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Archive for August, 2014

Short & Sweet — SW Florida Open House Checklist. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Marco Island

 Short & Sweet — SW Florida Open House Checklist. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Marco Island. Estimates so far indicate that summer 2014 is likely to be a better than usual season for SW Florida home sales. The past winter threw a wet blanket over all kinds of business activity, creating a perfect scenario for a sales bounce back—and that’s exactly what is beginning to show up in the stats. As Bloomberg News reported last week, sales of homes “climbed in April for the first time in three months…the biggest in six months…”
Short & Sweet — SW Florida Open House Checklist. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Marco Island.If you will be taking advantage of the uptick by listing your property for this summer’s market, having an open house in SW Florida is a prime way to attract prospective buyers. With a little focus and energy, getting your home in shape can be easier than you might imagine.

The checklist is short:
Landscaping
The place to begin is with the landscaping—it frames the picture that’s the first thing buyers see when they pull up during the warm months. If you don’t have summer flowers planted, that’s okay—improvise! Purchase a few hanging baskets and potted plants. Place them along pathways, the entrance, and other places that could use a little bit of color. Hose the exterior, but if the years have Short & Sweet — SW Florida Open House Checklist. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Marco Island.been too tough, you may need a refresher coat of paint or trim. Perk up the lawn with an easy-to-apply lawn food spray; edge where needed; then mow and admire!
Get a Fresh Outlook
Give your windows a good cleaning (outside first)—it’s surprising the amount of sparkle that simple job can add to your SW Florida open house. Air the house thoroughly as you do a deep clean where it’s needed: usually a shampoo of carpets and rugs will accomplish the lion’s share of the work. Add some summer color to your rooms with fresh throw pillows, and as your open house draws near, see where a Short & Sweet — SW Florida Open House Checklist. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Marco Island.few well-placed floral arrangements would add bright color to draw the eye.
Last Checks
Before the day of your open house, there are a few more quick checks to be made. Walk around the house. Are the air conditioner units clean? Are the gutters and rain spouts in good shape? Outdoor spaces are great selling points to make your home more attractive to buyers, and a summertime SW Florida open house creates the perfect opportunity to show them off. There are always a few little things you’ve been meaning to attend to…now is the time!
 Short & Sweet — SW Florida Open House Checklist. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Marco Island. Looking for more open house tips? Call me today if you’re thinking of listing your SW Florida home for sale. We can discuss a marketing plan to get your home S-O-L-D this summer!

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Foreclosures Slide May be Good News for SW Florida Homeowners. Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres

Foreclosures Slide May be Good News for SW Florida Homeowners. Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres. When the number of foreclosures decreases, it’s not without impact for SW Florida homeowners and investors. In any given month, SW Florida foreclosures may not always mimic the national averages, but over the long run, they do tend to be pretty close. And the national trend is clear: first quarter foreclosure Foreclosures Slide May be Good News for SW Florida Homeowners. Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres. activity decreased to the lowest level since the second quarter of 2007 (‘activity’ includes default notices, scheduled auctions and outright bank repossession).
Recent figures from RealtyTrac, the leading source of housing data, put U.S. foreclosures at their lowest levels in seven years. The 42-month national decrease had been momentarily interrupted by a 4% rise in March, but even with that momentary hiccup, foreclosure rates were still 23% below 2013 levels. RealtyTrac calculates that there were just over 30,000 bank repossession in the U.S. in April—a slight uptick from the previous month, but still a full 14% lower than a year ago.Foreclosures Slide May be Good News for SW Florida Homeowners. Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres.
• One Reason Why
Rising prices mean that more people have positive equity in their homes. In the second quarter of 2013, 2.5 million of the homeowners who’d been underwater found themselves back in positive territory. As property prices continue to rise in 2014, more homeowners are moving out of the negative equity trap.
• Many Foreclosed-On Homeowners Still in Their Homes
Although the 2007 downturn led to a surge foreclosures, many homeowners have stayed in their properties. It’s estimated that currently half of all bank-owned properties are occupied by either the original owner or the tenant.
• More Work for Investors
Foreclosures Slide May be Good News for SW Florida Homeowners. Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres. A significant proportion of SW Florida buyers in the post-2007 market were investors bold enough to capitalize on bargain prices for properties. When national and SW Florida foreclosures decline, it indicates that fewer distressed properties will come up for sale. That means more competition for them, and fewer acceptances for lowball offers. Ultimately, it signals a shift toward more owner-occupiers.
• Drop Isn’t Everywhere
While the national charts show a steady decrease in the number of foreclosures, the trend is not universal. And there’s another reason investors can still find some opportunities. The number of scheduled foreclosure auctions in the judicial process hit the highest level in three years in 2013. This Foreclosures Slide May be Good News for SW Florida Homeowners. Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres. suggests that, while fewer homes are falling into foreclosure, more of those in the works are getting close to reaching the end of the line. It’s a painful process, but when the smoke clears, will serve to help rebalance the real estate market.
Foreclosures Slide May be Good News for SW Florida Homeowners. Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres. The drop in foreclosures is a good indicator of the health of the current market. Rising property prices and an improving economy mean that fewer homes are ending up in the hands of the banks—news that all homeowners should be happy to hear. For an update on the foreclosure activity in your SW Florida neighborhood, contact me today for a detailed property pricing report.

