Welcome to Southwest Florida Real Estate

Posts tagged ‘condos in bonita springs florida’

Bringing Some Basic DIY Chops to a SW Florida New Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Captiva Island

 Bringing Some Basic DIY Chops to a SW Florida New Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Captiva Island. Imagine the first time you turn the front door key to a new SW Florida home—the first time you step over the threshold of the home you now own. It’s a moment to truly savor. Whether it’s a feeling of well-being—that of a major milestone successfully accomplished—or just the sheer joy of appreciating the milestone it Bringing Some Basic DIY Chops to a SW Florida New Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Captiva Islandrepresents, it’s a moment you’d be remembering for a very long time.
But after the joy (eventually) comes another moment: one that’s all but inevitable. It’s when you first begin to notice flaws in your new home you didn’t see before.
Don’t worry! Most of them will be little imperfections that can be banished with simple Do-It-Yourself fixes. Here are a few of the more common ones:
Squeaky Wood Floors
Wooden floors are a joy to walk on, their look is warm and inviting, and wood’s sound-buffering properties make a room a comfortable conversation setting. On the other hand, creaks and squeaks can Bringing Some Basic DIY Chops to a SW Florida New Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Captiva Islanddevelop over time—a problem that’s easy to overlook until you have lived with it for a while. Squeaks can be due to a number of different causes, so no one fix is sure to work, but one easy fix is to sweep some talcum powder into the cracks. If the source is floorboards rubbing against each other, that can do the trick. If, on the other hand, your new SW Florida home has floorboard planks that actually move, driving a single nail through to the sub floor should stop any movement. Cover nail holes with wood-filler (any of SW Florida’s hardware stores carries a full spectrum of fillers to precisely match the wood tone).
Dull Rooms
Unless you are going for an architectural or starkly modern feel, the open, spacious look that white Bringing Some Basic DIY Chops to a SW Florida New Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Captiva Islandwalls imparted before you moved in can begin to feel cold and sterile once you’re settled. A coat of paint in warm neutrals (browns, tans, faint greens and reds) can transform such spaces into more comfortable environs.
Painting is easy—as long as you have some patience (and painters’ tape). Plan on taping the night before, painting in the morning (don’t leave the tape on too long). The breath of life that results can literally transform a room.
Warm it Up
One of the easiest ways to make your new home in SW Florida an inviting environment is to “shape” its light. Experiment with warmer color or full-spectrum light bulbs (they can be the earth-friendly LED or CFL cost-efficient types, which are no longer limited to the colder tones).Bringing Some Basic DIY Chops to a SW Florida New Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Captiva Island
And while we’re discussing ‘warmth,’ where it’s needed, be conscious of drafts that will only become noticeable when the chilly weather returns. Be willing to place weather-stripping around doors and windows to keep your new home warm (and cool during the summer). It costs nothing when you take the reduction in heating bills into account.
 Bringing Some Basic DIY Chops to a SW Florida New Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Captiva Island. A few quick fixes are probably all you’ll need to feel squared away in your new home in SW Florida. If you haven’t yet found the perfect place, I’ll be standing by all summer to help you find it. Call me today to discuss properties that will be coming onto the market soon—homes to fit your budget and taste!

Advertisement

Category:

SW Florida Areas

Tagged with:

Listing Your SW Florida House after It’s Been on the Market! Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres

