The Grant Team of Naples Blog

Homeowners Get Rich And Renters Stay Poor

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:50:38 -0500

The bottom line is this: The American Dream of building a nest egg by owning a home isn't a fantasy. Whether boom or bust, homeowners have been getting rich off their real estate for years, and they will continue to do so going forward. As I write this, there are a record of over 70 million homeowners in the United States - more than 69% of American families, according to goverment stats. And it's not just the wealthy people who are buying homes. More people under the age of 25 are buying homes than ever before!

If owning a home is working so well, what's not working you ask? The first answer is Renting. I apologize up front if you're a renter, because I know this may be a little on the tough love side, but you have to hear it if your're going to change...

If you want to be rich, dont rent. You simply cannot get rich renting. It's time to stop. Don't get me wrong, renters are NOT bad people. In fact, I hope by reading this that you will take the plunge, build wealth over time and someday own some homes or condos that you can rent to other people! How's that? Sounds good to me.

I say all of this because I look at our Florida market. I would suggest that the average rent for an annual tenant is $1000/month. With all of the Foreclosures/Short Sales on the market right now, properties that were bought for close to $300k+ two years ago, are now on the market in the low $100's. A mortgage on $100,000 (30 year fixed) yeilds a mortgage payment of around $650/month (at todays interest rates). Take advantage now! Even after introducing Taxes and Insurance to that payment and you are still under $1000/month!

If you can find a way, start owning today. Homeowners Get Rich And Renters Stay Poor.

Now is the time to buy in Naples, Florida!

The Grant Team of Naples

http://www.naplessunandsand.com/

• Naples • Bonita Beach • Bonita Springs • Estero • Marco Island • Fort Myers •

PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA WCI REALTY • 4130 TAMIAMI TRAIL N • NAPLES, FL 34103

JUST CALL OR SEND US AN EMAIL WITH YOUR INQUIRY

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Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - What the...?!

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:59:42 -0500

For those of us just hitching the ride on the website bandwagon or those that have already been in the front seat...we are hearing more and more about "making sure your website is well optimized" for search engine placement, havent we?

Hmmmm...what is all this about SEO for our websites anyway? Well, for many of us who choose the low-cost internet marketing campaigns for our businesses, SEO is the key to making sure your website shows up first or at least in the top 10 of any search engine keyword search.

As I said, this process is based on key word searching (using metadata) and is the cheapest way for your website to show up early in a keyword search of a search engine. Metadata is using keywords in your HTML code (the backend of your website) that will take hits from search engines searching out websites with those keywords.

I hope this is making sense:)

SEO is the process of improving the volume of traffic to your website from search engines like Yahoo, or Google, through what "they" call "organic" or natural search results for targeted keywords.

The Benefit: when your website shows up in the top 10 of any search engine, the more searchers will visit your site, the higher ranked your site will become and the more money you will make! haha

Now is the time to buy in Naples, Florida!

The Grant Team of Naples

http://www.naplessunandsand.com/

• Naples • Bonita Beach • Bonita Springs • Estero • Marco Island • Fort Myers •

PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA WCI REALTY • 4130 TAMIAMI TRAIL N • NAPLES, FL 34103

JUST CALL OR SEND US AN EMAIL WITH YOUR INQUIRY

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Most Recent COMP...2 years ago! How would one value a property in todays market?

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:47:37 -0500

I received a call this morning from a client who is on the fence about listing his home in todays market. (Sound familiar?)

I told him how I could help him and that I would do some research for him in additiona to providing a CMA for possible pricing. Sure, sounds easy enough doesnt it? haha.

The last sale in his community was in 2006!

Would you happen to have a scientific formula handy for situations like this that would offer some kind of price range that would price competitively in todays market? Outside of calling an appraiser? Thank you!

The Grant Team of Naples

http://www.naplessunandsand.com/

• Naples • Bonita Beach • Bonita Springs • Estero • Marco Island • Fort Myers •

PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA WCI REALTY • 4130 TAMIAMI TRAIL N • NAPLES, FL 34103

JUST CALL OR SEND US AN EMAIL WITH YOUR INQUIRY

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Please, keep on selling until the deal is done!

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:09:15 -0500

Safety Net...

Even after a buyer is found and the papers are signed, there's no guarantee that the deal will close!

