Stuart Florida Real Estate http://activerain.com/blogs/gabor Information, listings and ramblings from Stuart Florida on the Treasure Coast of FL. A wonderful place to call home. Jensen Beach, Real Estate, www.GabeSanders.com, www.TreasureCoastFLhomes.com, Hobe Sound, Port St. Lucie, Hutchinson Island, Referrals, Homes for Sale, Condos, Land, Residential, Exceeding Expectations, Premier Realty Group, en-us http://activerain.com/blogsview/1391108/now-available-large-estate-home-on-5-manicured-acres-in-palm-city-farms-palm-city-florida Now Available, Large Estate Home on 5 Manicured Acres in Palm City Farms, Palm City, Florida <div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 750px; background: #fff; text-align: left;"> <div style="margin-top: 0; padding-top: 0px; height: 40px; background: #fff; border-bottom: 3px solid #bbbbbb;"> <h1 style="font: 20px Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; color: #000; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 25px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px;">Tremendous Estate Home on 5 Acres in Palm City Farms</h1> </div> <div style="padding-top: 5px; background: #fbfaf6; padding-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; background: #efefef; border-bottom: 3px solid #bbbbbb;"> <h2 style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; padding-left: 23px;">5584 SW Quail Hollow St., Palm City, FL 34990 <span style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=5584 SW Quail Hollow St., Palm City 34990&amp;t=m" style="color: #BF1202; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">View Map</a></span></h2> <div style="width: 385px; float: left; padding-top: 10px; margin-left: 15px;"> <embed bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="default" allowfullscreen="true" swliveconnect="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://www.realestateshows.com/show/player.swf" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" flashvars="flashshowid=456991&amp;baseurl=http://www.realestateshows.com/&amp;playmode=embed" height="285" width="356"></embed> </div> <div style="float: left; line-height: 15px; overflow: auto; margin-top: 10px; width: 290px; height: 285px; padding-left: 15px; font-size: 11px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <p>Fall in love with this gorgeous 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath paradise, privately located in the Palm City Farm area. <br /> <br /> 5 fenced acres of beautifully manicured land surround your spacious castle in excess of 7,200 square feet. Entertain family and friends with your large screened pool and patio, dual built-in outdoor grills, commercial gourmet kitchen, dance, entertainment, and home theatre rooms. Then retire in your luxurious master suite, with endless walk-in closets, steam room, and full size hot tub. Further amenities include: 3 car a/c garage, metal roof, 2-500 gallon propane tanks, 650 bottle wine room, 45,000 KW generator, 72 in. Samsung w/ surround sound, Wi Fi, golf cart garage, and much more!</p> </div> <div style="clear: both;"> </div> </div> <div style="width: 540px; float: left;"> <div style="overflow: auto; margin-left: 27px; color: #666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"> <h2 style="text-align: left; color: #000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; width: 490px; padding-top: 3px; padding-left: 2px; background: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 1px solid #bbbbbb; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Details</h2> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Asking Price:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">$795,000</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">MLS:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">348610</div></div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Sq. Feet:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">7269</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Lot Size:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">5 Acres</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Bedrooms:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">5</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Bathrooms:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">4.5</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;"># of Floors:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">1</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Garage Size:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">3.5</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Subdivision:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">Palm City Farms</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Year Built:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">1985</div></div> </div> </div> <div style="width: 500px; overflow: auto; margin-left: 27px; font-size: 12px;"> <h2 style="text-align: left; color: #000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; width: 490px; padding-top: 3px; padding-left: 2px; background: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 1px solid #bbbbbb; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Features</h2> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> - Range/Oven<br>- Sink Disposal<br>- Trash Compactor<br>- Full Refrigerator<br>- Microwave<br>- Washer/Dryer<br>- Central Vacuum<br>- Dishwasher<br>- Satellite<br>- Fireplace<br>- Vaulted Ceilings<br>- Wet Bar<br>- Patio<br>- Grass Lawn<br> </ul> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> - Fenced Yard<br>- Swimming Pool<br>- Jacuzzi/Whirlpool<br>- Sauna<br>- Great Room<br>- Secluded Setting<br>- Central A/C<br>- Central Heat<br>- Walk-in closet<br>- Family room<br>- Living room<br>- Bonus/rec room<br>- Office/den<br>- Dining Room<br> </ul> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> - Granite Countertops<br>- Stainless steel appliances<br>- Laundry area - inside<br>- Commercial Grade Refrigerators and Freezer<br>- Large Ballroom / Entertainment Room<br>- Home Theater<br>- Excecise Room<br>- Steam Room<br>- Private Electric Gate<br>- Back up Generator<br>- Gas Appliances<br>- Storm Shutters<br>- Call for More Info<br> </ul> </div> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> </ul> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> </ul> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> </ul> </div> <div style="font-size: 12px; padding-left: 27px;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://create.realestateshows.com/shows/500000/460000/0000456991/02.jpg&amp;newwidth=110&amp;newheight=83" border="0" style="border: 2px solid #bbbbbb;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://create.realestateshows.com/shows/500000/460000/0000456991/03.jpg&amp;newwidth=110&amp;newheight=83" border="0" style="border: 2px solid #bbbbbb;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://create.realestateshows.com/shows/500000/460000/0000456991/06.jpg&amp;newwidth=110&amp;newheight=83" border="0" style="border: 2px solid #bbbbbb;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://create.realestateshows.com/shows/500000/460000/0000456991/04.jpg&amp;newwidth=110&amp;newheight=83" border="0" style="border: 2px solid #bbbbbb;"> </div> <div style="padding-left: 27px; padding-top: 3px;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/images/player/EHLLogoFlyer.jpg"> </div> </div> <div style="width: 173px; float: left;"> <div style="text-align: center; overflow: auto; font-size: 12px; color: #666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"> <h2 style="text-align: left; color: #000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; padding-top: 3px; padding-left: 2px; background: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 1px solid #bbbbbb; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Contact Info</h2><strong>Gabe Sanders & Susan Maxwell</strong><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">e-PRO, REALTOR</span><br><br /> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://www.realestateshows.com/realtorphotos/18486/20080826075046.jpg&amp;newwidth=85&amp;newheight=107"><br /><br> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/logos/Premierrealtygroup_logo01.jpg"> <p style="line-height: 14px;"><b>Main</b> 866-899-7977<br> <b>Cell</b> 772-486-4642<br> <b>Dir</b> 772-323-6996<br> <a href="mailto: Gabe@GabeSanders.com" style="color: #BF1202; text-decoration: underline;">Email</a> | <a href="http://www.TreasureCoastFLHomes.com" style="color: #BF1202; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Website</a><br /> <br /> <br /> </p> <p style="line-height: 14px;"><strong> </strong> </p> </div> </div> <div style="clear: both; height: 10px; padding-left: 27px; padding-right: 15px; border-bottom: 4px solid #bbbbbb;"> </div> All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. </div> <div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:19:29 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1391108/now-available-large-estate-home-on-5-manicured-acres-in-palm-city-farms-palm-city-florida http://activerain.com/blogsview/1390985/trade-up-5-reasons-why-this-is-the-best-market-to-upgrade- TRADE UP! 5 Reasons why this is the BEST market to upgrade! <p><p>Interesting take on moving up in real estate from Daniel Dima Batsalkin:</p></p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381037/trade-up-5-reasons-why-this-is-the-best-market-to-upgrade-">Daniel Dima Batsalkin | Los Angeles Real Estate | 310.933.4281 (Boulevard Realty)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Have you thought about getting that bigger, better house in a better neighborhood? &nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/7/3/6/4/ar126059820946373.jpg" height="217" alt="" style="float: right;" width="264" /></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>NOW IS THE TIME!</strong></span></p> <p>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!&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 reasons why this is the best market to trade up!</span></strong></p> <p><strong>1. You will make money NOW on the trade! &nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p>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%!). &nbsp;You may be thinking, I've lost $300,000, right? &nbsp;<em>Wrong!</em> &nbsp;</p> <p>What you do is go out and sell your condo and purchase the home of your dreams for $1,400,000. &nbsp;That house, three years ago, was worth $2,000,000 and you probably couldn't have afforded it. &nbsp;By buying it now, what you've just done is bought your new home at a $600,000 discount! &nbsp;Just like that, on the trade, you've made $300,000! &nbsp;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.</p> <p><strong>2. ... AND you will make money LATER when you sell your new home!</strong></p> <p>OK you've listened to my advice, bought that new home of your dreams and traded up. YES! &nbsp;Fast forward five years and the real estate market has gone up 20%. &nbsp;Let's take a look at what has happened. &nbsp;Your old condo is now worth $840,000, for a $140K gain over today's value. &nbsp;Your new home is worth $1,680,000, or $280,000 more than when you bought it today. &nbsp;Just like that, you've made an extra $140,000 on the trade!</p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/4/9/1/1/ar126059846511948.jpg" height="168" alt="Your New Dream Home!" style="border: 1px solid black; float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" width="243" /><strong>3. You can likely buy a house you otherwise could not have afforded, and may not be able to afford again!</strong></p> <p>Going back to my example above, you probably couldn't have afforded that $2M house three years ago when you bought your condo. &nbsp;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.</p> <p><strong>4. It's much easier to trade up in a down market than in an escalating market!</strong></p> <p>I've had clients say that they will trade up when the market "goes back up." &nbsp;Let's take a close look at that. &nbsp;Let's say that 5 years from now, the market is back up 20% from today's values. &nbsp;You then sell your condo for $840,000 and your dream home is now worth $1,680,000. &nbsp;You've gained $140K on your condo (from today's values) BUT your dream home is now worth $280,000 more! &nbsp;That means that, by waiting, you've now spent an extra $140K to buy that house!</p> <p><strong>5. You'll probably get a better house by trading up in a down market!