...and what you should be watching for that isn't readily apparent       Beach House Bungalows are my favrorite properties   They are quirky - charming - and unique in their own way   hardwood flooring - fireplaces - old school tile are common   some will consider renting out their bunglaows part time   and they may create their own theme within their home   and getting the chance to see these creations is a super exciting thing   most of all - remember to let the whole experience be fun   here are some things to keep in mind as you search for the right one   they may be 50-100 years old    its close to sea level - is it prone to flooding or susceptible to wind damage   many are pier and beam construction - with crawl space area below the home   several additions - enclosed carports and lanai areas are common   roof designs - tile - metal - shingle   plumbing - does it have cast pipes that need replacement    electrical system- older panel boxes - fuse box - cloth wiring may need attention   central air vs mini splits options based on available duct work   I could go on and on   enjoy the journey

 

 

 

... can absolutely be found between $100k-$200k if you know where to look

what should you be looking for?

and what do you need to know that you may not know right now?

many people see inexpensive condos and get excited

they usually are looking at condotels online and don't always realize

that they are different than your typical condo

think of them as a condo hotel - efficiency units in most cases

quite often they have very few rental restrictions

and can bring in cash when you arent using them

its low barrier to entry and almost always a cash purchase

there are definitely 1-2 bedroom condos available under 200k

these can usually be financed

but they almost always have some rental restrictions

to be honest some people have a bigger budget

and for that group, a 500k condo may seem like a budget condo

its an interesting time of year as the snowbirds are arriving

and the condo market is starting to heat up

 

 

 

...and it's harder than you thought it would be to get it done

Let's face it - it sounds like a simple thing to do

today we discusss what to look out for (and look out for)

It is possible to find a lot to do what you want it to do for you

but when you peel back the layers of the onion

you discover that much of the raw land may/may not have improvements such as

city water - or a well

city sewer - or a septic

electric to the property

a driveway in place and road frontage to actually get to the property

a survey map of the boundaries so you can add fencing 

an elevation certificate to see if you can build on the property

does the city/county zoning allow the specific use of the property you want

and is there a Home Owners Association that has its own set of rules

today we take a deep dive on how to accomplish your goals

 

...And The 3-4 Things that you absolutely need to know   before you interview an agent about selling your home     are you trying to time out the market ?   waiting until after the holidays?   waiting for interest rates to go down ?   Interestingly enough -  the things that cause sellers wait to sell   can work for them and against them at the same time   there are less homes on the market in December   than in January almost every year   while there are less buyers in December   they are much more motivated   buyers that are planning trips for January to see homes   are looking at homes available now   and for those that need to sell    it makes sense to be visible in December   today we go super deep on what you need to know   

 

... can be financially difficult in the current real estate envirnoment   Many home owners are dealing with unplanned sales of their homes   For those that purchased in the last year or 2   and financed their purchase with a low down payment program   Such as a VA or FHA Mortgage   There may be very little equity in their home   And if there were also some of the buyers closing costs paid by the seller   Then its a good possiblity that their equity is even lower   Factor into the equation that home values are no longer rapidly appreciating   And you begin to see the problem unfold   The closings costs and commissions at closing   Take a big bite out the sellers proceeds   and create a scenario where the check they receive at the table   is smaller than they had been anticipating   and there is real possibility that some may need to write a check   to cover a shortfall if their equity isn't sufficient to pay of the loan balance   which means that some sellers will need to get creative to make it work

... is behaving somewhat normally as we head towards the end of the year

The dustup regarding Buyer Brokerage Agreements back in August

didn't destroy the market as some had predicted

Home buyers quickly adjusted to the new forms and for most its a non-issue 

I find it interesting that the most asked questions now aren't about BBA

Home values are the real topic right now

Researching "whats my home worth" is the precursor to selling a home

and its becoming very clear that many people are getting ready to make a move

deciding when it's the right time to sell a home

and buy a new one is on the minds of more people than most realize

there is pent up demand that is coming to the surface

and its not just individuals and families

investors and flippers are also back in the market

things are shifting and there is a noticeable increase in activity

which suggests that the market is about to make a move

 

 

... is once again upon us   the annual flock of people looking to escape the colder weather   start to descend upon southern coastal areas such as Florida   seeking sun, sand and warmer temperatures   the locals will notice that populations will rise during these seasonal times   initially most snowbirds will stick their toes in the sand   for short periods such as a week or perhaps a month   eventually increasing the lenght of their stay to a few months   typically starting after the holidays and new year   manufactured homes and mobile homes can be an inexpensive way to test it out   condos are popular for those that are looking at 2nd homes/investment properties   condotels are popular with cash buyers that also want rental income   beach bungalows are a personal favorite of mine   some love it so much   that they make the BIG MOVE and become permanent residents   for these travelers - this is "the most wonderful time of the year"

 

 

 

...While Mortgage Interest rates zagged

Most people were expecting

that when the Fed dropped interest rates

home mortgage interest rates would do the same

and yet that isn't how things have played out recently

recent drops of .5% and .25% at the Fed 

lead to...   

wait for it...

INCREASES in mortgage rates by similar amount

it is believed to be temporary and not unnatural

there are many other factors in play at the moment

inflation, job reports, and banks pricing rates in advance of Fed movement

should home buyers wait it out?

I share some suggestions for home buyers who are uncertain of their next move

The direction of the market is beginning to take shape

There is increased activity

which isn't shocking

the election is over

the Fed dropped interest rates last week

inflation is lowering

and sellers that have held off going on the market

are taking action as we speak

it is shaping up to be an interesting end to the year

Home Builders are making deals to stimulate sales

todays show gives you all the details that you will need to be informed 

The builder reps are out in the field and visiting real estate offices

bringing some tastey treats and marketing materials

for anyone that has even a little interest in moving this year

its absolutely worth a look at a move in ready new home

be sure to research the lot premium

investigate closing cost credits and incentives

if the home you are interested in

is the last one available in a subdivision that is closing out

you may be able to negotiate the ever elusive sale price reduction