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| | Hello! The New Year is looking good for real estate. Throughout 2011, pending home sales stayed above 2010 levels and, according to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), sales of existing homes rose for the third straight month in December, providing encouraging news as we enter 2012. Although the overall trends are positive, Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, concedes that contract failures remain a problem. As much as one-third of all escrows are affected by contract delays or failures because of appraisal discrepancies and loan contingencies. But Yun says that home buyers are not giving up, saying that many buyers successfully complete the sale after a contract delay, while others stay in the market after a contract failure and make another offer. “Housing affordability conditions are too good to pass up,” he said. “Our hope is lending conditions will gradually improve with sustained increases in closed existing-home sales.” If you are considering buying, I suggest we meet and talk about the best way to assure your loan will go through smoothly. Working with top professionals has never been more important. |
| |  3300 Loveland Blvd., Port Charlotte Area, Punta Gorda, FL 33980 - $69,900
Check out this Villa-Style home with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, appliances and in an excellent Community known as The Courtyards. The home features an excellent floor-plan, a relaxing and spacious lanai (Not Included in Sq. Ft.) and also offers a split-plan with the master on one end and 2 additional bedrooms on the other. You'll love the community amenities with a refreshing pool, covered areas, a wood deck/dock, a lake and clubhouse. This is a fun place to live and the people are friendly. These rarely become available and is sought-after. All the amenities you could ever need are very close such as dining, shopping, medical facilities and also has quick access to I 75. There's even a great comedy club near by and of course, Charlotte Harbor and the water is minutes away with the beach only a 30 minute drive. (Englewood Beach-Voted one of the best beaches in the USA multiple times.) Call Bill or Terrie at: 941-235-3528 for details and a showing.(Harbor Beach within 10 Minutes) You can view interior photos at: According To Hoyle |  12348 Minot Ave., South Gulf Cove Waterfront Lot, Port Charlotte, FL 33981 - $29,900
Excellent lot for your Florida home with very quick access to the Myakka River and beyond to Charlotte Harbor and/or Gulf of Mexico. This is a new listing and priced for any investors as well.
Hurry on this one. Public water and more! Nice homes all around. Prime area! 941-235-3528 | 329 Marlin Dr., Punta Gorda, FL 33950-- $169,900
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Q: Can you help me with real estate in other areas of the state or country? A: Absolutely. I work closely with agents from all over. It does not have to be local or just in our state. The benefit of working with a referral agent is you’ll receive more personal service and attention since they’re accountable not only to you, but to me as well. What’s more, you can call me at any time. I am your advocate. I will intercede for you. For moving, remember that our company has a list of preferred service providers, including cleaning services and movers. I have my favorites too. If you know anyone who is thinking of relocating, please feel free to have them contact me. Referrals are always appreciated and I am committed to giving you and your friends the best service possible. Did you know there are a host of phone apps on the market to help you through the entire process of purchasing a home? If you're just starting out and need help understanding the language of the real estate industry, try the Dictionary of Real Estate Terms ($1.99 for iPhone and iPad. Other dictionaries available for different devices). Do you know what you can afford? The Mortgage Calculator tells you what your monthly payments will be, the price per square foot and your amortization schedule (99 cents for iPad and iPhone. Other calculators available for different devices). Home Buying Power goes one further, helping you calculate the percentage of your income, down payment and loan terms ($1.99 for iPad and iPhone). After you locate a home, you'll want to research the neighborhood and outlying areas. WikiHood will give you a mini-tour of any neighborhood in the world, including details on the history, culture and local companies (Free for iPad and iPhone). Suburb Scout searches for possible nuisances near a home - airports, landfills, sewage plants and more ($1.99 for Android). Crime Stats reports crime statistics by location using FBI data (99 cents for iPhone and iPad). Finally, Sitewise gives you the demographics on the residents of a prospective area, detailing such information as age, education level, family size, income and more ($9.99 for Blackberry, Android and iPhone users). (Keep in mind that Income Levels can be misleading when people are retired and living on lower, fixed incomes. This can alter the stats in certain circumstances.) It's never been so easy to gather all the information you need in the palm of your hand to help you find the perfect home for you and your family. First impressions count. As buyers drive around the neighborhood, does your home stand out from the rest? Here are some ideas for setting the stage for your home. - Install a border along your driveway. Edging materials such as bricks, pavers and stone bring asphalt slabs to life and imply a higher level of detail. Quality counts.
