Special offer

Atlantis, FL Real Estate News

By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
The Daily (050416) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now   Private flood insurance bill in Senate's handsThe U.S. House unanimously passed a bill that promotes private flood insurance, and the Senate could now simply pass the House version. But that might not happen. Read more.Some cities keep tabs on sober homesCities must reasonably accommodate recovering addicts and sometimes approve more unrelated adults in a home than local laws allow. But some cities insist that sober home operators apply for a variance via federally required reviews. Read more.NAR: Military niche has younger buyers, bigger homesNAR did a study to uncover the difference between military and traditional buyers. One finding: Almost all military buyers use a real estate agent. Read more.Workers comp ruling i...
Comments 0
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
The Daily (050316) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now   Florida names new insurance commissioner David Altmaier could significantly impact Fla. homeowners over the next few years as he tries to keep property insurance costs reasonable but insurers solvent. Read more.Fannie gives 'transactors' credit for good behaviorUntil recently, a credit score didn't note whether a borrower made minimum credit card payments or more, only whether he paid on time. But that's changing June 25 when Fannie focuses more on borrower behaviors. Read more.Homeownership rate nears record lowsThe first quarter of this year saw the homeownership rate decline again, plummeting to 63.6 percent - the third lowest rate on record. Read more.Foreclosure uptick in reverse-mortgage homes?Homeowners with a re...
Comments 3
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
Top Keys to Keep your Goals From Your New Year Resolutions  It is sad but true! Only 8% of people who set New Year's resolutions achieve them! Here's how to make sure you achieve yours... Make your resolutions simple..Forget about trying to end world hunger in 1 year. In fact, one of the biggest and fastest growing companies in the world use this method... CUT out the middle.GE has a 5 year plan, and 90 day plan, nothing else. It is that simple. Know what your BIG goals are. What do you have to do in the 90 days to reach them? Also understand that EVERYBODY falls off the tracks sometimes. So if, you miss a couple days of eating less, or not working out, etc... GET BACK on track.Studies have proven that if you miss a day or two here and there it is NOT going to ruin your goal long term. ...
Comments 2
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
An Action Plan For The Month Of May Make ____ contacts daily Send ____personal notes weekly Add ____ people to your data-base weekly or monthly Contact ____ FSBO’s weekly Contact ____ Expireds weekly Hold ____ effective Open Houses weekly/monthly Mail or email valuable market information to your Sources of income / Past customers monthly. Mail or email to your designated farm of _____ properties monthly. Door-knock/flyer- drop ____ houses monthly Take ____  past customers to lunch monthly. Network with ____ business –to- business referrals monthly. Hand out 5-10 business cards 5 days/week, and activity ask for business or for permission to add to your database.
Comments 5
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
The Very Best Five Reasons To Still Buy A Home In South Florida, TodayA gloomy economy and uncertain real estate market may have you wondering if buying a home is a good idea. Whether you’re thinking about buying, or already have and just need some affirmation, you may find it comforting to know there are still plenty of good reasons for financially secure people to buy a house. Here are a few reasons below: A.     Homeownership can help make good credit even better. If your credit is in poor shape, you’ll want to monitor it before seeking a mortgage. But if you have good credit, live within your means, and consistently make good financial decisions, a mortgage can be the kind of “good debt” that helps your overall financial health.       A mortgage can function like an automatic saving...
Comments 1
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
The Daily (042816) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now  Housing costs may prompt a population shift It might be more than sunshine and beaches drawing people to Fla.: More buyers are moving to Sun Belt cities to escape high housing costs found elsewhere. Read more.Pending home sales up a bit in MarchPending home sales increased slightly in March for the second consecutive month, reaching its highest level in almost a year, according to NAR. Read more.CFPB focuses on mortgage complaintsThe national consumer advocate says people still complain about mortgage servicers with "dead ends and obstacles resolving issues." Top one: late payment issues. Read more.Digital marketing: Turning leads funnel upside downThe ability to target a specific audience with a personalized message equ...
Comments 1
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
The Daily (042616) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now  Higher fees for low downpayments and credit scores Mortgage fees have changed for low downpayment loans. Buyers with a good-but-not- great credit score pay higher fees - those with stellar credit pay less. Read more.Survey: Real estate is the best investmentWhen asked the best place to put money in hopes of future returns, 35% of Americans surveyed said real estate. Only 22% said stocks or mutual funds while 17% said gold. Read more.New-home sales fall in March - third straight monthWhile new home sales continue to rise year-to-year, the increase has slowed thanks, in part, to higher prices, fewer listings and a purchase decline in the West. Read more.A top selling point: The ability to age in placeBy 2030, 73 million Am...
