florida: Halloween Story For You
- 10/24/07 07:48 AM
I love Halloween. It's one of my favorite times of the year. Yes, we have a "pimped pumpkin" this year (my husband's idea). Anyway, I came across a great ghost story I thought I would share . . .
The Minnesota Ghost
This is too good not to read, especially if you thought ghosts didn't exist! This happened about a month ago just outside of Willmar, a little town in the back country of Minnesota, and while it sounds like an Alfred Hitchcock tale, it's real. This out of state traveler was on the side of the road, hitchhiking … (2 comments)
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florida: "Buyers Market", "Sellers Market": Does it Matter?
- 10/24/07 07:21 AM
We hear those phrases all the time. To be honest it really doesn't matter. Why would I say what seems to be such an unheard of thing? Simple, you have to look at the facts for both sides to determine the best decisions for yourself and not what someone wants to "label" things. Here's what I mean from both sides with the facts:
Sellers - Higher than normal inventories. This means you have a lot of competition to sell to a limited amount of buyers. Pricing, advertising, marketing, and openness to offers is extremely important if you truly want to sell. In … (3 comments)
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florida: The Crooked Picture: How Important Are Photos & How To Fix Them?
- 10/08/07 04:51 AM
There have been a lot of posts in regards to property photos. Some even post photos are are considered "bad" whether they be crooked, dark, people sleeping, closeups of closed doors, and the list goes on. But how important are photos when it somes to advertising a property? VERY!! Consumer surveys show that almost 90% of buyers are using the intenret first to shop, and next reasonable questions are why and what are they geting there they can't get elsewhere? The answers are simple, consumers are telling us that the internet and propertty listing websites allow them to get more detailed information and … (11 comments)
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florida: Pricing "Right"
- 09/30/07 02:56 AM
I have been reading in blogs, news reports, and professional circles about the problem "pricing right" (no, not the direction). Pricing is the first stage in all of putting a property up for sale. You obviously can not even proceed without a listing price, and it will "set the stage" for what will take place over the future of that house on the market. So, just tell me the price! The problem is that it is not an exact science and there are many factors impacting the pricing of properties today which make this a very challenging and tedious process that … (9 comments)
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florida: Google: Great Tools to Enhance Your Website
- 09/25/07 06:34 AM
Everyone knows Google for it's search capabilities. In fact, most people don't "search" anymore they . . . "Google it". Google also has added several incredible tools over the last few years which are great tie-in's for your website.
Google Maps - This is one of the greatest internet technologies in my opinion. You caneasily create a custom map for your area highlighting not only the location of key destinations (i.e. schools, government buildings, atrractions, YOUR OFFICE, etc.), you can provide all of the information for that place.Google's Picasa Web Albums - This allows you to upload a photo album for … (1 comments)
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florida: Buyer Advice: Make An Offer
- 09/24/07 02:15 AM
In working with buyers, there is often times a hesitation when it comes to price. We hear things like, "I like it, but I'm not sure about the price." My response is always the same, "Well, what would you like to offer?" This is the part that can become uncomfortable for some, because negotiation for many is "uncharted territory" and there is a natural "fear" that can creep up on the person. Here's some tips to keep in mind:
Offers are a good thing and "open the door" door to discussion. Discussion is what negotiation is all about. Remember, it is the … (7 comments)
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florida: Palm Trees, the Ocean, Golf, and . . . Elvis Too!!!!!
- 09/22/07 02:08 AM
Friends and family that talk to us since we moved here always ask the same thing, "So what's so great about living in Palm Coast, FL." It's an easy answer . . . it's filled treasures galore for everyone! Nearby beaches, palm trees, parks, activities galore, friendly people, and even . . . Elvis! Randy Elvis (www.randyelvis.net) is a local entertainer that has grown famous in the area. Not only does he show up at weddings, family events, and business events . . . you can find him at local clubs and hotpsots such as the European Village. A bowling … (1 comments)
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florida: Palm Coast YTD Residential Overview
- 09/21/07 03:17 AM
The residential house market in Palm Coast through August of 2007:
# Current Active Lisitings: Approximately 1,960
Listing Activity: 293 properties were listed in August (14 "2 or less bedrooms", 178 "3 bedrooms", & 101 "4+bedrooms"). The total # listed for the year is 2,811 which 20% lower than last year at this time. The "3 Bedroom" category is the leads Residential House sale listings at 63% followed by "4+ bedrooms" making up 33%.