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Selling A SW Florida Home In Summer Needs Special Staging. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Golden Gate

Selling A SW Florida Home In Summer Needs Special Staging. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Golden Gate.  As the days grow longer and the thermometer rises, everyone wants to start spending more time outdoors—to make full use of our yards and patios. But what if your SW Florida home is going to be on the market this summer? Does it mean you have to stop enjoying yourself, stop entertaining guests, just because you Selling A SW Florida Home In Summer Needs Special Staging. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Golden Gate. want to keep the place in showable condition?
The answer is, of course, of course not. Using the outdoor spaces of your home means striking a balance between living your life and ensuring everything is in top condition when buyers come calling. It’s actually a staging opportunity, because most of your prospective buyers will be favorably impressed if your outdoor staging areas make it easy to picture themselves enjoying our beautiful SW Florida summer weather.
Staging your home’s landscaping thus takes added importance during summertime, beginning with overall curb appeal. Any time of year, potential buyers are often swayed by that first impression: as they approach the house, the impact will be one they’d like their own future visitors to have. Staging an inviting front yard appearance does wonders for your selling prospects.Selling A SW Florida Home In Summer Needs Special Staging. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Golden Gate.
Make sure your lawn is trimmed and the yard edged. During springtime and fall, a 2”-3” grass length is recommended, but as the hotter summer months approach, longer grass will help shade the soil and keep roots comfy. Minimize brown spots and thin patches by giving the blades an extra half-inch.
Staging walkways and driveways means keeping cemented areas free of volunteer growing things. Having weeds, clover, or anything sprouting between stones or pavement is not only unsightly, it brings to mind the work required for upkeep (a turnoff to prospects). Although chemical herbicides are popular, an eco – conscious (and penny-conscious) alternative is plain old kitchen vinegar.
Selling A SW Florida Home In Summer Needs Special Staging. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Golden Gate. The most important staging advice for the outside of the house is that it give the impression that a fresh coat of paint won’t be needed for quite a while. Cleaning it can be enough, or if not, new paint may be needed. You can opt for professional painting, but if your home is sided, or if you’ve recently (within the past five years) had your home painted, pay attention to details like windows and other smaller touch ups you can easily do yourself.
If staging the back (and possibly front) yards is likely to be a really important part of marketing your SW Florida home, give some attention to outdoor furniture. It’s expensive stuff, so if it’s going to really be a key selling point for the property, it might be worth the effort to really make the space shine. If you don’t have any outdoor furniture (and don’t plan to need any in your new house), consider hiring a stager just Selling A SW Florida Home In Summer Needs Special Staging. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Golden Gate. to handle the exterior spaces. Less expensive than a full home staging, exterior staging can make a huge difference in the overall appeal of your SW Florida home during the outdoor months.
Selling A SW Florida Home In Summer Needs Special Staging. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Golden Gate. Once you’ve revitalized of your home’s outdoor areas, keeping it in top showing condition need consist of little more than the regular weekly yard work and cleanup, a relaxing prospect for enjoying your property throughout the good weather months. And do give me a call—I’m standing by to take care of the rest!

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When the SW Florida Market Won’t Meet Your Price…Make Lemonade! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral

When the SW Florida Market Won’t Meet Your Price…Make Lemonade! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral. The sunny attitude that encourages entrepreneurs to look at a box of lemons and think ‘lemonade!’ is widely admired, and it does seem to be a viewpoint that successful people cultivate. For anyone who is determined to sell their SW Florida property—but only at a price the market is not yet willing to pay—well, the turn-lemons-into-lemonade situation is entirely apt. After all, smart investors are buying up and renting properties like yours quite deliberately When the SW Florida Market Won’t Meet Your Price…Make Lemonade! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral. because they realize that a SW Florida rental home is not just an asset that can appreciate over time, but one that can also produce income at the same time.
Whatever your own reason for renting, when you put a rental home in SW Florida on the market, experienced landlords tend to prepare in the same general areas:
1. Repairs and Safety
Often using a rental safety checklist, a good first focus is on heating, plumbing, and other safety issues. Especially if you have been a longtime resident of the property, remember that some operational issues that you may have grown accustomed to ignoring need to be brought up to snuff. Repairs made now will save you time and money in the long run, and will safeguard against increased damage (and worse issues down the line). Be sure-fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in place, and double-check that all windows, doors, and locks are in good working order.
2. Make it Pretty!
Of course, clean the house thoroughly, including closets, fixtures, and appliances. Replace dirty carpets, polish wood floors, and remove debris and trash from the entire property (if a one-time rubbish bin rental is called for, bite the bullet!). Where needed, give each room a fresh coat of paint inWhen the SW Florida Market Won’t Meet Your Price…Make Lemonade! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral. neutral colors; and outside, tidy up the grass and landscaping.
3. Documentation
Plan to inspect and document your SW Florida rental home before tenants move in; then once again immediately after they move out. It’s imperative; will serve as documentation of damage caused by the tenant if that warrants withholding the security deposit for repairs. Photos, a checklist—even a quick iPhone video—can do the job.
4. Landlord Insurance
AKA rental property insurance, landlord insurance is not the same as renters insurance, which covers the When the SW Florida Market Won’t Meet Your Price…Make Lemonade! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral. tenant’s property. A good landlord insurance policy protects you; it should cover everything from major damage inflicted by tenants to legal action they might bring.
5. Know Your Leasing Criteria
Before you prepare a rental application, it’s a good idea to pin down the leasing criteria to help determine who will be qualified to become your tenant. Some common ones:
No prior evictions…Good credit…No foreclosures or bankruptcies…
No criminal convictions…No pets…No smoking…References…
But whatever your choices, do remember to follow the Fair Housing Act guidelines.

