Emails, Texts, Calls, Complaints, & Profound Thoughts From The Readers

First things First

Is it just me or have we become a nation of old fogies? “Grilling steaks.” “Making salmon.” “Watching Stranger Things.” Everyone over the age of 30, I asked the customary, “What are you doing for New Years?”, was staying in this year. My son at 27 years of age and his friends were remaining put. I got a half a dozen, “Happy 2026” texts between 7-9pm. Even my west coast friends sent “Happy New Years” out before midnight. Clint Eastwood once ran for Mayor of Carmel California giving rise that he would be entering the world of politics to become President. Not so. He simply wanted to change the Ice Cream Law, which prohibited the takeout of ice cream cones from ice cream shops in Carmel. Not the most important cause in the world as ice cream melts. But if soupy ice cream makes Clint’s day, who can blame him? If I ever go into politics, it will be to do something about New Years. In 1989 the Governor of Illinois, Big Jim Thomson, a White Sox fan, turned back the clocks because the legislation for coming up with the money to save the White Sox from moving to Florida needed more time. I’d love it if the clocks at 10pm fast forwarded to midnight. They could then just freeze the time for two hours. We could all celebrate in real time and send each other ‘fireworks in background’ iPhone texts at 10pm instead of the next day. Anyhow, Happy 2026 to all of you if only a few days late… and on to today’s JJ.

As always, real questions but the names have been changed to protect our loyal curious minded inquirers.

Can you make reservations for 6:30pm for four? – Al Czervik

Jeff: I’m cooking for three and do not have enough food to invite you over.

I’d like to book a tennis court for two for tomorrow at 10am. – Lacey Underall

Jeff: You can come over to swim, but I do not have a tennis court.

Tee time at 7:30 for a fivesome. Loomis group. – Lou

Jeff: A fivesome will slow up the course, you know.

Subpoena from Morgan and Morgan delivered to my front door – Elihu Smails

Jeff: Maybe the fifth one this year so far for my front door!

Here is what is going on…. Google a subdivision or building and add the city and homes for sale or real estate after. ECHO has 17,000 of these mapped out, which we have done over the past 17 years. We usually pop up in a top ten non sponsored position (although we also do sponsored ads). It means we get lots of homeowners thinking we are part of a club or the HOA itself. It’s why I get served a number of times a year for people thinking we are the HOA. However, if you are selling, it also means we have the Buyers and we always make certain those Buyers are aware of the homes we represent.

How will the new Florida condo laws affect the market? – B. Pickering

Jeff: Look at the prices of Condos/Townhomes in November here. Up 21% in Palm Beach County year to year. The chaos is ending and calm has set in. As I said last week, the worst is over for the condo market. HB913 adds more transparency and helps condominium owner associations with financial options and real-world flexibility. What I am saying is running contrary to what the Wall Street Journal ran on Saturday but the trend in sales and Pending’s YOY is undeniable. Even in Dade, condo sales were off 4% YOY but pending’s up 17%. I was interviewed by CBS 12 on this subject on Friday. You can watch it here.

Is it too late to put my home on the market once the renter leaves at the end of season? – Maggie O’Hooligan

Jeff: It’s not the most ideal time because you lose key market time of seasonality. The heart of season isn’t long. The seasonal renters are out of here in 12 weeks. Read the seasonality link I provided. What I try to get clients to do if they can’t put the home on the market, is to give an incentive to the renter. Give them a month off on the rent if they let us show it and it goes under contract and successfully closes after the renter leaves. That way you turn the renter into an asset cooperating with showings and get the valuable time back.

Is living near the hospital important? – Dr. Beeper

Jeff: It is essential for many and helps for resale. The reason why is that South Florida has an older population. As people age, being close to hospitals they trust the most is important for weekly/monthly visits and in times of emergency. Hospital billboards on I95 are hard to miss. Local hospitals have put millions of dollars into upgrades in equipment, facilities, and recruiting top talent over the past decade. A new hospital popping up by Alton in Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter Medical coming to Avenir will help resale values of homes. Getting to the emergency room for many is critically important in making a decision. Many country clubs have their own paramedics on site, which is a major selling point.

How much does road noise affect resale? – Tyrus Webb

Jeff: What? Seriously, it’s a major deciding factor. I had a Buyer rule out an entire upscale community this week because it was too close to the Turnpike. Some communities put in water features to drown out the sound. Individual homeowners can put in fountains, have speakers with background music during showings, and install impact glass. But living by the road or by a train will cost you showings and ultimately price and time. Buyers should visit homes at rush hour to see how the noise is. Also pay attention to which way the wind blows as it will carry noise.

How is the market? – Daniel Noonan

Jeff: Very strong entering season. Because of increased inventory over the past 3.5 years, lower mortgage rates, values that have decreased not keeping up with real inflation – watch for the market to be strong for first quarter. Read last weeks Crystal Ball for a full analysis.

Is $4500 with a sale contingency on a home not yet put on the market for an offer on a home offered for $515,000 too risky? – Carl Spackler

Jeff: Uh, Ya! First, it’s barely worth responding to. Taking a flyer in July when the market is slow is one thing. We are now at the start of season, so tying up a home unless there is some oddball explanation is lunacy. I would never consider a contingency of sale without it being on the market and almost never unless it was under contract. Even then, you must ask to see that contract. Does the house contingent have any contingencies left such as mortgage or inspection? And is that home contingent on anything like the sale of another home? The dominos can be deep. As far as the $4,500 deposit is concerned, it’s not good. There is no leverage and it’s easy for the buyer to walk away from leaving you with an empty home, moving expenses that far exceed $4,500 and lots of carrying and lost opportunity cost for time missed.