Citizens, the "state's insurer of last resort" proposes a rate decrease, the first in a decade. Citizens recommends an average 2.6% rate decrease for non-commercial property insurance lines, saving some customers hundreds of dollars (subject to state regulator's approval). South Florida's southernmost counties (Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Monroe, Broward) will pay about $400 less when their policies renew in June 2026. These areas are historically the storm-battered areas in Florida. "The bad old days of Florida's insurance crisis are well in the rear-view mirror," say leaders of the industry.
However, not all Citizens policyholders will get a break...rates for customers in Manatee and several other counties will rise slightly. The 14% previously expected increase for 2026 will be approximately 7 percent for those counties. This comes as many private insurers are dropping their rates, too.
Personally, I use and recommend State Farm Insurance and have been very satisfied, but they are selective. Single family homes must have been built in 2009 or later. For condominiums, the year built is not an issue, but the condo must be for primary use and may not be on the water.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, William Raveis Real Estate, Siesta Key and Sarasota, FL 941-914-4914
"The Best Move of Your Life."
Here's what Chief Economist Elliot Eisenberg, PH.D, says about Florida's real estate market:
Buyers have leverage especially in the townhome/condo market as prices fall and inventories rise.
Home prices are declining across much of the state per Freddie Mac. About 1/2 of the US metros with the largest housing price declines are in Florida.
Despite softer housing prices, Florida's economy remains strong, and population and job growth continue.
Florida home sales are likely to improve if mortgage rates fall below 6%.
Sellers should price strategically and rely on local market data, not past trends.
For the full report, please click the link below, Third Quarter Market Statistics
Thank you for reading my blog, and please let me know if I can answer any real estate questions or assist you with home buying and selling in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Florida.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, William Raveis Real Estate, 6021 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242 and 1516 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 941-914-4914
Third Quarter Market Statistics
Siesta Key Beach real estate - gulf-side villa just a few steps from the beautiful white sand, 2/2, renovated, Siesta weekly rental, generating $30-$50K annual income. $699.9K. Will go live in MLS the end of next week.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, 941-914-4914, William Raveis Real Estate, 6021 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242
As a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), I'm an experienced real estate contact for international buyers. Florida is a top location for global transactions, which are complicated. As a seasoned Realtor, my clients say that I eliminate confusion in home buying, and they trust my advice and recommendations. Foreign buyers want and need accurate, timely data for decision-making.
MLS in Foreign Countries: India is the 4th largest group of foreign buyers in the US, and Latin America also has a large buyers' investment group. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is working with UCO to implement their own Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system in India. France and Abu Dhabi and other countries will follow.
Tariffs: In August the trade deficit fell 24% and imports are down 5%. Economists believe that there will probably be a negative impact on the US dollar, which is the reserve currency in the world. When tariffs were introduced by the current US administration, it has affected some countries' US reserve currency.
Currency Exchange in Real Estate Transactions. I recommend foreign buyers get a quote from a bank and also an international payment provider to avoid unnecessary fees. MoneyCorp did $101 billion last year. Recommend foreign buyers open an account and once they are here, they can use this account for expenses.
Swiss Franks may be a safe haven for foreign currency until buyers are ready to purchase; at that point, the money is converted and sent to another country for a transaction. MoneyCorp does this. Buyers do not need a US bank account set up an account and their money can be held in Swiss Franks for years. The beauty is that MoneyCorp is not a bank, they are an international money provider. They just exchange the money, getting it from Point A to Point B, and transfer it quickly to the US for real estate closings.
Americans are buying abroad...top destinations are Dominican Republic and Granada because of the economy, cost of living, and medical care. I have contacts in different countries and will be happy to connect you anywhere across the globe if you are interested in buying or selling a home.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, CIPS, SRES, William Raveis Real Estate, 6021 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, Florida, 941-914-4914
LindaHRealtor.com
LindaHRealtor.com/testimonials
This blog is about how real estate transactions were affected by the 2025 government shutdown.
DELAYS! DELAYS! AND MORE DELAYS! WHAT A MESS!
- Buyers' FHA, FDA, and VA loan approval were seriously delayed.
