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Flattening Interest Rates Give SW Florida Homeowners an Opening. Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral

Flattening Interest Rates Give SW Florida Homeowners an Opening. Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral. SW Florida homeowners who had been bracing themselves for sharp rises in mortgage interest rates must now be scratching their heads. As the online Mortgage Flattening Interest Rates Give SW Florida Homeowners an Opening. Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral.News Daily put it last week, “…rates have been extraordinarily sideways, and right in line with the lowest levels in 11 months.”
Since historical averages are still significantly higher, it’s no wonder that most observers still believe the greater likelihood is for rate increases. But recent Fed happenings show a crack in their avowed determination to let that happen by tapering off purchases of mortgage-backed securities. The hemming and hawing is notable. It’s all pretty much up in the air.
In any case, one thing I can guarantee is that SW Florida mortgage holders will benefit if they take advantage of savings opportunities when they present themselves. Among current possibilities—
1. Refinance Your Mortgage
SW Florida mortgage holders who haven’t already refinanced should at least consider doing so.Flattening Interest Rates Give SW Florida Homeowners an Opening. Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral. Refinancing means taking advantage of the still historically low SW Florida interest rates—often the most meaningful step in reducing your monthly mortgage payments. Before deciding to refinance, make sure that the mortgage costs involved will be less than the resulting savings. If you agree with the prevailing wisdom that it’s unlikely we will see a significant drop in interest rates in the near future, today’s levels still look inviting.
2. Cancel Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, mortgage down payments have fallen over the past decade. Their figures show that the average mortgage down payment in 2013 was 10% – compared with 16% just ten years earlier. Homeowners who put down less than a 20% deposit are typically Flattening Interest Rates Give SW Florida Homeowners an Opening. Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral.required to take out Private Mortgage Insurance. But once the Loan-to-value (LTV) ratio falls below 80%, homeowners can ask for the PMI insurance to be removed—and they should, because the lender isn’t responsible for keeping track of that for them. If you are close to the 20% threshold, it may be worthwhile to make a one-time payment that will reduce the principal below 80%.
3. Extend the Length of the Mortgage
Many homeowners have made significant reductions in their principal by opting for shorter-term mortgages. But should rising SW Florida interest rates make a property you are trying to buy unaffordable, extending the length of the mortgage can reduce monthly payments to a more comfortable level. Although over the long-term this will end up costing significantly more in interest, moving from a 15-year mortgage to a 30-year can Flattening Interest Rates Give SW Florida Homeowners an Opening. Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral.sometimes be the right move—especially when the property at stake represents one of the terrific values currently out there.
Flattening Interest Rates Give SW Florida Homeowners an Opening. Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral. While interest rates in SW Florida may rise or fall or, as we’ve seen lately, hold surprisingly steady, sudden leaps or plummets are unlikely…and with a little preparation, unpleasant future surprises in interest rates are avoidable. Thinking of buying a home in SW Florida this summer? Call me today to start laying the groundwork!

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Mortgages

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Inexpensive Upgrades Boost SW Florida Home Values Painlessly . Naples, Ft. Myers, Golden Gate, Lehigh Acres, Estero, Cape Coral

Inexpensive Upgrades Boost SW Florida Home Values Painlessly . Naples, Ft. Myers, Golden Gate, Lehigh Acres, Estero, Cape Coral. Especially when it comes to major decisions like buying or selling your home, human nature seems to tilt toward delaying action until it’s the end result is absolutely certain. After all, nobody wants to make a life-changing move that turns out to be anything short of fantastic!
Inexpensive Upgrades Boost SW Florida Home Values Painlessly . Naples, Ft. Myers, Golden Gate, Lehigh Acres, Estero, Cape Coral. So even when you’ve outgrown your current home…or found yourself in a daily long-distance commute because work has moved…or any number of other reasons why you know you should be looking for a new house…it can be difficult to commit to such a looming decision. Adding to that is one of the most common assumptions many SW Florida homeowners believe: that they have to spend a boatload of money to increase their home value.
The truth is: It’s not so! You can strategically update your SW Florida house before you put it on the market without cratering your bank account.
Items that only seem to require costly fixes:Inexpensive Upgrades Boost SW Florida Home Values Painlessly . Naples, Ft. Myers, Golden Gate, Lehigh Acres, Estero, Cape Coral.
• Make it Spacious
Adding space to a room increases any SW Florida home value. Tearing out walls isn’t necessary when there are so many other ways to achieve the same thing. Simple options include removing built-in shelves, enlarging windows, or (the simplest) just removing “stuff” that’s hogging perceived space.
• Go Green
More and more, you can improve your SW Florida home value by installing modest “green” upgrades. Today’s buyers may not necessarily be eco-focused—they may simply have a good sense of the increasing cost of water and power. “Going green” as a way to add home value to your area property can be no more costly than switching to low-flow toilets, adding a wifi thermostat with “smart” technology, or putting in a low-cost drip watering system.
• Window Update
Inexpensive Upgrades Boost SW Florida Home Values Painlessly . Naples, Ft. Myers, Golden Gate, Lehigh Acres, Estero, Cape Coral. Have a room that comes across as outdated…or just plain ‘blah’? Consider how much extra home value a new window treatment might add. It could be as simple as installing a stylish valence over a window or two.
• Change the Doors
Remember your first apartment with its flimsy, hollow doors? A quality door can make a disproportionate difference to a property’s perceived home value. Changing out your front or back doors for more a more weighty or modern selection can be well worth the expense.
• Paint
Paint is the number one way to alter the look of a room inexpensively. Instead of painting the entire room one color, another option is to make a “statement wall” in its own neutral color that compliments a painting’s or Inexpensive Upgrades Boost SW Florida Home Values Painlessly . Naples, Ft. Myers, Golden Gate, Lehigh Acres, Estero, Cape Coral. picture frame’s palate.
These are just a few suggestions that can increase the value of your home in SW Florida without a straining the family finances. Even in an older home, many times it’s the little touches that can make the greatest difference.
Inexpensive Upgrades Boost SW Florida Home Values Painlessly . Naples, Ft. Myers, Golden Gate, Lehigh Acres, Estero, Cape Coral. Looking for specific suggestions to improve the value of your SW Florida home before listing it for sale? Call me today for an in-home market evaluation!

