I am NOT Your Average FL Realtor

This month’s issue of “Florida Realtor” arrived last week and true to form since I am spending  a lot of time on line studying for my Broker license I did not open the magazine until today.
I was greeted on Page 5 by the “UPFRONT” page and a survey entitled “Who Are You?”
It seems the National [...]

Hey Real Estate Customer “You’re Fired”

I am sure there are people thinking is she crazy?  In this market she would fire a customer?  You bet your bippy I would-in a heartbeat.  Relationships end – couples break up, work relationships end, many relationships end and what do I have with a customer-a relationship albeit a business one.  Business relationships can turn [...]

Hello New Disclosure Form – Thank You Chinese Drywall

As a Realtor – I do not mind filling out forms – throw more at me and I will continue to fill them out.  Forms protect me and more importantly they protect buyers and sellers.  Here in Florida our state association has recently developed new forms to assist us with potential Chinese drywall properties.
In my [...]

Appraisers Are Running Scared

Hello – a while back I had a post regarding the fact that we were going to sell our own house.  We had every intention of putting it on every MLS and every list on the internet and seeing what would happen.  We also were planning on doing this without packing up and scaling down [...]

It Never Hurts to Review Selling Your House in Today’s Market

We all need refresher courses now and then – and now is the time that I feel I need to refresh you on how to be a success in selling your house.
You have to be 100% committed to selling your house.  This is not the time to just throw it out there on the market [...]

Do You REALLY Want to Own Your Own Home?

Yes, I am asking you that question.  So please answer it in your mind.  If the answer is yes, go to the next step and ask yourself why do I want to own a home.  In fact get a pen and paper out and write the following:
I want to own a home because………..”
Done?  OK!  You [...]

More on Chinese Drywall

Last week a friend of mine who reads my real estate blogs regularly and lives in Nevada sent me this link on the CNN story about a family living in a house with Chinese dry wall.
I have been reporting on this here and there and find it important enough to continue to talk about it. 
It [...]

Look Out Sellers DANGER Ahead

Did that catch your eye?  It was meant to do that.  In the past month I have had a personal friend go through hell trying to close on the sale of her house.  It is technically sold and under contract due to close in early May, and just yesterday she found out that the title [...]

You Do Understand the 1st Time Buyer Tax Credit, Right?

In February Congress changed the first-time home buyer tax credit from $7500 to $8000 with no required repayment.
But in many cases buyers are not aware of it and I am not sure why there is this gap in information unless other non-related new governmental changes have over-shadowed it.
The tax credit is a great incentive to [...]

The Bottom Has Hit Here in Florida

How can I say this?  What do I know?  Well, Florida’s standings in the foreclosure stats has gone from #1 to #4 – there is a good sign.  Another indication is that many short sale homes have 3-4 contract offers pending.  Let me say that again.  Many short sale homes have 3-4 different contract offers pending.  It [...]