House Flipping Boot Camp - Learn the In's and Out's of Flipping Houses in Tarpon Springs Florida and the Florida Central Gulf Coast with Real Estate Expert "Joe Ski" Joseph Zajkowski.

If you are anything like millions of Americans you have probably caught countless shows on cable television that boast the serious profits that can be made by flipping houses. This is a very true statement, serious money can be made when one goes about flipping houses in Tarpon Springs Florida the correct way, however, serious money can be much more easily lost when a house flip in Tarpon Springs Florida goes wrong. If you are hoping to find your way to fortune through real estate investing you need to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and understand a few Florida Central Gulf Coast, house flip basics.

The first thing you need to understand is that the ultimate goal in a Tarpon Springs Florida house flipping venture such as this is to make as much money as possible in as little time as possible. This means several things to the wise investor not the least of which is that you must always have a complete inspection performed before you make any sort of financial commitment to the house. A good inspection can help you identify work that must be done, whether or not there is any structural damage, or whether there are any unexpected problems such as signs of termites or water damage behind the walls.

These are very important things to know and should have a significant impact on your offer on the Tarpon Springs Florida property as they will have a direct effect on how much you will need to invest in making the property sellable and whether or not the property will even be profitable when you consider how much money will be needed to get it in minimal selling condition and how much you can reasonably expect to sell the house for after that.

Once you have the inspection done it is a good idea to take into account all the things that will need to be done to improve the property and the things that must be done in order to get the property in sellable condition along with permits that are needed, inspections that are needed, and jobs that require licensed contractors in order to meet local Pinellas County Florida code requirements. Each of these will take a significant amount of investment in order to accomplish and that should also reflect in your offering price.

Far too few, would be house flippers in Tarpon Springs Florida manage to take in the big picture when making plans and this is where they end up missing out on the bigger profits that can be made by successfully flipping houses for the lowest possible investment with the highest possible return on their investments. When making your plans you will want to go with changes that are cost effective.

Avoid making significant structural changes to the house in Tarpon Springs Florida unless you have a licensed contractor sign off on the wisdom and safety of those changes, as they can be very costly as well as dangerous to the stability of the property. At the same time you should salvage as much as possible within the existing structure. Flooring and paint are almost always required in a house flip but you do not always need new cabinets in the kitchen or bathroom fixtures. Chances are new doors and hardware in the kitchen would be a great fix for drab and tired cabinetry while greatly impacting the overall look of the kitchen without robbing you of some serious profits (doors cost significantly less than making new cabinets and can add the appearance of custom cabinetry).

Don't forget to work on the "Curb Appeal". The biggest idea to walk away from my Tarpon Springs Florida house flipping boot camp with is the idea that the most visual impact you can have on the home for the least amount of money the better. In other words you don't want to purchase a home in Tarpon Springs Florida that needs new heating or air conditioning, or maybe it needs a new roof, as they are not visual changes and are quite expensive. Find a house to flip that needs minor cosmetic repairs and a little dose of style and imagination and you will be able to maximize your profit. That is what real estate investing in the Florida Central Gulf Coast is all about after all.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Tarpon Springs Florida real estate. For complete information about the Florida Central Gulf Coast real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Tarpon Springs Florida real estate.
http://FloridaRealEstateConnection.com
 So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 727-458-2835 or email me at JoeSold@JoeSkiRealtor.com .

How the Recession Will Affect Getting a mortgage in
Tarpon Springs, Florida's Central Gulf Coast

Now, during the recession and what is called the credit crunch, the lending practices of banks have changed. In order to get a home in the Tarpon Springs, Florida Central Gulf Coast real estate market it's important to stay abreast of how the recession will impact your ability to get a mortgage.

  Here's how things have changed.

 Remember that the Florida Central Gulf Coast real estate market is a very promising market to live in. If some adjustments need to be made because of the financial circumstances of the economy,
it's well worth it.

 Banks have started being a little bit more cautious when it comes to lending. It is recommended that consumers now have a credit score above a 720.  A score like that can be pretty high for most people. However, just because lenders are getting a bit more strict when it comes to credit scores, that doesn't mean you won't be able go get a home in Tarpon Springs, Florida Central Gulf Coast . Get a Credit report and start cleaning up any discrepancies and start now to Fix any problems that might come up.

 Another thing that should change because of the recession is the down payment.

Prior to the recession, many lenders were very lenient on whether or not you had to pay a down payment. Now, most lenders, even FHA,  will require one. In fact, nearly all lenders will want borrowers to make some form of a down payment in order to qualify for a loan. Experts say that the size of the down payment could vary. However, borrowers should expect to put down at least 3.5%.

