The Daily Hot Sheet of Real Estate News Trending Now March 17, 2016   Do buyers like the new mortgage disclosure rules? A survey of people who bought two homes - before and after the new TRID rules went into effect - found the process easier to understand but tougher to complete. Read more.FEMA criticized over flood ins. policiesFEMA, oversight agency for the national flood insurance program, doesn't have basic controls in place to avoid fraud or waste, or even identify systemic problems, a U.S. watchdog said Tuesday. Read more.Home construction surges in Feb.Construction rose to its highest level in five months with single-family homes up 7.2%, though building permit applications - a sign of future growth - fell 3.1%. Read more.Buyers seeking a lower-end home? Good luckInventory at the... 03/17/2016

This Doctor Makes House CallsWater and aspirin from the Mayo ClinicMAYO CLINIC - DRINKING WATERA cardiologist determined that heart attacks can be triggered by dehydration.Good Thing To Know. From The Mayo Clinic. How many folks do you know who say they don't want to drink anything before going to bed because they'll have to get up during the night?Heart Attack and Water - Drinking one glass of water before going to bed avoids stroke or heart attack. Interesting....... Something else I didn't know ... I asked my Doctor why people need to urinate so much at night time.Answer from my Cardiac Doctor: Gravity holds water in the lower part of your body when you are upright (legs swell). When you lie down and the lower body (legs and etc) seeks level with the kidneys, it is then that the kidn... 03/16/2016

The Daily Hot Sheet of Real Estate News Trending Now March 16, 2016   Hey renters: It's time to buy a homeBuyers should jump into the market quickly to avoid higher mortgage rates, higher selling prices and a crowd of other buyers who also waited to shop for a home. Read more.NAR survey: U.S. needs single-family constructionMost people (75%) still want a single-family home in the suburbs - only 15% of current homeowners and 21% of renters prefer a home in the city. Read more.One Realtor association fights private listingsA study found that up to 25% of San Francisco home sales occurred off-market, so the local Realtor association created a new system for pre-marketing listings. Read more.Builders bend rules for multigenerational sales18% of American homes are multi-generational, but loc... 03/15/2016

YOU must ASK for your discount!   RESTAURANTS:Applebee's:            15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)Arby's:                   10% off (55+)Ben & Jerry's:         10% off (60+)Bennigan's:             Discount varies by location (60+)Bob's Big Boy:        Discount varies by location (60+) Boston Market:       10% off (65+) Burger King:            10% off (60+)Chick-Fil-A:             10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)Chili's:                    10% off (55+)CiCi's Pizza:            10% off (60+)Denny's:                 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55 +)Dunkin' Donuts:       10% off or free coffee (55+)Einstein's Bagels:    10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)Fuddrucker's:          10% off any senior platter ( 55+)Gatti's Pizza:           10% off (60+)Golden Corral:  ... 03/15/2016

The Daily (031516) Hot Sheet of Real Estate News Trending Now March 15, 2016  The annual hot home buying season starts April 1 Home sales in Fla. and the nation traditionally ramp up in spring and early summer. In Tampa, for example, 37% of yearly home sales close between April and July. Read more.1 million borrowers regained equity last yearCoreLogic: 91.5% of U.S. homeowners with a mortgage had equity in their homes by the end of 2015, and the "number of homeowners with more than 20% equity is rising rapidly." Read more.Is voicemail dead? If not, an app could kill itSome clients, notably younger ones, find phone calls annoying, and new apps allow them to avoid it altogether. Instead of voicemail, calls just ring and ring. Read more.Where are the nation's second homes?NAHB studied seco... 03/15/2016

When GOD solves our problems, we have faith in HIS abilities When GOD doesn't solve our problems, HE has faith in our abilities. One may observe God's accuracy in the hatching of eggs.. . those of the canary in 14 days; those of the barnyard hen in 21 days; eggs of ducks and geese in 28 days;those of the mallard in 35 days;the eggs of the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days. (Notice, they are all divisible by seven, the number of days in a week.  I See God's wisdom in the making of an elephant. . . The four legs of this great beast all bend forward in the same direction. No other quadruped is so made.God planned that this animal would have a huge body - too large to live on two legs. For this reason He gave it four fulcrums area that it can rise from the ground easily.  The horse r... 03/14/2016