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Want to Sell Your House? Think Like Real Estate Agents Do! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Cape Coral

Want to Sell Your House? Think Like Real Estate Agents Do! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Cape Coral. Because real estate agents in SW Florida see everything in the market, we have a pretty good idea about why some houses sell (and why others sit on the market for years). Want to Sell Your House? Think Like Real Estate Agents Do! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Cape Coral.Whether as buyer or seller, anyone planning to enter SW Florida’s real estate market this summer can benefit from some of the tactics and factors that SW Florida real estate agents keep in mind when as they go about the business of making home sales happen:
When Speed Matters…
When the overriding goal is a quick sale, leading with a price slightly lower than what comparables suggest it is really worth is the surest tactic. When a home is priced at only a fraction below market value, real estate agents know it will draw much more attention than higher-priced neighbors. Most sellers have a built-in resistance to the very Want to Sell Your House? Think Like Real Estate Agents Do! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Cape Coral.idea!—often because aren’t aware of how a home loses fair value as it sits on the market. Pricing a listing slightly lower right out of the gate can mean minimizing the likelihood of a lengthy DOM (Days On Market)—and the possibility of a disappointing final sale price.
Pre-approval: It’s Not Final Approval
Most real estate agents in SW Florida have seen this more than once: a buyer who is pre-approved for a mortgage begins running up credit cards in preparation for the move into their new home. Because lenders often re-examine a home buyer’s credit during the closing proceedings, the result can be a higher than originally quoted interest rate, or even an outright denial. IOW, it’s wise to continue to spend frugally until keys are in hand!
It’s a Long Process
Want to Sell Your House? Think Like Real Estate Agents Do! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Cape Coral.Real estate agents know that selling a house takes a finite amount of time, beginning with preparation, through marketing, then paperwork, then finally, closing…and that’s not counting any unexpected turns-of-events that sometimes just happen. Whether you are buying or selling, it pays to be mentally and emotionally prepared to remain as flexible as possible with all the other ongoing events in your life until the transaction is a done deal.
Want to Sell Your House? Think Like Real Estate Agents Do! Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Cape Coral If you’re considering buying or selling a home in SW Florida this summer, there’s every reason to start preparing as early as possible. Contact me for an initial consultation—we can set up a timeline that will be the first step in keeping you well-informed from start to finish!

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Pocket Listings – Is Selling Your SW Florida House under the Radar a Good Idea? Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Estero, Sanibel Island

 Pocket Listings – Is Selling Your SW Florida House under the Radar a Good Idea? Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Estero, Sanibel Island. Pocket Pocket Listings – Is Selling Your SW Florida House under the Radar a Good Idea? Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Estero, Sanibel Island.listings are a hot topic nowadays in SW Florida. Nationwide, the use of pocket listings is on the rise and for good reason – with house prices rising, many homeowners are willing to “test the waters” and see if they can sell their home for a decent price while maintaining much of their privacy.

What is a “pocket listing” you ask? It’s when a seller and real estate agent sign a listing agreement that permits the agent to place the property for sale without adding the information into the MLS. We’ll take a look at the benefits and the negatives of selling your SW Florida home via a pocket listing.

The Upside: Greater Privacy
One of the biggest benefits of a pocket listing is that it can offer sellers greater convenience, flexibility and privacy then a conventional listing. By keeping their home off the MLS (and not placing a lawn sign in front of their Pocket Listings – Is Selling Your SW Florida House under the Radar a Good Idea? Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Estero, Sanibel Island.property) the general public is not alerted to the fact that their SW Florida home is for sale. This means not having to deal with open houses and unannounced showings. Another added benefit is that it provides the seller with additional time to perform repairs and resolve any concerns they may have before committing to a sale. Because of the no fuss style in which a pocket listing is offered many people look at it as a way to maintain their privacy while being able to test how the maximum amount they would fetch for the sale of their home.

The Down Side of Pocket Listings
Pocket Listings – Is Selling Your SW Florida House under the Radar a Good Idea? Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Estero, Sanibel Island.The biggest drawback to home sellers when offering a pocket listing is that it will drastically reduce the exposure of your SW Florida home. Other real estate agents and the public will not know that your home is for sale and for that reason it will fall under the radar of most potential home buyers. This can mean a significantly reduced sales price in markets where prices are generally rising and supply limited as this will limit the likelihood of receiving multiple offers (and possibly a bidding war) on your home.

 Pocket Listings – Is Selling Your SW Florida House under the Radar a Good Idea? Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Estero, Sanibel Island. If you’re thinking of selling your home and aren’t sure if a pocket listing is right for you, give me a call and we can discuss your options.

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Seller Tips

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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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SW Florida Events

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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.
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, WaterBitcoin might be new (introduced in 2009), but it is gaining more and more popularity. Even businesses like Overstock.com, Virgin Atlantic, the Sacramento Kings, TigerDirect, Atomic Mall, Clearly Canadian, and Zynga now accept bitcoins. As more credible parties accept them, the more credible the phenomenon becomes.
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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Seller Tips

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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.
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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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Mortgages

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