now.

Come out in support of The Annual Delray Beach Home Tour!

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Join us as we support the important work of The Achievement Center for Children and Families. Click Here for more Information about The Achievement Center for Children and Families.

Now in its 19th year, the Delray Beach Home Tour draws hundreds of guests from all over South Florida and beyond for an exclusive tour through some of Delray Beach’s most distinctive residences. Guests enjoy a leisurely day of exploring unique residences, a catered luncheon and trolley service between homes. With over 600 attendees, 100 volunteers, and dozens of community supporters, this well-orchestrated signature event raises much-needed funds for the Achievement Centers for Children & Families. This year’s Home Tour will be in the Lake Ida Neighborhood of Delray Beach and features a wide variety of architectural styles and design elements that provide home decorating enthusiasts an inside look into the world of distinctive Delray living.

Delray Chamber chair Bill Branning passes gavel to new chair Noreen Payne!

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“The annual tradition of passing the gavel from the outgoing chamber chair to the incoming chair took place during the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce’s membership luncheon and installation of officers event.”

 

Delray Beach Update- January

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Click Play and Watch our Delray Beach – January Monthly Update video!

Noreen on Delray Morning Live!

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Noreen Payne was the first guest of 2020 on the weekly Delray Morning Live show! Click play to hear Noreen talk about the new diverse and dynamic board members this year on the Delray Beach Chamber. She is Chairman of the Board and shares exactly why she decided to become involved in the Chamber and hints at some exciting new things to come!

Delray Beach Events for January 2019!

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January brings so many not-to-miss events to downtown Delray Beach! Here are some of our picks:

First Night in Downtown Delray Beach (Dec 31 into Jan 1)

Kick off January in Delray Beach with The Annual First Night event. It’s open to everyone, and taking place primarily at Old School Square.

This festive event centers around (and even in!) Delray’s Famous 100 Foot Holiday Tree. It will feature games, food trucks, music, shows, crafts for the kids – plus the fun attractions of both the merry go round and the ice skating rink. So much fun for the whole family!

We’ll bid farewell to 2018 and welcome 2019 at the close of the evening with fireworks atop the parking garage located in the heart of downtown.

 

Continuing throughout the month are several newsworthy shows and concerts at Old School Square and The Arts Garage. A few that we plan to attend include:

First Friday Bites and Art Walk (Jan 4th)

This happening starts with a stop at The Arts Warehouse, where there will be food trucks and plenty of art to enjoy throughout the warehouse, Artist’s Alley & Pineapple Grove.

 

The Capitol Steps at Old School Square (Jan 5th)

A Washington-based troupe of Congressional staffers-turned songwriters presents this hilarious night of music and political satire.

 

The Spring Arts Open House at The Arts Garage (Jan 12)

Be sure to check out this one out! It’s an opportunity to learn about all the Arts Garage workshops, shows/concerts and events planned for the year.

 

Towards the end of January, we are looking forward to:

The 6th Annual Delray Beach Fashion Week (Jan 23 – Jan 27)

Featuring local fashion designers and retailers – and showcasing private shopping events, trunk shows, and several runway fashion shows along Atlantic Ave & Old School Square – it’s a must in Delray!

 

There is always so much to do in Delray Beach, our Village by the Sea! These are just a few of the many events to enjoy during the month of January. For additional information or to find other events be sure to visit The Delray Beach Community Calendar online OR stop into The Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce for more details on these and several other happenings.

 
 

Delray Reads Brings in “Marley and Me” Author to Village Academy

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Last week, Noreen visited Village Academy in Delray, to participate in Delray Reads Day. She was joined by John Grogan, author of Marley & Me, who was the keynote speaker, Janet Meeks, and Rich Pollack.  What a great team!

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This year’s Delray Reads Day book is Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein.

We are so proud of all of Noreen’s volunteerism. It looks to us like the best reward was the big group hug she was at the center of at the end of the program!