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Via Daniel Dima Batsalkin (Boulevard Realty):

Have you thought about getting that bigger, better house in a better neighborhood?  

NOW IS THE TIME!

Whether you need more space, want to upgrade your location, or for any other reason, the current real estate market presents a unique opportunity to capitalize by trading up! 

5 reasons why this is the best market to trade up!

1. You will make money NOW on the trade!  

Here's how this works. You currently own a condo that was worth $1,000,000 three years ago, and now it's worth $700,000 (that's right, it's gone down 30%!).  You may be thinking, I've lost $300,000, right?  Wrong!  

What you do is go out and sell your condo and purchase the home of your dreams for $1,400,000.  That house, three years ago, was worth $2,000,000 and you probably couldn't have afforded it.  By buying it now, what you've just done is bought your new home at a $600,000 discount!  Just like that, on the trade, you've made $300,000!  This doesn't even take into account the money you'll save on property taxes because you're paying taxes on a $1.4M house, and not on a $2M house.

2. ... AND you will make money LATER when you sell your new home!

OK you've listened to my advice, bought that new home of your dreams and traded up. YES!  Fast forward five years and the real estate market has gone up 20%.  Let's take a look at what has happened.  Your old condo is now worth $840,000, for a $140K gain over today's value.  Your new home is worth $1,680,000, or $280,000 more than when you bought it today.  Just like that, you've made an extra $140,000 on the trade!

Your New Dream Home!3. You can likely buy a house you otherwise could not have afforded, and may not be able to afford again!

Going back to my example above, you probably couldn't have afforded that $2M house three years ago when you bought your condo.  You also may not be able to afford it again in 3 - 5 years when the market rebounds. If you've been dreaming about a bigger home or one in a nicer area, now is really the time to capitalize.

4. It's much easier to trade up in a down market than in an escalating market!

I've had clients say that they will trade up when the market "goes back up."  Let's take a close look at that.  Let's say that 5 years from now, the market is back up 20% from today's values.  You then sell your condo for $840,000 and your dream home is now worth $1,680,000.  You've gained $140K on your condo (from today's values) BUT your dream home is now worth $280,000 more!  That means that, by waiting, you've now spent an extra $140K to buy that house!

5. You'll probably get a better house by trading up in a down market!

The current market presents some very unique opportunities.  In most areas, inventory is pretty high and buyers have a lot of great choices.  By shopping in this market, you can really get the home of your dreams and take your pick of all the inventory available.  In most cases, you can get a good deal on a great property in a terrific area.

The bottom line is that if you can afford it, now is a terrific time to upgrade!  Interest rates remain at historic lows and there is plenty of financing available.

 

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Specializing in Los Angeles area residential real estate, including Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Valley Village, Studio City, Encino, Tarzana and more!

Hire me or send me a referral because I have a defined and proven plan of action that I follow every day to help my clients achieve their real estate goals!

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DANIEL DIMA BATSALKIN

Principal Broker | C.E.O. | Boulevard Realty

310.933.4281 | dima@blvdrealty.com

www.blvdrealty.com

Boulevard Realty

 

Local papers have reported that Amelia Island Plantation (i.e., Amelia Island Company) Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Friday Nov 13th in order to allow it to operate while a court approved reorganization is being sought. That action should take approximately 30 days. This action should avoid a second court action taken by Prudential Financial Services to have the Company forced into Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (liquidation of assets). Along with the Chapter 11 news, AIC announced that it has signed an agreement with an investor group that was formed to provide short and long term financing to preserve the Plantation and allow it to meet its current payroll and other financial obligations. Look for more details near-term.

 

MY LISTING: HICKORY VILLAGE GEM (YULEE)- 86339 Sand Hickory Trail (SUBDIVISION: HICKORY VILLAGE), Yulee FL 32097

Beautifully maintained, 2005 sq ft home. This is a 4/2 with separate dining room, living room and great room. Other features include upgraded kitchen, Split bedroom floor plan, two-car garage, covered patio, and full irrigation. Great location; partially fenced. Very convenient to local schools.

This is a short sale. However, an acceptable losing price had been previously negotiated for a buyer who lost patience with the transaction time. So now a "fast track" closing is anticipated. Owner anxious to sell.

Make an offer!

Richard Roux

Watson Realty Corp

904 415-6096

www.ameliaislandresidences.com

 

I've only seen bits and pieces of the new legislation.

Has anyone seen a definitive answer to this:

The tax credit of 6500 is for buyers who have lived in their primary residence for the last 5 of 8 years.... But:

•Ø       Do they have to make the new home their primary residence?

•Ø       Must they also sell their current primary residence?

 

I.E., could the $6500 tax credit be applicable to a investor?

Thanks for your input!!!

Richard

 

Via Pacita Dimacali - e-PRO, SRES, CDPE, MBA East Bay, North CA real estate (Gallagher & Lindsey):

Lenders make more money on foreclosures than from short sales or loan modifications. That's what Steve Harney converyd in a seminar. He caused an earthquake in San Francisco

When loan modifications are turned down, the next thing we attempt is to do the short sales. And we kinow that lenders turn over the short sale accounts to loan servicing companies who make our lives hell getting short sales approved. As such, we should know that these loan servicing companies make MORE money by letting the properties foreclose than to approve the short sales OR the loan modification.

RUMBLE...GRUMBLE...CRIES OF DISMAY!

Did he just confirm what we were afraid of?

