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When Selling Your House, Proper Pricing is Critical

As the financial crisis continues to unfold in the U.S., many home sellers have found themselves in a bind. Prices have dropped, banks are failing, and home buyers are having an increasingly hard time getting mortgage loans.

So how does one go about selling a house in the current economy? For starters, you need to price your home properly. The pricing process intimidates a lot of sellers, especially those who are handling the process by themselves (without an agent). But it doesn’t have to be scary or confusing. Here are some tips to help you get it right.

1. Detach Your Emotions

When you live in a home for a certain length of time, you develop an emotional attachment to it. This is perfectly natural. After all, it’s your “safe haven” from the world. It’s where you go for privacy, security and relaxation. It might even be the place where you witnessed your child’s first steps, or their first day at school.

But the thing to keep in mind when selling your house is that emotional value does not carry over into financial value. In other words, you can’t price a home based on the memories it holds or the good times it has given you. You cannot set the selling price based on what the place is worth to you. Instead, you must base your numbers on what the house is worth in the current market, based on the concept of comparable sales that we will discuss below.

You might think this is something of a no-brainer or an obvious point. Yet, you would be surprise by how many sellers let their emotions get in the way of real estate reality.

2. Research Comparable Sales in Your Area

The pricing process will be much easier for you when you research comparable sales in your area, as well as homes that are currently listed for sale. The real estate terminology for this is “comps,” short for comparable sales. Here, we are talking about homes that are similar to yours that have been sold in your area recently. By using this information, you can determine your own price — and it will be based on real data, not on emotions.

If you decide to work with a real estate agent during your selling process, this will all be easier for you. This is one of the things an agent will handle for you. They refer to it as the comparative market analysis, or CMA. If you would rather handle the pricing yourself, you can do that too. Agents get their data from public information, not from some private source. They look at the same thing you could look at — recent sales data on similar homes in your area.

3. Consider Supply and Demand

This is always an important consideration for sellers, but right now it plays a major role. Due to recent economic events, the supply and demand of real estate is skewed like never before. The subprime mortgage crisis has led to record numbers of home foreclosure, which drives up the supply of houses. But it has also become much harder for buyers to qualify for mortgage loans, which decreases the demand. When supply goes up and demand goes down, it becomes a buyer’s market. This is what’s happening in most cities across the country right now.

Of course, there are some anomalies in certain cities across the U.S. For example, I live in Austin, Texas, and the market here has not suffered as badly as other cities. The reasons are twofold — (1) our housing prices were not artificially inflated before this crisis, and (2) there is a high rate of immigration as people relocate here from elsewhere in the country.

To figure out the supply and demand situation in your area, you’ll have to do some homework. Your local newspaper is a good place to start.

Conclusion and Going Forward

It may be harder to sell a home in today’s market, but it is by no means impossible. The key is to go into the process with proper research and expectations. If you do your homework and price your home based on real market conditions — and if you do a good job preparing and marketing the property — there is no reason you can’t sell in a reasonable amount of time. On the other hand, if you have conjured your asking price out of thin air, you will be in for a rude awakening.

© 2009, Cornett Communications.

About the Author: Brandon Cornett is a consumer advocate and publisher of the Home Buying Institute. You can reach the author at www.CornettCommunications.com.

 

View exclusive inventory of homes at www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com

 

How to Lower Your Home Insurance Costs

When you buy a home, your mortgage lender will require a homeowners insurance policy in order to protect their interest in the home. In most cases, the lending institution owns most of the home during the first years of the home, until the homeowner gains equity. So it only makes sense that lenders want to protect their investment in the home.

But this policy protects your investment in the home, as well. It gives you peace of mind that, in the event of a loss, you will be covered in some form or fashion. So you should make sure you get solid coverage from a reputable insurance provider.

With that being said, it sure is nice to save money wherever possible. And this goes for insurance policies as well. Here are some of the ways you can lower the overall cost you pay for a homeowners insurance policy.

Compare Insurance Companies

When you compare one provider to another, you are doing two important things at once. First, and most obvious, you are finding out who offers the lowest rates for a comparable level of coverage. Secondly, you are learning about the different types of coverage these companies provide, including the many components that make up a policy, the terminology associated with it, etc. Both of these items are important when trying to lower the cost you pay out of pocket.

Save Time by Using the Internet

The good news is that you can conduct much of the above-mentioned research fairly easily, just by using the Internet. In the past, you had to make a lot of phone calls (or even office visits) to compare insurance companies and policies. There are many big insurance websites that allow you to do this. But as always, watch out for scam websites that ask for too much personal information up front.

Another benefit to getting a home insurance quote online is the speed factor. Using the Internet, you can accomplish in a few hours what used to take a few days or even weeks.

Improve Your Credit Score

These days, in the wake of the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007 - 2008, it’s more important than ever to have a good credit score. For one thing, mortgage lenders require that borrowers have higher scores these days to get the best loan rates. But there’s another good reason to maintain good credit. Many insurance companies are beginning to use this factor when determining the price for policies.

Raise Deductible to Lower the Costs

The deductible is the money you would pay toward a loss before your insurance policy would cover the rest. If you have coverage on your car, you are probably familiar with the concept of deductibles. It’s the same basic concept with a homeowner policy.

You can lower your premium by raising your deductible amount. Many financial experts recommend doing this as a way of lowering premium costs. The logic is that you know for certain that you’ll pay the premium on your policy, but there’s only a small statistical chance of suffering a loss and having to file an actual claim. So this approach seeks to lower the amount you know you’re going to pay (the premium) by increasing the amount you may never have to pay (the deductible).

Purchasing insurance for your home can be a balance between cost and coverage. You want to control the former without sacrificing the latter. I hope this article has given you the knowledge and confidence you need to accomplish these goals.

