Archives of real estate blog entries for July 24, 2007 (Page 31)

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West Bradenton Condo for SALE or RENT - 03:49 PM
West Bradenton condo

Price: $179,900
4802 W 51st St #911 Bradenton, FL 34210 Listing County: Manatee Prop Type Condominium Prop Subtype(s) Condominium Area SW of Cortez & 34th Subdiv/Condo The Palms of Cortez Beds 2 Approx Square Feet 1134 Unknown Baths(FH) 1 (1 0) Price/Sq Ft 158.64 Year Built 2002 Prop ID 5165819259
See Virtual Tour
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Braden Woods home for sale - 03:52 PM
Braden Woods home for sale
Home for sale
Listing Price: $359,900
Virtual tour
9007 E 61st Avenue Dr Bradenton, FL 34202 County: Manatee Area E of I-75, S of SR70 Subdiv/Condo Braden Woods Beds 3 Approx Square Feet 1897 Tax Roll Baths(FH) 2 (2 0) Price/Sq Ft 189.72 Cov Park Space 2 Pool Yes Year Built 1990 Lot Sq Ft (approx) 36329, 3/4 acre Prop ID 1901537553 Lot Acres (approx) 0.834
Directions From S.R. 70 turn south onto Braden Run, then right on Forrester Drive, right on Pine Tree Drive and left onto Pine Needle Circle (61st Ave E.) Marketing Remark A true showcase … (0 comments)

Get out the MMAP--Monthly Mortgage Assistance Program - 11:30 AM
I am wondering if anyone else here on AR has any experience with the MMAP program.  I recently attended the certification seminar and am working with several clients to implement it.  I've exchanged a few messages with Mike Mueller--one of the first to be certified for MMAP--here on AR, but I'm curious about other people's experiences, for better or worse. 
As we all know, one of the biggest hurdles that the average person faces when purchasing a home is how to finance such a large amount of money. Buying something for hundreds of thousands of dollars just seems unfathomable at first … (4 comments)

Neighborhood Focus--Maxwell Park - 12:57 PM
Neighborhood Focus--Maxwell Park
Looking at the market these days, I am seeing more and more great deals in the Maxwell Park section of Oakland, which is one of the most on-the-rise sections of this town.Maxwell Park was created in the 1920s and is generally situated along the western side of the 580 between the Fruitvale/Laurel districts and Mills College. The architecture is a charming mix of period bungalows and single family homes with old world touches. Plus, it is close to BART and has many services and great schools. Just this spring, Oakland Magazine named Maxwell Park as one of the … (0 comments)

What Would You Do? Pest Report ethics - 04:44 PM
I am an AR newbie, and really appreciate ethics discussions, so I'm quite drawn to this forum.  I wanted to ask about a recent listing I had to see what other folks might have done.
I had a listing for a house here in the East Bay area.  Very charming, great desirable neighborhood.  The house was nearly 100 years old and had been occupied by an elderly woman for most of the last 40 years.  It was in pretty good shape, but had a high pest report, including a high estimate for a detached garage.
I believe it was best to be upfront about … (0 comments)

Website Statistics -- What's Hot and What's Not? - 07:56 PM
Okay...we've had our website professionally optimized.  We have our Google Analytics account and we monitor it faithfully.  We have everything hooked up to our database so we know exactly how many "click-throughs" (people who actually click on a link to get more information about a particular property) we have for all of our properties.
What's the problem?  How in heaven's name do I know if my stats are good or not?  I don't want to be like the car salesman who was patting himself on the back for averaging five car sales a day until he found out his competitor was selling … (5 comments)

How Much Can You Afford?? - 01:18 PM
Understanding how much you can afford is one of the most important rules of home buying. Depending on your individual situation, your budget can affect everything from the neighborhoods where you look, to the size of the house, and even what type of financing you choose.
Bear in mind, however, that lenders will look at more than just your income to determine the size of the loan. Likewise, you may find that there are some creative financing options that can help boost your purchasing power.
Loan prequalification vs. preapprovalOne of the best ways to determine your budget is to have your real estate … (0 comments)

The Crystal Ball - 10:54 AM
Not actually having a crystal ball, I depend on tea leaves and the position of Saturn's moons, etc., to determine when the housing/property price pendulum will begin its upturn again. 
However, aside from that scientific data, my gut feeling is that IF we don't get an ugly hurricane in the Destin-Santa Rosa Beach area this year, like we haven't had for many years (I think the last big one to hit us was Opal), the market is about to lift off again. 
Also, much money is going into the stock market, and if the past predicts the future, the stock market … (0 comments)

Mid-Coast market starting to heat up? - 05:23 PM
This summer has seen lower than average activity in the real estate market with Waldo County taking the largest hit, a drop of 23.16 percent from a year ago. Knox county is down 9.17% over last year and Hancock County down 8.66%. In fact, the only county in Maine that registered an increase was Lincoln County with a 17.65% increase in sales over last year. That market went through a correction last year and was poised for a resurgence.
We are currently seeing prices drop like fall apples on the massive housing inventory in the Mid-Coast  region so Buyers should get ready to pick … (0 comments)

