Ron & Debbie Albert MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MOVE
Real Estate and Lifestyle Specialists of Florida's Treasure Coast
Our Blog
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BUYERS: Home Purchase Strategy
March 7, 2010 BLOG -- OK! You have your loan approval from a local lender ... GREAT! Now What?
Oh my Gosh! There are so many properties available, where should I start? Sound Familiar?
Well, lets get a strategy to work for us.
There are some questions you need to ask yourself. Lets take a look at the size of your family, your pets and your lifestyle, you know the things most important to you and what you love to do.
Now let's consider home features that are important to you. Do you see yourself sitting in front of a cozy fireplace? Is being close to schools or work important? What is your favorite view? Is being close to the beach a Must for you?
Answering these questions will give you a direction and a basic start now that you will know how many bedrooms, bathrooms, square feet of living space...also lake view or fenced yard. Close to schools or on the golf course.
Once you have your preferences done, hire a Realtor who knows the areas that you need to see!
Buying a home is more than finances and architecture...it is emotional.
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SELLERS:
Squeezing Every Last Dollar From Your Home Sale
March 7, 2010 BLOG -- OK! You have your loan approval from a local lender ... GREAT! Now What?
Oh my Gosh! There are so many properties available, where should I start? Sound Familiar?
Well, lets get a strategy to work for us.
There are some questions you need to ask yourself. Lets take a look at the size of your family, your pets and your lifestyle, you know the things most important to you and what you love to do.
Now let's consider home features that are important to you. Do you see yourself sitting in front of a cozy fireplace? Is being close to schools or work important? What is your favorite view? Is being close to the beach a Must for you?
Answering these questions will give you a direction and a basic start now that you will know how many bedrooms, bathrooms, square feet of living space...also lake view or fenced yard. Close to schools or on the golf course.
Once you have your preferences done, hire a Realtor who knows the areas that you need to see!
Buying a home is more than finances and architecture...it is emotional.
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SELLERS:
Squeezing Every Last Dollar From Your Home Sale
March 7, 2010 BLOG -- The "secret" to making top dollar when you sell your home isn't really a secret at all - we've been "revealing" it to our clients for years. But because it involves a lot of discipline and elbow grease, many people decide to cut corners. That is when the price you could command begins to drop.
We have a Free report that will show you that even minor home improvements can add value and marketability of your home. In today's economy, there are no guarantees that you will recoup what you spend to improve the value of your home - so it if real important to pick the right investments. You also will gain the edge over other homes on the market. the failure to make some improvements can leave you at a disadvantage as buyers compare your home with the competition. Believe us, we have seen it happen time and again.
In considering a home improvement project, ask yourself a couple of questions: Why are you doing it? Is it work that really needs to be done - a paint job or replacing a leaky roof? Or is it an amenity you'd like that you think might appeal to a potential buyer.
Some improvements involve relatively little cash outlay and return many times your cost. Other improvements have no significant impact.
Think Curb appeal, clean up the yard! Paint, it makes everything bright! Remember kitchen and bath are two rooms that make the most impression on a buyer. You might want to refinish cabinets or change drawer pulls.
A recent hot remodeling trend is the "great room"...and the home office is another room that is rising in demand and interest.
Remember, whatever you do, Do It Well or Don't Do It At All, Don't Over-Improve either. It can be easy to get carried away.
For more information on this subject, order this FREE report from the "Reports" section of our website.
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Whats happening in the area this weekend?
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Is Now the Best Time to buy Real Estate? It is in these locations
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Florida Real Estate is Coming Back in a Big Way
Who says that now is not the time to buy. The message is out there loud and clear!
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Attention Snow Birds: This is what a cold front looks like in St. Lucie!
We have a Free report that will show you that even minor home improvements can add value and marketability of your home. In today's economy, there are no guarantees that you will recoup what you spend to improve the value of your home - so it if real important to pick the right investments. You also will gain the edge over other homes on the market. the failure to make some improvements can leave you at a disadvantage as buyers compare your home with the competition. Believe us, we have seen it happen time and again.
In considering a home improvement project, ask yourself a couple of questions: Why are you doing it? Is it work that really needs to be done - a paint job or replacing a leaky roof? Or is it an amenity you'd like that you think might appeal to a potential buyer.
