To leave satisfied you must arrive prepared.”

Open it up, take a look around, and if you like, start equipping yourself with the tools necessary to make your best home purchase in Fort Lauderdale. In most businesses, knowledge equals power, and real estate is certainly no exception.

Are you facing any of these situations?

• You’re looking to make one of the most important purchases of your life and you don’t want to get burned because of not knowing who you can trust, or making a mistake that could cost you thousands of dollars later.
• You do not know Fort Lauderdale home values and you want to be assured of getting the most that you can for your money, without having any regrets after you have closed escrow.
• You’re feeling out of control because there are so many unanswered questions. Making it hard to know where to start. Is there an easy way to buy a home in Fort Lauderdale?

If any of these situations sound familiar, then this fact-filled information will help prepare you for the purchase of your Fort Lauderdale home. Doesn’t it make sense that in order for you to make one of the most important decisions in your life you should be well-informed?

I say that because I was in your shoes. In fact, I was once facing every one of the above situations in my Fort Lauderdale home purchase.

Here’s A Quick and Easy Way to Help Prepare for Your Next Fort Lauderdale Home Purchase I Call It…

Florida Connects

A successful purchase in every real estate market starts with the right representative. In fact, once you’ve selected the best Realtor or agent to represent you  in Fort Lauderdale, it is likely that he or she can recommend other professionals to join your team, taking more of the responsibility off of your shoulders.

Fort Lauderdale Lender (Appraiser)

A bank is not just a bank. Having the right local banker can be extremely important – it is your money we’re talking about after all! Make sure that your local lender and financial representative is someone with whom you feel comfortable, and be wary of any lender who promises you more than you think you can reasonably afford. Your lenders may or may not require an independent appraisal, and typically will make arrangements for the appraisal themselves.

Fort Lauderdale Lawyer

Your home purchase in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in Florida is far too important a transaction to skimp on legal representation at the risk of leaving yourself open to costly future issues. Find a lawyer who is willing to take the time to answer your questions and who specializes in real estate law.

Home Inspector

No home inspection is 100% guaranteed, but a few hundred dollars to catch a major problem now is certainly better than many thousands to correct that ‘surprise’ down the road. Ask your agent for a recommendation.

Contractor

Planning some renovations? You’re not the only one! The home renovation industry is booming, and in some markets, booking a contractor must be done months in advance (that’s a long time to go without a kitchen). Don’t let finding the right contractor slip through the cracks – planning ahead will almost certainly make your renovation smoother, and you contractor will appreciate the advance notice.

Fort Lauderdale FL – A common problem many Fort Lauderdale home sellers face today is getting the price they want and need, quick. Competing with Bank Owned Homes, Foreclosure Properties, Short sales, Builder Sell out….for less buyers in Fort Lauderdale can mean month on the market, less money or possible NO sale at all.

The Solution…

Combine efforts of a quick effective exposure to motivated buyers through effective Marketing and using the only Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Home Selling System that automatically creates a greater perception of Home Value.

An exclusive online home seller kit has been constructed just for you regarding the fast sale of your home. In it, you will find information critical to a successful home sale at top dollar within your time frame and with less hassle.

Florida Connects Inc. exclusively to use this Fort Lauderdale Sales System that greatly increases the demand for your home and much more likely to sell faster for more money and with less hassle.

There is a difference in just selling your home and selling your home ‘right’. You will find that your personalized home seller kit can help you in securing a smooth on time closing.

To learn about getting your price you need and want with and quick closing go here

Fort Lauderdale FL – As stated before we expect in 2012 home prices to continue to fall an additional 3-5% while home supply still out weights the demand for homes in the Florida real estate market.

The flat housing market will be continue over the next several years and it is the best time to clean up your credit and re-establish your financial stability.

After a foreclosure it is more important than ever that you establish a good credit when buying your next home. When you take the time and establish a good credit it will allow you to buy your next home with a minimal down payment and the lowest interest rates on the market available. You need a plan and discipline to establish your goal of home owner ship.

If you lost your home to foreclosure or a short sale, now is the time to get you back in a favorable position for your next home purchase. It needs some time, work, discipline and don’t loose hope and focus on your goal-owning a home again. Many finical institution will consider your new loan application after three years of good credit records.

