florida: Time to Get Off the Fence in Lehigh Acres, Florida?
- 07/27/11 08:46 AM
Per Trulia the average price per sq ft of homes sold in Lehigh Acres, Florida went up 5.26% from the prior quarter. Moreover of the 180 homes sold in the last 60 days, the average listing price went up .26%. Lehigh Acres, Florida, long the poster child of the down turn in the housing market is showing signs of life. Buyers and investors waiting for the next bottom to fall out, may find themselves missing an opportunity to score a home in this quiet SW Florida community while the stars are aligned. Mortgage rates are still low, something that cannot be … (3 comments)
florida: He Who Hesitates...
- 07/25/11 10:05 AM
Ted C. Jones said it in his blog post on April 2, 2009 and it still applies today: Postponing a Home Purchase Waiting for Home Values to Decline Further May Price You Out of the Market Primary residence buyers, Florida vacation home buyers and real estate investors alike are on the fence about property purchasing, assuming that the market has not hit bottom and the prices will continue to go down. It is the prospect of further price erosion and the need for a "deal" that keeps many on the sidelines instead of entering home ownership, in spite of the fact that the … (3 comments)
florida: Simple improvements pay high dividends.
- 07/23/11 06:52 AM
When purchasing investment properties we look at the homes that require minimal cash outlay to update and make move in ready for renters. Some of the same practices can apply to sellers getting their homes tip top shape for the market. 1. Curb appeal: It takes little or no cost to ensure that hedges are trimmed, and the property is weeded. Make sure your renter/buyer's first impression is a positive one. A simple addition of inexpensive flowers in the flower bed or in pots (you can take those with you), will add to the initial warmth and appeal. Try flowers that … (2 comments)
florida: How to avoid Flip Flops!
- 07/23/11 06:07 AM
There is hardly anyone in the real estate business today that doesn't recall the "flipping" heyday of the pre-market collapse. You could hardly turn the television on without flipping through the channels (pun intended) and running across shows like "Flip This House" on TLC. I used to love to watch the shows myself. My now husband and I are avid DYIers and imagined investing in and flipping homes as part of our semi-retirement plan. Investors who purchase property, fix it up and resale it for a profit are not gone. Well...not all of them are gone. Many investors are still alive … (6 comments)
florida: Accurate Representation or Shot in the Dark
- 07/22/11 08:54 AM
Recently I was speaking with a client. I had sent him a photo and listing of a home for sale in Lehigh Acres, Florida that I thought was an excellent value at the asking price. It was a very large, new, pool home, on the golf course, with granite everything, fireplace, screened pool/lanai...all for the very reasonable asking price of $169,000, a steal compared to what the house last sold for. The email response later after he did a little research was "Zillow says the house should list for X". I have no idea what X was, nor did I bother to check … (2 comments)
florida: The Difference between Lease/Option and Lease/Purchase
- 07/20/11 04:40 AM
Upon reading a recent blog, I realized there is some misinformation and misunderstanding about the difference between the Lease/Option and Lease/Purchase agreements. In today's market Sellers are using creative terms to increase their pool of buyers, in an attempt to secure a higher purchase price. Lease Purchases are becoming increasing popular as an alternative to Seller Financing. Many buyers are re-entering the Florida housing market after having had a short-sale or foreclosure because of the upside down market. Many of these buyers are capable of paying a substantial down payment, and paying their monthly mortgage..the only hold up is that … (2 comments)
florida: Can't Get a Loan, Seller Financing May be The Answer.
