Karen Rand's Englewood, FL Real Estate Blog

How to recognize a sellers market in Englewood Florida

Karen Rand — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:14:49 +0000

It’s sometimes tough to determine if we are coming into a sellers market or not. Here in Englewood Florida we have noticed some slow down with the buying activity. However, we are certainly more driven by the seasonal market than the average area. With the oil spill avoiding us in this area of Florida, the price you can get for a home, AND the interest rates that are at their lowest, we are undoubtedly going to get a rise in sales. See the article that I pulled up from this site.

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20100726_sellers.htm

And remember, call me, Karen Rand, when you’re ready to buy or sell in Englewood Florida or the surrounding areas.

Mortgage News when buying in Englewood Florida

Karen Rand — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:03:03 +0000

MARKET UPDATEMarket Update Week Ending June 25, 2010

Mortgage rates dropped to the lowest level in decades this week, and home affordability is very favorable. Uncertainty

After months of debate, Congress reached agreement on the Financial Reform bill, and it is expected to pass next week. The bill includes many provisions which will affect mortgage lending and the home buying process, but the impact will not be fully known for some time as many of its changes are subject to regulatory discretion. Separately, the larger bill containing an extension to the home buyer tax credit “close-by” deadline failed to pass this week. Lawmakers will continue to debate the bill, but it appears unlikely that the “close-by” deadline will be changed before the current June 30 deadline is reached.

The performance difference in this week’s two housing reports was stark, but it was mostly due to measurement methods. May Existing Home Sales fell 2% from April, and were up 19% from one year ago. May New Home Sales dropped 33% from April, which was about 13% lower than one year ago, and a record low level. There’s an important difference between the two reports, though. Existing Home Sales measure transaction closings, while New Home Sales are based on contract signings. The April 30 contract signing deadline to receive the home buyer tax credit pulled many contract signings forward into April, and some of these deals closed in May. As a result, Existing Home Sales were still boosted by the tax credit in May, while New Home Sales were not.

about the extent of global economic growth and continued low inflation levels have helped mortgage rates reach these levels. Also Notable:

•

Consumer Sentiment rose to the highest level since January 2008 •

As expected, the Fed made no change in the fed funds rate •

The Fed suggested that the labor market is “improving gradually” •

China unexpectedly announced that it will allow its exchange rate more freedomWeek Ahead

The biggest economic event next week will be the important Employment report on Friday. As usual, this data on the

number of jobs, the Unemployment Rate, and wage inflation will be the most highly anticipated economic data of the month. Early estimates are for a decrease of about 70K jobs in June. Before the employment data, Personal Income will be released on Monday. Chicago PMI will come out on Wednesday. The ISM manufacturing index will be released on Thursday, along with Pending Home Sales, a leading indicator for the housing market. Consumer Confidence, Construction Spending and Factory Orders will round out the schedule.

If You Want to Sell Your Home, Don’t Make These Mistakes!

Karen Rand — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:04:32 +0000

Not Using Experts. This tip really applies not only to selling a home but also to financial investing, building a business, or anything else that requires expertise. Of course, you can sell your own home and some people do; but many times the headaches that go along with it far outweigh the benefits. Frequently, I hear stories from homeowners who attempt to do this, but months later that those same sellers are trying to locate a qualified real estate expert. Their self efforts effectively slowed their sales process and lost time on the market.

I subscribe to the understanding that I need to always be doing the things that are in my highest and best interest. That means that if I am attempting to handle something in a field where I don’t have expertise, it will take me longer to do what someone else with years of experience can do better and faster. When I bring in those experts and allow them to help me, this leaves me with more time to focus on the important things that I need to do. It’s the basic foundation of good business and it works when selling a home as well. So, at least consult with a real estate expert when you’re considering selling your home.

Getting Emotionally Attached. Sounds like I’m talking about a relationship? Well, it kind of is. You’ve had history with your home—the memories cause you to have an emotional attachment with it. But now, you have to detach and recognize that your emotional attachment will likely not transfer to the buyer—at least not right away.

Buyers will come into your home looking to find out what’s wrong hoping to thereby negotiate the price down. They’ll be skeptical—checking all around the house to make sure that they’re not going to buy the home and end up having to deal with burdens of many flaws later. They won’t have the memories of the kids taking their first steps in the living room or the big celebration you had for grandma. Buyers will possibly think about the parties and how their lives can fit into this house if you’ve removed the items that make it look and feel too much like your home.

