Foreclosure & Forgiveness Tax - 10/28/07 06:37 PM
Hi Friends!A few sellers and another REALTOR® called me this week about what happens after foreclosure.  I also went to 2 panel discussions this week with experienced bankers and mortgage lenders.  I'm sharing so you can provide better guidance to your clients and advise your clients to contact their real estate accountant or attorney.  I'm a REALTOR® and not an accountant, attorney or tax professional.  This is complicated and requires professional assistance. 
With that said, every mortgage and lending professional told the audience that all people who had their homes foreclosed would get a 1099 for the forgiveness debt and would … (10 comments)

FARBAR As Is Contract Revisions Key West Florida - 10/26/07 12:47 PM
FARBAR As Is Contract Revisions Key West Florida
This could save you some huge headaches.  Better to prevent than correct, right? 
I just went to an excellent presentation by a real estate attorney who is on the Florida FAR BAR committee.  He told us about the changes to the FARBAR As Is contract this year.  The attorney gave us some great insight that I'll share with you!
The attorney reminded us of our affirmative duty to confirm a deposit.  Our failure to confirm that a deposit has been received and is in escrow is a violation of FREC rules. 
The mention of … (2 comments)

Monroe County Florida - 10/25/07 12:38 PM
On July 3, 1823, 22 years before Florida become a state.  Monroe County was incorporated and became the sixth county in Florida.  Key West was the county seat and the only settlement in Monroe County. 
On March 3, 1845 Florida became the 27th state.  Monroe County is now divided into four parts.  The Upper Keys (7 islands), the Middle Keys (12 islands), the Lower Keys (20 islands) and Key West.  There are 5 incorporated communities in Monroe County; Key West (1828), Key Colony Beach (1955), Layton (1963), Islamorada (1998) and Marathon (2000). 
Monroe County is 1,144,800 total acres.  The 40 inhabited … (2 comments)

North Havana (Florida Keys) - 10/25/07 12:34 PM
The Florida Keys are made up of 40 inhabited islands.  Native Indians were the first settlers in 1530 AD.  A Spanish fleet wrecked in the Keys in 1733, yet until 1763 the Keys were "Isles de Norte Havana" (North Havana). 
In 1815 Juan Pablo Salas was given Key West in a Spanish Land Grant.  On January 19, 1822 Juan Pablo Salas sold Key West to John Simonton for $575 in a Havana cafe. 
Piracy, slave ships and salvaging wrecked ships were some of the first successful businesses operated in the Keys.  In January 1828 the first newspapers, the Key West Register … (2 comments)

Old Town and New Town Key West - 10/25/07 12:14 PM
Key West is now 2,600 acres.  In 1829 Key West was just 258 acres and Key West was mapped out into a town of 64 blocks.  Most of the area of Key West was ocean that was "filled" to create land.  This land "fill" explains why "Old Town" and "New Town" have those names. 
The military controls about 25% of Key West.  Key Largo is the largest island with 22,000 acres.  Big Pine is more than double the size of Key West with 6,500 acres.  Cudjoe is closer to Key West's size at 3,800 acres, as is Saddlebunch at 3,700 acres, Boca Chica at … (3 comments)

203(K) Fixer Upper Loan - 10/25/07 11:31 AM
Good news!  I'm working with a buyer that just relocated from Washington D. C.  She introduced me to a 203(K) loan.  It's perfect for this market.  I want to share with you what she shared with me! 
My seller's feel like they have been drinking bleach when they price their home.  My buyers realize that this market IS a great buying opportunity, but feel that prices are still way too high.  A wonderful couple I'm working with finally has a down payment we can work with.  They have sacrificed for 2 years.  They wonder why they've been renting for 9 years.  They … (5 comments)

Key West Places of Worship - 10/25/07 11:19 AM
Ask anyone who has been to Conch Republic to name 5 things to do.  Not one of those 5 things will be visit a house of worship!  Not any of the people I asked, anyway.
The city of Key West has 38 houses of worship.  Because no one would believe me and because someone reading this might like to visit a house of their faith the next time you visit Key West, I figured I'd save you the time of looking in the phone book or in Google because most of them aren't there.
(This is where I inserted my quick … (3 comments)

