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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 September 2010

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE COUNTRY CLUB’S WOES SPILL OVER TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Most potential homebuyers are aware of the financial challenges facing many golf and country clubs everywhere, and especially in Florida.  As Coldwell Banker Realtors, the Boeglin Team is obligated to provide prospective home buyers with a written disclosure before showing them homes in a golf course community.  We suspect that other reputable brokers require similar disclosures.                                           

If the buyers haven’t read about the diminishing memberships, reduced services, and cut-throat competition among clubs for available golfers, then their Realtors have advised them of the precarious situation in which many non-bundled clubs find themselves.

So, what happens to home values when the future of the neighborhood golf and country club is hanging in the balance?  Many buyers want the expansive golf course views, whether or not they are golfers, or intend to join the club.  “Not knowing” what may happen to the neighborhood is a clear negative.

As a practical matter, we think it is likely that most of the troubled clubs will weather this storm, perhaps surviving in another form.  We expect that most expansive golf course views will remain.  The future form may change from private club to semi-private, or open to the public.  Some clubs may cut back from 27 or 36 holes of golf to a basic 18-hole golf course.  Food and beverage services may suffer or be eliminated all together.

What is the solution?  In our opinion, the longer the “limbo period” prevails, the greater the damage to home values.  Failing to face difficult decisions simply prolongs the agony.  The real estate market—like the stock market—can handle good news and bad news.  It does not deal well with continued uncertainty.

THE NEW HOME BUYER PROFILE

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

 

For many years Florida homebuyers looked like Northerners with gray hair, searching for a place to spend their retirement years—either seasonally or full time.  Then 5 or 6 years ago, “flippers” arrived on the scene looking for quick profits.  They would buy anything with a sign in the yard, and put it back on the market at a much higher price.  It was a time of chaos.

For the past several years, homebuyers of any kind were hard to find in Southwest Florida.  The flippers were in foreclosure, and the gray-haired Northerners were wary of a plunging housing market.  It didn’t help that their retirement nest eggs were devastated by the stock market, and their Northern homes were virtually unmarketable even if they wanted to move south.

This summer and fall, we have seen a steady stream of another kind of home buyer—the investor who sees current home prices as an unbelievable bargain.  It doesn’t hurt that their nest eggs have recovered a bit, interest rates are at a historic low, and the stock market has been sluggish.  This new home buyer is looking primarily in the “under $250,000” housing market, as a way to get their foot in the door in this highly desirable area.  They figure they can always “trade up” later on.

Many of these investors are within 10 years of retirement, and plan to use their new home as a vacation getaway, family retreat, or rent it out for a few years until they are ready to make their move.  They see current home prices as a rare opportunity to “get in at the bottom”.

There are many excellent reasons to own a home in Southwest Florida.  Add long term investment to the list.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAXES

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

Real estate owners in Florida have been receiving their T.R.I.M. Notices for the past several weeks, and our phones and e-mails have been “ringing” with questions about proposed property taxes for 2010.  Apparently, most homeowners do not want to pay any more than their “fair share” of taxes on their homes.  I would include Jan and me in that category.

Here are a sampling of the questions that we have received, and our responses:

Q.         How do I find out how my proposed Market Value compares to my neighbors?

A.         If you live in Lee County, you can go on www.leepa.org and review the Notices of other homeowners.  In Collier County, the information is at www.collierappraiser.com.  Other counties in Florida have similar websites for their real property information.

Q.         I purchased my home earlier this year (2010) for $300,000.  My Notice indicates that the Market Value was reduced from last year’s $390,000 to $340,000 this year.  Why wasn’t it re-appraised at my purchase price of $300,000?

A.         The Market Value is based on your home’s value on January 1, 2010, considering comparable sales during 2009.  Your purchase price in 2010 will be some evidence of the Market Value when it is re-appraised for 2011 tax purposes.  In the meantime, it appears that you got a good deal on the purchase of your home, so enjoy.

Q.         My “homesteaded” property’s Market Value went down from last year, but the Assessed Value went up.  How can that be?

A.         Homes which are “homesteaded” qualify for the Save Our Homes limits to the increases in Assessed Value from year to year.  This is intended to limit the amount of property taxes paid by Florida residents.  After the base year in which the Homestead Exemption is applied, the Assessed Value cannot increase more than 3% per year.  In a rising real estate market, this keeps the Assessed Value far below the Market Value—a bargain for the Florida resident.  However, in a declining real estate market, if the “bargain” Assessed Value is less than the current Market Value, the Assessed Value will still go up by 3%.  This is called “recapture”. 

Q.         What can I do if I disagree with the Property Appraiser?

A.         You may file a petition with the Clerk of Court.  It must be received by the Clerk no later than September 14, 2010.  In Lee County, it can be done online at www.leepa.org.  There is a $15.00 filing fee.  The Value Adjustment Board will conduct hearings in the fall, and will consider evidence and testimony that your proposed Assessed Value is too high.

Market Recap

  • Avg. Sales Price: 379,000

  • Avg. Days on Market: 69

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