florida foreclosures: Seller Financing is not for Everyone in SW Florida - 08/03/11 09:27 AM
Today I received an email from a prospect inquiring about seller financed homes and it went like this:
I have good credit and the 5/% down, also the aproved loan from the Bank, but I am looking for better deal thant the one the bank offer me, and lower price on a 3/2/2 on a place that I may like it.Please let me know your prices, and your interest rate, and all yours condition.
Here is my emailed response, which I followed with a call:
Often  Seller Financed homes sell for higher than homes with conventional financing.  This is because they … (0 comments)

florida foreclosures: Foreclosure drop is not seen as a sign of a healing market. - 07/16/11 03:38 AM
Per Christopher Quinn of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Foreclosure slow downs are not an indicator of a healing home market.
Foreclosure filings across the nation in the first half of 2011 are down 29% from the same period last year, but not because the housing market is healing, says a national real estate tracking firm.
"It would be nice to report that foreclosure activity is dropping as a result of improvements in the economy or the housing market," said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac.
 
READ MORE HERE
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florida foreclosures: 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 foreclosures: How to "Win" the House. - 06/09/11 12:23 PM
It is still a distressed housing market.  Buyers can take advantage of exceptional deals in SW Florida where homes are devalued 50% or more from their peak. 
Because of the terrific deals to be had the competition for the good homes and best values can be stiff.  Buyer's looking to write a low ball offer in hopes of catching an even bigger deal should beware.  By and large sellers who are motivated to sell (that is key) have caught on that they need to price their homes competitively to compete with the foreclosures and shortsales that have flooded the market. 
In … (2 comments)

florida foreclosures: Aaargh! - 06/07/11 03:37 AM
 

I love this story.  I was going through my morning ritual of reading news online and I ran across this story about a Utah man who played this prank on his son who is a sophomore in High School.  Since this was the first year his son rode the bus and the bus stopped in front of his house, the father decided to "wave" at the bus each morning to embarrass his son. 
I grew up in a large family where pranks were often pulled.  When I look back on some of the things we got into, they are … (4 comments)

florida foreclosures: Gulf Beaches are the Best - 05/27/11 10:58 AM
Steve Eckhardt, of Cornerstone Properties and Investments just posted a reminder that Florida's Gulf Beaches are among the best in the world.
According to Dr. Beach, America's preeminent beach Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota is the best beach for 2011. Dr. Beach, is also known as Dr. Stephen Leatherman of Florida International University. 
I have to agree with Dr Leatherman that the Siesta Key Beaches are among the best in the world.  The sand is white, soft , with open and wide vistas, giving plenty of room to throw down a blanket or start a game of volleyball. 
Other beaches I love are … (1 comments)

florida foreclosures: Important things to know when purchasing foreclosed properties. - 05/26/11 10:01 AM
 
 

There are good deals to be had right now in purchasing foreclosed properties, but even with the significant discounts to be found, purchasing foreclosed properties is not for everyone.  The purchase of a foreclosed property often involves more risk and more research than a traditional purchase. 
If you are purchasing a home at auction, you will need to come up with the balance within 30 days or lose your deposit.  This is why it is important before making a bid to understand how much you can afford as well as what sort of  liens, taxes, the condition of the … (0 comments)

florida foreclosures: Foreclosures a Good Deal for Owner Occupants. - 05/23/11 08:00 AM

Foreclosures a good deal for owner-occupants.   Investors are not the only buyer who can find a good deal in a foreclosure home.  Freddie Mac is now offering 3.5% closing costs to buyers who intent to occupy their foreclosed homes as a primary residence.  Some will also qualify for a limited home warranty that covers electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, heating, and other major systems and appliances.For a list of foreclosed homes in Lee County Florida, please visit here.  For more information about how cash investors are increasing their ROI by investing in Florida real estate, visit here.This lovely gulf front, pool … (0 comments)

florida foreclosures: I'm so Lucky! - 05/20/11 03:25 AM
I am so lucky I get to spend many of my work days outside, and visiting places like this!!  After viewing several gorgeous condos for a client in NY, we stopped at the beach for lunch.
Selling real estate in sunny SW Florida is a dream come true!
 
Cape Coral Yacht Club Beach Video #2
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florida foreclosures: Florida Foreclosures are Down. - 05/13/11 07:05 AM
Florida Foreclosures are down 59% from where they were at this time last year.  But experts do not assume that is necessarily related to an uptick in the housing market. 
Suggestions are that it is, in fact, the increased time it takes to process a foreclosure that is more directly related to the trend.  Word on the street is that a new wave of foreclosures is on the way.
 

