I wanted to take a moment to share a personal and professional update with those who have been such an important part of my real estate journey.
The past year has brought quite a bit of growth and change. Last year, I reached an important professional milestone by earning my Florida Broker’s License. This year, I took another significant step and made the decision to move from a very local brokerage to eXp Realty, a national and global real estate company.
For me, this change wasn’t about changing the way I work with my clients. It was about expanding what I can offer you.
I still live and work right here in Melbourne and serve Brevard County with the same personal, local approach. I have a strong team of professionals I work with locally, a broader network throughout Florida, and now connections with real estate professionals across the country and internationally.
For my sellers, this provides greater opportunities for exposure and connections well beyond our immediate market. For my buyers, it gives me an expanded network and additional resources whether they are buying here in Brevard County, elsewhere in Florida, or relocating to another state.
This summer also brought an unexpected personal challenge. At the beginning of July, I took a fall and broke my elbow. Recovery has certainly required some patience and determination, but it has also reminded me just how much the way we conduct real estate has evolved.
With today’s technology—digital contracts, virtual meetings, online marketing, electronic signatures, and the many new technology skills and tools I’ve incorporated into my business—I have been able to continue helping my clients buy and sell homes throughout my recovery. Real estate didn’t stop, and neither did my commitment to my clients.
In many ways, this past year has reinforced something I strongly believe: continuing to learn, adapt, and grow is one of the best things I can do for the people who trust me with their real estate needs.
And although my resources and reach have grown, what hasn’t changed is the personal service, education, market knowledge, and thoughtful guidance I bring to every client relationship.
A Quick Look at Our Brevard County Market
I also wanted to share the chart below because it puts our local market into perspective. Home prices in Brevard County have generally leveled off, but they have not experienced the dramatic decline that some headlines might suggest. We are seeing normal month-to-month fluctuations as the market continues to adjust.
It is also important to remember that real estate is typically a longer-term investment, and building meaningful equity takes time. The extraordinary increase in home values we experienced during 2021 and 2022 was driven by a unique combination of circumstances and was not a normal rate of appreciation. Today’s more moderate market is a reminder that we shouldn’t necessarily expect that kind of rapid increase year after year.
Another important part of today’s market is the amount of new construction available throughout Brevard County. Even resale homes that are only a few years old may be competing with brand-new homes right down the street, where builders are often offering attractive financing, closing-cost assistance, upgrades, or other incentives. That doesn’t mean resale homes can’t compete—in fact, many offer advantages that new construction may not—but condition, presentation, pricing, and marketing strategy have become increasingly important. Understanding that competition from the beginning can help position a resale home to stand out and achieve the best possible result.
For homeowners, the bigger picture still matters. Even with the recent leveling of prices, the chart shows just how much Brevard County home values have changed over the past several years. Real estate has always been about more than what happens in a single year—it’s about building value and equity over time.
Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling, wondering what your home may be worth in today’s market, or have a friend or family member moving anywhere in Florida or across the country, I would love the opportunity to help.
Sincerely,
Michele Lee Freda
Broker Associate | eXp Realty
Making sense of the Florida market with strategy, knowledge, results.