</strong></p> <p>The current market presents some very unique opportunities. &nbsp;In most areas, inventory is pretty high and buyers have a lot of great choices. &nbsp;By shopping in this market, you can really get the home of your dreams and take your pick of all the inventory available. &nbsp;In most cases, you can get a good deal on a great property in a terrific area.</p> <p><strong>The bottom line is that if you can afford it, now is a terrific time to upgrade! &nbsp;Interest rates remain at historic lows and there is plenty of financing available.</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class="agent_signature"><hr /> <p><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: x-small;"><strong><span><span>DANIEL DIMA BATSALKIN</span></span></strong><span><br /> Principal Broker | C.E.O. | Boulevard Realty<br /> 310.933.4281 | dima@blvdrealty.com</span><a href="http://www.blvdrealty.com" target="_blank"><span><span><br /> www.blvdrealty.com</span></span></a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/8/7/9/3/ar126085464339786.jpg" height="36" alt="Boulevard Realty" width="125" /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: x-small;"><span>Specializing in </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: x-small;"><strong><span><span>Los Angeles</span></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: x-small;"><span> area residential real estate, including </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: x-small;"><strong><span><span>Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Valley Village, Studio City, Encino, Tarzana</span></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: x-small;"><span> and more!</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: x-small;"><strong><span><span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hire me</span></span></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: x-small;"><span><span>&nbsp;or <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">send me a referral</span></strong> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: x-small;"><span>because I have a </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: x-small;"><strong><span><span>defined and proven plan of action</span></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> that I follow every day to help my clients achieve their real estate goals!</span><br /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:15:29 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1390985/trade-up-5-reasons-why-this-is-the-best-market-to-upgrade- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1389380/martin-county-florida-residential-market-report-through-november-2009 Martin County, Florida - Residential Market Report through November 2009 <p style="text-align: center;"><big>As expected, Residential (single family homes and town homes) absorption rates have crept up a little due to seasonal fluctuations.&nbsp; We expect this trend to continue for the next few months as the inventory will increase in late December and early January.&nbsp; Current trends are very positive for inventory and for at least the short term prices have started to increase (but not in all segments of our market).</big></p> <p><img title="Martin County Residential Absorption Rate" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/9/2/9/8/ar126105745589296.jpg" height="331" alt="Martin County Residential Absorption Rate" width="800" style="margin: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 9pt;">The Definition of Absorption Rate:<br /></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Number of weeks it takes to sell the current inventory at the present rate of sales. Knowing your area's Absorption Rate, helps to track trends. Understanding the market and where it is headed is part of our job as real estate professionals. Absorption rate is NOT an exact science. Figuring it is based on the premise that one will be looking for a TREND. It is advised to consistently do the numbers each month, to be able to track a trend.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Martin County Residential Homes Sold vs Listed" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/0/7/0/5/ar12610575150708.jpg" height="330" alt="Martin County Residential Homes Sold vs Listed" width="800" style="margin: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <div><big>Martin County Residential Homes Sold vs. Listed (Number of Homes)</big><br /></div> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Martin County Residential Sales Avg Price Sold vs Listed" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/5/7/9/0/ar126105756409759.jpg" height="332" alt="Martin County Residential Sales Avg Price Sold vs Listed" width="800" style="margin: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><big>Martin County Residential Homes Sold vs. Listed (Average Price)</big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Martin County Residential Trend Graph" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/5/3/2/7/ar126105761872353.jpg" height="332" alt="Martin County Residential Trend Graph" width="800" style="margin: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><big>Martin County Residential Homes Sold vs. Listed Trend (Average Price)</big></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:56:25 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1389380/martin-county-florida-residential-market-report-through-november-2009 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1389351/martin-county-florida-condo-market-report-through-november-2009 Martin County, Florida - Condo Market Report through November 2009 <p style="text-align: center;"><big>Condo sales remained relatively steady through our historically slow time for condo sales.&nbsp; Prices have appeared to stabilize for the time being. </big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Martin County Condominiu Absorption Rate" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/0/2/9/6/ar126105663369206.jpg" height="330" alt="Martin County Condominiu Absorption Rate" width="800" style="margin: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 9pt;">The Definition of Absorption Rate:<br /></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Number of weeks it takes to sell the current inventory at the present rate of sales. Knowing your area's Absorption Rate, helps to track trends. Understanding the market and where it is headed is part of our job as real estate professionals. Absorption rate is NOT an exact science. Figuring it is based on the premise that one will be looking for a TREND. It is advised to consistently do the numbers each month, to be able to track a trend.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Martin County Condo Sales vs. Listed Numbers" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/4/2/1/9/ar126105676291246.jpg" height="330" alt="Martin County Condo Sales vs. Listed Numbers" width="800" style="margin: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Martin County: Number of Condos Sold vs. Listed</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Martin County Condo Median Price" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/7/3/6/6/ar126105684566378.jpg" height="329" alt="Martin County Condo Median Price" width="800" style="margin: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Martin County: Median Price of Condos Sold vs Listed</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Martin County Condo: Price Trend Graph" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/3/0/8/4/ar12610569248031.jpg" height="330" alt="Martin County Condo: Price Trend Graph" width="800" style="margin: 2px; vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Martin County Condo - Median Price Trend Graph</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Data compiled from the Realtor Association of Martin County</p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:38:33 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1389351/martin-county-florida-condo-market-report-through-november-2009 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1389317/firefox-update-critical-released Firefox Update (Critical) Released <p><img title="Firefox" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/0/4/0/4/ar12610550640406.jpg" height="146" alt="Firefox" width="150" style="margin: 6px; float: right;" /></p> <p>For those of you using Firefox, the Mozilla group has released a critical update toversion 3.5.6.&nbsp; The main patch is to fix some memory corruption issues,</p> <p>Currently there are some 62 fixes in the new Firefox, software that's translated into dozens of languages and runs on multiple operating systems. Users of the OS/2 operating system will be delighted to know that problems with Firefox's full-screen mode and with print preview have been resolved.</p> <p>To update your Firefox browser, just select 'Help' and then 'Check for Updates'.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:06:09 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1389317/firefox-update-critical-released http://activerain.com/blogsview/1389286/electric-car-the-way-of-the-future- Electric Car: The Way of The Future? <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Here's a good post from Ron Trzcinski regarding electric vehicles.&nbsp; Not sure if it will be a wave for the future, but it's a start:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1388086/electric-car-the-way-of-the-future-">Ron Trzcinski (ExecuHome Realty)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Electric Car; The Way of The Future?</strong></p> <p>General Motors, through its Chevrolet Division, will be launching its electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt, by the end of 2010 and Toyota plans to introduce its latest model Prius&nbsp;electric vehicle in 2012.</p> <p><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/6/4/9/5/ar126098474359467.jpg" height="162" alt="" width="275" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/6/6/7/ar126098480976651.jpg" height="170" alt="" width="292" /></p> <p>Basically, the fully charged&nbsp;Volt will be able to go about 40 miles maximum on its charge before having a gas supply kick in to continue to run the car, electrically, for several more hundred miles, or about the same range that most gas powered vehicles currently can go on a tank of gas.</p> <p>The fully charged Toyota Prius will be able to go about 15 miles.&nbsp; Toyota has made no further&nbsp;statements as to how it will increase the range, but indicates that its price tag, which may be nearly $32,000, although $8,000 less than the Chevy Volt, should still&nbsp;provide interest for the car.&nbsp; Apparently Toyota has been spending more time in the development of hydrogen fuel cell powered cars and, hence, will need about 2 years to develop the battery technology for the electric car.</p> <p>The range for these vehicles may be less if other factors are considered.&nbsp; For instance, if the car is seated to the capacity of four adults and uses several electric devices, such as, air conditioning,&nbsp;wind shield wipers, defrosters, radios, power brakes, and&nbsp;power steering, then its range may be significantly reduced.&nbsp; The actual numbers have not been published.&nbsp; Speculation is that it may be two to three miles.</p> <p>Toyota is less concerned about increasing the vehicle's&nbsp;range&nbsp;since it is banking on the trend towards fitness to continue and increase.&nbsp; They believe that users will commute half way to work with the vehicle and then walk, run, or bike&nbsp;the remaining distance.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/5/4/8/ar126098901884532.jpg" height="198" alt="" width="175" /></p> <p>The major purchasers of these vehicles, to start, are likely to be government agencies that would only need them for short trips.&nbsp; Also, since this product is&nbsp;still inefficient and expensive, the only purchasers of these vehicles are&nbsp;probably going to be those that use other people's money and, hence, have a warped sense of its value.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/0/1/8/2/ar126099000928108.jpg" height="199" alt="" width="181" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/7/6/9/2/ar12609900629677.jpg" height="190" alt="" width="234" /></p> <p>Charging the vehicle's battery pack&nbsp;will be&nbsp;very simple and should be able to be accomplished at&nbsp;most houses.&nbsp; A dedicated 240V electric&nbsp;outlet, similar to what would be used for a clothes dryer, is all that would be required.&nbsp; With the eventual installation and use of smart meters in&nbsp;all of the&nbsp;houses, the government will easily determine how much energy is being used for the charging of the batteries and will be able to attach the appropriate two to three dollars worth of taxes per kilowatt, which otherwise they would be receiving from gasoline taxes at the pump.