tallahassee real estate: The Tallahassee Realtor says, "Phone Guru to write for the TBR!"
- 03/04/10 12:23 AM
Smart Phone guru Dick Betts, annouced at training Wednesday, March 4, 2010 that he has accepted an offer from the Tallahassee Board of Realtors (TBR)Executive Director Steven Louchheim to author an article each month on technology tips for the TBR magazine. Betts is a well known national speaker on real estate issues with particular expertise in Search Engine Optimization, Smart and Super Phones, Website administration and social media. Betts has spoken at the TBR for several years, has been a featured speaker for the Florida Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtor and international Realtor groups. The Tallahassee Board of … (0 comments)
tallahassee real estate: The Tallahassee Realtor says, "Whew!"
- 02/25/10 05:00 AM
The Associated Press's Tim Paradis reported today that Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke told Congress that interest rates are likely to remain low for the near future. Bernanke said, "The economy still requires support for recovery."Many investors see these low rates as a boost to a recovery of employment and business.This news also softened the impact of a report that housing sales hit a new low in January.As you have read here, my greatest fear is of a return to 1970's interest rates and rampant inflation. So, for at least now, there is a sign of relief. Hopefully, this will be the … (2 comments)
tallahassee real estate: The Tallahassee Realtor says, "Get ready for the 1970's, Part Deaux"
- 02/23/10 07:33 AM
It was widely reported that last Thursday, the Federal Reserve raised the Discount Rate (the interest rate charged to member banks when they borrow from the Fed) from 0.50% to 0.75%. All members of the Federal Reserve banking system (12) supported the decision. In its decision, the Fed cited "continued improvement in financial market conditions," but warned Wall Street that the increase was "not expected to lead to tighter financial conditions for households and businesses and do not signal any change in the outlook for the economy or for monetary policy." Do you believe them? As anyone who lived during the 1970's … (1 comments)
tallahassee real estate: The Tallahassee Realtor says, "Recognize RESPA"
- 02/11/10 03:42 PM
If you haven't heard about RESPA, the Real Estate Settlement Act, and if you are a buyer or seller of real estate, here is what I believe is most important for you to understand: YOU CAN NOT CONTROL THE EFFECTS OF RESPA! What do I mean? For most people the only thing they will learn about RESPA is that because of it, certain things happening will mean that the closing date will become a moving target. Is this difficult? Sometimes. Will it kill transactions? Not most. Will it be aggravating to everyone involved? Absolutely. There is no real reason for most … (0 comments)
tallahassee real estate: The Tallahassee Realtor says, "Don't Miss out, Part II"
- 02/08/10 12:26 PM
For the second opportunity at the First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit, time is really running out! If you have been thinking about utilizing the $8,000 tax credit and have heard it might be extended, don't be fooled. Hopefully you have heard about the"one in hand?" There may or may not be a renewal, but one thing is certain...YOU NEED A PLACE TO LIVE! You may have only a month to make it happen, don't wait until April. Negotiating the price, appraisals and financing are all taking longer than in the recent past. Do not drag your feet! It is like kicking a field goal on third … (0 comments)
tallahassee real estate: The Tallahassee Realtor says, "Piney Z residents should attend the CDD meeting.'
- 11/05/09 09:57 AM
The next meeting of Tallahassee's Piney Z Community Development District is this coming Monday at 6 p.m. All residents are invited to attend. The Piney Z Community Development District is an actual taxing body with responsibility to payoff the bonds originally issued to start the neighborhood and to maintain the community amenities. Piney Z has a community pool, fitness center, playground and several common areas. Taking care of these items and more is the responsibility of the CDD board. The Piney Z neighborhood in Tallahassee has over 700 residences with three blocks of duplex townhouses and the balance in single family residences. Piney … (0 comments)
We can clearly see that new construction sales continue to lag previous years' sales. The Tallahassee real estate market still has a good sized inventory of new construction homes to choose from at prices per square foot half of what was being sold in 2005-6. It may be second quarter 2010 before we see numbers exceeding the previous year.
As mentioned, resales continue to exceed … (0 comments)
tallahassee real estate: The Tallahassee Realtor says, "Don't gamble with your future!"
- 10/22/09 03:25 PM
Time is really running out! If you have been thinking about utilizing the $8,000 tax credit and have heard it might be extended, don't be fooled. Hopefully you have heard about the"one in hand?" There may or may not be a renewal, but one thing is certain...YOU NEED A PLACE TO LIVE! It will be difficult, but if you ask thisTallahasse Realtor you need to get your new home under contract this weekend. Closing time frames have only increased and it will not be easy to close before November 30th, but there is still time if you act today. Remind yourself of these truths... -I do not … (2 comments)
tallahassee real estate: The Tallahassee Realtor says, "Know the new Contract for Sale and Purchase!"
- 10/20/09 10:35 AM
The Tallahassee Board of Realtors (TBR) has just made several changes to the standard real estate contracts approved by the board for use in the Tallahassee area. Many of the changes can best be described as house keeping, but several significant changes have occurred. First, the old contract allowed 10 day periods for items like finalizing financing, home inspections, wood destroying organism (WDO) inspections etc. These have all changed to 15 days. This is terrific for home buyers and a little disconcerting for home sellers. At this time, for all practical matters, when a contract moves to a status of contingent it … (0 comments)
tallahassee real estate: Crawfordville Cutie! Convenient to Tallahassee and the coast
- 10/10/09 08:18 AM
This home, 39 Bridlegate in Crawfordville, Florida is a wonderful place, convenient to both Tallahassee and the coast! It features three bedrooms, two baths, lovely interior all on a very large lot. There is plenty of room for a pool. Situated in the desirable Bridle Gate subdivision, this home has what you are looking for. This home has been loved by it's former family and misses the sounds of children playing inside or enjoying the wonderful playset in the backyard. Don't leave this home alone for the holidays! There is still time to take advantage of the $8,000 First Time Home Buyers … (0 comments)
tallahassee real estate: Tallahassee Realtor Tips-Rates are improving!
