Broker’s Corner – December 2025

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Life sure moves fast, doesn’t it? One minute you’re planting spring flowers, and the next you’re covering them up to protect them from a frost.

And if you live in Florida, sometimes you experience a sampling of both seasons in the same day. We’ve been enjoying beautiful weather lately with highs in the mid-70s and lows in the 50s. You just can’t beat it. Shorts during the day, boots at night, and evenings around the fire pit — it’s one of the many reasons we love living here.

"Little River springs at very low water level."

As expected, real estate activity typically slows down during the Christmas and New Year holiday season. Most people are focused on wrapping up last-minute shopping, planning holiday meals, and traveling to spend time with family and friends. That said, we did still see some movement in the rental market and successfully rented several homes that were newly placed into management with us.

 "Alicia at Chattooga River Thanksgiving family camp trip to South Carolina and Georgia."

Because the holidays are historically a slower period, we usually structure leases so they don’t end during this time of year. However, we often welcome new clients who need their homes rented immediately. While I always explain that activity tends to be slower during the holidays, I still feel a strong sense of responsibility to get every vacant home rented as quickly as possible. As an investor who owns a portfolio of rental properties myself, I understand firsthand how even one or two months of vacancy can significantly impact cash flow. That’s why I’m just as grateful as the owners when a home rents during this slower season. Moving forward, we also work to structure leases strategically, so properties don’t come available during the slowest times of the year. Sales activity has also slowed to a crawl, which is fairly typical for this time of year. However, forecasts suggest a stronger market ahead in the coming year. There is talk of another potential interest rate reduction, which always helps. Additionally, as we move further into the first year of President Trump’s presidency and the initial policy changes begin to settle, we should start to see more confidence and movement in the market — hopefully by spring.

The end of the year naturally brings a little downtime, and it’s a great opportunity to reflect on both work and personal life. It’s a time to review goals, assess what’s working (and what’s not), and make a plan for the changes you want to see in the year ahead.

"Tallulah Gorge State Park -Thanksgiving Day waterfall exploring."

I’m especially excited to share that Morgan Foster will be joining us as an intern starting in January. Morgan is my boyfriend’s daughter and is finishing her final year at Flagler College, where she’s earning her marketing degree with a minor in business. It’s a natural fit for her to learn real estate marketing while helping promote our business and properties across multiple social media platforms. I’m really looking forward to having a fresh, young perspective added to our marketing efforts.

With Morgan’s help, I’m also hoping to finally ramp up our TikTok presence. It’s funny — TikTok launched around the same time I was wrapping up the major build-out of our business systems, platforms, and technology. By the time that was all in place, I just wasn’t ready to take on yet another social media tool. Now that TikTok has become such a powerful platform, I’m excited to jump in and start creating content that showcases our properties, our process, and the behind-the-scenes side of what we do.

"Stumphouse Tunnel- South Carolina Thanksgiving family camp trip."

 In addition to planning for the year ahead, we also take this time to reflect on any challenges we’ve encountered and look for ways to refine our policies and procedures. One of the things I believe truly sets us apart for our owners is our four-month inspection program, which includes detailed video walkthroughs. These inspections allow us to identify tenant damage, maintenance needs, and opportunities for preventive care before small issues become costly problems.

Inspections alone aren’t enough — it’s the follow-up that really matters. Consistent inspections paired with thorough follow-through are just as important as finding a good tenant in the first place. During our inspections, we check items such as air-conditioning filters, roof and gutter conditions, yard maintenance, and overall property condition. We also identify needed repairs and develop plans for preventive or restorative maintenance. Inspection time is also a great opportunity to talk with tenants, make sure they’re happy in the home, and hear feedback on things we might not notice ourselves. Our tenants truly appreciate this level of care — and ultimately, the home benefits the most.

"Pepper and Cutty enjoying boat riding on the Suwannee River."

Early on in my investing journey, I learned that you can’t wait until a tenant vacates to discover how a home has been cared for. Tenants don’t always recognize preventive maintenance issues — not because they don’t care, but because they don’t own the property. Things like improper drainage that can lead to foundation erosion, leaf buildup that can rot fascia and soffits, malfunctioning sprinkler heads, aging paint, or decks that may eventually rot often go unnoticed without regular inspections.

Identifying these issues early — and following through to completion — is our primary goal and what truly sets us apart. We have strong systems in place to ensure that recommended items don’t fall through the cracks. It’s never our objective to run up unnecessary expenses for owners. In fact, proactive preventive maintenance almost always saves money over time. Owners approve any work over $300, ensuring they’re informed and comfortable with every recommendation. They also love receiving video updates of their properties, knowing their investment is being actively protected.

 When you’re managing someone else’s property, clear and consistent communication is essential — especially when it comes to the condition of the home and how it’s being cared for by the tenants. In my experience, the number one complaint homeowners have about property managers is poor communication. It’s not enough to simply take care of the property behind the scenes. Owners need regular, transparent updates so they feel informed and confident that their investment is being protected.

Our video inspection reports are one of the most effective ways we provide that clarity. They allow owners to see the condition of their property firsthand, understand any issues we’ve identified, and feel reassured that both the home and the tenants are being properly managed.

"Branford Pilates class on my deck on the Suwannee."

 On a personal level, one of my goals for the coming year is to refine my health and wellness routine. Staying active and eating well has always been a priority for me, but over the last couple of years I’ll admit it’s slipped a bit. This year, I’m committed to increasing my weight and resistance training, staying consistent with workouts, and making healthier food choices. I’m really looking forward to making this a top personal priority again.

Another important focus for me is spending more quality time with family. When I moved to the river about ten years ago, I also moved roughly an hour and a half away from much of my family. While we do see each other during the holidays, it’s simply not enough. I’m incredibly grateful that my daughter and her family also moved to the river — getting to see them daily is something I don’t take for granted. I truly can’t imagine life without them being part of my everyday world. At the end of the day, life is simply sweeter when it’s shared with the ones you love.

"Off road riding at Iron Mountain Georgia."

 As we head into the new year, I hope it brings you the joys, successes, and meaningful moments that matter most to you and your family. We at Secure Investments Realty & Management are truly grateful for our clients and customers, and we look forward to doing all we can to play our part in making your home — and your investment — a success.