- Install lights along the sidewalk and path that leads to your entryway. Solar lights don’t require running electrical cable and are easy to install and most have a run time of at least six hours.
- Do you have trees in front of your house? If so, cover up dead spots that appear near their roots. By adding two inches of mulch, your entire yard will look healthier.
- Bigger projects that have a good payback include a new garage door, new hardware and paint on the front door, and a new mailbox.
First impressions can sell your home. Let me know if you want me to come over and give you my thoughts. We can e-mail you a list of available homes that fit your specific interests! Now is a Fabulous Time to Buy in Florida. Call us and we'll tell you why. SW Florida Real Estate Want to know what homes are selling for in a specific neighborhood? E-Mail us and we'll send you a report! http://www.homespuntagorda.com Thanks for reading! The According To Hoyle Group You've got a life; We help you live it! 941-235-3528 or toll free:877-75HOYLE info@accordingtohoyle.com Sun Realty | |
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Punta Gorda
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Announcing 329 Marlin Dr., a 1,599 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story "Florida Style-Harbor-Gulf Access". Now
MLS®
$169,900
- Excellent Price.
Property information
A Great Investment
As chief economist of Stewart Title, which writes property title insurance
and closes real estate deals, Ted Jones has a sense of humor and a sense of
reality.
Aware that economists were spectacularly wrong about the
sustainability of the 2002-06 housing boom, he says, "Economists are never
supposed to give a number and a date at the same time."
In fact, Jones himself said in this column on July 20, 2002,
"The average home will go up in value 6.5 percent a year for the next
decade." For the four years following that prediction, it turned out to be
conservative. Home prices soared. Then they came crashing back down — by as
much as 74 percent from peak in Cape Coral — and are about where they were in
2002.
Still, he says real estate is back to being not just a good
investment, but a great one.
Jones, who does not like to be called "Dr. Jones"
even though he has a Ph.D. in economics, gave a lot of numbers in a talk to the
Sarasota Association of Realtors last week, and they all pointed to one
conclusion: "Overweight your investment in real estate," he said.
"It is cheap and on sale."
And it is a better investment than stocks over the past
decade, he said.
"Housing has outperformed, since 2002, the S&P 500 by
a factor of 2 to 1, even though housing has gone down 26 percent in value (from
the peak, nationally).
"S&P 500's dividend in the last 10 years averaged 1.8
percent a year. The dividend on housing, if you look at the census bureau
tracts every year, the average asking rent and the average asking price, and
you do the 10-year average between those two, it is 5.4 percent. So that means
the dividend for housing is a factor of more than 3 back to S&P 500.
"Going back to 1980, housing is up 225 percent, gold is
up 136 percent. Housing is on sale. It's a great time to buy."
Of course, not everyone is cut out to be a homeowner, as we
saw during the boom/bust, and indeed a "generation of renters" is
entering the housing market, said Jones.
"They don't have the financial ability to own a house for
the long term," said Jones.
"The people who own rental real estate are making a
heckuva return today," he said. "The people who are renting that
property are leaving a lot on the table. So it is a great time to be an
owner."
That is, if you can get a loan, especially with a distressed
sale on your record.
"We are still looking at a seven-year element if you have
done a foreclosure," he said. "There are alternatives to this,
however. One of them is owner financing.
"Another is that a large number of banks are saying, with
their pools of foreclosed real estate, 'We don't care if you have done a
foreclosure. If you have the financial acumen to make the monthly payments, we
may look at financing you.' It is higher risk, but because rates are at an
all-time low — 3.89 percent, the lowest since Freddie Mac started tracking the
mortgage rates back in 1971 — even if you had to pay a couple percent more, who
cares?"
