EWM is a full service Brokerage which includes HomeServices Lending  (joint venture with Wells Fargo) our in house affiliate lender.

Todd Wheeler aka our Mortgage Guy sent me this great informative video link this morning from Wells Fargo to share with my agents titled “tough questions for tough times” hosted by Brian Buffini and Mary Coffin Executive Vice President and head of loan servicing for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Worth watching- 8 topics about 30mins max. Topics include: Short Sales, Managing Payment Challenges, Foreclosure Prevention and how Realtors can help. Enjoy!

Thomas Curry joined EWM Realtors, Las Olas in December 2008. In 2009 he earned a spot in EWM’s Chairman’s Club for his hard work achieving sales.

Thomas Curry is a dedicated to his profession as a Realtor. He is based in Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale but has no problem driving and crossing the county borders for his customers. He specilizes in Luxury Properties and has a real nack for getting his customers offers accepted on Foreclosures. He is knowledgeable in his market and always staying educated and informed. He is professional, courteous and extremely persistent. He goes above and beyond for his customers and if you could read some of the emails that they have sent me you too would be in admiration of his dedication. He loves what he does, that is apparent from his zest and enthusiasm and the tireless hours he works. The fact that he is impeccably dressed and rather handsome doesn’t hurt either. All in all he is gracious and humble and I am honored to have him work and represent the EWM name.

I have always been a people person, I have always gotten great pleasure in making someone else’s day. I have always believed that exceptional customer service in any business is key. I think that stems from my years in the hospitality business running boutique hotels in South Beach. It was our jobs to make our guests happy and we did whatever it took. As you can imagine we had to accommodate some very interesting requests (say no more…)

Years later I find my self in the Real Estate business and again, I believe customer service is key. Based on that belief I aim to give the best customer service to my agents and encourage them to do the same to their customers. It’s a pretty simple concept and my biggest pet peeve. If you accept the responsibility to do something for someone, then you must do it and do it well, period.

Growing up in London, I’ve endured many bitter winters and know how one dreams of escaping to sunny South Florida.  Fortunately for me, I also know the excitement of running away to South Beach with its world famous beaches, trendy shopping, hip nightlife and chance to spot a celebrity or two.

It’s not surprising that many Brits, after vacationing in South Beach, fall in love with this sunny wonderland.  Those lucky enough, bought their own piece of “sunshine” prior to the real estate boom.  Afterwards, you were either priced out of the market or paid a hefty premium in comparison to today’s prices.  With the price of real estate the lowest it’s been in almost ten years, the opportunity has returned, especially with the wave of short sales and foreclosures that have flooded our market.  Short sales are properties which are priced below the amount of the mortgage on the property and foreclosures are bank owned properties.  Both of these scenarios typically result in a deal for the Buyer.  These properties are priced aggressively to sell fast, since banks aren’t interested in owning, managing and paying for the taxes and maintenance of them.  There is of course, a caveat that you do your due diligence when considering the purchase of a short sale or foreclosure.  Many of these properties, while attractively priced, come with the hidden baggage of title defects, code enforcement violations and overall maintenance issues.  That’s why it is more important today, than ever before to work with a professional Realtor who specializes in navigating through the process of purchasing of a short sale or foreclosure.

A well priced property will be snapped off the market in a jiffy, often times with multiple offers and/or a bidding contest for the highest and best offer.  Which is why an effective Realtor need to be experienced in the process, fast in presenting the offer and persistent in their follow-up.  So many foreclosures today are scooped up by cash buyers with a quick closing date, thus avoiding any possible bank financing or appraisal issues.  For a Brit with some extra cash, South Florida real estate is a great opportunity to once again invest in something that you’ll truly enjoy for years.

Currently EWM Inc. Realtors has a terrific bargain foreclosure listed in South Beach on the world renowned Ocean Drive, listed at only $185,000 which is over 50% off it’s original price. At the current exchange, that’s only about 118, 000 pounds. Not bad for a piece of paradise. For more information contact Laura Veitia, PA 305-798-4646

PERFECT PIED A TERRE. Located in the Strand on Ocean Drive (Retro), this highly desirable unit is just steps to all things that make Ocean Drive fascinating. Enjoy the great restaurants located lobby level, the roof top pool with gorgeous views over Lummus Park and the ocean, or just relax on own balcony. Unit needs little TLC, but priced accordingly & features spacious bath with Roman tub. This condo-hotel unit can be rented out when not in use.

1024 OCEAN DR # A402, Miami Beach, Florida 33139 – MLS# M1402204 – EWM Real Estate

How was your day yesterday June 30, 2010?

(or the days leading up to that?) Bet- if you were a homebuyer under contract you were most likely pretty nervous and frantic that your contract  would close by 6/30/2010, touche if you were a Realtor dealing with your buyers closing and ditto if you were a title agent or mortgage lending working on closings for 6/30/2010,  Bet you had one swell day and for those of you who didn’t close last night, was your heart racing….were you having hallucinations of $8,000 being flushed down a toilet?

Good news, all the major sources report that late last evening the U.S. Senate passed two bills that had been previously passed by the house to extend the homebuyer tax credit and flood insurance. However, we are close but still waiting for President Obama’s signature which is EXPECTED to come quickly…(I know I know, you had thought it had passed already a few times, so did I…it was all very confusing and all very close but alas we were still waiting for the cigar…)

I am presuming it is safe to smoke now?

One would have thought that this could have been fully wrapped up prior to 6/30/2010, but my wise sources tell me I am naive and that the homebuyer tax credit would be extended but that it would happen at the last minute of after 6/30/2010 when the masses had OD on Alka Setlzer and had no more finger nails to chew on…I am told it just politics and I am obviously naive.

But back to the Good News….(From Florida Realtors)

Homebuyer tax Credit:”The senate Passed HR 5623, which extends the mandatory closing date to qualify for the homebuyer tax credit. The contract deadline does not change-homebuyers must have a contract signed by April 30, 2010 (an exception for active duty military) buut the previous closing deadline of June 30, 2010, has been extened to Sept 30, 2010. The National Association of Realtors estimates that the approved bill will benefit more than 14,000 closings in Florida”.

National Flood Insurance Program: “Congress once again reauthorized  a short-term extension for the National Flood Insurance Program to September 30, 2010. The bill, HR 5569, makes the program retroactive to May 31, 2010, the date the program went on hiatus”