© 2009, Cornett Communications.

About the Author: Brandon Cornett is a consumer advocate and publisher of the Home Buying Institute. You can reach the author at www.CornettCommunications.com.

 

View exclusive inventory of homes at www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com

Tips for Selling Your Home in Winter

Most real estate experts agree that it’s best to sell your home during the warmer months of spring and summer. For one thing, home buyers with children will often plan their house hunting / home buying process for the summer, when their children are out of school.

But what if you can’t sell your home during the spring or summer? What if it’s just not in the cards? Perhaps you cannot afford the home any more and you need to sell it fast, regardless of the season. Or maybe you have a job transfer that requires you to move during the winter months.

Whatever the reason, you need not despair. While there are certain challenges to selling a home during winter, they do not by any means make it impossible. On the contrary, if you follow the selling techniques and tips in this article (and the advice provided by your real estate agent), you should be able to sell your home in the winter nearly as easily as you would in the summer.

Contrast the Cold With the Warmth

Emotions play a big role in the home buying process. Granted, the buyers will be most concerned with the size of the home, the number of rooms, and other tangible items. But “gut” feelings and first impressions go a long way as well. So even in the coldest winter months, you can put this knowledge into practice. In fact, you can even take advantage of the winter cold!

The best way to do this is by showcasing the warmth and coziness of your home. By doing this, you will create a favorable first impression that the buyers will take with them throughout your house. Let’s look at an example of this concept in action.

Imagine This Realistic Scenario

Local home buyers John and Jane visit your home while house hunting. It’s cold outside, with wind and rain on top of that — the kind of conditions that make you want to hunker down someplace warm. John and Jane open the front door and enter the home. The house is well lit and exudes warmth. Candles burn atop the mantle. A fire crackles softly in the fireplace. The smell of gingerbread cookies (recently baked on offered on a glass plate) permeates the air.

Doesn’t that feel inviting? It will be the same way for buyers. So just by showcasing the warmth of your home, you have increased the likelihood of selling it. You are creating a favorable first impression by literally welcoming the buyers in from the cold.

You can think about it in terms of both psychology and physiology. The first physical impression will be one of warmth and relaxation, just as soon as the buyers walk in. This will lead to a favorable mental impression as well, and the buyers will carry this impression with them through the rest of the home.

Conclusion

Some people will tell you that selling a home fast during winter is impossible. We say it depends upon two things — (A) the amount of effort you put into it, and (B) the type of real estate market you are in. So one cannot say across the board that selling a home fast in winter is impossible. It is a case-by-case situation. Use the tips provided in this article, follow the expert advice of your real estate agent, and you have every chance of selling your home during winter!

© 2009, Cornett Communications.

About the Author: Brandon Cornett is a consumer advocate and publisher of the Home Buying Institute. You can reach the author at www.CornettCommunications.com.

 

View exclusive inventory of homes at www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com

 

Free Shuttle Bus to be Available on July 4
A free shuttle bus service is to be available on Independence Day so that spectators going to the Melbourne’s 9 p.m. fireworks display will not have to contend with limited parking in the vicinity of Claude Edge Front Street Park.  The buses will originate at the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 Hibiscus Boulevard, where parking will be plentiful.

The bus service will not begin until 7:10 p.m. on July 4, since budget constraints have eliminated other activities at the park.  The park provides the primary viewing area for the fireworks display.  In previous years, afternoon entertainment and evening concerts were also provided at the park.

Buses are to depart for the park at 7:10, 7:50, and 8:10 p.m.  Buses are to return to the auditorium at 7:30, 8:10, 8:50, 9:30, and 10:10.  The bus transportation is being funded by a $1,350 contribution from Reiss Engineering, Inc.

The portion of New Haven Avenue between Front Street and Highway U.S. 1 is to be closed to traffic from  4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4.  A section of Melbourne Avenue near Front Street will be restricted to eastbound traffic during the same period.  The Melbourne Causeway is to be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from about 8:15 to 10 p.m. for safety reasons.  The boat ramp at Front Street is to be closed from 5 p.m. on July 3 until 9 a.m. on July 5.

The City co-sponsors an Independence Day parade organized by Honor America, Inc. and scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 4 in the historic downtown area of Melbourne. The parade is to begin on New Haven Avenue near the railroad tracks and proceed westward to Oak Street, then travel northward on Oak Street to the Liberty Bell Museum.  

The $11,000 cost of the fireworks display is funded by community contributions, with the majority of funding coming from private businesses. Event co-sponsors include Brevard County Parks & Recreation; Gray Robinson Law Firm; Harris Sanitation Inc. - a Waste Management Company; Health First Health Plans; the Melbourne Greyhound Park/Club 52; The B.A.C.K. Center; Bright House Networks; Certified General Contractors; Coastal Mitsubishi/Coastal Hyundai; Dean, Ringers, Morgan & Lawton, P.A.; Florida Today; Frazier Engineering; Public Financial Management, Inc.; and Sutton Properties of Melbourne.

Other contributors include Bolton Partners Inc.; Brandon Properties; Hoyman, Dobson, and Company; the Town of Melbourne Beach; Nabors, Giblin & Nickersen, P.A.; Land Design Innovations; Meehans’ Office Products; the Town of Indialantic; Ascension Catholic Church; Henderson Southeast Corp.; Modus Operandi, Inc.; Professional Administrators; Sorenson Moving & Storage Co.; and Joyal Construction.

