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Now that we’ve entered into the second half of summer, it is time to take a look at what developments have taken place in our market lately. 

Inventory has been on the rise. This typically indicates a shift in the market, which is not necessarily a bad thing. It actually happens all the time, as real estate is very cyclical. That being said, selling before this shift takes place may be a good idea.

Our market has been favoring sellers recently, but now things seem as though they are beginning to balance. As the end of summer draws near and the school year approaches, the opportunity to capture current market conditions will fade. So if you have been thinking of listing, don’t delay.

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As the end of summer draws near and

the school year approaches, the opportunity

to capture current market conditions will fade.

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As a final note, don’t forget that Florida’s Tax-Free Weekend will be taking place between August 3 and August 5. Those with children in school won’t want to miss this chance to purchase school supplies with no state tax.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

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I am joined today by Evan McDonough of Family Mortgage to talk about pitfalls that can prevent a home closing from happening on time and how to avoid these common missteps as a buyer.There are a few important precautions all buyers should take as they embark on their home search. Today I'd like to list five things, in particular, to keep in mind if you're about to begin this process yourself.

1. Maintain your credit score. Lenders will first pull your credit score during the pre-approval process, but will also monitor it throughout the transaction. So avoid taking out unrelated loans or making major purchases during the home buying process. It's important to keep your credit score consistent as you apply for financing for your future home. I recommend that you consult with your lender about the specific variables that could impact your score.

2. Maintain your current employment status. Believe it or not, you have to have the same job during your pre-approval as you do at your closing, so do not change your job. We have to verify employment within ten days of closing for every single client. Even if you get a new job lined up, do not quit your current job. Doing so will stop the loan process.

3. Make sure assets in your bank account can be verified. Do not put actual cash into your bank account, because where that cash came from cannot be verified. If you have cash in your home, do not put it into your account right before closing. Talk to your lender about how to verify your assets.

4. Read and sign the closing disclosure. Four days before the closing date, you will have to sign a closing disclosure. Making sure everything is in order with your closing disclosure is critical, because this will indicate whether you're set to close on time. While working with your lender, ask them if you are on track to have your closing disclosure signed, because that will indicate whether you’re on track to close on time. If you’re selling your current home before closing on the new one, make sure your lender gets your sale of home closing disclosure. If you have this document prior to or on the day of closing, make sure you give it to the lender. This will enable them to fund the purchase and give you the keys on time.

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Do not put actual cash into your bank account, because where that cash came from cannot be verified.

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5. Watch out for wire fraud.Wiring scams have become a significant issue in our market. You may receive false instructions via email from a scammer posing as someone legitimately affiliated with the transaction. Before wiring any funds, verify that the instructions are legitimate. Call your agent, title company, or lender to make sure they were truly the ones behind the email you received. Picking up the phone and having a conversation could help you avoid a mistake that could potentially compromise your home purchase.

At the end of the day, verify everything verbally. If you have any questions, pick up the phone and talk to your lender or agent to make sure before you don’t do anything to potentially compromise your major purchase.

If you have any additional questions for Evan about lending, you can contact him by calling (561) 625-2660 or by email at [email protected].

And, as always, if you are interested in buying or selling, please feel free to contact me by phone or email. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

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Today we’ll be talking about a very important topic to us here at the Simmonds Realty Team: Guinea pigs.

If you’re scratching your head right about now, allow me to explain. I’ve encountered many people who while trying to manage their real estate goals are also dealing with children begging them for a new pet. And when the begging begins, parents are likely to hear about all kinds of pets their child would just love to have.

Of course, before you invest in any pet, it’s critical to do your research. This is especially true for pets like guinea pigs, who have attributes and needs that some people might not be aware of.

Personally, I love guinea pigs. I even have one of my own, named Rosie, who you can see in the video above. So now that you understand why we’re covering this slightly unusual topic, let’s dive right into what you should know about guinea pigs.

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Guinea pigs and other animals can be a larger commitment than people realize.

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1. Guinea pigs are very affectionate. They require a lot of love and attention. So it’s important before purchasing one to consider the time you’ll need to dedicate to properly caring for them.

2. They are expensive in the long run. While a guinea pig itself will cost just about $30, caring for this pet can amount to thousands of dollars in expenses. Guinea pigs can live between seven to 10 years. So make sure you’re ready for a long-term commitment before purchasing a guinea pig of your own.

3. Guinea pigs shed. Though it isn’t something many consider-you can be allergic to guinea pigs. So be sure to keep this in mind.

4. They require maintenance. Guinea pigs need to be regularly brushed and their cages must be cleaned every four to five days. Beyond that, these pets must be emotionally stimulated.

So, in conclusion, please be mindful and do your research when purchasing a family pet. Guinea pigs and other animals can be a larger commitment than people realize.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Today we are going to look at the concept of “sold in 90 seconds.”

What does this mean? Well, studies have shown that buyers make up their mind about whether to purchase your property within the first 90 seconds after stepping into your home.

Having sold hundreds upon hundreds of homes, I can tell you that I absolutely think this is true. So with as quickly as buyers make up their minds, what steps should sellers take to make sure that first impression is a good one?

First, make sure your home has strong curb appeal. Pressure washing walkways, adding fresh flowers, cleaning the windows, and polishing up other exterior details can go a long way. Curb appeal plays a huge part in how buyers perceive your home.

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By keeping these key points in mind, you will be able to get your home “sold” in just 90 seconds.

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Also, you have got to make sure your home is clean. If your house doesn’t feel clean, people won’t be interested. Your home’s upgrades will not matter if it feels or looks dirty.

On this same note, you have to get rid of clutter. Having a clean, tidy, spacious property will boost your home’s overall appeal. It may also be a good idea to stage your home, so that buyers can see its full potential for themselves. By keeping these key points in mind, you will be able to get your home “sold” in just 90 seconds.

