Why You Should Hire A Professional When Buying A Home!

Many people wonder whether they should hire a real estate professional to assist them in buying their dream home or if they should first try to go it on their own. In today’s market: you need an experienced professional!

You Need an Expert Guide if you are Traveling a Dangerous Path

The field of real estate is loaded with land mines. You need a true expert to guide you through the dangerous pitfalls that currently exist. Finding a home that is priced appropriately and ready for you to move in to can be tricky. An agent listens to your wants and needs, and can sift out the homes that do not fit within the parameters of your “dream home”.

A great agent will also have relationships with mortgage professionals and other experts that you will need in securing your dream home.

You Need a Skilled Negotiator

In today’s market, hiring a talented negotiator could save you thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of dollars. Each step of the way – from the original offer, to the possible renegotiation of that offer after a home inspection, to the possible cancellation of the deal based on a troubled appraisal – you need someone who can keep the deal together until it closes.

Realize that when an agent is negotiating their commission with you, they are negotiating their own salary; the salary that keeps a roof over their family’s head; the salary that puts food on their family’s table. If they are quick to take less when negotiating for themselves and their families, what makes you think they will not act the same way when negotiating for you and your family?

If they were Clark Kent when negotiating with you, they will not turn into Superman when negotiating with the buyer or seller in your deal.

Bottom Line

Famous sayings become famous because they are true. You get what you pay for. Just like a good accountant or a good attorney, a good agent will save you money…not cost you money.

Buying A Home Can Be SCARY...Until You Know The FACTS!

Some Highlights:

• 36% of Americans think they need a 20% down payment to buy a home. 44% of Millennials who purchased a home this year have put down less than 10%.
• 71% of loan applications were approved last month
• The average credit score of approved loans was 723 in September (the lowest recorded score since Ellie Mae began tracking in August 2011).

3 Spooky Myths of Home Buying

All of the frights of the fall – like the terrifying calorie count of the handfuls of treats you're scarfing down at the office and the ghouls and goblins lurking at your door – will all be gone before you know it. But some horrors last year-round, including scary myths about buying a home .

Let's take the fear out of a few of them.



1. Spooky myth: You need a 20 percent down payment to buy a home.

Truth: Not every lender requires such a large down payment from every buyer. It all depends on your financial situation, and often your credit worthiness. Buyers often pay a down payment of between 5 and 10 percent. In fact, some Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loans require only a 3.5-percent down payment. There are also programs that help provide down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers . You'll want to explore all your options.



2. Spooky myth: You’ll never qualify for a mortgage if you have any outstanding debt.

Truth: Just like there are good witches and bad witches, there’s good debt and bad debt. Excessive debt and late payments can crush a credit score, which could mean trouble when it comes to qualifying for a home loan . However, good debt that you’ve dutifully been paying off bit by bit, like school and car loans, can actually help your chances by showing that you’ve been financially responsible. Another key factor is your debt-to-income ratio. Essentially, lenders don't want your housing expense to exceed 28 percent of your gross monthly income, and they don't want your monthly debts (for example, credit card minimums and car payments) to exceed 36 percent of your gross monthly income. This is called the 28/36 rule . If you fall within the parameters of the rule, it's OK to be optimistic about your chances of qualifying for a mortgage.



3. Spooky myth: The mortgage amount I qualify to borrow represents what I can afford.

Truth: This is so wrong, it's blood curdling. Lenders who prequalify you for a home loan are not considering all the facets of your budget, such as child care costs, groceries and utilities. They look primarily at your gross income, your debt and your credit-worthiness. It's up to you to determine your price range based on the monthly payment you can afford to absorb when you consider your take-home pay and all of your monthly expenses. The number you're comfortable with may be lower than the amount the lender has authorized. And whether or not you can afford the monthly payment on the full qualifying amount, you don't have to borrow as much as the bank is willing to lend you.