Other contributors include Dorothy & Ira Adams, Frederick & Helen Baker, Jackie Burns & Family, Michael Crotty, Theodor & Helouise Doroghazi, Frank & Estella Driskill, James & Katherine Fletcher, Eric & Alice Griggs, W. Ann McDougall, Jerry & Peggy Oliver, Ed & Lee Palmer, George & Evelyn Pasonski, Pat & Bill Poole, Lorraine Proulx, Edward & Barbara Reilly, Jack Schluckebier & Denise Young, Kathleen Spatenga & Lori Spatenga-Newman, Pat Swatek in memory of Enid Swatek, and Norman Williams.

Melbourne’s Independence Day to Include Community-Funded Fireworks, Parade

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A fireworks display over the Indian River Lagoon is to provide the highlight of Melbourne’s Independence Day celebration. The display is scheduled for 9 p.m. on July 4 over the Indian River Lagoon just south of the Melbourne Causeway.

The $11,000 cost of the fireworks display is funded by community contributions, with the majority of funding coming from private businesses. “The generous contributions are ensuring that this traditional celebration can continue despite the current economic difficulties,” City Manager Jack Schluckebier said.  “Because of budget cutbacks, the music and other outside activities at Claude Edge Front Street Park had to be curtailed this year.”

The park provides the primary viewing area for the fireworks display.  Free bus transportation is to be provided between the park and the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 Hibiscus Boulevard, and is being funded by a $1,350 contribution from Reiss Engineering, Inc. Buses are to depart for the park at 7:10, 7:50, and 8:10.  Buses are to return to the auditorium at 7:30, 8:10, 8:50, 9:30, and 10:10.

The portion of New Haven Avenue between Front Street and Highway U.S. 1 is to be closed to traffic from  4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4.  A section of Melbourne Avenue near Front Street will be restricted to eastbound traffic during the same period.  The Melbourne Causeway is to be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from about 8:15 to 10 p.m. for safety reasons.  The boat ramp at Front Street is to be closed from 5 p.m. on July 3 until 9 a.m. on July 5.

The City co-sponsors an Independence Day parade organized by Honor America, Inc. and scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 4 in the historic downtown area of Melbourne. The parade is to begin on New Haven Avenue near the railroad tracks and proceed westward to Oak Street, then travel northward on Oak Street to the Liberty Bell Museum.  

Community Fireworks Fund Co-sponsors providing $1,000 include Brevard County Parks & Recreation, Gray Robinson Law Firm, Harris Sanitation Inc. - a Waste Management Company; and Health First Health Plans. Co-sponsors providing $500 included The B.A.C.K. Center; Bright House Networks; Certified General Contractors; Coastal Mitsubishi/Coastal Hyundai; Dean, Ringers, Morgan & Lawton, P.A.; Florida Today; Frazier Engineering; Public Financial Management, Inc.; and Sutton Properties of Melbourne.

 .MsgBody-text, .MsgBody-text * { font: 10pt monospace; }Other contributors include Bolton Partners Inc.; Brandon Properties; Hoyman, Dobson, and Company; the Town of Melbourne Beach; and Nabors, Giblin & Nickersen, P.A., each contributing $250; Land Design Innovations; Meehans’ Office Products; and the Town of Indialantic, each contributing $200; Ascension Catholic Church; Henderson Southeast Corp.; Modus Operandi, Inc.; and Professional Administrators, each contributing $100; Sorenson Moving & Storage Co., contributing $50; and Joyal Construction, contributing $25.

Other contributors include Dorothy & Ira Adams, Frederick & Helen Baker, Jackie Burns & Family, Michael Crotty, Theodor & Helouise Doroghazi, Frank & Estella Driskill, James & Katherine Fletcher, Eric & Alice Griggs, W. Ann McDougall, Jerry & Peggy Oliver, Ed & Lee Palmer, George & Evelyn Pasonski, Pat & Bill Poole, Lorraine Proulx, Edward & Barbara Reilly, Jack Schluckebier & Denise Young, Kathleen Spatenga & Lori Spatenga-Newman, Pat Swatek in memory of Enid Swatek, and Norman Williams.

CONTACT:  Mike Moore, Public Information Officer
321/953-6282 - cityhall@melbourneflorida.org

Mortgage Rates Update!

Courtesy of: Bill Monahan

Rates were moving down nicely last week until Thurs and Fri when all the gains were given back.  It is really hard to predict what the markets are going to do.  On Monday they began to lower again, but stalled today.  Mostly the fear is for future inflation.  The Government is spending too much and preparing to spend even more, and thus far, according to the unemployment numbers the stimulus has not helped.  Not only that but no one seems to know where the money has gone.  Even the Vice President, who is supposed to keep track of the funds, doesn’t know.

On top of that the President is proposing a new layer of Government regulation, so now the regulators (SEC, HUD, FDIC, etc) will be regulated.  And who do they propose to put in charge?  The Federal Reserve, a non-government entity that was formed in 1913 and has never been audited.  This is a private concern that is owned by the banks it is supposed to regulate.  Does that make sense to you?  It sure doesn’t to me.  These are the same people whose greed caused the current crisis.  There already is enough regulation on the books, what is needed is enforcement.  And look at the recent announcement of the record bonuses for Goldman Sachs, which took TARP money

The Government cannot mandate that Lenders give out loans as they did in the 1990’s and 2000’s and not expect banks to cut corners to get the number of loans through the system.  Regulators cannot just stand by while house prices are increasing 10-20% per year and expect that to continue forever.  Banks saw and underwrote every loan, yet they allowed all manner of problems to get through.  The Banks created the bizarre loan scenarios in order to satisfy the appetites for the purchasers for Mortgage Backed Securities which were sold worldwide.  All the upper echelon players were at fault, yet the American people have been the ones paying the price.  And now the Government thinks more regulation and an entire new bureaucracy will be created adding even more expense to tax payers and home buyers.