 Lenders are also getting stricter on Documentation. Now borrowers will be required to provide document verification that will prove both their income and assets. These requirements are quite a leap from the easy housing boom prior to the recession. During that time, lenders were eager to give home loans to just about anybody that walked into the office, but those days are over.

 Consider shopping around for just the right lender. This is because the credit crisis has not affected all the banks in the same way. The avenues for getting credit for a home in the Tarpon Springs, Florida Central Gulf Coast real estate market are extremely diverse. For instance, some lenders did not involve themselves in sub prime lending. Therefore, they are able to give out loans at a lower markup than many of their competitors.

Don't go with the first lender, shop and compare.
You'll want to take the time you have now and save up for the down payment. Since the credit crisis started, cash is becoming very important. You don't want to be flat broke when you end up closing on the mortgage. There's something else you usually have to pay called closing costs and many people unfortunately forget about these. Don't forget about closing costs because they could run anywhere between 2% to 6% of the purchase price. Getting a home in Tarpon Springs, Florida Central Gulf Coast can be a positive experience even during a recession. You just have to know what you are up against and you need to get prepared.

 Tarpon Springs, Florida Central Gulf Coast  is an incredible place to live. You don't want to miss out because of today's financial crisis. There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Tarpon Springs Florida real estate. For complete information about the Tarpon Springs Florida real estate market including current homes for sale, foreclosures, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Tarpon Springs Florida and the Florida Central Gulf Coast real estate at   http://FloridaRealEstateConnection.com   Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 727-458-2835 or email me at   JoeSold@JoeSkiRealtor.com

3 Little Known Staging Secrets to Help Sell Homes Quickly in Tarpon Springs Florida
By, Florida Central Gulf Coast Real Estate Agent "Joe Ski" Joe Zajkowski

Staging is one of the most essential parts to successfully selling a home in Tarpon Springs Florida and anywhere else in the country. The difference between good staging and bad staging is usually the difference between a house that sells and one that doesn't. Here we'll briefly go over some staging basics, then jump into 3 little known secrets that can really help you increase your staging effectiveness.

Staging Basics

The purpose of staging is to make your house as appealing as possible to the buyer. The first step is to empty the house out as much as possible, leaving just a few key pieces of furniture to help set the mood. Make sure all necessary repairs are done.

Clean the carpets, walls and especially the front lawn and your doorway, as that's your buyer's first impression. Make sure the front door is clean or freshly painted.

The 3 Staging Secrets

Secret #1 - Scent.

Most people don't realize how important scent is. Out of the five senses, scent actually has the strongest direct link to our emotions. Since most buyers in Tarpon Springs Florida buy based on emotions, it's vital that you make sure your house smells great. Scented Air Fresheners or Candles will work wonders. Pet odors are a Major turn off and will require extreme cleaning.

Secret #2 - Lighting.

Most people underestimate how important lighting is when it comes to staging. Open all the curtains and turn on all the lights. If it's still too dim, get some extra lamps to help with lighting. A brightly lit home seems cheery and inviting, while a dark home seems gloomy and depressing.

Secret #3 - Collect Contract Info and Follow up.

Collecting the contact information of your potential buyers or their agent's contact info, allows you to drastically increase the chances of them returning or making an offer. Less experienced real estate agents are less likely to want to make "warm calls" (cold calls from leads,) so be sure you're working with an agent who's willing to do this if you want to use this tactic. Very often Buyers will be considering more than one property and can be convinced to take a second look.

If you follow all the common sense tactics of home staging, then on top of that make sure you home has a great scent that accentuates the house, is properly lit and you follow up with your prospects, you'll be far ahead of the curve when it comes to selling your home.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Tarpon Springs Florida real estate. For complete information about the Tarpon Springs Florida real estate market including current homes for sale, foreclosures, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Tarpon Springs Florida and the Florida Central Gulf Coast real estate at http://FloridaRealEstateConnection.com   Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 727-458-2835 or email me at JoeSold@JoeSkiRealtor.com

How an Agent Can Help You Purchase an FSBO in Tarpon Springs Florida,
by "Joe SKi" Joseph Zajkowski, Real Estate Professional

 For sale by owner (FSBO) homes are a very attractive deal for buyers who are on a tight budget and want to save some money. However an FSBO transaction can present many complications for the buyer and hence it becomes imperative that the buyer employ a real estate professional who understands the nuances and handles them well. Here is a brief overview on how a real estate agent in the Florida Central Gulf Coast can help you with an FSBO purchase in Tarpon Springs Florida.

