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THE BOEGLIN TEAM
Jim, Jan and Grif
The Boeglin Team
    Years of Experience: 7

Direct: Jim 239-287-6241 Jan 239-287-6414

Office: 239-992-0059



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Coldwell Banker
8200 Health Center Blvd Ste 101
Bonita Springs, FL
239-992-0059


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Archive for July 2010

WHAT IF A SHORT SALE IS A VIABLE OPTION?

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

We talk regularly with homeowners who find themselves “upside down” on their mortgage, meaning that they owe more than the home is worth in this market.  What are their options? 

  • Many of these homeowners continue to make their monthly mortgage payments, and pray that the value of their home will rise before their nest egg runs out.  This is an admirable approach, and one that we would never discourage.
  • Some homeowners accept a sale price that is less than the mortgage owed, and then bring a check to closing to cover the difference.  Another admirable approach.

A more common option in the current market is to go through the short sale process, in which the bank approves a sale price that is short of the mortgage balance—and then writes off the difference.  The homeowner receives none of the proceeds, but also walks away from the deficit and the burden of ongoing mortgage payments.

The Boeglin Team has helped quite a few homeowners in Spanish Wells and nearby areas to successfully negotiate the short sale process.  Recently, Coldwell Banker established a separate department to assist its realtors in dealing with the unique issues of this process.  New Federal regulations are now designed to make a short sale easier and quicker.

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with an upside down mortgage situation, the Boeglin Team is here to help. We can meet with you to explore your options, and to explain the short sale process as it applies to your circumstances. All information will remain completely confidential.

These are uncommon times, and uncommon times sometimes require uncommon approaches.

WHAT IF 2010 IS THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME?

Saturday, July 17th, 2010

I know of no one who is absolutely certain of the future direction of markets, whether it involves stocks, bonds, commodities, or real estate.  There are always unknown variables which can push a market up, down, or sideways.

That said, we know some of the variables which currently affect the Southwest Florida real estate market.  These “knowns” include:

  • Home prices are back to the “pre-boom” prices of 2001-2002, or roughly half of the inflated home prices of 5 years ago;
  • For the past 18 months, single family home prices have stabilized and condo prices are showing signs of flattening out;
  • Mortgage interest rates are under 5% and well below historical levels;
  • The number of homes listed for sale on MLS are at 67% of the level of a year ago;
  • Showings of listed homes remain strong, and sales are ahead of recent years.

Obviously, there are additional variables that will have an impact on the future direction of our housing market.  Issues like the level of future foreclosures and short sales, the availability of mortgages, a nagging jobless rate, the attitude of appraisers, economic conditions in general, and even the BP oil spill in the Gulf.  But hey, if it was all positive news, the future trends would be too easy to predict.

The Boeglin Team is currently working with some very smart buyers who have made the commitment to buy a Southwest Florida home this summer.  We think they are making wise decisions.  This could just be an opportunity of a lifetime!

NORTHERN PERSPECTIVE OF FLORIDA REAL ESTATE MARKET

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Jan and I just returned from 2 weeks with family and friends in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area.  The economic conditions and housing market in Indiana are clearly related to the Florida housing market, as many Florida homebuyers come to us from the North.

It appeared to me that much of the economic activity in the Midwest involves roads and bridges (federal stimulus money?), agriculture, and medical facilities.  We saw some–but not a lot– of new home construction or expansion of manufacturing facilities.  It seems that more schools are being shuttered than are being built.  It is not the healthy economic growth that I remember when I practiced law in Fort Wayne during the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, but the area is “hanging in there”.

The foreclosure and short sale activity in Indiana appears roughly comparable to these markets in Florida.  Distress properties have had a depressing effect on home values in general—just as they have had in Florida.  Overall, I sensed that home values in the Midwest have held up better than Florida home values, making our home prices relative bargains.  Most of the business people we talked with are doing fine—and they love coming to Florida in the winters. 

We heard a lot of interest and concern about the BP oil spill, and its impact on Florida in general.  Barring some surprises, it appears that most of Florida—perhaps all of it except the Panhandle—will escape relatively unscathed by this ecological disaster. 

Interestingly, temperatures were hotter in the Midwest during much of our visit than the temperatures in Southwest Florida.  Heat advisories were the order of the day.  On our return trip, from Louisville to Atlanta, the temperature ranged between 99 and 102.  It was a breath of fresh air to get back to Bonita Springs, with its ocean breezes and low 90s high temperatures.

With home prices stabilized, and inventories of available homes at their lowest level in more than 5 years, I expect a healthy fall and winter housing market in Southwest Florida.  It all comes down to supply and demand.

TRAVELING WITH TECHNOLOGY

Sunday, July 11th, 2010

When my son, Mike, and I ventured out on a 353 mile bike trip from Bonita Springs, Florida to the Gainesville, Florida area last month, we rode fairly old, low tech bikes.  Mike travelled on a Trek 7600 that is vintage 1995; my bike is a Specialized Globe that we bought about 2003.  These bikes are “mules” rather than “race horses”.

We did, however, enjoy the benefits of technology in our travels.  Mike is a “techie” in his career in NYC, and we had with us:  iPhone, Blackberry, notebook, iPad, Wi-Fi internet connection, Kindle, and digital cameras.  As small as they are, they still added considerable weight to our bike loads.

Through Google Earth, we were able to plan our routes with confidence that the roads were adequate for biking, and that we didn’t miss out on a stretch of bike paths.  We also identified hotels, restaurants, and bike shops along the way.  The notebook and Wi-Fi enabled us (with Jan’s help) to blog at the end of each day.  We received and sent phone calls and e-mails on the smart phone and blackberry.  It was a comforting feeling to remain in touch even as we rode our bikes into unknown territory.

Now, Mike is back to work in NYC and I am back to real estate in Bonita Springs.  We exchanged text messages on my Sunday morning ride to Venetian Village.  We are both missing the challenge, adventure, and personal connections that we experienced on our 7-day jaunt.  Who knows what adventures lay ahead?

On a personal note, I want to thank everyone who followed us along the way.  Special thanks to the 40+ donors who have already sent checks to Spanish Wells Cares for the dental and medical care of underprivileged kids in Bonita Springs.  Pledges continue to dribble in, and already total over $2,400.  Thank you. … Jim Boeglin

Market Recap

  • Avg. Sales Price: 379,000

  • Avg. Days on Market: 69

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