Downing-Frye Realty, Inc.

You may already know my preference for the As-Is Sales Contract. In fact, if you are using FR/BAR or NABOR for the very first time and want to make the contract as simple as possible for yourself and your customer, choose the As-Is version. Despite my preference, the reality is that a majority of our closings use the standard sales contracts published by NABOR and FR/BAR. Practice Tip: NABOR should be reserved for Collier County properties, while FR/BAR is widely accepted everywhere else in Florida. I say this, not because you can’t use both contracts in any county, but because you may get significant pushback from other real estate agents, attorneys, and customers when working with a contract that they aren’t accustomed to. Read more here.

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The high cost of waiting Over the last 5 years, Case-Shiller's national home price index has risen by 53%, representing a compounded annual growth rate of nearly 9%. In fact, over the last 83 years (way back to 1942!), the index has only gone backwards six times. That's a 93% hit rate for appreciation, with home price growth averaging 5.4% annually.

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Florida Homestead Exemptions Ideally, every person would like to have both the Florida Homestead exemption AND be considered a Florida resident for tax purposes. But until that is possible, I would highly recommend that every homeowner at least consider applying for the exemption. The benefits include: 1. Up to $50,000 exemption in the assessed value of your home for tax purposes; 2. Creditor protection. This protection includes prohibiting creditors from forcing the sale of the home to satisfy a debt. Learn more about the six months and a day rule as well as why millage rates matter.

On February 24, we launched a new and exciting program. This is a perfect program for your clients if they qualify and to use to help sell your listings as well. - Get up to $17,500 for help with down payment. - Acceptable loans are Conventional, VA, FHA, and USDA. - There is an income cap – so have your clients contact me to see if they qualify. - Need to be first time home buyers – (hasn't owned a primary residence in the last 3 years). - Min contribution from the client is $1000 and that can be a gift. If your buyer is an educator, healthcare professional, policeman, or fire fighters, or in those industries. They can get up to $20,000. Non-first-time home buyers up to $15,000. Income cap is higher than other programs. Please keep in mind there are only a certain number of these we will be able to do so first come first serve. Once the money runs out for this program it is gone for the year. Income is derived from everyone in the home not just the person on the loan. Please reach out if you think you have a buyer interested in this. We will be reaching out to any of the clients we currently have that can qualify for these programs. Let's get some people off the fence and into some houses! Fidelity Direct Mortgage Promotes Homeownership – It's Powerful!

Congratulations to our Jauary 2025 Top Producers! ??

Congratulations to our 2024 DF Award Winners! ??

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Condominiums | Special Guest Michael York I am continually amazed at how little I know about particular topics. Case in point - our special guest Michael York. Michael has spent the last three (3) years working to understand condominiums. Known within the condominium industry as an expert, Michael has consulted for property managers, Boards, and homeowners on complying with the new condominium laws.