If you have any other questions, would like more information, or are thinking of listing your home, feel free to give my team a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

My video blog today is about a new term I’ve coined, “Florida 365.” What does that mean?

One of the questions I get all the time is, “Is there a good time to sell my house?”

Whether you have a single-family home on a golf course or a condo by the water, you can sell your home 365 days a year. It is always a good time to sell your home in Florida.

At one time, there probably was a better time to sell your home if it was on the golf course or in the water. However, the market has changed a lot over the year. You can sell your condo or single-family home in the summer or the winter. The season really does not matter.

You can sell your Florida home 365 days a year.

Of course, if the property is overpriced or needs a lot of work, that could hinder your home sale.

Generally, there is not a good or bad time to put your home on the market here in Florida, especially in Northern Palm Beach. That area has good schools and is close to the beach, 95, and the turnpike. We just don’t see a bad time of year when it comes to selling.

If you have any questions about selling your home, just give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

If you’ve ever thought about investing in a second home or changing your lifestyle and moving to a warmer climate, now is the perfect time to move to Florida.

Did you know that you can buy a property for $350,000 or less just a block away from the ocean? The cost would be even less if you would consider a condo, and many condominiums here in Jupiter allow rentals. Sometimes, you can rent up to five times per year. I know of one complex here that lets you rent on a monthly basis and another that lets you rent on a weekly basis, which would be the perfect Airbnb situation.

If you need a little getaway, Florida is the perfect place.

Where I grew up in the Northeast near the beach, you can’t find anything for $350,000 anywhere near the ocean. Keep that in mind the next time you’re thinking you might need a little getaway or you’re ready to revamp your lifestyle and move to a warmer climate.

Whether it’s renting, investing, or buying a property here in Florida, we’re ready to help you. If you have any questions or you’re thinking of making a move now, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d be glad to help.

What a great year 2017 was! Hopefully it was just as good for everyone else as it was for us.

Since we’ve officially reached the new year, I want to give you all a market update. What are the market conditions currently?

Inventory at this point is still relatively low, especially in family-oriented neighborhoods. We are still seeing high demand in the area, though, which is the reason behind the low inventory. Houses are being picked up as soon as they come on the market.

I do foresee some change ahead. Judging by inventory levels from 2016, our market appears to be shifting more toward a neutral market, which is more of a balance between a buyer’s and seller’s market. Of course, if you have a home that shows great, those houses will always sell for top dollar.

Our market appears to be shifting more toward a neutral market.

Something else to think about is the fact that weather in the north is so terrible that it’s driving people to look for houses down here in Florida. So, if you’re considering selling your house, this season might be a great time to sell.

Even if you don’t have a solid plan to move yet, at the very least, give us a call for a second opinion. You’d get a second opinion when talking to a doctor or lawyer, right?  

We look forward to having a great 2018. If you have any questions or are looking to sell your house, feel free to reach out to us. We’d love to help you out.

Although we normally give the title of Entrepreneur of the Month to someone who is local to the Jupiter or North Palm Beach area, we’re switching things up a little this month.  

As you might have noticed, specialty teas have become increasingly popular across the United States lately.

So today, the very special business I’d like to highlight is Lady Baker’s Tea on Prince Edward Island. Lady Baker’s Tea is a little company with a big dream. Their premier loose-leaf teas are ethically produced at the finest tea gardens in Asia and Africa.

The Tea Lady, as she is known on Prince Edward Island, also has a subscription box service based out of Lady Baker’s Tea. Each monthly subscription box comes with three bags of tea, filters, and a surprise gift. Those three bags of tea amount to about 10 cups per bag, meaning you essentially get 30 cups of tea per month.

Lady Baker’s Tea is a little company with a big dream.

You can sign up for a one-month trial, a three-month subscription, or a six-month subscription starting at about $33 per month. The box I received even came with a thank-you note, further information on the company, and a muffin recipe.

If you’re interested in learning more, or maybe even signing up for your own subscription box, you can visit www.LadyBakersTea.com. If you have any other questions for me, feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email. I'd be happy to help you.

We are hard at work in the kitchen, but we wanted to remind you about a tradition that we started three years ago.

That’s right—it’s time for our third annual Great American Pie Giveaway!

We are giving away pumpkin and apple pies on November 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This is just our way of thanking all of our friends and clients that we’ve done business with over the years.

Would you like a pumpkin or apple pie?

Email [email protected] and enter “apple” or “pumpkin” in the subject line to reserve your pie.

These are gorgeous, fresh apple and pumpkin pies, so don’t settle for a frozen pie this Thanksgiving.

As always, if you have any questions, just give us a call or send us an email.

We look forward to seeing you on November 21. Happy Thanksgiving!

Right now, we are extremely low on inventory in our Jupiter-Tequesta area.

If you’ve been on the fence about listing your home, it’s a good time to start seriously thinking about doing so.

Prices are still very high, and there’s not a lot available on the market right now. This translates to lower competition for your listing.

I live in and sell a lot of real estate in the Abacoa area. While there are 5,500 units in Abacoa, including townhomes, single-family homes, and condos, there are only 60 homes for sale. That’s less than 1% of the community’s inventory.

Even communities with larger properties like Whispering Trails are seeing high demand and low inventory. This is the case for basically every community in our area.

Just because the holidays are coming up, that doesn’t mean that right now isn’t a good time to sell.

If you are ready and want to move, now is a great time to sell. You may even think about renting while you look for something you like more than your current home. Just because the holidays are coming up doesn't mean that now isn't a good time to sell.

Speaking of the holidays, I hope you’ll take advantage of our pie giveaway for Thanksgiving.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.