This article is written with Florida residents in mind.  Laws vary from state to state and it is highly advised that you consult an attorney and CPA regarding how the following options can affect you.   Short sales vs. foreclosures: A lot of consumers don't understand the difference between a short sale and a foreclosure.  This article is intended to help shed some light about the difference between the two and answer questions you might have about the process. SHORT SALE: With a short sale a settlement is negotiated between the parties involved, like a "regular" sale.  The liens on the property are negotiated with the 1st lien holder taking precedence.  When doing a short sale, the seller's credit is typically bruised versus totally destroyed, at which point the seller may be able to b... 04/25/2008

Welcome to Gainesville, FL, where the multitude of live oaks whisper secrets from their moss draped boughs, if only you take the time to listen.  We're a small college town with big city amenities and, I think you'll agree, BIG BEAUTY.  From bahia pasture to hardwood forests, to our magnificent sunsets and beautiful UF campus, Gainesville harbors plenty of scenic vistas, parks, hospitals, golf courses, restaurants and entertainment.  Below are a few shots from the Gainesville area countryside and out-lying areas, as well as Downtown Alachua (which sits just to the northwest of Gainesville).  Please enjoy and be sure to visit my article index to view my area slideshows!                  Angela Elliott is a licensed Florida REALTOR® with Century 21 Classic Properties in Gainesville, FL. P... 04/25/2008

I spend part of each day reading the real estate section of several websites and recently discovered the social linking network, "del.icio.us". So, for a few weeks I have been adding links each day as I surf my usual news sites. Today, I am sharing my del.icio.us with you! Since I'm reading these sites anyway, at least I can save you the time of surfing around. You'll notice that there are many tags on the right side to explore. One in particular that i added is the "vendors" tag group. If you would like me to add a link to your website, then just let me know with an email or comment.  I've also created a Squidoo page, which basically mirrors my del.icio.us page. I did it mostly out of curiosity, but maybe someone has a preference. My Squidoo page has a lot more ads with it, including ... 04/22/2008

I currently have a townhouse listed in Gainesville, FL that is priced at $119,900.  View townhouse listing.I had a lender I work with estimate the monthly mortgage payment which includes Principle, Interest, Taxes and Insurance (home owner's insurance), or PITI.  She also included the condo association fee so that my customers would have the full picture.There is a condo on the market here that is not a listing of mine, but it is priced at $99,000.  I have a set of customers that are interested in purchasing a condo or townhome, and they would like the lowest mortgage payment possible.  I had the same lender calculate the PITI and add the association fee for this condo to estimate the total mortgage payment for my customers.In both instances she was using a 6% interest rate (since she r... 04/20/2008

Gainesville, Florida real estate Blog Index featuring Gainesville Listings, Buyer/Seller Resources, Area Info, Photos/Slideshows & Restaurant Profiles.   An eye for real estate  View my listings MY ARTICLES: Gainesville/Alachua County area SLIDESHOWS and area INFO: Slideshow of Alachua County/Gainesville area Countryside Slideshow & Info for Haile Plantation Neighborhood in Gainesville Part 1:Community and Golf Course Slideshow & Info for Haile Plantation Part 2: Haile Village Center and Shops Slideshow of Alachua, FL FARMS Slideshow of Downtown Alachua, FL  Gainesville, FL PHOTOS  Blues Creek Neighborhood Profile The Hammock Neighborhood Profile Gainesville Historic Home Sites: Duck Pond, Pleasant St. & SE Historic Districts Gainesville Real Estate Market Report 1/1/08 - 5/14/2008   Bu... 04/16/2008

That's right, folks!  To add another positive bit of news to Gainesville, FL's lengthy catalog, we have made the list of the top 7 most recession proof cities to retire in America according to this article on MSN money.The article cites the University of Florida with being the dynamic factor that keeps our economy thriving and relatively recession proof.  And from my point of view, even with all of the negative Nancy's in the media raining on our real estate parade, our real estate prices have truly not taken dramatic hits, more like modest dings.  The article notes a small 1% decrease in the average sales prices of homes (of around $211,000) in 2007 from 2006 Just another reason why buyers should begin to realize that NOW is the time to buy real estate in Gainesville!! These reasons ke... 04/15/2008

The weather is perfect right now in Gainesville, FL for anyone looking to get a produce, herb or flower garden started, if you haven't already! I'm curious to see who is out and gardening and what you're planting!We have a fenced in area (to try and dissuade the critters from rooting for grubs!) where we have planted quite a bit of produce and herbs such as: squash, tomatoes, 5 different types of peppers, blueberries, onions & sweet onions, pumpkins, lavender, rosemary, thyme, lemon balm, basil, and more that I can't even think of right now! We have also ordered a ton of other things such as catnip, 2 kinds of sage, chamomile and something called zatar oregano, I believe. If you've ever been to Falafel King, then you may have tried the zatar bread (delicious). Apparently the spice that ... 04/12/2008