- Flood insurance - conventional loans backed by Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac require FEMA insurance.
- IRS - verification transcripts needed by mortgage lenders, not to mention people waiting for checks from IRS.
Buyers who did not get paid could not buy a home.
Update on today's insurance situation from Pedro Delgadillo, William Raveis Insurance: FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)—have resumed normal operations. NFIP is fully operational again for new policies, renewals, and policy changes. Evidence of insurance required for closings can now be issued without shutdown delays. FEMA communications and support are restored, reducing bottlenecks for transactions; flood insurance processing times should return to standard timelines.
Everyone always asks, "So how's the real estate market?" See links below for the Sarasota and Siesta Key Market Reports for October 2025.
Looking to sell or buy a home? I can help! Call Linda Holley, Realtor GRI, SRES, CIPS, 941-914-4914
6021 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242
Quick Links for Market Reports:
Sarasota Market Report
Siesta Key Market Report
Sarasota's downtown Veterans Day parade and ceremony honors local veterans on Tuesday, Nov 11, beginning at 10 a.m., Main Street and Orange Avenue. Come enjoy the festivities.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital, 1700 South Tamiami Trail, has earned a 77% patient experience rating, higher than the national average at 66%. They have also won a Surgical Care Excellence Award and Specialty Clinical Quality Award as one of the top 100 hospitals for cardiac and pulmonary care---and among the 50 best for cardiac surgery. SMH is also recognized by HeathGrades as one of the top 250 hospitals in the US.
These are only two reasons I love living in Sarasota. If I can help you in your transition to Florida, please call or email me. See my customer testimonials at the link below.
Have a great day and thanks for reading my blog!
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, 941-914-4914 LindaHRealtor@Gmail.com
Sarasota Realtor
My Testimonials
To see my customer testimonials, click HERE
Using these questions (and correct answers) will help you select the best real estate agent.
Q: Do I need an appraisal and home inspection?
A: Yes. It helps during negotiations and can assist in a smoother transaction all the way to the closing table.
Q: There's talk about a special assessment in my community. Do I have to disclose?
A. If there is something approved by the Board and it is in the meeting minutes, yes.
Q: What type of market are we in?
A: It's a Buyer's Market in Central Florida.
Q: How will you market my property?
A: Company website, social media, print (brochures, Just Listed post cards, email blasts to Board of Realtors, realtor tours.
Q: Let's try listing the home higher than the comps so we can negotiate?
A: Do you want to sell your home or just list it? Don't price yourself out of the market because you'll get fewer showings if the home is overpriced. Homes that are priced correctly from the beginning sell faster.
Q: Will you hold open houses?
A. I will but understand that statistically, homes are sold only 11% of the time through open houses. They just help agents to meet new buyers, not necessarily for your home!
Q: My condo community allows weekly rentals. How do we find investors?
A: Your home does not qualify for conventional financing so you need a cash buyer or one willing to pay a higher interest rate from a lender offering a "portfolio loan."
Q: Will you be present for showings?
A: Yes only if you want me to be. Sometimes this isn't a good idea because if a Buyers Agent sees that it is a "Listing Agent Must Accompany" showing, they may not show your home. They don't want to be locked into a specific showing time if they are running behind schedule. I will offer to be there if the Buyers agent and you think it will be helpful.
Q: Do I need a 4-point inspection?
A: Yes, your buyer will need a clear 4-point report for insurance. It covers the air conditioning system, plumbing, electrical, and roof.
Q: Am I required to complete a Seller's Disclosure?
A: No but it's a good idea to be transparent about anything you know about the property unless you want to risk being sued by the buyer who discovers problems after they took possession.
Q: When's the last time you went out of your way to help a buyer or seller?
A: (Hopefully you will hear an interesting story...if not, go to the next agent.)
Q: What is CIPS, SRES, and GRI?
A: These are professional designations: Certified International Property Specialist, Senior Real Estate Specialist, and Graduate of the Real Estate Institute.
Q: What is the highest designation of the 3 above designations?
A: GRI because there are several different classes, and agents are tested along the way.