Listing Your SW Florida House after It’s Been on the Market! Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres. Listing your house in SW Florida anew after it’s lingered on the market for a while can bring surprisingly quick success…with the right tactics. The truth is, if a home hasn’t sold in today’s market, there is usually an identifiable reason. Here are some tips that can reverse what happened when listing your house the Listing Your SW Florida House after It’s Been on the Market! Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acresfirst time failed to strike pay dirt:
• Compare prices of comparable homes that have sold in your neighborhood, and use those as the benchmarks. If your area listing was priced to allow 10-20% for negotiating room, that’s the likely culprit. Consider listing your SW Florida house at 1% to 5% below your competitors—it’s a proven way to get more feet through your entryway.
• A well thought-out marketing strategy with multiple advertising channels can be a necessity in a competitive area. Discuss taking advantage of social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube with your SW Florida real estate agent. Is there a way you as a homeowner can help? Consider holding mid-week open houses in the evening hours so visitors can drop by on their way home from work. Being extra flexible and accommodating can make the difference in getting qualified buyers through the door.Listing Your SW Florida House after It’s Been on the Market! Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres
• If you are listing your house in SW Florida for a second time, you will want to make any deferred repair and cosmetic décor change you may have put off the first time ‘round. The vast majority of today’s area buyers are looking for a home that’s 100% “move-in ready.”
• Patience is never more critical than when negotiating a price for your home. Refuse to be put off by offers that are lower than what you were expecting. You don’t need to accept such offers—but rather than just rejecting them, consider offering incentives (such as paying the buyer’s closing costs, or a point on the mortgage) when the price Listing Your SW Florida House after It’s Been on the Market! Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acresdifference is too great. Other ideas: offer to pick up moving expenses, or include excluded appliances in the bargain.
When a home doesn’t sell the first time around, finding details you can change to encourage a better result is the kind of positive approach that works most often. You should also be conscious of the fact that the market is constantly changing. Reduced interest rates alone may sell your home faster—just as higher rates may require adjusting your price or adding more incentives. Being informed and prepared when a prospect comes along will put you at a competitive advantage.
Listing Your SW Florida House after It’s Been on the Market! Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres. If you’re considering listing your house in SW Florida this summer and want an agent with the vision needed to get your home S-O-L-D, call me today!

Category:

SW Florida Events

Tagged with:

International Home Buyers Shop SW Florida Properties Online! Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, Sanibel Island

International Home Buyers Shop SW Florida Properties Online! Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, Sanibel Island. International home buyers are becoming an increasingly important part of the national real estate landscape. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, International Home Buyers Shop SW Florida Properties Online! Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, Sanibel Islandhome buyers from around the globe are spending billions on property in the U.S. Many of these well-heeled international home buyers don’t require financing—which means the sales are often easy to accomplish (for example, last year, 70% of houses bought by Chinese buyers closed in cash!).
But that’s not to say that marketing to out-of-country buyers is a snap. If you have a property in SW Florida you believe could have foreign appeal, read on. There are some specific ins and outs for International Home Buyers Shop SW Florida Properties Online! Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, Sanibel Islandmarketing to international home buyers:
Since many prospective international home buyers for SW Florida will not be able to physically visit the properties they will be comparing, it’s doubly important to have full photographic coverage—plenty of photos and videos which they can view online. You should include photos of all major areas of the home, both the inside and the outside of the property. Particularly important are the kitchen, living room, dining room, bathrooms and bedrooms. It’s understandable why international home buyers often choose properties they feel they have seen over those which leave areas undocumented.
Selling a SW Florida home to international home buyers, consider tailoring the language used in your marketing. For example, most international buyers will think in terms of square meters rather than square feet. Offering both measures makes it clearer that you are happy to court the foreign market. The International Home Buyers Shop SW Florida Properties Online! Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, Sanibel Islandfact is, the home-buying process is probably quite different in their home country, so it’s likely to require patience on your part (and your Realtor’s) to explain the home buying process and special legal requirements involved. Showing your willingness to do that is a plus. In fact, your property’s website is a great place for a FAQ section specifically for foreign home buyers!
Think about why international home buyers are shopping for property here in SW Florida. In some cases it may be because they recognize that SW Florida residential properties represents good investment opportunities…in which case, it will be advantageous to showcase rental information prospects. Then again, sometimes the reasons for purchasing an SW Florida property are more personal. Many international buyers want to educate their children in the United States to give them the best way to learn flawless English. Pointing out the quality of our school system can be a strong selling International Home Buyers Shop SW Florida Properties Online! Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, Sanibel Islandpoint for these international home buyers. You should also include information about your home’s proximity to the closest airports and transportation corridors, as well as any information about local expatriate communities.
International Home Buyers Shop SW Florida Properties Online! Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, Sanibel Island. Marketing to international buyers isn’t really difficult—and just could result in a premium purchase price. If you are considering listing your home in SW Florida for sale this summer and believe there is a chance that it could be a good fit for international home buyers, call me today for an in-home evaluation!

