The numbers are in for July for Palm Beach County towns. The biggest benefit in this monthly marketing report for our readers is to provide content rich local information from a trustworthy source The Realtors® Association of the Palm Beaches.  Understanding that an educated buyer and seller when provided with the latest facts in our marketplace creates trust and develops relationships to make educated decisions when it comes to buying and selling real estate. I hope you enjoy the reports and look forward in discussing any questions that you might have in one of the most desirable real estate markets in Palm Beach County Florida.  Please feel free to call me for any of your real estate needs.   08/30/2014

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & FL Realtor News Tuesday, August 26, 2014 TODAY'S TOP STORIES U.S. consumer confidence hits seven-year high It's the fourth consecutive month for a boost in attitudes as the Consumer Confidence Index hits 92.4 – not far from its pre-recession historical average of 102. Read more. Report: Affordable rental housing still elusive A study compared number of affordable housing units to number of families making less than 30% of median income, and Fla. has only 21 homes per 100 families. Read more. NAR: Improving economy brightens commercial outlook A strong rebound and more jobs improved the outlook in 2Q 2014. The economy finally appears to be turning a corner to firmer ground, says Chief Economist Yun. Read more.   Boomerang buyers head back ... 08/26/2014

    Do You Know A Good Public Insurance Adjuster, is worth their weight in Gold?   When it comes to putting in a claim through your Homeowner’s insurance, you better know a good Public Adjuster. Just like knowing a good Realtor, a PA is worth his or her weight in gold as they say. Most insured’s  have no clue what is in stored for them, when they have to make that call, because of property damage of a leaking pipe, hail, roof leak, broken tile, hurricanes, etc.       One does not doubt that damages to a home causes stress and grief to the insured. Unfortunately these difficulties are only then compounded when a claim is not properly handled and the homeowner feels the insurance company is not standing behind the promises in their policy. Below is an example of why we as Public Adjusters... 08/24/2014

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & FL Realtor News Tuesday, August 19, 2014 TODAY'S TOP STORIES U.S. home construction surges 15.7% in July The increase surpassed economists' expectations and was the fastest pace in eight months. Building permits, a sign of future activity, rose 8.1%. Read more. USDA/rural housing maps change Oct. 1 The size of qualified rural areas will generally get smaller. Buyers can check a home's future status online and take action soon if a home will lose eligibility. Read more. NAR to launch .realtor top-level domain name in Oct. Realtors have a first-come/first-served option to create a website using the .realtor address rather than .com or .org. The address is only offered to members. Read more.   Fla. all-cash sales drop along with U.S. numbers... 08/19/2014

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & FL Realtor News Tuesday, August 12, 2014 TODAY'S TOP STORIES Fla.'s housing market continues steady course in 2Q 2014 Median prices rose for both single-family existing homes (up 5.3%) and townhouse-condo units (up 10.1%) compared to a year ago. Single-family sales up 7.3%. Read more. Rule change allows surviving spouse to keep home Under some reverse mortgages, an owner may face foreclosure if the mortgage holder died. New rules ban that, providing the survivor pays taxes and insurance. Read more. REO inventories shrinking for Fannie, Freddie In the past four years, Fannie's REO inventory declined 58% compared to 3Q 2010; Freddie's inventory is down 48%. Read more.   Amendment aims cash at conservation efforts If passed, Amendment 1 on t... 08/12/2014

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & FL Realtor News Tuesday, August 5, 2014 TODAY'S TOP STORIES Mortgage closing costs up 6% to $2,539 nationwide Bankrate.com: At $3,046 on a $200K loan, Texas' closing costs led the nation, as Fla. ranked No. 8 at an average $2,648. Bottom of the list: Nev. at $2,265. Read more. NAHB: $1,000 price increase blocks 200K from buying The study found that each $1,000 increase in the cost of a new Fla. median-price home nixes 8,296 prospective buyers from ownership, though results vary by metro. Read more. Housing slowdown could be good for buyers Low mortgage rates and more listings make it a great time to buy, as markets short-term future relies on first-time buyers to step in and replace fewer investors. Read more.   It's easier to get a loan ... 08/05/2014

The June 2014 numbers are in. The biggest benefit in this monthly marketing report for our readers is to provide content rich local information from a trustworthy source The Realtors® Association of the Palm Beaches.  Understanding that an educated buyer and seller when provided with the latest facts in our marketplace creates trust and develops relationships to make educated decisions when it comes to buying and selling real estate. I hope you enjoy the reports and look forward in discussing any questions that you might have in one of the most desirable real estate markets in Palm Beach County Florida.  Please feel free to call me for any of your real estate needs.   08/01/2014