Her is what you should consider to do:

Fix your credit

• It is important that you start to make as many as possible payments on time. Not only on your credit cards, but also on everyday bill like utility, waste, cable etc.. If you still have other debt obligation it is more important than ever to make those payments on time. On time payment will boost your credit score. The more on time payments you have the faster your credit score will rise.
• If you still have a credit card with a balance try to pay the balance down. But don’t pay it down and leave it at zero balance. Try to use it and pay it off right away. Don’t close credit card account, that will influence your credit score negative, while you loose “credit” available to you and will lower your score.

Save money

• While most all home buyers programs require a down payment, now is the time to start saving for it. FHA loans require a 3.5% down payment and allow sellers contribution for closing cost up to 6% as of the day of this writing. Example if you want to buy a home and need to borrow $100,000 you need a $3,500 down payment. Also consider closing cost which you have to pay if the seller is not willing to contribute. Closing cost are between $4,000-$5,000 in Florida per $100,000. Now it should be easy to figure out how much you have to save each month for the next 3 years so that your down payment and closing costs are covered.
• Saving money also means saving for an emergency. You should consider to have at least 6 month living expense save up. This emergency fund is to be used only when you are out of work or loose some income for what ever reason. This emergency cushion should bring you over hart times you may face in the future. Save this separate to your down payment and closing cost.

Don’t buy what you can not afford

• You have built your credit score up over the past 3 years don’t ruined with an impulsive buy. Good deals will stay for some time and you will have time enough to buy out of an educated decision.
• Buy only what you can afford and you feel comfortable with paying every month. Many lender will approve you for a higher amount but stick with your plan. Lenders will per-approve you on your income/ debt ratio but not considering g other living expense you may have. so it is up to you take figure out what monthly budget you can afford overall.

If you stick to your plan and follow the recommendation you should be able to buy a home three years after a foreclosure or short sale. Many lending institution will allow you to apply after three years when you have good credit, maintain your credit and have a one time credit profile. Therefore it is important that you rebuilt your credit after the hart realty of foreclosure.

Fort Lauderdale FL – Fort Lauderdale Homeowners where the  foreclosure process was activated on their primary residence between January 01, 2009 and December 31, 2010 are eligible to request a free review that may result in financial compensation or other remedy if errors or misrepresentations occurred in those cases.

The independent foreclosure review is conducted by consultants retained by the Office of the Comptroller of Currency. If the review finds that financial injury occurred because of errors, misrepresentations or other deficiencies in the servicer’s foreclosure process, the homeowner may receive compensation.

To find answer to questions about the review process and for information, visit www.IndependentForeclosureReview.com or call 1-877-465-3138. Homeowners must submit a Request for Review Form by April 30, 2012.

More than 4 million letters were mailed to potentially eligible borrowers with request-for-review forms and instructions. For people who believe they may be eligible but did not receive a form, forms can be requested from 1-888-952-9105.

The review is for mortgages serviced by: America’s Servicing Co., Aurora Loan Services, BAC Home Loans Servicing, Bank of America, Beneficial, Chase, Citibank, CitiFinancial, CitiMortgage, Countrywide, EMC, EverBank/EverHome Mortgage Company, Financial Freedom, GMAC Mortgage, HFC, HSBC, IndyMac Mortgage Services, MetLife Bank, National City Mortgage, PNC Mortgage, Sovereign Bank, SunTrust Mortgage, U.S. Bank, Wachovia Mortgage, Washington Mutual (WaMu), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and Wilshire Credit Corporation.

Examples of situations that may have led to financial injury include:

• The mortgage balance amount at time of foreclosure was more than the homeowner actually owed.
• You were doing everything the modification agreement required, but the foreclosure sale still happened.
• The Foreclosure action occurred while you were protected by bankruptcy
• Yo requested assistance/modification, submitted complete documents on time, and were waiting for a decison when the foreclosure sale occurred.
• Fees charged or mortgage payments were inaccurately calculated, processed or applied.
• The foreclosure action occurred on a mortgage that was obtained before active duty military service began and while on active duty, or within 9 month after active duty ended

Fort Lauderdale FL – Here is a story that illustrates this point. An agent I know was hired to sell a 30 acre tract of land.

Several months earlier they had spoken with a buyer that was looking for a similar property.

However, the buyer had said they were looking for something closer into town. So the agent never told them about the 30 acres.

Another agent did tell them about it. They notified the buyers about the property and they decided to buy it.

In this case, the seller was fortunate that the property sold. But, it illustrates the importance of a realtor marketing their homes to their active buyers.

Those buyers already know and trust that realtor. They are the most likely prospects to buy the homes that agent has for sale.

