HOLIDAY FLURRY & GRATITUDE - 11/23/09 08:38 AM
It's Thanksgiving Day week & already I'm feeling the rush of the upcoming season.  This past weekend was all about helping out with fundraisers for our church youth ministry--several hours on Saturday evening & all day yesterday.  The events were highly successful but I felt every one of my years.  Next weekend promises to be more of the same--another big event on Sunday.  I'm not complaining however.  The exhaustion I feel is gratifying because something good came of it---much needed funds to help out our young people (and future) at church; I especially like helping our enthusiastic youth minister, who doesn't ask more … (0 comments)

PEMBROKE PINES, FL. HONOR - 11/19/09 05:02 PM
The city of Pembroke Pines, Fl in Southeast Florida was recently named among the best for raising a family as reported in the Sun-Sentinel on 11/19/09.  Following is the article:
Pines is top place to raise your kids
Pembroke Pines has been named one of the best places in the country to raise children by Business Week magazine.  Tamarac & Sunrise were runners up. The city was noted for its low crime, the Pembroke Lakes Mall and schools.  "It is a selling point for the city," said Commissioner Iris Siple. The results, released this week, were based on an analysis of affordability, … (0 comments)

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES - 11/17/09 02:07 PM
A couple of weeks ago, I read on the internet a somewhat contrarian view about the 1st time homebuyer credit of up to $8K. The author of the piece opined that the credit was ill-advised, in effect it provides a credit to buyers that would have bought property anyway, regardless of the credit.  The author went on to say that the credit simply inflated the price of realty, much like the mortgage interest deduction & the capital gains' exclusion.  Caught up in the day-to-day details of the business, I had never stopped to consider how the government's initiatives impact the ultimate price of the housing stock … (1 comments)

ADVICE FOR BUYERS - 11/08/09 11:37 AM
Here's another article from my upcoming newsletter...enjoy!
Buyers
  This is ‘crunch time' for many buyers who have been waiting to buy a home. Many are very eager to see properties & spend time sending listings to area realtors.  However, it's important for these consumers to remain focused on the fundamentals.  Before going to see properties and/or asking a realtor to check on a property, buyers should ask themselves the following questions:
          Money: Do I have enough for the down payment & closing costs?  How much will I need for the property & location I want/need?  •         Credit: Has the financing … (1 comments)

LISTING DURING THE HOLIDAYS - 11/08/09 11:32 AM
 Here's an article from my upcoming newsletter:
Listing during Holiday Season
  Homeowners planning on selling their properties soon have many decisions to make.  Chief among these decisions is when to list the property.  There is a natural tendency to put off the actual property listing until sometime ‘after the holidays'.  But there are compelling reasons to list right before & during the season that could prove advantageous to home sellers, as follow:
 •·         Less Competition: Since other home owners may be waiting until the new year to list, homes already on the market have the field all to themselves;
 •·         … (5 comments)