&nbsp; This will provide for the necessary funds for maintaining the country's infrastructure.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/5/5/2/4/ar126098799942552.jpg" height="145" alt="" width="227" /></p> <p>Initially, there will be a portion of the population which will not be able to purchase these vehicles for logistical reasons related to the lack of a support network and the impractical nature of installing it in some residences.&nbsp; For example, those living in apartment and condominium complexes and townhouses will not have the means of easily pulling their car directly up to their house to attach the charging plug.&nbsp; It is possible that electric stations will be installed all&nbsp;along the roadsides for the convenience of electric car drivers and as a replacement for parking meters.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/5/1/7/1/ar126098807417151.jpg" height="155" alt="" width="230" /></p> <p>With the significant increase in electric power that this will ultimately require, President Obama may have to rethink his policy of bankrupting utility companies which are or would be considering using coal.&nbsp; An added benefit from this policy change&nbsp;would be the "saving of jobs" nearly 80,000 in the coal mining industry.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/7/8/4/ar126098742248781.jpg" height="156" alt="" width="211" /></p> <p>Some gas stations, which had increased their potential for profit by adding convenience stores, may be looking at a new strategy.&nbsp; As they add electrical charging&nbsp;bays to their stations,&nbsp;they may be turning their convenience stores into restaurants, since the vehicle&nbsp;charge ups&nbsp;may take nearly two hours to complete.&nbsp; Some stations have already tried this on a trial basis, but only with fast food style restaurants.&nbsp; Perhaps, the fifties style of diner with the roller skating waiters may come back into vogue.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/9/5/8/4/ar126098648148591.jpg" height="136" alt="" width="323" /></p> <p style="text-align: left;">The electric car&nbsp;may be a part of the future, but for now it may be advisable to find a way to keep that gasoline flowing.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/5/6/9/7/ar126099049279656.jpg" height="145" alt="" width="253" /></p></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:27:11 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1389286/electric-car-the-way-of-the-future- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1387500/doctor-s-advice-humor- Doctor's Advice (Humor) <p>A doctor and a lawyer were talking at a party. Their conversation was constantly interrupted by people describing their ailments and asking the doctor for free medical advice.</p> <p>The exasperated doctor asked the lawyer, "What do you do to stop people from asking you for legal advice when you're out of the office?"</p> <p>"I give it to them," replied the lawyer, "and then I send them a bill."</p> <p>The doctor was shocked, but agreed to try it. The next day, still feeling slightly guilty, the doctor prepared the bills.</p> <p>When he went to place them in his mailbox, he found a bill from the lawyer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:36:31 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1387500/doctor-s-advice-humor- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1387485/pro-consumer-gfe-hud-rules-coming-in-january-of-2010- Pro-Consumer GFE/HUD Rules Coming In January of 2010! <p><p>New easier to understand Good Faith Estimates are coming.&nbsp; Stricter guidelines that should benefit the buyer.&nbsp; Here's a post from Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind explaining the details:</p></p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1387384/pro-consumer-gfe-hud-rules-coming-in-january-of-2010-">Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind, Associate Broker (Tierra Antigua Realty, Tucson AZ Real Estate)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><span style="color: #663333;"> <p style="text-align: justify;"><img title="HUD1" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/1/8/9/1/ar126096030419811.jpg" height="392" alt="" style="margin: 2px 20px; float: left; border: black 2px solid;" width="257" />Many buyers have seen last minute mortgage-settlement cost shocks and mystery junk-fee charges that pop up last minute or the "good-faith estimates" from lenders saying that closing costs would be about $2,000, but doubled to $4000 on the final settlement sheet.&nbsp; Worse - the Buyer had to come up with the extra money to cover the surprise costs or the sale or refinance just isn't going to happen.&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">But&nbsp;drastic changes are coming. On January 1, new federal rules adopted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development will implement pro-consumer real estate and mortgage transactions across the country. &nbsp;The bottom line? Lenders who lowball fees - and/or "surprise" Buyers at the last minute with extra fees, will have to pay these fees - <strong>instead of the consumer.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Also, loan charges and settlement</strong> fees will be clearly stated on a revised, consumer-friendly version of the good-faith estimates (GFE).&nbsp; Lenders must provide this GFE to the borrower within three days of their mortgage applications.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Charges must fall into three categories on the form:</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>&bull; Fees that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">cannot</span> increase from upfront estimates to final closing</strong>. These include lender's or broker's origination fee, processing and underwriting charges, (a huge source of junk fees), &nbsp;lender's or broker's loan discount "points", and local transfer taxes.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">&bull; <strong>Fee estimates that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">can</span>, may increase by as much as 10 percent from upfront estimates if they are on a lender approved list.</strong>&nbsp; Common charges here include appraisals; lender's title insurance and settlement services where the borrower chooses a firm on a list approved by the lender; owner's title insurance when the borrower chooses a company on the lender's approved list; and recordation charges by local governments.&nbsp; Keep in mind, these are combined fees of charges that cannot increase more by more than 10%. Total.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">&bull; <strong>Fees that can increase without limit, due to factors beyond the lender's control and come from non-lender approved lists.</strong>&nbsp; These include lender-required services where the borrowers choose a title insurance, escrow or other settlement company that is not on the lender's list; the cost of homeowners' hazard insurance; daily interest charges on the loan; and the amount of the initial deposit by the borrower into an escrow account.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Other benefits to the new rules:</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The new good-faith estimate encourages loan applicants to shop and compare lenders. The form includes space for comparing up to four competing lenders' GFEs on interest rates, rate locks, prepayment penalties or balloon payments, among other factors. The cost estimates you receive from each competitor are required to remain available for 10 business days. Interest rates can change unless locked by the lender and borrower.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The new GFE rules include&nbsp; an updated standard closing-cost statement, also known as the "HUD-1." &nbsp;The revised HUD-1 is programmed into the GFEs allowing consumers to directly compare, line by line, what they were told upfront by a lender to the actual close costs.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The new rules requires disclosure of fee splits between the insurance underwriter - the company actually insuring the title - and the title agent, who is often the settlement agent. Consumers may be stunned to learn that in some markets, 80 percent to 90 percent or more of the premium they pay at closing actually goes to the title agent - and not the insurance itself.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Source: Class on the new rules and HUD and Dept of Urban Development website.</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p> </span></p><div class="agent_signature"><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/399/9C3D0686405993245660B3A9B3F613F6.png" alt="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind - 2009. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission <a href="mailto:rhindohana@msn.com">rhindohana@msn.com</a>&nbsp;or <a href="mailto:TucsonsRealEstate@gmail.com">TucsonsRealEstate@gmail.com</a>. Buying or selling <a href="http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR281766/Search/quick/?IDXSESS=cni14i6afhlshrfolbkv3710p0" target="_blank">Tucson</a>&nbsp;real estate, <a href="http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR281766/Search/quick/?IDXSESS=cni14i6afhlshrfolbkv3710p0" target="_blank">Mt Lemmon</a>, Tucson <a href="http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR281766/Search/quick/?IDXSESS=cni14i6afhlshrfolbkv3710p0" target="_blank">bank-owned homes</a>, <a href="http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR281766/Search/quick/?IDXSESS=cni14i6afhlshrfolbkv3710p0" target="_blank">Tucson rental homes</a>, or&nbsp;Tucson lease option homes? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.buymytucsonhome.com/">www.BuyMyTucsonHome.com</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/GabrielleRhind" title="Gabrielle Rhind" target="_blank"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Gabrielle-Kamahele-Rhind/1399355345?ref=search" title="Gabrielle Rhind" target="_blank"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Gabrielle-Kamahele-Rhind/1399355345?ref=search" target="_blank"><img title="Gabrielle Rhind" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/2/4/1/1/ar125682423311422.jpg" height="83" alt="" width="118" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://twitter.com/GabrielleRhind" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/8/2/1/1/ar125682544211289.jpg" height="85" alt="" width="108" /></a></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:26:10 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1387485/pro-consumer-gfe-hud-rules-coming-in-january-of-2010- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1386967/joes-point-hutchinson-island-stuart-fl Joes Point, Hutchinson Island, Stuart, FL <p><big>One of the most unusual properties on Stuart's Hutchinson Island is Joes Point.&nbsp; Located on a private peninsula which juts to the north west into the mile wide Indian River (Intracoastal Water Way). Originally developed by Lloyd Dutcher in the early 1980's this is a premier waterfront subdivision enjoying the many wonderful amenities of Hutchinson Island in Martin County.&nbsp; Only minutes to the Saint Lucie inlet and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean by boat, with easy access to the Bahamas or through the Okeechobee water way through the heart of Florida to the Gulf of Mexico by boat.&nbsp; This is a true boaters paradise.&nbsp; Abundant fishing is just off the dock or go just a few minutes further for some deep sea fishing and adventure.</big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Joes Point, Hutchinson Island" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/0/8/9/4/ar12609252749806.png" height="356" alt="Joes Point, Hutchinson Island" width="450" style="margin: 6px; vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <p><big><br /> Not just for the fishermen, Joes Point is also an excellent family neighborhood.&nbsp; The Martin County School district for Joes Point includes all 'A' rated schools and all within minutes with the county school bus.&nbsp; A private gated beach also belongs to this gated homeowners association for the use of the residents.&nbsp; </big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Joes Point Homes for Sale" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/3/7/7/ar126092540377361.JPG" height="338" alt="Joes Point Homes for Sale" width="450" style="margin: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <p><br /><big> <br /> Homes range from 80's style renovated waterfront homes to just about brand new.