Real Estate Blog

Author: Josh DeShong

  • Insurance Emerging as Home-Sale Dealbreaker Across the U.S.

    While homeownership has always come with its challenges, real estate agents are now facing even greater obstacles as skyrocketing homeowners insurance costs make closing deals more difficult.

    Nearly 47% of agents surveyed reported experiencing more problems with home insurance during transactions over the past year compared to the previous one, based on Redfin Corp.’s 2025 Industry Survey.

    Some Regions Have a Tougher Insurance Market

    California and Florida are really feeling the impact. In California, about half of the agents surveyed said they’ve had a lot more trouble with homeowners insurance, and another 25% said things have gotten a bit worse compared to last year. Down in Florida, where hurricanes are common, 41.5% of agents said that insurance issues have gotten a lot worse, and 31.4% said they’re seeing a bit more trouble than before.

    Insurers have suffered hundreds of billions of dollars in losses in California due to wildfires at the beginning of the year, while Florida has seen comparable claims from recent storm damage.

    To help homeowners affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, California enacted a one-year ban this year preventing insurers from canceling or refusing to renew policies, after many homeowners were dropped in the months prior to the disaster.

    Florida also experienced a wave of insurers leaving the state last year after a series of hurricanes and a recent study found that up to 20% of Florida homeowners may now be uninsured. The rising frequency and intensity of hurricanes has caused homeowners insurance premiums in Florida to soar to nearly five times the national average, mainly due to the increased risk of climate-related disasters, according to Devonta Davis of the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

    This problem isn’t just happening in Florida. Across the country, a survey by ValuePenguin, an insurance company owned by LendingTree, found that two-thirds of homeowners saw their insurance premiums go up in 2024. Even more concerning, 25% of homeowners said their insurance company dropped them, which is up from 19% last year.

    Other states are also raising red flags, with worries about rising insurance costs and nonrenewals growing in Maine, Colorado, and Arizona.

    Homeowners in Texas—especially around Dallas—are facing their own set of challenges. With all the hailstorms and tornadoes lately, insurance claims have shot up, which means many insurers are hiking up premiums or becoming much pickier about whom they’ll cover.

    Local real estate agents say more deals are falling through because buyers can’t find affordable coverage, and a few insurers have even pulled out of the Texas market. That’s left a lot of Dallas homeowners worried about rising costs and the possibility of losing their insurance, just like what’s happening in other high-risk states.

    A lot of homeowners are making some tough choices to get by: 34% say they’ve cut their home insurance coverage to save money, and 31% have even thought about dropping it altogether. On top of that, half of homeowners are now worried their homes might not be insurable in the future, and 75% think rates will keep going up in 2025.

    Industry Consolidation Means Disasters Have a Broader Insurance Impact

    Years of consolidation in the reinsurance sector—basically insurance for insurance companies—have left just a few providers covering the entire country. When these companies take big losses from catastrophic disasters, it affects how they price coverage across all their policies the following year.

    A 2024 working paper from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Wisconsin School of Business found that average premiums had already jumped about 33% from 2020 to 2023—or 13% after inflation—according to Medici’s earlier reporting.

    The pandemic has really turned the real estate market upside down, with 63% of lenders saying it’s gotten tougher to get home insurance. Buyers are now paying a lot more attention to climate risks, especially with all the extreme weather and flooding lately.

    Home prices have shot up too, with the median price jumping 35% from $327,100 in 2019 to $442,600 in 2022. Insurance companies have raised rates, stopped taking on new customers in risky areas, and even dropped some existing ones, making home insurance tougher to get and a lot more expensive. All of this has caused home prices to level off in 2024.

  • Instagram Followers in Real Estate: Build Trust and Close Deals Faster

    Social media platforms are an important thing that must be owned by professionals in various industries, including the real estate industry. One of the social media that is often used by real estate agents is Instagram which has the most users from various parts of the world, this is an opportunity for real estate agents to find potential buyers and connect directly with them.

    Potential buyers from Instagram sometimes look at the number of Instagram followers owned by real estate agents, if the number of followers of a real estate agent’s account is large, then usually potential buyers are interested and trust the real estate agent. However, be careful, there are many scams that take advantage of the number of followers on Instagram accounts.

    Let’s discuss why having a large following on Instagram is so important in the real estate market, and how you can use this platform to expand your reach and sell properties fast.

    1. Visual Appeal and Engagement

    Instagram is a great platform for showcasing properties because of its emphasis on photo and video content. High-quality photos and videos can attract potential buyers. You can gain more visitors and followers by producing engaging content like virtual tours, behind-the-scenes videos, and local highlights. This can help you sell your properties faster.

    2. Build Trust Through Authenticity

    You can build trust with your audience by regularly posting engaging, authentic, and relevant content. Along with available properties and tips on buying a home, consider sharing screenshots of customer feedback. Your credibility as a broker can be boosted when your audience is more likely to trust you and reach out once they’re ready to buy a home.

    3. Building Your Audience

    Instagram uses geotags and hashtags to promote organic growth. Tag your posts with relevant keywords to reach people searching for properties. Geotags can help you attract local buyers who interested in specific areas. Collaborate with local businesses and influencers to boost your visibility and promote your properties to potential buyers.

