Whether you’re looking to update your Lakewood Ranch home before selling or you want to remodel a new place before moving in, it’s imperative that you have a good relationship with your contractor. Unless you’re planning to do the renovation work yourself, you’ll be relying on the knowledge, competence and trustworthiness of someone you might barely know. While you want to stay on good terms with the person renovating your Lakewood Ranch home, there are a few formal guidelines that you should follow to ensure your projects are completed on time and on budget. 5 tips for working with a contractor:   Keep in constant communication – Try to touch base with your contractor every day. Exchange cell phone numbers, set up a daily appointment or send periodic emails. This allows your contractor... 07/25/2011

Shopping for a mortgage is as important as shopping for a Lakewood Ranch home to buy. It's the only way to get the best interest rate and terms with a lender you trust. Take your time, do your research, and you'll have peace of mind knowing that you found the mortgage that meets your needs. Here are six tips to help you find the best mortgage to use to purchase your Lakewood Ranch home: 1. Find a lender you like and trust. Ask your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and most importantly, your real estate agent for names of lenders they admire and enjoy working with. You want to find one who is knowledgeable about the mortgage industry, will answer all your questions and can talk with you about loans in a way you understand. 2. Explore your options. There is a wide-variety of loans for Lake... 07/20/2011

Whether you need a contractor for a minor project like a plumbing problem or a major project like a room addition, it's important to evaluate potential contractors before hiring them. Here are 5 steps to finding the best contractor for your Lakewood Ranch real estate project: 1. Get multiple quotes. Take the time to get 2 or 3 estimates. Haste can cost a lot more than finding the right contractor for your Lakewood Ranch real estate. 2. Check references. Talk with the former clients of the contractor you're considering hiring. Find out what it was really like to work with the contractor. Two of the best questions to ask are: a. What was your favorite thing about the contractor? b. What was your least favorite thing about the contractor? 3. Call the insurer and licensing board. Confirm th... 07/19/2011

Manatee County Short Sale Agent - Lakewood Ranch Stop Foreclosure - Bradenton Short Sale Help – FREE information on Foreclosure Defense, Mortgage Modification, Tax Consequences, Deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure, Short Sales, Deficiency Judgments, Bankruptcy Referrals & more. John Michailidis, SaraMana Properties – Phone: (941) 822-5221 CLICK to Request Our FREE 48-page Foreclosure Options eBook   How Much To Do A Lakewood Ranch Short Sale? Considering the fact that in nearly all Short Sale transactions the seller's bank picks up the tab for all closing costs (including: commissions, settlement fees, property taxes, etc.) there really isn't any reason why you should be paying anything for a professionally managed Short Sale. In the odd instance that the bank requests money from you, you will ... 07/17/2011

Looking to buy a new house? Do you have a specified budget in place? Are you going to need to take out a loan? In such a tumultuous real estate market, there are many frustrating financial hurdles that you need to jump before you can purchase your Lakewood Ranch home. However, with a pre-approved loan you could reduce stress and move in quicker.   A pre-approved loan is when a bank provides you with an amount they would be willing to lend you for a Lakewood Ranch home and a period of time for which this offer is available. They determine this amount based on several criteria that you must provide and prove, such as your current income, bank statements, income tax returns and credit history. Perks from pre-approval • Know what you can afford -Using a mortgage calculator, you can see an e... 07/15/2011

In this competitive real estate market, how do you make your Lakewood Ranch home for sale shine without breaking the bank? Here are three inexpensive projects to help your Lakewood Ranch home for sale rise above the competition. 1. Low-cost kitchen countertops. Simply upgrading the countertops can change the whole look of your kitchen. Even on a limited budget, you can have granite. Shop around for the best price on granite slabs. Some colors are less expensive than others. To save even more, go for granite tiles. Both options provide the granite countertops buyers love. 2. Economical bathroom projects. There are many reasonably priced products available to bring your bathroom into the 21st Century. For instance, new tile, whether on the floor or the walls, is an obvious way to upgrade ... 07/09/2011

Sarasota Short Sale Agent - Venice Stop Foreclosure - Bradenton Short Sale Help – FREE information on Foreclosure Defense, Mortgage Modification, Tax Consequences, Deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure, Short Sales, Deficiency Judgments, Bankruptcy Referrals & more. John Michailidis, SaraMana Properties – Phone: (941) 822-5221 CLICK to Request Our FREE 48-page Foreclosure Options eBook   Lakewood Ranch Florida Short Sales Help Stop Foreclosure Short Sales are a legal, honorable, and efficient means of Stopping Foreclosure, Preserving Credit, and Avoiding Deficiency Judgments. Rather than waiting for the bank to Foreclose, many Lakewood Ranch homeowners have taken the proactive first step to Stopping Foreclosure by placing their property on the market with a reputable Short Sale Professional. You ... 07/09/2011