&nbsp; There's also a limited number of undeveloped lots remaining.&nbsp; Current home prices range from the 600's to over $1 Million.&nbsp; <br /> </big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Joes Point, Docks" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/0/7/0/ar126092548307081.JPG" height="338" alt="Joes Point, Docks" width="450" style="margin: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" /><big><br /> For more information about Joes Point and Hutchinson Island and our beautiful Martin County contact Gabe Sanders or Susan Maxwell.</big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/i/4936/Joes_Point_Homes_for_Sale" title="Joes Point Homes for Sale" target="_blank"><big>Select here to view all available Joes Point Homes for Sale</big></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:09:04 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1386967/joes-point-hutchinson-island-stuart-fl http://activerain.com/blogsview/1385633/do-you-trust-your-realtor-better-think-again- Do you trust your REALTOR®? Better think again. <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It's important to have proper representation in any real estate transaction.&nbsp; Here's a blog from Bryant Tutas to illustrate that fact:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1382272/do-you-trust-your-realtor-better-think-again-">Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/5/4/6/5/ar126071483756457.jpg" height="250" alt="Buyer beware" style="border: 5px solid black; margin: 8px; float: left;" width="250" /><strong>OK before I get started </strong>let me say that I know from experience that <em>most</em> REALTORS&reg; are good hardworking trustworthy folk. BUT&hellip;&hellip;.not all.<br /><br /><strong>As in any profession there are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pierre_tourigny/367078204/" target="_blank">wolves in sheep clothing</a>.</strong> You may think they are looking out for you when the reality is they are just looking out for their wallet.<br /><br /><strong>Recently</strong> I have had agents on the other side of the transaction literally crying and begging for me to get an offer accepted because they needed money for Christmas. I would like to say I was shocked but I wasn&rsquo;t.&nbsp; In my 15 years of being a REALTOR&reg; not much shocks me anymore. Agents begging to get paid is quite common.<br /><br /><strong>What am I,</strong> as the representative for the Seller, supposed to do with this information? Keep it as a secret (professional courtesy) or tell my Seller and use it to&nbsp; our advantage? What do you do?<br /><br /><strong>Folks this is a big deal</strong>. Why in the world would an agent, I don&rsquo;t even know, give me this information? I&rsquo;m a Broker for Pete&rsquo;s sake!! Don&rsquo;t they know I am going to use this information to help my customer/client get a better deal?<br /><br /><strong>I know for a fact</strong> that one recent Buyer paid several thousand more for a property and is paying a higher interest rate on an owner financed deal because their REALTOR(R) was desperate. We countered accordingly knowing that the other agent would &ldquo;sell the deal&rdquo;. And they did.<br /><br /><strong>How often does this happen? </strong>Are you a desperate REALTOR&reg;? Are you costing your customer/client money because you need a paycheck? I hope not. <strong>What say you?</strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Do NOT be foreclosed on! </strong>Avoid foreclosure. Short Sales DO close.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Want to find out more?</strong> <strong><a href="http://centralfloridashortsales.com/" target="_blank">www.CentralFloridaShortSales.com</a></strong></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="../../blogsview/1358475/about-bryant-tutas-disclaimer" target="_blank"><img src="../..http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/6/7/3/2/ar125949770523763.png" height="51" alt="The BIO for Bryant Tutas" width="109" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Copyright &copy; 2009 <a href="http://www.brokerbryant.com/">http://www.brokerbryant.com/</a> | All Rights Reserved</p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pierre_tourigny/367078204/" target="_blank">***Photo by manitou2121</a></strong></p></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:52:08 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1385633/do-you-trust-your-realtor-better-think-again- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1385619/get-over-that-kitchen-or-you-could-get-railroaded- Get Over That Kitchen Or You Could Get Railroaded! <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Do your homework when you select a Real Estate Agent.&nbsp; Here's a great story from Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1385562/get-over-that-kitchen-or-you-could-get-railroaded-">Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind, Associate Broker (Tierra Antigua Realty, Tucson AZ Real Estate)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><span style="color: #663333;"> <p style="text-align: justify;">A friend of mine bought a home several months ago.&nbsp; She was so caught up in <strong>"buying</strong>" and<strong> "cost"</strong> and <strong>"OMG I can't get over this kitchen!"</strong>that she didn't pay attention to other things about the home or the neighborhood.&nbsp; And her cousin (the real estate agent) was "ooh-ing and ahh-ing" right along with her!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><img title="Photo from Free Microsoft Clipart" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/4/6/3/ar126087511236432.jpg" height="306" alt="" style="float: left; margin-left: 25px; margin-right: 25px;" width="259" />45 some days later - the first night my friend spent in her new home - was the night she discovered - the train.&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em><strong>Choo-choo-chug-chug</strong> -- then the loud horn. Yep every morning at 2am and every night at 8:30pm.&nbsp; Sometimes more if it's the weekend.</em>&nbsp;</p> <p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Ouch.&nbsp; Can't fix that.&nbsp; So who does she blame?&nbsp; Of course - her real estate agent.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>So what can be done to prevent this type of trauma or drama from happening?!</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Get a really good real estate agent.</strong>&nbsp; And often, a family member isn't the best choice.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Next, make sure that real estate professional shows empathy and concern for you.</strong> My Masters in counseling has really come in handy here! &nbsp;If your agent doesn't know how to listen, to empathize, or only pretends to care - find another one. Home buying isn't just a huge financial commitment - it's also an emotional one. &nbsp;You are going to need someone who cares and looks out for your best interests. You are going to need someone to trust and help you focus on everything that your excitement is causing you to overlook.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Do your homework</strong> - check out schools, stores, hospitals, &nbsp;and every amenity in the area.&nbsp; Remember your home doesn't exist in a vacuum. Don't get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself - like that great kitchen or the perfect den-that you forget to pay attention to outside noise levels, traffic, or that strip club or all night convenience store nearby.&nbsp; All these things will have a big impact on life in your new home.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>After you've found the home of your dreams-</strong> make sure you drive around the area several times, at many different times of the day and night.&nbsp; Or, if you have time, take a walk around - what better way to meet the neighbors and see what goes on.</p> </p> </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class="agent_signature"><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/399/9C3D0686405993245660B3A9B3F613F6.png" alt="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind - 2009. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission <a href="mailto:rhindohana@msn.com">rhindohana@msn.com</a>&nbsp;or <a href="mailto:TucsonsRealEstate@gmail.com">TucsonsRealEstate@gmail.com</a>. Buying or selling <a href="http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR281766/Search/quick/?IDXSESS=cni14i6afhlshrfolbkv3710p0" target="_blank">Tucson</a>&nbsp;real estate, <a href="http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR281766/Search/quick/?IDXSESS=cni14i6afhlshrfolbkv3710p0" target="_blank">Mt Lemmon</a>, Tucson <a href="http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR281766/Search/quick/?IDXSESS=cni14i6afhlshrfolbkv3710p0" target="_blank">bank-owned homes</a>, <a href="http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR281766/Search/quick/?IDXSESS=cni14i6afhlshrfolbkv3710p0" target="_blank">Tucson rental homes</a>, or&nbsp;Tucson lease option homes? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.buymytucsonhome.com/">www.BuyMyTucsonHome.com</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/GabrielleRhind" title="Gabrielle Rhind" target="_blank"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Gabrielle-Kamahele-Rhind/1399355345?ref=search" title="Gabrielle Rhind" target="_blank"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Gabrielle-Kamahele-Rhind/1399355345?ref=search" target="_blank"><img title="Gabrielle Rhind" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/2/4/1/1/ar125682423311422.jpg" height="83" alt="" width="118" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://twitter.com/GabrielleRhind" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/8/2/1/1/ar125682544211289.jpg" height="85" alt="" width="108" /></a></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:33:11 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1385619/get-over-that-kitchen-or-you-could-get-railroaded- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1385616/when-is-a-buyer-s-agent-really-a-wolf-in-sheep-s-clothing- WHEN IS A BUYER'S AGENT REALLY A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING?? <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>From Lenn Harley, a terrific explanation of buyer representation and how a buyer's agent should do his or her job:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1383627/when-is-a-buyer-s-agent-really-a-wolf-in-sheep-s-clothing-">Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><strong>WHEN IS A BUYER'S AGENT REALLY <span style="text-decoration: underline;">A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING</span>??</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>When they admit in the first sentence of their post that <strong>"I've always preferred to work with sellers versus buyers".&nbsp; </strong></p> <p>Read the post by <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1106088/1st-degree-robbery-stripping-sellers-of-their-equity-and-pride" title="Sellers vs. Buyers" target="_blank">Charita Cadenhead</a> and, if you can identify with the premise of her post that a buyer who negotiates a contract favorable to the buyer,&nbsp;is somehow<strong> "attempting to strip the seller of any equity they may have in the home".&nbsp; </strong></p> <p><strong>In today's real estate market, quity is quite fungible, even fleeting.&nbsp; Unless that buyer is going to realize a significant "equity position" at closing, the buyer not only didn't "steal" anything, they may not even get any positive equity.&nbsp; </strong></p> <p><strong>Seems to me that it is the economy, the mortgage mess, the real estate market decline that has "stripped the seller of their equity".&nbsp;&nbsp; That home owner&nbsp;has already been&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: underline;">stripped of their equity</span> whether or not&nbsp;they sell their home.</strong></p> <p><strong>CAN A BUYER "STEAL" A HOME FROM A SELLER"</strong>&nbsp; How does a buyer "steal a home?&nbsp; There is no requirement that a seller agree to sell for price, terms or conditions that are not to their liking.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>WHAT IS THE MARKET VALUE OF A PROPERTY LISTED FOR SALE?