6. Assemble the Docs
There are basic lease agreements and other documents available online, or you can have an experienced lawyer prepare (or just review) them. Other When the SW Florida Market Won’t Meet Your Price…Make Lemonade! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral. rental home forms you might need include credit check authorization forms, move-in checklists, and any other notices you wish to post to tenants. They’re all available online.
When the SW Florida Market Won’t Meet Your Price…Make Lemonade! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral. Sound like too much work? If so, a property management company can handle some or all of it for you—I’ll be happy to provide you with good references. And if you’ve set your sights on purchasing a SW Florida rental home as an investment, summer is near: that means now is a great time to start!

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Could SW Florida Property Sales Actually be Made in Bitcoins? Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Marco Island, Lehigh Acres

 Could SW Florida Property Sales Actually be Made in Bitcoins? Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Marco Island, Lehigh Acres. Would you be willing to sell your SW Florida property to a buyer who is offering virtual currency?
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You may have read last December’s reports about the man who tried to sell his ranch-style home in New York for $799,000 worth of bitcoins. Another seller, a 22-year-old Canadian man, put up his advertisement in March. He had the distinction of being the first one in his town to advertise a home in exchange for the popular digital currency.
Now in case you’ve been putting off trying to figure out what Bitcoin actually is, perhaps I can save youApartments, BEACHES Boating Bonita Springs Buying Buying A Home Cape Coral Captiva Island Children Condo CONDOS Estero Estero Homes Family Fishing FLORIDA Florida Homes Florida Real Estate Flying Fort Myers Fun G, Boating, Bonita Springs, Buying, Buying A Home, Captiva Island, CONDOS, condos in bonita springs florida, condos in fort myers florida, condos in naples florida, Estero, Family, Family Vacations, Fishing, FLORIDA, FLORIDA CONDOS, FLORIDA HOME LOANS, Florida Homes, Florida Real Estate, florida real estate agents, florida real estate market, Florida Real Estate News, florida realestate, Florida Realtors, Florida Sunsets, Florida Vacation Homes, Florida Vacation Rentals, Florida Vacations, Fort Myers, Golfing, Home Loans, Home Mortgages, HOME REFINANCING, home sales, HOMES, houses for sale in florida, houses for sale in southwest florida, Mortgages, NAPLES, naples fla real estate, Naples Florida, naples florida map, naples florida real estate, naples florida real estate agents, naples florida real estate taxes, naples florida weather, Naples Real Estate, old naples florida real estate, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, RE FINACE, real estate florida, real estate in florida, Realtor, Realtors, realtors in bonita springs, realtors in bonita springs florida, realtors in cape coral florida, realtors in estero florida, realtors in florida, realtors in fort myers florida, realtors in ft myers florida, realtors in lehigh acres florida, realtors in marco island florida, realtors in naples florida, REFINANCING, Selling, Selling A Home, south florida real estate, Southwest Florida, Southwest Florida Real Estate, Southwest Florida Realtors, Sunsets, SW FLORIDA, SW FLORIDA CONDOS, SW Florida Home Rentals, SW Florida Real Estate, SW Florida Real Estate News, SW Florida Realtors, SW Florida Vacation Homes, SW Florida Vacations, Swimming, Vacation Homes, Water some trouble. It’s an open source and decentralized peer-to-peer payment system that allows its users to buy and sell in virtual cash.
In case that sounds like gobbledygook, in the simplest terms, it’s a system where you don’t need to have real, government-minted cash to close a transaction—all you need is an online “bank account” with enough Bitcoin to pay for its dollar equivalent. Bitcoin’s primary attraction is to those who feel queasy about the stability of traditional currency, especially those who fear inflation. Their fears are quelled by Bitcoin’s creators, who guarantee that only a certain amount of Bitcoin will ever be allowed to circulate. Apparently, many people believe them.
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How could it help you sell your SW Florida property? Many people who are using the services of online advertisers are technologically savvy, and usually aware of how Bitcoin is fast becoming a popular payment system for online transactions. Compared with credit cards which generally charge 2 to 3% in transaction fees, Bitcoin fees are much lower—practically negligible. Because it currently resides in Apartments, BEACHES Boating Bonita Springs Buying Buying A Home Cape Coral Captiva Island Children Condo CONDOS Estero Estero Homes Family Fishing FLORIDA Florida Homes Florida Real Estate Flying Fort Myers Fun G, Boating, Bonita Springs, Buying, Buying A Home, Captiva Island, CONDOS, condos in bonita springs florida, condos in fort myers florida, condos in naples florida, Estero, Family, Family Vacations, Fishing, FLORIDA, FLORIDA CONDOS, FLORIDA HOME LOANS, Florida Homes, Florida Real Estate, florida real estate agents, florida real estate market, Florida Real Estate News, florida realestate, Florida Realtors, Florida Sunsets, Florida Vacation Homes, Florida Vacation Rentals, Florida Vacations, Fort Myers, Golfing, Home Loans, Home Mortgages, HOME REFINANCING, home sales, HOMES, houses for sale in florida, houses for sale in southwest florida, Mortgages, NAPLES, naples fla real estate, Naples Florida, naples florida map, naples florida real estate, naples florida real estate agents, naples florida real estate taxes, naples florida weather, Naples Real Estate, old naples florida real estate, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, RE FINACE, real estate florida, real estate in florida, Realtor, Realtors, realtors in bonita springs, realtors in bonita springs florida, realtors in cape coral florida, realtors in estero florida, realtors in florida, realtors in fort myers florida, realtors in ft myers florida, realtors in lehigh acres florida, realtors in marco island florida, realtors in naples florida, REFINANCING, Selling, Selling A Home, south florida real estate, Southwest Florida, Southwest Florida Real Estate, Southwest Florida Realtors, Sunsets, SW FLORIDA, SW FLORIDA CONDOS, SW Florida Home Rentals, SW Florida Real Estate, SW Florida Real Estate News, SW Florida Realtors, SW Florida Vacation Homes, SW Florida Vacations, Swimming, Vacation Homes, Watersuch a small market niche, that target audience is especially attentive to Bitcoin-traded products. There is also the likelihood that at least some traditional buyers who stumble across such a unique offering will find themselves intrigued enough to investigate your property further. You may even make the news. Talk about free advertising!
Could SW Florida Property Sales Actually be Made in Bitcoins? Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Marco Island, Lehigh Acres. Whether or not you’re a Bitcoin believer—if you’re ready to sell your property in SW Florida this summer and want state-of-the-art marketing input—I’m your agent. Call me today to discuss a marketing plan that, Bitcoin or not, is designed to bring in the buyers!