Comments 0
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
 The Daily (042516) Hot Sheet Of Top Real Estate News Trending Now    TRID delays may be over as lenders boost efficiencyPer Ellie Mae's latest report, the average loan took 44 days to close last month - less time than it did a year ago before truth in lending rules went into effect. Read more 3 mistakes that can kill a Facebook pageFacebook is an ideal way to stay top-of-mind with clients, but follow the rules: Create a business page. If Facebook thinks you're not playing by the rules, you'll lose everything: photos, history and a primary marketing tool. Read more 'Love It or List It' couple sues reality showAre reality shows real? A lawsuit against one claims it had scripted "roles" for participants, including the homeowners, and repairs looked good only to TV cameras. Read more.Inves...
Comments 0
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
Do Mules Really Cost $100?Curtis & Leroy saw an ad in the Starkville, MS Daily and bought a mule for $100.The farmer agreed to deliver the mule the next day. The next morning the farmer drove up and said, "Sorry,fellows, I have some bad news, the mule died last night.” Curtis & Leroy replied, Well, then just give us our moneyback.”  The farmer said, "Can't do that. I went and spent it already."… They said, "OK then, just bring us the dead mule."The farmer asked, "What in the world ya'll gonna dowith a dead  mule?"Curtis said, "We gonna raffle him off.” The farmer said, "You can't raffle off a dead mule!"Leroy said, "We sure can! Heck, we don't hafta tellnobody he's dead!” A couple of weeks later, the farmer ran into Curtis &Leroy at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store and asked. "What'd you...
Comments 2
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
A Redcap Of Events From Last Week 4/18 - 4/24   Oil prices rose significantly this week as producers failed to agree on a production freeze. Higher oil prices help stocks and hurt bonds, precipitating higher rates. Last week the lowest number of Americans filed for unemployment in over 42 years, suggesting the labor market is continuing to gain momentum. The Fed meets next week to discuss the economy and vote on a possible policy rate increase. Economists don't expect a rate increase at this meeting though. Home builders' confidence held steady in April, reflecting an optimistic outlook for the new homes market. A strong labor market is expected to help home sales. Housing starts and new permits were down slightly in March but are expected to rebound. Overall, housing market fundamental...
Comments 0
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE & OUR SURROUNDING AREAS  ... Last week, we were visited by some housing market reports that clearly gave pleasure on arrival. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) told us purchase applications jumped 8% from the week before, to their highest level since last October, and their second highest level in six years.  That MBA Weekly Applications Survey for the week ending April 8 also reported refinance applications were up 11% from the prior week, reaching their highest level since February. This was all helped no doubt by national average fixed mortgage rates continuing to come in near historical lows. The MBA's March Builder Applications Survey showed mortgage applications for new home purchases went up 17% month-over-month, as new single-family home sale...
Comments 1
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
The Daily (042216) Hot Sheet of the Top Real Estate News Trending Now   Almost 50% of millennials can't qualify for a home While 1/3 of young adults want to buy a home within a year, 43% have a subprime credit score, making it unlikely lenders will accept their mortgage application. Read more.March home price gains highest since 2007RealtyTrac: U.S. home selling prices averaged 17% higher than the owner's purchase price in March, and Fla. metro areas hold the five top spots for all-cash sales. Read more.Is HOA obligated to pay for property damage?Real estate Q&A: A couple lives in a patio home damaged by nearby trees on homeowners' association property. Who pays the repair costs? Read more.Mortgage rates stay low as home-buying season startsRates for 30-year FRMs remained relatively sta...
Comments 0
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
The Daily (041916) Hot Sheet of the Top Real Estate News Trending Now   Homeowners fight FHA mortgage-interest overcharges FHA charges sellers a full-month's interest at early-month closings, and a group of owners are suing four banks over the practice, including BofA and SunTrust. Read more.S. Fla. cities among worst for affordable housingSmartAsset study: In Miami, about 20% of residents spend half their income on housing. Three Fla. cities made the least-affordable top 10, and six are in the top 50. Read more.Citizens takeout owners get side-by-side comparisonsIf a private insurance "takeout" targets an owner with Fla.-owned Citizens property insurance, he must now be given a rate comparison of his options. Read more.HELOCs are back - but are they safe?Some say home equity lines of c...
