January Housing Scorecard - Data Reveals Mortgage Help Reaching Struggling Middle Class, Underwater and Minority Homeowners RISMEDIA, February 2, 2011-The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury released the January 2011 edition of the Obama Administration's Housing Scorecard. The latest housing figures show increased new and existing home sales as home affordability remains high, but officials caution that the market remains fragile, as prices are unsettled. Foreclosure starts and completions remained low at the year's end, as lenders continue to review internal servicing procedures. "Over the last 20 months, the Obama Administration has confronted the nation's housing crisis with an unprecedented effort to promote stability in the... 02/02/2011

Homeowners Decide to Deconstruct, Not Demolish, When Rehabbing RISMEDIA, February 2, 2011-MCT)-If you're remodeling your kitchen or want to build your dream home on property with a not-so-idyllic house, there's a way to tear down that doesn't involve the wrecking ball.Deconstruction-the careful removal of salvageable hardwood flooring, light fixtures, cabinetry, doors and nearly everything that makes a house a house-is gaining momentum. As a result, more than three-fourths of the house can be re-used and recycled instead of all of it ending up in the dump. More than 30% of waste that goes into landfills consists of building and construction materials, much that can still be used.Jack Williams and Jane York recently opted for deconstructing their Leawood, Kan., ranch home, where they had... 02/02/2011

  CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar   Wexford Homeowners in The Country Club at Lakewood Ranch Discover Benefits of Short Sale vs. Foreclosure in Bradenton Florida   The foreclosure crisis has hit the Country Club at Lakewood Ranch just as it has elsewhere in Manatee County, including Wexford homeowners. Millions upon millions of good Americans are coming to terms with the realities of Foreclosure, and they are finding Short Sales to be an honorable, less damaging alternative.   Regardless of the reasons, many owners are finding it impossible and impractical to continue making payments on properties having current resale values that are far less than their mortgage payoff amounts. In these situations, a professionally managed Short Sale can be the solution... 01/30/2011

5 Tips to Keep in Mind When Selling a Home RISMEDIA, June 7, 2010-When selling your home, it is important to keep the following tips in mind so that you get the most money for your property in the least amount of time. Whether you are selling the home yourself or working with an experienced agent, it is crucial to keep these five tips in mind as you go through the selling process. Tip 1: If you decide to use a full service broker/agent, first identify three experienced agents who are familiar with your neighborhood. Look for agents who have for sale signs placed in your neighborhood. Ask each prospective agent to prepare a market analysis and a marketing plan to show you how they will market your home. Include the main points of your marketing plan in your listing agreement so that all ... 01/30/2011

New Home Sales Increase; Seasonality Should Drive Improvement into Spring RISMEDIA, January 31, 2011-New home sales increased 17.5% month-over-month in December 2010 to 329,000 units, after being flat month-over-month in November. On an annual basis, new home sales fell 7.6% year-over-year in December after falling 23.9% year-over-year in November. This data is annualized based on seasonal adjustment factors for typical seasonal patterns. The absolute number of sales came in at 22,000, up 10.0% from November and above the December seasonal norm. The supply of new homes declined 2.6% to 190,000 units (equivalent to 6.9 months of supply). We view this data as modestly positive to the homebuilders. We continue to expect a modest seasonal increase in most housing data in the Spring. New hom... 01/30/2011

Gorgeous Lakewood Ranch Country Club Home.... Offer at $1,500,000 5 beds / Office / 4 1/4 baths http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itTZZE8l0Hw   www.jimsoda.com 941.809.7759 / 941.961.5857 sodasells@gmail.com / donnasoda@gmail.com      01/30/2011

  CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar   Riverwalk Residents Confronted With Foreclosure Embrace Short Sale in Lakewood Ranch Florida As is the case throughout Manatee County and Lakewood Ranch, Foreclosures and Short Sales have become a hot topic. That's because nearly 50% of area homeowners find themselves in the precarious situation of owing more on their homes than their properties are currently worth. Short Sales allow homeowners to avoid the negative impact of foreclosure, almost always avoid the long-term, overhanging debt of a Deficiency Judgment, and move on with their lives without the stigma and embarresment that many facing foreclosure feel. First, be kind to yourself if you are facing foreclosure -- millions upon millions of good americans are in... 01/28/2011

  CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar   Summerfield Homeowners Seeking Foreclosure Relief Opt for Short Sales in Lakewood Ranch Florida Summerfield homeowners are facing the same Foreclosure issues that the rest of Florida Gulf Coast property owners are facing. As incredible as it may seem, nearly 50% of Manatee County homeowners are "upside-down" on their mortgage balance -- meaning the remaining mortgage balance is higher than the current resale value! Given the staggering numbers, Short Sales are becoming increasingly popular with both owners and lenders as a viable and less costly alternative to Foreclosure. Less costly for lenders, because they avoid the expense associated with foreclosing on a property; less costly for homeowners, because they avoid th... 01/28/2011

  CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar   Residents of The Country Club Subdivision of La Cantera Discover Advantages of Short Sale Over Foreclosure in Lakewood Ranch, Florida The national Foreclosure crisis has hit the Florida Gulf Coast in a big way and the residents of LaCantera in the Country Club at Lakewood Ranch are not immune. Rather than allowing their homes to go into foreclosure, thus having to endure the long-term financial hardship that having a foreclosure on one's financial record brings, La Cantera residents are turning to Short Sales as a viable alternative. Most lenders are increasingly willing to approve Short Sales, because it allows them to avoid the added expense that a foreclosure brings. Luckily for homeowners, this is a rare instance w... 01/28/2011

  CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar   Residents of The Country Club Subdivision of La Cantera Discover Advantages of Short Sale Over Foreclosure in Lakewood Ranch, Florida The national Foreclosure crisis has hit the Florida Gulf Coast in a big way and the residents of LaCantera in the Country Club at Lakewood Ranch are not immune. Rather than allowing their homes to go into foreclosure, thus having to endure the long-term financial hardship that having a foreclosure on one's financial record brings, La Cantera residents are turning to Short Sales as a viable alternative. Most lenders are increasingly willing to approve Short Sales, because it allows them to avoid the added expense that a foreclosure brings. Luckily for homeowners, this is a rare instance w... 01/28/2011

  CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar Sarasota & Manatee County Stop Foreclosure & Short Sale Assistance (Video)   Yes, being in a situation where you are facing foreclosure and have to contemplate a short sale of your home is not fun, nor is it insignificant, but I promise you . . . it's not the end of the world! Too many people allow their foreclosure problems to cloud their judgment and ruin their spirit.   Folks! I PROMISE you, in five years you will look back on things and realize that they are not so bad as you might be making them out to be. Thank God you're not withering away from cancer! Count your lucky stars that your children are healthy! They can't send you to jail for being in foreclosure and they can't take away the things that really matter i... 01/28/2011

  CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar Residents of Greenbrook Ponder Short Sale Option Instead of Foreclosure in Lakewood Ranch Florida Foreclosures have come to the Greenbrook Village community of Lakewood Ranch as they have elsewhere in Florida. Many residents have considered, researched, and ultimately concluded that a professionally managed Short Sale is the best, least damaging option to take when faced with foreclosure. Surprisingly most banks are eager to approve a Short Sale, so long as their guidelines are followed and time-lines are met. They are willing to Approve Short Sales, because in the long-run they often recoup more of their money vs. if they had taken the home all the way through to foreclosure. This is a rare instance of, "What's good for... 01/25/2011

  CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar   The Lake Club Property Owners Benefit From Short Sales In Lakewood Ranch Florida As is the case throughout Florida, residents of the Lake Club subdivision in Lakewood Ranch have been touched by the Foreclosure crisis that is plaguing the rest of the nation. Just as Florida Gulf Coast housing prices had soared during the height of the boom, the "bust" has caused local property values to plummet precipitously. This, combined with the general decline of the overall economy and increase in the area's unemployment rate, has created a situation where nearly 50% of all Manatee County mortgages are "underwater" -- where the current market value of a property is less than the remaining mortgage balance. Realizing that having a ... 01/23/2011

  CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar Property Owners in Country Club East Gain Foreclosure Relief Thru Short Sales in Lakewood Ranch Florida Many Country Club East homeowners have found foreclosure relief by making the smart choice to Short Sell their homes. In fact, property owners throughout Lakewood Ranch and Manatee County are avoiding the foreclosure trap through Short Sales. A Short Sale occurs when a lender agrees to allow the sale of a property for less than the full mortgage balance owed. The typical Short Sale scenario involves a homeowner who for one reason or another is unable to continue to pay on their mortgage, and who are at the same time unable to sell for the amount owed due to falling property values. Without a Short Sale Approval from th... 01/23/2011

  CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Seminar   Homeowners Facing Foreclosure In Central Park Subdivision Get Short Sale Relief In Lakewood Ranch Florida The so called "mortgage crisis" has hit the west coast of Florida like a hurricane, leaving few communities unaffected, including the Central Park subdivision in Lakewood Ranch, FL. Central Park residents are finding that a Short Sale is an effective alternative to Foreclosure, and a superior choice vs. Foreclosure. The benefits of a Short Sale over Foreclosure are many: Preserve your credit. Most likely avoid a deficiency judgment. Be able to qualify for a new mortgage in as little as 24-months, compared to 7+ years after Foreclosure. Avoid the stigma of Foreclosure on your financial record. Get back on your finan... 01/23/2011

Keep Time on Your Side with These 5 Time Management Tips  RISMEDIA, January 22, 2011-Time management is a crucial part of any business, especially if you're looking to cross things off your to-do list and leave the office feeling like you got something accomplished. As our day-to-day lives-both in the office and at home-continue to become more hectic, knowing how to manage your time can be a successful skill. Here are five tips from the Moola Days blog to help you manage your time more effectively. 1. Create a schedule and stick to it. Having a daily schedule is the first step toward managing your time more effectively. When you come into the office in the morning, the first thing you should look at is your schedule. By mapping out when you will make time for certain tasks, you won't fi... 01/22/2011

RISMEDIA, January 21, 2011-Sales of existing homes and condominiums in Florida rose in December, a positive trend also reported at the close of 2010 as statewide sales activity posted gains over the previous year, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.A total of 15,550 existing single-family homes sold statewide in December, up 4 percent from the 14,923 homes sold in December 2009. The statewide existing home median sales price last month was $133,100; in December '09 it was $139,800 for a 5 percent decrease, according to Florida Realtors' data. However, December's statewide existing home median price was higher than the $132,700 reported in November 2010. The national median existing single-family home price was $171,300 in November, according to the latest... 01/21/2011

CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Help Tele-seminar Free Tele-seminar Explains How To Short Sale Your Home and Avoid Deficiency Judgments - Free to Lakewood Ranch Florida Homeowners Facing Foreclosure!On Tuesday, January 18th, at 6:30 pm, Lakewood Ranch property owners faced with foreclosure are invited to a Free Informational Tele-seminar. You will learn exactly how to stave off foreclosure, how to Short Sale your property even if you've failed in the past, and the truth about Avoiding Deficiency Judgments (the difference between the mortgage balance and property sale price). This is a community-service outreach effort presented by nationally recognized preForeclosure and Short Sale Expert John Michailidis, GRI, CRS, JD - Broker/Owner - SaraMana Properties and the SaraMa... 01/16/2011

(CLICK to register for our next FREE Foreclosure Options Tele-seminar) Many Country Club of Lakewood Ranch Residents Seek Short Sale Instead of Foreclosure in Manatee County Florida The nationwide foreclosure crisis is affecting homeowners at all socioeconomic levels and in all communities. The Country Club of Lakewood Ranch homeowners are themselves coming to grips with the realities of today's Manatee County Florida real estate market. More and more of the residents are coming to realize that the issues created by the bursting of the housing bubble are neither their fault, nor a reflection of their personal integrity. It is what it is, and it "is" an issue affecting millions, including homeowners at the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch. While it's not something generally shared amongst... 01/09/2011

A lifestyle that is clean, healthy, and green is what makes Summerfield community draw continuous notice from homebuyers. This gated village was the first community established when Lakewood Ranch  started to rise from an 8,500-acre site in Manatee County, Florida, during the mid-1990s. From a modest start of two hundred Summerfield homes for sale sold the first year, Lakewood Ranch sales soon more than doubled. By the year 2000, house keys were turned over for some two thousand new residences. At last count, some 15,000 have taken up residence in the Lakewood Ranch Development which now consists of eight sprawling communities.A choice to live at Summerfield means acquiring a home built to the green code of the Florida Green Building Coalition. These homes are energy-efficient, single-f... 12/16/2010