&nbsp; </strong></p> <p>If the market value of&nbsp;a house&nbsp;is $200,000 and the property is listed for $225,000, is the buyer attempting to "steal" the property if they offer $200,000???&nbsp; Hardly.</p> <p>If the market value of a house is $200,000 and the house is listed for $200,000, is the buyer guilty of trying to "steal" the house or are they engaging in negotiating a price that is <strong>ACCEPTABLE</strong> to the buyer and seller??&nbsp; <strong>THE SELLER DOES NOT HAVE TO ACCEPT.</strong>&nbsp; The seller can, after all, also counter-offer or reject the buyer's OFFER.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OWNER'S EQUITY AND PRIDE??</strong>&nbsp; What can a prospective home buyer do to strip an owner/seller of their equity??&nbsp; The buyer can do <strong>nothing, absolutely nothing to even impinge on the owner's equity or pride, let alone "steal" it.</strong>&nbsp; About the only way that can even be attempted is. . .</p> <ul> <li>1.&nbsp; when the buyer's agent is working both sides of the sale and uses their position to mislead and manipulate the consumer into a contract price, terms and conditions that are not market based but agent commission based.&nbsp;</li> <li>2.&nbsp; when a seller is unrepresented and the agent uses their position as the agent of a prospective buyer to mislead and manipulate the owner/seller into a contract price, terms and conditions that are not market based by agent commission based.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><strong>WHO IS "STEALING THE EQUITY AND PRIDE?</strong>&nbsp; I suggest that it isn't the buyer who is "stealing the owner's equity and pride, but rather it is the unscrupulous real estate practitioner who is the guilty party.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ms. Cadenhead states, when working with a buyer:&nbsp; <em>"I further explain to them that it is also a part of my service to make every effort to ensure that the buyer gets the desired home</em> <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">at a fair price</span></em> <em>(fair price being defined as fair market value - given a range of course) and&nbsp;to make sure that the buyer knows when a&nbsp;house appears to be overpriced."</em></strong></p> <p><strong>FAIR??&nbsp; WHAT IS FAIR?</strong>&nbsp; Even the National Association of Realtors has removed the word <strong>"fair"</strong> from the Code of Ethics.&nbsp; Recognizing the fact that buyers, through an experienced buyer's agent, has an <strong>advocate</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>WHAT IS FAIR MARKET VALUE??</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;In real estate terms, I believe it is what a&nbsp;property would&nbsp;sell for&nbsp;in the market place.&nbsp;&nbsp;That means that "fair market value" is what a buyer will pay.&nbsp; Seller's can't really establish "fair market value".&nbsp; They can offer a property for a suggested or list price.&nbsp; They can't force a buyer to pay that price.&nbsp; Buyer's, on the other hand, do not have to pay that list price.&nbsp;</p> <p>I agree that an owner/seller has the absolute right to price their property for sale at a desired price, terms and conditions.&nbsp; However, as we all know, <strong>EVERYTHING IN REAL ESTATE IS NEGOTIABLE.</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Ms.&nbsp;Cadenhead further states:&nbsp; <em><strong>My buyers seem to grasp the concept of a win-win deal and they don't go for blood.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>AS A BUYER'S AGENT,</strong> I can say honestly that my pledge to home buyers is <strong>"we find the money and go for the jugular",</strong> knowing full well that we cannot force a home owner to lose their equity or their pride.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>AS A SELLER'S AGENT,</strong> I can say honestly that my pleadge to home sellers is "we'll find the best qualified buyer and negotiate the best net proceeds, conditions and terms <strong>FOR YOU.</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>A&nbsp;BUYER'S&nbsp;AGENT WHO ATTEMPTS TO BE "FAIR" WHEN REPRESENTING A HOME BUYER IS SIMPLY A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING.</strong></p> <p><strong>For ActiveRain readers who believe that I "favor" buyers,&nbsp; not so.&nbsp; A true fiduciary or representative can work for a buyer OR seller with equal skill.&nbsp; I, as an experienced real estate broker, can put on a "Seller's Agent" hat and switch to a "Buyer's Agent" hat in a nano-second.&nbsp; </strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The question is not which "side" do you represent, but how well you represent the side you're working for.</span></strong>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img title="Home Buyers" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/3/2/3/2/ar126079299123238.gif" height="310" alt="Home Buyers" width="498" /></p> <p><strong>&nbsp;"Honey, do you think we'll get the house??"&nbsp; </strong></p> <p><strong>"I don't know Dear.&nbsp; Our agent says we should pay the seller their price because it would be fair."</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:28:37 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1385616/when-is-a-buyer-s-agent-really-a-wolf-in-sheep-s-clothing- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1383635/motivational-monday-christmas-quotes Motivational Monday - Christmas Quotes <p>As we get into the Holiday season, it's good to remember the meaning behind it.&nbsp; Here's some traditional Christmas Quotes that help me, and hopefully you'll find them useful also:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas time.</p> <p><em><strong>Laura Ingalls Wilder </strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through.</p> <p><em><strong>Author unknown </strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Christmas is forever, not for one day, For loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away,</p> <p>Like bells and tinsel in some box upon a shelf.</p> <p>The good you do for others is good you do yourself.</p> <p><em><strong>Norman Wesley Brooks in 1976 </strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:33:09 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1383635/motivational-monday-christmas-quotes http://activerain.com/blogsview/1382756/large-pool-home-on-hutchinson-island-with-ocean-access-dock-for-sale Large Pool Home on Hutchinson Island With Ocean Access Dock for Sale <div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 750px; background: #fff; text-align: left;"> <div style="margin-top: 0; padding-top: 0px; height: 40px; background: #fff; border-bottom: 3px solid #bbbbbb;"> <h1 style="font: 20px Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; color: #000; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 25px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px;">Magnificent Home on Hutchinson Island, Dock and Beach Access</h1> </div> <div style="padding-top: 5px; background: #fbfaf6; padding-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; background: #efefef; border-bottom: 3px solid #bbbbbb;"> <h2 style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; padding-left: 23px;">4401 NE Joes Point Rd., Stuart, FL 34996 <span style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=4401 NE Joes Point Rd., Stuart 34996&amp;t=m" style="color: #BF1202; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">View Map</a></span></h2> <div style="width: 385px; float: left; padding-top: 10px; margin-left: 15px;"> <embed bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="default" allowfullscreen="true" swliveconnect="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://www.realestateshows.com/show/player.swf" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" flashvars="flashshowid=456201&amp;baseurl=http://www.realestateshows.com/&amp;playmode=embed" height="285" width="356"></embed> </div> <div style="float: left; line-height: 15px; overflow: auto; margin-top: 10px; width: 290px; height: 285px; padding-left: 15px; font-size: 11px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <p>A real treasure in Joe's Point, one of the most desirable waterfront communities on Hutchinson Island. Experience the magnitude of this over 4300 square foot home privately nestled among the mangroves. 4 BR, 3 Baths, formal dining area, formal living, family room, den, fireplace, 3 zone A/C, fully updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops, full-length balcony upstairs offering views of the pool and preserve. Recent updates include a new roof and new carpeting in 2006 and newly painted in 2008. Walk next door to the community tennis court or to your private dock that can accommodate a 25ft boat. RV storage is also available. Enjoy your own private beach access. </p> </div> <div style="clear: both;"> </div> </div> <div style="width: 540px; float: left;"> <div style="overflow: auto; margin-left: 27px; color: #666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"> <h2 style="text-align: left; color: #000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; width: 490px; padding-top: 3px; padding-left: 2px; background: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 1px solid #bbbbbb; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Details</h2> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Asking Price:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">$699,000</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">MLS:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">348440</div></div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Sq. Feet:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">4354</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Lot Size:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">0.4 Acres</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Bedrooms:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">4</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Bathrooms:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">3</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;"># of Floors:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">2</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">HOA/Maintenance Fees:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">217</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Garage Size:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">2</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Subdivision:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">Joes Point</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Year Built:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">1984</div></div> </div> </div> <div style="width: 500px; overflow: auto; margin-left: 27px; font-size: 12px;"> <h2 style="text-align: left; color: #000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; width: 490px; padding-top: 3px; padding-left: 2px; background: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 1px solid #bbbbbb; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Features</h2> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> - Range/Oven<br>- Sink Disposal<br>- Full Refrigerator<br>- Microwave<br>- Washer/Dryer<br>- Central Vacuum<br>- Dishwasher<br>- Satellite<br>- Fireplace<br>- Vaulted Ceilings<br>- Wet Bar<br>- Security System<br>- Balcony<br> </ul> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> - Patio<br>- Grass Lawn<br>- Yard<br>- Swimming Pool<br>- Great Room<br>- Secluded Setting<br>- Central A/C<br>- Central Heat<br>- Walk-in closet<br>- Tile floor<br>- Family room<br>- Living room<br>- Office/den<br> </ul> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> - Dining Room<br>- Breakfast nook<br>- Granite Countertops<br>- Stainless steel appliances<br>- Laundry area - inside<br>- Ocean Access Dock<br>- RV Parking<br>- Private Beach (Oceanside)<br>- Water and Sewer included in HOA<br>- Tennis Court<br>- Lake<br>- Gated Community<br> </ul> </div> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> </ul> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> </ul> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> </ul> </div> <div style="font-size: 12px; padding-left: 27px;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://create.realestateshows.com/shows/500000/460000/0000456201/02.jpg&amp;newwidth=110&amp;newheight=83" border="0" style="border: 2px solid #bbbbbb;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://create.realestateshows.com/shows/500000/460000/0000456201/08.jpg&amp;newwidth=110&amp;newheight=83" border="0" style="border: 2px solid #bbbbbb;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://create.realestateshows.com/shows/500000/460000/0000456201/03.jpg&amp;newwidth=110&amp;newheight=83" border="0" style="border: 