Bill Hoyle
AARE CAI GSA
The According
To Hoyle Group
Your SW Florida Real Estate Connection
941-235-3528 /
877-75HOYLE
bill@accordingtohoyle.com
www.homespuntagorda.com
Happy New Year!! Even before the stats for December 2011 are tabulated, the real estate trend for last year seems clear – slow but steady. The latest monthly data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that sales of single family homes, townhomes, condos and co-ops increased 4 percent last November, up 12.2 percent from November of 2010. (The one sector that fell was properties for sale by owners.) Also, the Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, increased 7.3 percent in November. The last time the index was higher was in April 2010 when buyers rushed to beat the deadline for the home buyer tax credit. Lawrence Yun of the NAR said, “November (did) reasonably well in comparison with the past year. The sustained rise in contract activity suggests that closed, existing-home sales, which are the important final economic impact figures, should continue to improve in the months ahead.” With record low mortgage interest rates and bargain home prices, the NAR Housing Affordability Index confirms that more buyers can now afford homes. Yes, it is still a buyer’s market. But contract activity is up and change may be in the air for 2012. |
| |  3300 Loveland Blvd., Port Charlotte Area, Punta Gorda, FL 33980 - $69,900
Check out this Villa-Style home with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, appliances and in an excellent Community known as The Courtyards. The home features an excellent floor-plan, a relaxing and spacious lanai (Not Included in Sq. Ft.) and also offers a split-plan with the master on one end and 2 additional bedrooms on the other. You'll love the community amenities with a refreshing pool, covered areas, a wood deck/dock, a lake and clubhouse. This is a fun place to live and the people are friendly. These rarely become available and is sought-after. All the amenities you could ever need are very close such as dining, shopping, medical facilities and also has quick access to I 75. There's even a great comedy club near by and of course, Charlotte Harbor and the water is minutes away with the beach only a 30 minute drive. (Englewood Beach-Voted one of the best beaches in the USA multiple times.) Call Bill or Terrie at: 941-235-3528 for details and a showing.(Harbor Beach within 10 Minutes) You can view interior photos at: According To Hoyle |  12348 Minot Ave., South Gulf Cove Waterfront Lot, Port Charlotte, FL 33981 - $29,900
Excellent lot for your Florida home with very quick access to the Myakka River and beyond to Charlotte Harbor and/or Gulf of Mexico. This is a new listing and priced for any investors as well.
Hurry on this one. Public water and more! Nice homes all around. Prime area! 941-235-3528 | 25668 Prada Dr., Punta Gorda, FL 33955-- $129,900
25100 Sandhill, Deep Creek Gardens Condo for Rent, Punta Gorda, FL 33983-- $595
Harbour, Punta Gorda, FL 33983-- $375,000
26514 Copiapo Circle, PENDING, Punta Gorda, FL 33983-- $144,900
9172 Jernigan St, SW, RENTED, Arcadia, FL 34269-- $399,900
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Q: Are home improvements tax deductible? A: Home maintenance projects, such as painting a house or repairing floors, are generally not deductible. Home improvements, such as adding a bathroom or new roof, aren’t typically deductible either. However, they can be added to the basis of your property. A basis is what is used to compute capital gains taxes. Once your house is sold, a smaller portion of the proceeds of the sale are taxed by the I.R.S, ultimately reducing your taxes.
Improvements that can be deducted are upgrades ordered by a doctor as necessary because of a medical condition. Also, home improvements for energy efficiency are currently subject to a tax credit. For more information, consult your tax advisor. Do your New Year's resolutions involve an exercise program? Some fantastic technological advances are afoot in workout gear. These products capture energy as a byproduct of casual human activities, such as walking or exercising. Scientists call such devices "parasitic" generators. Your local fitness center may soon have workout machines that generate electricity as you burn calories. Gyms across the US have been adopting this technology for the past few years. Instead of measuring your performance in workout time or calories burned, you may just find yourself looking at how much wattage your workout is generating. Someday, you may be able to recharge your cell phone while taking a power walk in electricity-generating shoes. The action of taking a step moves thousands of tiny droplets in the shoe’s soles through a thin film. The motion of the droplets is then converted into an electrical current. The suspended-load backpack , originally created for the US Navy, generates its own power while hiking. Taking a hike with one of these backpacks will potentially let you generate energy to charge your computer, cell phone and other devices with limited battery life. While not all these products are available yet to the mass market, this may be a glimpse of where the future of technology and energy production is headed. One thing that is available is an escape to our neck of the woods; SW FL. The sunshine and activities will do you good and reduces your stress level. Come and Visit! During the colder months and shorter days of winter, below are some things to consider when staging your home for sale: Turn up the heat - Crank up the heat a notch or two to make your home cozier. Then, set it back to normal when buyers arrive. This ensures for a comfortable, quiet house. If you have a gas fireplace, light it. For a wood burning fireplace, if you’re not going to be around, set the hearth with wood for a fire without actually lighting it. Let in the light - During the shorter days of winter, show your house during the day when the sunlight is at its brightest. Pull up the blinds and draw the drapes