Lake Worth, of Palm Beach County, FL Market Stats & Facts for June 2014 Stats and facts about Lake Worth, Florida, are out for the month of June 2014.  The report is packed with information about the county and the local city mentioned above. In a nut shell the inventory of single family homes available for sale are at a 4.4 month selling point which is down nearly 10.2%from a year ago. That’s a good sign things are loosening up and people are buying. Click on this LINK, for more graphs and stats. Whether you are buying or selling in this hot market of the County of Palm Beach, FL, choosing the right company will save you money, time and many sleepless nights. I not only have 30 years experience as a Realtor, construction was a passion of mine as well. This alone is worth so much more ... 07/31/2014

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & FL Realtor News Tuesday, July 29, 2014 TODAY'S TOP STORIES Consumer confidence rises again in July Confident consumers spend money and buy homes, and at 90.9, the monthly index hit its highest point since Oct. 2007, with "future expectations" rising 6.3 points. Read more. As FHA fees go up, the number of deals goes down NAR: Up to 250,000 home sales failed to close due to higher FHA fees, and most lenders said it's even higher, since some people don't even bother to apply. Read more. Retirement communities find a unique niche Some older adults want more out of their retirement community, and a few focus on retirees with a specific ethnic background, hobby or college allegiance. Read more. Home prices continue to rise - but at a slower pac... 07/29/2014

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & FL Realtor News July 22, 2014 TODAY'S TOP STORIES Fla.'s housing market: More sales, rising prices in June Fla. single-family sales up 14.6% year-to-year, condos up 3.1%, and median prices up for 31st month in a row. NAR: U.S. sales at highest pace since Oct. 2013. Read more. Many buyers aren't prepared for mortgage process Survey: While 94% think a home is a good investment, 63% find online information overwhelming and barely half calculate their expected monthly payment. Read more. Second language skills boost agents About 15% of real estate agents speak a second language: 12.2% speak Spanish and 2.5% speak French. Russian, Mandarin and German are close behind. Read more.   Multigenerational households reach record high 18.1% of U.S. re... 07/22/2014

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & FL Realtor News Tuesday, July 15, 2014 TODAY'S TOP STORIES CFPB clarifies how same-sex ruling affects lending RESPA and other national finance/lending laws will cover same-sex couples legally married in another state but living in a non-marriage state, such as Fla. Read more. Yellen says economy still needs Fed support What will happen to mortgage rates? Fed testimony suggests subsidies could end for long-term rates by Oct. Short-term rates that affect ARMs might also rise. Read more. Brokerage giant warns agents against drones NRT, which includes Coldwell Banker, advised its members to stop flying drones to capture listings or even hire a photographer after the FAA's latest ruling. Read more.   New PMI requirements could burden homebuyer... 07/15/2014

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & FL Realtor News Tuesday, July 8, 2014 TODAY'S TOP STORIES CoreLogic: 47K completed U.S. foreclosures in May It's down 9.4% from year ago. Fla. had highest number (122K) of completed foreclosures for year ending in May; also 2nd highest in foreclosure inventory at 5.2%. Read more. Report: Homeowners paid $3.1B cash in settlement 83% or 3.4M people covered by the Jan. 2013 settlement with 13 big banks over alleged misconduct in processing mortgages have cashed checks as of late April. Read more. $66.5M OK'd in disaster assistance for Fla. FEMA: 60 days after massive flooding in Northwest Fla., funding has been approved to help area residents. Register for disaster relief by July 21. Read more.   Building giant considers move to home-rental ... 07/08/2014

Lake Worth of Palm Beach County, FL Market Stats & Facts for May 2014       Stats and facts about Lake Worth, Florida, are out for the month of May 2014. The report is packed with information about the county and the local city mentioned above. In a nut shell the inventory of single family homes available for sale are at a 4.6 month selling point which is down nearly 7.3% from a year ago. That’s a good sign things are loosening up and people are buying. Click on this LINK, for more graphs and stats.   Whether you are buying or selling in this hot market of the County of Palm Beach, FL, choosing the right company will save you money, time and many sleepless nights. I not only have 30 years experience as a Realtor, construction was a passion of mine as well. This alone is worth so much mo... 07/06/2014

