Sellers: Make sure you avoid these mistakes Attention homeowners this can be an easy road or a long, twisting and turning roller coaster ride. It really comes down to you and the decision your family makes. This will be one of those to not take lightly but rather given serious thought. Making the right choice will not only save you time, but money, heartache and sometimes friendships. Getting Emotionally InvolvedNot Hiring an AgentSetting an Unrealistic PriceNot Accommodating Potential BuyersTrying to Hide Significant ProblemsSigning a Purchase Contract With an Unqualified Buyer 07/31/2016

The Daily (072716) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now  June new-home sales climb to 8-year high Commerce Department: New-home sales rose 3.5% last month - the best level since Feb. 2008 - and despite ups and downs, they've risen 10.1% so far this year. Read more.U.S. home prices rise at steady pace as sales upCase-Shiller: In May, the 20-city home price index rose 5.2% year-to-year due to rising sales and a dwindling supply. The index is just 8.8% below its 2006 peak. Read more.3 Fla. cities tops for budget real estate investingA realtor.com/HomeUnion study ranked U.S. cities for the best place to invest in single-family homes on a budget: Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando topped the list. Read more.U.S. consumer confidence stayed steady in JulyThe Conference Board: Consumers ... 07/27/2016

The Daily (072516) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now   Wage growth now matches rental rate growthWhile rents remain high, the U.S. may have hit a watershed moment in affordability as the latest increase in rents matched the increase in hourly wages. Read more.Fla.'s zombie communities show glimmer of lifeSome Fla. communities that shut down development during the real estate meltdown - some with only a few homes, some with only sewer hookups - are coming back as builders reassess costs and buyer demand. Read more.Americans will pay more to live near transitHNTB survey: A home near mass transit is worth more than an identical home farther out; 55% of those surveyed said they'd pay more for transportation access. Read more.Things first-time buyers need to knowDon't get discou... 07/24/2016

Is It Still Tax Time?For most of us tax season is over and done with and many have completed their taxes. On the other hand many have filed an extension like yours truly. This gives extra time to complete and make sure all is correct at this point. Take a look at the suggestions below just to make sure you haven’t missed anything.    #1: Deducting the wrong year for property taxes  #2: Confusing escrow amount for actual taxes paid  #3: Deducting points paid to refinance  #4: Failing to deduct private mortgage insurance   #6: Missing the first-time home buyer tax credit  #7: Failing to track home-related expenses  #8: Forgetting to keep track of capital gains  #9: Filing incorrectly for energy tax credits  #10: Claiming too much for the mortgage interest tax deduction       07/23/2016

How Do See It Your Future (Outlook).   This may be both scary and exhilarating at the same time. As one looks at the possibilities of what can be achieved during the day of simple or strategic routines the opportunities may be off the chart. Everyone has the ability to achieve greatness, it just starts with you. Start now, start today…   07/23/2016

Saturday (072316) Shot of the Day in Atlantis, FL As I’m looking out of my window, our friendly white feathered friends love hanging around on top of our bushes. Which for the life of me I find a little weird, how they like the hedge better than the ground or canal, I’ll never know. That being said he became a little air borne on our neighbors screen enclosure..    07/23/2016

The Daily (071816) Hot Sheet of Top Real Estate News Trending Now   NAR-backed condo legislation passes SenateSuccess: Many Realtors responded to a recent Call for Action, and Congress approved a plan to help FHA buyers secure a condo. It now only needs Obama's signature. Read more.Many borrowers still owe too much on their homeHowever, Black Knight Financial Service's latest report finds that rising home prices have helped many borrowers who are no longer underwater. Read more.Condo owner won't leave for termite tentingReal estate Q&A: The condo owner's wife is bed-ridden, plus the cost of a hotel stay could be another factor in the refusal. What can the association do? Read more.County investigates homestead fraudAnother county is aggressively going after property tax fraud: In 2015, ... 07/18/2016