The risks are with the property or the buyer's credit, loan qualification, income, or down payment. Even pre-approval is no guarantee this days. Something as small as missing a bill payment shortly before closing can completely put a stop to the loan in a heartbeat!

We should not stop marketing the home just because a purchase contract has been accepted. What I do is keep records of buyers interested in the property and continue to show the property just as if it was not under contract. This way I have a safety net in place just incase the ball is dropped.

Its just a great idea to track your leads in case the buyer's financing crashes and burns:)

FYI!...

Im not sure if you've heard, but there are new Wells Fargo Loan Limits!

The new temporary loan limit has been raised to the same as FHA $531,250.00. The only area that went to the $729,000.00 is Key West, Florida.

These limits will be in effect until 12-31-2008.

What this means is there will be three loan categories in which our clients can choose from:

(1.) The traditional Conforming loan (up to 417,000)
(2.) The newest Loan Product ($418,000 - $531,250.00)
(3.) Non-Conforming Jumbos ($531,251.00 and up)

Wells fargo will still offer a variety of products (5/1 ARM, 7/1 ARM, 10/1 ARM, 15 yr, 30 yr fixed and Interest only, etc.)

Remember this is a TEMPORY raised Limit and will only be in effect until 12-31-2008. Let your clients know, we know we have!

The Grant Team of Naples

www.NaplesSunAndSand.com

• Naples • Bonita Beach • Bonita Springs • Estero • Marco Island • Fort Myers •

PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA WCI REALTY • 4130 TAMIAMI TRAIL N • NAPLES, FL 34103

JUST CALL OR SEND US AN EMAIL WITH YOUR INQUIRY

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Average Sales Price Reduces in Mediterra, think fast!

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:44:29 -0500

Offering homes from the $600,000's to over $6 million, Mediterra is a posh, gated community of no more than 950 new homes planned. The community theme incorporates the rustic style of the Italian country, and the decor of the Mediterranean coast. Mediterra golf boasts many amenities, which include two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Tom Fazio with limited membership of 275 members per 18 holes of golf, and 25,000 sq. ft. clubhouse. The Sports Club includes a fitness center, juice bar, pro shop, and locker facilities. Outdoor activities include 10 Har-Tru tennis courts and a swimming pool with sundeck. The Lifestyle of the Beach Club will also feature a pool, dining area and changing facilities for Mediterra residents and guests. An enrichment center, lakeside amphitheater, and six parks are also on property. In addition to the world class amenities, Mediterra also offers great choices in real estate. The development features beautifully constructed villas, condos, coach homes, single-family homes, and more. All of these new homes will be constructed using different floor plans and lots giving buyers more freedom to find what they need. If you are interested in homes for sale in this development, please contact our realty office for more information.

Please see graph below to compare how Mediterra's average sales price is trending down.

NOW is the time to buy in Naples, Florida!

The Grant Team of Naples

http://naplessunandsand.com/3/W0000014969/home.htm

• Naples • Bonita Beach • Bonita Springs • Estero • Marco Island • Fort Myers •

PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA WCI REALTY • 4130 TAMIAMI TRAIL N • NAPLES, FL 34103

JUST CALL OR SEND US AN EMAIL WITH YOUR INQUIRY

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Increasing Resales at The Strand! - Naples, Florida

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:45:11 -0500

The Strand is a golf course community encompassing 575 acres located in the highly desirable North Naples area with easy access to beaches, the Naples Philharmonic, restaurants, shopping, Southwest Florida International Airport, I-75, hospitals and more.

The focal point of the community is the 27-hole championship golf course designed by Gordon Lewis. It is a triad of courses each with nine holes. The course's rolling fairways are bordered by picturesque lakes and wooded preserves. A practice aqua range and putting green complete the one-of-a-kind golf experience.

Created in world-class style, the 55,000-square-foot clubhouse invites members and their guests to relax in an elegant and comfortable atmosphere where they can experience award-winning cuisine. In addition to its grill room, the clubhouse features a pro shop, locker rooms, full banquet facilities, meeting rooms, a library, computer/multimedia room, and living room for intimate gatherings.