Category:

SW Florida Life

Tagged with:

Are SW Florida Home Prices Still Undervalued? Naples, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral

Are SW Florida Home Prices Still Undervalued? Naples, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral. For the past two years national home prices have risen sharply, which might lead to the conclusion that they are overpriced. In fact, if we’re to believe the most recent report by real estate website Trulia, they are still 5% undervalued when measured against long-term fundamentals. So will this summer’s home Are SW Florida Home Prices Still Undervalued? Naples, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coralprices in SW Florida be broaching unsustainable levels—or will they be reasonable?
The Problem of Measuring Only Home Price Increases
Real estate price increases by themselves are poor indicators of over or undervalued real estate. Because of the headlong drop in real estate prices in 2007, throughout most of the country, prices have increased significantly without approaching the previous highs. A well-publicized example is in Las Vegas, where prices have increased by almost 60% over the last couple of years, yet by many yardsticks remain affordable. Are SW Florida Home Prices Still Undervalued? Naples, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral
How Home Affordability Is Measured
There are a number of different ways of measuring whether home prices in SW Florida could be considered to be over or undervalued. They include looking at how current prices compare with long-term trends; how prices measure up against average incomes; the comparable cost of renting, etc. The Trulia report used a wide range of these indicators to emerge with a complete picture of the affordability of real estate across the country. Not all research confirms Trulia’s assertion. According to the Fitch Sustainable Home Price Model, national prices are overvalued by something like 15%. Critics note, however, that the Fitch model is distorted by prices in some of the markets selected – particularly California.
Are SW Florida Home Prices Still Undervalued? Naples, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape CoralWhy 2014 Isn’t 2006
I find Trulia’s track record impressive. In the first quarter of 2006, they reported that home prices were 39% overvalued…and by 2011, that number had fallen to 15% undervalued. It’s latest finding that current national prices are still 5% undervalued gives weight to those who believe we are far from entering “bubble” territory—at least for the time being. Some contributory factors could explain why. Inventory has been constrained for a number of years, fallout from the weakness of building activity following 2007. Mortgage rate increases have slowed, but since they are still slightly higher than before, they have provided a dampening effect. Also relevant: some ofAre SW Florida Home Prices Still Undervalued? Naples, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral the new lending regulations make it less likely that we will see a repeat of the rampant subprime lending that triggered collapse in 2007.
Are SW Florida Home Prices Still Undervalued? Naples, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral. All of which makes a fairly convincing case for homeowners in SW Florida to be reasonably confident that the price gains made over the past couple of years won’t soon disappear. Of course, individual SW Florida home prices vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, just as they do from house to house. If you’re interested in an accurate home price analysis of your own property, I hope you’ll call me today—I am always happy to schedule a free and confidential evaluation.

Category:

SW Real Estate News

Tagged with:

Arrangements Could Affect Future of SW Florida Housing. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Estero, Bonita Springs