Keep Halloween scary but take the spookiness out of buying a home . Use an agent that has a well-rounded background in business management, marketing and sales: http://www.housefl.com/



(Article from Remax.com)

Here Come the Millennials!!

Many have been wondering when the much anticipated move by Millennials’ into homeownership would actually take place. We know the belief in owning a home is there.

According to a recent Merrill Lynch study , eighty one percent of Millennials believe “homeownership is an important part of the American Dream” . This compares favorably to previous generations.



The obstacle seemed to be employment. It appears that is about to change.

The most recent jobs report disappointed many economists. However, the silver lining in that cloud of doubt was Millennials. Jonathan Smoke, realtor.com Chief Economist, reported :

“About 33% of civilian jobs created over the last 12 months have been for the young adults who are most likely to buy their first home. This should help support continued growth in the share of homes purchased by first time buyers, as economic success has been influencing older Millennials to jump into the housing market this year.”

Selma Hepp, chief economist at Trulia , concurred :

“The faster rate of job growth among Millennials will continue to bolster both the rental and for-sale housing markets for an extended period of time.”

It appears that Millennials will be entering the housing market in great numbers in the very near future.

Family Wealth Grows as Home Equity Builds

With residential real estate values rising quite substantially in most parts of the country over the last few years, many homeowners are seeing a major increase in their family’s wealth as equity continues to build in their house.

A recent study by the Joint Center of Housing Studies at Harvard University revealed that home equity grew nicely last year and has grown dramatically over the last five years…

Buyers looking today may not see the same build-up in equity but could still do quite well.

Let’s assume youwent into contract in the next six weeks and closed on a $250,000 home in January. If we take the house value projections from the last Home Price Expectation Survey , here is how your equity would grow over the next four years:

Bottom Line

Homeownership has historically been a great way for the average American family to build wealth over time.

Buying a Home Remains 35% Less Expensive than Renting!

In the latest Rent vs. Buy Report from Trulia , they explained that homeownership remains cheaper than renting with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage throughout the 100 largest metro areas in the United States.

The updated numbers actually show that the range is from an average of 16% in Honolulu (HI), all the way to 55% in Sarasota (FL), and 35% Nationwide!

The other interesting findings in the report include:

• Interest rates have remained low and even though home prices have appreciated around the country, they haven’t greatly outpaced rental appreciation. “In the past year, these two trends have made homeownership even more affordable compared with renting.”
• Some markets might tip in favor of renting if home prices increase at a greater rate than rents and if – as most economists expect – mortgage rates rise, due to the strengthening economy.
• Nationally, rates would have to rise to 10.6% for renting to be cheaper than buying – and rates haven’t been that high since 1989.

Bottom Line

Buying a home makes sense socially andfinancially. Rents are predicted to increase substantially in the next year, lock in your housing cost with a mortgage payment now.

New Home Sales Surge

According to the latest report from the US Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development , newly constructed home sales jumped 5.7% month-over-month and 21.6% year-over-year to an annual pace of 552,000.

Many buyers are looking to the new homes market to make up for the lack of existing home sales inventory. National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist David Crowe explains:

"Today's report indicates the release of pent-up housing demand as the overall economy strengthens, consumer confidence grows and mortgage interest rates remain low. The housing market should continue to move forward at a modest but more persistent pace throughout the rest of 2015."

Regionally, the Northeast led the way with a 24.1% increase in new home sales, followed by the South (7.4%) and West (5.4%). Sales in the Midwest declined by 9.1%.

The inventory of new homes for sale currently sits at a 4.7-month supply down slightly from July (4.9) and significantly from August 2014 (5.4).

Buyers who purchased a new home were willing to spend more to get the amenities that they wanted. The median home price for new homes was $64,000 higher than existing homes in August at $292,700!

Approved applications for building permits increased 3.5% over July and 12.5% over this time last year. Permit applications are seen as a strong indicator of builder confidence in the market.

Bottom Line

Buyer demand continues to outpace inventory of homes for sale. If you are thinking of selling your house this year, now may be the time to list before builders have a chance to replenish the supply of new homes.