The marketplace is very concerned with inflation.  The Government cannot keep spending money it does not have for eventually the investors (China, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Europe and pension and other funds) will stop because inflation will become real.  We just have to look at the late 1970’s.  Imagine what would happen if mortgage rates climbed to 18-19%.  Let us hope it does not do that again.

The Fed is meeting toady and tomorrow and what they say may direct the markets.  AS long as the Central Banks continue to buy USA debt, inflation will be lessened since I do not think we are at the bottom yet.  Eventually though the rates will go up.

 

Bill Monahan

1st Alliance Mortgage

407-894-4664

407-290-3471 Fax

www.1stalliancemortgagefl.com

How to Get Free Credit Reports - With No Strings Attached

by Brandon Cornett

Yesterday, I received the following question from a confused consumer through my Credit Help Q&A blog:

“I see a lot of offers for free credit report online, and even on TV commercials. But whenever I visit the actual website and read the information there, it seems like I have to sign up for something and pay a fee. Is there any way to get my free reports with no strings attached? Where do I go?”

If you share this reader’s confusion, let me start by saying you are not alone. This is one of the most common questions I receive from consumers, and it’s easy to understand why. I see those “free credit report” commercials on TV all the time. Sometimes I can’t even get that song out of my head, but that’s another subject entirely. I also encounter a ton of banner ads for companies who offer the same thing online.

But therein lies the confusion. Some of them charge a fee, while others do not. Some offer credit scores and other items in addition to the reports. It’s completely confusing, so I am happy to set the record straight.

Here’s what you need to know:

The Only Website Recommended by the FTC

By law, you are entitled to one free credit report per year, from all three of the companies who maintain them. This includes TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. These are privately-held companies who maintain historical financial data on U.S. consumers. When you apply for a car loan or a mortgage loan, and the lender “checks your credit,” this is who they request the information from.

The companies mentioned above have a joint website through which you can request all three of your reports at once. The website is AnnualCreditReport.com. In terms of getting your reports for free, this is the only website that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) endorses and recommends.

Your Score Comes Separately

Your credit score is a different story. You will have to request it separately, and you will probably have to pay for it. This is where a lot of people get confused, and I think product marketing is the problem. Many companies will actually package all of this information together and then add on some kind of credit monitoring / identify theft prevention service. So they use the “free” credit reports and scores as an enticement, but then you find out you have to sign up for the monitoring service in order to get the freebies. Like I said, it can all get pretty confusing!

That’s why I used the phrase “no strings attached” in the title of this article. To the best of my knowledge, the only place where you can get a totally free credit report with no strings is through the jointly owned website mentioned above - the one recommended by the FTC. Hopefully this will alleviate your confusion once and for all.

© 2009, Cornett Communications.

About the Author: Brandon Cornett is a consumer advocate and publisher of the Home Buying Institute. You can reach the author at www.CornettCommunications.com.

                                                                                       View exclusive inventory of homes at www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com

 


Creating Curb Appeal to Sell Your Home

by Brandon Cornett

You hear the word tossed around a lot in real estate circles. You hear it mentioned on home-selling programs on HGTV and other networks. But what exactly is “curb appeal,” and why should you care about it when selling your home?

In this article, we will start by answering this fundamental question. Then we will take a closer look at the elements of curb appeal, and how you can use them to increase your chances for a quick sale! But first, a definition.

What is Curb Appeal?

Let’s start with a basic definition, just so we are on the same page. Curb appeal is the first impression people get when pulling up in front of your house. It is their perspective from the curb, literally. It’s the first and most powerful impression your house will make on potential buyers, so it’s a topic you should take seriously.

Curb appeal encompasses many things, each of which we will discuss in more detail. These elements include your landscaping (lawn, shrubs, trees and flowers); your home’s entryway; the doors and shutters; and the overall appearance of the home (paint, structural integrity, etc.).

When potential buyers pull up in front of your home, they will try to imagine themselves in it. They will also imagine pulling up to the house after work each day, inviting friends over, etc. Will the house give them a sense of satisfaction and joy when they pull up to it? Will they be proud when they have guests over? Or do they have a negative impression right from the start?

You can rest assured that all buyers will go through this mental (and sometimes verbal) checklist when they first visit. It may happen in a flash, mostly on the subconscious level. Or it may happen over a span of fifteen minutes, as the buyers stand out front waiting for their agent to arrive. But it will certainly happen. And as the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Take the Test

We will get to the specific tips and techniques in just a moment. But first, I want to teach you a simple but effective way to assess your current level of curb appeal. Take a notepad out in the street in front of your house. Now imagine you’re a buyer, and you’ve just pulled up in front of the house in your agent’s car. Remember, it’s not your house — it’s just one you’re thinking of buying.

On your notepad, write down anything that catches your eye in a bad way. The grass is turning brown, the windows are dirty, the bushes look shabby, that sort of thing. Be as specific as possible. Draw a sketch if necessary. For instance, if there’s a particular area of the lawn than needs attention, or a certain part of the facade that needs painting, write those details down.

When you have finished your list, it will serve as your plan of attack for improving your curb appeal. Prioritize the items by putting the most noticeable items at the top. This will be important later on, when you divide your list into (A) things that must be done and (B) things to do if time allows.

Curb Appeal Essentials

The notepad test will be more effective if you know what to look for. So review this list of curb appeal tips before and after you create your list.

