Highlands County Real Estate - What's NEW on the market? - 07/31/08 10:06 PM
"Highlands County Real Estate - What's NEW on the market??" Copyright ANDREA MILLS 2008 *All Rights ReservedThis article was originally posted on http://sebring.activerain.com/
… (0 comments)

Highlands County Market Updates - 07/31/08 09:45 PM
 
How is the Market Doing?Traditionally, the hottest months in our local market are March and April. This is mainly due to our winter residents who are then either getting ready to head up north or decide to purchase their permanent spot in the sun. However, we are not doing too bad for mid-summer. However, we had 0 sales in theMobile Home on rented land section and also 0 sales of vacant residential lots in Avon Park.The average time a property stays on the market has dropped significantly with Avon Park as the fastest market for the month of July. Traditionally, … (0 comments)

Sebring Florida - Christmas in July at FOUR POINTS by Sheraton - 07/31/08 01:31 PM

Christmas in July was the theme of the invitation we received last week from FOUR POINTS by Sheraton Hotel to introduce members of the Heartland's Chamber of Commerce, community leaders and small businesses to the hotels new LeMans ballroom.Despite a steady downpour of much needed rain, the ballroom was packed with people. "Jingle Bells" and other holiday tunes set the mood, while the the wonderful smells of turkey and ham filled the air. Tables with hot and cold fingerfoods were arranged around festively decorated Christmas trees.Reinhard Haubner, General Manager of the hotel, took the opportunity to announce their "Community Holiday … (0 comments)

For Sale By Owner - #2 Where are your buyers coming from? - 07/30/08 01:37 PM
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
… (0 comments)

For Sale By Owner - #1 The Right Price - 07/30/08 05:50 AM
 
 
 
 

 
… (3 comments)

Let there be color - how to format color and size of your font - 07/27/08 12:26 PM


… (7 comments)

This week in Highlands County... - 07/26/08 02:49 PM
July 27 - August 2nd
July 28 - Sebring Recreation Club 333 Pomegranate Ave.  Ice Cream Shuffleboard 6:30 p.m.  For more information call Ed Straub at 863-386-0245
July 28 - Horse & Pony Rides - Monday's 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. $5 donation per child, all proceeds support Heartland Horses & Handicapped's free riding program for children and adults with special needs. Located at 118 E. College Dr. Avon Park. For more information call 863-452-0006 or check out www.heartlandhorses.org
July 28-31 ~ Summer Horseman Day Camp offers children ages 6-16 Costs includes lunch, snacks, drinks & all riding equipment.  Camps can be … (1 comments)

Absentee Owner Dilemma - 07/26/08 01:41 PM
As hubby and I were on our way this morning to trim the grass at one of our listings - I wondered, who is taking care of all the absentee owner FSBO homes that sit for months and months without seeing a lawn mower? How do buyers perceive that kind of curb appeal? Does it invite vandalism? How are these homes being shown?
We did an Open House for the same listing a few weeks ago and distributed invitations in the neighborhood. As we walked the streets, we noticed quite a few vacant homes. You can spot a vacant home from … (4 comments)

What Sellers Want... - 07/25/08 10:02 AM
Naturally, they want their agent to sell their home at the highest price possible, in the shortest amount of time and with the least inconvenience to them. That isn't hard to figure out!
I find that when meeting with sellers who's listing has expired, their #1 complaint isn't so much the fact that their home didn't sell. They know the market is down and is going "downer" in many areas. They can see all the other yard signs in their area and they also see how few of them have "sale pending" signs on them. It seems that lack of communication … (6 comments)

Foreign Buyers - marketing overseas - 07/24/08 06:26 AM
A while ago I was writing about Marketing to German speaking countries (I speak German). I sent weekly "Deals of the Week" to my broker contacts in Germany and Austria. I've had some first (and positive) responses so far.
Yesterday, I received an email from a lady in Hamburg. She will be in Central Florida the first week of September and wishes to purchase several apartments/condos/homes as an investment. She's also interested in purchasing in LA and Las Vegas. She's interested in Short Sales and Foreclosures (Yep, they talk about the close-out of America over there!)
I don't have her qualified … (3 comments)

