My Go to Realtor®

Many factors have been discussed why the younger generation is holding out. including, high home prices, the shock effect of the last housing crisis, high debt burden of student loans as well as delays in family formation. According to a recent study by the Urban Institute, in 2015 Millennials homeownership rate was 37%, when compared to Gen Xers an Baby Boomers (at age 25 to 34) they were about 8% higher. Here are five factors that Urban Institute found why Millennials have stayed out of the home-buying market longer. ·           Delayed family formation ·           Greater racial diversity ·           Student debt ·           Higher rents ·           Delayed child bearing    Although not in the study, an unintended conseque...

CREDITS Excerpts  from article published in REALTOR® Magazine By  Jamie Wiebe  |  Jul 6, 2018 asbe/iStock Mid-Century Modern has been the darling of the design world for some time now, but wood grain and tapered legs aren't the only game in retro town—especially in the kitchen, where well-placed throwbacks from any decade are often right at home. Plenty of homeowners are infusing their cooking and dining spaces with  other  old-school design staples, rethinking everything from size to palette. Whether in a nod to the bold approach of the '30s or the kitschy flourishes in '60s design, modern kitchens are finding a fresh new face in the past. These seven kitchen trends are all about the retro style. 1.Pastel hues Photo by Torie Jayne  Homeowners have been rocking Millennial Pink for a few years—and now its pastel friends want in on the action, too. Younger homeowners are pairing everyone's favorit...

Amendment 2 is for Everybody! Amendment 2  protects YOU  by keeping a cap on annual property tax  Prior to the statewide cap on non-homestead property tax increases, taxes would often jump by over 10% year after year. Amendment 2 makes a 10% cap permanent, protecting residents and forever removing the threat of large tax hikes. And Amendment 2 is good for everybody! It helps communities thrive by preventing excessive property taxes, protecting renters from rent increases, and ensuring Florida remains an affordable place to live, work, and do business. Amendment 2 balances Florida’s need to protect its citizens and communities, while maintaining and promoting economic opportunity. On November 6, 2018, you will have the opportunity to make this cap permanent by voting “YES” on Amendment 2. FAQ What exactly does Amendment 2 do? In 2008, voters passed a constitutional amendment that limited how much non-homestead property taxes could increase fro...

Negotiation is a subtle art to be practiced in every phase of our lives but specially in real estate,  skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a deal pretty quickly. Here are some negotiation tactics buyers (and real estate professionals) should avoid: Lowball offers: Going far below market value when you make an offer damages your credibility as a buyer and can be insulting to the seller. The seller has a range in mind that they’ll accept, and if you’re not even approaching the low end of that range, they won’t even consider the offer. Incremental negotiations: Don’t continue to go back to the seller with small increases in your offer ($1,000 or less). The constant back-and-forth can grow tiresome and lead the seller to consider other opportunities. “Take it or leave it”: Try not to draw a line in the sand with your initial offer. The seller can get...

More and more homeowners are upgrading to smart-home technology, home may be capable of remote monitoring including the use of "spy cameras" in homes. According to a recent study by CEDIA a home technology group, an estimated 9.4 million homes have Wi-Fi–enabled cameras with microphones, while another 11 million have limited-function cameras trained on front doors or property exteriors. Buyers now have to cope with increased scrutiny from vigilant  sellers, in light of this possibilities it seems like good sound advice to be cautious with emotions and comments during showings. Cameras that capture a buyer’s excitement or disapproval, can provide valuable negotiation leverage that the seller can  use against the buyer. In some areas, agents are making an effort to be more transparent about hidden cameras in their listings by disclosing the presence of such cameras in their listing descriptions and sign-in sheets at open houses. In a few words. It's best to sav...

Sign that paperwork.  Write those checks.  Get those keys! The closing. It all comes down to this. The grand finale. Once you have the keys, the house is yours. Nice work getting this far. You’re almost a homeowner! Let’s run through some questions you may have as you cross the finish line. What Does "Closing" Mean? The close or settlement is when you sign the final ownership and insurance paperwork and get the home’s keys. The closing process technically begins when you have signed a purchase and sale agreement. That agreement should specify a closing date. Typically — from the signing date to the closing date — closing takes four to six weeks. During this time, purchasing funds are held in escrow, where your money is safe until the deal is officially done. What's a Closing Disclosure? Lenders must provide borrowers with a Closing Disclosure, or CD, at least three days before settlement. This form is a statement of your final loan t...