Varying membership levels allow residents of The Strand to choose a recreational option that fits their lifestyle. In addition to the private golf memberships, there are many other amenities to choose from including a state-of-the-art fitness center, eight lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, full-size lighted basketball court, and a junior Olympic swimming pool with poolside dining service. There is also a professional spa that offers complete spa services.

The Strand offers all this just minutes from the first-class beaches of Naples.

Here are some statistics of what has been happening at The Strand over the past year...

The number of Properties being sold in The Strand are going up! Very positive news for the North Naples market. See graphs.

Average sold price has greatly reduced in part by the massive national market correction. We wont see prices like this again. Its a great time to buy in Naples!

Expired listings are reducing at an alarming rate only to suggest that buyers are now coming out to preview and buy homes in this fine golf course community!

Check back next week for another synopsis on one of Naples highly desirable communities!

The Grant Team of Naples

http://www.naplessunandsand.com/

• Naples • Bonita Beach • Bonita Springs • Estero • Marco Island • Fort Myers •

JOE & JAMIE MUNI • PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA WCI REALTY • 4130 TAMIAMI TRAIL N • NAPLES, FL 34103

JUST CALL OR SEND US AN EMAIL WITH YOUR INQUIRY

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239.273.9571

Positive News in Naples Market!

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:38:29 -0600

Existing-Home Sales Rise in November, Market Likely Stabilizing

Existing-home sales rose slightly in November, indicating a stabilization in housing in the wake of mortgage disruptions earlier this year, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Total existing-home sales - including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops - rose 0.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.00 million units in November from an upwardly revised pace of 4.98 million in October, but are 20.0 percent below the 6.25 million-unit level in November 2006.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the market appears to be stabilizing. "Near term, existing-home sales should continue to hover in a narrow range, just as they have since September, and that's good news because it'll be a further sign that the housing market is stabilizing," he said. "Mortgage interest rates are near historic lows and the most current data shows decelerating price declines, along with a modest reduction in the number of homes on the market." Disruptions in mortgage availability and pricing peaked in August, which caused sales to slow in subsequent months.

The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $210,200 in November, down 3.3 percent from November 2006 when the median was $217,300, but there remains a downward drag on the national median as the mix of closed sales has shifted away from expensive markets.

"Just like the weather, there are large local variations in home prices," Yun said. A quarterly examination of price performance on a metropolitan basis shows nearly two-thirds of metro areas are showing price increases. Among the many metros experiencing healthy local price gains are Farmington, N.M.; Reading, Pa.; Columbia, S.C., and Fargo, N.D.

Total housing inventory declined 3.6 percent at the end of November to 4.27 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 10.3-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 10.7-month supply in October. "Inventory is still high, and further reduction in prices may be required in some areas to induce buyers back into the market," Yun said.

NAR President Richard Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif., said that Congress should expand affordable financing. "Consumers have some choices with safer conventional financing, but raising the limit on conforming loans would significantly revive home sales," he said. "This would help creditworthy buyers in hard hit regions like California and Florida by greatly increasing access to low-interest-rate mortgages. NAR, as the leading advocate for homeownership, strongly urges lawmakers to act quickly on this important measure."

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 6.21 percent in November from 6.38 percent in October; the rate was 6.24 percent in November 2006.

Single-family home sales rose 0.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.40 million in November from 4.37 million in October, but are 19.9 percent below the 5.49 million-unit pace in November 2006. The median existing single-family home price was $208,700 in November, down 3.7 percent from a year earlier.

Existing condominium and co-op sales slipped 1.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 600,000 units in November from 610,000 in October, and are 20.6 percent below the 756,000-unit level in November 2006. The median existing condo price was $221,100, down 0.7 percent from in November 2006.

The Grant Team of Naples

http://naplessunandsand.com/3/W0000014969/home.htm

• Naples • Bonita Beach • Bonita Springs • Estero • Marco Island • Fort Myers •

JOE & JAMIE MUNI • PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA WCI REALTY • 4130 TAMIAMI TRAIL N • NAPLES, FL 34103

JUST CALL OR SEND US AN EMAIL WITH YOUR INQUIRY

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Source: The National Association of Realtors®

Tax Tips: Make your home work for you

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:38:03 -0600

Tax Tips: Make your home work for you

Few people look forward to the beginning of tax season. However, like it or not, we are faced with it every year. When you next meet with your tax advisor, be sure to ask about the tax benefits of home ownership.