 *Detecting overpricing in FSBO transactions

FSBO homes in Tarpon Springs Florida are often overpriced. If you as a buyer are not represented by a real estate agent specializing in Tarpon Springs Florida you will end up paying much more for that home than its location justifies. A real estate agent specializing in Tarpon Springs Florida will be able to detect overpricing quickly as he is in touch with local market conditions and average prices prevailing in different neighborhoods.

 *Price Negotiations

In the case of FSBO homes the sellers' main aim is to save money on real estate agent's costs and so they don't employ one. These sellers also rarely show any flexibility about the price. If you have a seasoned real estate professional specializing in Tarpon Springs Florida by your side when you set out to buy an FSBO home in Tarpon Springs Florida the agent will help conduct price negotiations and land you with some savings.

 *Assisting in finding property details and document work

A buyer should employ a real estate agent specializing in Tarpon Springs Florida so that he can know about all property details including precise information about the area of the house, property boundaries and any problems in the property and home. These may not be revealed by the seller accurately either out of ignorance or intentionally.

 The seller and buyer may not know about all the documents that need to be prepared and signed to complete the sale transaction. By employing a real estate professional the buyer actually ensures that all FSBO home purchase paperwork is done accurately and correctly. This will save the buyer from legal issues and law suits later on. It also saves the time of the buyer and the seller. Most agents are willing to work with the buyer at low flat rates decided in advance or for a low commission which can be structured into the mortgage or paid by the FSBO at closing. This compensation motivates them to do the best research and negotiation for the buyer. The agents' compensation at the same time remains affordable for the buyer or just paid by the seller.

 There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Tarpon Springs Florida real estate. For complete information about the Tarpon Springs Florida real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more,  please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Florida Central Gulf Coast real estate, at http://FloridaRealEstateConnection.com . Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 727-458-2835 or email me at JoeSold@JoeSkiRealtor.com

How to make the Right Price to Offer for a Home in Tarpon Springs Florida?
Learn from the Experienced Real Estate Expert  "Joe Ski" Joe Zajkowski .

 Once you've found a home in Tarpon Springs Florida that you're interested in purchasing, the next step is putting an offer on the table. How do you determine that right price for a home in Tarpon Springs Florida ? In this article, I'll show you exactly what you should consider when you're picking a number for your offer.

 Tip 1 - Understand the Tarpon Springs Florida  Real Estate Conditions

 The first step is to consider what the market conditions are. Real estate conditions in Tarpon Springs, Florida  have had both major upswings and major downswings in the last several years. Is it a buyer's market right now, or a seller's market? Is a house likely to sit on the market for weeks, or is it likely to receive multiple offers?

 Look into what other similar houses in the Tarpon Springs Florida area are selling for, both currently and in the last few months. Pay close attention the "Sold" numbers. This will give you a good baseline value to consider for your offer.

 Tip 2 - Understand Your Seller's Mindset

 The goal of making an offer isn't to offer market price. The goal of your offer is to make an offer that's as low as possible that will be accepted by the seller.

 In order to achieve this, it's important to understand the mindset of the seller.

 One thing to look into might be how long the house has been listed on Tarpon Springs Florida  real estate market. If it's been listed for several months already, they may be more likely to want to sell for a lower price.

 Another thing to look into is how much the seller paid for the property. Although this doesn't affect its current value, it has an impact on the seller's mentality. If the seller is already making a profit no matter how much they sell it for, they're likely to be more lenient. If they're losing big money by selling right now, they may be more likely to pinch pennies.

 Tip 3 - It's Not Just the Numbers

 Your offer must be considered in its entirety. The clauses and contingencies have a big impact on whether or not your offer will be accepted. Work with your real estate agent to craft the best offer possible and try to keep your contingencies to a minimum.

 There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Tarpon Springs Florida real estate. For complete information about the Tarpon Springs Florida  real estate market, including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything  Tarpon Springs Florida  real estate, at      http://FloridaRealEstateConnection.com      Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at  727-458-2835  or email me at    JoeSold@JoeSkiRealtor.com    

Top 5 Things to Consider when Looking at a House in the West Pasco Gulf Coast of Florida by West Pasco Gulf Coast of Florida Real Estate Expert "Joe Ski" Joe Zajkowski

 During the home buying process when you're seeing house after house every day, the houses can sometimes seem to blend together. What exactly should you be looking for in a home in the West Pasco Gulf Coast of Florida? In this article, I'll go over the top 5 things you should look for based on my experience with West Pasco Gulf Coast of Florida real estate.

 Factor #1 - Location

 The most important factor in considering a home purchase is its location. You can always remodel the kitchen or improve the lighting, but the location can never be changed.