Virtual Tours and the Look-2-Book Ratio - 10/25/07 11:07 AM
My past life was the hotel industry.  My first job when I was 12 years old was cleaning cottages.  It all culminated 17 years later as a Sales Manager and Director of Sales for the 2 of the largest hotels in Key West. 
I still love the hotel industry and always will.  I want to share with you a study that is also useful in the real estate business.  VFM Interactive and Omni Hotels studied the impact of visual media on hotel bookings. 
The study wanted to know whether consumers who saw virtual tours were more likely to book a reservation.  … (0 comments)

The Flag - 10/25/07 10:17 AM
Funny the things that come up the longer you work in real estate....
I have a new buyer that was inspired to buy because his landlord would not allow him to hang a flag outside his door.  The landlord is a Jehovah's Witness.  The buyer is in the military. 
Regardless of a persons job or religious preference a landlord can not prevent a tenant from hanging a flag according to the Florida Landlord Tenant Law.  § 83.67, Prohibited Practices says, "A landlord shall not prohibit a tenant from displaying one portable, removable, cloth or plastic United States flag, not larger than … (2 comments)

Loan Documents - 10/15/07 03:47 PM
So you decided to buy!  Hooray!  It's exciting.  To make the process as painless as a filling after you've had a novacaine shot I've made this for my buyers and I'll share it with you!  This is a list of the potential paper work your buyer may need.  I hope it helps you help your client get their file together before they meet with their lender so they only have to make one trip.  Everyone likes to save time, right?!
We've all heard people talk about "Buy low and sell high!"  In a few years you'll have a wonderful story to share with everyone about what … (0 comments)

Buyer's Agent Benefits - 10/15/07 03:41 PM
If you are an experienced investor in the area and know exactly what you want to buy and are very familiar with sales data you can shop without a Buyers Agent.  If you plan to look at few properties and are not completely sure of the value then I recommend a Buyers Agent.  A Buyers Agent can share actual sales data with you so that you can compare your favorite property to the most recent sales.
The Buyer's Agent should give you a Comparative Analysis on any property that you are interested in making an offer on.  I like to look … (0 comments)

Residential Real Estate Statistics March 20, 2007 to September 30, 2007 - 10/15/07 03:13 PM
Real Estate Statistics March 20, 2007 to September 30, 2007
Between March 20, 2007 and September 30, 2007 the Key West Association of RealtorsTM tallied 649 real estate transactions from Key West to Key Largo.  The average sale price was $740,453, the median sale price was $563,000 and the average time on the market was 7.4 months.  The most expensive sale was an island priced at 17 million that sold for 6.5 million in June 2007.   For answers to your statistical real estate questions call me at (305) 522-1398 or e-mail me at MayaMarieThomas@Hotmail.comhttp://www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com http://www.myspace.com/topkeysrealtor
… (1 comments)

How to Legally Evict a Tenant in Monroe County - 10/15/07 02:17 PM
How to Legally Evict a Tenant in Monroe County
First, I'm not an attorney, but I understand what it's like to have your seller tell you, "I want the tenant out NOW!"   What do you do?
Can the owner turn off the utilities, throw the tenant's things out on the street, change the locks, and give a new tenant the keys?  Nope.  Ya gotta follow the rules.  Thank goodness they are simple!
If you've already given the proper oral and written notice you can give the tenant a Notice to Quit and Vacate.  If the tenant holds over after the expiration … (6 comments)

New Lease, Last Years Terms (Monroe County) - 10/15/07 01:28 PM
If next years lease is the same as last years lease, do I need to put it in writing? 
Any lease may be extended by mutual agreement of both parties under the old terms (rental period, rent amount, rent due date, etc.)  A lease can also be modified by mutual agreement.
Any agreement to extend should be written down either on the face of the old lease or in a letter or another written form.  Be sure to keep a copy for your records! 
A tenant may also "hold over" at will, unless otherwise agreed upon, at the same rental terms … (0 comments)