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SW Florida Home Buyers May Benefit as Mortgage Guidelines Change. Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral

SW Florida Home Buyers May Benefit as Mortgage Guidelines Change. Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral. “U.S. Backs Off Tight Mortgage Rules” screamed the top headline on the front page of The Wall Street Journal several months back. For SW Florida mortgage shoppers, it could scarcely have been better news. Probably.
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The ongoing real estate recovery has been less of a boon to banks (including SW Florida’s mortgage originators) than to other participants because of tightened lending guidelines. Since the economic meltdown had been triggered by the crash of too many ‘easy money’ mortgages that had been repackaged and sold to Wall Street investors, regulators created mortgage guidelines that were much stricter. Apartments, BEACHES Boating Bonita Springs Buying Buying A Home Cape Coral Captiva Island Children Condo CONDOS Estero Estero Homes Family Fishing FLORIDA Florida Homes Florida Real Estate Flying Fort Myers Fun G, Boating, Bonita Springs, Buying, Buying A Home, Captiva Island, CONDOS, condos in bonita springs florida, condos in fort myers florida, condos in naples florida, Estero, Family, Family Vacations, Fishing, FLORIDA, FLORIDA CONDOS, FLORIDA HOME LOANS, Florida Homes, Florida Real Estate, florida real estate agents, florida real estate market, Florida Real Estate News, florida realestate, Florida Realtors, Florida Sunsets, Florida Vacation Homes, Florida Vacation Rentals, Florida Vacations, Fort Myers, Golfing, Home Loans, Home Mortgages, HOME REFINANCING, home sales, HOMES, houses for sale in florida, houses for sale in southwest florida, Mortgages, NAPLES, naples fla real estate, Naples Florida, naples florida map, naples florida real estate, naples florida real estate agents, naples florida real estate taxes, naples florida weather, Naples Real Estate, old naples florida real estate, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, RE FINACE, real estate florida, real estate in florida, Realtor, Realtors, realtors in bonita springs, realtors in bonita springs florida, realtors in cape coral florida, realtors in estero florida, realtors in florida, realtors in fort myers florida, realtors in ft myers florida, realtors in lehigh acres florida, realtors in marco island florida, realtors in naples florida, REFINANCING, Selling, Selling A Home, south florida real estate, Southwest Florida, Southwest Florida Real Estate, Southwest Florida Realtors, Sunsets, SW FLORIDA, SW FLORIDA CONDOS, SW Florida Home Rentals, SW Florida Real Estate, SW Florida Real Estate News, SW Florida Realtors, SW Florida Vacation Homes, SW Florida Vacations, Swimming, Vacation Homes, Water
Although borrowers found it harder to qualify for mortgages, at the same time, the Federal Reserve held interest rates at such bargain-basement levels real estate sales hummed. But first-time borrowers found it hard to qualify.
But lately, observers of the national scene have been worrying. Over the past months, the gradual cooling of real estate activity may have been welcome in the sense that the torrid rate of activity had slowed from an unsustainable pace—but some economists began to fret. Even though there was still some growth, now there wasn’t enough—and that could stall the recovery for the whole economy.
Apartments, BEACHES Boating Bonita Springs Buying Buying A Home Cape Coral Captiva Island Children Condo CONDOS Estero Estero Homes Family Fishing FLORIDA Florida Homes Florida Real Estate Flying Fort Myers Fun G, Boating, Bonita Springs, Buying, Buying A Home, Captiva Island, CONDOS, condos in bonita springs florida, condos in fort myers florida, condos in naples florida, Estero, Family, Family Vacations, Fishing, FLORIDA, FLORIDA CONDOS, FLORIDA HOME LOANS, Florida Homes, Florida Real Estate, florida real estate agents, florida real estate market, Florida Real Estate News, florida realestate, Florida Realtors, Florida Sunsets, Florida Vacation Homes, Florida Vacation Rentals, Florida Vacations, Fort Myers, Golfing, Home Loans, Home Mortgages, HOME REFINANCING, home sales, HOMES, houses for sale in florida, houses for sale in southwest florida, Mortgages, NAPLES, naples fla real estate, Naples Florida, naples florida map, naples florida real estate, naples florida real estate agents, naples florida real estate taxes, naples florida weather, Naples Real Estate, old naples florida real estate, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, RE FINACE, real estate florida, real estate in florida, Realtor, Realtors, realtors in bonita springs, realtors in bonita springs florida, realtors in cape coral florida, realtors in estero florida, realtors in florida, realtors in fort myers florida, realtors in ft myers florida, realtors in lehigh acres florida, realtors in marco island florida, realtors in naples florida, REFINANCING, Selling, Selling A Home, south florida real estate, Southwest Florida, Southwest Florida Real Estate, Southwest Florida Realtors, Sunsets, SW FLORIDA, SW FLORIDA CONDOS, SW Florida Home Rentals, SW Florida Real Estate, SW Florida Real Estate News, SW Florida Realtors, SW Florida Vacation Homes, SW Florida Vacations, Swimming, Vacation Homes, WaterWashington has decided to listen to the worrywarts: hence last week’s WSJ headline story. It reported on the first speech delivered by Mel Watt, the new boss of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage giants whose policies largely guide what happens when you apply for a SW Florida mortgage.
Among a number of other rules, there had been in place a basic guideline calling for minimum 20% down payments (and punishing repercussions for banks who didn’t agree). But one result came as a surprise to regulators: lenders were newly fearful of requirements that might penalize them for even reasonable loans that went bad, so they became even tougher than the guidelines! Real estate loans began to dry up. It had been hoped that private lenders would take the place of Fannie and Freddie, allowing the government to gradually back out of its leading role. But the lenders sat on their wallets. Apartments, BEACHES Boating Bonita Springs Buying Buying A Home Cape Coral Captiva Island Children Condo CONDOS Estero Estero Homes Family Fishing FLORIDA Florida Homes Florida Real Estate Flying Fort Myers Fun G, Boating, Bonita Springs, Buying, Buying A Home, Captiva Island, CONDOS, condos in bonita springs florida, condos in fort myers florida, condos in naples florida, Estero, Family, Family Vacations, Fishing, FLORIDA, FLORIDA CONDOS, FLORIDA HOME LOANS, Florida Homes, Florida Real Estate, florida real estate agents, florida real estate market, Florida Real Estate News, florida realestate, Florida Realtors, Florida Sunsets, Florida Vacation Homes, Florida Vacation Rentals, Florida Vacations, Fort Myers, Golfing, Home Loans, Home Mortgages, HOME REFINANCING, home sales, HOMES, houses for sale in florida, houses for sale in southwest florida, Mortgages, NAPLES, naples fla real estate, Naples Florida, naples florida map, naples florida real estate, naples florida real estate agents, naples florida real estate taxes, naples florida weather, Naples Real Estate, old naples florida real estate, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, RE FINACE, real estate florida, real estate in florida, Realtor, Realtors, realtors in bonita springs, realtors in bonita springs florida, realtors in cape coral florida, realtors in estero florida, realtors in florida, realtors in fort myers florida, realtors in ft myers florida, realtors in lehigh acres florida, realtors in marco island florida, realtors in naples florida, REFINANCING, Selling, Selling A Home, south florida real estate, Southwest Florida, Southwest Florida Real Estate, Southwest Florida Realtors, Sunsets, SW FLORIDA, SW FLORIDA CONDOS, SW Florida Home Rentals, SW Florida Real Estate, SW Florida Real Estate News, SW Florida Realtors, SW Florida Vacation Homes, SW Florida Vacations, Swimming, Vacation Homes, Water
SW Florida Home Buyers May Benefit as Mortgage Guidelines Change. Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral. Of his decision to lighten up on credit barriers, Mr. Watt explained that he hoped “that lenders will start operating more inside the credit box that Fannie and Freddie” provide. In other words, that mortgage originators will add to the easing effect by hewing to the guidelines instead of exceeding them. If so, we can expect an influx of long-frustrated first-time home buyers.
If you have been thinking of offering your own SW Florida home for sale anytime soon, that should be a most encouraging development!

