Property Value Archives | Real Estate & Investment Perspective by Karen Lee Bertiger

2026/01/042026/01/04

Closing Out 2025

As of November 2025 there are approximately 37% more sellers than buyers in the market. This is the largest market gap since 2013 and the gap is expected to grow in 2026. Most buyers can’t afford properties that are on the market. HOWEVER, this current market is a huge BUYER’S MARKET! There are more options in available properties, plus you’ll have leverage (which means you can make lots of lowball offers on the best possible property for your situation for the best possible price!)

If you’re not ready and able to buy, don’t worry too much. Shore up your finances and save for a down payment. It’s the best time to be a renter in 10 years. WHY? Because during 2024 600k+ new units came on the market. In 2025 another 500k+ units came on the market. Even more are coming on the market in 2026. Rent prices are falling and you can even get some concessions, such as 2-3 months of free rent in areas with lots of units available.

There were 200k new households formed in Florida from 2019-2023…which drove prices up.

Sellers need to be prepared for a longer timeline in selling because buyers don’t need to make a decision immediately.

2025/11/212025/11/21

Developers Are Opting for “Detached Condos” Rather Than Platted Subdivisions

It could be a fatal mistake to invest in a property that appears to be a free standing house, but is actually a detached condominium! ALWAYS check the legal description if you are actually looking for a single family detached home; if it’s actually a detached condominium you’ll see “unit” or “condo” in the legal description.

Many MLSs, title companies and yes, even lenders misclassify this kind of ownership, thereby creating appraisal, mortgage and title problems. Realtors/MLSs add to the misclassification by quoting “lot size” — there is no individual condominium lot size — the lot size is for the entire development! Detached condo owners typically own the “surface” of the land under the structures, the structures, 200 ft. above the land, the systems, tree roots and anything that supports the home. The HOA owns everything else.

Detached condominiums are widely found in Texas, California, Florida and many other states.

2025/11/112025/11/11

House Flippers Operating on Smaller Margins

Which means that YOU, Mr. & Mrs. Buyer, may not be aware that a home offered for sale may be “a flip.”

You’ll definitely need to have a potential home purchase inspected, even if it’s a new build!!! In flipped properties the flipper may have taken shortcuts & thereby covered up potentially expensive defects. Even flippers are required to disclose known defects when selling properties. Many people just don’t want to remodel a property themselves. You could make yourself some sweat equity though if you are willing to do it right. That means finding a property that needs some work but you could purchase it for less than replacement value. Then take it down to the studs, and do it right. It will pay off when you resell.

2025/08/312025/08/31

If the FED Cuts Rates in September Will Mortgage Rates Decline?

Actually, the FED doesn’t control mortgage rates, they follow the 10 yr. US Treasury rate. It’s even a possibility that mortgage rates could rise if inflation stays above the FED’s desired rate and/or the job market/unemployment rises to recessionary levels.

One circumstantial indicator of a recession is a sharp decline in residential construction employment. Keep your eye on this one. Right now, new home builders are flush with inventory, offering better interest rates, etc. They are competing with the resale market, so if you are trying to sell your home right now, you may not be in a position to compete with them. The new home builders don’t want to keep large inventories of homes on their books.

2024/10/142024/10/14

NEW Law in Florida Requires Flooding Disclosure

As of October 1, 2024, sellers in Florida are required to disclose previous flooding on a property they sell. This includes any insurance, flood insurance, or FEMA claim. After what we’ve just been through with back to back hurricanes Helene and Milton, this is vitally important if you need to sell your property, even as is. Disclose.