Ron & Debbie Albert MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MOVE
Real Estate and Lifestyle Specialists of Florida's Treasure Coast
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Planning an Open House? Follow these SAFETY tips
April 10, 2010 BLOG -- Andrew Wooten is at the top of our list when it comes to the question..."Who is our favorite instructor?" Andrew's safety classes are just awesome and always filled to the brink! Here are his safety tips for you to be aware of for your next open house. We follow them and you should too!
April 10, 2010 BLOG -- Andrew Wooten is at the top of our list when it comes to the question..."Who is our favorite instructor?" Andrew's safety classes are just awesome and always filled to the brink! Here are his safety tips for you to be aware of for your next open house. We follow them and you should too!
Andrew Wooten's Open House Safety Tips
Open House Basics
* Take a buddy, never go alone.
* Let at least five people know where you are and check in with them regularly.
* Meet the neighbors, invite them to view the home.
Plan Ahead
* Visit the homes/neighborhood at least three times at different times of the day.
* Check your cell phone reception.
* Check for animals, lighting, and landscape issues.
Trust Your Gut
If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Keep your cell phone on you at all times and use it!
Enjoy this national Open House weekend, and be SAFE out there.
(Andrew Wooten is a nationally recognized expert in the areas of safety and identity theft. This information is reprinted with permission of Andrew Wooten and S.A.F.E.)
* Visit the homes/neighborhood at least three times at different times of the day.
* Check your cell phone reception.
* Check for animals, lighting, and landscape issues.
Trust Your Gut
If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Keep your cell phone on you at all times and use it!
Enjoy this national Open House weekend, and be SAFE out there.
(Andrew Wooten is a nationally recognized expert in the areas of safety and identity theft. This information is reprinted with permission of Andrew Wooten and S.A.F.E.)
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The Weather is Wonderful - What is there to do this weekend?
April 9, 2010 BLOG -- I am sure the beaches will be packed and our beautiful river full of boats, since it is much too beautiful to be inside. So is you are not out looking at houses, it is not a bad idea to pack a lunch, grab the sunscreen and go! I know Ron and I will be at the green market, downtown Fort Pierce on the waterfront. We almost allways pick up an eggplant and have my skinny recipe for eggplant parm. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
April 9, 2010 BLOG -- I am sure the beaches will be packed and our beautiful river full of boats, since it is much too beautiful to be inside. So is you are not out looking at houses, it is not a bad idea to pack a lunch, grab the sunscreen and go! I know Ron and I will be at the green market, downtown Fort Pierce on the waterfront. We almost allways pick up an eggplant and have my skinny recipe for eggplant parm. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Also in the area, in Vero's Indian River County Fairgrounds is having a latin music film and food festival. That sounds awesomely delicious and fun!
The Backus Museum is starting an exhibit called "Making Waves of Motion". The exhibit is running thru May 15 and is featuring Jim Kern's work, he is a wildlife photographer, as well as painters Kenneth Muth, Joel Johnson, Marilynn Spepherd and Sydney McKenna. Congratulations to them all. 150 works were submitted and the entries were picked by the board and staff.
What a great theme! Can't wait to see that as well. So hope to see you out and about St. Lucie.
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St. Lucie Sales figures for February
April 7, 2010 BLOG -- February was a very busy Real Estate month in St. Lucie County Florida. There were 3054 homes for sale. Of those, 359 homes pended and 314 sold single family homes in St. Lucie for the month of February. The breakdown of the sales per office were interesting.
Coldwell Banker Residential was the leader with 112 sold homes with a sales total of 11,181,000 in sales! We are very proud of that considering that there were 97 companies with a sales volume under 1 million.
The per square foot price dropped a bit overall, however, there are areas that are stabelizing and a few that are up. So, in review. The inventory levels are back to the average before the fall in prices. About 10% of the inventory is selling every month. Here's to wishing that our pending and sold properties continue strong!
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April 3, 2010 BLOG -- Our Real Estate market is recovering. How do you know when you have a HOT market...well the tax credit has first time buyers out buying, mortgage rates are still historically low, inventory is down and flipping is up.
It is not uncommon to have a well priced home sell in the first week or two, sometimes faster. It is definately the time to buy. In some of our trend charts, the bottom of the market seems to have been reached and it is going back up!
Flipping is way up in Florida as well as some other parts of the country. Please, serious investors (gamblers) only, this activity is not for the feint of heart! Deep pockets are necessary, you will win some and lose some.
Housing good news was paired this week with economic good news in the job market's recovery as well. Don't forget the stock market recovery too. It is Spring, right now, all is good!
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ST LUCIE MARKET REPORT - Sales Up Prices Stableizing
March 24, 2010 BLOG -- The numbers show that February Sales of existing homes rose by 14% over January and 21% over the previous February. Sales activity statewide has increased in the year-to-year comparison for the past 18 months. St. Lucie had 350 sales.
March 24, 2010 BLOG -- The numbers show that February Sales of existing homes rose by 14% over January and 21% over the previous February. Sales activity statewide has increased in the year-to-year comparison for the past 18 months. St. Lucie had 350 sales.
Foreclosures and short sales generally sell at lower prices than traditional sales and it is effecting the median sales price. Median is the midjpoint. Half the homes sold for more and half for less. The median price for St. Lucie was $89,500. Of the total sales, 70 were foreclosures with a median price of $74,500 and another 70 were short sales with a median price of $78,900. The 140 distressed sales represented 40% of all sales which was lower than the 45% of total sales in January.
This gives us an optimistic trend that prices are beginning to stabilize in the under $125,000 range. Foreclosures coming onto the market are getting immediately sold. The numbers are getting Better.