  • Start by assessing your lawn. The grass should be green and healthy (unless it’s winter). If your lawn has problems such as brown patches, you need to address those problems right away. Turning a lawn around can take time, depending on how severe the problems are.
  • Is the exterior paint chipped or faded? If so, give it a fresh coat. It’s relatively inexpensive, and it will do wonders for that critical first impression we talked about.
  • When evaluating the paint, pay particular attention to the shutters, doors and trim. Sometimes you can get away with hosing them off. Other times they simply need to be painted. If the doors and shutters are painted different / contrasting colors, you may want to standardize them.
  • Planting fresh flowers can really brighten up a yard. Healthy shrubs can do the same, and they don’t cost much either. If you don’t have a green thumb, enlist help from a friend of family member who does.
  • The windowpanes should be spotless, and the frames around them should be free of dirt, chips and defects.
  • Lighting can be used for aesthetic and safety reasons at the same time. If you have potential buyers coming by in the evenings, light up the walkways and entry. Consider using decorative lighting to illuminate landscaping features, trees, etc.
  • Do you have vinyl railings, shutters or storm doors outside your home’s entryway? If so, give them a good washing. You would be amazed at what a little elbow grease can do for these areas. It’s quick, easy and affordable — all you need is a hose, a bucket and some concentrated car wash liquid.

Create a Plan of Attack

The key here is to avoid taking on too much work at once, or spending too much money. You need to strike a balance of cost versus gain. If you bite off more than you can chew and create a long list of improvements, you could delay your ability to show the property. Start small. Using the notes you created earlier (when standing in front of your house), create a checklist of all the projects you feel are necessary.

Next, prioritize your projects by level of importance. Organize the list by things that must be done immediately, things that can wait, things that aren’t a big deal, etc. That way, if you run out of money or time, you’ll have the most important items out of the way first. And remember to start with the lawn! Making the grass greener is a gradual process, so start that right away.

Conclusion and Going Forward

Let’s summarize some key points. Curb appeal is essential when selling a home because it gives buyers a good first impression. On the other hand, if they get a bad first impression when pulling up to the house, they will carry that negativity into the house with them. This is not something you want.

Do what is necessary to improve your home’s outward appearance, but don’t take on so much that you postpone the listing / showing of the property. And get help where you need it, if you’re not handy with a certain project. All of your efforts will pay off in the end.

© 2009, Cornett Communications.

About the Author: Brandon Cornett is a consumer advocate and publisher of the Home Buying Institute. You can reach the author at www.CornettCommunications.com.

                                                           View exclusive inventory of homes at www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com

 

 

                                                                    


Now is a Good Time to Buy a House, for Many People

by Brandon Cornett

Should I buy a house now or wait until later? This has always been a common question among first-time home buyers. But with the uncertainty of our current economy, this question becomes even more important. In truth, nobody can answer this question for you. It’s up to you, the home buyer, to decide whether or not it’s a good time to take the plunge.

Five Good Reasons for Buying Now

Should you buy a house now, or wait until next year? Here are five things to consider when making this important decision.

  1. In May 2009, housing starts rose by 17% over April. This surprised many economists, who were not expecting such an increase. This rise in housing starts (new construction) indicates rising confidence within the building industry. This kind of trend usually coincides with housing recovery in general.
  2. Many economists are saying that the housing market has reached bottom in many parts of the country. In other cities, prices are still falling but are expected to reach bottom in the near future. This means that buyers could get into a home at “rock bottom” prices, and without losing any further value after the purchase.
  3. Mortgage rates have been at record lows for several months now, but they are starting to rise. During the week of June 8, 2009, the average rates on a 30-year fixed mortgage reached their highest point in seven months. Nobody has a crystal ball, of course, but many economists expect rates to exceed 6% by the end of this year (they were around 5.3% at the time of this article). Rising rates are another good reason to buy now instead of later.
  4. “First-time” home buyers who have not owned a home in the last three years can still qualify for a tax credit on their purchase, up to $8,000. Currently, this program is set to expire in December 2009. So it’s yet another reason to buy a house now, rather than later.
  5. Prices are still relatively low in most cities across the United States, but this may soon change. The positive signs mentioned above will be bring more buyers into the market. This will eventually reduce the huge surplus of homes for sale, which in turn will drive prices upward once again.

Here’s what it all boils down to. Only you can decide if now is a good time to buy a house. You need to review your finances and establish a budget, before you can answer this question with any certainty. But there are plenty of good reasons to buy a home sooner, rather than later. So give it some serious consideration!

© 2009, Cornett Communications.

About the Author: Brandon Cornett is a consumer advocate and publisher of the Home Buying Institute. You can reach the author at www.CornettCommunications.com.

                                                                         View exclusive inventory of homes at www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com 


It's Time To Buy in Port St Lucie. Be Bold, Buy Smart!
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If you are looking for the best that Port St Lucie has to offer, then look no further than PGA Village Golf & Country Club. Located on the East coast of Florida in the heart of Florida's Treasure Coast and St. Lucie West, about 130 miles south of Orlando, 50 miles North of Palm Beach International Airport and minutes from Hutchinson Island, Jensen Beach, shopping venues including retail outlets, specialty boutiques, restaurants, three nearby hospitals, schools, universities and much more!

Whether you are a first-time buyer, relocating or retiring, PGA Village offers a comfortable quality of life. Named by Golf Digest as one of the "75 Best Golf Resorts in North America", PGA Village provides 72 holes of championship golf, a 35 acre state-of-the-art learning center with full-time PGA professional staff, tennis, fitness and more.

The Legacy Golf & Tennis Club a non-equity private club offering 27 holes of fantastic golf for all skill levels. The home to a 7,023 yard championship course designed by George Fazio, as well as a 9 Hole Par 3 Course by Jim Fazio. The Tennis facility boasts six har-tru lighted courts, with a fully stocked shop for apparel or repair needs, as well as individual or group instruction. Sun yourself on a large pool deck and enjoy the Olympic-size heated swimming pool, which overlooks the driving range, practice course and tennis courts. This is a delightful way to spend your day at PGA Village. The clubhouse offers an abundance of social activities with a casually elegant dining experience, a popular place to meet with friends and neighbors of the community. PGA memberships range from affordable single and family to a premier golf membership for extremely active golfers.