For more information on the original post :

http://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2015/10/13/new-home-sales-surge/?a=217437-c603026527635a35fc4c17da95ca9ed9

Where Will Home Prices Be Next Year?

Some interesting facts:

• 25 states are forecasted to achieve higher levels of appreciation in the next 12 months than already achieved in the last year.
• 25 state and the District of Columbia are forecasted to experience a slow in appreciation.
• All 50 states & D.C. are forecasted to achieve some level of positive price appreciation.

Even though each state is appreciating at different levels, you need to know the Cost of Waiting until next year to buy your dream home!

For More Info., See Original Post Here:

http://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2015/10/16/where-will-home-prices-be-next-year-infographic/?a=217437-c603026527635a35fc4c17da95ca9ed9

The Sneaky Science of Selling Your Home Revealed!

Selling a home isn’t just about slapping down a fresh coat of paint—you need to delve into home buyers’ brains and figure out what makes them tick. From the moment they spot your listing to the instant they walk through your door, what persuades them to make an offer, and stick around to close the deal? To find out, we culled the most recent scientific studies that examine the home-buying mind to find out what turns it on—and off—and how you can use this information to your advantage.



Buyers know within seconds if they want a home



With a decision as weighty as a home purchase, one might think that buyers deliberate over all the pros and cons before they decide to sign on the dotted line. Yet studies show this is not the case.



According to the “Psychology of House Hunting” report by BMO Financial Group, 80% of prospective buyers know if a home is right for them within seconds of stepping inside. The reason? Researchers theorize that our minds process far more information in less time than we think, so a lengthy deliberation process may be a waste of time.



Take-home lesson: Since buyers know within seconds of entering your home whether it’s The One, you’ll want to spiff up the area they’ll see in that time frame—namely, your foyer.



“It can be a challenge to keep this area tidy since that’s where homeowners put their mail, keys, coats, shoes, dog leashes, and other items,” says Sissy Lappin, a real estate broker in Houston.



Containers are key for keeping this mess under control: baskets or racks for shoes, bowls for keys and change—and, unless you have a nearby closet, you can never have too many coat hooks. Be sure to stash any seldom-used items elsewhere. Anywhere else.



They find aromatherapy confusing



It’s not all about what home buyers see; what they smell matters, too. But that doesn’t mean you should fill your home with potpourri or freshly baked cookies.



These “complex” scents can actually backfire in homes, according to a study by Eric Spangenberg at Washington State University, who found that shoppers will spend 32% more in stores where he piped in a simple orange scent rather than a multifaceted blend of orange, basil, and green tea. The reason? Complex scents may be nice, but they’re also more distracting as people try to figure out what they are.



As Spangenberg explained to the Wall Street Journal, “They are not there to process the smells. They are there to process whether this is a place they want to live.”



Take-home lesson: If you go for a scent, keep it fresh and simple. Spangenberg recommends lemon, basil, or pine. You have no time to grab scented candles?



“As a quick fix, I splash Pine-Sol down the sink,” says Lappin. “While certain scents might appeal to one gender but turn off the other, everyone loves the smell of clean.”



They’re wary of the number 9 in a price



On just about any shopping spree, we’re wooed by “charm prices”—in other words, T-shirts or towels priced at $9.99 rather than a round $10—because consumers tend to think that prices ending in 9 are a way better deal. Only with big purchases like homes, charm pricing makes buyers wary.



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According to a study by Old Dominion University, 9’s near the end of a home price—say, $199,000 versus $200,000—are a turnoff. Why? Because these homes appear to be trying too hard to look like a bargain, and buyers don’t like that whiff of desperation when it comes to such a big purchase.



Take-home lesson: Avoid 9’s near the end of your asking price, because buyers may have a knee-jerk impulse to turn away.



“Charm pricing may be fine for T-shirts, but it looks sleazy on a home,” Lappin says. “You feel like you need a shower after seeing the price.”