- 10/07/09 07:39 AM
Don't you love it when there is good news? Look at what the Mortgage Banker's Association reported today: Mortgage applications increased last week as mortgage rates declined for the third straight week. The Mortgage Bankers Association weekly index rose 16.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis compared to the previous week. And was up 38.4 percent compared to the same week last year.The unadjusted purchase index increased 12.9 percent compared to the previous week and was 2.2 percent lower than it was a year ago.The refinance index increased 18.2 percent and was at its highest level since mid-May.Thirty- and 15-year mortgage … (0 comments)
tallahassee real estate: Tips from a Tallahassee Realtor-Don't forget to obtain your homestead exemption!
- 10/02/09 08:46 AM
Homestead exemption. It is one of the things mentioned at every closing table here in Tallahassee and probably at nearly every closing table in the country. It is also one of those things that people forget to take care of causing them to pay higher taxes than necessary year in and year out. Most, if not all counties, like Leon County here in north Florida, which includes Tallahassee, provide some tax relief to all residential properties that are occupied by the owner or homesteaded. The homestead concept is on of the oldest concepts in privately owned real estate. Homeowners learn on … (1 comments)
Maintaining gutters is not difficult, but too often ignored. We can face the facts, cleaning gutters is not high on the fun task list. Not too sexy. It is, however, important to your home. One of the first things to do is to remove all debris that can slow the ability of water to drain effectively from the roof. Trapped water can be destructive not only to the gutters themselves but to the adjoining roof as well. Remember, water is a corrosive-think … (1 comments)
tallahassee real estate: Tuesdays at the Tallahassee Board of Realtors (TBR)
- 06/27/09 08:30 AM
Tuesday at the TBR is fun and informative meeting each week where some of the top Realtors in the market get together to promote their listings and their client needs. The meetings are sponsored by various entities, some from affiliated businesses like banks, law firms or title companies. Each week we also have a moderator, and on 6.8.09 the moderator was Lucretia Thomas of Thomas Acquisition and Property Specialists, Inc. I lived in southwest Missouri for over 20 years and up that way, they would say Lucretia is a hoot! She is very animated, humorous and does not suffer fools lightly. … (1 comments)
Sales continue to lag previous years and you can see how we are down. Sales are occurring, but still substantially below historical rates. Re-sales, which are non-new construction housing, are continuing the 4 year decline in volume. Pricing does seem to be stabilizing but, the market is still fragile and price sensitive. There are reports of bottlenecks forming in the local mortgage market as underwriting loans becomes more and more difficult. Loans are receiving a stringent review causing closing times to increase. Historically, closings … (0 comments)
tallahassee real estate: Tuesdays at the Tallahassee Board of Realtors (TBR)
- 06/22/09 03:12 PM
Every Tuesday, at the Tallahassee Board of Realtor's building there is a marketing meeting. Different Realtors lead the meeting, there are different featured speakers, but most importantly it is a about Realtors sharing with Realtors about their listings and needs of the buyers they are working with. Recently, Jay Ralstin, (pictured below) Sales Manager of Wells Fargo Mortgage here in Tally applied his best Kung foo to rates in the Tallahassee area.
Well that isn't really true. He did, however, speak to those attending the TBR marketing meeting about what trends we are seeing with mortgages. This is the kind … (0 comments)
tallahassee real estate: Piney Z a neighborhood in Tallahassee you should know
- 05/23/09 12:43 PM
If you are interested in relocating to Tallahassee, one of my favorite neighborhoods is Piney Z Plantation. Located with strategically easy access to downtown via the Apalachee Parkway, Piney Z is a neighborhood not on everyone's radar when the look at Tallahassee, but it should. The neighborhood has only 3 entry points, a community pool, lodge, fitness center, city park, lake and eagle habitat. The housing is mixed with one section of duplex town homes, smaller single family residences to larger homes approaching 3,000 square feet. Piney Z is a real community with a spring and fall community yard sale, … (1 comments)
tallahassee real estate: Have A Wonderful Memorial Day Weekend, but Please Remember to Remember
- 05/21/09 07:25 AM
Historically more paint is sold this weekend than any other time of the year. Many Realtors will be quite busy showing homes and writing contracts. Others take the time to relax. Most importantly all us should remember what the weekend is really about-and it is not to kick off the summer season. For some ideas of what to do this weekend you might want to check out Memorial Day. Org where they remind us how to properly observe this day. Among the thoughts there are some things we all could do: by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of … (2 comments)
tallahassee real estate: Wow! Tax Credit Announcement is Outstanding!!
- 05/12/09 10:12 AM
Daily Real Estate News | May 12, 2009 | Tax Credit Can Be Used for Down Payment Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on Tuesday said that the Federal Housing Administration is going to permit its lenders to allow home buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit as a down payment.Previously, most buyers wouldn't receive the funds until after they filed their tax return, and that deterred some people from using the credit. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® has been calling for the change. "We all want to enable FHA consumers to access the home buyer tax … (1 comments)
Smart Phone guru Dick Betts, annouced at training Wednesday, March 4, 2010 that he has accepted an offer from the Tallahassee Board of Realtors (TBR)Executive Director Steven Louchheim to author an article each month on technology tips for the TBR magazine.
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