The Daily Hot Sheet of Real Estate News Trending Now March 14, 2016   U.S. responds to flood insurance cost complaintsA report on flood insurance looked at ways to help cut skyrocketing costs, but the top suggestion - a discount based on the owner's income - isn't easy to do. Read more.The young and the nestless: Millennials and housingFor many millennials, it's not whether they can afford a home - it's where. Some states have aid programs to keep them from moving, but other states created incentives to attract them away. Read more.Buyer compromises that may be worth itMany house hunters have "the perfect home" but find during their search that they may have to give a little, especially when inventories are tight. Read more.Voice-controlled devices: The downsideIn many cases, a voice-co... 03/14/2016

Fellow Buyers & Sellers,   Celebrating St. Patrick's day, makes March one of my favorite times of the year! Here is wishing YOU a wonderful month of March 2016!   In case you haven’t already noticed, there has been a little more action in the real estate market lately. This activity is common during the spring and summer months. After all, Spring is an ideal time to make a move.   As a licensed and active REALTOR in S. Florida, I have colleagues and affiliates who are outstanding, professional agents throughout the world. So, no matter where you currently live in this world, please contact me directly and I will gladly connect you with one of them to ensure that you are getting the BEST service possible.   If you are considering selling your home and/or buying a new one or if you have ... 03/13/2016

Market Minutes Ending For The Week Of March 11, 2016 Oil pricing continues to increase, supporting stocks but hurting bonds. The pressure on mortgage bonds can contribute to higher mortgage rates. European Central Bank stimulus is expected to help the EU economy and boost inflation. European inflation could contribute to U.S. inflation, pressuring rates. Another sign of economic strength that could pressure mortgage rates is this week's jobless claims. Claims fell, indicative of a strengthening labor market. Home prices are expected to continue to rise in 2016, forecast at a 3.6% increase. Rising prices are supported by low mortgage rates and tight supply. Signs point to increased home purchase activity among Millennials. Among those surveyed, 48% express a desire to own a home, compare... 03/13/2016

Fishing on Fridays After 35 years of marriage, a husband and wife came for counseling.  When asked what the problem was, the wife went into a tirade listing every problem they had ever had in the years they had been married.  On and on and on: neglect, lack of intimacy, emptiness, loneliness, feeling unloved and unlovable, an entire laundry list of unmet needs she had endured.  Finally, after allowing this for a sufficient length of time, the therapist got up, walked around the desk and after asking the wife to stand, he embraced and kissed her long and passionately as her husband watched - with a raised eyebrow.   The woman shut up and quietly sat down in a daze. The therapist turned to the husband and said, "This is what your wife needs at least 3 times a week.  Can you do this?"    "... 03/11/2016

The Senior Citizen's New Corvette, Florida Style   A Florida senior citizen drove his brand new Corvette convertible out of the dealership. Taking off down the road, he pushed it to 80 mph, enjoying the wind blowing through what little hair he had left. "Amazing," he thought as he flew down I-95, pushing the pedal even more.     Looking in his rear view mirror, he saw a Florida State Trooper, blue lights flashing and siren blaring. He floored it to 100 mph, then 110, then 120. Suddenly he thought, "What am I doing? I'm too old for this!" and pulled over to await the trooper's arrival.   Pulling in behind him, the trooper got out of his vehicle and walked up to the Corvette. He looked at his watch, then said, "Sir, my shift ends in 30 minutes. Today is Friday. If you can give me a new r... 03/09/2016

Info That Hits Us For The Week Of March 07, 2016     What the White Queen offered Alice seems similar to what the media often gives us in their coverage of the housing market. The headlines blared that Pending Home Sales dropped 2.5% in January.  This index of contracts signed on existing homes is a forward-looking indicator of those sales, so the media typically reported that rising prices and low inventories continue to impede housing growth.  As usual, a deeper look into the facts shows otherwise. First, the decline was made larger because December's number was revised upward. A good thing. Also ignored was the fact Pending Home sales are UP 1.4% from a year ago. The National Association of Realtors chief economist felt, "some buyers could be waiting for a hike in listings come sprin... 03/07/2016

The Daily Hot Sheet of Real Estate News Trending Now  March 07, 2016  CFPB hopes to expand 'rural' designated areas The U.S. consumer bureau launched a new application process to add new areas. That, in turn, will make low-down USDA mortgages an option for more buyers. Read more.Homebuilders slowed by permit delaysMany builders, including ones in Fla., say it takes 6-8 months for short-staffed local gov'ts to issue a new home permit - and that impacts buyers and costs. Read more.Want a pet? Buy a homeFewer rental homes accept furry friends thanks to high demand - and if they do, they charge more. In Orlando, only 4% of rentals allow tenants to have pets. Read more.If jobs = home sales, Feb. stats signal good newsExperts say home sales will return once employment bounces back, and Feb.'s... 03/07/2016