I can market your home to my buyer just send me an e-mail at info@FloridaConnectsInc.com. I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call us in Fort Lauderdale at (954) 586-3930.

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a short sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Thanks for reading this, Annett T. Block.

Annett is a Real Estate Broker at Florida Connects Incorporated.

Fort Lauderdale phone: (954) 586-3930.

info@FloridaConnectsInc.com

View My homes for sale at www.FloridaConnectsInc.com.

Annett T. Block specializes in homes sales, distressed sales, loan modification assistance and short sales in Florida. Celebration Loan Modification Help, Celebration Short Sales. Celebration Short Sale Realtor. FL Short Sales. Florida Short Sales. Florida Broker. Florida Realtor.

Tallahassee Fl- The Tallahassee real estate market in 2011 ended lower as the market a year before and is one of the worst years since 2003. The market has been dominated by distress sales, short sales and foreclosure.

National Home prices have started into the year 2012 with a 2.6% annual drop. The Tallahassee  market as well has lost price stability throughout 2011 and prices are still declining in 2012.

Jobless rate in Florida went down again at the end of 2011 to 9.9%.
Leon County unemployment rate is under the Florida jobless rate and is at 7.6%.

Over the last year home values have been declined equal to the rest of the country. Increasing inventory combined with the greater difficulty of securing loans and the need for more down payment and higher credit scores will put even more pressure on the market.

Tallahassee rentals are steady and prices have not increase significantly. Tallahassee low home prices making renting in many cases more costly could bring buying moving people into the buying market.

New home construction for home builders in Tallahassee will be not much relief. Although the new home builder market for the year of 2011 will be as well the worst market ever. We don’t expect much relief in 2012 for this market segmentation.

The effect on the housing crises are widespread and it is expected that the Tallahassee market in 2012 still will decline. There will be no increase in home prices and shadow inventory is expected to enter the Tallahassee market.

The dominant factor for the Tallahassee market will continue to pressure prices from distressed sales, short sales and foreclosure. There could be an additional 3-5% loss in home value over the next 12 month.

The only question is how long will it take for the Tallahassee market to recover? A complete recovery will mean there is a 4 month supply of homes for sale. As of January 2012 the Tallahassee market has an supply of 14.2 month of homes for sale. As you can see we still have a long way to go. Homes with severe flaws or not priced right at market, are staying on the market for a long time.

Buying and selling in this market requires a deep understanding of the history and pressures in each area of town and each price band.

We hope this compressive Tallahassee Market Report with detailed information by price range; zip code and area help’s you make the best decision for you and your family.

It is our pleasure to deliver it to you so together we can spot the trends.

Please, call us if we can provide you any additional information.

Download your full report here with charts and graphs.

Florida Connects Inc.

850-364-3946

Fort Lauderdale FL – Unique properties usually have a “love it” or “hate it” aspect to them. A great example is pool homers.

Some buyers want a home with a pool. They are willing to spend $20,000 to $50,000 more for a home with a pool. Other buyers absolutely do not want a pool.

“Don’t show me any pool homes”, they tell their agent. If those buyers are not going to like the pool home once they see it, then what is the use trying to hide it.

Show it off. That is why a pool home should be marketed loud and clear as a “pool home.” The same goes for other unique properties, such as waterfront properties.

Another good example is a home that backs up to a power line. A power line is a huge negative for most buyers. But, it is a big plus to other buyers.

I heard a story about a home that backed up to power lines. The sellers had a hard time selling it. They finally hired an agent that knew a certain home buyer would like it.

The perfect buyer for that home is a family that loves ATVS. They could ride their ATVs on the power line easement.

Most roads and neighborhoods are unfriendly to ATV riders. The power line gave them miles of trails to ride without being harassed.

A third example is homes located down a dirt road. These homes appeal to people with horses because the dirt road is a great place to ride a horse.

They don’t appeal to people without horses (who wants to live down a dirt road?) This is why a home down a dirt road needs to be marketed to horse owners.

If you have a unique home, then you need an agent who can market it properly. More than likely, your home’s unique features need to be proclaimed loud and clear.

In a few other cases, they don’t. A good, experienced realtor will know what to do.

I can help you market your property the right way to get it sold fast, for Top Dollar and no hassle. Send me an e-mail at info@FloridaConnectsInc.com. I will contact you for a free consultation.

When we talk, I will explain how the process works in detail and answer any questions you may have. Or, if you prefer, you can call us in Fort Lauderdale at (954) 586-3930.