2px solid #bbbbbb;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://create.realestateshows.com/shows/500000/460000/0000456201/04.jpg&amp;newwidth=110&amp;newheight=83" border="0" style="border: 2px solid #bbbbbb;"> </div> <div style="padding-left: 27px; padding-top: 3px;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/images/player/EHLLogoFlyer.jpg"> </div> </div> <div style="width: 173px; float: left;"> <div style="text-align: center; overflow: auto; font-size: 12px; color: #666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"> <h2 style="text-align: left; color: #000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; padding-top: 3px; padding-left: 2px; background: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 1px solid #bbbbbb; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Contact Info</h2><strong>Gabe Sanders & Susan Maxwell</strong><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">e-PRO, REALTOR</span><br><br /> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://www.realestateshows.com/realtorphotos/18486/20080826075046.jpg&amp;newwidth=85&amp;newheight=107"><br /><br> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/logos/Premierrealtygroup_logo01.jpg"> <p style="line-height: 14px;"><b>Main</b> 866-899-7977<br> <b>Cell</b> 772-486-4642<br> <b>Dir</b> 772-323-6996<br> <a href="mailto: Gabe@GabeSanders.com" style="color: #BF1202; text-decoration: underline;">Email</a> | <a href="http://www.TreasureCoastFLHomes.com" style="color: #BF1202; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Website</a><br /> <br /> <br /> </p> <p style="line-height: 14px;"><strong> </strong> </p> </div> </div> <div style="clear: both; height: 10px; padding-left: 27px; padding-right: 15px; border-bottom: 4px solid #bbbbbb;"> </div> All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. </div> <div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:38:37 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1382756/large-pool-home-on-hutchinson-island-with-ocean-access-dock-for-sale http://activerain.com/blogsview/1382267/the-retreat-of-hobe-sound The Retreat of Hobe Sound <p class="MsoNormal"><big><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is a beautiful DiVosta master planned community at the end of Seabranch Ave just west of US-1 in Hobe Sound.<span>&nbsp; </span>The Retreat contains 555 well built CBS homes ranging from 2 BR to 4 BR homes that continue to impress their owners with their functionality and quality DiVosta construction. </span></big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="The Retreat of Hobe Sound" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/5/0/9/9/ar126071357799059.jpg" height="338" alt="The Retreat of Hobe Sound" width="548" style="margin: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big><span style="font-family: verdana;">Located near Schools, Golf Courses, Shopping, Medical facilities, Beaches, and all the amenities either a family or a second home owner looks forward to in Florida living.<span>&nbsp; </span>Amenities at the Retreat include a heated community pool, clubhouse, fitness room and tennis courts.<span>&nbsp; </span>Golf course access in right next door at Lost Lake.</span></big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="The Retreat of Hobe Sound Pool and Clubhouse" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/8/2/4/9/ar126071368594281.jpg" height="208" alt="The Retreat of Hobe Sound Pool and Clubhouse" width="317" style="margin: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Retreat was a finalist in the Communities of Excellence contest in the communications division. Association volunteers under the direction of the Communications Committee utilize a bimonthly newsletter, website, bulletin boards, community television channel, town hall meetings, resident directory, email blasts, and open board meetings with published minutes to get information to and from the residents. The newsletter is particularly popular. The website provides information of a business nature, with a resident showcase for display of artwork.</span></big></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img title="The Retreat at Hobe Sound" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/4/4/6/1/ar126071377716447.jpg" height="207" alt="The Retreat at Hobe Sound" width="317" style="margin: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><big><span style="font-family: verdana;">Currently some select Retreat Homes are available at very attractive prices.</span></big></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/i/4936/the_Retreat_in_Hobe_Sound" target="_blank"><big><span style="font-family: verdana;">To view these available Retreat Homes for sale, click here.</span></big></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:18:24 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1382267/the-retreat-of-hobe-sound http://activerain.com/blogsview/1382229/even-real-estate-agents-get-a-break-under-new-short-sale-plan- Even Real Estate Agents Get A Break Under New Short Sale Plan! <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Gabrielle Rhind from Tucson has posted a nice summary of the new short sale plan proposed by the government:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381742/even-real-estate-agents-get-a-break-under-new-short-sale-plan-">Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind (Tierra Antigua Realty, Tucson AZ Real Estate Agent)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><span style="color: #663333;"> <p style="text-align: justify;">For homeowners unable to get a loan modification and those that&nbsp;are having trouble with their mortgage, the Obama administration's new standardized short-sale plan could bring hope.&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The program hopes to streamline what has traditionally been a very long process by requiring lenders and others to use uniformed documents, timelines and financial incentives.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/1/6/7/7/ar126065877677616.jpg" height="181" alt="" style="float: left; margin-left: 25px; margin-right: 25px;" width="224" />&nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>First here are some basics about short sales</strong>:</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <p style="text-align: justify;"> <ul> <li> <p>It's when&nbsp;a&nbsp;lender or investor agrees to collect less than the balance owed on a mortgage debt out of the proceeds of the sale of a&nbsp;property.</p> </li> <li> <p>It's typically&nbsp;the last alternative before foreclosure.</p> </li> <li> <p>To qualify, homeowners&nbsp;must talk to the&nbsp;bank and&nbsp;show&nbsp;that a short sale will bring a higher yield&nbsp;than a foreclosure.</p> </li> <li> <p>After the home is placed up for sale, Buyers must be able and willing to&nbsp;pay&nbsp;the bank's accepted "short sale" price.</p> </li> </ul> </p> <p><em>(Photo From Microsoft Free Clipart)</em></p> <ul> <li> <p>If the home has a second mortgage or home equity credit line,&nbsp;homeowners must&nbsp;negotiate with that lender as well.&nbsp; This is often very difficult because the second-lienholder may be have a note with no value&nbsp;in a foreclosure and at the same time, they are in a position to&nbsp;block or stop&nbsp;the short sale.</p> </li> <li> <p>Banks, mortgage servicers and bond investors&nbsp;can have conflicting requirements for documentation and financial yields making it more difficult to sell under the short sale terms.</p> </li> </ul> <p><strong>In comes the new plan to streamline the process!</strong>&nbsp;It will&nbsp;require lenders and servicers to use uniform documentation, pre-approved short sale terms and have better&nbsp;turnaround times.&nbsp; Additionally, there are some financial incentives:</p> <ul> <li> <p>If a homeowner is successful with a short sale under this program - they will receive $1,500 to&nbsp;help with&nbsp;their moving costs.</p> </li> <li> <p>Mortgage servicers may benefit by $1,000 per short sale.</p> </li> <li> <p>Investors benefit by $1,000.</p> </li> <li> <p>Second-lien holders receive up to $3,000 from the sale proceeds.</p> </li> </ul> <p>And - <strong>even real estate professionals are included in this plan</strong>! The new guidelines will prevent banks from forcing reduced commissions as part of the transaction.</p> <p>The new plan is scheduled to be out over the next several months and hopefully it will provide relief needed for those that need it!</p> </p> </span> <p> <p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p> </p> </p><div class="agent_signature"><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/399/9C3D0686405993245660B3A9B3F613F6.png" alt="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind - 2009. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission <a href="mailto:rhindohana@msn.com">rhindohana@msn.com</a>&nbsp;or <a href="mailto:TucsonsRealEstate@gmail.com">TucsonsRealEstate@gmail.com</a>. Buying or selling <a href="http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR281766/Search/quick/?IDXSESS=cni14i6afhlshrfolbkv3710p0" target="_blank">Tucson</a>&nbsp;real estate, <a href="http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR281766/Search/quick/?IDXSESS=cni14i6afhlshrfolbkv3710p0" target="_blank">Mt Lemmon</a>, Tucson <a href="http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR281766/Search/quick/?IDXSESS=cni14i6afhlshrfolbkv3710p0" target="_blank">bank-owned homes</a>, <a href="http://idxpro.cisdata.net/AR281766/Search/quick/?IDXSESS=cni14i6afhlshrfolbkv3710p0" target="_blank">Tucson rental homes</a>, or&nbsp;Tucson lease option homes? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.buymytucsonhome.com/">www.BuyMyTucsonHome.com</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/GabrielleRhind" title="Gabrielle Rhind" target="_blank"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Gabrielle-Kamahele-Rhind/1399355345?ref=search" title="Gabrielle Rhind" target="_blank"></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Gabrielle-Kamahele-Rhind/1399355345?ref=search" target="_blank"><img title="Gabrielle Rhind" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/2/4/1/1/ar125682423311422.jpg" height="83" alt="" width="118" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://twitter.com/GabrielleRhind" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/8/2/1/1/ar125682544211289.jpg" height="85" alt="" width="108" /></a></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Sun, 13 Dec 2009 07:12:06 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1382229/even-real-estate-agents-get-a-break-under-new-short-sale-plan- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1382223/new-fannie-mae-automated-underwriting-du-eligibility-changes- New Fannie Mae Automated Underwriting (DU) Eligibility Changes. <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>New rules from Fannie Mae, thanks to George Souto for posting these:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1382029/new-fannie-mae-automated-underwriting-du-eligibility-changes-">George Souto (McCue Mortgage) FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages CT.</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p>Today Fannie Mae&nbsp;released Automated Underwriting (DU) Version 8.0&nbsp;and these changes are bound to have a big impact <img src="http://activerain.comhttp://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/2/1/5/5/ar12565917955128.jpg" height="194" alt="" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" width="217" />especially on multi-family houses.&nbsp; Some of the&nbsp;changes included in this release are as follows:</p> <ul> <li>Minimum FICO score 620 (was 580) </li> <li>2 Unit Owner Occupied Property - maximum LTV 80% for purchase &amp; rate/term refinance (was 90%) </li> <li>2 Unit Owner Occupied Property - maximum LTV 75% for cash out refinance (was 85%) </li> <li>2 Unit Investment Property - maximum LTV 75% for purchase &amp; rate/term refinance (was 80%) </li> <li>Unit Investment Property - maximum LTV 70% for cash out refinance (was 75%)</li> </ul> <p>In addition to the eligibility changes listed above, the updated version (DU 8.0) will limit the <strong>maximum allowable </strong>total expense ratio to 45 percent, with flexibilities offered up to 50 percent for certain loan case files with strong compensating factors.</p> <p>If current debts exceed the maximum allowable total expense ratio, the loan case file will receive an Ineligible recommendation. DU will no longer return a Refer recommendation on loan case files that would have otherwise received an Approval,&nbsp;but had exceeded the maximum allowable total expense ratio.