Making The Right Offer Stick You’ve shopped around and attended a few select viewings. Now you’ve found the home of your dreams. It’s yours – as long as you make the right offer!  So how do you make the right offer? That’s a very important question to consider.  If your offer is too low, you risk the seller turning you down. You may not get a chance to make a second offer, especially if there are already multiple offers for the property.  If your offer is too high, you’ll leave thousands of dollars on the table... money that could have been used for other important things, like renovations or a family vacation.  So before deciding how much to offer for a home you want, we need to talk.We will discuss what goes into a good offer and other ways to strengthen your offer, such as getting a ... 03/06/2016

Market Minutes Ending For The Week Of March 4, 2016 Oil prices have stabilized as inventories increase and producers freeze production levels. Higher oil prices may contribute to rising mortgage rates. World stock markets reached a 2-month high this week on easing concerns of global economic weakness. Improving stocks are also pressuring mortgage rates. Jobless claims this week once again point to a strengthening labor market. A stronger U.S. economic outlook could foster higher mortgage rates, too.  Pending home sales were down slightly in January, but still higher than January of 2015. Demand is high, though, as listings are selling 6 days faster than last year. Tight inventory is blamed for slowing down the housing market. Inventory is lower now than a year ago and not high enough to... 03/06/2016

The Daily Hot Sheet of Real Estate News Trending Now March 04, 2016  Average 30-year mortgage rate ticks up to 3.64% Rates rose for the first time in two months as global economic jitters calmed down a bit. Economists also saw some positive economic signs in new data. Read more.Home flipping is back - and Fla. a national hot spotIf flipping signals a market rebound, the recession is officially over. Tampa and Daytona Beach top the list for flips as a percentage of all single-family sales. Read more.Merger creates single-family rental giantAmerican Homes 4 Rent and American Residential Properties' merger will give the new mega-company control of 47K U.S. homes - but they say some will be sold. Read more.Real estate Q&A: Is condo's no-rental policy legal?A condo has no-rental policy, but ... 03/04/2016

WHERE WILL YOU RETIRE, HERE ARE SOME CHOICESYou can retire to Georgetown, TX where... 1. You are willing to park 3 blocks away from your house because you found shade.  2. You've experienced condensation on your ass from the hot water in the toilet bowl. 3. You can drive for 4 hours in one direction and never leave town.  4. You have over 100 recipes for Mexican food.  5. You know that "dry heat" is comparable to what hits you in the face when you open your oven door.  6. The 4 seasons are: tolerable, hot, really hot, and ARE YOU KIDDING ME??  OR You can retire to California where...  1. You make over $450,000 and you still can't afford to buy a house.  2. The fastest part of your commute is going down your driveway.  3. You know how to eat an artichoke.  4. You drive your rented Merced... 03/02/2016

A Marriage Demo   A man brings his best buddy home for dinner unannounced at 6:30 after work. His wife screams at him while his friend sits and listens in.   My hair and makeup are not done, the house is a mess, the dishes are not done, I am still in my pajamas and I can't be bothered with cooking tonight! Why the hell did you bring him home? Calmly the husband replies, Because he's thinking of getting married and I promised him a demo.     03/02/2016

Market Minutes for the week starting February 29, 2016 The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index showed prices in its 20-city composite index rose 0.8% month over month in December, but remember, this index only accounts for the 20 largest markets. Existing home sales data shows prices softening. The median price of an existing home fell 4.2% to $213,800 in January. At the current sales pace, supply has moved up to four months. This isn't a bad dynamic: A lower rate of price appreciation coupled with increased supply bodes well for existing home sales in coming months.  Things are somewhat less positive in the new home market. Prices pulled back meaningfully last month, with the median price of a new home falling 5.7% to $278,800. Year over year, the median price of a new home is actually d... 03/02/2016

The Daily Hot Sheet of Real Estate News Trending NowMarch 2, 2016   What type of home sells fastest? According to a realtor.com study, a Spanish-style home with a city view, stainless steel appliances and good schools priced around $225K should fly off the shelf. Read more.Where's the listing inventory?Potential sellers and builders appear unmoved by the recent rise in median home prices - two trends contributing to today's growing lack of listing inventory. Read more.Minority homeownership rates risingThe rate of minority ownership rose for the first time since 2007 - and some experts predict minority buyers will make up 88% of the market from 2020 to 2030. Read more.Fla. city homes too expensive for most young buyersStudy: Larger cities and suburbs remain largely out of reach for fir... 03/01/2016