    4. Quick Property Sales

    Using Instagram can also help you sell your property faster. The more followers you accumulate, the more prospective buyers you’ll be getting in touch with. Talking with your audience in the comments, DMs, or through interactive features like polls and Q&As helps you connect with people and earn their trust. You can also keep things fresh by showing off new listings in your Instagram Stories or going live from the property itself—giving followers a real-time look and making them even more interested.

    5. Visibility

    Instagram doesn’t directly boost your website’s SEO. Being active there shows people you’re around and ready to help. If you put links to your website or property listings in your bio or posts, it’s easier for people to check out your site—which can actually help your rankings on Google or Bing. Plus, the more you show up on Instagram, the easier it is for potential buyers to get to know you and find you online.

    Start Growing Your Instagram Followers Now

    In the real estate world, it is very important to utilize social media such as Instagram. Creating engaging content can increase the number of followers on Instagram and also build trust. You can turn followers into potential buyers, which in the end will help sell properties faster. Use your Instagram account to grow your real estate business and connect with audiences from all over the world.

  • Ready to Own A Home? Find Owner Financing Homes for Sale Near You

    Ready to Own A Home? Find Owner Financing Homes for Sale Near You

    For those with limited credit, finding the right home can be very challenging. One straightforward way to own a home is through seller financing, where the homeowner offers a loan directly to the buyer, bypassing the traditional mortgage process. This approach simplifies the path to homeownership for those aspiring to have their own place without the hassle of credit checks or bank approval.

    What Is Owner Financing?

    Owner financing means the seller directly loans money to the buyer to purchase property, like land or a building, without involving a bank or traditional lender. Both the seller and buyer agree on their own terms, including the interest rate and payment schedule. This option is perfect for buyers with poor or no credit history and is especially appealing for those looking to buy acreage in Texas.

    Benefits of Owner Financing

    Owner financing has many benefits, including flexibility for purchasers who don’t need a credit check. It usually involves a smaller down payment than conventional financing and a quicker closing, thus speeding up the deal. Many choose owner financing because the contract can be tailored to fit the purchaser’s requirements. This approach simplifies the process of buying a home, ranch, or other types of property.

    Finding Owner Financing Homes for Sale Near You

    There are several ways to find homes for sale with owner financing near you. Here, we’ve outlined some of the simplest methods:

    Online Resources

    Sites like Zillow, Realtor, and other real estate platforms allow you to access owner financing homes near you online. Additionally, search engines like Google can be used to refine searches with terms such as ‘land no credit check‘ or ‘homes for sale with owner financing‘ to find relevant results.

    You may also discover houses for sale with owner financing by exploring forums and social media, where you can directly contact the owner.

    Local Listings and Real Estate Agents

    Finding owner-financed homes through local classifieds can be very beneficial. A local real estate agent might offer ‘in-house land financing’ options that are readily available. These professionals can help you understand market trends and negotiate favorable terms.

    Local classifieds usually include houses with owner financing, allowing you to discover options that suit your needs. Open houses provide an opportunity to view properties in person and discuss financing possibilities directly with the owners.

    The Process of Owner Financing

    Owner financing is a straightforward process that can be customized to meet the buyer’s needs. Here are the steps for buyers and sellers:

    Steps for Buyers

    1. Identify potential properties listed with owner financing options.
    2. Contact the seller to discuss the property, ensuring clarity on terms and conditions.
    3. Negotiate the financing terms, including down payment, interest rate, and monthly payments to suit your budget.
    4. Review the seller’s agreement carefully, possibly with legal assistance, to ensure all details are understood.
    5. Close the deal by signing the contract, gaining ownership of the property without a credit check.

    Steps for Sellers:

    1. Advertise the property as available for owner financing to attract buyers looking for no credit check options.
    2. Set terms that reflect the property’s value, including payment plans and interest rates.
    3. Screen potential buyers to ensure they have a genuine interest in ownership and can afford the terms.
    4. Draft a clear and comprehensive purchase agreement outlining all details to prevent future disputes.
    5. Close the transaction efficiently, helping buyers transition smoothly into their new ownership.

    For more details about how to buy land with bad credit or explore available properties, visit Santa Cruz Properties or reach out directly at (956) 383-0868.

    Pros and Cons of Owner Financing

    Owner financing has pros and cons for both buyers and sellers. While it offers flexibility, it also requires careful attention to the terms

    Owner FinancingBuyersSellers
    Pros– No credit check required — great for buyers with poor or no credit.– Reach more potential buyers.
    – Lower down payments than traditional mortgages.– Steady income from interest payments.
    – Flexible payment terms that suit their budget.– Faster property sales with flexible terms.
    – Faster closing process, quicker move-in.– Ability to negotiate favorable terms.
    – Easier to qualify than with a traditional loan.– Potential for higher return by holding the note.
    Cons– May face higher interest rates.– Risk of buyer default and possible foreclosure.
    – Fewer legal protections than traditional financing.– May need to manage the loan themselves.
    – Risk of losing the property and any payments made if they default.– Capital is tied up until the loan is paid in full.

    Owner financing makes it easier to own a home without traditional hurdles like credit checks and bank approvals. This allows you to achieve your dream of home ownership or invest in property.