Buying a vacation home that doubles as a future retirement home requires forethought and thorough investigation.  Conventional wisdom tells us to first settle on a desired location and then look for the least expensive house in the best possible neighborhood.  This is of course true, but buying a future retirement property demands additional consideration.  Without a doubt, the purchase of a dual purposed home can be one of the most important and financial rewarding decisions a pre-retirement couple undertakes.  Quite simply, the ultimate home buying decision comes down to establishing relatively conservative financial boundaries, drawing up a wish list and employing a real estate broker to find a home that will serve your needs now and in years to come.

Even prior to the financial planning phase, a vacation and future retirement home buyer should take a step back and make certain that there is 100% commitment.  Ask yourself a few simple questions.  Full Story

 

Consider this; as there are more and more bank foreclosure properties that are on the market a good bet is that there is one right for you. A big discount on your home purchase could be worth many times the time and effort to find and make it ready for your family. Find a good agent who understands the market and you can save thousands on your next home.

Homes in Every Market Place - Some over a million dollars, most well under $100,000. You have a supply of homes that will fit your requirements for size, amenities and location. Miami Best Real Estate Team can place you in their VIP Buyer program and email you daily or weekly all new listings that come up and fit your criteria of bank foreclosure, distress sale, size, amenities, and location. What could be easier?  Full Story

 

Pricing your home correctly is the first and most important step in the selling process. Whether you list with an agent or sell by owner the wrong price will cause lost income and/or excessive marketing time. You have options, either to contract with a professional Real Estate agent or do your due diligence and research to find the true Market Value of your home. In the 3 examples below we show why pricing is so important.

Example 1:

A $250,000 home is priced 10% below the true market value at $225,000. The home sells quickly with little or no negotiation for possibly an all cash offer to close quickly. This buyer maybe an investor who is extremely market savvy or a buyer who works closely with a Real Estate Agent using cutting edge buyer programs. This buyer probably has a VIP Buyer Agreement with his agent and receives emails daily with all the new listings as they come on the market. Both of these buyers are able to act before most other buyers even know the home is for sale, they know the area and the pricing. The seller leaves $25,000 on the table and doesn't know it until it's too late.

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By now, you've likely heard about the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, but if you already own a home, you can still take advantage of some of the rewards included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the stimulus package. full story

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs...Experience is Priceless!  Andre'Shambley & Miami's Best Real Estate Team, 305-396-9106. MiamiBestTeam@AOL.com. www.OnePlaceOpenHouse.com

1. Make the Most of that First Impression

A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted - or at least freshly scrubbed - front door. If it's autumn, rake the leaves. If it's winter, shovel the walkways. The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.

2. Invest a Few Hours for Future Dividends

Here's your chance to clean up in real estate. Clean up the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen. If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor redecoration. Fresh wallpaper adds charm and value to your property. Prospects would rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it COULD look, "with a little work."

3. Check Faucets and Bulbs

Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out bulbs leave prospects in the dark. Don't let little problems detract from what's right with your home.

4. Don't Shut Out a Sale

If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospect's mind. Don't try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily plane them away. A little effort on your part can smooth the way toward a closing.

5. Think Safety

Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: rollerskates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.

6. Make Room for Space

Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They're looking for storage space too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of unnecessary items.

7. Consider Your Closets

The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now's the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.

 8. Make Your Bathrooms Sparkle

Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. For added allure, display your best towels, mats and shower curtains.

9. Create Dream Bedrooms

Wake-up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture. Colorful beadspreads and fresh curtains are a must.

10. Open up in the Daytime

Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is.

 

Ready for the next 10...Click Here to Read all 20 Important Steps to Sell Your Home!

Enjoy this luxurious two story Canary Islands home located in the city of Puerto Calero. Set on a spacious plot the impressive views o f the Atlantic Ocean and the Nature Reserve of Los Ajaches on the south coast of Lanzarote will astound you. Built in 2006 features includes a great lounge, a fully fitted kitchen, dining room and living area on the ground floor that opens out onto the pool terrace and garden. The incomparable location and amenities are great for entertainment or a large family.

By Dwan Bent-Twyford,

The Investors Edge University

 

Many times we find distressed homeowners who are willing to deed their property to us and walk away. Typically there are back payments that need to be paid as well as attorney fees, taxes, and such. Although we are always happy to accept a deed, we have a few steps we follow before we actually file it and come out of pocket with any cash.  full story

Sales of previously-owned homes jumped 9.4% in September after falling for the first time in four months in August, said the National Association of Realtors. Year over year, sales of existing homes were up 9.2% in September.

Early information from a NAR report to be released next month suggests first-time homebuyers accounted for more than 45% of home sales in the past year. full story

•· Click here for your Free Real Estate Buyer's Guide

Homeownership has long been regarded as one of the basic elements of the American dream. Buying a home, however, is anything but basic. It is important to understand the process as well as how your specific needs fit into your search for a new home.

This tutorial was designed to help you get the most out of buying a home whether you're a first-time buyer, moving up or downsizing, we'll walk you through the steps and strategies you'll need.

• Getting Started
  Your reasons for buying a home determine the steps and strategies you should follow.
  • First-time buyer
  • Moving up
  • Downsizing

 

• How Much House can You Afford?
  Take the time to examine your finances and determine how much you can afford for down and monthly payments.
  • Clean up Your Credit
  • Low-Down Options

 

• Choose a Broker

Home sellers enlist the help of professionals to represent their interests, so why shouldn't home buyers do the same?

 

• Begin Your Search
  The search for a new home should not start with the price. More important are the location and quality of the property and its ability to meet, or be tailored to meet, your needs.

 

• Make the Offer
  Once you've found the home you want, it's time to negotiate the price. Find out about various factors to consider when preparing to make an offer.
  • The smart buyer's purchase contract

 

• Select a Mortgage
  Finding the right mortgage involves some digging. Interest rates, points, processing costs, and adjustment features all affect how well a mortgage suits your needs.

 

• The Application Process
  Here's what you can expect when you're ready to apply for your loan.

 

• Close the Deal
  An accepted contract doesn't mean the deal is done yet, but there are things you can do to help avoid any snags.

 

Click here for your Free Real Estate Buyer's Guide

The right number of bedrooms, lots of sunny windows, a spacious kitchen ... these are just a few of the traits that prospective buyers look for when shopping for a home. But what about the surrounding neighborhood? How will you know if the location is right for you?

The quality of the neighborhood can have a significant impact on the home's overall value so it is well worth spending some time to check out the neighborhood. Here's how:

Start with the statistics - you can find information online about the area's demographics, school scores, crime rates and nearby stores, parks and other conveniences.

Visit City Hall - you can get copies of any future construction plans at your town or county's office of zoning and planning.

Get to know the area - one of the first characteristics you should notice about a neighborhood is its appearance. Take a walk around the area to get an overall view of where you might end up living. Drive through the neighborhood at various times of the day and night, during the week and on weekends. Compare what the traffic is like during rush hour to a Saturday morning. Notice if the neighborhood is quiet or if there are barking dogs or other noisy considerations.

Families with children should research local schools. Contact the school district's office to obtain school test scores and district budgets before you decide on a home.

Consider the distance from this neighborhood to your job. You may want to calculate the drive time with traffic, rather than just the actual miles. Also factor in how close you are to parks, sports complexes, shopping malls and grocery stores if these conveniences are important to you.