So aside from great food, places to golf, having the excellent University of Florida institution, 4 hospitals (including Shands) and a myriad of entertainment options and State Parks to visit and the prestigious title of #1 City to live in the nation according to Cities Ranked and Rated 2007 edition, Gainesville now has another notch to add in its lengthy catalog of win: One of the Lowest unemployment rate in the STATE!                                                                                        That's right!  The city you know and love (and apparently work in!) currently also has one of the lowest unemployment rates!Speaking of "low" and "rates", it's also a wonderful time to buy real estate in Gainesville, FL.  Interest rates are still low and there is a lot in the way of se... 04/12/2008

The Gainesville area has another feather in its cap today!   A front page article , by Nathan Crabbe, in the Gainesville Sun today provides all the details about Gainesville's latest HONOR. The Smithsonian.com List shows Gainesville, FL as one of fifteen cities where "cultural-attuned retirees" should consider living! For more information on this list, visit the the Smithsonian Magazine.  Those of us here in Gainesville enjoy the various cultural offerings around us.  I think we have a vibrant arts scene that entertains us and draws visitors to our area. So Check out the cultural happenings of Gainesville.   And please consider Gainesville as a great place to retire.  The rest of the list includes: Amherst, MA Ann Arbor, MI Lexington, KY Oakland, CA Ogden, UT Portland, OR Raleigh, NC Ri... 04/09/2008

To take advantage of the national advertising for Century 21: April OPEN HOUSE month, I held an open on a townhouse I have listed here in Gainesville, FL. Of course the seller of this property asked if I had considered doing an open house and I was way ahead of him as I had been planning this! The property is on a well-traveled, yet quiet road. I was armed with 3 Century 21 open house signs, balloons, candles, plants (for a little staging touch), plenty of copies of the listing sheet, the buyer's one year home warranty plan (through Service Plan of FL) we're offering, AND a local lender was accompanying me to pre-qualify customers on the spot and pass out estimated monthly payment sheets. I even printed out my "Buyer's Guide to Survival PART 1 and PART 2. I was ready to rock. And then, ... 04/06/2008

Buyers: Please stop by to preview this wonderful Tiffany Townhouse. The location cannot be beat, with close proximity to UF and SFCC and on the bus route!Agents: If you're showing condos/townhomes this weekend, I'd love for you to stop by with your customer to preview this unit! There will be a lender present to provide estimated monthly payment info, as well as info about the exciting AmeriDream down payment assistance program which is a"Dream" to work with and may lower the buyer's cash to close! You don't want to miss this! NO PET RESTRICTIONS, on RTS bus route, home warranty provided, approx. 3 year old roof, swimming pool, about 2.5 miles from UF! Angela Elliott | Century 21 Classic Properties | 352-256-7038 3065 NW 28th CR , Gainesville, FL ON BUS ROUTE, PROP MANAGER SAYS NO PET R... 04/05/2008

This weekend marks the 39th annual Spring Arts Festival in downtown Gainesville, specifically the NE 1st/Duckpond area of town.Link to Google Map for location of Spring Arts Festival WHEN:Saturday, April 5th, 9 am to 5:30 pm Sunday, April 6th, 1 pm to 5:30 pm Link to Downtown Spring Arts Festival website The link above provides a schedule of events and a list of artists and youth artists.  At the festival you can expect to see entertainment,  ceramics, 3D mixed media, mixed media, glass pieces, fiber, jewelery, sculpture, paintings, photography and more!!Enjoy a nice weekend strolling through historic Gainesville among some of the areas most beautiful and unique homes and spring blooms.  It may just inspire YOU! Angela Elliott is a licensed Florida REALTOR® with Century 21 Classic Prope... 04/05/2008

This week has given me a great dose of Spring fever! Spring Bloomers are everywhere around Gainesville, Florida.   All types and colors of AZALEAS are strutting their stuff and I had to share and brag about my front lawn. The winter frosts and freezes are gone, and my lawn is starting to prove this!! Another of my ANNUAL blooms are my amarilla bulbs that thrive in my front flower beds.  They too are happy as can be and are proud bloomers too! I love Spring!  My landscape is waking up, showing new colors and I love to spend time digging in the dirt and taking care of my plants.  It's my great way to "decompress" and have a mental "get-away" from working, working, working.   So, go get your grubby tennis shoes on and find your garden gloves and go outside and get dirty.  I am better at be... 03/31/2008

