Ray and I are embarking on a new adventure: downsizing—or “rightsizing,” depending on the day and how optimistic we’re feeling. After years in our beloved home on five acres, we decided it was time. And you know what that means…STUFF. Mountains of it.
Do we really need to hang on to every kindergarten drawing from our now-grown kids? Or the mysterious potholder with a tiny handprint on it (we’re still not sure which child’s hand it was) that’s been buried in the back of a drawer since the Reagan administration? What about my track ribbons from nearly 50 years ago? Or—brace yourselves—cancelled checks. Remember those? Truly relics of the last century.
Ray and I keep asking, “Do you think the kids will want this?” It’s a good thing we didn’t make that question into a drinking game—we’d have been under the table weeks ago. Thankfully, technology saves us: we snap a photo, text it to the kids, and almost always get the same reply: “Nope.”
Somewhere between the bubble wrap and the donation pile, we’ve been finding humor in the chaos. After all, we do this for a living—helping people disrupt their lives by moving. Now it’s our turn. My current obsession? Finding the perfect box for every odd-shaped item. (I believe we are training for the Moving Olympics?)
We’re not going far, this area is home, and we’ll continue working from our Coldwell Banker office on Venice Island. We are still here helping others navigate their own moving adventures.
STATS AND DATA for August
(This is my Mom, around 1985- I learned my love of real estate from her)
This month I wanted to take a look at just sold numbers for pool homes. I wanted us to find out if prices dropped or held steady over the last six months. The criteria is very basic, SOLD single family homes with pools in specific zip codes and not new construction. I pulled data in monthly chunks of time, last 30days, last 2-3 months, last 4-5 months and 5-6 months.
Zip code 34293 Venice including Wellen Park:
Sold in the last 30 days: units 31 Price $590,000. Days on market(DOM) 45
Sold in the last 2-3 months : units 42 price $541,000 DOM 59
Sold in the last 4-5 months : units 49 price $550,000 DOM 96
Sold in the last 5-6 months : units 44 price $537,000 DOM 76
click here to see terrific pool home in Gran Paradiso in Wellen Park
Zip code 33981 Port Charlotte around South Gulf Cove and Harbor West:
Sold in the last 30 days: units 19 Price $600,000. Days on market(DOM) 102
Sold in the last 2-3 months : units 13 price $540,000 DOM 57
Sold in the last 4-5 months : units 16 price $582,000 DOM 67
Sold in the last 5-6 months : units 22 price $575,000 DOM 64
click here to see this beautiful water access home in Harbor West
Zip code 34219 Parrish:
Sold in the last 30 days: units 14 Price $545,000. Days on market(DOM) 88
Sold in the last 2-3 months : units 22 price $605,000 DOM 64
Sold in the last 4-5 months : units 11 price $650,000 DOM 57
Sold in the last 5-6 months : units 25 price $635,000 DOM 58
click here to see this pool home in Parrish
The market is still moving, but each zip code is showing its own personality.
34293 (Venice area): Buyers are stepping up a little faster here. In the past 30 days, 31 homes sold at an average of $590,000, with days on market down to about a month and a half. That’s a bit stronger than earlier this summer when prices were more in the mid-$530s to $550s and homes took longer to move.
33981 (South Gulf Cove & surrounding): This area has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Recent sales averaged $600,000, which is higher than earlier months, but sellers waited an average of 102 days to close. A few months back, homes were selling faster (in about 2 months) but at slightly lower prices. Translation: buyers here are being selective, but well-priced homes can still attract quicker offers.
34219 (Parrish area): Things have cooled a bit. Homes that closed in the last month averaged $545,000—down from the $605,000–$650,000 range we saw earlier this summer. Days on market have also stretched to almost 3 months. Buyers are clearly negotiating more, and sellers are adjusting expectations to match.
Overall takeaway: Prices are holding fairly strong across the board, with each area showing different rhythms between price and days on market. Venice (34293) looks steady, Port Charlotte (33981) shows higher prices but longer waits, and Parrish (34219) is leveling off after a strong summer run.
Mortgage interest rates are still in the mid-6% for conventional financing. Remember, IF interest rates come down to a super low rate you can always refinance. And don't forget what happened when interest rates came down, buyer competition increased and home prices went up. If you are in the market to buy a home, now is a good time with inventory up and interest rates holding steady.
Here are a couple of articles you might find interesting:
Hurricane season : forecast has been eased
Tips to avoid real estate scams
Check out a couple of our listings:
Fabulous 4 bedroom home in Parrish:
55+ community in growing North Port
Fantastic pool home in the heart of Venice:
Hope your September is "fall"ing into place!
here is this months giggle....
When you hear someone talking real estate. I hope you will share our name and number. You know we will take good care of your people.
Warmest Regards,
Mary & Ray