I didn’t expect to see THIS today in my travels!!!   As I was coming from an appointment today in West Palm Beach, I didn’t expect to see this. I’m sorry that it wasn’t a closer shot. Plus taking it on my Iphone 6plus, which is a bit getting use to it, to give you a clear view of the vehicle. Perhaps the people that live here in Palm Beach County will know. I’ll give you a hint, it’s a truck that will give you high blood pressure instantly. That’s right folks a police cruiser SUV.  I don’t know the details, but judging from the other car that was rear ended, my guess they pulled out in front of the police officer’s SUV. The kicker is it happened right in front of the DMV. How is this possible I ask myself of all places?   07/17/2016

If turtles can reach the top, so can you...  I spotted Tommy the turtle the other day, but missed the shot because my camera was in my car. Yesterday I must have spotted the same one. On the first sighting it looked like the size of a manhole cover climbing up the bank. The one yesterday has to be the same one.  The picture doesn’t do justice based on what I saw and presented here. None the less we continue to attract all kinds of creatures here in the city of Atlantis, Florida. Enjoy nature and the wild it can be fascinating to observe.         07/17/2016

The Daily (071416) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now  Investment flips: What to know about a fixer-upperInvesting requires a leap of faith and a vision. Turning a real estate lemon into lemonade requires skills, a realistic financial outlook and lots of patience. Read more. NAR study: Most in U.S. say it's a good time to buyRenters, however - notably half of young adults with student debt - aren't comfortable taking out a mortgage. Overall, more homeowners think it's a good time to sell but fewer buyers think it's a good time to jump into the market. Read more. Lot sizes for new homes are the smallest on recordThe area that includes Fla. is 0.20 acres, but the nation's Pacific division is under 0.15 acres as land for development continues to grow scarce. Read more.Foreclose... 07/14/2016

The Daily (071116) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now  Average 30-year mortgage rate falls to new 2016 lows The financial upheaval in Europe drove long-term mortgage rates down to 3.41%, the lowest level since May 2013 - and most experts think they'll go even lower. Read more.Buyer tech tools: Nearby jobs or commute timesHow long would it take to commute to work from this listing? There's a tech tool for that. How many nearby jobs are within walking distance or accessible via public transportation? There's a tool for that too. Read more.This really ticks off buyers and sellersMissed appointments, impersonal real estate transactions, scheduling struggles and sellers who linger during showings are common complaints. Read more.City living not just a modern trendThe U.S. is unde... 07/11/2016

Sunday Stretch….Just Another Day In Palm Beach Co., Florida In South Florida, we are just surrounded by wild reptiles, birds, and the occasional mammal. My feature today is this pretty species that was loving my screen enclosure to the pool. One good reason to have one I suppose. As my wife looks on, you just never know what to expect as you go outside the gates sort of speak.      07/10/2016

WHAT MAKES A SUPERSTAR REALTOR ? Given the current state of the financial and housing market, most agents are out scrambling for their lives, so we hear.  They NEED business if they want to salvage their livelihood, and many will do anything to get it – this may include tactics such as commission discounting or rebating. When you're up against agents like this it is very tempting to make a very serious mistake in the way you present or market yourself ... a mistake that could cost you the listing, but very well cost you your career perhaps.  Would you like to learn the specific language you should be using in your ads that will create an immediate response from buyers who are ready, willing and able to buy right now, and sellers who have a desirable property and realistic expectations? ... 07/03/2016

Are you Crazy & Obsessed with Active Rain’s Point System? I think who ever dreamed up this point system was a genius. For me it not only has challenged me to be consistent with posting and writing. It encourages you to stay involved and engaged. Plus who doesn’t love seeing themselves move up in the polls I like to call it (Election year). I have set point goals for the week, monthly, quarterly and by the end of the year.I know it won’t matter once you reach a certain point, like a million or so. Of course each 100k point does say something about the dedication of those that have made the commitment. So I say to each that may stop by, it has given me a push to do something that only a few months ago I never would have considered.  A Sincere Thank you goes to the Active Rain Organization.  07/03/2016