 Factor #2 - The View

 For many, the view is a key factor when purchasing a home. Does your home overlook a beautiful Lake or Pond or does it face a busy, dusty road? Your view is NOT in the deed. Be sure that you know about future construction in the area.

 Factor #3 - Overall Feel of the House

 How does the house feel overall? Does it feel bright? Homely? Lively? Remember that how your house feels right now will always be in the "background" once you've made your purchase decision.

 Factor #4 - Kitchens & Bathrooms

 The kitchens and the bathrooms are often important considerations for buyers. If you want a beautiful kitchen with dazzling countertops and a bathroom to match, then don't settle for anything less when you're looking at houses in the West Pasco Gulf Coast of Florida. If you do, it may turn into something you will always regret later on.

 Factor #5 - The Neighborhood

 This is another very important factor. What are your neighbors like? Are there community centers, parks or schools nearby? How near or far are the closest restaurants and grocery stores? Take a look at the neighborhood at different times of the day and on weekends. Before you make your purchase decision, make sure you know your neighborhood.

     These 5 things are some of the most important things to consider when you're looking through the West Pasco Gulf Coast of Florida properties. Having your criteria in mind can help a lot, but in the end you want to go with the house that you really fall in love with.

 There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in the West Pasco Gulf Coast of Florida real estate. For complete information about the West Pasco Gulf Coast of Florida real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything about West Pasco Gulf Coast of Florida real estate at http://FloridaRealEstateConnection.com Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 727-458-2835 or email me at JoeSold@JoeSkiRealtor.com

Guide to Buying a Home
in Holiday-New Port Richey, FL
for the First Time Buyer

Buying a home for the first time can seem like an overwhelming task. You're making the biggest financial decision of your life, and there is so much to consider. It helps a lot to understand the process from beginning to end. In this article, I'll walk you through the entire process of buying a house in Holiday-New Port Richey, FL so that your entire home buying experience will go more smoothly.

Step #1 - Getting Your Mortgage Pre-Approved

As we both know, lenders aren't nearly as lenient as they used to be. It's important to find both a good lender and a good loan officer to handle your loan, preferably before you even go out to see properties. Most Seller's today are asking for a "Pre-Approval" letter before they will even consider an offer.

The loan officer will usually want to know what your assets are, what your credit score is and your debt to income ratio.

Step #2 - Finding a Home You Like

The next step in the process is to find a home in Holiday-New Port Richey, FL that appeals to you. Make sure you see a good number of houses before you make your decision, so that you know what the options are.

Step #3 - The Offer and Negotiation Process

Crafting a good offer is vitally important. It's important to work with a real estate agent who understands how to choose contingencies, clauses, the right amount to offer and good negotiation strategies.

Once you've made your offer, the seller will usually make a counter offer. It's rare that the seller will accept your offer up front. Once you both come to an agreement on the price and terms, the contract becomes binding.

Step #4 - Completing the Home Purchase

Once the contract has been agreed on, then you must complete the home inspection and the seller will make any necessary repairs.

Then your loan will be finalized with your loan officer. Finally, closing or escrow is where all the documents are signed, the deed and title are signed over, the seller is paid and the keys are handed over.

In brief, that is what the home buying process looks like in Holiday-New Port Richey, FL. There is a lot of free information available to you about buying real estate in Holiday-New Port Richey, FL. For complete information about the Holiday-New Port Richey, FL real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Holiday-New Port Richey, FL real estate, at http://FloridaRealEstateConnection.com . Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions.
Call me on my cell at 727-458-2835 or email me at JoeSold@JoeSkiRealtor.com .

Future Home Realty - New Port Richey, FL - Florida Central Gulf Coast

Common Mistakes Rental Property Investors
in Holiday-New Port Richey, FL - Make and How to Avoid Them,
by "Joe Ski" Joe Zajkowski , Investing Expert

Buying rental properties in Holiday-New Port Richey, FL - is a proven, profitable and relatively safe way of investing in real estate. However, many beginning investors make some deadly mistakes that end up costing them thousands of dollars. Read this page carefully so you know what these mistakes are and how you can avoid them.

Mistake #1 - Not Carefully Researching the Area

There are two things you must know before making any real estate investment in Holiday-New Port Richey, FL - . 
    The first is you must know the comparable rental rates in the area. Check for the comparable rates for units like the one you're considering. Remember to factor in vacancies and maintenance if you can.
    It's also important to understand the taxes and restrictions for the particular property in Holiday-New Port Richey, FL - you're considering investing in. If it's a condo, special restrictions may apply. If the building is old, there may be code violations. For your particular investment, it's important that you know which restrictions apply and where you stand.

