Flowers are blooming, patio lights are twinkling and while Hallmark has its Christmas season movies, the Weather Channel has its own headliner, Hurricane Season. If you’re lucky enough to call the Gulf or Atlantic Coast home, it’s time to dust off that storm plan. And if you’re new to Paradise? Welcome! Now, let’s get you prepped. Around here, we live by the saying: Hope for the best, plan for the worst. After over a dozen years along the Gulf, Ray and I have learned a few things we thought we’d pass along. Consider it just neighbor-to-neighbor advice because most of us don’t have whole house generators so having a few ideas of what to do can be helpful.
First, let’s talk about food. In the summer, Ray and I don’t keep a packed refrigerator or freezer because if the power goes out (and it might), all your food turns into a nasty and expensive science experiment. A “Hurricane Party” (yes that is a real thing) might mean Pop-Tarts and chips in the moment, but you also need real food for a couple weeks. The longest we were without power was 12 days during Ian, so think of non-perishable proteins like canned tuna, beans, nuts, and jerky (have you tried Detweiler's jerky-yum!) And yes, coffee. We’ve got a camping coffee pot so we can make coffee on the grill. Goodness knows, we want to make sure we have our caffeine to run on and not just adrenaline. We joke that after we lose power in a hurricane that we are camping and our house is our tent. Also, you can cook the meat you have in the freezer and then refreeze it and then you have ready to go meat for meals to put in a cooler along with all the ice you have made. Speaking of which, make ice and have a good sized cooler.
Water? You don’t need pallets of plastic bottles! Fill all your Tervis/Yeti/Stanley cups that have lids, pitchers, and keep on hand a few empty juice jugs and fill those. They say a gallon of water per person per day. So, for 5 days a couple needs how many gallons of drinking water? ( don't worry this is the only math question. You can keep reading) And for washing fill your bathtub and even your washing machine, that water works great for washing up.
Cleaning your house before the storm hits. Because if you don't have water or power it might be a few days before you can really clean your counters, sinks and toilets.
And if you’re like me and love those battery-operated candles, (I have them all around our home) when the lights go out, they’re cozy and already in place. But, you should also have flashlights and stock up on batteries.
A few other Hurricane Hacks we have learned from others and experience:
● Turn the A/C way down when you are hunkering down during the storm. When the power goes out you will be glad you did.
● Make sure your cars’ gas tanks are full and have a reasonable amount of fuel for your portable generator and grill.
● If you have e-bikes, electric cars and such—make sure they are away from
possible salt water
● If you have a generator, and you didn’t get it serviced after its last use-get it
serviced!!
● If you have a pool, keep some extra chlorine on hand (your pool service might not make it out right away).
● And yes, bring in those potted plants and patio décor—“clear the deck,” as Ray says. What looks cute in calm weather becomes airborne in high winds.
One more tip: Share a local news station with your out-of-town loved ones. If they only watch the Weather Channel, they’re going to be a lot more panicked than we are. And finally, if you do evacuate, expect slow-moving interstates and full hotels—grace and patience go a long way.
So here’s to being prepared, staying calm, and helping each other through whatever Mother Nature sends our way. Because whether it’s sunshine or a storm, we’re all in it together.
Here are links to Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte County with their tips:
Sarasota County
Charlotte County
Manatee County
Now for the Stats and Data
I spend a lot of time studying both our local market and national housing trends—crunching numbers, tracking shifts, and looking for patterns. Here’s what’s standing out right now: Nationally, we’re seeing the highest number of homes on the market since 2019. In short—inventory is up.
But let’s not forget: 2019 wasn’t a stalled market. Homes still sold. Buyers still bought. It just took a little longer. Sound familiar?
If you’re a buyer, this is your moment. Sellers want you walking through their front doors. They’re ready for offers. They’re motivated. And that puts you in a position of strength.
Worried about interest rates? Don't be. Rates rise and fall—that’s part of the cycle. You can always refinance later. What you can’t do is rewind the clock once competition heats back up. And eventually when the interest rates adjust, competition will heat up. Suddenly, the buyer-friendly market you’re seeing today could flip—fast—into a seller’s market.
So, if you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it. The inventory is here. The sellers are listening. And the advantage? Right now, it's yours.
Let's look at some local numbers:
I pulled the basics, the 3 bedroom, 2 bath, garage home with a pool with 1500- to 3000 square feet. The data will show how many are on the market currently in each county, how many are pending, how many sold in the last 30 days and how many sold a year ago. This will also show the median sold price the last 30 days and one year ago.
Manatee County:
Active on the market right now: 716 Pending: 185
Sold in the last 30 days: 150 for a median price of $680,000
One year ago:163 sold for a median price of $699,000
Sarasota County:
Active on the market right now: 813 Pending: 258
Sold in the last 30 days: 175 for a median price of $627,000
One year ago:162 sold for a median price of $720,000
Charlotte County:
Active on the market right now: 1044 Pending: 189
Sold in the last 30 days: 137 for a median price of $495,000
One year ago:140 sold for a median price of $522,000
The numbers reflect the inventory of homes is up. The data also shows about the same number of homes sold in the last month as a year ago. So, it is not a stagnant market as news reports would like you to believe. So, Sellers believe your house will sell and Buyers go look at houses!
Inventory of homes hits 1 million
Home Sales Edged lower a smidgen
Up 325% -WOW-- millionaire's in Miami
I knew my faucets would back into style --eventually
Here is todays giggle!!
Happy June to all of you! Ray and I hope you have a summer filled with fun times and laughter! And keep in mind Ray and I are here to work for you or anyone you send our way!