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SW Florida for Sale by Owner: the Top 5 Challenges. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Estero

SW Florida for Sale by Owner: the Top 5 Challenges. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Estero. When you determine to sell your house, one of the first choices that comes up is tactical: do you try to sell it yourself as a SW Florida “For Sale by Owner” property—or do you enlist a real estate agent? Since your object is to maximize your profit, you might think that most thrift-minded home owners would decide to eliminate the SW Florida for Sale by Owner: the Top 5 Challenges. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Esteroagent’s commission and do the work themselves. But that’s not the case.
The majority of sellers ultimately team up with a SW Florida real estate agent. Sometimes they go the For Sale by Owner route first, but after testing that method, change courses. The statistics show that the selling price of REALTOR®-assisted home sales is higher (a $40,000 difference, according to the latest study) which certainly would explain part of the reason. But other factors come into play, too:
1. Pricing: If you aren’t immersed in SW Florida’s real estate business five to seven days a week, there’s no way you can have the intimate knowledge about the current market that comes with daily work in the field. A real estate agent comes armed with extensive knowledge of the local market and all the changes that have brought it about. It’s extremely important to price your home correctly to sell it on the first SW Florida for Sale by Owner: the Top 5 Challenges. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Esterogo-round. It’s a demonstrated fact that the longer a home sits on the market, the lower its final sale price.
2. Time and Energy: A SW Florida For Sale by Owner sign in the front yard means you are in charge, 24/7! That’s despite any other demands on your time—for example, your job! One of the benefits of using a real estate pro is that selling your property is our singular focus: our job! It means marketing, networking, working with buyers. Doing whatever it takes to get your house sold is our first priority. Lacking the same kind of time and resources, a For Sale by Owner seller is at a clear disadvantage in the competition to sell houses. It’s a marketplace where one missed buyer can mean the difference between a listing that turns into a sale…and a listing that turns stale.
3. Objectivity: The house is yours: you designed or decorated it; you’ve fixed and painted and mowed and swept it. If you took your work seriously, you feel at least some pride in how it’s presented. Unfortunately, that’s a problem. SW Florida for Sale by Owner: the Top 5 Challenges. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, EsteroLacking objectivity in the sales milieu can be one of the biggest hindrances to actually selling your house. It makes it hard for you to negotiate—to see and acknowledge the flaws a buyer sees. And it can make buyers wary of even wanting to negotiate with you in the first place. Either factor can prove costly. Separating owner from sales agent opens communication. It’s a relief for everyone!
4. Paperwork: This is the most obvious point. If you choose to wade into the paperwork/deadline process yourself, you’d be wise to count on needing a bit of extra attention from a good real estate attorney—if only to avoid potential litigation down the line.
5. Security: It’s unfortunate, but putting your house up For Sale by Owner in SW Florida (or anywhere)SW Florida for Sale by Owner: the Top 5 Challenges. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Estero can make you a target. Less-than-honest folks are out there—creeps who may specialize in sellers who might not follow the proper measures for letting people into their homes.
SW Florida for Sale by Owner: the Top 5 Challenges. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Estero. If you are looking into selling your own home this summer, I’d like to offer you a complimentary property evaluation. Whether or not you decide to go the SW Florida For Sale by Owner route, it’s sure to be well worth discussing what to expect from today’s market!

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How a SW Florida Home Buyer Makes the Most of a Seller’s Market, Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Sanibel Island

