Loodmy Jacques: Top Florida Agent Says Buyers Waiting for Lower Rates Are Missing the Window

Written by:

Steve Marcinuk

Date:

20 Oct 2025

KeyCrew Studio

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Top 1.5% nationwide agent argues buyers waiting for perfect conditions are missing the window in Palm Beach County’s shifting market

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL – October 12, 2025 – Loodmy Jacques has heard the question countless times in recent months: Should I wait for interest rates to drop before buying? His answer contradicts the advice spreading across social media platforms, where financial influencers increasingly tell younger generations to keep renting.

“If I had $1 for every time somebody asked me this question, I don’t think I’d work anymore,” said Jacques, a Real Trends top 1.5% agent nationwide leading The Jacques Team in South Florida. “Education is something that is important when it comes to making these huge life decisions. I wish these things were taught in school.”

Jacques brings 17 years of experience to a market undergoing significant change. Palm Beach County inventory has jumped nearly 30% year over year, and homes are taking longer to sell as the region transitions from the 2021-2022 frenzy to what Jacques describes as a balanced market.

“A lot of people forget that’s how it used to be,” he said. “Things do take a little bit longer, and if you are competing with other homes, you just have to make sure you have the right agent, you have the right pricing, you have the right marketing.”

The Interest Rate Trap

With mortgage rates fluctuating around 6.35% to 6.86%, Jacques sees buyers paralyzed by waiting for better conditions. His advice runs counter to that caution.

“Remove the interest rate part of your decision making,” he said. “As long as you find a property that is within your budget, and it is in an area you see yourself being for the next five to seven years, it is still a great decision to purchase a home because you already own the house. The moment interest comes down, refinance and get a lower rate.”

The concern about timing has created what Jacques calls an educational gap. Studies suggest roughly 32% of consumers are waiting for mortgage rates to drop below 6% before buying. Meanwhile, Jacques points out that current rates remain historically low compared to periods like the early 2000s.

His team has developed tools to bridge the gap, including two-one buydown programs where sellers help reduce buyer interest rates by two points in year one, one point in year two, before returning to market rate in year three.

“You have that gap to make buyers who are uncomfortable with the monthly payment in the beginning feel peace of mind that you have three years to refinance when interest rates do change,” Jacques explained.

The Rental Calculation

Jacques acknowledges an unusual market condition: in many cases, renting is currently cheaper than buying. That reality has fueled social media advice telling people to avoid buying altogether.

His response is more nuanced. For clients uncertain about staying in an area for five to seven years, or whose jobs might require relocation, he recommends renting and investing the savings in the stock market rather than forcing a home purchase.

“Buying a home is not for everybody, and I don’t push it,” he said. “Some people want to be in transition. They’re not sure if this is going to be where they’re going to be long term. Maybe renting is still good.”

But for buyers planning to stay put, he sees different math. “I still think owning a home is a great thing. Think about it this way: you want to build that stability, you want to grow your asset and own this asset long term which can appreciate in value. Buy something you can afford.”

The key distinction, in his view, is time horizon. Normal market appreciation runs three to six percent annually. During COVID, appreciation hit 20 to 30 percent, creating unrealistic expectations.

“Think about it long term, five to seven years,” Jacques said. “For sure you will build that future equity that you want, and that asset will go up in value, because cost of living will continue going up, cost of materials will continue going up, land will go up.”

Market Realities Creating Opportunities

The shifting conditions have created behavior changes on both sides of transactions. Sellers who expected 2021-era pricing are choosing not to sell rather than accept current values. Buyers worry that purchasing now means watching neighboring properties drop in price.

“Sellers are just deciding no longer to sell their house,” Jacques noted. “They see their neighbors sold for $100,000 more two or four years ago, and they’re like, we’re just not going to sell. We’re going to keep this low interest that we have and stay put.”

For buyers, the hesitation stems from asset value concerns. “They may buy now and then see the house next door just cut their price by $10,000 or $20,000, and they’re like, maybe we should not do it.”

Jacques identifies this transition moment as opportunity. Cash transactions account for 44.8% of Palm Beach County sales, well above national averages, but financed buyers can compete by working with teams that provide fully underwritten approvals rather than basic pre-approvals.

“We want to make sure that when we make an offer for a buyer, it is as ready as cash can be, because we would get rid of any type of contingency for financing,” he said.

Hyper-Local Variations

South Florida’s market fragmentation creates dramatically different conditions within short distances. Delray Beach saw median prices jump 17% while Jupiter dropped 27%, driven largely by luxury waterfront property price cuts affecting overall statistics.

“South Florida is not one market,” Jacques explained. “Every small market, every little single area acts differently.”

For investors, he points to Port St. Lucie as offering newer single-family homes at affordable prices with growth potential as planned commercial development materializes. “There is still a lot of opportunity in the Port St. Lucie area for a newer home at a very affordable price.”

The Service Model

The Jacques Team operates with specialists handling different transaction aspects, ensuring 24-hour responsiveness through rotating coverage. The approach extends to international buyers, who represent 49% of new construction sales in the market.

Jacques speaks French fluently and staffs Spanish speakers from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. The team provides remote video tours, connects international buyers with attorneys for tax implications, and manages properties for owners, including roughly 50 French-Canadian clients.

“If I need to be in the office at one o’clock in the morning to have a video call and presentation, we do that,” he said. “Whatever it takes.”

The marketing mix combines AI-generated targeted ads and high-end video with traditional postcards featuring QR codes that capture lead information when scanned.

“Not everybody’s on social media,” Jacques noted. “Everywhere there is a potential buyer based on the property we have, we will use those tools to make sure we sell the house.”

His advice for the current market boils down to individual circumstances rather than blanket recommendations. But for buyers who’ve been waiting for perfect conditions, his message is clear: that wait could mean missing the opportunity entirely.

“If you’re buying in this market, you’re thinking long term,” Jacques said. “Buy something you can afford, and interest will not be a problem.”

About The Jacques Team

The Jacques Team serves Palm Beach County and surrounding South Florida markets, specializing in residential sales, luxury properties, and international buyer services. The team also operates a property management division serving approximately 80 properties.

Media Contact:
Heather Hook
KeyCrew Media
[email protected]