Discover how other sellers successfully completed a sale and request a free consultation by clicking here.

Annett is a Real Estate Broker at Florida Connects Incorporated.

Phone:(954) 586-3930

info@FloridaConnectsInc.com

View My homes for sale at www.Florida ConnectsInc.com.

Annett T. Block specializes in distressed homes, foreclosure, loan modification assistance and short sales in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Celebration Loan Modification Help, Celebration Short Sales. Celebration Short Sale Realtor. FL Short Sales.Florida Realtor. Fort Lauderdale Realtor. Florida Broker. Florida Realty.Fort Lauderdale Realty. Fort Lauderdale Broker.

Fort Lauderdale FL – Does it make you angry when a bank kicks a family out of their home and loses money as a result? This happens all the time. Let me explain how.

A family buys a home for $250,000. The home declines in value to $150,000. At the same time, their income drops to where they can only afford a $150,000 mortgage payment.

Does their bank reduce their payment through a loan modification and allow them to keep their home? No! Instead, the bank forecloses on the home. But, it doesn’t sell for $150,000.

It sells for $140,000, because the bank didn’t keep it up and the buyers offered less because it was a bank owned home. The bank nets $120,000 on the sale.

So, instead of allowing the family to stay in their home and repay them $150,000; the bank instead chose to kick them out of their home and lost $30,000 as a result.

Isn’t this pathetic? We need to change the system, don’t we?

We need to get out of venting to just people who are in the business. They already know we have a problem. But, the average american doesn’t know about the problems.

We need to show the American Public solid examples of how they are losing money. Let’s post the banks failings online. Tell the story at ripoffreport.com.

Loan modifications and short sales will become a game of chicken. You can tell the negotiator, “Turn down this offer at your own risk. If you fail, and the house sells for less money, then I will put the entire story up online.”

That will help our cause. All we are doing is making a track record of these bank’s decisions. People who have better information will make better decisions.

This will make it easier for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the American People to make better decisions on short sales and the short sale process.

So, please post your bank’s failings online in our comment section.

Thanks for reading this, Annett T. Block.

Annett is a Real Estate Broker at Florida Connects Incorporated.

Fort Lauderdale Phone: (954) 586-3930

info@FloridaConnectsInc.com

View My homes for sale at www.FloridaConnectsInc.com.

Annett T. Block specializes in distressed sales, loan modification assistance and short sales in Fort Lauderdale F. Celebration Loan Modification Help, Celebration Short Sales. Celebration Short Sale Realtor. Fort Lauderdale Short Sales. Fort Lauderdale Realtor. Fort Lauderdale Broker. Fort Lauderdale Foreclosure. Fort Lauderdale Distressed sales. Fort Lauderdale Realty.

Dear Clients, Colleagues and Peers,

Historically during the month of December the number of home sales slow down due to the holiday season.  This year December 2011 has been the second worst month after the month of December 2008.  As expected for the month of December the number of homes for sale on the market has decreases.

Compared to November Sales home sales in December have decreased by 14%.  Inventory of homes for sale active on the market has also increased by 7.5 %. This means more competition for homes on the market. The statistic includes all Tallahassee and surrounding areas.

-         3315 Homes are currently for sale

-         234 Homes sold in December

Our analysis is that the Tallahassee market is still a defined “Extreme Buyers Market” with nearly 14 months of inventory of homes for sale.  Home Inventory with over six month supply is considered a Buyers market.

In our opinion the Tallahassee market is still over priced and prices will continue to fall. A big factor and price pressure are homes in foreclosure, selling as short sale or bank owned properties.

The Tallahassee market is slowing, prices decreases and Foreclosure and short sales are up. The uncertainty when the Tallahassee market will return to a leveled market of supply and demand will hold buyers on the fence until they find the greatest deal possible.

Buying and selling in this market requires a deep understanding of the history and pressures in each area of town and each price band.  We hope this compressive Tallahassee Market Report with detailed information by price range; zip code and area help’s you make the best decision for you and your family.

It is our pleasure to give you the information you need to make extremely informed decisions.

Call us if we can provide you any additional information.

Download your report here

On behalf of Florida Connects Inc., I would like to wish our readers and all your families a wonderful and relaxing holiday season! While you are relaxing enjoy every moment with your loved once I want to thank you for all your support and a great Year 2011 and look forward to serve you in 2012.

Frohe Weihnachten
Florida Connects Inc.
Licensed Real Estate Broker