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manateemoves: Manatee real estate inventory stable?- The numbers don't lie (2009 in Review) - 01/11/10 02:21 PM
This past 4th quarter has been busy as compared to the previous year.  This can be attributed to the 8,000 first time home buyer tax credit, and also to the lower overall sales prices.  
In December there was 442 SALES compared with December of 2008 when only 328 homes closed.
Pending sales have also increased with December's having 481 homes go pending, compared to 348 in December of 2008.
 
Overall inventory has seemed to level out through the last quarter of 2008 with inventory hovering around 4,700 total units.  From my unofficial perspective the typical jump in inventory for … (6 comments)

manateemoves: Could this extra cold winter help rebound the Manatee county real estate market? - 01/11/10 08:14 AM
My prediction.  The market is going to bounce back this spring!  Unofficial of course, but in my 8 years of selling real estate in Manatee County the colder the winter is the more people want to buy a Florida home.
 
Now of course, it was 32 degrees this am..  Brrrrr!!  But, that's here in Florida.  It's colder up north.  A longer winter helps our economy since snow-birds, vacationers, and of course second home buyers have more incentive to buy a Florida home.
With 3 years of below average sales, there is plenty of people crowding on the fence.  Some are … (1 comments)

manateemoves: Is selling your home as a short sale worth the work? - 12/22/09 11:55 PM
So you have to sell your home, but you owe more than it is worth. Here are your options if you have to sell.IF you would rather stay in your home, but are having trouble afford the payments a loan modification should be your first step.  
But,
Tried to modify and the payments are still to high.  ( I can help with this too.)  Need to relocate for work or change in family reasons. Can't afford to stay in a home that has too high of a mortgage payment. Your property is "UNDERWATER", and you are prepared to walk away … (9 comments)

manateemoves: What happens when half of Florida's Homeowners are "underwater"? - 12/13/09 07:25 PM
What does it mean too the market if half (48.5%) of the homeowners with mortgages, owe more than their home's worth?
With this kind of grim statistic it could be easy to get pretty down on the market, but I think it could be worse.  The Wall Street Journal's report shows the percentages of homes that have mortgage balances over the value of the property.
Some Considerations:
The majority of the short sales and foreclosures are homes that were either bought, or refinanced during the housing boom years of 2004-2006.   Pretty much all homes in the Manatee County market are worth about 20-50% … (8 comments)

manateemoves: Did You Know? Deduct taxes paid on a new vehicle purchases -ends 12/31/09! - 12/09/09 10:33 PM
Taxpayers who buy a new car or several other types of motor vehicles this year may be entitled to a special tax deduction when they file their 2009 federal tax returns next year. The tax break is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  Thanks to our local news station for helping to get the word out ABC Action 7 news here in Sarasota.
And you don't even have to bring in a clunker either.  It would be nice if this credit did not have such a quick expiration. 
 
I had just found out that as part … (2 comments)

manateemoves: 2151 Datura Street Sarasota, FL 160,000 - 12/03/09 09:28 PM
Just Listed!  Short sale! This one is exceptional.  Location is superb.  you can be downtown in minutes. The beaches are super close too.
2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and a one car garage.
The home has been updated with a new roof, and updated master bathroom.  Newer bamboo floors, and tasteful tile in all living areas.
Completely fenced back yard, with one of the largest oak trees I have seen in a while!
Call Joe Murphy today to see this amazing short sale deal.  941-780-3260
joe@manateemoves.com
www.manateemoves.com
www.activerain.com/manateemoves
 New roof, updated interior, great location too.
… (1 comments)

manateemoves: New listing 1/2 acre 275,000 - 3720 38th Ave East Bradenton, FL 34208 - 11/30/09 03:41 PM

Just listed this rare newer home built in 2007.  Has a great big lot, and NO DEED RESTRICTIONS!  Easy drive to SR 70, and Sarasota or Bradenton. 
The home features upgrades uncommon for a home in the area.  Granite Counter tops, wood cabinets, tile floor in the main living areas, and plenty of details that make this a fine home.  3 Full bedrooms, 2 Baths, and a separate den.  The home also has a spacious three car garage.
Call me today if you are interested to see this great house.  Move in ready, and ready for you today!
Joe Murphy, … (0 comments)

manateemoves: Are foreclosures contagious? - 10/29/09 09:19 PM
High schools try to get pregnant teens out of the main student population.  Pregnancy can be contagious among teen girls.
People that get the flu are told to stay home, and away from other people.  The Flu is contagious.
When there is group of people clamoring around a sales rack, grabbing an item quickly and decisively, other shoppers can be influenced to do the same.  Like when there is a hurricane warning and people start hording items.  Shopping can be contagious.
I think that foreclosures are also contagious.  One family on a street runs into hard times, gets late on their mortgage payments, … (1 comments)