on every window. Clean lamps and fixtures. Swap out low-voltage bulbs for the brightest your fixtures will accommodate. Then, turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights. Place spotlights on the floor behind furniture in dark rooms. Put indoor and outdoor lights on timers so when you're absent, the house will still appear welcoming when prospective buyers drive past at night. Get your windows washed - Buyers respond to first impressions and windows are one thing you may not even consider. In winter, strong sunlight can reveal grime and dirt and give the house an appearance of neglect. Set the scene - Even with the holidays over, you can still use dried arrangements and winter wreaths, anything appropriate to the season. Consider the small things that make you feel like you're home. Put a warm throw over a sofa, fold back a thick comforter on the bed and put classical music on the stereo. We can e-mail you a list of available homes that fit your specific interests! Now is a Fabulous Time to Buy in Florida. Call us and we'll tell you why. SW Florida Real Estate Want to know what homes are selling for in a specific neighborhood? E-Mail us and we'll send you a report! http://www.homespuntagorda.com Thanks for reading! The According To Hoyle Group You've got a life; We help you live it! 941-235-3528 or toll free:877-75HOYLE info@accordingtohoyle.com Sun Realty | |
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Quick Small Boat Access to Myakka River
• lot / land "Waterfront Canal"
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$29,900
- Great Price Waterfront
Gulf Cove West, Port Charlotte
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Smart Investment or build your new home. Located in area of nice homes on salt-water canal. (1 bridge for 776 approx. 27 ft. clearence/Not Warranted)
This lot is one lot from the corner and has approx. 40 ft.+/- of water frontage which is excellent for a fishing boat. Immediate access to the river/harbor or the Gulf.
Public Water available at street. Priced to sell with motivated seller.
Property information
What the Crystal Ball Says about the housing market in 2012
As we wrap up 2011, Trulia’s Chief Economist looks ahead at what’s in store for the battered housing market and which cities have a big reason to celebrate the New Year.
My crystal ball is never as crystal-clear as I’d like, but I do think that we can expect a gradual economic recovery to move the housing market a few steps back toward normal in 2012.
Before getting into the predictions, let me be upfront about what I’m assuming. After 14 months of job gains, I expect the economy to continue its slow but determined recovery. I don’t do my own macroeconomic forecasts, but every single one of the fifty-ish economic forecasters surveyed by the Wall Street Journal expects the economy to grow throughout 2012, and that makes sense to me.
Here’s what I expect in 2012 and what it means for agents:
Delinquencies will go down, but foreclosures will go up.
Fewer borrowers will fall behind on their payments next year, thanks to the strengthening economy and refinancings. The share of delinquent borrowers is already down more than a quarter from the peak a couple of years ago. But many borrowers who fell behind on their payments during the housing crisis are still in limbo: last year’s robo-signing controversy threw a wrench in the gears of the foreclosure process. That means that some delinquent loans haven’t yet gone through the foreclosure process. Once a settlement is reached with banks over robo-signing, we’ll see a new wave of foreclosures and foreclosure sales.
What it means for agents: Despite the decline in delinquencies, the wave of foreclosures will hurt. New foreclosures will depress prices for several reasons – foreclosed homes are often sold at a discount and used as comps for non-distressed homes; vacant homes bring down the value of their neighbors; and high foreclosures are the worst thing for consumer confidence in the housing market. That will hurt seller motivation even more than buyer motivation since lower prices will mean deals for some buyers. Agents should be gearing up with competitive pricing strategies to catch buyers and preparing to counsel their traditional seller-clients about the depressed prices to come in high-foreclosure areas.
Rents will rise – which is a bad thing.
With fewer people buying homes and more people losing their homes to foreclosures, rental demand is increasing. High rents will hold back economic growth if businesses can’t pay workers enough to have a roof over their heads. Squeezed city-dwellers won’t get relief until late 2012: that’s when a wave of new multi-unit construction projects that started late this year will be completed and available for rent. To tackle growth-killing high living costs in the priciest cities head on, local governments need to get rid of height restrictions and arduous permitting processes, which hold back urban construction and push development to the suburbs.
What it means for agents: Rising rents and falling prices make buying a great deal – but only for prospective buyers who can afford the downpayment and qualify for a mortgage. When counseling buyers, agents need to be aware of the struggle and sacrifice required to save for down payments in this climate. But the good news is that there will be clients motivated by available inventory and low prices – even though these clients may require more hand-holding around financing options.
Mortgage rates will inch up – which will probably be a good thing.
A stronger economy will push Treasury bonds and mortgage rates up because inflation becomes more likely and investors demand higher rates to hold bonds. But lots of factors can push rates up or down. For the housing market, which direction rates go is less important than why. Gradual economic recovery is good news for the housing market even if it means higher mortgage rates – because higher mortgage rates should go hand-in-hand with greater housing demand.