There are numerous federal and state tax policies and programs designed to encourage homeownership by providing tax relief. For full details on these programs you will want to speak with a tax advisor; however I have included some ideas in order to get you asking the right questions.

Sellers - The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 allows couples who sell their home to keep up to $500,000 in profits tax-free and let's single filers keep up to $250,000. In order to qualify for this break the home must have been the filer's primary residence for two of the past five years.

Buyers and Sellers - If you meet certain qualifications you could deduct direct moving costs from your income tax. In order to be eligible you must have changed job locations and your new job site to be at least 50 miles further from your old home than was your old job location. Also, you must have worked full time for at least 39 weeks of the 52 weeks after the move.

For more information on how your home can save you money you should speak to your accountant or let me know and I will point you to a source for more information.

Source: Prudential eNewsletter

The Grant Team of Naples

www.NaplesSunAndSand.com

• Naples • Bonita Beach • Bonita Springs • Estero • Marco Island • Fort Myers •

JOE & JAMIE MUNI • PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA WCI REALTY • 4130 TAMIAMI TRAIL N • NAPLES, FL 34103

JUST CALL OR SEND US AN EMAIL WITH YOUR INQUIRY

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How do we view Designations?

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:12:40 -0600

Just a quick question for all of you...

For someone trying to stand out above the rest, and looking into continuing education that benefits more than just the continuing education requirements, are Designations worth it?

Ive spoken to several of my peers and get mixed views on the achievement of Designations...some say its a waste of money while others say its a wonderful way to prove your credibility etc...

What do you think?

Thanks!

The Grant Team of Naples

• Naples • Bonita Beach • Bonita Springs • Estero • Marco Island • Fort Myers •

JOE & JAMIE MUNI • PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA WCI REALTY • 4130 TAMIAMI TRAIL N • NAPLES, FL 34103

JUST CALL OR SEND US AN EMAIL WITH YOUR INQUIRY

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Ahhh...Naples, Florida!

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:26:36 -0600

I used to live in Rochester, New York...beautiful Summers...COLD Winters...eewww.

I used to live in Columbus, Ohio...GO BUCKEYES!

I used to live in Scottsdale, Arizona...great Golf....but HOT HOT HOT!

I now live in Naples!

Ahhh...Naples, Florida tops them all!

Reason?! Naples offers breathtaking sunsets and white sand beaches while being home to some of the most luxurious waterfront estates and condos in the world. You cant find this in the other three cities Ive lived in...haha!

For those of you wondering where to relocate or land that second home...Naples is the place! You will find the best discounts on golf communities, waterfront property and pretty much anything you are looking for.

Sun, Golf and Beach...now thats what Im talking about!

The Grant Team of Naples

NaplesSunandSand.com

• Naples • Bonita Beach • Bonita Springs • Estero • Marco Island • Fort Myers •

JOE & JAMIE MUNI • PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA WCI REALTY • 4130 TAMIAMI TRAIL N • NAPLES, FL 34103

JUST CALL OR SEND US AN EMAIL WITH YOUR INQUIRY

Featured Properties | Property Search | About Us | Contact Us

4 Great Business Tips That Work!

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:23:01 -0600

Here are a few business tips for you that have helped The Grant Team succeed in a tough market!

1. If you are new to Naples, take the Naples Trolly Tour! This allows you to really see what Naples is all about. The knowledge allows you to sell the community and the Naples lifestyle by understanding more about its history and culture. Its always helpful when taking your buyers around town if you can talk the talk!

2. Open-houses - we all know that open-houses are a way to passively market yourself. Although, if you decided to work them, its very important that you prepare! We call people that live in the community and inform them that we are holding an open house. Inviting neighbors to come 30 minutes early before the public arrives makes them feel special. Know about the neighborhood!

3. Showing homes to prospective Buyers - mark up a community map and review it with them before you begin showing them homes. After the showings, give them the map for them to look at in the future. Buy peel-n-stick business cards and stick one to each map you leave with your prospective buyers!

4. Dont show the house if YOU wouldnt buy it! We dont want our clients to spend money on junk, only show the homes that you would buy. This creates trust between you and your client. Also, we always let them know in the beginning that if they do not like the way a community looks before we reach the home, tell us! We can turn around!