Here's to hoping that a trend is being established!
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WHY BUY OR SELL WITH A REALTOR?
March 21, 2010 BLOG -- According to NAR (National Association of Realtors), 87% of buyers use a real estate professional. Eight out of 10 home buyers who used the internet to search for a home purchased through a real estate agent and most buyers reported that the biggest benefit to using a Realtor was the help they received to understand the process.
For a buyer, a realtor can help you find the right price range - how much home can you afford to buy. A Realtor can offer advice about the personal and financial data needed to apply for a loan. A Realtor can help answer your questions as to real estate values, taxes, utilities, city or county services and potential zoning changes. They can educate you on the pros and cons of distressed properties, help negotiate priceing, finance terms, date of possession, and repairs. They help direct you to businesses to complete property investigations as well for closing the property.
For a seller, there is a lot of information you will need. A Realtor will gather information about the home's square footage, analyze comparable homes in the area and recent sold properties in your area to estimate the property's value to price it right to sell quickly. A Realtor will design a marketing strategy, including photos, visual tour, web site placement, advertising, open house and get the property in multiple listing service (MLS) to other Realtors can access the property for their buyers. A Realtor will bring qualified buyers, write offers, place the buyer's deposit into escrow and guide you through the sales contract and handle any negotiations.
Certified Realtors are held to a strict Code of Ethics and are motivated to provide their clients with the honest and fair treatment that a client should expect. Realtors are motivated to see that their clients are happy and would use them again or recommend them to someone else.
According to NAR, 81% of sellers were likely to use the same agent again. The study also found that 80% of sellers used a full-service brokerage, where you receive a full range of services. This provices a positive experience for buyers and sellers. This is what Realtors do on a full time basis. Real Estate requires hard work and dedication which includes ongoing education to know the latest and best avenues their buyers and sellers can use for a successful transaction.
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Tax credit has Realtors’ phones ringing as deadline looms
TAMPA, Fla. – March 9, 2010 – Kim and Al Langevin were ecstatic Friday to close on a new home in St. Petersburg. And they’re pretty excited, too, about thousands in government money they plan to use to spruce up the house.
The Langevins are among a growing number of buyers rushing to find a home in time to cash in on the federal government’s tax-credit program. The couple, who moved from Lakeland, is eligible for up to $6,500.
TAMPA, Fla. – March 9, 2010 – Kim and Al Langevin were ecstatic Friday to close on a new home in St. Petersburg. And they’re pretty excited, too, about thousands in government money they plan to use to spruce up the house.
The Langevins are among a growing number of buyers rushing to find a home in time to cash in on the federal government’s tax-credit program. The couple, who moved from Lakeland, is eligible for up to $6,500.
They plan to put the money toward a swimming pool.
“We were worried we wouldn’t be able to close on time,” said Kim Langevin. “Getting that tax credit was a huge motivation.”
Real estate agents say their phones are ringing a lot more in recent weeks as folks scurry to sell and or buy homes before next month’s tax credit deadline.
“It’s been absolutely nuts,” said Paul De La Torre, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Tampa Properties. “I have showings galore and contracts are coming in left and right. I had 15 requests for showings yesterday.”
To qualify for the credit, buyers must have fully executed sales contracts in place by April 30 and the deal must close by June 30.
First-time homebuyers are eligible for up to $8,000. Buyers who have owned a home for five consecutive years within the past eight years can get a credit of up to $6,500.
Greg Armstrong, a broker with Coldwell Banker in Pasco County, said his agents’ phones are ringing, too. He credits most of the increase in traffic to improvements in the economy, but says the tax credit is also helping business.
“We’re seeing more people retiring to Pasco County,” Armstrong said. “I’ve had four or five retirees close in one week. In the past three years, I hadn’t seen that many. We had some retirement communities that went a full year without a sale.
“People are no longer afraid to do something. They were afraid for so long.”
Prices are indeed enticing buyers to pull the trigger, and more homeowners are putting their houses on the market in hopes of selling in time to buy another home. Some are trading up to bigger homes while others are downsizing.
Vernon Taylor, president of the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors, said he’s noticed more “serious” inquiries from potential sellers. In addition, he said, homeowners are more realistic about their house’s value.
Tampa Bay area sales prices have plummeted more than 40 percent since the peak of the housing boom. Home sales in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater rose 28 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009, and the median sales price hit $138,800. That’s down 42 percent since prices peaked at $239,600 in June 2006.
For those seeking to cash in on the tax credit, one challenge is closing in time. This is especially true for those trying to buy a home listed as a short sale.
Short sales often offer a buyer more bang for the buck because lenders allow the home to sell for less than the homeowner owes on the mortgage. Lenders sometimes cut the price deeply to sell the home so they can avoid foreclosing on the property.
Real estate agents estimate that as many as 60 percent of homes for sale are listed as short sales. However, lenders are often slow to approve deals, and real estate agents report buyers walking away in frustration.
That’s actually helping sellers who are not distressed, real estate agents say. That’s because they are able to close quickly and before the tax credits expire.
Some buyers, agents say, are even willing to pay a little higher purchase price to ensure they’ll get the tax credit.
Copyright © 2010 Tampa Tribune, Fla., Shannon Behnken. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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BUYERS: Home Purchase Strategy
From Debbie's 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
From Debbie's 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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What's happening in the area this weekend?
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
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
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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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What's happening in the area this weekend?
From Debbie's 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
From Debbie's 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
From Debbie's 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
Article from eEarlier this month – 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!
On a cold winter morning in Port St. Lucie -- 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 (recent article) – 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 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
© Copyright 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 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
© Copyright 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