Florida Realtors® News Daily Briefing: Thursday, December 22, 2011
A service for members of Florida Realtors TODAY'S TOP STORIES Florida Realtors' top 10 stories of 2011 What stories impacted Florida's Realtors most in 2011? And what will continue to influence headlines in 2012?
At the top of the list: 2011 was a good time to buy a Florida home. It wasn't the easiest time if a buyer needed a mortgage or tried to strike a deal on a short sale, but selling prices appear to have hit bottom in some areas, and buyers had a wide selection. In another decade after home inventory falls and mortgage rates rise, Floridians could look back on 2011 as the best time in recorded history to buy a home.
In addition to the economy, Florida Realtors top 10 includes a nod toward changing technology, legislative wins in Tallahassee, a commercial market that improved, and property insurance changes that impacted some markets more than others.
See if you agree. To read the full article, visit Florida Realtors' website. |
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| | Happy Holidays! The news remains encouraging on a nationwide scale as home sales continue to improve, posting a gain of 13.5% in October over last year. Market changes from September to October by region are listed below: - Sales increased 4.4% in the West
- Sales increased 2.8% in the Midwest
- Sales increased 2.1% in the South
- Sales decreased 5.1% in the Northeast
Reasons for the continued increase? Job creation, rising rents and record high affordability conditions. Still, economists aren’t announcing a turnaround in the market just yet. One of the reasons is many would-be buyers are falling out of contract. Lawrence Yun of the National Association of Realtors says, “Many people who are attempting to buy homes are thwarted in the process.” Another prime factor is tightened lending standards and the recent decrease in conventional loan limits. But there’s a silver lining – it’s likely the federal government will continue to try and keep mortgage rates at historically low levels, continuing to make this one of the best times to purchase a home. If you have questions about whether or not you qualify, give me a call. (And read this month’s Just Ask article that details how you can increase your chances of getting through a successful escrow.) |
|  3300 Loveland Blvd., Port Charlotte Area, Punta Gorda, FL 33980 - $69,900
Check out this Villa-Style home with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, appliances and in an excellent Community known as The Courtyards. The home features an excellent floor-plan, a relaxing and spacious lanai (Not Included in Sq. Ft.) and also offers a split-plan with the master on one end and 2 additional bedrooms on the other. You'll love the community amenities with a refreshing pool, covered areas, a wood deck/dock, a lake and clubhouse. This is a fun place to live and the people are friendly. These rarely become available and is sought-after. All the amenities you could ever need are very close such as dining, shopping, medical facilities and also has quick access to I 75. There's even a great comedy club near by and of course, Charlotte Harbor and the water is minutes away with the beach only a 30 minute drive. (Englewood Beach-Voted one of the best beaches in the USA multiple times.) Call Bill or Terrie at: 941-235-3528 for details and a showing.(Harbor Beach within 10 Minutes) You can view interior photos at: According To Hoyle |  12348 Minot Ave., South Gulf Cove Waterfront Lot, Port Charlotte, FL 33981 - $29,900
Excellent lot for your Florida home with very quick access to the Myakka River and beyond to Charlotte Harbor and/or Gulf of Mexico. This is a new listing and priced for any investors as well.