Some improvements involve relatively little cash outlay and return many times your cost. Other improvements have no significant impact.
Think Curb appeal, clean up the yard! Paint, it makes everything bright! Remember kitchen and bath are two rooms that make the most impression on a buyer. You might want to refinish cabinets or change drawer pulls.
A recent hot remodeling trend is the "great room"...and the home office is another room that is rising in demand and interest.
Remember, whatever you do, Do It Well or Don't Do It At All, Don't Over-Improve either. It can be easy to get carried away.
For more information on this subject, order this FREE report from the "Reports" section of our website.
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Whats happening in the area this weekend?
March 4, 2010 BLOG -- It looks like there is something for everyone to enjoy in the area!
Love Golf? Check out The Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens this weekend.
Water sports? The swim and dive championships continue thru Thursday at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce.
Love Greek Food? Don't miss the annual Greek Festival at St. Nicholas. Enjoy music, dancing, food, and tours.
St. Patricks day events are happening at Marina Square on the river in Fort Pierce. Fun for the whole family!
Love DooWop and Rock 'n Roll? Check out Sunrise Theatre and Richard Nader's show!
Need time to enjoy nature? The NEW botanical gardens have opened in Port St. Lucie!
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HAFA and Short Sales...It is an imperfect start
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HAFA and Short Sales...It is an imperfect start
March 3, 2010 BLOG – The Treasury Department has some new guidelines for us and HAFA. It is not exactly all we were hoping for as Realtors. First of all, no Fanny or Freddy loans are included. Second, it is optional if a bank wants to sign up for the program.
If they do sign up, the loan must meet criteria to be modified, so all of the sellers paperwork...hardship letter, past tax reports, current bills, etc. are submitted to the bank. Once the loan is eligible for modification, the owner has the option of turning down the modification and listing it for short sale.
Once it is listed, the bank goes into action. They do the CMA or BPO, the give a net price approval. That is the net they will approve, now we need to obtain the list price. Now the short sale contract can be approved in a couple of weeks.
The problem is being able to come up with all of the added charges. They include liens on the property, uncleared permits, back HOA dues and taxes.
We were hoping for a bit more comprehensive program. Oh well...some progress is better than none I suppose.
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Is Now the Best Time to buy Real Estate? It is in these locations
March 3, 2010 BLOG – This article shows the most undervalued areas in the country. According to an article in the realtors magazine, Yes, now is the time to buy in these locations:
The 10 Most Undervalued Housing Markets
Nationwide, only 87 markets are in the overvalued category, according to a newly released 2010 report compiled by IHS Global Insight and PNC Financial Services.
Nationwide, only 87 markets are in the overvalued category, according to a newly released 2010 report compiled by IHS Global Insight and PNC Financial Services.
That means 242 of the 299 largest U.S. housing markets are selling for prices that even bankers think are less than fair market value. The judgment is based on a comparison of median home prices, local interest rates, population densities, and income, plus historic premiums or discounts. Here are the 10 most undervalued areas, according to the study:
1. Las Vegas, NV -41.4 percent
2. Vero Beach, FL -39.8 percent
3. Merced, CA -37.7 percent
4. Cape Coral, FL -36.8 percent
5. Houma, LA -34.6 percent
6. Port St. Lucie, FL -33.3 percent <==== LOOK HERE!!
7. Warren, MI -32.3 percent
8. Vallejo, CA -31.9 percent
9. Modesto, CA -31.8 percent
10. Stockton, CA -31.8 percent
2. Vero Beach, FL -39.8 percent
3. Merced, CA -37.7 percent
4. Cape Coral, FL -36.8 percent
5. Houma, LA -34.6 percent
6. Port St. Lucie, FL -33.3 percent <==== LOOK HERE!!
7. Warren, MI -32.3 percent
8. Vallejo, CA -31.9 percent
9. Modesto, CA -31.8 percent
10. Stockton, CA -31.8 percent
Source: CNNMoney, Les Christie
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Florida Real Estate is Coming Back in a Big Way
March 3, 2010 – Ron and I attended our Board of Realtors monthly breakfast meeting last week. The featured speaker and sponsor was Todd Matthews from PNC Bank. He mentioned of course that we still have REO (Real Esate Owned-Foreclosed homes) challenges to work with and overcome as well as the economic issues such as employment that needs to be stablized. AND he had Great News that I want to share:
Florida Real Estate Sales Are Up!