Sales Activity: 83 Residential properties sold in August bring the monthly average of "solds" to 103/month with a yearly avaerage of 126 days on the market. "3 bedrooms" continues … (0 comments)
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florida: Real Estate Through Your Eyes . . . the Customer
- 09/20/07 03:30 AM
Real Estate can be very confusing these days with negative press, professionals publicly communicating what they "won't do", and confused and misinterpreted information being sent out. Here's some helpful hints to "muddle" through it all:
The Media - Unfortunately (as many in the media indutry will tell you), "negative sells papers". Take the media with "a grain of salt". The latest in reagrds to this is the mortgage industry and lending. The bottom-line is that when it comes to borrowing, we have to be careful and know all the terms. Secondly, it is easy to think we can cut here and there … (0 comments)
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florida: What Do You Get When You Hire Me?
- 09/19/07 03:46 AM
Home owners often think that they are simply calling me to "sell their home". In all honesty you are really calling to HIRE me to provide full-service for your Real Estate needs. That means a couple of things:
To be your guide within what can appear to be the "wacky world" of Real EstateTo provide an analysis of the market and provide you with the most effective listing priceTo provide the most effective marketing strategies and execute them, and be open to your suggestions as well.To provide you with updates and feedback from prospective buyersTo present offers with you and discuss them with … (0 comments)
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florida: Preparing To Sell: Don't Be Too Hard On Yourself
- 09/19/07 01:55 AM
(Video is from HGTV and www.LowesMoving.com)
We see great shows like the one above from stations like HGTV and read article after article concerning "staging" your house for sale and I these resources offer great advice. But not every house is going to look "magazine" perfect all the time, and that is ok. I find often times that the owner is actually harder on themselves than any of those "hidden camera walkthrough" shows you see on TV. For example, I had a meeting with an owner the other day and will admit I was expecting things a bit different due to the age of the home. The landscaping … (1 comments)
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florida: The Good Ol' Days?
- 09/16/07 10:39 AM
Along with constant "bad press", a local newspaper today published an article comparing Real Estate to 50 years ago. Click Here for the article. Many would think wouldn't it be nice to go back to then when housing prices were so much cheaper? Well, the question is . . . were they really all that much cheaperr? Let's take a look back just 20 years . . .
Interest Rates over the last 20 years
So let's compare 20 years ago to today with affordability . . .
20 years ago a loan at $150,000 at an interest rate of 12% would cost $1543/month … (0 comments)
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florida: Remembering the Victims of 9/11/2001 & Their Families
- 09/10/07 03:44 AM
Remembering The Victims ofSeptember 11, 2001& Their Familes Music & tributes can be found athttp://www.jontzen.com/tribute.htm
… (2 comments)
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florida: Neighborhood Watch: Protecting Yourself Online
- 09/09/07 02:21 AM
The internet is obviously becoming more and more a part of everyday life. Website addresses are becoming just as important as physical street addresses. Email as important as a phone number. There is no doubt that the technology has added many convenient benefits in regards to communication, storage, services, so forth and so on. The one thing we tend to forget is that computers and the internet are an extension of the things we normally do (i.e. visit a bank website rather than the teller, send an email with pictures rather than mail through the post office, etc.). Therefore, computers are … (4 comments)
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florida: Palm Coast Plantation Market Report September 5, 2007
- 09/05/07 04:44 AM
Current Active Residential Properties for Sale: 14Average List Price: $780,148Lowest List Price: $375,000Highest List Price: $1,149,990
Current Active Residential Vacant Homesites for Sale: 115Average List Price: $242,703Lowest List Price: $115,000Highest List Price: $529,900
Year-to-Date Resdential Home Sales: 2Average Number of Days on the Market: 170Average Sales Price: $562,500Lowest Sales Price: $500,000Highest Sales Price: $625,000
Year-to-Date Resdential Vacant Homesite Sales: 8Average Number of Days on the Market: 186Average Sales Price: $228,875Lowest Sales Price: $120,000Highest Sales Price: $379,000
August saw no sales for Palm Coast Plantation.