When you buy real estate in a subdivision or planned unit development, you may be subject to a host of rules and regulations as established by the Homeowner's Association (HOA) governing that development. You've most likely heard of HOAs, but you may not know exactly how they operate and how they can impact you and your Lakewood Ranch real estate. In this article, you'll get information on some of the broader issues that you should be aware of when moving into a community governed by an HOA. What is a Homeowner's Association? It is a corporation formed by real estate developers to market, manage and sell homes and lots within a development. Does the real estate developer retain control of the HOA forever? No. After a predetermined number of homes or lots are sold, the control is turned ... 07/01/2011

Sarasota Short Sale Agent - Venice Stop Foreclosure - Bradenton Short Sale Help – FREE information on Foreclosure Defense, Mortgage Modification, Tax Consequences, Deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure, Short Sales, Deficiency Judgments, Bankruptcy Referrals & more. John Michailidis, SaraMana Properties – Phone: (941) 822-5221 CLICK to Request Our FREE 48-page Foreclosure Options eBook   Lakewood Ranch Property Owners Are Stopping Foreclosure With Short Sales Many Lakewood Ranch homeowners have found Foreclosure Relief through properly executed and Approved Short Sales. If you're a Lakewood Ranch property owner, behind on your mortgage payments, and facing Foreclosure, you certainly owe it to yourself to watch the short video below. Keeping a Foreclosure off of your financial record is a very rea... 07/01/2011

Buying a home is a business transaction, but it's hard to keep emotions completely out of the process. Most sellers in today's market already know that they need to avoid upsetting their buyers. And buyers shouldn't make the mistake of thinking that just because the real estate market is down they can get away with annoying the sellers. Keep your cool this summer and avoid upsetting sellers so that your home purchase goes smoothly and for a fair price. • Don't put down their home. By pointing out everything that is wrong with a house, you could force the sellers to take less money, but this strategy rarely works. You're more likely to anger the seller to the point that they won't continue negotiations. That doesn't mean you can't negotiate for the best deal possible, but be careful not ... 06/29/2011

Ideally, to make a room light and bright you want a lot of large windows that let in natural light. Unfortunately, most of us don't have large windows in every room of our Lakewood Ranch homes. So, what do we do to brighten those dark rooms? Increase Natural Light If a room has one large window, make the most of this natural light by placing a mirror opposite that window. The mirror will scatter and reflect the ambient daylight throughout the room. Add Artificial Light Another great way to lighten window-challenged rooms in your home is to add artificial ambient lighting. Ambient lighting, whether natural or artificial, sets the tone and mood of each room. Here are several ways to add artificial ambient light to your rooms: · Recessed fixtures: Recessed fixtures throw light downward in ... 06/23/2011

Buying a home is one of the few occasions in which some form of negotiation is the rule rather than the exception. Just because it is the norm, however, does not mean that most people are good at it. Here are a few tips to help you negotiate the best deal when buying your next Lakewood Ranch home: 1. Know your bottom line. Determine your bottom line and stick to it. This sometimes means you have to be willing to walk away from a deal. It also means being realistic about what you're asking from the seller. Many sellers are faced with the fact that their home may not be worth what they paid for it. This puts limits on the concessions a seller can offer. 2. Stay flexible. For example, what if the Lakewood Ranch home you'd like to buy needs a new heating system. The seller is unwilling to r... 06/21/2011

If you're short on time, here's a list that will take you one minute to read and will give you 9 tips to help get your Lakewood Ranch home sold faster: 1. Set the right price. A Lakewood Ranch home  priced correctly from the start will sell faster. 2. Provide a thorough disclosure statement.  3. Add a one-year home warranty. They're reasonably priced and provide peace of mind for the buyer. 4. Offer financial incentives. There are a variety of financial incentives you can offer depending on the needs of the home and the buyer. Here are a few to consider: a. Cost to replace the carpet b. Cost to paint the home 5. Make your home shine. Fix it. Paint it. Clean it. Polish it. If there's anything you've put off, do it now. Your home has to be at its very best. 6. Get a pro's opinion. Ask you... 06/19/2011