Golfing in Avon Park - River Greens, a hidden Gem - 07/19/08 11:04 AM
Nestled away between Lake Damon and Trout Lake lies one of Avon Park's prestine golfing communities; River Greens. Originally purchased as a 9-hole course in 1969 by the Davis Family from Coshocton County, Ohio, River Greens has gone through quite a few changes throughout the years. After adding 9 additional holes in 1974, River Greens will celebrate its 30th year in business in the fall of 2009. The Clubhouse (below) houses the Pro-Shop and The Plantation Restaurant, which is also available for weddings, parties and other special events.River Greens is a friendly community, neighbors are never too busy for a quick … (2 comments)

Highlands County Watering Restrictions - Seemingly a little known fact - 07/18/08 05:27 PM

Please help conserve water and spread the word! Highlands County is still under drought conditions despite the recent nice and needed rains. Water levels in our lakes are still well below normal.

This is the sad view on Lake Olivia in Avon Park. Half of it is dried out. The red line indicates normal water levels:
This is what it should look like:

Andrea Mills - "Celebrate Caladiums" Copyright 2008 *All Rights ReservedThis article was originally posted on http://sebring.activerain.com/
Water your lawn once weekly only. Here's the schedule:
...0 or 1, water only on Monday ...2 or 3, … (2 comments)

The German Agent - reaching potential buyers in Europe - 07/18/08 08:57 AM
As some of you might know, I'm was born and raised in Germany. I lived there for 26 years. After I met my husband we moved to the US. I feel that English is now my first language but I still speak fluent German. For years, my husband has told me to utilize my language skills to market to German speaking buyers. I didn't think it was even worth trying. I was wrong!
~You were right, honey!~
When I joined ERA I discovered that we have over 70 offices in German speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) throughout Europe. Remembering the process … (2 comments)

Staycationing in Sebring - Part II - 07/17/08 09:52 AM
If you read my last article about "Staycationing in Sebring" you probably wonder if swimming and tanning on the beaches of Lake Jackson is the only fun Highlands County has to offer. Not by far!
We are one of the many lucky families that get to staycation in Sebring this summer. The $5,000 a week horseback riding camp just wasn't in our budget. Thanks to Granny living in Frostproof, our daughter got to spend time with 7 cute puppies, baked cookies, watched silly sitcoms from the 50's with Grampa and Grampa got to eat more ice cream because you gotta have … (0 comments)

Central Florida Real Estate - be your Seller's partner! - 07/17/08 07:29 AM
I send frequent market updates about Central Florida Real Estate to all my current clients, potential clients and past client. The #1 complaint I hear from expired listings is "She never called us, she never kept in touch with us!"
I want my sellers to be up to date on market changes. I'm selling THEIR home, shouldn't they know how the market is doing? The best and easiest way to do this is with market updates. It enables my clients to understand why I'm doing what I'm doing. Graphs work great. They tell the whole story in one single picture, no … (0 comments)

Short Sales - Hunting down that bargain... - 07/13/08 02:01 PM
I can count the buyers that haven't asked me to show them short sales on one hand. Everyone is after them and there's plenty short sales and foreclosures available in Highlands County.
Dear Bargain Hunters, short sales are most likely not turnkey. They are most likely not ready to move in. Don't expect curb appeal. Don't ask for seller concessions. Short Sales are WYSIWYG's - What You See Is What You Get.If there's a big ol' hole in the roof, you'll buy it that way. If the walls haven't been painted since Jay Leno took over the Tonight Show, then this … (2 comments)