A 1031 Exchange, also referred to as a "Starker Exchange" is a method to defer payment of capital gains on the sale of your investment property.  It involves taking the proceeds from your relinquished investment property and using them to acquire another like-kind property.Some basics you need to know about a 1031 Exchange are:1. The property sold and the property acquired must qualify as a business or investment use (such as selling a duplex for $200k and using your net proceeds to acquire another investment property, such as a quadplex).  You cannot do a 1031 on the sale of your personal (owner occupied) residence.2. You have 45 days to identify property from the sale of your current investment.  This is when you list the properties that you are considering purchasing.  You can ONLY P... 03/28/2008

One of my clients told me about a Great Event this week at the Florida Museum of Natural History.   My son is loves "cool" science stuff and watches several shows on Science Channel so this is right up his "cool stuff" alley.   We plan to attend this event at the Florida Museum of Natural Histoy this Thursday 3/27. It looks like great fun with the University of Florida's  science experts: UF Department of Geologial Sciences. Mark you calendars!  Bring your science kids and ENJOY!!   Fun for all Ages!   Free Admission ! Thanks to Jennifer Gifford and Alison Davis !!   I will see you there! Posted By: Chris Bohn, GRI- ABR-ePro- Gainesville FL Real Estate  RE/MAX Professionals, Inc., is a Florida Realtor® who specializes in Gainesville, FL and communities in Alachua County, FL . To find ou... 03/25/2008

FHA is a wonderful loan program that is commonly used among first-time homebuyers.  FHA offers financing in the amount of 97%, is not supremely credit score driven, and allows up to 6% seller contributions (on a $100,000 property that amounts to up to $6,000! Seller contributions can be used to pay for your closing costs, pre-paids, and escrows!). FHA can also be coupled with the down payment assistance program called AmeriDream for qualifying buyers, and when working with the right lender and Realtor, you may be coming to the closing table with very little out of pocket (it can be done, you just have to be working with the right people that know HOW to do it!)  For a little more detailed info on the FHA loan program and costs associated with a loan, please visit the Florida Housing adm... 03/24/2008

We get so wrapped up in our daily lives, that it is easy to forget about the elements in this world outside out immediate bubble.  Sometimes we take a glimpse past this bubble and realize there is a larger picture than our own, and in that moment we think "maybe I'll volunteer at _____" or "Next paycheck, I'll donate a portion to ______."Have you guys heard the commercial where the narrator says that merely thinking about giving is the same as not giving at all?  Well, allowing this thought to strike a cord in you might be enough to encourage you to participate in at least one random (or premeditated!) act of kindness.There are a lot of abused, neglected, homeless and innocent animals that would love to receive some of the kindness you have within you.  If you're not in a position to ad... 03/23/2008

This probably won't be very difficult for anyone that lives near this restaurant and has seen this.  Now, I might be missing something, but I am pretty sure STYEL is NOT, in fact, a word.  YES, I did google it to see if it were some type of "classy" thing they were trying to do ala the "theatre" type spelling as opposed to theater.My results only confirmed that I think this establishment made a boo-boo.  Not only did the owner overlook this, but the neon sign maker did as well!The first time I saw this I "lol'd" and vowed to take a picture of it next time I saw it.  Without further ado, where is this sign from:       Angela Elliott is a licensed Florida REALTOR® with Century 21 Classic Properties in Gainesville, FL. Please visit my profile for more about me and browse my Gainesville, FL... 03/18/2008

Haile Plantation is a beautiful neighborhood in the SW section of Gainesville, FL. It spans in the vein of 1700 acres and has it's own golf course, Golf and Country Club, swimming pools, tennis courts and wonderful shops, restaurants, a fitness center, and other various establishments that are located in the Haile Village Market.Haile Village Center also features a Farmer's Market Saturday Mornings from 8:30-12:00 where you can purchase fresh produce, baked goods, fair trade coffee and gifts (website link below)! My second installment in a continuing series of slideshows I am doing for various areas of Alachua County focuses on Haile Plantation. The first slideshow showcases the Haile Golf and Country Club, golf course and Haile's beautiful streets:    Haile Golf and Country Club websit... 03/16/2008

  Ummmm, well what I mean is "DA AGONY of DA-FEET".....so say some of my buyers this week!   Their feet are killing them from viewing so many condos! It's Spring Break here for the University of Florida, but that means there are parents here for soon-to-be UF students and we are hunting for condos near UF. I think I have worn out two sets of parents here, and they are amazed at how many condos are for sale at great prices.  So, if they want to see them....we get busy.   I always tell them to dress comfy and wear their comfortable shoes. Here in the Gainesville market, you have different scenarios to consider for your student's housing at UF: New Construction Communities with Community Pools, Gyms, Tennis, and on a Bus Line? Re-Sale Condos in established Communities popular to students.... 03/16/2008