Hurry on this one. Public water and more! Nice homes all around. Prime area! 941-235-3528 | 25668 Prada Dr., Punta Gorda, FL 33955-- $129,900
25100 Sandhill, Deep Creek Gardens Condo for Rent, Punta Gorda, FL 33983-- $595
Harbour, Punta Gorda, FL 33983-- $375,000
26514 Copiapo Circle, PENDING, Punta Gorda, FL 33983-- $144,900
9172 Jernigan St, SW, RENTED, Arcadia, FL 34269-- $399,900
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Q: How can I increase my odds of successfully purchasing a home? A: Sometimes, potential homebuyers are unable to close contract on a house they want. Below are some of the main reasons why a home purchase falls out of contract. Financing issues - This is one of the top reasons homes fall out of escrow. Overzealous buyers, even those who have been pre-approved, can get in over their heads and be denied a loan. Remember, there’s a difference between being pre-approved and being pre-qualified. To boost your chances of getting funding for the home you love, get pre-qualified before you start house hunting. This helps ensure that income and credit issues won’t hinder your ability to close escrow. Missing paperwork – Another common reason buyers fall out of contract is simply lack of proper paperwork. Some deals move so quickly that they go to contract before your income has even been verified. Make sure you’ve prepared all the tax and income statements and other documentation when your mortgage broker or lender requests it. As your agent, I would help you navigate the home buying process and clarify all of these details. Poor appraisals - New government regulations have contributed to a rise in the number of real estate appraisers who aren't knowledgeable of the neighborhoods they are appraising. A poor appraisal can stop a contract if the bank disputes it. Always pick a local mortgage broker or lender who uses a trustworthy and local appraiser. Need help finding one? Give me a call! SW Florida has so many fun things to do from stand-up comics, sports, boating/fishing, music and entertainment, of course the beaches and nature, the theatre, fine dining and beautiful sunsets. Check out this Flash-Mob at the Farmer's Market in Downtown Punta Gorda one day: http://www.youtube.com/v/E6391Md-WAc?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1 These days, we need a password for everything - from email to online bank accounts, from social networking to shopping sites. It can be a challenge to remember them all, especially during the holiday season when you might find yourself shopping online. Ideally, to keep all your accounts secure, you should have unique passwords for all your online accounts. But how do you remember them all? Here are a few great tools and services that not only keep your passwords secure, but allow you to access them from multiple devices. 1Password lets you create and securely access your passwords from Mac, iPhone, iPad or Android devices. The program is $39.95 ($59.95 for a family license usable by up to 5 users). Whenever you create a new account, the program will save the account to its database. In the future, when you access that account, the program will automatically fill in the data for you. It also contains a password generator so you don’t even have to create a password. 1Passoword also has a beta version of its app for Windows users. LastPass is similar to 1Password, with the exception that it saves all your data on the web rather than to your computer. It works on both Windows and Mac, as well as with every major web browser. The program is free to use, but for $12 a year you can use it on your Android, iPhone or Blackberry. KeePass is a free app that works similarly to those above. The benefit of KeePass is it can run off a USB drive, making it ideal for users who work on different machines and don’t want to leave any of their personal data behind. Firefox Sync takes a different tact on password management. It’s plug-in app - a program that’s added to your Firefox web browser. It syncs and protects your passwords, bookmarks and browser tabs. As long as the computer you’re using has Firefox, you can login and access your existing data. The app is available for Mac and Windows, as well as for iPhone and Android mobile platforms. The app is free, but if you prefer Internet Explorer, Safari or another web browser, you’ll want to consider one of the options above. According to Remodeling Magazine, return on investment for remodeling peaked in 2005 when home sellers earned back roughly 86.7% of the money they spent to improve their homes. Today, on a national average, return on investment hit a low of 57.7%. With this in mind, you’ll want to consider spending your money wisely when investing in home improvement. Here are some remodeling projects that are currently returning the most on investment: - Houses built of durable, low-maintenance materials appeal to many homebuyers. Replacing exterior siding can bring as much as a 78% return on your investment.
- Replacing an old entry door with a new 20-guage steel door to improve curb appeal brings a 73% return.
- Adding living space without expanding the home’s overall dimensions - for example, an attic or basement bedroom and bath - is a cost-effective improvement that can bring a 72.5% return.
- A new, high-end garage door recoups on average of 71.1%.
- Adding energy efficient vinyl replacement windows has a 69.1% payback.
First impressions count and make buyers act more quickly. Just remember to start at the curb; make sure buyers are impressed from the moment they drive up to your home. We can e-mail you a list of available homes that fit your specific interests! Now is a Fabulous Time to Buy in Florida. Call us and we'll tell you why. SW Florida Real Estate Want to know what homes are selling for in a specific neighborhood? E-Mail us and we'll send you a report! http://www.homespuntagorda.com Thanks for reading! The According To Hoyle Group You've got a life; We help you live it! 877-75HOYLE or 941-235-3528 info@accordingtohoyle.com Sun Realty | |
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| Hello! As we enter the autumn and winter seasons, available housing inventory will typically decrease and real estate activity will slow except in Florida and some Sunbelt areas. Nationwide, there are currently about 3.48 million homes for sale. The National Association of Realtors predicts that this number will probably drop to less than 3 million over the next few months. Meanwhile, would-be buyers will shift their focus towards the holidays, waiting for the boost in available properties that usually comes in the spring. And there are good indicators that some areas will see significant changes in the market next year: - New residential construction surged 15% in September - the best performance in 17 months.
- Mortgage applications increased 1.3% for the week ending October 7, 2011, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
- Pending home sales this past September were 6.4% higher than in September of 2010.