Arrangements Could Affect Future of SW Florida Housing. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Estero, Bonita Springs. Of the things Americans take for granted, one of the least questioned is the future availability of familiar housing circumstances: housing that’s ‘like where I grew up.’ For urban dwellers, that might be an apartment or condominium; for others, a single-family home—a house with a yard, or perhaps a farm or ranch house. It may be time to re-examine that whole idea.
Arrangements Could Affect Future of SW Florida Housing. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Estero, Bonita SpringsOver the past few years, there has been a significant increase in multi-generational living arrangements. We read and hear a lot about the housing situation that sees many young adults now living with their parents—but that’s not the whole story. Seniors are increasingly likely to live with their children. The latest census housing data confirms that 9% of seniors now live in a household headed by their children. If you are planning to sell your home this summer, it’s worth thinking how multi-generational living is affecting housing here in SW Florida.
In the past, multi-generational living was the rule rather than the exception. In 1900, 57% of Americans Arrangements Could Affect Future of SW Florida Housing. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Estero, Bonita Springsaged 65 years or older lived with other family members. Following World War II, increased education, better access to loans and the GI bill meant that more young adults could buy homes. At the same time, older adults benefited from social security and medical care which let them live longer independently. By 1990, only 17% of people aged 65 years or older lived with their families.
The recession of 2008 created a job crunch that produced the “boomerang kid” phenomenon: many young adults took longer to leave their parents’ home to seek housing on their own. Too, the growth in the aging proportion of the population has meant that many older Americans are living with their adult children. A third contributor is the increase in the number of ethnic minorities with cultural biases for more than one generation to share housing.
It’s not surprising if the result of these trends is to influence SW Florida housing preferences. According Arrangements Could Affect Future of SW Florida Housing. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Estero, Bonita Springsto the American Institute of Architects’ Home Design Trends Survey, there has been a traceable rise in demand for “in-law” suites over the past year. There has also been an increase in demand for homes with a master bedroom and full bath on the ground floor—the layout most popular when older parents will be accommodated. Other features such as ramps, home elevators and non-slip floors are also gaining popularity. Den, attics and basements are all also increasingly being converted into bedrooms and living areas for younger adults and older parents.
Developers are also responding to the same trend by introducing housing best described as “multi-generational-friendly”. In 2011, national builder Arrangements Could Affect Future of SW Florida Housing. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Estero, Bonita SpringsLennar introduced their “Next Gen” house plan: a layout that has the capacity to become two houses in one. The attached house has its own entrance, bedroom, kitchen and living space. A connecting interior door can convert the house into one big home—but when closed, the two residences are separate. Apparently, the idea has been a notable success: Lennar now offers 50 different Next Gen floor plans in 120 communities across the country.
Arrangements Could Affect Future of SW Florida Housing. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Estero, Bonita Springs. The return to multi-generational living seems likely to have a significant impact on the types of SW Florida housing that will be developed in coming decades. SW Florida houses with in-law and young adult-friendly features (such as additional rooms and bathrooms) are likely to grow in demand. Especially if you’re thinking of remodeling your home, don’t hesitate to contact me before you start. I can offer relevant feedback about how your remodel is likely to affect your sales price now—and throughout coming years.

Category:

SW Florida Life

Tagged with:

Decisions Large and Small Shape Selling Your SW Florida Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Golden Gate Estates

Decisions Large and Small Shape Selling Your SW Florida Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Golden Gate Estates. Selling your home in SW Florida: from the first inkling that you will be putting it on the market until you sign off on the paperwork, the process can be seen as a Decisions Large and Small Shape Selling Your SW Florida Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Golden Gate Estatesseries of dozens and dozens of decisions. Many are not simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decisions, either; and many have answers that no one can ever prove was right or not.
From your SW Florida real estate agent’s perspective, providing counsel on the choices when asked is an important part of the service we provide. We get to offer a deep reservoir of experience: what has worked (and not worked) before here in SW Florida, as well as where the latest trends are pointing. Pricing, timing, marketing approaches are all areas where our input can be of immense value—can shape how quickly the selling of your home succeeds. In addition to the thunderously clear absolute Decisions Large and Small Shape Selling Your SW Florida Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Golden Gate Estatesimperatives like de-cluttering and removing an overabundance of personal items, there are also less vital areas where small touches can nudge prospective buyers in the right direction.
These are details that aren’t vital—details that sometimes may not even have any impact at all on some prospects—yet which sometimes come into play. Here are a few examples of touches that you can decide to consider when you are in the process selling your own SW Florida home:
Kitchen: clean that refrigerator; defrost that freezer! You’d be surprised a many buyers open the refrigerator door (whether it’s included in the listing or not). For some reason, it seems to be a natural Decisions Large and Small Shape Selling Your SW Florida Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Golden Gate Estatesthing to do…even though when you’re prepping your house for a showing it’s one of the last things you think about. But taking the time early-on to do a deep cleaning and defrosting will make it simple to keep up, and the ‘newer home’ impression that results can be worth doing.
Fixtures: A little changing out of outdated bathroom fixtures, as well as knobs and pulls on cabinet doors and drawers, can make a huge difference in whether a room comes across as old and tired—or newly updated and presentable. The decisions about whether and what to consider changing can be less than obvious, so giving some thought and imagination into them will be necessary.Decisions Large and Small Shape Selling Your SW Florida Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Golden Gate Estates
Decisions Large and Small Shape Selling Your SW Florida Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Golden Gate Estates. Presentation: Set the table? Arrange fresh floral cuttings in more than one room? Leave a note thanking your visitors for considering your home?
Decisions, decisions, decisions! If you will be selling your home in SW Florida this summer, your Realtor will be by your side, helping you make informed choices about which are worth pursuing. Starting early is the first one that’s a definite right choice…and I hope calling me for a complimentary assessment will be your second!