</p> <p>All new cases submitted to DU will now be scored with the 8.0 version and the new eligibility will be applied. New cases submitted prior to today will be scored with the current version DU 7.1 and will continue to score as DU 7.1 on subsequent submissions, however, loans using DU version 7.1 must close by February 12, 2010.</p> <p>I would <strong>STRONGLY </strong>recommend that if you&nbsp;have run a Borrowers file through DU before today, and received an Approved/Eligible, but&nbsp;the Borrower has&nbsp;not gone under contract yet, that you run it through DU again.&nbsp; I am sure that there will be many Borrowers that received an Approved Eligible under version 7.1, that will no longer receive an Approved/Eligible under version 8.&nbsp; It would be a shame to have a Realtor that you partner with run around trying to find one of their Buyers a house, and the Buyer no longer qualifies.</p> <p>If you are a Realtor or a Buyer I would again <strong>STRONGLY</strong> recommend that you contact the Loan Officer or Broker that you are working with and ask them to run your file(s) through DU to make sure that you have not been affected by this change.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;******************************************************************************************************************</p> <p><em>Info about the author: </em></p> <p>George Souto is a Loan Officer who can assist you with all your FHA, CHFA, andConventional mortgage needs in Connecticut. George resides in Middlesex County which includes Middletown, Middlefield, Durham, Cromwell, Portland, Higganum, Haddam, East Haddam, Chester, Deep River, and Essex. George can be contacted at (860) 573-1308 or gsouto@mccuemortgage.com</p></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Sun, 13 Dec 2009 07:07:37 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1382223/new-fannie-mae-automated-underwriting-du-eligibility-changes- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381649/lexington-lakes-town-homes-for-sale-now-under-contract-short-sale-awaiting-lender-approval Lexington Lakes Town Homes for Sale Now Under Contract (Short Sale) Awaiting Lender Approval <div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 750px; background: #fff; text-align: left;"> <div style="margin-top: 0; padding-top: 0px; height: 40px; background: #fff; border-bottom: 3px solid #bbbbbb;"> <h1 style="font: 20px Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; color: #000; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 25px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px;">Affordable & Upgraded Pool Home in Palm City Florida</h1> </div> <div style="padding-top: 5px; background: #fbfaf6; padding-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; background: #efefef; border-bottom: 3px solid #bbbbbb;"> <h2 style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; padding-left: 23px;">3266 SW Areca Dr., Palm City, FL 34990 <span style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=3266 SW Areca Dr., Palm City 34990&amp;t=m" style="color: #BF1202; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">View Map</a></span></h2> <div style="width: 385px; float: left; padding-top: 10px; margin-left: 15px;"> <embed bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="default" allowfullscreen="true" swliveconnect="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://www.realestateshows.com/show/player.swf" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" flashvars="flashshowid=371092&amp;baseurl=http://www.realestateshows.com/&amp;playmode=embed" height="285" width="356"></embed> </div> <div style="float: left; line-height: 15px; overflow: auto; margin-top: 10px; width: 290px; height: 285px; padding-left: 15px; font-size: 11px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <p>Charming 3 BR 2 BA CBS pool home. Open floor plan with lots of tile, granite counter tops and French doors. Lovely screened in porch leading out to pretty backyard with newer wooden 6 ft privacy fence. Newer pool and new hurricane panels. <br /> <br /> Convenient Palm City location close to I-95, turnpike, shopping & dining. Walk to " A" rated Palm City Elementary and Hidden Oaks Middle School. </p> </div> <div style="clear: both;"> </div> </div> <div style="width: 540px; float: left;"> <div style="overflow: auto; margin-left: 27px; color: #666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"> <h2 style="text-align: left; color: #000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; width: 490px; padding-top: 3px; padding-left: 2px; background: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 1px solid #bbbbbb; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Details</h2> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Asking Price:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">$125,000</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">MLS:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">342424</div></div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Sq. Feet:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">1335</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Lot Size:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">.18</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Bedrooms:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">3</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Bathrooms:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">2</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;"># of Floors:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">1</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Garage Size:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">1</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Subdivision:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">Palm Lake Estates</div></div> <div style="width: 400px; height: 16px; line-height: 13px;"><div style="float: left; width: 166px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">Year Built:</span></div> <div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 174px;">1972</div></div> </div> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> </ul> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> </ul> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> </ul> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> </ul> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> </ul> </div> <div style="width: 166px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; color: #666;"> <ul style="margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px;"> </ul> </div> <div style="font-size: 12px; padding-left: 27px;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://create.realestateshows.com/shows/400000/375000/0000371092/07.jpg&amp;newwidth=110&amp;newheight=83" border="0" style="border: 2px solid #bbbbbb;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://create.realestateshows.com/shows/400000/375000/0000371092/05.jpg&amp;newwidth=110&amp;newheight=83" border="0" style="border: 2px solid #bbbbbb;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://create.realestateshows.com/shows/400000/375000/0000371092/02.jpg&amp;newwidth=110&amp;newheight=83" border="0" style="border: 2px solid #bbbbbb;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://create.realestateshows.com/shows/400000/375000/0000371092/06.jpg&amp;newwidth=110&amp;newheight=83" border="0" style="border: 2px solid #bbbbbb;"> </div> <div style="padding-left: 27px; padding-top: 3px;"> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/images/player/EHLLogoFlyer.jpg"> </div> </div> <div style="width: 173px; float: left;"> <div style="text-align: center; overflow: auto; font-size: 12px; color: #666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif;"> <h2 style="text-align: left; color: #000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; padding-top: 3px; padding-left: 2px; background: #eeeeee; border-bottom: 1px solid #bbbbbb; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Contact Info</h2><strong>Gabe Sanders & Susan Maxwell</strong><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">e-PRO, REALTOR</span><br><br /> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/php/makejpg.php?filename=http://www.realestateshows.com/realtorphotos/18486/20080826075046.jpg&amp;newwidth=85&amp;newheight=107"><br /><br> <img src="http://www.realestateshows.com/logos/Premierrealtygroup_logo01.jpg"> <p style="line-height: 14px;"><b>Main</b> 866-899-7977<br> <b>Cell</b> 772-486-4642<br> <b>Dir</b> 772-323-6996<br> <a href="mailto: Gabe@GabeSanders.com" style="color: #BF1202; text-decoration: underline;">Email</a> | <a href="http://www.TreasureCoastFLHomes.com" style="color: #BF1202; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Website</a><br /> <br /> <br /> </p> <p style="line-height: 14px;"><strong> </strong> </p> </div> </div> <div style="clear: both; height: 10px; padding-left: 27px; padding-right: 15px; border-bottom: 4px solid #bbbbbb;"> </div> All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. </div> <div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:01:11 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381649/lexington-lakes-town-homes-for-sale-now-under-contract-short-sale-awaiting-lender-approval http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381159/5-tips-to-buying-a-foreclosure 5 Tips to Buying a Foreclosure <p><p>An excellent and quick tip sheet for you if you're considering a purchase of a foreclosed property from Marc Rasmussen of Sarasota:</p></p><div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381120/5-tips-to-buying-a-foreclosure">Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p>Today's home buyers seem to have the word "foreclosure" stuck in their head. Here are 5 tips to buying a foreclosure.</p> <p><strong>1) Don&rsquo;t assume all foreclosures are steals.</strong></p> <p>Just because it is a bank owned property does not mean that it is a great deal. There are many overpriced bank owned properties out there for sale. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac properties seem to be priced more aggressively. I suppose it depends on who represents them. Hire a good Realtor and learn the market.</p> <p><strong>2) Location, Location, Location is still the most important thing.<br /></strong></p> <p>Location is still the most important thing in real estate. Just because you found a foreclosure in a less than desirable area doesn&rsquo;t mean you should buy it. A wise investment is finding an aggressively priced bank owned property in a good location. Price is not the only factor when buying a home. When you want to sell in a number of years it is generally easier to do so in a good area.</p> <p><strong>3) Get an inspection</strong></p> <p>Get to know as much as possible about the home you plan on purchasing BEFORE you own it. Make sure you get it thoroughly inspected. Make sure your purchase agreement has an inspection clause.</p> <p><strong>4) Get a title search</strong></p> <p>Make sure your title company or the attorney representing you do a thorough search of the title. Title insurance is worth the investment.</p> <p><strong>5) Hire a good attorney</strong></p> <p>It is good to have experts on your side. They are like insurance. Most of the time you don&rsquo;t need them but the one time you do it is really good to have them. Be wise and surround yourself with experts &ndash; Realtor, Attorney and Inspectors.</p> <p>There are some good deals out there in the foreclosure market. However, you should not ignore a great property with a realistic seller that is price right. You can still find a good deal with a traditional seller. Good luck.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sarasotashack.com/sarasotahomesforsale.php">Sarasota houses</a></p><div class="agent_signature"><p>Marc Rasmussen selling <a href="http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com" title="sarasota real estate" target="_blank">Sarasota real estate</a>. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.</p> <p><a href="http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com" target="_blank"><br /></a></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:37:23 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1381159/5-tips-to-buying-a-foreclosure http://activerain.com/blogsview/1379677/home-builders-are-finding-interesting-ways-to-reduce-prices- Home builders are finding interesting ways to reduce prices <p>It's called Value Engineering. The goal is to build a home with the amenities buyers want while saving costs on other aspects of the home.