How a SW Florida Home Buyer Makes the Most of a Seller’s Market, Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Sanibel Island. Wasn’t it just yesterday that we seemed locked into a classic home buyer’s market in SW Florida? Bad economy, bad job numbers, tanked real estate values were all we heard about…until it eventually shifted. Over the past year or so, it’s become a very different landscape. If you’ve been out looking to become a How a SW Florida Home Buyer Makes the Most of a Seller’s Market, Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Sanibel IslandSW Florida home buyer, it’s possible that you’ve found yourself putting in offers on multiple houses…and also possibly watching from the sidelines as another SW Florida home buyer walked away with a deal. If this isn’t a true seller’s market, to you the difference may not be apparent.
In any case, when a prospective home buyer in SW Florida finds themselves vying for one of the plum homes that are now appearing in this summer’s SW Florida listings, there’s no need to passively watch as others get the nod. If you are sure of the value of the property you are going for, there are straightforward tactics for improving your chances of winning the day:
– Offering at or above list price is the time-tested way to give you the best shot of getting your contractHow a SW Florida Home Buyer Makes the Most of a Seller’s Market, Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Sanibel Island accepted over bidders who offer less than list. Real estate prices are again on the rise, increasing your likelihood of being able to recoup the extra money if you decide to sell several years down the road. Look at the comps with your agent to determine what an aggressive—yet realistic price—will be.
– Ask your real estate agent what the recommended earnest money amount would be; then double or triple that deposit amount. It’s a sure way to signal that you’re a serious and financially able home buyer. This tactic has the advantage that it doesn’t really cost you anything in the long run, assuming you hold up your end of the contract. It is a way to stand out from other SW Florida home buyers without actually spending more.
– In a buyer’s market, it’s almost expected to ask for add-ons like fixing a staircase or leaving the swing set. How a SW Florida Home Buyer Makes the Most of a Seller’s Market, Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Sanibel IslandBut in a seller’s market, you can beat the competition by not asking for extras beyond what is offered in the listing. Home sellers may be fully occupied with many outside details (like looking for their own next home!) and often assign high value to an offer that looks uncomplicated.
– Along the same lines, another way to set yourself apart from every other home buyer is to offer to give the seller more than the usual time to move out of their house. Many other bidders won’t think of this—but it can make the deal if the sellers are having to cope with difficult deadlines for their own move.
How a SW Florida Home Buyer Makes the Most of a Seller’s Market, Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, How a SW Florida Home Buyer Makes the Most of a Seller’s Market, Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Sanibel IslandCape Coral, Sanibel Island. Above all, don’t let yourself get discouraged. The right house is out there, and you will get an offer accepted! Particularly in a seller’s market, any SW Florida home buyer will be rewarded by just remaining patient and cool-headed. First step if you will be looking to buy this summer: call me today to get started!

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SW Florida Open House Success Takes a Certain Kind of Luck. Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Marco Island, Estero

SW Florida Open House Success Takes a Certain Kind of Luck. Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Marco Island, Estero. Yes—a SW Florida listing and a well-shot virtual tour are each important tools in this summer’s real estate marketing. But the low pressure, informal walk-through that an SW Florida open house allows can be as effective today as it ever was. Your SW Florida open house has every possibility of becoming your most direct Apartments, BEACHES Boating Bonita Springs Buying Buying A Home Cape Coral Captiva Island Children Condo CONDOS Estero Estero Homes Family Fishing FLORIDA Florida Homes Florida Real Estate Flying Fort Myers Fun G, Boating, Bonita Springs, Buying, Buying A Home, Captiva Island, CONDOS, condos in bonita springs florida, condos in fort myers florida, condos in naples florida, Estero, Family, Family Vacations, Fishing, FLORIDA, FLORIDA CONDOS, FLORIDA HOME LOANS, Florida Homes, Florida Real Estate, florida real estate agents, florida real estate market, Florida Real Estate News, florida realestate, Florida Realtors, Florida Sunsets, Florida Vacation Homes, Florida Vacation Rentals, Florida Vacations, Fort