Category:

SW Real Estate News

Tagged with:

Moving to SW Florida Means Vetting Reliable Carriers. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Sanibel Island

Moving to SW Florida Means Vetting Reliable Carriers. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Sanibel Island. Moving to SW Florida (or moving to anywhere) is adventure enough without including one of the moving company scams that are all too common. It seems hard to Moving to SW Florida Means Vetting Reliable Carriers. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Sanibel Islandbelieve that unscrupulous carriers can continue to operate, but the fact is, there are a lot of them out there. If you will be moving to SW Florida anytime soon, you don’t have to worry about any of the rip-off artists if you follow some straightforward guidelines:
1. Check the FMCSA
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration runs a household goods program designed to aid consumers. Their website includes a search feature that records past complaints for known companies…but be aware that only interstate movers are listed. Along with complaint information, it lists company contact details so you will know you’re dealing with the people they say they are.
2. Check Online Reviews
A search engine search of the company can be helpful: just enter the company name plus ‘reviews’ or ‘ratings.’ You’ll often find Yelp entries, and with luck, recent experiences by customers moving to SW Moving to SW Florida Means Vetting Reliable Carriers. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Sanibel IslandFlorida.
3. Get A Written Estimate
You should be skeptical of any moving company that is willing to provide a quote over the phone or internet. This may not be evidence of a scam, but often means that you are dealing with a broker rather than the company itself. In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation red flags any over who doesn’t offer or agree to an on-site inspection of our household goods “or gives an estimate over the phone or internet”…the too-good-to-be-true estimates, demands for large upfront deposits, or failure to hand you Moving to SW Florida Means Vetting Reliable Carriers. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Sanibel Islandthe “Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” pamphlet (Federal regulations require Interstate movers do so during the planning stages) are all signs of trouble ahead!
4. Insurance Issues
Before you hand over your belongings, it is a good idea to check that you’ll be moving to SW Florida with the proper insurance. Ask the movers about their insurance policy and note the policy number. If you have any concerns, you can check with the insurance provider to confirm that they are properly covered.
5. Use A Mover With A Physical Address
Another sign to watch out for are moving companies that don’t list a physical business address. With a Moving to SW Florida Means Vetting Reliable Carriers. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Sanibel Islandbrick-and-mortar base of operations, you know where to head should anything go wrong.
Moving to SW Florida Means Vetting Reliable Carriers. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Sanibel Island. Moving scams can cost a lot of money—not to mention the stress that results when unscrupulous operators have all your stuff! If you’re planning on moving to SW Florida this summer, please consider me your local guide to our area. I’m here to offer professional real estate representation—as well as a ton of information about all things SW Florida!

Category:

Helpful Tips

Tagged with:

Getting a SW Florida Mortgage is a Detailed Endeavor – Naples, Ft. Myers, Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate Estates