Beaten to death? "Now is a great time to buy"....or not so dead after all.... - 07/11/08 10:28 AM
Some time ago, agents started wearing "Now is a great time to buy" buttons in an effort to support NAR's campaign to educate buyers and encourage potentials to get off the fence. I have read quite some not so nice commentary from agents in the fields about this campaign. At the time, both my office manager and his wife wore the buttons. Personally, I thought they were cheesy looking and I didn't think it would encourage anyone to actually buy.
However, back then it was indeed a great time to buy and it still IS! However, we all know that his window will … (0 comments)

Celebrate Caladiums! - 07/11/08 09:32 AM
For the last couple of weeks, I've been driving by a caladium road side stand every morning on my way to work and it reminded me of when I was a little girl in Germany and my Mom's favorite house plant was a vividly colored caladium. In Germany, due to the climate, they can only be grown indoors. Here in Florida, they grow adorn front yards! Oh, I know my Mom would love that!
I live in Avon Park, 30 minutes north of The Caladium Capital of the World - Lake Placid, where 98% of caladiums are coming from. I visited … (1 comments)

Single Family Home - longing for new owner! - 07/11/08 08:14 AM

If you missed my OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, July 12 from noon til 3pm, then you still have the opportunity to get to meet and fall in love with me!
I'm a beautiful 3 bedroom/2bathroom home with exposed wooden beams on the vaulted ceiling in the living room. My court yard style front porch is longing for new owners to add their flower pots and maybe a bench. I'm missing the smell of meals being cooked in my open kitchen with breakfast bar island. I would love to have children play in my backyard while their parents sit and relax on my enclosed porch in … (0 comments)

Staycationing in Sebring - 07/09/08 09:04 PM
I'm sure you've heard the term "Staycation" at least once in the media this summer. Many folks thinks twice before heading up north for vacations. Instead they stay local and go on a Staycation instead of a Vacation.
Living in Highlands County, it doesn't appear that there's much to do during the summer. I recently read a post on a city forum from someone complaining there is nothing to do in Sebring. While I agree that Lawnmower Racing (I'm not kidding you!) isn't everyone's cup of tea, how about a day or two at the beach?
Right behind the Sebring Library … (0 comments)

Highlands County is Dancing in the Rain - 07/09/08 09:29 AM

Highlands County is dancing in the Rain.
I didn't keep tabs on how many inches of rain Highlands County received last summer but earlier this year it was evident that our lakes are running dry. By dry I mean, every lake in Highlands County has now its own beach. You'll find people sunbathing, building sand castles, putting up umbrellas......We saw "It's a Draught! Conserve Water!" signs going up faster than real estate signs. Of course, hardly anyone conserved water. Sprinklers were running on schedule, folks were washing their cars just as frequently.
I showed a lake front home a few … (0 comments)

'Tis the season....Highlands County Shelters - 07/09/08 01:31 AM
Risk Shelters: when Highlands County will be impacted by high winds, the following shelters would be opened. Citizens in the Lake Placid area are encouraged to drive to Sebring and utilize wind compliant shelters. As these shelters approach capacity, the second tier of shelters will be opened, which are primarily public schools and are not wind compliant.
 
AVON PARK
1. South Florida Community College University Center, 600 West College Drive, Avon Parkwind compliant2. Avon Park Recreation Center, 207 East State Street, Avon Park, wind compliant3. Avon Elementary School Cafeteria705 West Winthrop, Avon Park, wind compliant
 
LAKE PLACID1. Lake Placid High School, 202 Green … (0 comments)

Hurricane Readiness - It's that time again - 07/09/08 01:09 AM
...NO, not Christmas! It's Hurricane season. After reading a great post with very helpful tips by Katrina Gasset, I figured I should post the brochure I created as a hand handout to clients. The threefold brochure is also available for as pdf download from my website. Last year, I distributed it throughout my neighborhood
Hurricane Kit· Flashlights and extra bulbs· Battery operated radio· Fully charged battery operated lanterns. Candles and kerosene lanterns are fire hazards.· Extra batteries· Matches· Clock (wind up or battery operated)· Plastic garbage bags· Working fire extinguishers· Scissors· Clean change of clothes, rain gear, sturdy swamp boots· Inexpensive rabbit ears tv antenna to use if cable goes out
 House Checklist· Gather supplies … (4 comments)

