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Jim 239-287-6241 Jan 239-287-6414
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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 October 2010

THE DAWN?

Sunday, October 24th, 2010

There is an old adage that “It is always darkest before the dawn”.  Well, the summer of 2010 qualified as “the darkest” period in most real estate markets, including Naples, Bonita Springs, and Estero.  Early indications are that this fall may be the “dawn” of a brighter time for Southwest Florida home sales.

Beginning in late September, buyer interest has spiked and contracts are coming together.  Showings of listed homes have been on the increase, possibly due to continued bargain prices in our market.  In the past week, the Boeglin Team has been involved in 5 contracts—2 with buyers and 3 with sellers.  In 2 instances, there were multiple offers.  This is a dramatic turn-around from the long, slow summer, and we feel that this could be the beginning of the end of a 5 year long downward spiral.

It is easy to simply look in the rear view mirror to predict the future.  While the real estate market was soaring upward in the 2003 to early 2006 period, many buyers and sellers just assumed that home prices would continue to soar into the indefinite future because that is what they had been doing.  Since 2006, many buyers and sellers have predicted that future home prices will continue to slide because that is what they have been doing.

If history is any indication, what goes up tends to come down; and what goes down tends to go back up.  Over a long term stretch, the trend has been upward.  It happens regularly with the stock market, and that has also been the pattern of home prices.  The successful investors/homeowners have been the ones who have bought at the lows, and/or sold at the highs. 

In Spanish Wells, almost all of the activity has been on less expensive properties.  Condos (particularly in Marbella) priced in the $200,000 range appear to be the current “hot button”, and if history is any indication, the momentum will eventually spread to the higher end of the market.  For now, we are just happy to have activity.

DO DISTRESS SALES DEFINE THE MARKET?

Monday, October 18th, 2010

Nationally, about a third of closed sales this year have been foreclosures or short sales.  In some Florida communities, the majority of closed sales have been of distressed properties.  How has this affected market prices for “regular” homes?

It is clear that distress sales have adversely affected home values almost everywhere.  Not only have their low prices generated  “comps” for determining the value of other homes, but their neglected and abandoned conditions have been an eyesore in otherwise cared for neighborhoods.

Most of the home buyers we work with are looking for a nice, attractive, well maintained home.  However, they are looking at the foreclosures and short sales at the same time.  Realistically, their goal is to use the distress home prices as a negotiating tool for buying the home they really want for less than the home is worth.

Does this strategy work?  To some extent, it usually does.  They end up buying the home they really want at a bargain price which is only slightly higher than distress sale prices.  They are willing to pay some premium in order to get the warranties with respect to condition, title, etc. that come with a “regular” transaction.

So, if you are a homeowner who needs or wants to sell in the next few years, now is the time to get in touch with the reality of the market.  The market “is what it is”, without regard to your wishes or how much money and tender loving care you have put into your home.  The current freeze on new foreclosures is only prolonging the agony of depressed home prices.  Distress sales are going to be with us for a few more years, continuing to be a drag on home prices.  As a result, the value of your home will probably not be soaring through the stratosphere anytime soon.

THE FORECLOSURE FIASCO

Sunday, October 10th, 2010
 
It has been well documented how the banks got themselves into the mortgage mess with undocumented loans, teaser interest rates, and phony appraisals.  The American taxpayers have already bailed the offending banks out of these mistakes, giving them an opportunity to survive and thrive.

It is now becoming more and more clear that some of these same banks have been foreclosing on their tainted mortgages with reckless disregard for the legal protection of state laws in which the homes are located.  In recent weeks, 3 of the “biggies”, Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase, and GMAC (now Ally) have put a “freeze” on foreclosures in many states (including Florida) while they review just how illegally they have been operating in the foreclosure process.  Are we heading for a second bailout???

Understandably, many of the buyers we work with want to look at foreclosed homes.  “Regular” sales cannot compete with the foreclosures on price points.  However, buyers need to also be aware of the dark side of foreclosures.  Aspects such as:

  • Taking a neglected, abandoned home “as is” with no representations as to its condition; Potential liens against the bank on other foreclosed properties which may attach to the property being purchased;
  • Potential liens against the bank on other foreclosed properties which may attach to the property being purchased;
  • A “take it or leave it” attitude that leads to an unwillingness by many banks to pay for “surprises” at closing; and
  • A “special warranty deed” that may provide only “insurable title” instead of “marketable title” that will insure that the buyer will be able to effectively convey the property in the future. 

With the recently discovered situation which has led to the “freeze” because the banks may have failed to comply with state foreclosure laws, there is yet another dark side to buying foreclosed homes.  Only time will tell the impact of this apparent abuse of the prior owner on the legal rights of the new buyer.

Stay tuned.  This saga may continue for awhile.  In the meantime, if you are looking for a “foreclosure steal”, be prepared for unexpected consequences

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

Sunday, October 10th, 2010

We residents of Southwest Florida are spoiled.  Most of us live within 5 or 6 miles of the Gulf, and enjoy a great tropical climate.  From Sanibel/Captive to Marco, and Fort Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples in between, the climate is “as good as it gets”.  Further inland, it tends to be hotter, muggier, buggier-but still a great climate in the winter.

Within the larger context of climate, what are the considerations that make a great location to call home?  After 7 years in real estate in Southwest Florida, these are the Boeglin Team’s top location issues: 

  • What is the traffic pattern for getting into and out of the community?
  • How accessible are the Gulf beaches?
  • How near is the home to parks and golf courses?
  • Is grocery shopping convenient?
  • Are attractive retail options nearby?
  • How close are drug stores, medical offices, hospitals?
  • What about churches, banks, schools, the library?
  • Is the community relatively safe from crime?
  • Is it protected from traffic noise?
  • Is the community in the landing or departure pattern of the airport?
  • How accessible is the Interstate and the airport?
  • Is it a walker-friendly community?
  • Is it safe for biking?

We are blessed with a variety of communities with a wide range of home prices.  In today’s market, there are lots of homes available in almost every community in Southwest Florida.

For those of you looking for a place to call home in our area, we recommend a 2-step process:

1.  Research and identify the community or communities that are located in the areas that best meet your top priorities; and

2.  Zero in on home options available in your favorite community or communities.

The Boeglin Team has the local knowledge and experience to guide you through the process.  Please feel free to call us or e-mail us with your questions about our area.

Market Recap

  • Avg. Sales Price: 379,000

  • Avg. Days on Market: 69

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