An overall Palm Coast Market Report can be found on my website at http://www.kathywestrealtor.com/Local_Real_Estate_Report/page_1740413.html
Disclaimer: All information provided is taken from the Flagler County Association of … (0 comments)
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florida: Matanzas Woods Market Report - September 5, 2007
- 09/05/07 04:31 AM
Current Active Residential Houses for Sale: 71Average List Price: $253,883Lowest List Price: $147,000Highest List Price: $469,000
Current Active Residential Vacant Homesites for Sale: 103Average List Price: $85,779Lowest List Price: $32,900Highest List Price: $219,000
Year-to-Date Resdential Home Sales: 21Average Number of Days on the Market: 130Average Sales Price: $214,480Lowest Sales Price: $165,000Highest Sales Price: $355,000
August 2007 Residential Home Sales: 4Average Number of Days on the Market: 56Average Sales Price: $203,725Lowest Sales Price: $168,000Highest Sales Price: $220,000
An overall Palm Coast Market Report can be found on my website at http://www.kathywestrealtor.com/Local_Real_Estate_Report/page_1740413.html
Disclaimer: All information provided is taken from the Flagler County Association of Realtors MLS system as of 9/5/2007. The information … (0 comments)
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florida: Florida Tax Relief Options
- 08/28/07 12:11 AM
On January 29th, 2008 Florida voters will have the opportunity to vote on a Homestead Exemption amendment which would provide them with a one-time option. Here's is the description from the Flagler County Property Appraiser's site.
If the amendment passes, all property owners who have a homestead exemption as of January 1, 2008 must choose to do one of the following:
a) Keep their existing homestead exemption and their current Save Our Homes cap.The homestead amount is $25,000 and the cap limits any annual assessed value increases on that homestead to the lesser of 3 percent or the change in the Consumer Price … (4 comments)
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florida: FSBO Sellers: Are You Aware?
- 08/27/07 08:14 AM
I was checking a For Sale By Owner website today, and I am not sure that sellers are truly aware of the respresentation they are getting. Nor are they really being made aware of how the internet works in regards to advertising listings. So let me take you a through things:
A rule of success on the web is "Don't close your site to the visitor". Ever wonder why most of the time when you click on something it either opens a new window? It's because the original site window stays up in the background. On the site I visited, there is … (4 comments)
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florida: Know Your Town Government
- 08/16/07 12:53 AM
Most of us spend time viewing News and possibly speaking out on a national and global scale. But how about the news occurring in your own backyard . . . your town? It's important to remeber that you have a voice in your town in terms of elections, voicing your thoughts, getting involved, etc. I will admit that I forget to do the same thing myself at times. But the truth is that your opinions do count.
In Palm Coast, we are fortunate to have vey convenient access to public records right from our own homes via the City's website. Many towns … (3 comments)
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florida: Back To School: "Read Dogs"
- 08/13/07 04:39 AM
It's that time of year again for Florida Students, and very soon for other parts of the country! As a parent I know we all can have a difficult time encouraging our children to read. My husband, who is in the book business, shared an approach that was shared with him called Reading Education Assistance Dogs developed by Intermountain Therapy Animals. The concept is simple, children read to dogs. Reading out loud is start in helping to develop reading skills. The difficult part is the intimidation that children will naturally feel. Reading to a dog eliminates that and also makes reading very fun since … (2 comments)
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I love Halloween. It's one of my favorite times of the year. Yes, we have a "pimped pumpkin" this year (my husband's idea). Anyway, I came across a great ghost story I thought I would share . . . 
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