Prices with round numbers are a turnoff, too



Another number no-no? Pricing your home with round numbers with lots of zeroes, like $200,000, seems like you pulled this number out of a hat. A more specific number like $217,000, on the other hand, makes it look like you’ve really done your homework and know exactly what your home is worth.



One study by Columbia Business School found that negotiators who ask for specific amounts are more successful than those who make rounded offers.



Take-home lesson: Avoid the round number trap and make sure your asking price is specific.



“It will sound like you’ve run the numbers on your home, right down to the exact square footage,” says Lappin. “Oftentimes buyers will ask, ‘Where does this number come from?’ and I’ll say, ‘This seller has done their research and it will take an hour to explain it.’ That’s usually enough to convince them to fall in line.”



Buyers fall hard for staged homes



Staging a home to sell is all the rage these days, and research shows it works: A study by the Real Estate Staging Association looked at 63 unstaged homes that sat on the market for an average of 143 days. Once those houses were professionally staged, they sold, on average, 40 days after their makeover.



Take-home lesson: Pay attention to presentation. But you may not have to open your wallet for a professional stager; the basic premises are simple ones that anyone can put into practice. For one: If you’re already moved out, get some furniture back in the house.



“Seeing a house without furniture is like seeing someone naked in bright light: You can see all their flaws,” says Lappin. Or, if your home does have furniture, make sure it’s the right furniture for each room.



“If you turned your college kid’s bedroom into an office/workout room, change it back to a bedroom,” says Lappin. “I don’t care if it’s four-bedroom—if you only have a bed in one room, it will be perceived as a one-bedroom house. It may sound weird, but that’s how people think. They may say they have imaginations, but they really don’t. On a subliminal level, they take what they see to heart.”



(From Realtor.com, written byKimberly Dawn Neumann)

​5 Tips For Creating Fall Curb Appeal

(BPT) - Soon, all things pumpkin spice will be here, including the home visitors that bring them. In preparation of the door bell ringing, create a little spice of your own with some seasonal curb appeal. You don't have to limit yourself to pumpkins and hay bales - below are tips and projects for sprucing up your home's view from the curb this season.



Front door, first impressions



Your front door is one of the first things people notice about your home. Give your door a fresh face with a coat of paint in a bold fall color to draw the eye to this focal point of your home.



Another project is to replace the door entirely. Consider options with decorative glass accents, and stunning sidelights (windows on either side of the door) to add more natural light while maintaining a sense of style and privacy. Plus, as temperatures start to drop, Energy Star -qualified entry doors will help maintain your home's energy efficiency. For entry door inspiration check out Pinterest, your resident showroom or your local home improvement store.



Accessorize with new hardware



Replace your front door hardware for a quick, easy facelift. Choose hardware finishes that compliment light fixtures, mailbox and house numbers for a polished, cohesive look. You'll be delightfully surprised what a difference new hardware can make in creating an updated look to your home.



Refresh exterior body and trim colors



For a dramatic change, repaint your home's exterior. It's bold and can make your home stand out from other homes on the block. Not up for the bold change? To make an impact with a smaller change, add new trim colors. When updating trim, choose color schemes that match your home's primary exterior color, or complement it with a fresh twist.



Create points of interest with plants



You don't have to stop enjoying beautiful plants and flowers simply because summer is over. Add pops of color by arranging pots filled with hearty fall flowers like mums, sedum or asters around your front door, or on a porch or deck. Incorporate planters or container gardens of varied sizes, shapes and colors to add visual interest.



Accent with lighting



As summer light fades into shorter, darker days, add exterior accent lighting to the front of your home. Illuminate a walking path with ground-insert solar lights. Or consider solar spotlights to bring out landscaping or to shine on your updated front door. Install matching light fixtures outside your front door, garage door or patio door to provide well-lit entrances that are stylish and inviting to neighbors and guests.