Can The Seller Keep the Security Deposit in Monroe County? - 10/15/07 01:09 PM
The tenant must give the owner proper notice that they will be moving.  Once the tenant vacates the premises and at the end of the rental notice period the owner must refund the security deposit within 15 days. 
If the owner intends to keep the security deposit the owner must send a certified letter to the tenant stating that they are claiming the deposit.  The owner must state the amount and the reason why they are making claim to the security deposit.
If the owner does not send a certified letter then notice has not been made and the owner forfeits … (0 comments)

When Does a Lease End in Monroe County, Florida? - 10/15/07 12:54 PM
Always talk to a lawyer!  For the moment, while you wait for your attorney to return your voice message or your e-mail, I'll share with you what I do.  So, I got the new listing and I told the seller that if they work on the curb appeal I can get them more money and sell it faster.  When they say, "Great, let's do it!"  This is what I need to know first... what kind of lease do they have?
To terminate an oral agreement, or a written agreement with no termination date, the tenant or the owner can give written … (4 comments)

"Nutrient Reduction Credit," What's that? - 10/15/07 10:40 AM
In Monroe County we have a comprehensive land use plan.  The "comp plan" regulates and promotes safe growth in the Florida Keys.  In the Keys only 88 new residential permits are distributed each year.  Very soon the "point" system will change, but for now and in the immediate past, to get a building permit an owner had to "earn" points.  One way to inch higher up on the point ladder is with a "nutrient reduction credit."
Nutrient credits are earned by replacing a cesspit or upgrading a cesspit (or substandard system) to a secondary treatment plant or an advanced treatment plant. 
… (3 comments)

New Residential Building Permits in Monroe County - 10/15/07 09:58 AM
Be careful when you buy vacant land in the Florida Keys.  The Monroe County Comprehensive Plan is known by residents as the "comp plan."  The plan stops excessive development in the Florida Keys.  The comp plan was amended on January 1, 2004.  The revision established an interim Permit Allocation System for new residential development in Monroe County.  The interim Permit Allocation System establishes a minimum of 88 new permits must be issued each year.
Residents will continue to follow the growth policy until the county determines all of our requirements to keep our community safe and allow reasonable growth.  The county … (0 comments)

Tattoo Shops in Key West? - 10/15/07 09:07 AM
Tattoo Shops in Key West?
So you wanna open a tattoo parlor in Key West?  Can you do it?
Yes!  There was a time not too long ago when the city said, "NO!" but times have changed.  It's amazing how fast change happens when you hire a good lawyer.  Soon the city amended section 122-418 "Conditional Uses" in the Old Town Duval Street area know affectionately by zoning officials as HRCC-1.
I'm not a lawyer.  I'm just a REALTOR® helping people who want to earn a living in this fine country with pen and ink.
Tattoo shops didn't last long in … (0 comments)

Employee Housing - 10/15/07 08:20 AM
Buying a business that has employees presents some unique circumstances that you need to plan for.
Think carefully about your timing.  When you make an offer, choose a closing date and open your business can affect you and your cash flow.  Do you have plenty of money to float your business or do you need immediate cash flow to stay in business?  The first 3 years are critical and difficult. 
Duval Street may be the place that you need to be if you need high foot traffic and constant new faces to stay profitable.  It can be hard to make an … (4 comments)

 
Mayathomas2crop Rainmaker_large

Maya Thomas, foreclosures, short sales, water front, Old Town Key West, Sunset

Key West, FL

More about me…

Key, Key Haven, Geiger, Sugarloaf, Cudjoe, Summerland

Address: 305 522 1398 MyRealPro@gmail.com Key West, Key Haven, Big Coppitt, Geiger, Saddlebunch, Cudjoe, Ramrod, Summerland, Little Torch, Middle Torch, Big Torch, Big Pine Key, No Name Key, Key West, FL, 33040

Office Phone: (305) 522-1398

Cell Phone: (305) 522-1398

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This is the place to find real estate about Key West, Sunset Key, Stock Island, Rockland, Big Coppitt, Boca Chica, Geiger, Saddlebunch, Sugarloaf, Cudjoe, Summerland, Ramrod, Little Torch, Middle Torch, Big Torch, Big Pine and No Name Key Florida and information about real estate between mile marker 0 and mile marker 33.


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