McCormick Ranch Steal! (Update - SOLD!) - 03:28 PM
Welcome to McCormick Ranch in beautiful Scottsdale, AZ!  The premier planned community in Scottsdale, McCormick Ranch offers miles of greenbelts, bike paths, lakes for fishing & boating, golf, parks, fine dining, resorts and top rated schools!
If you have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to take advantage of this buyer's market, here it is!
This wonderful Spanish style property is the hands down best value in all of McCormick Ranch.  Priced $100,000-$200,000 below similar neighborhood properties, this is a realistic seller who wants it sold today! 
                                                                  $459,000
3 Bedrooms2 BathsApprox. 1906 Square FeetSwimming Pool1/4 AcreCuldesac LotNorth/South Lot OrientationChaparral School DistrictOther Features include … (2 comments)

The Stage is Set! - 05:42 PM
One of my listings is getting a facelift!  Check back here for updates on the results that professional staging produces for my listing!
A little background on the property I have for sale in Scottsdale AZ.  It is a vintage Scottsdale ranch style home near Old Town.  A builder by the name of Hallcraft is responsible for much of the development in this area between 1950-1975.  Townhouses, single family, you name it.  Several of these subdivisions have been designated historic by the city in recent years.  This particular home is in the last phase that Hallcraft built (1974).  While not the latest and greatest in terms of modern features … (4 comments)

I've hit the BIG TIME - 01:55 PM
In a little person's life, there are many key milestones that let you know you've made it. Not even being four weeks old, I haven't hit too many of these key milestones yet. In fact, all I've done to this point is eat, sleep, and poop.
This ActiveRain place is pretty big. I'm sure there are others out there like me struggling to get some traction and have people notice you. It's a little bit easier for an infant I suppose, as all I have to do is throw up a cute (other's people words, I'm not that vain yet) picture and … (9 comments)

It's 2007 people.......wake up!!! - 07:47 PM
I like cute and adorable things just as much as the next guy. The lady next door has this old dog that has got to be the cutest little fuzzball in the whole world. But what he really is, is an old dog. In today's uber sensitive politically correct climate, I could never get away with calling him an old mutt. I would surely have PETA knocking at my crib with a little reminder that in 2007 Old mutts prefer to be called "elderly canines".
My grandpa is a Police Officer with the Seattle Police Department. There are certainly no shortage … (7 comments)

Thank a cop - 11:03 PM
Pride integrity guts
Constable on patrol 
… (1 comments)

Reverse Mortgages - 07:12 PM
Due to unforseen increases in real estate taxes, cost of living and the cost of energy, seniors are facing larger bills than they had planned.  Add in the simple fact that many of them have had their pensions and/or retirement compromised, some seniors today are facing financial challenges.
There are a few options for the homeowners.  The one I would like to mention is called a Reverse Mortgage.
A Reverse Mortgage is a financial vehicle in which a homeowner can convert a portion of the equity in their home into immediate tax-free income.  As long as the individual or at least one of … (5 comments)

A Limit on Widow's Gains Exclusion - 07:20 PM
A Limit on Widow's Gains Exclusion Question: My husband and I owned a house as tenants in common. He died in 2005. Now I would like to sell the house. Am I entitled to the $500,000 exclusion on my capital gains?Answer: No. You would be entitled to the $500,000 principal-residence-sale capital gains tax exclusion only if you sold the house in 2005, the year of your husband's death.However, presuming you inherited your husband's share of the property; you received a new stepped-up basis to market value on at least that share as of the date of his death.Presuming you owned and … (0 comments)

More Diamond Beach Condos - 07:18 AM
I just read in this morning's paper that the Lower Township Planning Board approved another 62  condos for the Grand Resort and Spa project in Diamond Beach.  The first phase includes 125 units selling for $1 million dollars to $4 million dollars.  The new units will be further from the ocean and will be called Grand West.  They will sell for $500,000 to $700,000.  The third phase of the project will include rplacing Pier 6600 Motor Inn.  The entire project is expected to take 10 years.  Lower Township will benefit from approximately $5 million dollars in taxes per year with almost … (4 comments)

Brampton Resales Up 10% - 06:36 PM
Compared to the first five months of 2006, resales in Brampton are up 10% for the same period, with over 60% being detached homes. Also of note is the average price of detached homes is up 4%, while semi's are up 3%. Source: Brampton sales up 10% over last year, mostly detached properties (National Post) … (0 comments)

Conditional on Sale of Buyer's Home - An Offer's Death Knell? - 10:27 PM
It's understandable that a Buyer wants the peace of mind that comes with having an SBH condition on an offer.  But in a hot market, with multiple offers being presented on a property, an SBH condition is almost certainly a deal breaker.  But Buyers are taking their chances, sometimes against the advice of their agent.
Consider the Seller's POV ... are they not similarly entitled to some peace of mind?  Should their property be off the market for 30 days (or however long the condition specifies), with the risk that the deal falls through, the listing goes stale, and nothing to show (given … (0 comments)

Multiple Offers - 12:15 AM
It sounds good.  "Multiple offers".  But is it?  Were these offers received at the same time for consideration?  Or was it one failed offer, after another?
Ideally, a listing agent would receive all the offers at one time, present it to the sellers for consideration, select the best one, and either accept/reject/counter-offer it.  But in reality, it's rarely this simple.
Example: Listing Agent is advised by Buyer Agent 1 that he would be presenting an offer the next day.  Next day arrives, offer is presented and with no other offers, Sellers counter-offer.  Later in the day, Buyer Agent 2 advises that he will … (2 comments)

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