#southfloridarealty

[ricksproperties-starrealtys-blog]

Experts say mortgage rates are going up in 2018 in the article and almost simultaneously the 30-year rate slipped to 3.95% (a quarter point lower than same time last year). Additional increases are being predicted for 2019 and 2020. As real estate agents, and not mortgage brokers, we need to keep our clients informed of the constantly changing mortgage rates as it can have an impact on what a pending purchase might cost our client from one week to the next. If your mortgage partner has a weekly news update on rates for their clients/prospects, like mine does, ask to be included on the distro list so you too can have the latest info on rates available.

[southfloridaconnection-blog]

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[southfloridarealty-blog]

South Florida Realtor - southfloridarealty

If you are looking a reliable South Florida Realtor? Your search is end at South Florida Realty great real estate agent agency in Florida. Contact us today!

[ricksproperties-starrealtys-blog]

Housing inventory remains low...a seller’s market is forecasted to continue well into late 2018...what to do! There is a forecast for small increases in inventory by year end but at the high-end of the market. However, starter-home inventory is expected to stagnate; a potential problem for first-timers or those with limited capital. What does this mean for us agents? For our selling clients we are likely to be able to command prices at the top end of the market; obviously through solid marketing and knowledge of what the market will support. For our buying clients, this market will keep us on our toes with having to closely monitor new inventory as it becomes available - be the early bird, always! Buyers will have to understand that well-informed sellers of in-demand properties will likely command top dollar. Some important conversations to have with clients as we serve them as professional real estate advisers; keeping them educated and showing them our value in 2018! 

[ricksproperties-starrealtys-blog]

With the passing of the tax reform bill, Realtors are likely to be inundated with questions from clients and prospects about how it affects them as buyers/sellers; and to fully explain all the intricacies of how the bill might affect them would be a lengthy conversation that might find them lost in the volume of verbiage. It’s a good idea to have a general knowledge of how the new bill affects real estate, possibly having a ‘digital flyer’ prepared to send them (which further promotes you as a valuable source of information). A great site to refer them to, and to base your prepared informational digital flyer, can be found at  https://www.nar.realtor/…/the-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-what-it… As much as we need to be a valuable resource for them with such information, ultimately it is our best practice to refer them to their tax professional to truly understand how the new bill will personally affect them.  

[ricksproperties-starrealtys-blog]

The Federal Housing Administration announced it will increase loan limits in 2018 for 3,011 counties, effective Jan 1. We’ve also seen a slight increase in mortgage rates this week but they remain lower than a year ago. With stock market indicators at record levels, combined with this, could we be primed for record real estate indices in 2018 as well?

[ricksproperties-starrealtys-blog]

Final walk-through...how bad can it be? This article (linked to picture) provides some shocking examples of how the walk-through can be a disaster. In the end it’s up to us as our client’s representative to handle such ‘disasters’ professionally for them and to advocate for them in the transaction. So, how can we protect our clients from such problems? I’ll go with my trusted fallback, common sense. Use detailed descriptions of what will be included with the house in the contract that the buyers and sellers will ultimately sign. For example, if you annotate the make and model of the new appliances in the house then a switch can’t be legally done as happened in the article as both parties have agreed upon which house contents will be left in place as per the contract. If there is concern that anything not wanted by the owner might be left behind it’s up to us to use verbiage to address this in the contract as well. In summation, use the contract to its fullest extent to establish expectations, that become legally binding by contract, so as to avoid any surprises as described in this article.  

[ricksproperties-starrealtys-blog]

As a Green certified realtor, it was great to see some attention being given to saving energy during Thanksgiving dinner preparation. Some of these may be common sense but I hope you find a few new strategies here to conserve energy. Click picture to access the entire article with 9 energy saving tips.

[ricksproperties-starrealtys-blog]

I’m sure some might rush to read this, thinking it’s a political debate piece. However, the article (click the picture to be taken to it) is refreshingly written from a political neutral zone. If we as a country could leave our political party ID at the door when entering a discussion, we would be in a much better position to discuss what government policies are best for our country as a whole; it’s impossible to please everyone or pass bills thatbenefit every last one of us. In this article there are some excellent points made about the tax plan that could impact he housing market and our business as Realtors. Be informed for your clients and yourself!  #southfloridarealtor #southfloridarealestate#southfloridarealty #southfloridarealtors #starrealtysfl#fortlauderdalerealestate #fortlauderdalerealtor #davierealestate

[ricksproperties-starrealtys-blog]

With AirBNB continuing to grow in popularity, the neighbors of these properties are seeing the tranquility of their neighborhood negatively impacted. Is the answer more government regulation to impact what you are free to do with your property? I️ say the solution lies in holding both the renters and rental property owners responsible for maintaining the establish neighborhood peace. Violations can be met with fines for both the offenders and the rebel’s owners with a sliding scale of escalating consequences to the property owner. What do you think? #southfloridarealtor #southfloridarealestate #southfloridarealtors#southfloridarealty #starrealtysfl #fortlauderdalerealestate #bnb#airbnb #floridabnb

[ricksproperties-starrealtys-blog]

With a resurging market, house flipping has risen to its highest levels since 2006. Rising home prices combined with low interest rates are driving increased consumer interest in flipped houses. Additionally, house-flipping investors are able to fund their project in as little as a week with hard-money loans; a win-win scenario for all involved. Read the entire article here: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm

[ricksproperties-starrealtys-blog]

A little comedic relief today...we’ve all been there with challenging clients as described in this article. Some options on how to handle such clients are also offered. I wonder how often lawyers, doctors, CPAs, and other licensed professional deals with similar ‘client issues.’ Thank you Jay Thompson for an excellent article that we can all relate to!    https://www.zillow.com/agent-resources/trends-and-data/tips-and-advice/annoying-real-estate-clients/

[ricksproperties-starrealtys-blog]

What part of YOUR credit report is having the greatest impact on your mortgage approval? My mortgage partner has the latest financial tool available that identifies which accounts you should address, how much you need to pay them down, and estimates what your new score will be; potentially allowing you to secure a better rate or greater loan amount. We use this valuable tool for all of our clients looking to purchase a home. Partner up with me and my mortgage team will provide you with this same credit insight/coaching as we search for your next home! For more info on credit affecting mortgages read this great article: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm

[ricksproperties-starrealtys-blog]

Educating clients on the benefits of a 'green home' has become more of a ethical imperative rather than a choice based on personal beliefs or perceptions.  In holding ourselves true to the NAR Code of Ethics that governs our profession nationwide, we need not look further than the first sentence of Article 1 that states "....REALTORS® pledge themsevles to protect and promote the interests of their client."  Since it goes without saying that every client desires a home that is both energy efficient and provides a healthy environment; it is our innate duty to be able to, at the very least, provide information to clients on available green homes or steps they can take to make their home a high-performance efficient green home.  A Certified GREEN REALTOR® has the knowledge and tools available to assess properties, ensuring clients can make an educated purchase or are empowered to better their home for their family.  The article below tells a personal story of how one developer's attitude about Green Living was forever changed.  

[ricksproperties-starrealtys-blog]

This new work benefit helps fund employees’ downpayment. Homefundme.com details how this Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-approved downpayment crowdfunding resource works. Now one of the biggest hurdles a home buyer faces, saving for the downpayment, can not only be crowdsourced through friends and family but offered as an employee benefit with funds matched by the employer similar to a 401k. This is an excellent employee benefit that helps employers retain and attract the best talent. For employees that aren’t offered this by their company, there is the option to crowdfund online. What a great resource to let our prospects know about!