Mistake #2 - Overestimating Income and Underestimating Expenses

For beginning investors, it's very important to work conservatively. Most investors overlook how much maintenance, vacancies, repairs, etc will cost and they don't check rental histories closely enough.
    As a general rule, you want to have at least 20% padding to ensure that your investment is a safe one.

Mistake #3 - Taking on a Tough First Project

Beginning investors in Holiday-New Port Richey, FL - who take on difficult first projects often find that they've gotten into something that's over their heads. They wind up spending much more in restoration than they had planned. Instead, for your first project, invest in a property that is a fairly easy investment.

In other words, avoid investing in rental properties that require more than minor cosmetic repairs. Look for a roof in good condition along with functional appliance and make sure the A/C is at least 15 degrees different in the air out. Carpeting and paint would be the least expensive things that you can do and they would have the most impact in appealing to a Buyer. Find and purchase properties that you can have up and running quickly, so you can get more experience with the closing and investing process quickly.

By avoiding these 3 mistakes, you'll be well ahead of most other beginning real estate investors.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Holiday-New Port Richey, FL - real estate. For complete information about the Holiday-New Port Richey, FL - real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more, please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Holiday-New Port Richey, FL - real estate at http://FloridaRealEstateConnection.com Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 727-458-2835 or email me at JoeSold@JoeSkiRealtor.com

October Update..

Now that the "bail out" has been approved, the stock market has been going up and down like a roller coaster, setting new records as it goes.... Not only Wall Street, but, the global markets are doing the same thing... Then add in the election rhetoric on both sides with the well established housing slump and we have one hell of a mess..... no wonder consumer confidence is at an all time low....  I can't wait to hear about the retailers singing the blues after this holiday season is over... But the bright spot is that this is an excellent opportunity for people to BUY real estate... This has always been a "long term" type of investment, even though a lot of people made a lot of short term money a few years ago, real estate has always been great for the long term.... There are bargains out there, everywhere.. If you buy at the right price, you will have instant equity and you can grow from there..
    October should bring a little bit of activity to the Florida Real Estate market because this is the time of year that the snowbirds will be coming to town and those snowbirds that were on the buying fence last year, might be moved to actually buy this year... There should be some activity up until the time the Election is over then we should see a lull around Thanksgiving to Jan 2... After the holidays are over, things should be moving along as good as it will get until the winter season comes to an end....  I am hoping that things will stabilize and the foreclosure market will start to show signs of drying up a little... Then we can start the very long road to recovery..
    Let me know what you think.... you can post your comments right here...

you can look at Florida Gulf Coast property here. http://MyFutureHomeSearch.com

That DIRTY word "COMMISSION"

When I first got my real estate license "many years ago", it didn't take me long to realize that people don't like the word "commission".  They just don't want me to have one... I spent a lot of time and energy trying to overcome that objection by trying to reason with the client and explain that it is the only paycheck that an agent gets... No salary, no expense account, no bonuses, NOTHING but a commission.. That's it...
When the market was on Fire in 2003 & 2004, we didn't have time to dwell on it too much.. We were so busy writing contracts and getting things done... There were so many that it really was no big deal.. You couldn't keep a house on the market.. It was sold almost immediately... Now, things have changed quite a bit.. There are so many houses on the market and so many people that owe more than the house is worth, the "commission" is now in the forefront again.. Sellers need to squeeze out every penny that they can get and don't want to pay the going rate.. Plus the fact that there are a lot of real estate agents struggling to survive and are willing to work for anything they can get.. The commission is being squeezed.. Those agents that are working for handouts, just to survive, are not surviving.. They find out sooner or later that if you are running a business, you need to make some kind of profit or you can't stay in business. The exception to that is the agent that has a working spouse and the spouse is making enough money to support them both and the business.. 
  I am really surprised that most people don't have a clue about how agents get paid.. They don't realize that a commission is usually divided between the listing broker and the selling broker then divided again between the agent and his broker... divided 4 ways... the percentage will vary from one company to another, but it is split.... That doesn't leave a whole lot for the agent to Pay Taxes, Pay MLS fees, Lock Box fees, Local board of Realtor fees, National and Florida association of Realtor fees, cell phone, car, insurance, gas, maintenance and the list goes on and on...
So give your agent a break, don't try to squeeze the commission as a "first resort" ... If you are really in a bind, make it the last resort and have the agent explain the unintended consequences of a "too skinny" commission...
You need to be totally informed before you do anything...

I would love to hear any comments or questions that you may have...