Every month we pull all the data from the Tallahassee Board of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in order to determine the months of supply of homes, by price range. This report is a great snapshot that is valuable to people who want to buy a home in Tallahassee as well as to people who want to sell a home in Tallahassee. Think of this as the “competition report” for each price range. Each area of Leon County (Tallahassee Real Estate Market) is broken down by homes for sale and homes that have been sold. The report shows new home sales as well as resales, and then computes the months of supply of homes (based upon the current rate of sales) for each area and each price range. Read the rest of this entry 03/16/2009

  As I was flying back to Tallahassee from the CENTURY 21 Convention, I met a woman who was flying back to her home in the Pittsburgh area. When she found out that I was a CENTURY 21 Real Estate Broker, she had all kinds of questions (and statements) about getting a home sold in today’s market. She has her home for sale up in Pittsburgh and our conversation unearthed some interesting points that I thought I would share today. This woman is the classic frustrated homeowner. She put her home on the market over 6 months ago and expected to have been moved by now. She is retired and wants to move closer to her children, but her house is standing in the way of her dreams. So, what should she do? Read the rest of this entry 03/16/2009

Fishing is extremely popular here in the Big Bend of Florida.  Near Tallahassee there is some great fishing to be had and scalloping too!  Even in my neighborhood in Tallahassee, we have a lake you can fish.  Stop by Wal-Mart, Kevin's Sporting Goods or Sportman's Warehouse and you will see the enormity of fishing in our area. With all that said, there are some things more advisable to do than others.  My friend John Conklin always says, "Don't go out to where the fish are bigger than your boat."  This seems to make sense to me.  Some are so ardent in their devotion to fishing they even go out in inflatable boats.  Such is the case when a co-worker of my wife, Kevin (last name withheld to protect his wife from embarrassment) went out recently to fish near Tallahassee.  Keep in mind, Kevi... 03/16/2009

•     Power painters are available in gas-powered, electric or cordless models. •     Professionals use compressed air systems. •     Airless units are the most common for the do-it yourselfer. In an airless model, the paint is pumped to the applicator, eliminating the need to reach to a bucket or tray to reload. •     Applicators are available in various sizes and types of brushes, rollers, and the spray nozzle type. •     Power rollers offer fingertip control of the paint supply. Once you get the hang of it, they can cover a room quickly. •     Sprayers offer the best coverage, but expect more wasted paint than with a hand- powered paint applicator. Sprayed paint will dry quickly. Because of the small opening, spray nozzles can clog. When you're finished, there will be a lot of parts ... 03/13/2009

•     Pad and sponge painters are made in a variety of shapes and sizes. Pads can be useful in tight spots; however, they hold less paint than conventional brushes and rollers. •     Painting strokes must be all in one direction. Never paint back over the just-painted area. •     Pads can be washable or disposable. It's also a good idea to use a tray when painting with pads. 03/12/2009

Rollers are the tools of choice when you have a large area to cover. Rollers will use more paint than a brush. Ceilings and interior/exterior walls can be covered with much less time and effort, but as with brushes, you must choose the correct type. Rollers are also available in two categories: •     Natural - Oil-based paints work best with natural materials, such as mohair or lambswool. •     Synthetic - these rollers are made of nylon, polyester, or a combination. Use with water-based paints. For latex paint, use synthetic materials only. Natural material is too absorbent to use with latex paint. Either synthetic or natural material can be used with oil-based or alkyd paints. It is always a good idea to check the manufacturers' recommendations before purchasing. Nap (or pile) is the ... 03/11/2009

  The CENTURY 21 International Convention kicked off yesterday in San Antonia, Texas (home of the Alamo) and I am excited to bring some of the national news home to Tallahassee. One of the best benefits of being involved in the top brand in real estate is the information that is sent our way. The picture on the right was taken with my iphone this morning at the General Assembly when the President/CEO of CENTURY 21, Tom Kunz was addressing a packed house.  There were representatives from CENTURY 21 offices from 68 countries plus every state in the U.S. I was pleased to see so many people assembled to discuss current real estate market conditions. Hear What Four Key Industry Leaders Think About Our Future 03/11/2009

  Even though I’m on the road in San Antonio, I still keep an eye on the inventory trends in the Tallahassee real estate market. One trend lately has been disturbing and that is the 30-day trend. The graph below shows that inventories (the number of homes for sale in Tallahassee) has been growing for 35 days. Will this trend continue? Click Here for Larger Graph 03/11/2009

In case I forget later...DICK BETTS ROCKS!  This past Thursday in Tallahassee was the second day of training by the famous National Speaker Real Estate, Dick Betts.  Below you see Dick assisting two famous Tallahassee Realtors, Miriam and Jules (last names not used to protect my business,LOL).  Dick is the bearded one. The agenda for the day included Text Google, Google Maps and about 15 other items that are now indespensible to my business.  Dick presents himself well and makes two days of training fly by! If you want to get the most out of your technologically advanced Smartphone, you need to attend one of Dick's classes.  They are a perennial winner at the Tallahassee Board of Realtors. Check out one of Dick's classes ASAP! Michael Lee homes in Tallahassee Tallahassee Realtor www.tal... 03/10/2009