So I researched this topic and found a few articles worth reviewing. How did I miss these? Was I under a rock in a desert?

CONSUMERLAW.ORG REPORt ON "Why Servicers Foreclose when They Should Modify And Other Puzzles of Servicer Behavior"

DAILY PRESS headline. Oct, 30 2009. Do Mortgage Lenders Make More Money when a Loan Goes iInto Foreclosure?

HUFFINGTON POST. Oct. 21, 2009, Foreclosures Are More Profitable Than Loan Modifications, According To New Report

Washington Post. July 28, 2009.  Foreclosures Are Often In Lenders' Best Interest. Numbers Work Against Government Efforts to Help Homeowners.

ThinkGlink. October 21, 2009. Loan Modification Help: Why Lenders Are Slow To Provide Loan Modifications

Dayton Daily News. Oct. 17, 2009. Drop in foreclosures called "very scary". Lender's actions show they think properties are not worth pursuing.

Mortgage101.com. October 23, 2009. Mortgage Companies Make More on Foreclosures Than They Do Modifying Existing Loans. (This blog refers to the news article on Huffington Post)

FLASHBACK: Huffington Post, June 8, 2009. Short Sales: Banks Blocking Way Out of Foreclosure Crisis

FLASHBACK: Huffington Post, May 15, 2009. Short Sales Stories. Lenders tend tostic with more familian foreclosure process, losing money for everybody.

UPDATE: Huffington Post, November 2, 2009. Homeowners: "Hey Congress, Get Off You A**"

KNOCKING OURSELVES OUT TRYING TO HELP

So are we engaging in self-flagellation helping our distressed clients with their short sales and loan modification?

Are lenders really more likely to foreclose?

Are the short sale servicing companies really trying to help?

Or are they stalling and withholding their help because they know their leaders would rather have the property burn into foreclosure?

Is there no resolution in signt?

There oughta be a law!

 

FRONT OF HOME                                        

MY MY NEW LISTING- A RARE FIND IN AMELIA PARK'S GARDEN DISTRICT! 3/2.5 townhome (not a condo) in move in condition. Beautiful home with Master Suite downstairs. Open floor plan with 11 ft ceilings and 18X18 Ceramic tile floors. Wall to Wall carpet in bedrooms. Large front patio and upper balcony offer views or the beautifully landscaped Garden District. Low HOA fees. You can walk to YMCA, stores, church and from this beautiful & unique neighborhood.

 

CONTACT ME at 904 415-6096

www.ameliaislandresidences.com

 

Richard

 

Jacksonville Sea & Sky Spectacular
November 6-8, 2009
Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront
Free Admission

Visit the City of Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport and City of Jacksonville Beach, City of Neptune Beach and City of Atlantic Beach as the skies and waterways of the First Coast are transformed into the backdrop for the most exciting air acts and military demonstrations in the world! 

This free event features a dynamic over-the-ocean sky show highlighted by the world-famous United States Navy Blue Angels along with other military and civilian flight teams, live entertainment and a street festival featuring static displays of aircraft and military vehicles, simulators, recruitment booths, and kids area and Meet The Performers Autograph Sessions.

In addition, the Sea and Sky Spectacular will also be encompassed within the City of Jacksonville's Week of Valor to celebrate and honor all military branches throughout the community.  Week of Valor components will include events held in downtown Jacksonville as well as Naval Station Mayport. 

For more info see:

http://www.coj.net/Departments/Recreation+and+Community+Services/Special+Events/Sea+and+Sky+Spectacular/default.htm

 

Richard

www.ameliaislandresidences.com

 

The Jacksonville HOMEBUYER reports that the Jacksonville area ranks No. 14 on a new list by Forbes of America's 40 "recession-proof" retirement cities. Forbes said it considered such factors as average income for seniors, current and expected home prices, job-growth predictions through 2014, the also ranked 13th for number of sunny days, eighth for income of residents 65 and older, 14th for median home price, 32nd for home price change predicted for 2009-2014, 13th for cost of living and 15th for median housing cost.

Contact me if you are looking for a home in the Jacksonville area, any where from Amelia Island southward to Daytona Beach (which includes the greater Jacksonville area).

 

Richard

www.ameliaislandresidences.com

 

 

It's a beautiful blue sky and low humidity day in Amelia Island.

I just read an interesting article on oral health. In case you haven't thought about it, your toothbrush can be a source of swine flu and other diseases. Here's some oral health care tips:

  • Get a new tooth brush 4 times a year.
  • Get a new tooth brush at the start and end of an illness.
  • Sterilize your toothbrush weekly. (Boil in a microwave safe cup in your microwave)
  • Store your toothbrush separately from other family members
  • When you are ill use a travel tooth paste tube. Germs can get on the family's toothpase tube.
  • Wash your hands after you brush

Have a great day!

Richard

www.ameliaislandresidences.com

 

 

I see that there's a Men's Futures Tournament schedule at Amelia Island Plantation, Nov 13-22. These could be players ranked as high as 200thin the world. The first three days there's no admission charge and admission is only $10 thereafter. Too good a deal to pass up. For details call the AIP Tennis shop at 227-5145.

 
 

Richard Roux

Amelia Island, FL

More about me…

Watson Realty Corp., REALTORS

Address: 3321 S. Fletcher Ave., Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034

Office Phone: (904) 261-3986

Cell Phone: (904) 415-6096

Email Me



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