Shawn Senecal's Porchlight Perspectives | La Rosa Realty Central Florida | Realtor® Blog

🏡  Should You Wait for Mortgage Rates to Drop Before Buying? By:  Shawn Senecal, REALTOR® Porchlight Perspectives |  homesbyshawn.realtor If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for mortgage rates to drop, you’re not alone. Many buyers are hoping for a return to the ultra-low rates of 2020–2021—but here’s the truth: That market isn’t coming back. The Federal Reserve has made it clear: the fight against inflation isn’t over, and  rate cuts aren’t guaranteed anytime soon . Even with inflation softening, the Fed has signaled a “higher for longer” approach. As of now,  rates are hovering in the high 6% to low 7% range , and most forecasts suggest only modest improvement through the rest of 2025. So the question isn’t just  “Should I wait?” It’s really:  “What am I giving up by waiting?” ⏳ What Happens If You Wait? 1. You Might Face Higher Home Prices While rates have fluctuated,  home prices have not dropped significantly  in Central Flo...

🍂  Why the Fall Market Could Be a Smart Move for Buyers in 2025 By:  Shawn Senecal, REALTOR® Porchlight Perspectives |  homesbyshawn.realtor When most people think of the “busy” season for real estate, they picture spring and summer—and it’s true, those months see the highest number of transactions. But in Central Florida,  fall may be one of the most strategic times for buyers to make their move. If you’ve been holding off or watching from the sidelines, here’s why  this coming fall (Q4 of 2025)  could be the window of opportunity you’ve been waiting for. 🍁 1.  More Inventory, Less Competition By late summer, many of the more casual buyers have wrapped up their home search—especially those trying to move before the school year. That creates a unique moment when  inventory remains high , but competition begins to cool off. In May, ORRA reported the highest inventory levels since 2011. If that trend continues into fall, buyers will have  mor...

🏗️ 2025 New Construction Trends in Davenport, Florida: What Buyers Need to Know The new construction market in Davenport and greater Central Florida is evolving fast in 2025—and if you're thinking about buying a brand-new home, staying on top of these trends can give you a big advantage. From floor plans to smart tech, here’s what’s shaping the future of homebuilding in the Sunshine State. 1.  Flex Spaces Are Now Essentials Buyers aren’t just asking  if  there’s a home office—they’re asking  how many . Builders are responding by offering flexible bonus rooms, dual work-from-home stations, and layouts that can shift between a den, playroom, gym, or even a multigenerational suite. 🔑  Tip:  Ask about floor plan options that allow walls to be moved or rooms to be reimagined post-build. You may not need that second office now, but you might in a few years. 2.  Smart Homes as Standard Forget the optional upgrade—many builders in 2025 are now including smar...