New Season in Florida is Fast Approaching

A New Season in Florida is fast approaching; as we welcome back our seasonal residents and tourists new to the area. For some season means more traffic, and a longer wait at local restaurants. For those in the real estate sector, it is an excellent time to get homes sold and off the market. A boost in our local economy means more sellers will be exploring their options in buying a seasonal home, which is why it is important to have a home on the market show worthy. Here are some tips on getting a listing show worthy:

1. Organize (Remove any clutter in the home and organize areas, that way buyers can see themselves in the listing).

2. Deep Clean (Make sure the listing in show worthy by deep cleaning in every room, no buyer can see themselves in a dirty home).

3. Maintenance (Make sure all appliances and equipment is working, and have been checked. This prevents any problems in the long run with a closing).

4. Yard Appearance (Spruce up the yard and front lawn, this is the first impression buyers will get of the listing).

5. Update (Considering fresh paint in rooms, or staging the listing to sell).



(Source: platinumrealestatesearch.com)



Find Just Listed, Hot Deals, Price Reduced and Highly Desired Homes at www.HouseFL.com .

​5 Easy Fall Home Updates

(BPT) - There are so many reasons to love fall. From the brisk breeze and color-changing leaves outdoors, to prepping for the holidays and watching football inside, there couldn't be a better time to make a few updates around your house. Consider these simple fall home updates to stylishly welcome the season.



Paint to please



Throughout the year, our walls can undergo stress from energetic kids, furniture moving and everyday traffic. If your home will be busy during the holidays, welcome guests with a newly painted entryway, or, freshen up your family room with a colorful accent wall. Painting is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to transform a room, so embrace the season and try a fall-inspired hue that harmonizes with your existing space like deep emerald green, royal purple or burgundy. To achieve the best results, use painter's tape to attain sharp paint lines. To help incorporate the color of the accent wall into the room, add d�cor and accessories in similar shades throughout the area, such as new pillows in your family room or a coordinating rug in your entryway.



Clever copper accents



Group together the season's leaves and branches to create a unique centerpiece, or place them throughout the house to bring life to your living areas. Crafting with fall foliage is a cinch - simply gather an assortment of thick leaves, either real or faux - and after they're rinsed and dried, spray each side of the leaf with copper paint and leave to dry for a few hours. Line these leaves up along a table runner, string them from your mantle or use them to dress up place settings. To extend the life of your metallic leaves, consider using them as place cards for holiday dinners. Easily allow guests to find their seats in shimmery style by placing printed nametags atop the leaves at each setting.



Freshen up the front door



Increase your home's curb appeal with a front door refresh just in time for the fall. For starters, give your door a new identity with a distinctive paint color - consider hunter green, colonial red or cognac. The color of your door introduces the world to those who live inside, so choose one that speaks to your family's style. After you've added personality to your door with paint, add a final touch with your family's monogram to the center of the door. If your door is metal, glue magnets to the back of the letters and it will easily adhere to it.



Proper party prep



During the fall, more time will be spent in the home's entertaining spaces to accommodate holiday soirees and family gatherings. Increase the functionality of this room - whether it's the den, family room, dining room or finished basement - and encourage guests to congregate comfortably by adding casual seating. Spice things up with a mixture of options; choose decorative stools and poufs, or upcycle vintage chairs with new, reupholstered seats. The style of your chairs can vary, but be sure to coordinate the colors and patterns. When you're not in party mode, stow away the extra seats.



Wow with a refreshed washroom



When decorating for fall, don't overlook the bathroom! A few simple changes can take this space to new heights. Start by swapping out your soap dishes and lotion pumps with new, coordinating options fitting for the season. If budget allows, replace your everyday towels with new, plush ones in fun fall colors that add a pop of color to the room. Next, add candles with autumn-inspired scents for an aromatic effect that brings the outdoor aura indoors. For subtle changes that go a long way, replace your bathroom hardware including the toilet handle, cabinet pulls or hinges and towel racks.



The fall season is a great time to revitalize elements of your home as you prepare for indoor holiday entertaining. As you choose updates, make sure they maximize your personal style.