Comments 2
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
The Daily (041816) Hot Sheet of the Top Real Estate News Trending Now    Fla. students can go to school across county lines Fla.'s new law allows students to attend any school - even across county lines. Could that affect demand and home prices in current A-rated school neighborhoods? Read more.More insurers request water repair limitsFla.-owned Citizens was granted new restrictions for water damage claims, and 11 other private insurers have since asked the state to approve similar rules. Read more.FHFA announces principal reduction programA new program offers help to "certain seriously delinquent, underwater borrowers who are still struggling." FHFA calls the principal reduction a "one-time offer." Read more.Tech firms relocating as Silicon Valley grows costlyThe success of firms such ...
Comments 0
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
A Quick Note On Productivity There are many ways to boost your personal productivity. According to recent research, one of the most effective is also one of the most surprising. Researchers studied workers who took one or two long breaks a day (of at least half an hour) and compared their productivity with those who took frequent short breaks of no more than five minutes. The result? Those who took several short breaks each day were more productive — by a significant margin. Of course, a lot of productivity comes down to your personal style. However, it might be a smart idea to at least give the “short breaks approach” a try. It might just work for you!
Comments 2
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
Do You Have Any Clients Who Want To List Their Property To High?  Here’s a scenario you’ve probably run into many times: A client insists on pricing his home way above your recommendation in the hopes of making more money on the sale. While you probably have several strategies for dealing with those kinds of clients, here’s another one worth trying…   Point out to the client that pricing his property too high actually fuels the sales of competing homes on the market. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a buyer to lose interest in an otherwise ideal home and purchase another, simply because the price was too high by comparison. Giving the client that perspective might help him realize that your recommended list price, based on a realistic market value, will provide the best opportunity to sel...
Comments 1
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
Beware When You Peak Your Success In my favorite TV show growing up, Lost In Space, the robot would often shout “Danger, Will Robinson, danger!” whenever Will was in peril. Typically, the danger he was facing wasn’t obvious to him or to the audience, but to the robot thus In a way, the same thing can happen to a sales associate. He can achieve a certain level of success and then become comfortable, and assume things will move along indefinitely. He might even tell himself, “I’ve made it. I don’t have to work as hard anymore.” That’s dangerous thinking. As the saying goes, “If you’re not moving forward you’re falling back.” To remain successful, you need to continue to set goals and keep getting better. We don’t have a “ Robot” to warn us, we are the robot in the general sense. When we’r...
Comments 1
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
 The Daily (041316) Hot Sheet of the Top Real Estate News Trending Now     Study: Little chance Fla. home prices will dropThe likelihood of a price decline over the next two years is negligible, according to the Arch Index. Only U.S. states with energy industries have a marginal risk. Read more Fla. cities at top of luxury home listIn a nationwide list of home sales worth over $5M, Fla. has five cities in the top 20 list; for home sales over $10M, Fla. has seven cities, and most are in South Fla. Read more CoreLogic: Fla. foreclosures down 38% in one yearOf 21 states that foreclose via courts, the Fla. inventory decline outpaced second-place New Jersey's by 12% - and serious Fla. delinquencies are down 34%. Read more.Electricity theft and grow houses go hand in handHow can a buyer tell ...
Comments 0
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
Should You Buy A Second Home To Help With Future Expenditures? Whether you're thinking about buying an investment property for cash flow, a pleasure home for your family or for your college-bound kids, there are a few things you should consider first: Financing -- Plan on being subjected to more scrutiny than you were on your primary residence. Banks often require a higher down payment on second homes, and interest rates may be higher as well. Tax Implications -- Make sure you understand the tax implications of owning a second property. If you plan on renting it out, you'll need to report the rental payments as income. On the other hand, operating expenses, such as insurance, utilities and repairs, may be considered deductions.  Local Market -- Both the local resale and rental markets a...
Comments 2
By Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA
(Coldwell Banker Access Realty)
 The Daily (041216) Hot Sheet of the Top Real Estate News Trending Now  Big single-family rental firms change tactics Post-recession, large companies started to buy homes, fix them up and rent them out. Today, though, they buy fewer homes and are even starting to sell a few. Read more. Seller optimism drops on economic nervesFannie Mae survey: It may be a great time to sell a home, but an increasing number of potential sellers don't think so. As a result, inventory could get even tighter. Read more. Fair housing do's and don'tsThere's no list of forbidden words, but over time - sometimes after a fair housing investigation - a few things have been identified as red flags. Read more.SBA to help Fla. businesses hurt by water releasesThe Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Fl...
Comments 0
Explore Atlantis, FL
Atlantis, FL Real Estate Professionals