 

The residential real estate market in PGA Village is currently "Red Hot" with affordable Golf Villa Condominiums starting at $116,900, Single Family Homes starting at $149,000. Townhomes & Villas starting at $134,900. The high-end market, at a range between $1.1 and $1.9 million. A new clubhouse includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, spa, swimming pools, card rooms and tennis. PGA Village is professionally manned with roving patrol officers 24-hours a day.

The time has come to enjoy the Florida lifestyle and see the paradise that lies behind the gates of PGA Village Golf & Country Club. Contact our office for exclusive inventory of all residential homes currently available for sale. Bold  Real Estate Group will provide concierge services including set up of community tour and area information. Please contact us by email at communityinfo@comcast.net or toll free (888) 502-0136.

We encourage your visit and will be happy to assist you with information and availability of One and Two bedroom or guest suite Golf Villas located in PGA Village offering private garages, decks, and screened patios with FREE access to 6-holes Short Course. Heated swimming pool, picnic & barbecue areas. Fully equipped kitchens. Two onsite restaurants. Please contact us for current rates and reservations.

 

All First-time home buyers who want to take advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit needs to move fast!  FHA will allow lenders and government agencies to use the $8,000 federal tax credit, providing the home buyer with downpayment cash upfront at closing, rather than waiting for the IRS to mail them a tax credit check. Buyer must close no later than November 30th, 2009 to be eligible.  

 

To view great deals in Port St Lucie, Click Millie's Top Ten Real Estate Deals list.  Millie Gil is Vice President/Broker of Bold Real Estate Group servicing buyers nationally & Internationally with exclusive inventory of properties.  If you're interested in purchasing foreclosures, short sales or other properties in Florida, contact Millie at (772) 224-1634 or communityinfo@comcast.net

 

 

 

It's a Buyer's Market in St Lucie West

t's a Buyer's Market....Are You Ready?  Click here & view St Lucie West Listings. Find great investment opportunities from Single Family Homes, Townhomes and Villas in the low $100's in St. Lucie West.  Golf & Lifestyle Condominiums below $100's in St. Lucie West.

St. Lucie West Bank Owned Properties:

Please register here to learn more about buying a bank owned property or search a Florida city for foreclosed homes already on the market serviced by Bold Real Estate Group and Team of Florida Agents .

  

PGA Village (Golf Community) Single Family, Townhomes, Condominiums

Country Club Estates (Golf Community) Single Family

Lake Charles - Single Family

Heatherwood - Single Family

Kings Isles (55+) Single Family

The Cascades (55+) Single Family

Magnolia Lakes - Single Family

Lake Forest Point - Single Family

Lake Forest - Single Family

The Vineyards - Single Family

Belmont at St Lucie West (Condominiums)

The Club at St Lucie West (Condominiums)

Verano of Florida - Single Family, Villas

Viscaya Falls - Single Family

 

For more information about St Lucie West private communities, contact Bold Real Estate Group at communityinfo@comcast.net or (772) 905-8173.

 

Se Habla Español
 
Es para nosotros un placer poder asistirle con su compra o venta de propiedad a nivel local, nacional e internacional.  Nuestro equipo le proporcionará la información desde como elegir la mejor propiedad, la negociación y el financiamiento con su compra de propiedad residencial o comercial. Tarifas de hipoteca, mudanzas, y todo aquello pertinente a una toma de decisión de compra  en el Mercado estado unídense.

Nuestro compromiso es el de proveer servicio con excelencia y con dedicación personalizada. Comprar o vender una propiedad puede ser un proceso difícil, tanto emocional como logístico. Nuestro equipo profesional no solamente le encontrara la mejor selección de propiedades, pero lo guiara en obtener la casa perfecta que cumpla con sus necesidades y perfil económico. Estaremos a su  disposición y siguiendo cada procedimiento meticulosamente en cada fase del proceso.  Para mas información comuníquese con nosotros al (772) 905-8173 o nuestro correo electronico communityinfo@comcast.net

Port St Lucie Homes Reduced For Quick Sale

www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com is your one-stop source for residential and commercial real estate.  Our site makes your search for Florida Real Estate very easy. The site includes all St Lucie MLS Listings in a searchable online database.

Find "Florida Bargains" Here 24-hours a day, 7 days a week!

  

St Lucie County: Corporate Owned Real Estate, Short Sale Real Estate, Bank Owned Real Estate, Port St Lucie Real Estate, Hutchinson Island Real EstateFort Pierce Real Estate, St Lucie West Real Estate

 

Se Habla Español
 
Es para nosotros un placer poder asistirle con su compra o venta de propiedad a nivel local, nacional e internacional.  Nuestro equipo le proporcionará la información desde como elegir la mejor propiedad, la negociación y el financiamiento con su compra de propiedad residencial o comercial. Tarifas de hipoteca, mudanzas, y todo aquello pertinente a una toma de decisión de compra  en el Mercado estado unídense.

Nuestro compromiso es el de proveer servicio con excelencia y con dedicación personalizada. Comprar o vender una propiedad puede ser un proceso difícil, tanto emocional como logístico. Nuestro equipo profesional no solamente le encontrara la mejor selección de propiedades, pero lo guiara en obtener la casa perfecta que cumpla con sus necesidades y perfil económico. Estaremos a su  disposición y siguiendo cada procedimiento meticulosamente en cada fase del proceso.  Para mas información comuníquese con nosotros al (772) 905-8173 o nuestro correo electronico communityinfo@comcast.net

It's a Buyer's Market in Traditiona Port St Lucie

It's a Buyer's Market....Are You Ready? Click here & view listings in the Town of Tradition. Featuring Single Family Homes, Luxury Villas, Condominiums in the low $100's. Search Exclusive inventory for Lakes at Tradition, Bedford Park at Tradition, The Estates at Tradition, Victoria Parc at Tradition, Heritage Oaks at Tradition, Town Parc at Tradition. Contact Bold Real Estate Group to schedule a tour of the town of Tradition in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (772) 905-8173 or communityinfo@comcast.net Preview homes at www.BoldRealEstateGroup.com

Click & View Bank Owned properties or contact Bold Real Estate Group at communityinfo@comcast.net or (772) 905-8173.

