Happy Holidays from the Ocean to River Properties Team!
We want to wish you a wonderful holiday season and catch you up on a few updates. Many of you may not know, but in December 2023 I merged our CENTURY 21 Ocean (C21 Ocean) brokerage with one of the largest C21's in the US, C21 Results out of Atlanta, GA. I interviewed many different Broker/Owner's and found a phenomenal fit with Terry Swanson, the owner of C21 Results. Terry is a very down-to-earth, charismatic, fun-loving, talented businessman who has assembled an incredible 'back office' team that truly has the agent & his employee's best interests at heart. I have watched him through the years quickly adapt to industry changes to provide the latest tools and resources to make both the agent's and consumer's experience the best possible.
Over the past 5 years, I strategically moved in the direction of running a high-performing, smaller team. This along with the merger has allowed me to focus more on customer service, marketing, & sales. I still work long hours, but 2024 has been one of my favorite years in business to enjoy my work and customer relationships! Our amazing team currently consists of 2 staff members, 2 agents, & myself plus various staff members at C21 Results who assist with marketing, document management, technology, etc. To clarify, our team is the Ocean to River Properties Team (powered by C21 Ocean) and I am still the Broker for C21 Ocean for the State of Florida. Our Team along with C21 Ocean/Results has agents and affiliated relationships with other agents too, so if you're planning to relocate outside of our County, please let us know if you'd like us to connect you with a great agent elsewhere.
Numbers 6:24-26: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace”
- Barbara
Cocoa Beach Cookie Crawl
The Cocoa Beach Cookie Crawl was a huge success! On November 27, participants began their cookie adventure at Juice N Java, picking up cookies at local participating businesses while strolling through downtown Cocoa Beach. The evening wrapped up with the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Coconuts on the Beach. Surfing Santa and Mrs. Claus were a big hit, offering free selfies along the way. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us and stopped by our office, making this event unforgettable, and we hope your Thanksgiving was filled with joy, family, and plenty of cookies!
My Safe Florida Condo Program Launched
The My Safe Florida Condo initiative aims to protect condominium properties from hurricanes while potentially reducing wind insurance premiums. Modeled after the successful My Safe Florida Home program, this pilot initiative offers free inspections and grant funding for wind mitigation improvements to eligible condominium associations. The program prioritizes reinforcing hurricane-resistant features, including opening protection, roof-to-wall connections, roof-deck strength, and secondary water resistance. To qualify, associations must be within 15 miles of the coast, with grants offering a maximum of $175,000, matched at a ratio of $1 from the association for every $2 from the program.
Backed by $30 million in state funding, the initiative was one of Florida Realtors®’ top 2024 legislative priorities. Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis emphasized the program's importance in enhancing the safety of Floridians, noting that lessons from this pilot could shape future expansion. The Florida Department of Financial Services will manage the program, focusing on fiscal accountability, contract management, and strategic leadership to ensure its effectiveness in mitigating hurricane risks.
Home Sales and Price Forecasts
The housing market in 2025 is projected to experience a modest uptick in activity, with a slight increase in the number of homes sold compared to previous years. Alongside this growth in sales volume, home prices are expected to rise by approximately 2.5%. This steady price appreciation reflects a combination of factors, including sustained demand, limited inventory in key markets, and a stabilizing economic environment. While the increase is more measured than in recent boom years, it indicates continued confidence in the real estate market and presents opportunities for both buyers and sellers to engage in a healthy, balanced market.