I hope these tips work for you, they have for us:)

Any more ideas?

The Grant Team of Naples

Have you ever been to Tiburon of Naples and its Merrill Lynch Shootout?

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 20:15:43 -0600

Wow. You need to go! Just a quick bit about Naples...

Ahhh, Naples. Naples is the crown jewel of Southwest Florida...located on the sun drenched shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Its known for its incomparable shopping, the finest cuisine, and an unending supply of the world's most challenging golf courses. We are only steps away from the splendor of the "River of Grass" better known as the Everglades. Boasting some of the nation's best sand and calmest seas, Naples makes a splash with water lovers and recreationists. You will also find some of the most amazing communities in Naples! From The Strand to Tiburon!

Do you like PGA golf? Yearly golf tournaments are held in Naples that draw the biggest names in the PGA! The Merrill Lynch Shootout is this weekend at Tiburon, The Ritz Carlton, Naples. I have to say I went to it today for the first time! It was fantastic. Im used to the FBR Open (formerly The Phoenix Open) where crowds can top 150,000 in ONE day! The Shootout here in Naples drew maybe 10,000 today which made it so much more intimate. You can follow the pro's and stay within 10 feet of them at all times! Played on the Greg Norman / Pete Dye course, The Gold Course, you wont find rough anywhere! What you'll see is water hazards, sand-traps, preserve or fairway. Bermuda-grass everywhere approaching table top greens. Awesome.

Tiburon Naples also offers an arraw of extravagant single-family, golf villas and condos. You should definitely check it out if you are one to enjoy The Ritz lifestyle, surrounded by golf and beaches! Ahhh, Naples.

Negative people are like lint on clothes...you need to brush them off!

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:24:14 -0600

This evening, my wife and I went to a cocktail party to rub elbows with Naples best, and of course, most of the comments I heard went like this... "The market is crashing!, or "People are moving out of SW Florida!", or "The mortgage crisis has caused this over inventory..." on and on. lol

Come on people:)

This is all funny to me...

I read the news paper every morning and run market reports on the MLS...

...all I see is how homes are STILL being bought and sold EVERYDAY. Yes, the market has slowed, but there are agents out there that havent swayed from their target gross closed income! Amen to that.

Im tellin ya...I see it...I hear it...I live it!

If the proper business systems are in place, it doesnt matter what the market is doing. Keep on pressing those systems and you will be amazed at how you begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Justifying Our Commission!

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 10:15:45 -0600

I was on a news website this morning which had a few Real Estate articles attached to it discussing our current market condition, as well as breifly touching on Realtor commissions.

If you are a user on this particular site, you are able to comment on how you felt about the article or its contents.

A few of the users made very negative comments in regard to the percentage of commisson that a Realtor commands, and even mentioned that we Realtors should be paid a meager salary, instead of an average 5-6% commission!

One user said that we should not be paid that amount "just to list the property on the MLS". Each user seemed extremely annoyed and angry at Realtors in general:(

It seems to me that many of these buyers and sellers are very confused as to what we are being paid for and why we command the commissions we do...

Let me just clear a few things up for those individuals:)

1. Realtors have details of proprety transfer, which most buyers and sellers do not.

2. Realtors have knowledge of current market conditions, which most buyers and sellers do not.

3. Realtors have knowledge on how to market Real Estate, which most buyers and sellers do not.

4. Realtors have knowledge of how to analyze buyers and sellers needs.

5. Realtors are knowledgable of laws that pertain to Real Estate, which most buyers and sellers do not.

All of these things PROTECT the principal and their interests in each transaction!

How many FSBO's do we know of that ran into major issues in their transaction because they didnt have the knowledge or access to this kind of information?!

If I was not in Real Estate, I would use the services of a Realtor thats for sure....and you can take that to the bank! lol

Why all the buyer traffic and no offers?!

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:59:21 -0500

Its funny because I have read several books on selling property and all they talk about is curb appeal and interior staging and leaving it aesthetically appealing...on and on and...

I've had a condo on the market for 30+ days now, and its getting all the traffic in the world...but NO offers!

Its even "priced below market value".....eeeeek! Any ideas?