The Internet has made researching real estate easy for anyone who knows how to surf online. Whether researching real estate to sell homes or to find a property for their next big investment, many property owners and home buyers think they'll save a lot of money by doing all the work themselves.   However, statistics show that you're more likely to sell your property quicker or find your dream house faster when you work with a professional Realtor® or real estate agent. Working with a Realtor provides you with an expanded housing database, years of property-purchasing knowledge and valuable contacts for everything from inspections to loans. The trick is to find the right Lakewood Ranch real estate agent or Realtor to fit your needs. Here are 5 tips to help you find your perfect fit: Know... 06/17/2011

Sarasota Short Sale Agent - Venice Stop Foreclosure - Bradenton Short Sale Help – FREE information on Foreclosure Defense, Mortgage Modification, Tax Consequences, Deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure, Short Sales, Deficiency Judgments, Bankruptcy Referrals & more. John Michailidis, SaraMana Properties – Phone: (941) 822-5221 CLICK to Request Our FREE 48-page Foreclosure Options eBook   Is a Short Sale Necessary To Stop Foreclosure In Lakewood Ranch Florida - Lakewood Ranch Short Sale Help Many Lakewood Ranch property owners who are behind on their mortgage payments are turning to Short Sales, not because they want to, but because it is the best, least damaging Foreclosure Alternative in almost all cases. If you're a Lakewood Ranch area homeowner facing Foreclosure you owe it to yourself to watc... 06/16/2011

While some people are hesitant to buy into a real estate market that seems to still be bottoming out, many studies have shown that owning a house is an investment in your future and that of your community. From tax breaks to property taxes, being a Lakewood Ranch home owner can put money in the bank. It also gives you a sense of pride in contributing to community institutions such as the police force, local government offices, fire stations and free medical services.   Did you know that statistically you and your neighbors are more likely to properly maintain and update your Lakewood Ranch homes when you own them rather than rent them? Maintaining and updating your home boosts the real estate market around you, giving you the chance to increase the value of your property, your neighbors... 06/14/2011

The charts below are for the Lakewood Ranch real estate market. Do you think this market has bottom? Here is the chart of homes for sale, pending and sold for the the last 5 years. In October of 2006 there were 1,773 homes for sale in the Lakewood Ranch area. In April of 2011 there are 270 homes for sale. Quite a difference eh?   Absorption Rates Here are the absorption rates % for the 5 years of Lakewood Ranch homes. In April of 2006 the absorption rate was 2.6%. In April of 2011 the absorption rate is 18.5%. Months of Inventory   The above chart are months of inventory based on closed sales. In April of 2006 Lakewood Ranch had 39 months of inventory. In April of 2011 there is a 5.4 month supply of homes for sale.   Has this market bottomed? 06/09/2011

As a homeowner, one of the biggest traps you can fall into is over improving your Lakewood Ranch home. Turn on any home improvement channel, and they will show you all the latest and greatest in must haves for your Lakewood Ranch home. What they don't tell you is that even the best upgrades won't guarantee an increase in your resale value. In fact, most remodel jobs only recoup 60% to 70% of their costs. Here are some tips to help you avoid over improving your home: Assess the value of homes in your neighborhood. Unless you plan on staying in your Lakewood Ranch home forever, do some research on the home values in your neighborhood before you begin any home renovations. Ideally, you want to add improvements that increase the resale value of your home while staying within the average mar... 06/08/2011

Sarasota Short Sale Agent - Venice Stop Foreclosure - Bradenton Short Sale Help – FREE information on Foreclosure Defense, Mortgage Modification, Tax Consequences, Deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure, Short Sales, Deficiency Judgments, Bankruptcy Referrals & more. John Michailidis, SaraMana Properties – Phone: (941) 822-5221 CLICK to Request Our FREE 48-page Foreclosure Options eBook   Looking For An Experienced Short Sale Agent To Stop Foreclosure In Lakewood Ranch Florida? Short Selling your home before a Foreclosure is the single most important thing you can do to mitigate the damage to your credit and avoid a potentially HUGE Deficiency Judgment (a D.J. is the difference between what you owe and what the property sells for -- getting this waived is an important part of the Short Sale Proces... 06/03/2011

As a society, it seems as if we no longer appreciate our homes for their emotional and sentimental worth. Instead, we focus solely on their monetary value. An appraiser can estimate a Lakewood Ranch home's  monetary value, but to gain a true concept of your home's worth, you must also take into consideration: 1. Pride of ownership. You don't buy a pair of Prada shoes because you're going to be able to resell them and make a profit. You buy them because they make you look good and feel good. 2. Security and stability. Your home provides a roof over your head that's in your control. You can decorate it the way you want. You don't have to worry about a landlord selling the property or asking you to move out. In the "olden days" (or should I say "golden days"), we called our homes our castl... 06/02/2011