When you get emotionally unattached you’re allowing yourself to see the home you’re listing for sale the way a potential buyer might.

Holding Your Own Open House. This one really goes hand-in-hand with the first “don’t do” tip. Some sellers like to be around when their home is on the market. However, I suspect you have better things to do than sit at home while potential buyers explore your house.

Making fish and other smelly foods. Okay, so I’m not saying that you can’t cook what you want in your home. The issue is actually not just about food but also things like pet odors and incense or anything else that might have an offensive odor to a potential buyer. I’ve written about people who use fragrances to create a particular smell when they’re showing their home (there are companies that specialize in this). But one reader wrote to tell me that he didn’t think that was a good idea…he preferred to not be able to smell anything (or as close to no odor as possible). That can be hard to achieve.

Generally, a pleasant odor is appreciated but there are different types of people and “pleasant” is relative to the individual. So, basically some of the mistakes that you can make are to fry up some fish, let the pets do the wrong thing in the house and then not deodorize, and leave the pets loose to “welcome” the guests in their own ways. For certain, most people won’t appreciate those smells.

As for using other fragrances, my personal opinion is that if the smell is subtle and not overwhelming, it probably won’t cause any issues with buyers unless they happen to have a particular allergy. However, if there’s a repugnant smell, it will get a huge reaction and buyers will flee the home like scurrying ants seeking food and water on a hot summer day.

Watch out for these mistakes and you’ll be ahead of the sellers who are wasting time (and possibly losing buyers) by not seeking expert help, not detaching from the home, showing their own home, and forgetting to deodorize.

And rememebr me, Karen Rand with Remax Alliance Group, when buying or selling a house in Englewood Florida.

Real Estate Outlook: Housiung Numbers Slump

Karen Rand — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:49:54 +0000

With all the negativity in the world today and with the oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico, what positives do we have to look at???

Well, how about the interest rate? They are reporting rates under 4.75%!!! WOW! No better time than now to buy a house in Englewood Florida. We are seeing prices still dropping and people scared of the oil coming that a panic has almost taken over. Prices are great, interest rates are great, and the sun is still shining in Englewood Florida! That’s GREAT!

Read the link to get the full story. http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20100628_realestateoutlook.htm

And remember me, Karen Rand with Remax Aliiance Group, when buying or selling Real Estate.

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20100628_realestateoutlook.htm

Real Estate Outlook: After the Credit

Karen Rand — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:10:08 +0000

Check out what the Feds are saying about the Real Estate Outlook. Keep in mind this is nationwide. Englewood Florida is seeing a lot of activity in sales but they are also saying we will be seeing a “shadow inventory” of bank owned homes. If you or someone you know are looking to buy or sell real estate in the Englewood Florida or surrounding areas please contact me.

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20100614_realestateoutlook.htm

Crystal Clear Florida

Karen Rand — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:09:35 +0000

Stay on top of all the oil spill issues in Florida.

http://sites.google.com/site/crystalclearflorida/

Crystal Clear Florida

Karen Rand — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:06:45 +0000

Want to stay on top of the oil spill catrastrophy? This link will keep you up to date on all the latest oil spill issues.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Crystal Clear Florida

Karen Rand — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:02:11 +0000

Want to stay on top of the oil spill catrastrophy? This link will keep you up to date on all the latest oil spill issues.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Florida Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Karen Rand — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:56:36 +0000

See for yourself that Sarasota/Charlotte Counties in Florida have not been touched by the oil spill. Great video showing an airplane ride over Venice and Sarasota. How will this effect our Real Estate Market? Stay tuned. Wish us luck. We hope that they will get this oil spill controlled soon.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Interest Rates drop to lowest level this year

Karen Rand — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:00:18 +0000

So even if you missed out on the tax credit this year, the interest rates have just dropped to the lowest point this year.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage dipped to 4.93 percent this week from 5 percent a week earlier, Freddie Mac said Thursday. It was the lowest level since mid-December, when rates averaged 4.81 percent.

It’s still a great time to buy in Englewood Florida or anywhere in the surrounding Charlotte and Sarasota Counties.

Low house prices + lower interest rates = TIME TO BUY!!!!

Check out the link below for the full story. And don’t forget to contact me, Karen, when you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell a home.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=239585