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & FL Realtor News Tuesday, July 1, 2014    TODAY'S TOP STORIES Florida Realtors releases 2014 member profile Are you a 56-year-old woman working in residential sales? Did you make $56,000 last year and have $6,560 in business expenses? If so, you're exactly average. Read more. FHA's HAWK program a good start but not enough NAR: Homeowners Armed with Knowledge (HAWK) helps first-time buyers who willingly attend classes, but FHA's fees and mortgage insurance are still too high. Read more. Move Inc. hires realtor.com's first chief economist The position will give realtor.com more high-profile media exposure and help it compete against Zillow and Trulia, which have their own chief economists. Read more.   Real estate Q&A: Refinance to avoid bal... 07/01/2014

This impeccable and perfectly maintained 4 bedroom and 2 and a half bath, 2 car garage CBS home closed today, by Donald Urschalitz P.A. Located on a beautiful lake this waterfront pool home is in a non equity golf community that is in the gated community of Winston Trails.  Bring your most discriminating buyer to view this completely renovated home complete with Accordion hurricane shutters on all windows and doors. Featuring oversized neutral ceramic tile laid on the diagonal on the entire first floor, upstairs landing and hallway and baths. The island kitchen has raised panel cabinetry with under mount lighting, Granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances just to name a few. All the bathrooms have been remodeled with newer fixtures including pedestal sink in the half bath, dual s... 06/30/2014

The May numbers are in. The biggest benefit in this monthly marketing report for our readers is to provide content rich local information from a trustworthy source The Realtors® Association of the Palm Beaches.  Understanding that an educated buyer and seller when provided with the latest facts in our marketplace creates trust and develops relationships to make educated decisions when it comes to buying and selling real estate. I hope you enjoy the reports and look forward in discussing any questions that you might have in one of the most desirable real estate markets in Palm Beach County Florida.  Please feel free to call me for any of your real estate needs.   06/30/2014

Former Model Home For Sale in Lantern Key located in Lake Worth, FL - Beautiful 2 bedroom villa/townhouse with optional 3rd bedroom (currently used a den/office space) and 2 full baths. Completely upgraded one story home with stunning tile flooring thru-out the living areas and wood flooring in the guest bedrooms. The kitchen is spacious and gorgeous with granite counter-tops, stainless steel appliances, upgraded cabinetry, and tons of extra storage! Other upgrades include crown molding thru-out, plantation shutters, complete sound system, hurricane shutters, and upgraded lighting fixtures. There is also a 2 car garage and the property is an end-unit that is within a short walk to the community pool. The Duval House A/C Living Area:  1,369Garage:  399Covered Entry:  19Covered Patio:  97... 06/25/2014

The Daily Hot Sheet of palm Beach Real Estate & FL Realtor News Tuesday, June 24, 2014    TODAY'S TOP STORIES New home sales surge 18.6% – fastest pace in 6 years Sales jumped in May following a 3.7% April increase. It's the strongest level since the recession ended and "an encouraging sign that housing activity improved." Read more. Citizens wants to lower property insurance rates Almost 70% of homeowners covered by the Fla.-owned insurer could see lower rates in 2015, with an average savings of 3.2%; mobile homes could see 3.9%. Read more. RealtyTrac: Home prices up 13% due to high-end sales In May, Fla. again led nation in short sales. Top deal: Homes built between 1950 and 1990 sold at a 29% discount if in negative equity with an auction scheduled. Read more.   Consumer confidence ... 06/24/2014

Where do Banks Find their Appraisers for Short Sales?    It has been a while since we had a short sale run amok. We have been quite fortunate to close all of our short sales when they do come on the market.    Sometimes when the road has been too smooth you can expect some turbulence.    We have a short sale where the appraiser turned in a "Fair Market Value" of at least $100,000 over the buyers' offer on our listing.    Even our seller was wondering what planet this appraisal just dropped in from.  We are contesting the appraisal of course. The escalation department stated that the appraiser actually used comparative properties only .4 miles from the subject property.    But he is comparing apples to oranges.    The homes that the appraiser used as comps were in a subdivision that is a... 06/17/2014

The Daily Hot Sheet of Palm Beach Real Estate & FL Realtor News Tuesday, June 17, 2014   TODAY'S TOP STORIES Retirement moves make a comeback Fla. is gaining about 55,000 55-plus adults each year for an annual growth rate of 138%. It's more than double the number of movers compared to 2006-2009. Read more. Double-digit price increases sign of a bubble? The U.S. isn't threatened by another real estate bubble, but in some areas where investors have pushed prices beyond local wage levels, it could get frothy. Read more. U.S. home building down 6.5% in May Construction was down in the Northeast, Midwest and West. Only the South had stronger building activity. But new homes also cost more in May. Read more.   Banks lose mortgage market share Fewer buyers walked into their bank for a loan ov... 06/17/2014