manateemoves: A-B-C Foreclosure rescue companies- Are they legit? - 10/29/09 01:34 AM
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I had one experience a little over a year ago where a representative, for a buyer wanted to looking for good deals for his "client", but only my listings.  I showed that person a few short sales that fit his requirements.  A few weeks later his client came in to town with him wanting to see 2 homes in particular.  My seller was home at one for this showing.  This potential buyer went into a pretty aggressive pitch on me and my customer to hire his firm.  Wait.. I thought he was a buyer, actually he is really attempting to take control … (0 comments)

manateemoves: Manatee County, FL home Sales Rise 16.2% from last month! 5 reasons why. - 10/12/09 05:57 PM

In September there were 433 homes that were closed compared with August's 361 here in Manatee County, FL.
That is an INCREASE of 16.2% from the prior month!
 
This is noteworthy because this is supposed to be the SLOW season.  No vacationers, no snowbirds, kids are in school, Holidays coming, etc.
 
I listed 4 new listings in September and all 4 had offers with the month.  All but one went pending, but that last one is still in negotiations.
Three offers written in the past month have been in multiple offer situations.  It seems that the buyers are … (1 comments)

manateemoves: My 2 year old saves a life, and teaches dad in the process - 09/30/09 01:39 PM
We were splashing about in the pool.  My son is not quite swimming yet, so we have to watch him carefully,  The pool we were using at our club is outside, and there are a number of coconut palms around.  One game we with the kids is fetching baby coconuts as a diving game. My daughter is quite a good diver, my son meanwhile hunts for fallen coconuts to use for the game.

"Daddy, Tete is in the pool".  Probably just a coconut I think, but I investigate.  It is a baby gopher tortoise just barely a week old.  It looked a lot … (1 comments)

manateemoves: New executive home in waterlefe -10213 Discovery Terrace Bradenton, FL 34212 - 09/30/09 11:49 AM
10213 Discovery Terrace, in Waterlefe Golf and River Club is the Perfect home for someone seeking a great deal in Florida for a  Boating and Golf Course community.
  This is the perfect home on the perfect lot.  The buyers had their pick of the street, and choose this lot for the superior view, and the ability to have a nice long driveway. 

The sellers have upgraded the home tastefully.  The home is perfect for entertaining with a wide open flowing floor plan, 12 foot ceilings, and a gourmet's dream kitchen.  The Pool area features a large pool, and spa … (0 comments)

manateemoves: 3 things first time home buyers need to consider - 09/17/09 10:47 PM
The first time home buyer tax credit will expire on November 30. With Thanksgiving that week it might as well be a week earlier. Typical F.T.H.B. are getting financing through FHA, VA, or USDA. These type of loans will usually take 45 days to close, if there is no major issues with the borrower. So we have a month to find a home, go to contract, and close it to get the cash for the buyer. Here in Manatee county First time home buyers, and their agents are scrambling. I get a few calls a day from buyer agents asking if … (5 comments)

manateemoves: 7 things I learned doing short sales for past 3 years - 09/09/09 07:50 AM
I have now have closed a lot of short sales in the past three years. My words of wisdom for buyers, and sellers who are considering a short sale.  Short sales can be a great deal typically selling for 10-20% below current market value. BUT, they have a tendency to frustrate buyers, and sellers in the process.
Patience, involvement and realistic goals are helpful to get a short sale closed. Either everyone wins, or everyone loses. The buyer gets a great home, for a fair price. The seller gets rid of a home that is under water, and can potentially wipe … (18 comments)

manateemoves: So..This is what the "BOTTOM" feels like??? - 03/17/09 04:24 PM
I have heard that no one will know when the real estate market has hit the "bottom", until we are in recovery, and prices start to rise.Based on my experiences this weekend working with three sets of customers.  I think that time is here.My first buyer had made three offers prior to this weekend, all three times we were beat out by higher bids.  Today I was able to share good news that they got the latest home.  They had to bid well over list price to beat the 4 other offers.  They got a great deal, on a limited that … (0 comments)

manateemoves: yes buyers this year will save money - 11/12/07 10:07 PM
I was able to confirm that buyers who have purchased and sold a home in florida in 2007 would be able to take advantage of the portable homestead benefit. Of course that is if it passes.
Which it should since the entire law was written to pass since most voters are homesteaders.
This could help get our real estate market out of the funk and help some sitting on the sideline to jump into the market sooner then later.
I have a few customers that will save 4000-6000 by the law change.
cool
… (0 comments)