Qualified buyers are in a strong position to negotiate a good price on their next home right now. With home prices and interest rates at historically low levels, now may be the time to consider a move before the market heats up again. Q: Is this a good time to buy a rental property? A: Low home prices combined with low interest rates make this the best time in years to become a real estate investor. News sources like MSNBC have been reporting since summer of a strong rental market in today’s economy, calling it a “landlord’s market” in many cities and anticipating rising rents. If you’re considering purchasing a property to rent, location is of prime importance. Safe neighborhoods that are near good schools and public amenities like parks and public transportation, and shopping districts are especially attractive to renters. What type of property are you interested in buying? Condominiums can be a good choice for first-time investors. But they appreciate more slowly and command smaller rents. Single-family homes tend to attract longer term renters. If you’re interested, let’s talk about your options. The real estate market is starting to recover. Now may be the best time to invest. Does the word Thanksgiving conjure images of running to catch an airplane, or sitting in long lines of traffic in order to be with your loved ones? Almost 400 years ago, before planes, trains and automobiles, Thanksgiving was a much simpler celebration. In 1621, the pilgrim community took one day rest to give thanks to their Creator for a plentiful hunt and harvest. Edward Winslow, a leader in the Plymouth Plantation, gives us one of the few written records of what has come to be seen as the first Thanksgiving in America in a journal titled Mourt’s Relation: “And God be praised we had a good increase… Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors.” Whether you’re gathering over a formal, five-course turkey dinner, or an excited child-filled meal, messy with mashed potatoes, I hope you can take the time to slow down and appreciate what you have this season. [[autoname]], I wish you wonderful Thanksgiving. Is your house ready for winter? The following tips will help you save money on your heating bills in the upcoming colder months. Add insulation in your attic – Do you have enough insulation in your attic? The US Department of Energy has some helpful recommendations on insulation levels at their website. They even have a calculator that will tell you based on your zip code how much you should have in your home. When adding new insulation atop old insulation, don’t use the kind with paper backing. It forms a vapor barrier that can cause moisture problems in the existing insulation. Maintain your ducts – You can lose up to 60% of your heat through ducts. If you’ve had your system for awhile, consider hiring a professional heating and cooling contractor to locate and seal areas where you may be losing warm air. If you’re in an especially cold climate and your ducts pass through unheated spaces like a basement, insulate them. Reverse your fans – If your ceiling fans have reverse settings, run them in cold months; they’ll push warm air downward, circulating it throughout the room. Block drafts – Cold air coming from beneath doors can waste up to 30% of your energy bill. Stuff a necktie or a scrap of fabric sewn into the shape of a tube with sand or kitty litter (or just roll up a towel) and lay it at the base of the door. Lower the thermostat – For every degree you lower your thermostat, you can save up to 3% on your monthly heating bill. Replace filters – Clogged air filters restrict airflow and add to your energy bill. Replace them once a month during the winter. Better yet, with reports suggesting that disposable filters trap as little as 10-40% of debris, consider replacing yours with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles. Buy an energy monitor – There are two kinds of energy monitors. Smart Plugs plug into an individual outlet and calculate the amount of energy being used by a single appliance. Energy (or power) monitors for the whole house track energy usage at your breaker panel. You can find out in real time how much energy you’re using, how much it’s costing you, and how much you’ll save just by turning off an extra light or any appliances like laptops and televisions that have standby modes. Research has shown that people who use power monitors naturally become more aware of - and reduce - their usage. Shop your local home appliance store for an energy monitor and save on your overall power bill this winter. We can e-mail you a list of available homes that fit your specific interests! Now is a Fabulous Time to Buy in Florida. Call us and we'll tell you why. SW Florida Real Estate Want to know what homes are selling for in a specific neighborhood? E-Mail us and we'll send you a report! http://www.homespuntagorda.com Thanks for reading! The According To Hoyle Group You've got a life; We help you live it! 877-75HOYLE or 941-235-3528 info@accordingtohoyle.com Sun Realty | |
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Florida’s existing home, condo sales rise in 3Q ORLANDO, Fla. – Nov. 9, 2011 – Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales continued to show gains in third quarter 2011 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest housing statistics from Florida Realtors®.
Existing home sales rose 12 percent in 3Q 2011 with a total of 46,759 homes sold statewide; during the same period the year before, a total of 41,728 homes changed hands according to Florida Realtors. Statewide sales of existing condos in the third quarter rose 13 percent compared to the year-ago sales figure.