 

 

Se Habla Español
 
Es para nosotros un placer poder asistirle con su compra o venta de propiedad a nivel local, nacional e internacional.  Nuestro equipo le proporcionará la información desde como elegir la mejor propiedad, la negociación y el financiamiento con su compra de propiedad residencial o comercial. Tarifas de hipoteca, mudanzas, y todo aquello pertinente a una toma de decisión de compra  en el Mercado estado unídense.

Nuestro compromiso es el de proveer servicio con excelencia y con dedicación personalizada. Comprar o vender una propiedad puede ser un proceso difícil, tanto emocional como logístico. Nuestro equipo profesional no solamente le encontrara la mejor selección de propiedades, pero lo guiara en obtener la casa perfecta que cumpla con sus necesidades y perfil económico. Estaremos a su  disposición y siguiendo cada procedimiento meticulosamente en cada fase del proceso.  Para mas información comuníquese con nosotros al (772) 905-8173 o nuestro correo electronico communityinfo@comcast.net

Now Is The Time To Buy...Be Bold, Buy Smart!

    

 

Click City & View exclusive inventory of Florida properties for sale serviced by our Team of Florida Agents.  Alachua, Altamonte Springs, Amelia Island, Apollo Beach, Astor, Atlantic Beach, Aventura, Avon Park, Baldwin, Bal Harbour, Belleair Bluffs, Big Pine Key, Boca Raton Bokeelia, Bonifay, Bonita Springs, Boynton Beach, Bradenton, Brandon, Bronson, Brooksville, Bunnell, Bryceville, Callahan, Cape Canaveral, Cape Coral, Captiva, Casselberry, Celebration, Charlotte Harbor, Chiefland, Chipley, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Clermont, CocoaCocoa Beach, Coconut Creek, Coconut Grove, Cooper City, Coral Gables, Coral Springs, Crawfordville, Crescent City, Crestview, Cross Key, Crystal RiverDania, Davenport, Davie, Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Doral, DeBary, Deerfield Beach, DeFuniak Springs, DeLand, Delray Beach, Deltona, Destin, Doctors Inlet, Dunnellon, Edgewater, Elkton, Englewood, East Palatka, Estero, Eustis, Fanning Springs, Florahome, Flagler Beach, Fernandina Beach, Fisher Island, Fort Pierce, Fort Walton Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Gainesville, Georgetown, Glen Saint Mary, Graceville, Green Cove Springs, Greenacres, Gulf Stream, Gulf Breeze, Hastings, Hallandale Beach, Haverhill, Heathrow, Hernando BeachHilliard, Hialeah, Highland Beach, Holiday, Holly Hill, Hollywood, Hillsboro Beach, Hobe Sound, Holmes Beach, Homestead, Homosassa, Hutchinson Island, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Interlachen, IndiantownInverness, Islamorada, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Jensen Beach, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Kenansville, Keystone Heights, Key Biscayne, Key Largo, Key West, Kissimmee, Lady Lake, Lady Lake City, Lake Mary, Lake Panasoffkee, Lake Park, Lake Placid, Lake Worth, Lakeland, Lakewood Ranch, Land O Lakes, Largo, Lecanto, Leesburg, Lehigh Acres, Lighthouse Point, Lithia, Longboat Key, Longwood, LoxahatcheeLutz, Macclenny, Madeira Beach, Maitland, Marathon, Marco Island, Marianna, Margate, Mary Esther, Melbourne, Melbourne Beach, Melrose, Merritt Island, Mexico Beach, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, Miami Shores, Micco, Middleburg, Milton, Minneola, Miramar, Miramar Beach, Monticello, Mount Dora, North Miami Beach, Naples, Navarre, Neptune Beach, New Port Richey, New Smyrna Beach, Niceville, Nokomis, North Palm Beach, Oakland ParkOakland, Ocala, Ochlockonee Bay, Ocoee, Olustee, Orange City, Orange Park, Orlando, Ormond Beach, Osprey, Oviedo, Pace, Palatka, Palm Bay, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm City, Palm Coast, Palm Harbor, Panama City, Panacea, Panama City Beach, Parkland, Parrish, Pembroke Pines, Pensacola, Pinecrest, Plant City, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Port Charlotte, Port Orange, Port Richey, Port St Joe, Port St Lucie, Punta Gorda, Redington Beach, Rockledge, Royal Palm Beach, Safety Harbor, Saint Augustine, Saint Augustine Beach, Saint Petersburg, Sanford, Sanibel, Sanibel Island, Santa Rosa Beach, Sailfish PointSewalls PointSaint Lucie West, Sarasota, San Mateo, Satellite Beach, Satsuma, Savannah, Seagrove Beach, Sebastian, Sebring, Seminole, Shalimar, Singer Island, Southwest Ranches, Spring Hill, St Cloud, Starke, Stuart, Surfside, Summerland Key, Sun City Center, Sunny Isles, Sunny Isles Beach, Sunrise, Tallahassee, Tamarac, Tampa, Tarpon Springs, Tavares, Tavernier, Tequesta, Tistusville, Trinity, Valrico, Venice, Vero Beach, Wellington, West Melbourne, West Palm Beach, Weston, Westport, Wiehl, Wilton Manors, Winter Haven, Winter ParkWinter Springs, Zephyrhills, Yulee

Florida North East City & MLS Search, Treasure Coast City Search, Treasure Coast MLS Search, Palm Beach City Search, Palm Beach MLS Search, Indian River City Search, Indian River MLS Search

Find "Florida Bargains" Here 24-hours a day, 7 days a week!