- 07/19/11 06:17 AM
Many potential buyers find that their poor credit rating is keeping them from home ownership with banks unwilling to take on new risky loans. Some buyers have money for a significant down payment, have the wherewith all to pay their monthly housing payments, but cannot get a bank financed mortgage due to a previous short-sale, foreclosure, or bankruptcy. Seller Financing may be the answer to these hopeful homeowner's dreams. Seller financing has its advantages for sellers, though it is not without it's risks: 1. Sellers can get a large influx of cash via a significant down payment. 2. Sellers … (6 comments)
I Ran across this simple worksheet in a blog by Dan Green, Loan Officer with Waterstone Mortgage and author of the blog, The Mortgage Reports recently and found it to be useful in helping clients understand how much home they can afford. If you can count on anything, you can count on housing payments. Month after month your payment is due...no matter what. Regardless of what other emergencies happen, know that you will need to make your monthly house payment come rain or shine. It's important, then, to think of your house payment in terms of monthly obligations. What … (3 comments)
florida: Delayed Closings Help Buyers Needing More Time
- 07/18/11 03:50 AM
Our Delayed Closing Program helps buyers who need more time, due to minor credit issues. Buyers in the Lee County Florida areas of Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres can and do get to live the dream of home ownership even if they have suffered a recent short sale, foreclosure or bankruptcy. Our program allows buyers to move into, and live in the home as home owners while they work on repairing their credit in time for closing. Our program is simple. We write an offer with a delayed closing of 6 months to a year. At the same time … (2 comments)
florida: Understanding How Realtors Get Paid
- 07/07/11 07:51 AM
Buyers need a quick reminder on how and when realtors get paid. I recently closed on an investment property here in Lehigh Acres, Florida, which has many terrific real estate deals as does the rest of SW Florida, for cash buyers looking to invest. My husband was at the property doing a bit of powerwashing when a woman drove up to speak with him about the house. She had been told the house was for sale and was interested in purchasing it..right there..on the spot. He told her it was not for sale, but if she was looking for a home … (9 comments)
florida: Recently Reduced!
- 07/07/11 07:02 AM
This investor's opportunity in the sunny SW Florida town of Lehigh Acres has just been reduced to $59,000. Currently rented at $750/mo with a lease through 2/12, this property will provide signiicant return for the cash investor. Per the seller, the property has potential to go commercial in the future.
florida: Using IRAs to fund Real Estate Investment
- 06/22/11 02:29 AM
A terrific opportunity for investors is to use their IRA to fund the purchase of real estate investment properties or to leverage the funding for said purchase. While traditional IRA investments can yield high returns they are left to the ups and downs of the stock market, which we know in recent times has been volatile and with the economic outlook the way it is globally, the market is even more uncertain. The way the Self Directed IRA for Real Estate works is that the investor transfers his/her account to an IRA management company like Entrust who holds the funds on the investor's … (3 comments)
florida: Rental Market Demand Increases
- 06/20/11 07:30 AM
The downturn in the economy and real estate market is turning many former homeowners into renters. Adult children are finding themselves moving in with parents, the elderly moving in with their kids, and multiple families moving together to offset housing costs. This is happening in many places, but Florida and Lee County Florida are among the areas experiencing these trends. Economists at the National Association of Real Estate Editors feel that these market trends could affect the real estate market for years. They also agreed that the market has not hit bottom, and is still on it's way down. All things … (2 comments)
florida: Foreclosures continue to be an opportunity for buyers in SW Florida.
- 06/19/11 11:41 AM
Foreclosures in SW Florida continue to be a buyer's opportunity. Buyers can save thousands in the purchase of distressed properties. A recent study revealed that foreclosure properties sell an average of 27% less than other similar properties on the market. Owner/Occupants and real estate investors are taking advantage of this opportunity by gaining access to foreclosure lists before they hit the market. Our team of licensed Florida professionals specializes in selling houses that represent a significant cost savings to our buyers in the Lee County areas of Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres. For a list of foreclosed properties available visit … (0 comments)
florida: Dog Beach in Bonita Springs
- 06/14/11 11:14 AM
A client of mine recently commented that she didn't understand Florida laws that didn't allow dogs on beaches. Lee County Florida has accomodated dog owners by opening one area of beach to dogs off leash locally known as Dog Beach
Dog Beach also known as the Lee Country Off-Leash Dog Area in Bonita Springs is one of the only “pets permitted” public beaches. It is located north of Bonita Beach Road. It’s only a few miles south of Fort Myers Beach. Open dawn to dusk, Dog Beach is more like a sandbar extending into the gulf. The size of the beach varies with … (1 comments)
Per Trulia the average price per sq ft of homes sold in Lehigh Acres, Florida went up 5.26% from the prior quarter. Moreover of the 180 homes sold in the last 60 days, the average listing price went up .26%.
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