Florida’s existing-home median sales price continued to stabilize and remained level at $136,000 for the three-month period; in 3Q 2010, it was $135,900. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half for less.
In the year-to-year quarterly comparison for existing condo sales, 20,383 units sold statewide in the third quarter compared to 17,980 units in 3Q 2010 for a 13 percent increase. The statewide existing-condo median sales price was $89,600 in the third quarter; a year earlier, it was $83,700 for a 7 percent increase.
“The quarterly numbers confirm the general improvement in Florida’s housing market in both sales and prices that we’ve been seeing since January 2011,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. “However, this positive trend isn’t receiving the attention it’s due because of the interaction of people’s expectations, perceptions and reality. When you come out of a recession, people expect the real estate market to take a huge jump forward, and when it doesn’t, they perceive that the market is ‘bad’ or still down. However, the reality is that the Florida market is improving and it has been for some time – it’s just improving more slowly than initial expectations.”
Mortgage rates continued to hover around historical lows in the third quarter. According to Freddie Mac, the national commitment rate for a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.31 percent in 3Q 2011; one year earlier, it averaged 4.45 percent.
© 2011 Florida Realtors®
Florida leads Top 10 cities for home list price increases |
Florida communities, including Sarasota-Bradenton and Charlotte County-North Port, dominated a list of the 10 cities that have seen the largest percentage increase in median list prices when comparing September with a year earlier. Sarasota-Bradenton was No. 4 on the ratings, culled from 4 million listings on more than 900 multiple listing services around the country. The median list price during September was $233,0000, 16.5 percent higher than a year ago. Charlotte County-North Port was $169,000, up 14 percent from a year ago. Other markets up in Florida include Fort Myers-Cape Coral, whose 34.5 percent increase put it at No. 1; Miami, with 25.6 percent increase at No. 2; Naples, at No. 3; Lakeland-Winter Haven, at No. 7; and Daytona Beach, at No. 9. |
@ Sarasota Herald Tribune | Posted: 11/07/11 at 0215 EST |
Many of you may not know that there's is a convenient airport other than Ft. Myers, Sarasota and even Tampa that has flights directly into Charlotte County. This is a great option for several people in certain locations. If you want to check out which Airlines and what flights and locations are served, check out the link below!
http://www.flypgd.com/airline-information.php
Come on down! It's beautiful here. Enjoy golfing, boating/fishing and our beautiful sunsets.
North Port, Sarasota County - Announcing a price reduction on 6333 Festive St., a 1,850 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story "New Construction to Complete". Now MLS® $69,900 - You Finish-You save!.
Property information
Home listing prices rising in Florida ORLANDO, Fla. – Sept. 26, 2011 – Prices are rising in Florida.
Florida cities have had the largest year-over-year increases in average list prices, according to the latest real estate data from Realtor.com. Based on August data of 2.2 million listings in 146 markets, Florida cities make up nine of the top 10 places for highest year-over-year list price spikes.
Nationwide, the average list price is $320,325, up 2.36 percent year-over-year.
Here are the top 15 cities boasting the highest percentage of year-over-year increases in average list prices.
1. Miami
Average list price: $640,332
Year-over-year increase: 27.4%
2. Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Fla.
Average list price: $443,570
Year-over-year increase: 26.27%
3. Central-Fla. rural service area
Average list price: $405,809
Year-over-year increase: 19.41%
4. Punta Gorda, Fla.
Average list price: $267,066
Year-over-year increase: 16.37%
5. Macon, Ga.
Average list price: $193,520
Year-over-year increase: 15.98%
6. Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.
Average list price: $466,785
Year-over-year increase: 15.86%
7. Naples, Fla.
Average list price: $713,087
Year-over-year increase: 15.13%
8. West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Fla.
Average list price: $591,895
Year-over-year increase: 14.68%
9. Ocala, Fla.
Average list price: $193,360
Year-over-year increase: 12.07%
10. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.
Average list price: $181,409
Year-over-year increase: 11.48%
11. Orlando, Fla.
Average list price: $319,419
Year-over-year increase: 10.56%
12. Portland-Vancouver, Ore.-Wash.
Average list price: $314,537
Year-over-year increase: 10.52%
13. Boise City, Idaho
Average list price: $212,588
Year-over-year increase: 10.43%
14. Springfield, Illinois
Average list price: $174,537
Year-over-year increase: 9.12%
15. Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
Average list price: $211,414
Year-over-year increase: 8.34%
Source: Melissa Dittmann Tracey, Realtor® Magazine Daily News
© 2011 Florida Realtors®