        

Click City & View exclusive inventory of Florida properties for sale serviced by our Team of Florida Agents.  Alachua, Altamonte Springs, Amelia Island, Apollo Beach, Astor, Atlantic Beach, Aventura, Avon Park, Baldwin, Bal Harbour, Belleair Bluffs, Big Pine Key, Boca Raton Bokeelia, Bonifay, Bonita Springs, Boynton Beach, Bradenton, Brandon, Bronson, Brooksville, Bunnell, Bryceville, Callahan, Cape Canaveral, Cape Coral, Captiva, Casselberry, Celebration, Charlotte Harbor, Chiefland, Chipley, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Clermont, CocoaCocoa Beach, Coconut Creek, Coconut Grove, Cooper City, Coral Gables, Coral Springs, Crawfordville, Crescent City, Crestview, Cross Key, Crystal RiverDania, Davenport, Davie, Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Doral, DeBary, Deerfield Beach, DeFuniak Springs, DeLand, Delray Beach, Deltona, Destin, Doctors Inlet, Dunnellon, Edgewater, Elkton, Englewood, East Palatka, Estero, Eustis, Fanning Springs, Florahome, Flagler Beach, Fernandina Beach, Fisher Island, Fort Pierce, Fort Walton Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Gainesville, Georgetown, Glen Saint Mary, Graceville, Green Cove Springs, Greenacres, Gulf Stream, Gulf Breeze, Hastings, Hallandale Beach, Haverhill, Heathrow, Hernando BeachHilliard, Hialeah, Highland Beach, Holiday, Holly Hill, Hollywood, Hillsboro Beach, Hobe Sound, Holmes Beach, Homestead, Homosassa, Hutchinson Island, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Interlachen, IndiantownInverness, Islamorada, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Jensen Beach, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Kenansville, Keystone Heights, Key Biscayne, Key Largo, Key West, Kissimmee, Lady Lake, Lady Lake City, Lake Mary, Lake Panasoffkee, Lake Park, Lake Placid, Lake Worth, Lakeland, Lakewood Ranch, Land O Lakes, Largo, Lecanto, Leesburg, Lehigh Acres, Lighthouse Point, Lithia, Longboat Key, Longwood, LoxahatcheeLutz, Macclenny, Madeira Beach, Maitland, Marathon, Marco Island, Marianna, Margate, Mary Esther, Melbourne, Melbourne Beach, Melrose, Merritt Island, Mexico Beach, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, Miami Shores, Micco, Middleburg, Milton, Minneola, Miramar, Miramar Beach, Monticello, Mount Dora, North Miami Beach, Naples, Navarre, Neptune Beach, New Port Richey, New Smyrna Beach, Niceville, Nokomis, North Palm Beach, Oakland ParkOakland, Ocala, Ochlockonee Bay, Ocoee, Olustee, Orange City, Orange Park, Orlando, Ormond Beach, Osprey, Oviedo, Pace, Palatka, Palm Bay, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm City, Palm Coast, Palm Harbor, Panama City, Panacea, Panama City Beach, Parkland, Parrish, Pembroke Pines, Pensacola, Pinecrest, Plant City, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Port Charlotte, Port Orange, Port Richey, Port St Joe, Port St Lucie, Punta Gorda, Redington Beach, Rockledge, Royal Palm Beach, Safety Harbor, Saint Augustine, Saint Augustine Beach, Saint Petersburg, Sanford, Sanibel, Sanibel Island, Santa Rosa Beach, Sailfish PointSewalls PointSaint Lucie West, Sarasota, San Mateo, Satellite Beach, Satsuma, Savannah, Seagrove Beach, Sebastian, Sebring, Seminole, Shalimar, Singer Island, Southwest Ranches, Spring Hill, St Cloud, Starke, Stuart, Surfside, Summerland Key, Sun City Center, Sunny Isles, Sunny Isles Beach, Sunrise, Tallahassee, Tamarac, Tampa, Tarpon Springs, Tavares, Tavernier, Tequesta, Tistusville, Trinity, Valrico, Venice, Vero Beach, Wellington, West Melbourne, West Palm Beach, Weston, Westport, Wiehl, Wilton Manors, Winter Haven, Winter ParkWinter Springs, Zephyrhills, Yulee

Florida North East City & MLS Search, Treasure Coast City Search, Treasure Coast MLS Search, Palm Beach City Search, Palm Beach MLS Search, Indian River City Search, Indian River MLS Search

Se Habla Español

Es para nosotros un placer poder asistirle con su compra o venta de propiedad a nivel local, nacional e internacional.  Nuestro equipo le proporcionará la información desde como elegir la mejor propiedad, la negociación y el financiamiento con su compra de propiedad residencial o comercial. Tarifas de hipoteca, mudanzas, y todo aquello pertinente a una toma de decisión de compra  en el Mercado estado unídense.

Nuestro compromiso es el de proveer servicio con excelencia y con dedicación personalizada. Comprar o vender una propiedad puede ser un proceso difícil, tanto emocional como logístico. Nuestro equipo profesional no solamente le encontrara la mejor selección de propiedades, pero lo guiara en obtener la casa perfecta que cumpla con sus necesidades y perfil económico. Estaremos a su  disposición y siguiendo cada procedimiento meticulosamente en cada fase del proceso.  Para mas información comuníquese con nosotros al (772) 905-8173 o nuestro correo electronico communityinfo@comcast.net

 

 

 

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