Time Is Of The Essence Or Is It? A Limit To Your Offer?   Have you ever been put into this situation with one of your deals? You put a property up for sale, put the sign out in the yard, MLS, Craig’s List etc. and soon after you get an offer.  Great. The price was low than listed and you are given a written counter- offer. The problem is they don’t respond. In the mean time another offer is made.  Here is where it get’s sticky, the first couple calls back and says we will accept your counter offer. They give hint to bring suit against you knowing the other offer is in place if you don’t sell them the house. What should you do and what options do you have? Here are a couple of things to keep in mind. Most standard contracts have a “time of the essence” clause which gives the parties invo... 07/03/2016

The Daily (070116) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now   Average U.S. 30-year mortgage falls to 3.48% Long-term U.S. mortgage rates slid to new three-year lows this week amid market upheaval stoked by Britain's vote last week to leave the European Union. Read more.New Fla. laws go into effect todayA number of bills passed by the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Scott go into effect today that impact rental policies, water, sinkholes coverage and more. Read more.Big banks have almost abandoned FHA loansBuyers looking for an FHA loan? They'll have better luck with a non-bank lender. Four years ago, big banks originated 65% of buyers' FHA loans. Today it's 20%. Read more.Verbal agreement needs to be sealed in writingReal estate Q&A: My brother and I help pay for our paren... 07/01/2016

The Daily (062916) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now  Home affordability: The green light's turning yellowThe U.S. median home price has hit $239K, and first-time buyers face challenges. NAR says renters who hope to convert to ownership now face a "major difficulty." Read more.June surprise: Confidence at highest level since Oct.Economists predicted consumer confidence would rise a point or two in June, but the index that gauges Americans' attitudes about personal economic situations rose 5.6 points since May to 98.0. Read more.Could the rental market lose its mojo?In many cities, rents have risen 20% in the past five years, but some experts predict a slowdown in key markets after an uptick in new apartment construction. Read more.Home prices climb in April - 7 cities set r... 06/29/2016

The Daily (062816) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now  CFPB: Mortgage servicer tech failures violate rules The nation's consumer bureau says some mortgage service firms need better technology - that current programs have harmed homeowners and violated CFPB rules. Read more.'Brexit' could boost U.S. real estate - or notInstability may lead more Brits to invest in U.S. real estate, and many already lean toward Fla. property. The long-term Brexit outlook, however, is less clear. Read more.Have a lower credit score? Apply for a mortgageIt seems illogical: Lenders say they'll now approve loans to buyers with lower credit scores, but the average score of people actually approved continues to rise. Read more.Pimco: A commercial 'storm is brewing'The Pacific Investment Management Co... 06/27/2016

The Daily (062716) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now   8 critical trends in real estate CRE: Some major issues could impact the industry over the next few years - a shifting world economy, changing demographics, increased urbanization and more. Read more.Nation's largest banks all pass Fed's 'stress tests'Meaning the lenders hold enough capital - more than at any time since the 2008 financial crisis - that they can withstand a major national and global recession. Read more.Fla. consumer sentiment trends downward in JuneWhile the state GDP and jobs outlook are positive, Floridians continued to show declining confidence in current economic conditions, setting a three-month trend. Read more.Hire inspector even for a newly built homeReal estate Q&A: What can a buyer do if a bui... 06/27/2016

The Do’s & Don’ts Of Proper Septic System Care The importance of your septic system could be vitally important to the sale and purchase of your home. Recently, I have a property under contract where there was an inspection performed. Upon the inspection it was found that it not only needed a new tank but the drain field replaced as well.  This of course was not accounted for or disclosed and will cost around $6,500 to replace.Bottom line, this could be a real deal killer if not handled properly to a successful conclusion.  Once purchased it is recommended to follow the tips below, to keep your system in proper working order.   06/25/2016