Finding yourself underwater, and unable to pay your mortgage?  Learn the options you have to stop your foreclosure.  Visit FLforeclosurestop.info to sign up for a free PDF.
 
 
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florida foreclosures: It's a Buyer's Market...Guess Again. - 04/27/11 08:34 AM
A wave of forclosures has forced down home prices in most major cities.  But leading economists and real estate agents are beginning to see what many consider to be the first step in the recovery of the housing market...a dwindling supply of homes for sale in those markets hardest hit by forclosures. 
The recent low prices have lead investors to snap up foreclosed homes in depressed areas like Detroit, Miami, Las Vegas and Tampa.  Those "bargains" have reduced prices in the short run, but they are also thinning out the supply of homes...in essense clearing the way for higher prices down … (0 comments)

florida foreclosures: Self Directed IRAs - 04/26/11 08:35 AM
I finally made my way over to Entrust this morning for a consultation on setting up a Self-Directed IRA for the purchase of real estate.  With the real estate market devalued right now, and the stock market uncertain, many think real estate is a sound investment.
Although the immediate annual return on a real estate, as income producing rental investment may not match the % in the most aggressive IRA investment programs, the rate of return is significantly more, after expenses, than traditional bank rates.  Like an IRA that purchases stocks, the Real Estate IRA is not without it's risks, however … (0 comments)

florida foreclosures: A Low Price Does Not Mean Best Value. - 04/19/11 05:40 AM
As an Agent in Lehigh Acres, Florida I know many people are lured here with the plan of making lots of cash investing in the undervalued real estate.  While there is definately money to be made by the smart invester, knowing if the property is a good value is key in making a purchase.  For example, when my husband and I were relocating down here, we also were amazed by the advertised 2006 homes for 40K.  Being in real estate I had to wonder if those deals were "too good to be true".  In many cases they were.  Homes in under … (3 comments)

florida foreclosures: Are we there yet? - 04/13/11 10:29 AM
Zillow, as reported by USA today has said that many of the struggling housing markets have bottomed out.  Ft Myers, Stockton, Vallejo, Hartford and Columbus were mentioned.  They are quick to point out that this does not indicate recovery as home prices remain flat. Many markets did not feel the effect of the housing bust at all which is surprising to me, most likely having to do with availability.  
In the SW Florida market, I have been saying that I am starting to see a slow but steady increase in prices. Several things are contributing to this.  Cash investors, both … (4 comments)

florida foreclosures: Cash is King - 04/12/11 10:57 AM
Foreign investors are reaping great rewards by purchasing property with cash.  In February 2011 alone, 33% of all homes purchased were done so by cash purchases.  It is expected the average will go up to 40% for the year.
Stricter lending rules have depressed the level of traditional buyers needing a home mortgage.  Lenders often reject mortgage applications for Foreclosed homes outright because they typically appraise lower than the sale price.  
This is incentive for both foreign and domestic cash buyers, who often get a foreclosed property at a discounted rate.  A $35,000 cash offer on a home listed for … (7 comments)

florida foreclosures: Good News for the Florida Market - 04/12/11 06:53 AM
I'm located in Lehigh Acres, arguably one of the most distressed areas for Real Estate in the recent bust.  I see terrific news for sellers on the horizon and good news overall that the market is on the mend.
Take for example an article in Floridarealtors.org today, stating that more people see real estate as an opportunity, and more agents are joining our ranks.  
"Richard Fryer, president of Orlando’s quarter-century-old Institute of Florida Real Estate Careers Inc., said economic downturns usually boost enrollment, as downsized corporate execs turn to real estate sales for income. But because the housing slump preceded … (0 comments)

florida foreclosures: Making the Case to Nervous Investors - 03/30/11 03:12 AM
I work with several clients who invest in real estate as a means to improve their ROI on their investments. When I first come into contact with many of these buyers I find they have unrealistic expectations about the "deals" they are going to find in SW Florida.  Rumors of an abundance of brand new homes available for $40K are common.  In truth, there are new homes to be found at that price, but the reality of the homes is often a deal breaker.  I get comments like "the home is in poor condition" or the "I don't care for the neighborhood".  Instead … (2 comments)

 
Sandi Davidson (Florida's Realty LLC)

Sandi Davidson

Lehigh Acres, FL

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