Myers, Golfing, Home Loans, Home Mortgages, HOME REFINANCING, home sales, HOMES, houses for sale in florida, houses for sale in southwest florida, Mortgages, NAPLES, naples fla real estate, Naples Florida, naples florida map, naples florida real estate, naples florida real estate agents, naples florida real estate taxes, naples florida weather, Naples Real Estate, old naples florida real estate, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, RE FINACE, real estate florida, real estate in florida, Realtor, Realtors, realtors in bonita springs, realtors in bonita springs florida, realtors in cape coral florida, realtors in estero florida, realtors in florida, realtors in fort myers florida, realtors in ft myers florida, realtors in lehigh acres florida, realtors in marco island florida, realtors in naples florida, REFINANCING, Selling, Selling A Home, south florida real estate, Southwest Florida, Southwest Florida Real Estate, Southwest Florida Realtors, Sunsets, SW FLORIDA, SW FLORIDA CONDOS, SW Florida Home Rentals, SW Florida Real Estate, SW Florida Real Estate News, SW Florida Realtors, SW Florida Vacation Homes, SW Florida Vacations, Swimming, Vacation Homes, Waterpath to engaging the prospect—¬the one who ends up being your buyer. Making that happen takes the kind of ‘luck’ that preparation creates.
Of course, the house will be as thoroughly cleaned as possible. You don’t want to do the job of a contractor, but fixing blemished walls via a few small spot-painting fixes can make the difference in producing a house that looks in top shape; ready for a new owner.
You want your SW Florida open house to be ‘open’ in the fullest sense of the word: open to as wide a group of prospective buyers as possible. Do a walk through with the object of removing anything that could present a personal or controversial element¬¬¬—political or religious statements that might turn off potential buyers. Since you want visitors to be able to see your house as the place they want to call Apartments, BEACHES Boating Bonita Springs Buying Buying A Home Cape Coral Captiva Island Children Condo CONDOS Estero Estero Homes Family Fishing FLORIDA Florida Homes Florida Real Estate Flying Fort Myers Fun G, Boating, Bonita Springs, Buying, Buying A Home, Captiva Island, CONDOS, condos in bonita springs florida, condos in fort myers florida, condos in naples florida, Estero, Family, Family Vacations, Fishing, FLORIDA, FLORIDA CONDOS, FLORIDA HOME LOANS, Florida Homes, Florida Real Estate, florida real estate agents, florida real estate market, Florida Real Estate News, florida realestate, Florida Realtors, Florida Sunsets, Florida Vacation Homes, Florida Vacation Rentals, Florida Vacations, Fort Myers, Golfing, Home Loans, Home Mortgages, HOME REFINANCING, home sales, HOMES, houses for sale in florida, houses for sale in southwest florida, Mortgages, NAPLES, naples fla real estate, Naples Florida, naples florida map, naples florida real estate, naples florida real estate agents, naples florida real estate taxes, naples florida weather, Naples Real Estate, old naples florida real estate, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, RE FINACE, real estate florida, real estate in florida, Realtor, Realtors, realtors in bonita springs, realtors in bonita springs florida, realtors in cape coral florida, realtors in estero florida, realtors in florida, realtors in fort myers florida, realtors in ft myers florida, realtors in lehigh acres florida, realtors in marco island florida, realtors in naples florida, REFINANCING, Selling, Selling A Home, south florida real estate, Southwest Florida, Southwest Florida Real Estate, Southwest Florida Realtors, Sunsets, SW FLORIDA, SW FLORIDA CONDOS, SW Florida Home Rentals, SW Florida Real Estate, SW Florida Real Estate News, SW Florida Realtors, SW Florida Vacation Homes, SW Florida Vacations, Swimming, Vacation Homes, Waterhome, messages that strike a dissonant note run a high risk of being counter-productive.
Less is more when it comes to a successful open house. You know instinctively to clear away as much clutter as possible, but sometimes it’s worth going the extra mile. Do another walk through, and room by room, consider rolling up area rugs (bare floors create the feeling of open space) and removing pieces of furniture where you can. You want the house to feel spacious and airy rather than jam-packed with furnishings. If you come away worried that the furniture is overly dated or otherwise unsuitable for showing, it may be worth considering an investment in staging.
SW Florida Open House Success Takes a Certain Kind of Luck. Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Marco Island, Estero. Summer weather makes it a great time to sell a home. A well-publicized open house in SW Florida can be an important selling element. But it’s only one part of the overall marketing effort I offer clients. Call me today for a top-to-bottom discussion of how we can sell your home for top dollar—and quickly!