The State of Florida is up 34% and in St. Lucie County, real estate sales are up a huge 51%.
The State of Florida is up 34% and in St. Lucie County, real estate sales are up a huge 51%.
Who says that now is not the time to buy. The message is out there loud and clear!
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Attention Snow Birds: This is what a cold front looks like in St. Lucie!
February 28, 2010 -- The morning was cold by our standards...in the upper 30's...by noon we are in the 50's and while Ron and I were running errands, I could not help but appreciate the clear cool skies. What perfect weather for golf, tennis, a nice walk. In St. Lucie, we love our cold fronts!
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Real Estate Prices Could Climb Slowly
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Real Estate Prices Could Climb Slowly
WASHINGTON – With the population aging and fewer young people to take the place of baby boomers, the demand for housing may slow for years to come, keeping home values from increasing as they have done since World War II, according to at least one well-known housing expert.
“We can no longer assume that housing will be as good an investment for the future as it has been,” said Robert Reich, public policy professor at the University of California-Berkeley and U.S. Labor Secretary in the Clinton administration.
Reich isn’t predicting that buying a home will no longer be a good financial strategy, just that the value of real estate won’t climb as rapidly.
“People in the middle class, although stressed, will still want homes, and homeownership will still be part of the American dream,” he said. “House prices will continue to rise, just more slowly than they did in the past 70 years.”
Source: Chicago Tribune, Peter Y. Hong
© Copyright 2009 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
© Copyright 2009 Florida Realtors®
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=224675
“We can no longer assume that housing will be as good an investment for the future as it has been,” said Robert Reich, public policy professor at the University of California-Berkeley and U.S. Labor Secretary in the Clinton administration.
Reich isn’t predicting that buying a home will no longer be a good financial strategy, just that the value of real estate won’t climb as rapidly.
“People in the middle class, although stressed, will still want homes, and homeownership will still be part of the American dream,” he said. “House prices will continue to rise, just more slowly than they did in the past 70 years.”
Source: Chicago Tribune, Peter Y. Hong
© Copyright 2009 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
© Copyright 2009 Florida Realtors®
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=224675
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Golf Communities
Ron and I love our gated communities. Explore St. James and St. Andrews with their zero lot line homes so popular in Florida along with the townhomes -- and the Golf Course is free!! No equity memberships.
Meadowood Golf and Tennis Club (formerly Panther Woods Country Club) is one of the best kept secrets on the Treasure Coast. Start with the security of the manned entry gate, to the 18 hole championship course with its wonderful pro shop and pros and various levels of membership, to the varied residences including condos, villas, AND single family homes, there is something for everyone to choose from with prices beginning in the low $100's to well over $500!! You should check out our fabulous golf communities.
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Tradition in Port St. Lucie, Florida
WOW, there are so many activities for the whole family from kayaks and canoes to "yappy hour" (for the pets), concerts, festivals, and so much more. The downtown area is like that in just about any small town in America, and there are beaches and golf just a short drive away. I would love to tell you more about it. Homes are available for rent and for sale. These homes start in the $100's and go to very nice high end estate homes. In addition to an age restricted community, ther are several other fabulous neighborhoods to choose from. There are condos, townhouses and single family, in other words, something for anyone. The downtown area will bring back fond memories to many of you, and just across the boulevard is a modern shopping center with several national brand big box stores. Come and check it out ...
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Most of the above articles are from our Trulia Voices blog. For more on these subjects or for additional subjects, please visit our blogs at:
http://www.trulia.com/blog/debbie_albert/ or http://www.trulia.com/blog/debra_b_albert_pa/
We will always keep you up-to-date with the latest news
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate
1973 SW Savage Blvd.; Port St. Lucie, FL 34953
Ron 772 359-3810 or Ron@RonAndDebbie.net
Debbie 772 708-3292 or Debbie@RonAndDebbie.net
Fax 772 607-5200
Ron & Debbie Albert MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MOVE