Lowes.com Painting can be a chore, but with the right applicator, the job is a breeze. Choose from brushes, rollers, paint pads, and sprayers. Brushes    The brush is the most popular paint applicator. Brushes are easy to hold and relatively easy to clean. If used and cared for properly, they give an excellent finish and waste less paint. A quality brush can last for years. Brushes are available in two categories: •     Natural bristle brushes are made with animal hair. Hog hair is regarded as best. Use with oil-based or alkyd paint. Clean brushes with paint thinner. •     Synthetic brushes are made from nylon, polyester or a combination. They can be used with oil or latex paint. Clean brushes with mineral spirits (oil) or water (latex). For latex paint, use synthetic bristle brushes on... 03/10/2009

Leftover stain can come in handy for touchups. Make sure the lid is tightly sealed and the container is stored in a cool, dry place. If the leftover stain must be disposed of, do so properly. 03/09/2009

Safety Wear appropriate protection while preparing the surface, while staining and while cleaning up. Make sure you exercise safety while on a ladder.   Exterior stain is exactly that - DO NOT use it for any interior projects.    Clean Up Clean up as you would latex or oil-based paints. Use water for latex and paint thinner or solvent for oil-based products. Safety Note: Oil-based stains are flammable. Use caution when mixing, applying and storing. 03/05/2009

•                Stain absorbs and dries much more quickly than paint. •                Stain pigments settle more quickly than paint. Make sure stain is well-mixed prior to starting. Stop and mix the stain regularly while applying. •                Apply stain in the direction of the wood grain. •                Lap marks don't show up until the stain dries. Avoid them by brushing back from dry to wet. Work in small areas and do not stop in the middle of a wall. •                Apply stain when the weather is agreeable. The best temperature is about 70° F. 50-90° F is the optimum working range. Wait for a day with low humidity and avoid staining in the direct sun. •                Stain lapped siding from left to right, top to bottom. Stain vertical siding top to bottom. Either way, f... 03/05/2009

Details Photo Gallery View Rooms 32317-Tallahassee (Weems) MLS #193459 FOR SALE$164,900 Century 21 First Realty Joe Manausa - Tallahassee Real EstateEmail Joe Manausa - Work: 850-386-2001Cell: 850-523-6178Fax: 850-383-6400 More Photos(12) 1 Quick Links Virtual Tour Request More Info Email Listing More Photos(12) Details Address: 3537 Norcross Lane Type: Residential Style: Single Story Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Suite: No Living Area: 1,286 square feet Year Built: 2001 More Details Description NOT a short sale, just priced like one! Excellent condition, perfectly maintained & move-in ready. Wood laminate floors in living areas, spacious rooms, big kitchen with like new appliances and loads of storage. Light and bright living room with plenty of windows and french doors that lead to patio ... 03/05/2009

Let me preface this posting by saying DICK BETTS ROCKS!  Today in Tallahassee, sponsored by the Tallahassee Board of Realtors, Dick Betts lead two sessions on how to improve one's knowledge, and more importantly use of Smartphones. Dick (in the photo below as the younger, more svelt fellow and yours truly) is outstanding at taking what can be a confusing issue and making it simple for everyone to understand. Today's morning session included entitled Smartphone fundamentals where he taught everything from adjusting the font size of the display, to calibrating the display, beaming data (especially your business card), managing contacts, quick search and attaching a note to a contact. Besides the fact that Dick has a great sense of humor, is well spoken and communicates clearly, I really a... 03/04/2009

Use the same basic tools as when painting. Use the right brush - natural bristle for oil, synthetic for latex. Stain brushes are wider than paint brushes, with shorter bristles. These brushes drip less than a regular paint brush. Get the best brush you can. It is a good idea to test the stain on a hidden or inconspicuous area just to be sure it is the color that you want. 03/04/2009

Surface preparation is critical to a successful exterior stain project: •              Repair or replace old or damaged areas. •              Caulk around doors and windows. •              Patch holes in wood with wood filler. •              Use drop cloths to protect plants, sidewalks and decks. •              Remove dirt by washing with soap and water. •              Remove mildew with a commercial mildewcide or use a solution of three quarts water to one quart chlorine bleach. Wet the siding with the bleach solution and allow it to remain on the siding for about half an hour. (If you are not sure whether the stain is dirt or mildew, put a drop of household bleach on the spot. If it lightens in 1-2 minutes, it is mildew.) •              Scrub the surface with a soft brush. •          ... 03/03/2009

If you are truly interested in keeping tabs on your local housing market, there are some key trends I would recommend that you add to your daily observances. By viewing these on a regular basis, you’ll know what is happening before anybody else. See Enlarged Graph And Detailed Explanation 03/03/2009

  Keep on eye on home inventory changes. Monitoring short term trends and long-term trends in inventory growth will signal the change in your market. Continued Here For Larger Graph And Explanation 03/03/2009

In case you have not heard, we published our 3rd Edition of the Tallahassee Real Estate Newsletter. If you are not already on our exclusive subscription list, you can join for free in the form http://www.manausa.com/market-newsletterhome.php. All it takes is a name and an email, and you’ll receive the most analytical report of the Tallahassee real estate market that can be found. I will start today’s blog by saying you will want to bookmark this page immediately. In January of next year, when the 2009 home sales numbers have been posted,  you will be able to come back here in order to seriously mock me or to wonder in amazement at the mathematical marvel that I will have become (through self-proclamation of course). This forecast will astound you by predicting the number of home sales i... 03/02/2009