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Selling ASW Florida Home—Little Things Can Be a Big Deal! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate, Estero

Selling a SW Florida Home—Little Things Can Be a Big Deal! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate, Estero. This summer, success in selling a home in SW Florida will depend upon the same factors as always: location; quality; buyer appeal.
A home’s location—short of calling in the house movers—is pretty much what it is. The structural quality of workmanship and the level of maintenance that it’s received though the years can be gussied up where it shows (and should be!), but that, too, is largely a done deal.
Selling a SW Florida Home—Little Things Can Be a Big Deal! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate, EsteroWhich leaves that other factor in selling a SW Florida home—the little things that reach out to appeal to buyers. The difference between receiving a swift offer and not can hinge on what makes your home more desirable than others in its price range.
A good example is with closet space. Any property with a closet organization system will carry great appeal to a large number of prospective buyers. Likewise, advanced technological touches can stick in buyers’ memories at the end of a long day of house tours. They don’t even have to be expensive or whole-house systems: a simple programmable thermostat that can be accessed on a smart phone can be an interesting selling point that sticks in the memory. It’s the kind of touch that isn’t a great deal of trouble to install—but it can provide the edge that makes selling your home that much easier.
More extensive tech-savvy features, like tricked-out media rooms or home offices wired to the hilt, are also very hot right now (especially for today’s younger homebuyers) and can provide the edge you’re Selling a SW Florida Home—Little Things Can Be a Big Deal! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate, Esterolooking for—if.
What’s the “if”?
If when you are readying your home for showings and open houses, you
• prep to emphasize each of these special features (like leaving that system-organized closet door open with the light on);
• you make sure your agent is in the loop, ready to showcase key elements; and
• stage to bring out less visible features—whether it’s printing up a list of newly refurbished utilities or setting out a wine bottle and glasses with a note to “be sure to check out the killer wine cellar downstairs”
Selling a SW Florida Home—Little Things Can Be a Big Deal! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate, EsteroIt’s also possible that some appealing features are ones that you take for granted; you’ve simply gotten used to them, yet they ought to be emphasized. Often those are details that your agent will be helpful in pointing out. Whatever is unique and desirable will make selling your home that much easier.
Selling a SW Florida Home—Little Things Can Be a Big Deal! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate, Estero. If you will be selling your own SW Florida home in this summer, I hope you will give me a call. There’s never an obligation, but if you wish, we can go over your property to uncover the marketing options that will make it a stand-out: the one with the edge!

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Seller Tips

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