Dear FSBO, what if your buyer's appraisal comes back too low? - 07/09/08 12:15 AM
Lucky me! One of the agents in my office, Elaine Ramirez, is also an appraiser and she was kind enough to be a speaker at our last office meeting. Honestly, I don't know much about appraisals. I do BPO's and fairly well, but appraising goes a lot deeper than that.
Anyway, she explained to us how a transaction can go pretty sour and pretty fast if the appraisal comes back unfavorable. Again, lucky me, I got to hear Elaine's presentation but what about the FSBO's and Discount Broker clients out there? What if their buyer's appraisal comes back lower than the agreed … (0 comments)

My previous agent didn't even bring me an offer - 07/08/08 07:57 PM
I received a phone call last night from a seller I was in contact with earlier this year. Back then he decided to list his properties with an agent he already knew.
When we spoke last night, his main complaint was that his previous agent didn't bring him any offers, not even one. Next to "My agent never called me", I'm hearing this a lot. While I believe that for me to call and keep in touch with my clients is the most important thing, I can't magically make offers appear out of nowhere, and neigher could the previous agent.
Let's … (2 comments)

This week in Highlands County... - 07/08/08 07:08 PM
July 7 - Horse & Pony Rides - Monday's 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. $5 donation per child, all proceeds support Heartland Horses & Handicapped's free riding program for children and adults with special needs. Located at 118 E. College Dr. Avon Park. For more information call 863-452-0006 or check out www.heartlandhorses.org
July 7 - Sebring Recreation Club 333 Pomegranate Ave.  Ice Cream Shuffleboard 6:30 p.m.  For more information call Ed Straub at 863-386-0245
July 7 - 10 ~ Summer Horseman Day Camp offers children ages 6-16 Costs includes lunch, snacks, drinks & all riding equipment.   Camps can be broken down … (0 comments)

Market Stats for Highlands County - NEW ON THE MARKET - 07/03/08 11:42 AM

Andrea Mills - "Celebrate Caladiums" Copyright 2008 *All Rights ReservedThis article was originally posted on http://sebring.activerain.com/
 
… (0 comments)

Market Stats for Sebring 6-2008 - 07/03/08 10:40 AM
SebringDays on the Market: 187Number of Sales: 31Average List Price: $162,168Average Sale Price: $149,221Sold to Original Ratio: 79.68%Sold to List Ratio: 92.02%
Amount of Sales by Price Range:Under $100,000:                  7$100,000-$150,000:           9$150,000-$200,000:           10$200,000-$250,000             2$250,000-$300,000             1$300,000 and up                  2
Absorption Rate: 25.06 (increased 1 month from May)It will take 25.06 month to sell the current inventory if no new listings enter the market.
 
 
Andrea Mills - "market stats for sebring 6-2008" Copyright 2008 *All Rights ReservedThis article was originally posted on http://sebring.activerain.com/
 
… (1 comments)

Market Stats for Sebring 5-2008 - 07/03/08 10:36 AM
SebringDays on the Market: 160Number of Sales: 39Average List Price: $148,167Average Sale Price: $135,813Sold to Original Ratio: 81.34%Sold to List Ratio: 91.66%
Amount of Sales by Price Range:Under $100,000:                  11$100,000-$150,000:           18$150,000-$200,000:           7$200,000-$250,000             5$250,000-$300,000             3$300,000 and up                  -
Absorption Rate: 24.07If no new homes enter the market it will take 24.07 months to sell the current inventory at the current rate of sales per month.
 
 
Andrea Mills - "market stats for sebing 5-2008" Copyright 2008 *All Rights ReservedThis article was originally posted on http://sebring.activerain.com/
 
 
 
… (0 comments)

 

Find FL real estate agents and Sebring real estate on ActiveRain.