</p> <p>KB Homes tells buyers its Value Engineered, Open Series homes are "affordably priced to compete with resale and foreclosure homes." Sales of the Open Series were up by 59 percent in the second quarter of 2009.</p> <p>One luxury home builder has been working with building plans to keep overall costs down. The move has resulted in their first sales gain since 2005, according to Smart Money.</p> <p>Some strategies, like designing the home so it is built with standard lumber lengths, can save thousands of dollars.</p> <p>All homes comply with local building codes, and generally the buyer is familiar with cost-cutting measures and doesn't care. The big windows in the dining room, for example, may not open, but the price of the home is right.</p> <p>Various builders are using other tactics to save money for themselves and the buyer. Not including gutters is one way to do it. Authorities at Key Land Homes say that, barring certain soil conditions, there's no reason for them. They drive costs up by $1,000 or more. Other builders may substitute a gas-burning fireplace for a real one, but buyers like them anyway.</p> <p>To make smaller homes feel larger, builders install more windows. One builder saves money by using the same size windows in every room and in every house he builds. He groups or arranges them in ways that make them look different.</p> <p>We currently have some excellent new home values in the Martin County area, please call for details.</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:47:57 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1379677/home-builders-are-finding-interesting-ways-to-reduce-prices- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1377781/why-people-own-a-winter-residence-in-sarasota-florida Why people own a winter residence in Sarasota, Florida <p> <p>A reminder why Florida is a popular place for winter homes and getaways.&nbsp; True for the Treasure Coast as well:</p> </p> <div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1377761/why-people-own-a-winter-residence-in-sarasota-florida">Marc Rasmussen - Sarasota Real Estate (Michael Saunders and Company)</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><img title="Snowed in" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/6/6/5/9/ar126044934995668.jpg" height="301" alt="Snowed in" width="453" /></p> <p>Have you ever wondered by who many people come to Florida for winter? Instead of dealing snow on a daily basis people from up north (we call them snowbirds) come down to sunny Florida to escape the snow and cold weather. You could be walking along Siesta Key beach enjoying a sunset.</p> <p><img title="Sarasota, Florida beaches" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/3/5/6/7/ar126044947876537.jpg" height="480" alt="Sarasota, Florida" width="384" /></p> <p>And just think - It is only December. ;-)</p> <p>Give me a call at 941.812.6272 if I can help you buy or sell a <a href="http://www.sarasotashack.com" target="_blank">house in Sarasota, Florida</a>.</p><div class="agent_signature"><p>Marc Rasmussen selling <a href="http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com" title="sarasota real estate" target="_blank">Sarasota real estate</a>. Visit www.LuxurySarasotaRealEstate.com.</p> <p><a href="http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com" target="_blank"><br /></a></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:09:45 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1377781/why-people-own-a-winter-residence-in-sarasota-florida http://activerain.com/blogsview/1377771/dangerous-food-humor- Dangerous Food (Humor) <p>A dietitian was addressing a large audience in Chicago:</p> <p>"The material we put into our stomachs is enough to have killed us. Red meat is awful. Soft drinks erode your stomach lining. Chinese food has MSG. And vegetables can be disastrous.</p> <p>"But one thing is the most dangerous of all and we all have eaten it or will eat it. What food causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?"</p> <p>A 75-year-old in the front row stood up and said, "Wedding cake."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:05:36 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1377771/dangerous-food-humor- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1376144/highlands-reserve-in-palm-city-florida Highlands Reserve in Palm City, Florida <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://media.point2.com/p2a/listing/d679/385d/f2c0/b033fd742bea30331e12/w400h300.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Palm City's newest upscale community. Enter the magnificent gates and surround yourself with the well appointed amenities of the clubhouse and natural beauty of this community. Included are paths into winding nature trails will offer dramatic views of surrounding natural preserves and serene lakes</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Located only seconds from I-95 and within minutes of shopping, beaches and the laid back easy lifestyle of Martin County. Perfect for the family with an 'A' rated school system. Only 30 minutes to West Palm Beach and 2 hours to Orlando.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">The model pictured here is the Sequoia, offered for a limited time at $449,000.&nbsp; New models have just been released with a spacious over 1,800 sq. ft. home with all the upgrades starting at only $249,000.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://media.point2.com/p2a/listing/cf38/4ba4/03ec/c3fc729473300528ea86/w160h120.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><img src="http://media.point2.com/p2a/listing/8d1d/13b4/3b57/1a9cfac491d809318eb8/w160h120.jpg" height="120" alt="" width="160" style="margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://media.point2.com/p2a/listing/7ad5/2155/f953/519a92cc2b64c85ee338/w160h120.jpg" height="120" alt="" width="160" style="margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Give us a call for the full line of exceptional new homes available in Highland Reserve in Palm City, FL.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:23:02 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1376144/highlands-reserve-in-palm-city-florida http://activerain.com/blogsview/1376130/new-safety-gear-for-your-car- New safety gear for your car <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>You can have sophisticated pieces of safety equipment installed in your car that are like those in luxury cars like Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz, according to a report in Money.</p> <p>Rear- and Side-View Cameras. In the Infiniti EX35, they show video of areas outside the vehicle that may be hard to see. It's on a screen in the dash or a cutout on the rear view mirror. Very useful on SUVs and trucks: $500.</p> <p>Blind-Spot Warning. In the Audi Q7, it warns you with a light in or near the side mirrors. Some flash if you activate a turn signal while a car is there. Widely available on luxury cars: $500.</p> <p>Lane Departure Warning. As on the BMW 750, it lets you know with a light or sound if you are about to cross a lane marker without using a turn signal. The Infiniti EX35 crossover also brakes slightly on one side to nudge the car back into line. It comes on many luxury models: $500.</p> <p>Driver Alertness Monitoring. On Volvo and Mercedes-Benz cars, it watches steering habits for signs of fatigue. If driving is erratic, the feature alerts you, with an alarm and a light, that you should take a break. This system is not available for other cars.</p> <p>With all these, safety depends on the driver's response to the signals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:15:28 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1376130/new-safety-gear-for-your-car- http://activerain.com/blogsview/1375980/breaking-through-the-blues-requires-the-right-mindset-in-the-realm-of-real-estate-dispelling-negativity-with-optimism-is-more-than-just-spin- Breaking through the blues requires the right mindset. In the realm of real estate, dispelling negativity with optimism is more than just spin! <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Here's a great post from Richard Weisser:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div id="reblogging_tag">Via <b><a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1375969/breaking-through-the-blues-requires-the-right-mindset-in-the-realm-of-real-estate-dispelling-negativity-with-optimism-is-more-than-just-spin-">Richard Weisser Coweta Fayette Real Estate ERA United Realty</a></b>:<br/><blockquote><p><strong><img title="Real estate ofter triggers the blues!" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/5/0/5/3/5/ar126036467653505.jpg" height="276" alt="Real estate ofter triggers the blues!" style="margin: 6px 8px; float: right; border: black 3px solid;" width="424" />The real estate business is still as volatile as any time in history</strong>. In some markets, there is an oversupply of homes that will take months, if not years to absorb. Consumers are faced with even more choices when they are considering a real estate purchase, making each transaction more agonizing and time-consuming.</p> <p><strong>But unlike any other kind of investment</strong>, real estate has the unique quality of usefulness. Unlike stocks, or gold, or foreign currencies, the owner of real property has the right of use and quiet enjoyment of the investment. And since you must live somewhere anyway, that is a huge benefit that cannot be overlooked.</p> <p><strong>It's not all about dollars and cents.</strong> It's about the day to day quality of life that defines our human condition. The home is not an IRA or a CD, it is an integral part of the essence of our existence.</p> <p><strong>And so the real estate business isn't about the bottom line</strong>, it's about <strong>lifestyle. </strong>The intangible perquisites of ownership and passion for control of our own destinies will always foster the dream of home ownership.</p> <p><strong>Market conditions provide opportunity</strong>, which when seized, has nothing but positive effects!</p> <p><strong>And that's something that you can't put a price on!</strong></p><div class="agent_signature"><p style="text-align: center;">All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of&nbsp;<a href="http://cowetafayetterealestate.com/" title="ERA United Realty Coweta Fayette Real Estate">Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia</a>. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. <strong>Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.</strong><br /><a href="http://cowetafayetterealestate.com/" title="Coweta Fayette Real Estate">Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to</a> <a href="http://cowetafayetterealestate.com/" title="Coweta Fayette Real Estate Newnan homes for sale" target="_blank">search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required visit <strong>CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com!</strong></a>&nbsp;<a href="http://smokyphotos.com/" title="Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and vicinity" target="_blank">Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.</a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://cowetafayetterealestate.com/free_georgia_foreclosure_list.htm">Get the latest GA Foreclosure List Updated Daily!</a>&nbsp;We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225</strong></p></div></blockquote></div><div class='agent_signature'><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gabesanders.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Gabe Sanders and Susan Maxwell</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Stuart Florida Real Estate</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Residential Homes, Condos and Land<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.treasurecoastflhomes.idxco.com/idx/4936/basicSearch.php"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Search the Martin County MLS</span></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?F8VOLKU32MTQ"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sign up for a personal customized Market Snapshot</span></a></p></div> Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Premier Realty Group) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:35:47 -0600 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1375980/breaking-through-the-blues-requires-the-right-mindset-in-the-realm-of-real-estate-dispelling-negativity-with-optimism-is-more-than-just-spin-