Q: Why do I have to pay a buyer's brokerage?
A: You don't have to but if you don't you may get fewer showings.
Q: I must sell this home in 60 days. What do you recommend?
A: Price it below the comparative sales.
Q: Do I need a pool inspection?
A: Yes.
Q: What are the benefits of an As-Is Contract?
A: Sellers are not required to use a licensed contractors for repairs; buyers can walk away during the inspection period for any or no reason.
Q: What is a buyers brokerage agreement?
A: This is an agreement between a buyer and a brokerage about the amount of compensation the buyer's agent is to receive at closing. In the event the seller offers less compensation than specified in the agreement, the buyer is responsible for the difference.
This information may be helpful when consumers are shopping around for an agent to help sell or buy a home.
Call Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, William Raveis Real Estate, Sarasota and Siesta Key, 941-914-4914
How you title your home and other assets is very important AND you MUST follow through after the legal work is done; if not, it's of little use to go through the estate planning cost. If this isn't done by the book, there may be problems if there is a divorce, death of a spouse, remarrying, adopting a child, or getting an inheritance. If a person gets married when they already own a home, they often forget that the home is in the name of one spouse, not both.
Survivor trustees and survivor beneficiaries are important to understand. Maybe it's time to look over your documents to be sure your assets are titled correctly. If you're married, perhaps you want your assets titled in both names. If you become divorced be sure to change how the assets are titled and perhaps beneficiaries on your 401k and life insurance policies. Living trust? Check that all of your assets are titled accordingly. Go to the bank and change the name of your account to the name of the trust.*
In real estate, file documents with Sarasota County.
Adding a child to your bank account could present a problem because you could lose your assets if that child is sued. Best way is to add that child as a beneficiary on your bank account. Or you could add me...that would be great! (LOL)
* Sarasota Herald Tribune May 24, 2025, Real Estate Matters, Ilyce Glink and Samuel Tamkin
Contact Linda Holley, Realtor, William Raveis Real Estate, Sarasota Realtor, 941-914-4914, for your real estate needs in Florida.
1. A Realtor's number one duty is honesty. Some agents will list your home higher than the comparable sales just to get the listing-- knowing that they will come back for price reductions. That hurts you as a Seller because your home will be on the market longer than necessary. Homes that are correctly priced sell and Realtors don't set the price--the market does.
2. Do your homework! It's been my experience that the higher the commission a Seller will pay gives them top-of-the-line marketing, both digital and print.
3. Shop around for your Realtor. I've seen top producers and neighborhood experts that are too busy to give their customers the best service.
4. We like making good impressions on potential customers, but do respect the Realtor who says, "I don't know but I'll find out," when asked a question outside their field of expertise. This is standard business practice.
5. New agents are hardworking and go the extra mile because "Necessity is the mother of invention." If a new agent is with an established brokerage with a great training program, they are backed by hundreds of years of real estate expertise. It's OK to ask how long they have been in the business. If they are honest, they'll say something like, "Just a few months but I have a great broker behind me and I have the time to make you my number one priority." New agents will preview properties before taking you out, they would never stop to get gas with you in the car, and they usually have toys in the trunks of the car for kids.
6. Many seasoned Sellers agents in this business--the been-there-done-that Moms and Pops--will try to control the inspection/repair process but for the Buyer--that's like getting a rat to guard the cheese. Of course, the agent who tries to control the inspection process is looking out for their Seller. Who has the most at stake here? Of course, it's the Buyer! Some try to work directly with the home inspectors, and balk when asked for receipts from licensed plumbers and contractors for work to be done as agreed by the Buyers Request for Repairs. Some even make it difficult for Buyers Agents to come back to the property for re-inspections. A Realtor who bullies fellow Realtors subjects himself or herself to an ethics violation before their local Board of Realtors.
So be cognizant that the agent who will correctly price your home and stays on top of deadlines, documentation, and is the source of local resources without trying to have all of the answers is working in your best interest.
Please don't hesitate to contact me at 941-914-4914 if I can help you with your real estate questions or needs for Sarasota real estate.
Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, William Raveis Real Estate, Sarasota and Siesta Key, Florida
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