Getting a SW Florida Mortgage is a Detailed Endeavor – Naples, Ft. Myers, Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate Estates. Buying a SW Florida home can’t help but be about as thrilling a purchase as you can make, whether you’re a first time buyer or an experienced homeowner. Getting a SW Florida Mortgage is a Detailed Endeavor - Naples, Ft. Myers, Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate Estates‘Buying’ a SW Florida mortgage, on the other hand…well, the experience may be slightly less exciting, but if your team has managed to secure a good one, it’s actually a comparable accomplishment.
In the same way that it’s the features and condition of your new SW Florida home that give it extra value, there are multiple elements of a local mortgage that make signing on the dotted line an action you look back on with satisfaction. Having a knowledgeable REALTOR® on your side is one part of making sure that happens—knowing how the process works, familiarizing yourself with the terms involved, and fully comprehending the significance of the paperwork elements is the other part. Here is a brief overview of the key elements that come into play:
• Being 100% clear about the financial terms prior to signing is the primary order of business. How much you will be paying each month, how much your interest rate is, whether it is fixed or variable, Getting a SW Florida Mortgage is a Detailed Endeavor - Naples, Ft. Myers, Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate Estateswhat additional costs accompany your SW Florida mortgage—this is the ‘meat-and-potatoes’ of your loan.
• An application fee is the charge that covers the lender’s costs for processing your application. This sometimes includes the credit report and property appraisal—you’ll want to know whether these fees were included as part of your application fee.
• An appraisal fee is included to make sure your home is professionally appraised (it may or may not be part of the application fee).
• A loan origination fee includes the additional expenditures associated with your application. It’s Getting a SW Florida Mortgage is a Detailed Endeavor - Naples, Ft. Myers, Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate Estatesusually presented as a percentage (point) of the loan amount.
• Title insurance covers the title search that investigates whether the property is lien-free. This also covers the legal recording costs, and indemnifies against legal costs for defending the property from future claims. It can sometimes pay to comparison shop between title companies.
• Other amounts may also be included: if, for instance, you and the seller have agreed upon certain things, those details will be listed and costs added onto the total of your SW Florida mortgage. Property taxes and insurance may also be prorated and included in the monthly payment.
Before the closing, expect to receive a HUD-1 form—the federally-mandated settlement statement that Getting a SW Florida Mortgage is a Detailed Endeavor - Naples, Ft. Myers, Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate Estateslists all fees, charges and costs. If there is a problem, this is the time to address it. And keep this and the other papers in a safe place…and remember where they are! You’ll save time later, because some of them may be required in future financial dealings. You will also receive a final Truth-in-Lending statement, a mortgage note, and a Deed of Trust. It’s important to make sure all the due dates are clearly understood—it’s not a bad idea to list them on your own personal “To Do” sheet to keep track for your own reference.
Getting a SW Florida Mortgage is a Detailed Endeavor – Naples, Ft. Myers, Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Golden Gate Estates. If you are thinking of buying a home in SW Florida this summer, it’s time to get pre-qualified now. Contact me for an introduction to an experienced mortgage broker—then we can get started with the fun part: finding your future home!

Category:

Mortgages

Tagged with:

SW Florida Seller Financing Agreements Can Make Deals Happen! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres

SW Florida Seller Financing Agreements Can Make Deals Happen! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres. When home prices in SW Florida are on the rise, one side effect is that first-time home buyers may run into a financing obstacle. Although the stricter lending standards of the past few years have been easing somewhat, it still can be difficult for some folks (younger buyers, especially) to purchase the SW Florida home they have in their sights.
SW Florida Seller Financing Agreements Can Make Deals Happen! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh AcresIn that situation, an alternative to a traditional bank mortgage is seller financing. Many prospective buyers know little about the details that make up a seller financing agreement, and how it can–or cannot—help them secure a home.
What Seller Financing Is…
It’s as simple as the words themselves. When part or all of the purchase price of a property is carried by the current owner rather than a bank, it is considered to be “seller” or “owner” financed. Buyer and seller reach agreement on the loan details, including the monthly repayments, term of the loan, and interest rate. The security for the loan is the property itself—a fact which is documented on public records for the safety of both SW Florida Seller Financing Agreements Can Make Deals Happen! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acresparties.
The Benefits of Seller Financing…
For the buyer, the principal benefit of seller financing is avoiding the requirements that are the hallmarks of traditional bank loans. Motivated sellers, who may be anticipating having trouble selling their home in a timely manner, be willing to advance a loan to buyers who do not traditionally qualify for a loan. Another benefit for the seller is having an investment which returns a fixed rate of return—one that is secured by the property. In the case that the buyer defaults on the loan the seller can foreclose on the property. With seller financing of a SW Florida property, the buyer will often compensate for a lower-than-bank-required credit score by agreeing to pay an above-market interest rate (another inducement for the seller).
SW Florida Seller Financing Agreements Can Make Deals Happen! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh AcresFinancing Part of the Purchase Price…
In some cases, the buyer may be able to secure a traditional loan for only part of the full purchase price. In that case, the buyer can ask the owner if they would be willing to finance the missing piece. Again, the buyer may sometimes offer an interest rate that is above current market rates as an inducement. It’s often possible for the buyer to plan on refinancing the ‘missing piece’ at a later time when the credit picture has improved, hoping to lower the combined interest rate.
But, then…
These advantages are so clear, you might expect that SW Florida seller financing arrangements would be very common. There are several reasons why that’s not true. First, owner financing can only be offered by sellers who own their property outright. Second, should a buyer fail to live up to his or her side of the SW Florida Seller Financing Agreements Can Make Deals Happen! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acresagreement, foreclosing on the property can be a lengthy and expensive process—during which it’s likely that no money will be paid by the buyer in default.
SW Florida Seller Financing Agreements Can Make Deals Happen! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres. In SW Florida, seller financing can be a deal-saving alternative for buyers who may not meet lending standards set by banks, but who can nonetheless afford to service a mortgage. Not all sellers will consider owner financing—but for those who are willing to support the added risk, it can meaningfully expand the pool of prospective buyers. Seller financing is just one of many possible strategies. If you are thinking of buying or selling in SW Florida, give me a call as soon as possible to take advantage of this summer’s market opportunities!

Category:

Buyer Tips

Tagged with:

SW Florida Real Estate Holders Pleased by Gallup Poll Findings. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Golden Gate, Lehigh Acres

SW Florida Real Estate Holders Pleased by Gallup Poll Findings. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Golden Gate, Lehigh Acres. For SW Florida real estate investors (BTW, that includes homeowners and soon-to-be homeowners of all stripes), there’s some long wished-for news: the solid reputation of real estate as an investment is back! After years of falling off, the latest Gallup poll on the economy and personal finance finds that Americans are SW Florida Real Estate Holders Pleased by Gallup Poll Findings. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Golden Gate, Lehigh Acresnow convinced that their best long-term investment is in the housing market. Real estate won out against all other alternatives: bonds, gold, stocks, mutual funds and CDs.
For the past few years, gold had been investment #1—but see-sawing gold price movements have whiplashed public sentiment. Just as takes place everywhere in the nation, whenever SW Florida’s real estate market improves, so does its reception by potential buyers who view their home as a savings vehicle as well as a place to hang their hat. As Gallup Economy’s headline put it, Americans Sold on Real Estate as Best Long-Term Investment.
Public sentiment by itself is, of course, not reason enough to change long-term investment strategies. SW Florida Real Estate Holders Pleased by Gallup Poll Findings. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Golden Gate, Lehigh AcresBut when any investment class is on the rise in public’s estimation, the effect is to create competition among buyers—and further price improvement often follows. It can make a difference when it comes to SW Florida real estate.
One possibility for those selling real estate in SW Florida this summer might be to consider capitalizing on the investment trend by including a marketing approach: one that targets investors. You can have your agent or a local property manager provide a rental evaluation for the property, along with approximate leasing fees and property management fees. Having such an evaluation at the ready lets SW Florida Real Estate Holders Pleased by Gallup Poll Findings. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Golden Gate, Lehigh Acresinvestment-minded prospects evaluate the potential cash flow and return. It’s even possible to post the information on your sales website, and to display it along with other marketing materials at showings and open houses.
SW Florida Real Estate Holders Pleased by Gallup Poll Findings. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Golden Gate, Lehigh Acres. In many neighborhoods, SW Florida real estate prices have a lot further to go to near their previous high water marks; if you look at neighborhoods individually, you can find some plum opportunities to make a sound investment. If you are thinking of buying or selling in SW Florida this summer, contact me to discuss your ideas—and how you will make the most of America’s new Number One investment opportunity!

Category:

Real Estate News

Tagged with: