Top Agent Blog

Ellis Team Interviews German Speaking Agent About Cape Coral and Fort Myers Area

2011-07-27T08:01:00.000-05:00

Brett Ellis of The Ellis Team at RE/MAX Realty Group of Fort Myers Florida interviews Sharyl Leifeld, a German speaking agent on the Ellis Team about why Germans fall in love with Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and the SW Florida area and purchase real estate. Sharyl explains in our Fort Myers - Cape Coral Real Estate Information for German Buyers video what German buyers look for in the United States.

Sharyl has begun writing a Blog in German for German visitors to Southwest Florida entitle Cape Coral Real Estate

Using YouTube to Market Properties and Your Career

2011-06-21T22:38:00.004-05:00

It's not uncommon to see real estate agents using social media to market themselves, educate the marketplace on their local market, and market properties. More and more agents are now utilizing YouTube to either market their properties through virtual tours or provide news and information to the local marketplace.

Our YouTube Topagent.com Channel is closing in on 50,000 views soon, so it's become an integral medium for spreading news about the market. Our most popular YouTube video to date was our NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams segment which has garnered 7,099 views to date. Our second most popular segment was a local story on WINK News entitled SW Florida Real Estate Short Sales- Are they a Bargain? This video has received 6,395 views.

Our most recent video SW Florida Real Estate Market on the Move June 2011 Update has 42 views.

Currently our channel has 48,348. It will be interesting to see how long it takes to get to 50,000 views. We have a separate channel for our property tours, so this channel is all bout news and information in the SW Florida real estate market. Be sure to leave your comment with your guess on when we'll hit the 50,000 milestone.

Fort Myers, Cape Coral Real Estate Markets on the Move

2011-06-16T13:36:00.003-05:00

Since January the Fort Myers real estate market and the Cape Coral Florida real estate market has been on the move, with prices increasing over 35% while inventory levels have shrunk dramatically. Fort the past 6 years SW Florida was ground zero for the housing crisis, and finally this market is showing signs of life.

We've released a video with detailed charts and graphs, along with advice to buyers on how to move forward in a changing market.

Link to Search the SW Florida MLS

Subscribe to our SW Florida Real Estate Blog to get detailed weekly updates.

Fort Myers - Cape Coral Real Estate Market Bucks National Trend

2011-05-18T08:02:00.002-05:00

The Fort Myers and Cape Coral real estate market was one of three markets nationally that rose according to Zillow. Home values have appreciated 15% since January as inventory levels have been dropping and sales have been strong.

Watch NBC 2 News report:

Fort Myers Cape Coral Real Estate Market Improves While National Market Suffers

Feeding the Denver Hungry

2011-04-04T14:27:00.001-05:00

Did you see this?

CIAS Class in Baton Rouge.m4v

2011-03-25T23:15:00.000-05:00

HOLIDAYS AT THE CRYSTAL COAST OF NC

2010-11-30T16:17:00.011-05:00

HOLIDAYS AT THE CRYSTAL COAST OF NC ARE GREAT!
When the turkeys are friend, the leaves are falling, the Christmas trees are everywhere fresh and beautiful, what more could you ask for? How about the smell of the ocean breeze? The sound of the waves crashing onto the sandy shores of the beaches? The salt air in the wind? It is all here on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. It's the time to hunt the wild turkeys just as our fore-fathers before us. Time to dig up and harvest all the fresh vegetables; the pumpkins, potatoes, squash and corn. Have you ever pulled a sweet potato right out of the ground, brushed it off and eaten it? It is delicious!!! A little bit of dirt never hurt anyone. Peppers turn bright red and green just in time for the holidays and the hot peppers get hotter the longer they stay on the plants too! Here is the big difference in Holidays on the Crystal Coast of NC and other places. FRESH, DELICIOUS OYSTERS! SHRIMP! FRESH FISH! Now what to do with all of this bounty? Cook and enjoy, of course! Below are some of my favorite fall recipes to share with you.

RECIPES:
BUTTERMILK PIE! AWESOME!!! DON'T KNOCK IT TIL YOU TRY IT!
2 cups sugar
1 TB flour
3 eggs
1.5 Tsp real vanilla
1 stick of melted butter
3/4 cup buttermilk
Dash of salt
2 'Deep dish' graham cracker pie shells

Cream sugar and flour together; then add the rest of the ingredients
Pour into pie shells
Bake at 275 degrees 10 minutes; 300 degrees for 50 minutes

HOLIDAY BONUS RECIPE
OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER 'BEACH STYLE'
3 dozen fresh, salty oysters (cleaned and shucked)
1 pkg of chopped frozen spinach
4 green, spring onions
3 sticks of shopped celery
2 TBS finely chopped garlic
1 cup melted butter
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
1 cup bread crumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Tabasco pepper sauce to taste
white pepper and sea salt to taste
rock salt on which to place the oyster shells & oysters

Grind together spinach, green onions, celery and garlic; add melted butter & stir;
Add Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and Tabasco sauce

Place one oyster in each half shell on rock salt
Put 1 TBS of sauce on each oyster; sprinkle with bread crumbs and cheese
Dot with butter
Either broil for 8 minutes or bake at 450 degrees until lightly browned

HOLIDAY EVENTS AT THE CRYSTAL COAST OF NC

Crystal Coast Christmas Flotilla
Event Date: Dec. 3, 2011
The annual lighted boat parade begins in Morehead City at 5:30 p.m., and arrives in Beaufort about 6:15 p.m. Awards to follow in Museum Auditorium. NC Maritime Museum, Beaufort. Details: 252-728-7317

HISTORIC BEAUFORT CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES
Event Date: Dec. 10, 2011
Event Time(s): 5-7:00 pm
Another way to get ready for the holidays this year is to visit beautiful homes, Inns and B & Bs in Historic Downtown Beaufort all "dressed up" for the holidays. See truly lovely decorations amid twinkling candlelight as you walk the festive streets of this quaint town. Hop aboard the BHA's English double-decker bus and sing with carolers as you travel to your destination. Tickets are $10 at the Beaufort Historical Association. For details call 252-728-5225 or visit the website www.beauforthistoricsite.org.

AND BE SURE NOT TO MISS ...

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Event Date: Dec. 10, 2011
Event Time(s): 10:00 am
Children of all ages join Santa for a Christmas story and enjoy breakfast before his arrival. Emerald Isle Parks & Recreation, 7500 Emerald Drive. Admission fee is one unwrapped gift per child or 5 canned goods per child.

You MUST pre-register by Friday, December 9th at 5pm to attend. Reservations will be accepted beginning November 1st. Sponsored by Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation. Contact Laura Lee Davis at 252-354-6350 or ldavis@emeraldisle-nc.org.

AND....THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF COASTAL CAROLINA PROUDLY ANNOUNCE....
"CHRISTMAS SHOW" Presented by Gaylon Pope
December 11, 2010
2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Joslyn Hall
$15 Adults and $12 for 15 years & under
GIVE A CHILD THE GIFT OF SMILE BY PURCHASING A TICKET TO THIS DELIGHTFUL EVENT!
Contact Gena Gilbert, MHC Sunshine Ladies Club, Advisory Board Chair - 252-659-2367

HOW IS YOUR WEATHER?
The weather here on the Crystal Coast of NC has been beautiful the past few days. The sun has been shining; the temps have averaged in the mid 60's and 70's during the day and dipped into the 40's at night. The fishing is great this time of year! Walks on the beaches are cool, comfortable and gorgeous. Golfers were out today in shorts and light shirts and blouses. Rain is predicted for tomorrow, however, we really need the rain so that's no problem. Thanksgiving everyone was running around in jeans and light jackets. We usually have a few days in mid to late February that might turn cold (to us cold is in the 50's) but several days even in winter are warm enough to go out on the boat; do a little island hopping; collect some sea shells and just enjoy walking along the beaches. One February I collected over 100 sand dollars for our daughter's wedding in the waters behind Shackelford Island. We were barefoot and loving every minute of it.

TIPS ABOUT INSURANCES WHEN YOU PURCHASE A NEW HOME

Did you know there are several types of insurance that are offered when you purchase a new home? Do you know the ones you need?
*Homeowners Insurance: This policy is sometimes referred to as 'Hazard' insurance. It covers the dwelling and the contents inside the dwelling in case of fire, wind, hale and theft and in most cases it covers the owners if anyone is injured while on the property. There are additional 'riders' that can be purchased to cover the additional values of jewelry the original policy limits. Most Homeowners Insurance excludes Flood Insurance which can also be purchased separately, although it is not always needed or required.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is an insurance generally required by lenders if the amount of money the buyers puts down to purchase the property (downpayment) is less than 20% of the contract price. This insurance covers the lender should the buyer default on the loan. PMI adds a considerable amount to the final monthly payment on the property. Once loan to value (LTV) has exceeded 80% check with your lender to find out the lender's terms for the PMI to be dropped.

Title Insurance is also often required by the lender and the buyer is required to pay for this insurance. It protects the lender if any losses incur against the title. Some buyers purchase it to protect their own interests as well.

Credit Life Insurance pays off the balance of the mortgage in case the buyer dies before the loan is paid off.

Flood Insurance is required by lenders when a property is located in an area that is subject to periodic flooding. Flood insurance may usually be obtained through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Purchasing a home is a huge investment for most. Be sure to protect your investment! Consult a qualified local insurance agent or broker when buying insurance!

REMEMBER THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT SELLING YOUR HOME ARE PRICE AND LOCATION!
You can't change the location but you can change the price! Always try to stay competitive and price your home below your competition!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Top Agents Meet A Bill Barrett's Masterminds in New Orleans

2010-11-09T05:49:00.005-05:00

50 Agents Bring their Best Ideas

Another trip well worth it to New Orleans just before the official kick off of the National Association of Realtors National Conference. I had the pleasure of being a part of Bill Barrett's SuperStars mastermind at the Ritz. There were some incredible ideas and it was hard to do, but I narrowed my top 3 ideas to the following:

1- Pat Wattam had a contest for an iPad in her office. Each team member get points for different things, mostly 20% stuff (generating new leads, getting contracts signed, making calls, making appts, open houses, blogging, running ads, and setting up systems to free them up for more lead gen). Points are accumulated over a month's time, and the iPad is given away to person with most points.

2- Cathy Russell shared the Flag Signage for Open Houses. You've seen the tall flags blowing in the wind in your marketplace. Getting Flags with your logo and that say "OPEN" and use them for everything from, outside the office, for Open Houses, Client Appreciation Parties, etc.

3- Kevin Hildebrand sharing that Storage Unit Managers are a great source for referrals. They meet people every day that are decluttering their homes.

The Korn Team shared the information on our new book, The Complete Guide to Buying a Home in Kansas City. We found a company that will help with most of the common content, yet allow you to personalize the book for our area.

Becoming a Published author has been much easier than I ever imagined. The book is full of incredible content and we have put our Kansas City touch to help buyers & your referrals take advantage of the Kansas City market and be comfortable with the process of buying a home.

If you would like more information about publishing a Buyer book or Seller book for your marketplace (only one Realtor per market area) contact me at brad@kornteam.com with subject: "I want to be a published author" and I will get you the information about publishing your own Real Estate Book.

Baton Rouge Real Estate Update Sept '10

2010-09-17T15:36:00.000-05:00

Redesigned our Website

2010-09-16T10:34:00.002-05:00

We've just completed a redesign of our Topagent.com website to make it more consumer friendly. We cover the Cape Coral real estate and Fort Myers Florida marketplace. Our previous website did very well in the search engines but we felt it needed updating and wasn't as consumer friendly as it should be.

The new website still has links to our MLS property search site, our Ellis Team virtual tours, our Top Agent Blog, our YouTube Future of real Estate Video Channel, and of course our latest video SW Florida Real Estate Market Update September 2010

Let us know your comments.

Are Shorts Sales Artificially Affecting Buyer's Perceptions About Value?

2010-08-26T10:20:00.002-05:00

Short sales are a great way to sell a property that is valued less than what is owed on the proeprty, and the financial benefits far outweigh losing the home to foreclosure. But what happens when a listing agent lists a property so far below asking price? Ttypically the property creates a lot if interest, and buyers get really excited. Is this healthy?

The answer is NO. Buyers are often disappointed when the property fails to close, because banks do not sell at ridiculously low prices far below market value. Why would they? They're already taking a huge loss, and banks at this point will choose what's best for them. If they lose less in foreclosure, that's the route they'll take. If more than one loan is invloved, there are 2 or more banks, PMI companies, etc. that can kill the deal. So the seller is left holding the bag and facing foreclosure, meanwhile the buyer has lost the Steal they thought they were getting, and other opportunities have passed the buyer by.

Nobody wins. We've written an article enititled Artificial List Prices Affecting the SW Florida Real Estate Market that outlines what happens in a short sale. It's important that sellers interview agents and set a realistic list price. The article also touches on how those misleading list prices affect the market in other unintended ways.

You can view our latest Future of Real Estate Video Show. This past week we interviewed Lee County Florida Sheriff Mike Scott and asked him questions about Florida and Arizona's immigration laws and how that affects how his department acts from a law enforcement perspective. you may remember Sheriff Scott who made national news during the 2008 presidential campaign about Barack Obama.

State of the Market Report SW Florida

2010-02-22T11:42:00.006-05:00

The Ellis Team just released it's annual SW Florida real estate State of the market Report which covers Lee County Florida, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Sanibel Island, Ft Myers Beach, Bonita Springs, Estero, East Fort Myers, North Ft Myers, and all of Southwest Florida. This report is a Free report. Download your copy of the State of the Market Report

If you'd like to view more videos, such as Segment 2 of the overall State of the Market Report video, as well as the Lee County sub-markets, visit our Future of Real Estate page on the State of the Market

2010-02-19T11:47:00.001-05:00

Check the things to do in Denver at http://ping.fm/tYvLE

Facebook | DenverRelocation.com Photos

2010-02-19T11:02:00.000-05:00

Facebook DenverRelocation.com Photos
For upcoming events today!

Fund Raising Event for Boys & Girls Club

2010-02-07T09:20:00.002-05:00

I just posted information about the results of a fantastic fund raising event for the Boys & Girls Club Sunshine Ladies unit on my blog at http://nccoastalproperties.blogspot.com/

2010-02-02T09:54:00.001-05:00

Just posted local versus out of town lender results for 2009 at http://ping.fm/59j0v It is a landslide for local mortgage lenders.

BEING A CYBERSTAR IS GREAT & BECOMING GREATER EACH YEAR!

2010-01-29T17:50:00.005-05:00

What a wonderful group to belong by being an Allen Hainge CyberStar(tm). 3 days of networking and intense classroom training and exchanging ideas and friendship with the top of the top in our real estate profession! I have belonged to this fantastic group of people sharing technology about real estate for 10 years and counting and have gained such a cutting edge in our industry by associating with them. WOW! The amount of knowledge shared in Scottsdale, AZ was astonishing. Need an excellent, qualified REALTOR(TM)? Google Allen Hainge CyberStars 2.0!

Denver real estate broker in Phoenix

2010-01-12T16:48:00.001-05:00

My mind is swimming! 48 hours of technology apps to sell houses and help folks buy. I am at the 2010 Cyberstar Summit in Phoenix

2010-01-12T16:41:00.001-05:00

My mind is swimming! 48 hours of technology apps to sell houses and help folks buy. I am at the 2010 Cyberstar Summit.

2010-01-12T16:36:00.001-05:00

My mind is swimming! 48 hours of technology apps to sell houses and help folks buy. I am in Phoenix at the 2010 Cyberstar Summit.

2010-01-12T16:32:00.001-05:00

My mind is swimming! 48 hours of technology apps to sell houses and help folks buy. I am at the Cyberstar Summit in Phoenix

2010-01-11T12:35:00.001-05:00

http://ping.fm/8RrXn posted some very exciting real estate sales data for Denver. I have been saying we were turning the corner since last March and I finally feel vidicated.

2010-01-10T18:34:00.001-05:00

I just uploaded a note at www.highlandsranchrealestateblog.com that might help you understand.

2010-01-10T18:31:00.001-05:00

Why would a real estate agent attend an out of town conference? I just uploaded a note at www.highlandsranchrealestateblog.com that might help you understand.

2010-01-08T16:51:00.001-05:00

4 months of plus prices in metro Denver Colorado means demand has started to push the prices up as listings of homes continues to fall see www.denverhomesource.com/real_estate_blog/

2010-01-01T11:45:00.001-05:00

First Time Home Buyers: Get Paid $8,000 to Buy a Home! Read the entire update at
http://ping.fm/8v2iD

2009-12-16T12:15:00.001-05:00

Great article on Carbon Monoxide and Colorado real estate at http://ping.fm/G4DXl from a guest blogger Tom D'Agostino

2009-12-11T09:12:00.001-05:00

Picking up our exchange student at DIA. He is from South Africa. Spent 3 months with us 20 years ago!

2009-11-25T19:09:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for my hobby. See http://ping.fm/14g5l

2009-11-20T09:01:00.001-05:00

There are 14 reasons to make a residential move during the year end. DO you agree or disagree? Check them out at www.highlandsranchrealestateblog.com

2009-11-15T10:58:00.001-05:00

Denver single family home SALES highest! Can you see a trend? Look at the charts at www.highlandsranchrealestateblog.com

2009-11-10T19:32:00.001-05:00

What do you think of placing your houses for sale on FACEBOOK business pages?

2009-11-10T16:17:00.001-05:00

What are your favorite things about living in Colorado? Let me hear from you at http://ping.fm/wF7vW

2009-09-25T18:31:00.001-05:00

Can't you find a REAL job in Denver?
Check my blog at www.highlands-ranch-real-estate-blog.com

2009-09-18T15:56:00.001-05:00

Check the state of the Denver Real Estate Market at www.highlands-ranch-real-estate-blog.com

2009-08-25T20:47:00.001-05:00

97 days or 2333 hours are left to close your first time buyer so they get their free $8000 tax credit

2009-08-21T19:13:00.001-05:00

I am off to evening of operating a model railroad, or if you will, puzzle solving. Great fun

2009-07-21T17:52:00.001-05:00

3176 hours left to take advantage of the 1st time buyers tax credit of up to $8,000

SW Florida Real Estate Social Media

2009-07-13T09:45:00.003-05:00

We conducted an experiment on adding Facebook users to our fan pages and it worked. Our new goal is to attract 1,000 fans to each of our Facebook Fan Pages, and attract 1,000 followers on Twitter.

Our Twitter accounts are:
@swfltopagents
@brettellis_swfl

Our Facebook Fan pages are:

Ellis Team
Cape Coral Real Estate
SW Florida Real Estate
Fort Myers Real Estate
Future of Real Estate

2009-06-23T07:40:00.001-05:00

158 days remain to buy a home and still get the tax credit from the stimulus plan

2009-06-22T20:47:00.001-05:00

only 159 days to close & get your tax credit. Details at http://ping.fm/9WXZ4

2009-06-20T17:50:00.001-05:00

3 weeks to go before the Garden Railway Convention in Denver www.2009ngrc.com Check it out

2009-06-17T15:17:00.001-05:00

Tax Credit only use CHFA's JUMPStart Program if you use a CHFA 1st mortgage. Those are .5-1% higher than other government loans, which limits the buyers ability to qualify.

2009-06-17T08:02:00.001-05:00

Downpayment with Tax Credit: $6000 of $8000 is available from CHFA. Must be repaid by 6-1-10. $350 application fee. JUMPSTART is the program

BIG ROCK BLUE MARLINE TOURNAMENT MOREHEAD CITY, NC JUNE 5-13, 2009

2009-05-30T07:42:00.005-05:00

It is hard to believe this year marks the 51st ANNUAL BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT! I might be telling my age but I remember earlier tournaments that made big game fishing at 'THE BIG ROCK' famous here in Carteret County, NC.

The photo (upper right corner) is that of a tee shirt I still wear to this day from the "13th Annual Hardee's King Mackerel Tournament" hosted in Atlantic Beach, NC. This tournament boasts that it is the largest all-cash King Mackerel Fishing Tournament in the nation. Having lived in Atlantic Beach, NC for 8 years and right in the thick of this event, that does not suprise me. It is a 5 day tournament and is usually held annually in early September. The Hardee's King Mackerel Tournament exudes excitement all during the tournament for the 'locals' and members of the entire family. There are a variety of activities at the 'Atlantic Station' in Atlantic Beach, NC which accompanies the tournament.

THE BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT in Morehead City, NC is a momentous and monumental event! A few of the Big Rock Events included are the Captain's Cocktail Party, Captain's Dance and a good old Southern Style Pig Pickin'!

Even if you don't fish in this event there are numerous things to do each day. Lie on the beaches and soak up the sun; go shopping in Morehead City, on the Beaufort Waterfront or in Emerald Isle; enjoy wonderful food at great restaurants in the area such as Ruddy Duck's, on the Morehead City Water Front, Cap't Bill's, Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant or Picata's on Arendell in down town Morehead City.

A new welcome addition I think to the BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT is naming the Ladies Tournament "The Keli Wagner Big Rock Lady Angler Tournament" in honor or a gracious lady who loved and supported this tournament for many, many years. Our community was deeply saddened by the loss of Keli who lost her battle with cancer in late 2008. Keli was a truly wonderful person and a generous, giving member of Carteret County. The RAAB Cancer Clinic is the chosen charity by this event for 2009. I know that Keli would be excited and extremely proud of this decision made by the Board of Directors of the BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT.

For additional updated information and photos on the 51st ANNUAL BIG ROCK BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT in Morehead City go to: http://bigrocknews.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in buying or selling any real estate while you are here, please give us a call at www.GenaGilbertRealEstate.com

NC COASTAL PROPERTIES GGRE, Inc.

877-240-0259 Toll-Free or 252-240-0259 Local

Enjoy your visit, have a great time

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LUCKY WINNER!

"YOU'RE IN THE MONEY"

RIVER FRONT LIVING AT AFFORDABLE PRICE! LARGE LOT & COTTAGE UNDER $450,000!

2009-05-29T13:46:00.009-05:00

591 Becton Rd, Havelock, NC

Located on the lovely Neuse River over looking Fantastic Water Views. Only a short boat ride to Oriental, NC. This lot and "Carriage House" with 926 Sq Ft living area is affordably priced at $419,000 FURNISHED! Current owners built this "Carriage House/Garage" as a place live in while building a larger home. Owners have decided not to build on this beautiful lot, however, the 'Carriage House' can be used as a Summer Cottage, Guest House or In-Law Quarters. There is ample space should you decide to build a larger home on this 3.43 Acre Direct Water Front lot!

24'X10' Deck with GREAT RIVER VIEWS compliments the 'Carriage House' and provides a wonderful relaxing way to the spend your day watching the gorgeous Sunsets over the water. Start enjoying life now and build your Dream Home at your leisure!

NC COASTAL PROPERTIES

Gena Gilbert Real Estate

Direct #252-659-2368

Office #877-240-0259

ASK FOR 'GENA OR HAROLD'

3 BEDROOM 2 FULL BATH NEAR CHERRY POINT MCAS, NC

2009-05-28T15:14:00.012-05:00

CLOSE TO BEACHES, SCHOOLS AND CHERRY POINT MCAS!

$157,900

304 FOXHALL DR, NEWPORT, NC 28570

TURN KEY! MOVE IN!

Like New 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Baths, Double Garage, Large Fenced-in Back Yard with new free standing large Storage Building and Pre-wired for Surround Sound in Great Room! NEWLY PAINTED INTERIOR, NEW FLOOR COVERINGS, POWER WASHED EXTERIOR!

This lovely home is in a great neighborhood, only minutes to the Crystal Coast Beaches, Morehead City and Cherry Point MCAS in Havelock, NC. Home is in excellent condition and ready for the right family to move in at closing!

Beautiful wood floor entry, new plush carpet in Great Room, hall and all bedrooms and new vinyl floors in bathrooms. Located in Newport School District with bus service to all schools. Great Sports Fishing or Inland Fishing areas all around. Great Boating area also!

Go to: http://www.genagilbertrealestate.com/ and http://www.nccoastalproperties.com/ to preview additional photos and details.

BROKER/OWNERS GENA & HAROLD GILBERT 252-659-2367 OR 252-659-2368

Who Did You Enjoy Memorial Day With this Year?

2009-05-26T14:48:00.004-05:00

These are some of my friends I spent Memorial Day with this year. They are the wild horses on Shackelford Island in Carteret County, Core Banks of NC. They are not tame but they will allow people to share their environment if you behave and follow their rules.

Rule #1 NEVER get between the Stallion and his Mares!

Rule#2 NEVER get between the Mare and her colt(s)!

Rule#3 Be very quiet and do not spook or scare them.

Rule#4 Walk among them softly and slowly.

Rule#5 If they snort or stomp their hooves, BACK UP!

Rule#6 Do NOT try to touch them. As beautiful as they are you must remember they are wild animals.

Rule#7 Do not feed them. They are well provided for by the FEDERAL Wildlife.

Just in case you did not catch my suttle hint on Rule#7, remember the word 'FEDERAL'. Federal Wildlife Officers protect FEDERAL land. You are visiting Shackelford Island which is part of the National Seashore and the Southern Outer Banks.

Enjoy watching and walking among the wild horses and other wildlife but please don't break the rules. The signs that say 'Keep your dog on a leash' are there to protect the horses and the other wild life that calls Shackelford Island their home. :>)

One GREAT Way to Spend Memorial Day!

2009-05-23T07:39:00.009-05:00

What a wonderful way to spend Memorial Day or ANY day for that matter!

The photo to your right is a wild mother horse and her colt. This is a sight we see on a regular basis during the breeding season o Shackelford Island in Carteret County, NC. How intriguing it is to see wild horses roaming free and to be able to get up close with them.

Every day at 'Shack' as the locals call it, is a great day and much better than any day at work. Lying out on the beach or lying under a shaded tent or umbrella and watching the boats go by, cooking hamburgers, hot dogs, shrimp, clams you just dug up on the grill. How much better can life get? Not a care in the world, listening to the wave gently splash on the shore, sitting and chatting with good friends and family - it's better than taking any drug you can imagine. :>)

The 'Southern Outer Banks' of NC are a fantastic place to live, work and play. We invite you to visit us at http://www.genagilbertrealestate.com/ or at http://www.nccoastalproperties.com/ and see just how wonderful life can be.

Gena & Harold Gilbert

"Always Placing Your Real Estate Needs 1st"

"Your Coastal Sales Team"

252-659-2368

We Look Forward To Sharing a Piece of Our "Heaven on Earth" with you!

FORECAST FOR A BEAUTIFUL BEACH WEEKEND

2009-04-21T14:38:00.004-05:00

This is Oceanna Pier in the background. It has been around as long as I can remember. The people in the picture fishing are my daughter and my granddaughter. What a thrill to see a picture of my kids fishing in the surf next to the same pier I fished off of when I was a small child. What fun we have all had and what great memories we can all share in just one location in Atlantic Beach, NC.

There are only two piers left on Bogue Island. Enjoy them while you can! Nobody knows how much longer they will stand so cherish them and use them as much as possible for now.

Surf fishing is popular most of the year but it really gets busy in the Spring and Fall Seasons. You catch whitings, blue fish and sometimes mackeral. Of course, an old boot or two may catch your line from time to time also. :>)

If you can, come on and get your feet wet this weekend in the ocean or the sound in one of the beautiful beaches of Carteret County, NC. We are friendly folks. We don't mind sharing! :>)

Gena & Harold Gilbert

"Your Coastal Sales Team"

www.GenaGilbertRealEstate.com

GRADUATION FOR CLASSES IN PHOTOGRAPHY

2009-04-21T09:03:00.003-05:00

I have been taking classes for the past 12 weeks in Digital Photography and Photoshop Elements 6 to learn more details about how to better my photography images. I graduated 4-20-09 and I am no longer scared to death to touch all the buttons and keys on my Nikon D-40 SLR or my Elements 6 program. Hooray!

These classes taught me a great deal about becoming a better photographer and I will use this knowledge to make my pictures in my Real Estate Career better as well as all other pictures I love to take of my family and the natural wonders that surround us.

HAPPY PHOTOGRAPHING!

Gena

Tips on Buying Short Sales in Fort Myers and Cape Coral Florida

2009-04-13T16:47:00.004-05:00

Brett Ellis of the Ellis Team at RE/MAX Realty Group just posted a video on buying short sales and foreclosures in Fort Myers and Cape Coral Florida. Brett is a Certified Distressd Property Expert and works the bank foreclosure and short sale market in SW Florida.

Brett and Adrian Jacobs from Countrywide Home Loans share insider tips on how to effectively buy short sale properties and how to get your offer through quicker, as well as how to best get the banks to say yes.

Read the entire article New Video Released About Buying and Selling Short Sales in Cape Coral and Fort Myers Florida Brett's website can be found at Topagent.com

How Do you Respond to a Carpet Allowance?

2009-03-11T09:54:00.004-05:00

Should I offer a Carpet Allowance to get my Home SOLD?

This is a great question from many Home Seller's. Here is how I responded to that same question:

---Original Message---
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009
To: 'brad@kornteam
Importance: High

Brad and/or Sonya,
I want to add a $5000 carpet and paint allowance to the listing. The number one thing that seems to be consistently noted in our showing feedback is how “outdated” and/or poor condition ....(I have the full email at our Korn Team blog at www.kornteam.com

---Response---
...consider one more option. …Consider doing a 90 days, same as cash type deal…or even get him to put some cheap carpet (but decent looking) in.

Unfortunately, with all my years of selling, even the allowance will not get them past picking your home. It is truly a “Beauty Contest” AND a “Price War” and you have to win both. Obviously the price is not keeping them away…we are getting some decent traffic. Even a cheap new carpet is still new and looks great.

....I know you are both busy, so you might want to decide if you would rather discount the price and not do the work…make is such a good deal that anyone will overlook the carpets, etc…….OR…..do a little work to make it neutral (cream, off white, wheat colors, etc…) and have a better shot getting the price you are at. The honest truth is...if your home blew their socks off from the minute they walked into the home, carpet and paint would never keep someone from making an offer.

...they are seeing either better values out there, or maybe even homes that don't need the work, and are priced very competitively (sometimes even more than you...but no work needed, and completely updated).

Thanks.Brad
www.kornteam.com
brad@kornteam.com

Asbestos Attic Insulation Remains a Hazard for Homeowners

2009-03-10T09:16:00.002-05:00

If you are a home owner and believe you may have asbestos insulation, any disturbance has the potential to release its fibers in the air. Limiting the number of trips to the attic will help limit your exposure. It is important to meet with professional abatement contractors in order to determine what the best course of action is for your situation.

There are many things to consider when remodeling or purchasing an older home. Homes built prior to 1980 have a potential to harbor asbestos materials. A professional home inspection for potentially corrosive insulation materials is extremely important for a variety of scenarios.

Used in millions of homes throughout the twentieth century, asbestos insulation can be a big problem for homeowners because of its corrosive and health deteriorating qualities. Deadly cancer’s such as asbestosis and peritoneal mesothelioma are obtained through asbestos exposure and take the lives of thousands each year. With a latency period that lasts 20 to 50 years, it
it isn’t until the later stages of progression when physicians usually are able to accurately diagnose this disease.

The high amount of asbestos incidents over the last century has lead to mesothelioma attorney firms throughout the country advocating and protecting victim’s rights. The asbestos cover up was jointly executed by corporations and government, limiting citizens and workers of the dangers associated with asbestos.

The Environmental Protection Agency suggests:

- Asbestos insulation should be left undisturbed in your attic.
- Limit the amount of accessories and items stored.
- Do not allow children’s access.
- If you plan to remodel or conduct renovations, hire professionals to handle asbestos to safely remove the material. Removing asbestos by yourself can potentially spread fibers throughout your home and your family will be at risk of inhaling asbestos dust.

It is not always an easy process to determine whether or not a particular insulation contains asbestos. Anyone who is unsure about the insulation in their home should have the materials in question tested. To protect your investment, professional consultants can provide an evaluation of the home. Consultants will identify material defects structures and components of the home, in adherence to or exceeding national, state, and industry regulations and standards.

Creating a Disney Experience in your Buiness

2009-02-21T22:52:00.002-05:00

Creating a Disney Experience in your Business

I am in Orlando this week at the KW Family Reunion (annual conference) and today I was fortunate to hear Jeff with the Disney Institute talk about how Disney creates the magical experience. The thought that most rang true today and something that applies to us an our business is in evaluating our customer compass. What is important to our clients?

He talked about Taks vs Purpose. Everyone in Disney has a job title and with that job title comes a task that must be completed. If you ask everyone in the park what their task is, you will get a lot of different responses. However, if you aks every one of them what their purpose is....they ALL have the same answer. You see, at Disney, the Finance persons' main purpose is not to be "accurate" it is to be sure that everyone they come in contact with has a WOW experience.

If I asked your team what their task is...would I get different answers? Most likely. They all have different job descriptions. What if I asked them all what the purpose is....are you confident they would ALL give the same exact answer? If you asked me that questions, I would say "I think so"...but am I sure? This is a great time to check in with our team and see if we all have the same purpose. If not...what is the purpose? Remember, our clients only move once every 5 years. What makes the experience bad is the unknown. What purpose could you have as a team to make this move feel equivilant to a Disney experience.

new outlook on being successful

2009-02-20T07:53:00.002-05:00

Books are incredible! In November, Gary Keller was speaking at a large National Mortgage conference. His message was great. He was giving the Lender community some great information on how to survive this market. Following the event I asked him if he had any information I could use to send to some of my coaching clients. He suggested I read the book "Outlier" by Malcolm Gladwell. It basically talks about the study of extremely successful people. The star sports players, top orchestra players, etc.

I just got into the book and there is a whole new perspective on why some are more successful than others. The piece that really blew me away was regarding the study of time practicing. We have all heard the saying "Practice makes Perfect" and in the book they found that some of the most successful people in their field just practice more than those that are just good. In fact, Mozart was playing music for 20 years before his masterpiece was created.

The study of violin players really helped me look at success in a new light. They did a study of Violin players. They put them in 3 groups. The most successful in one group, the semi-successful in another and the violinist that were not good at all and should be moving on to something else. What they found is the most successful violinist practiced quite a bit more than the middle group and the middle group practiced quite a bit more than the lower group. To summarize...the best players in the study had practiced over 10,000 hours compared to the next closest group that only practiced 8,000 hours and the lowest group had around 4,000 hours of practice.

Bobby Fischer became a Chessmaster only with over 10,000 hours of playing (practicing) chess. Very interesting. If you think about successful agents vs agents that don't make it, and look at their lead generation methods. The most successful agents lead generate almost 3 hours every day. If you apply the 10,000 hour rule to that, and you lead generate 3 hours every day, 5 days a week it will take you 12 years to get 10,000 hours of lead generation in. Can you imagine what your business would look like if you did 3 hours of lead generation for 12 years? Which also lends itself to people who are struggling just to put in 1 hour of lead generation every day. If you take that path it will take you 38 years. Now just understand that I am talking about doing real estate at the Bobby Fischer or Mozart level of success.

Sure puts a different perspective on how important it is to focus on the right things.....EVERY day! practice, practice, practice.

Is NOW a good time to sell?

2009-01-21T22:42:00.003-05:00

Many clients ask if they should wait till April (or so) to put their home on the market. Actually, my advice is quite different. No matter what market you are in, the Fall and Spring months are one of the BEST times to be on the market.

Real Estate is everything they taught us in High School Economics....it is "supply" and "demand". The reason people think they should wait is because they heard a lot of homes sell in the summer. Well, that is true. In fact, 50% of home sales in the US sell in the summer months. However, during the summer months there is more competition for those buyers.

What I suggest is to get your home on the market right away. Jan-Mar will be the months you will have the leasst amount of competition for the rest of the year. Many sellers sign 6 month contracts when they list their home. If they list in June and expire around Thanksgiving...the majority of sellers go ahead and take their home off the market. Those are the months that you have the least amount of sellers trying to take YOUR buyer.

Another way to look at it is this, in the summer there are a lot more buyers....but also a lot more homes for sale. In the beginning of the year there are fewer buyers....but they are typically more serious buyers (especially if there is snow and bad weather). Those buyers HAVE to move. So, even though you may get fewer lookers, the lookers out in the weather ar serious buyers. In fact, those serious buyers have fewer homes to chose from, so I would argue that sellers typically get a little more equity during the first months of the year.

If you would like further explanation on this, feel free to contact us at brad@kornteam.com

Vote!

2008-11-04T15:32:00.001-05:00

Is The Real Estate Market Really Improving?

2008-10-30T16:35:00.001-05:00

There are many indicators that are tell tale signs of whether the market is improving, days on the market, average sales price, sales to list price ratio and housing inventory levels. Housing inventory levels I believe are a key indicator. So how do you know whether the housing inventory is normal in your geographic area? The National Association of Realtors (NAR) indicates that normal inventory levels are 3.6% of the total markets occupied housing units. In the Palmer Wasilla area of Alaska there are 21,015 single family occupied housing units. Using NAR’s indicator of 3.6% a normal inventory level in our area would be 756 homes for sale. As of October 29, 2008 there are 2078 homes on the market for sale. That means we have a ways to go yet before our market is back to normal. But as I have indicated before, there are some price ranges within our market that have normal inventories already. So don’t let the overall number mislead you. If your home is valued at less than $245,000 there is good news. Almost all of the price ranges below $245,000 show a very normal housing market. If you have questions about your home, contact me at Kristan@KristanCole.com

New Tax Credit!

2008-09-12T14:11:00.000-05:00

This pportunity for first time home buyers is well explained here. Just click on the title above to learn all about it in an easy format.

Any further questions, please feel free to call Barbara at 800-923-3245.

Lease-To-Own

2008-09-06T09:24:00.002-05:00

Lease-to-own is gaining favor once again

Lease-to-own options are becoming popular again after falling out of favor during the last couple of decades when mortgages were easy to get.

The advantage of lease-to-own to a buyer includes a way around poor credit and an opportunity to rebuild credit worthiness and get in a position to obtain a mortgage.

For sellers, it offers cash flow from properties that might otherwise just be sitting there.

In some parts of the country, like Florida, rent-to-own arrangements are fairly commonplace; but in other parts of the country, buyers and sellers are only beginning to experiment with this form of purchase.

For developers it can also be a way to market their idle spec homes and produce cash flow to keep their lenders happy.

If you have any questions re this arrangement, please email me at Barbara@BGaines.com.

June 2008 Summertime In Alaska

2008-06-26T19:42:00.001-05:00

Technically it is summer. Summer solstice will be here next week and Father's Day is this weekend. But, did someone forget to turn on the sunshine? After a slow cold spring many of us convinced ourselves that sunshine would be just around the corner.
Maybe the lack of sun is the reason record numbers of buyers have been on our website looking at homes this past week? It's true there have been double the number of unique visitors on our site this week. If they are interested in buying a home in the price range above $275,000 they will find a huge selection. Take a look at the number of homes on in the Palmer Wasilla area that came on the market this week, versus the homes that pended and sold:
Total Actives New Actives this week New Pendings & New Solds this week
710 60 22 20
When there are more homes being listed for sale than are pending and selling, we are gaining inventory. This trend needs to change before we will have equilibrium in the market place across all price ranges. As I have mentioned before the bright spot is under $275,000. This price range continues to be a normal market with 2-3 months of supply. Over $275,000 continues to be a challenging market with more homes for sale than there are buyers. If you have questions about your home, email me at Kristan@KristanCole.com or call 373-3575. Kristan

Cost of Electricity by State

2008-06-21T08:07:00.000-05:00

Here is a quick post from Pete Doty, a Highlands Ranch Real Estate agent.
There is a link in the post that compares the cost of electricity by state so you can see what other folks across the country pay. Colorado is ranked #25. What is your stats rank.

Compare Renting to Buying a Home

2008-06-18T16:27:00.001-05:00

Click on the above title to compare renting versus buying a home. It takes about a minute but the results are very interesting!!!

Big Bank Owned Bargain Sale in SW Florida

2008-03-25T21:04:00.000-05:00

The Ellis Team at RE/MAX Realty Group conducted a big blowout bank owned bargain sale the weekend of March 15. Several homes were sold, however we've listed several more at baragin prices. We've setup a special website just for these bank foreclosures in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Lehigh Acres Florida.

We can be reached at 800-860-4042 if you're interested in purchasing bank forclosures in SW Florida at bargain prices.

Having Trouble Making Your Mortgage Payments?

2008-03-03T10:33:00.000-05:00

You are not alone if you are struggling right now with your mortgage payments. With home ownership at an all-time high and some questionable lending practices over the recent years, many people now find themselves in a bind keeping up with their bills. No matter what kind of mortgage you have, you need to understand your options and work with your lender and experts to avoid losing your home if at all possible. Following is a brochure put out by NAR (the National Association of Realtors) that may help you. Click here.

State of the Real Estate Market in Alaska

2008-01-03T19:53:00.000-05:00

If you are thinking of listing your home in the spring, now is the time to start cleaning up and clearing out the clutter so you’ll be good to go in 2008! I wrote a “State of the Real Estate Market” article for the Frontiersman newspaper that comes out at the end of the month. This is good information for anyone looking to sell in 2008 or anyone just wanting to know the real facts about the residential real estate market.
Attention all seniors graduating from High School in May of 2008. Apply for one of our three scholarships we will be awarding this year. We give away 3 scholarships totaling $3000 each year to graduation seniors.
Attention all renters! This is a great time to buy with low interest rates and several new homes to choose from. Stop throwing away rent and start earning equity.
Red Cross award. The local Red Cross Chapter Thanks the Kristan Cole Team for monetary contributions and whole blood and plasma donations. Also don’t forget about our warm coats—warm hearts coat drive for children. Drop off at our office anytime this month.

BIG ROCK FISHING TOURNAMENT

2007-10-29T15:00:00.000-05:00

Below is an exert from the Big Rock Newsletter. The Big Rock Marlin Tournament is held in Morehead City and soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The tournament brings in tourists and sports fishermen from all over to Carteret County.

"Big Rock History"

The Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament began in 1957 when a few local businessmen known as the Fabulous Fishermen decided to offer $250 silver dollars to the first fishermen who could catch a blue marlin off the Crystal Coast. On September 14, 1957 Raleigh angler Jimmy Croy fishing aboard the Mary Z with Capt. K.W. “Bill” Olsen, landed a 143 pound blue marlin. A tournament was born. In the early years, the Big Rock could barely be considered a tournament. There were no rules of consequence and only a few boats participated. In 1965, a listing of prizes included one quart of varnish. Wow, has it ever grown from that!Entries in 1970 were 35 and in 1973 Bump Styron, owner of the Morehead City Yacht Basin gave the tournament its current name, Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. The tournament entrants topped 111 in 1979 and grew to 177 boats in 1989. The Big Rock currently averages 190 boats and nearly 1500 competitors. The purse has exploded from that first 250 silver dollars into a whopping $1,568,950 in 2007.

Investors prowling around

2007-09-09T18:47:00.000-05:00

Over at http://highlands-ranch-real-estate.blogspot.com/2007/09/investors-prowling-around-denver.html I just posted a note about investors.

I would love your comments and what you think of this report and how FSBOs should be prepared for them.

Southeastern Michigan Real Estate

2007-09-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Here in southeastern Michigan, as in many areas across the country, we continue to have a swollen inventory of homes for sale. It started with overbuilding and overly inflated home prices. Eventually the market had to re-adjust, and when it did so, foreclosures added to our already large inventory of homes for sale.

Now with money getting tighter, which means less buying power, there are fewer home sales. Mortgage rates have been increasing. And every time the mortgage rates go up, even a quarter of a percent, a large number of potential buyers are disqualified from the marketplace. Additionally, a number of mortgage companies are going out of business, with American Home Mortgage Company - the tenth largest in the country - as the latest to close their doors. In recent years mortgage companies granted mortgages to just about anyone, including those who couldn’t or wouldn’t prove their income, those with no down payment and even those with very poor credit. But today, with foreclosures climbing steadily, almost all mortgage companies have re-enacted the tight lending restrictions that were common decades ago. The result of all this is that there are fewer buyers now to purchase those homes on the market so the inventory continues to be swollen.

Statistics from First American Real Estate Solution show if one house forecloses in a neighborhood, the average house in that neighborhood loses five percent of its value. If eight percent of the houses in the neighborhood foreclose, the value in that neighborhood goes down twenty percent.

Recently President Bush has been exhorting the lenders to try to help out those who are facing foreclosures. Just what can be done is yet to be seen, but some lenders are more willing than others to try to work with a homeowner who is in financial trouble. If you or a family member are having trouble making your mortgage payments, it is advisable to discuss your situation with your lender now. Or, if you have a very experienced Realtor who has seen good and bad markets over time, you might want to discuss your situation with that person before going to the lender.

Mid Year Real Estate Report Wasilla Alaska

2007-06-10T12:37:00.000-05:00

The residential market is down 27% compared to this same time last year. That means that 27% fewer homes are selling as compared to last year at this time AND only 41% of all the homes coming on the market since the beginning of the year have sold. The good news is that we (Kristan Cole Team) are selling more homes this year than we did last year, so at you have the best chance of selling if you are listed with us.

Year to date comparisons from last year same time:
Residential down 27%
Land down 53%
Commercial down 12%
Multi Family down 49%

What percentage of properties that were listed this year has sold?
Residential 41%
Land 20%
Commercial 14%
Multi family 25%

Home many properties are on the market now?
Residential 903 (about 50 more than last month)
Land 922
Multi family 89
Commercial 81

Average number of days on the market for homes that have sold: 95 days

The most important advertising we are involved with is on the internet. We know 78% (National Association of Realtors statistic) of all buyers start their search and ultimately find their home by using the internet. Our web site is attracting great buyers for our homes and our sellers. Here are some statistics about how powerful our web site is. FACT: 60% of all of our buyers that purchased a home in the month of May came to us from the internet.

Kristan Cole Team WEB SITE TRACKING:

KristanCole.com
Average views: per day 1051 and 26, 593 per month

Kristan’s Visual Tours
Average number of times our active tours have been viewed per property 86
Average number of views per week of different properties 338

Kristan’s Realtor.com site
Average views per day 525 and 15,750 per month

Everyone Loves a Sale

2007-06-09T19:16:00.000-05:00

Thinking of remodeling or staging your home for selling or furnishing a new home??? "Baby Boomer News" offers some suggestions for saving money on household items by waiting to buy during certain sale times. Here are the typical sale months for bargains on specific merchandise:

January - Linens, fabric, quilts,blankets, small appliances, TVs
February - Bedding, floor coverings, furniture, housewares
March - Washers and dryers, air conditioners, china, glassware
April - Kitchen ranges, wallpaper, paint
May - Radios, TVs, linens
June - Bedding, floor coverings, furniture, storm windows
August - Linens, rugs
September - China, glassware
October - Rugs, fabrics

Ann Arbor Michigan Tops List for Talented Labor

2007-05-09T12:15:00.000-05:00

Ann Arbor was ranked first in the country for its knowledgeable workforce according to trade publication Expansion Management's 6th annual Knowledge Worker Quotient. The study ranked 362 metropolitan statistical areas for their ability to provide talented workers and an "innovative environment."

What does this mean? Well, for one thing, Ann Arbor is better positioned than almost any other place in the nation to thrive and prosper in the future. That's good for businesses looking to come into this area. It also means Ann Arbor is a good place to settle and invest in a home. While much of Michigan is struggling with economic issues, the Ann Arbor area is faring much better than the rest of the State.

Fayetteville Arkansas #1 in new "Best Places" study

2007-04-14T17:29:00.000-05:00

Our best-kept secret has been announced to the world by Bert Sperling of Sperling’s Best Places fame. Sperling has previously researched and written books about a variety of issues such as the best places to raise a family and cities with the lowest crime rates.

The idea is that although larger cities may be a great place for young graduates to find work and jump start careers, often the high cost of living is prohibitive for young families. This study looked at affordability and job growth, as well as quality of life for the real estate section at MSN. The Fayetteville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) ranked number one in the country, according to Sperling. (Fayetteville MSA includes Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville and stretches into extreme southwest Missouri.)

The area boasts five-year-job growth of 26.1% and a low unemployment rate of 3.5%. In addition to the headquarters for Wal-Mart, Tyson and J.B. Hunt Trucking, many other Fortune 500 companies have facilities here.

Living costs are low and there are many cultural opportunities: the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville with all their sports and cultural activities, several museums plus a world-class museum scheduled to open in 2009, a large performing arts center, excellent medical facilities, and our own regional airport with non-stop service to Chicago, Houston, Detroit, Minneapolis, Dallas and additional cities.

Add all that to the clean air and natural beauty of the Ozarks, many lakes including Beaver Lake with its 449 miles of shoreline, and a very livable four-season climate and you can easily understand why Sperling found this area so attractive.

Other cities featured in the study are also smaller cities with vibrant economies and usually universities: Idaho Falls, ID; Logan, UT; Auburn and Huntsville, AL; Iowa City and Dubuque, IA; Pensacola, FL; Blacksburg, VA; and Fargo, ND.

To find real estate information for Fayetteville:

Fayetteville and NW Arkansas Real Estate

To search for homes in NW Arkansas:

http://www.NWArkansasHomeSearch.com

For more information about the study:

http://realestate.msn.com/Buying/Article2.aspx?cp-documentid=3863709
http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/news/51179

Short Sales

2007-04-03T14:59:00.000-05:00

For those of you who follow the news of southeastern Michigan and the auto industry, you know just how much our real estate market has declined. Today Michigan is 5th in the country with foreclosures. Detroit is #1 of all cities in the country, with 1 out of 21 homes in foreclosure. There is more reason for this than just the auto industry, such as mortgage practices that put many homeowners in an "upside-down" position.

With this situation if an owner has to move, and does not have cash to take to closing, as Realtors we are suggesting to the owner to try to work a deal with the lender to take less than is owed on the mortgage. This is called a "short sale."

You might question why a lender would do that, but often they are better off taking a little less now than spending over a year going through the foreclosure process with mounting legal fees, taxes, and utility bills to pay. Plus there's the concern the lender should have of sitting with a vacant house that could be vandalized or have frozen pipes in the winter or whatever.

From the owner's point of view, they end up with a rather mild "blip" on their credit record as compared to going into foreclosure which stays on their credit record for TWELVE years and makes it difficult to get another mortgage at a reasonable interest rate during those years.

Difficult as it is to lose a home, we encourage owners to face the issues early on while there is time to possibly work a deal with their lender. As Realtors many of us are able to provide asistance with the process.

Wasilla, Alaska First Quarter Marketing Statistics for 2007

2007-04-02T16:39:00.000-05:00

Our market here in Alaska started changing last fall. We have transitioned from a seller's market to a normal market. This change of pace has caught a lot of folks and a lot of real estate agents off guard. Currently our residential market is off 5% as compared to the first quarter of 2006. To see my full first quarter report click here

Real Estate Myths Debunked

2007-04-01T16:37:00.000-05:00

Real Estate Myths Debunked

After almost 23 years in the real estate business I have found there are still lots of misconceptions surrounding real estate. Here are my top 6 real estate myths:

1. If the house has been on the market for a while, the seller will negotiate price. There are many reasons a house may have been on the market for awhile. Maybe they had an offer that fell through because the buyer couldn’t qualify, possibly the house was listed at a higher price initially and after several days on the market the sellers reduced their price, or maybe the seller had an emergency and the house couldn’t be shown for several days. Just because a home has been on the market for more than the average number of days, does not mean the seller will negotiate their listed price.

2. If I make an offer, the seller can’t sell to anyone else while I am negotiating with him and/or the seller must address my offer first if I was the first one to submit an offer. Neither of these is true. Up until the buyer and the seller have come to an agreement (fully accepted offer), the seller can choose to accept a different offer and stop negotiating with you. Additionally, if more than one offer is presented to the seller, the seller can choose to accept either offer without notifying both buyers that more than one offer was received. The thing to remember is that all offers must be presented to the seller regardless of whether the seller is currently negotiating an offer or not. Then it’s the seller’s decision as to how he would like to proceed and negotiate with the buyers.

3. A full price offer can’t be rejected by the seller. Yes, a seller can reject a full price offer. There are several other terms to an offer other than just price. The seller does not have to accept any offer, even full price offers.

4. Discount Brokers or FSBO save sellers money. Not true according to The National Association of Realtor Statistics (NAR). NAR indicates that sellers end up with a much higher sales price when using a full service Realtor, up to 10% more on average.

5. I'll save money if I don't use a Buyer Representative (sometimes called a buyer specialist).
In my opinion you will save money and lots of heartache if you use a Realtor to represent you. I have seen some real horror stories where buyers purchased a home without representation and ended up with problems (encroachments, set back violations, inspections that were never completed, lack of sex offender notice, etc.) that could have been resolved prior to the purchase if a professional had been helping them from the beginning. My husband and I bought a condo in Girdwood about 7 years ago and we hired a Realtor to represent us instead of trying to represent ourselves in a market where we were not familiar. A buyer’s representative can show you ANY home regardless of who has it listed.

6. Assessed Value is Market Value. Unfortunately, this is not true either. Assessed values rarely accurately depict the actual market. This can happen for many reasons. The article that I wrote last month goes over several of these reasons. That article is posted on my blog Click Here. If you want to know what the market value is of your home, ask your Realtor for ALL comparable pending sales and solds in your area. Pending and sold data is the best indication of value. If you would like more information on the value of your property, contact me at 907-373-3575 or email me at Kristan@KristanCole.com

Connected By Proximity

2007-03-24T15:26:00.000-05:00

Oops.. I posted this on the wrong blog by mistake!

Oakland has some amazing deco.. including the Paramount Theater and the Flower Building.

I took Carol to breakfast at the Oakland Grill, then to see the California as Muse: The Art of Arthur & Lucia Mathews exhibit at the Oakland Museum of California. The light wasn't quite right, but I thought I'd still take some photos for you.

The Mathews Exhibit closes tomorrow. We saw some of my favorite pieces... but was most "wowed" by the frames!

SW Florida Real Estate Market Heating Up

2007-03-20T11:21:00.000-05:00

The SW Florida Real Estate Market is heating up. The Ellis Team has noticed a spike in sales activity in Fort Myers and Cape Coral real estate markets. You can read more about it on our What's New in SW Florida Real Estate Blog. We'll be posting new sales numbers in a few days once they're released by the Florida Association of Realtors over at our SW Florida Real Estate Top Agent website. Of course you can search Fort Myers Homes for sale as well as Cape Coral homes for sale and all properties for sale in SW Florida.

SW Florida Real Estate Building Permit Activity

2007-01-06T11:48:00.000-05:00

Permit activity slowed, as evidenced by Lee County's latest permit activity numbers. Read the full story and what it means for buyers and sellers in SW Florida over on our What's New in Southwest Florida Real Estate Blog

SW Florida Real Estate Report October 2006

2006-11-28T13:51:00.000-05:00

Read entire article here on the SW Florida real estate market.

SW Florida Real Estate Market Report

2006-10-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here is the latest in SW Florida real estate market news. Sales are down and prices are too, however there are some pieces of good news in this report.

SW Florida Real Estate Values Report August 2006

2006-09-25T14:37:00.000-05:00

Linked Blog features links to Florida home sales statistics, and SW Florida real estate values and information. Great Resource for Lee County Florida and all of SW Florida real estate.

Texas Real Estate Market Reports

2006-08-30T21:28:00.000-05:00

The 2006 real estate market report from the Texas Real Estate Center is now available on my website. The report covers census data, employment and unemployment, major industries, business climate, education, transportation and infrastructure issues, growth patterns and much more. Click on the link below to download this report.

2006 Real Estate Market Report

Some highlights from this report for the San Antonio area are as follows...

Average Home Prices in San AntonioThe median price for a San Antonio residential home in 2005 was $131,100. The required income to qualify for this home is $30,899 while the median family income in San Antonio during 2005 was $50,500. This means that a residential home is still attainable for the average San Antonio family.

Christina Whipple
http://www.christinawhipple.com

SW Florida Home Sales Report July 2006

2006-08-23T12:21:00.000-05:00

Florida recently reported home sales for Fort Myers Cape Coral real estate as well as all of Florida. Read Full story here.

SW Florida Real Estate Home Sales Report

2006-07-28T22:35:00.000-05:00

Latest numbers are out for Florida's housing market, including single family home sales and condo sales in SW Florida. Real estate sales in SW Florida have changed over the past year. Check out our Blog for the latest news and information.

Brett Ellis

Go Star Power Annual Conference

2006-07-15T23:59:00.000-05:00

Star Power Systems is hosting their annual conference in 2006 in New York City July 19-22. Top Agents from all over the world will be in attendance to hear today's latest and greatest techniques for selling real estate.

Brett Ellis will be a featured speaker in the Thurday AM Yechnology session entitled "Road Warrior Technology." To sign up, simply visit Go Star Power Annual Conference website here.

The State of Housing in the State of Texas

2006-06-16T15:05:00.000-05:00

During the past three years, there has been a global boom in housing prices, sales volume and construction. According to reports in the Wall Street Journal and other media, home prices in Shanghai surged 26 percent last year and 90 percent since 2000. In the past year, prices climbed 19 percent in Hong Kong, 48 percent in Bulgaria and France, 63 percent in Spain and nearly 100 percent in South Africa.

In the United States, the median home price rose nearly 33 percent during the past three years and 13 percent in 2005, according to the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO). The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports the number of homes sold increased from 5.6 million in 2002 to an annualized level of nearly 7.1 million in 2005. The number of new single-family dwellings built increased 6.7 percent over the past year, from 1.531 million in 2004 to 1.635 in 2005.

Texas' housing boom reflects an active and growing housing market, but one experiencing a much slower rate of increase than the rest of the country. From 2002 to 2005, the Texas median-priced home increased from $124,500 to an estimated $136,500, a modest 9.6 percent. The average house price grew from $155,600 in 2002 to $174,100 in 2005, an 11.9 percent increase. MLS sales during that period increased from 201,422 to 265,886, a 32 percent increase.

National media have portrayed the rapid appreciation of housing as a price "bubble" that could suddenly and dramatically burst, leaving homeowners and the market reeling. But here in Texas, is a housing bubble fact or fiction? Could the housing market explode like an overinflated balloon? Probably not.

Several factors indicate that while Texas' housing market is doing well by historical standards, it is not experiencing a price bubble. Important indicators include:

Texas' home prices have appreciated at rates significantly less than the national rate.
Texas' current rate of home price increase is about equal to the "normal" rate of the past 15 years.
Across the country and around the globe, lower mortgage interest rates and easy mortgage credit are primary reasons for home price increases.
The median-price-to-median-family-income ratio in Texas is not disproportionate to the historical norm.
Residential construction in the state has maintained a reasonable balance between supply and demand, avoiding a shortage or excess supply situation.
The inventory of houses for sale is only slightly less than "normal," reflecting relative balance between supply and demand in the marketplace.
The national housing bubble, to the extent it exists, appears to be localized to several states and specific metropolitan areas with extraordinarily high rates of home appreciation.

Markets continually change and adjust to the primary factors that impact them. Some factors become more important at certain times, and other factors may have surprising effects, either good or bad. The economic outlook for the rest of 2006 includes modestly higher interest rates and continued increases in employment and personal income levels. These factors are among the most important to the housing market and housing prices.

If the rate of new home construction continues at the current pace with small-to-modest cost increases, there is no reason to anticipate a housing shortage that would drive prices up. If mortgage interest rates increase, as is generally regarded as probable, sales volume may decline somewhat, leading to more modest price gains.

As the overheated coastal housing markets begin to cool, Texas may see increased investor enthusiasm as focus shifts to Texas where price appreciation has been more moderate.

Source: Texas Real Estate Center

BIG RIVER DAY Saturday June 10, 2006 Come and Join the FUN!!!

2006-04-23T19:34:00.000-05:00

BIG RIVER DAY Saturday June 10, 2006 Come and Join the FUN!!!

Featuring:
Canoeing, Fishing Derbies,
River Clean-ups, Storm Drain Marking & More!
Marine City Fishing Fun Day: (10am – 1pm) Free fishing at Broadway Park on the corners of Water and Broadway streets. Fishing poles, tackle, and bait provided. Informational literature on Michigan’s fish and reptiles available. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Contact: Marine City Recreation at (810) 765-8094 or mailto:lzyrowski@marinecitymich.org?subject=Marine .
Marine City: Wastewater Plant Tours (8am – 11am) Have you ever given thought to where your dirty water goes after it leaves your house? How does it get cleaned? Find out during this unforgettable tour. Located at 1696 South Parker Street (M-29). Contact: Jeff Wren at (810) 765-9011 or mailto:jwren@marinecitymich.org?subject=Waste

Visit My Web site, http://www.wynnea.com/, for more information or Call Wynne on cell 586-260-7653

Texas Housing Affordability Index

2006-04-17T15:08:00.000-05:00

It is common knowledge that housing in Texas is more affordable than in most other parts of the country. Just how much more affordable is clearer in light of changes to the Real Estate Center's Texas Housing Affordability Index (THAI). The Texas median-income family earns 79 percent more than necessary to acquire the median-priced Texas home at $129,100.

The equation for the affordability index is: Index = Median Family Income (MFI) Required Income to Qualify for a Conventional Purchase Mortgage (RI) Where: RI = Required Monthly Mortgage Payment × 12 Qualifying Ratio (QR)

The qualifying ratio is the lender-stipulated maximum ratio of monthly mortgage payment to gross monthly income allowed for a borrower to qualify for a mortgage loan. The required monthly mortgage payment is the amount the borrower will have to pay on an 80 percent, conventional mortgage at the effective interest rate for the area.

What this all means in generic terms is that it is easier for the average family living in Texas to purchase a home than for the average family living in most other areas of the country.

Christina Whipple
www.ChristinaWhipple.com
Blog.ChristinaWhipple.com

New Blog SIte in SW Florida

2006-04-09T22:57:00.000-05:00

A new and comprehensive weblog has been created in SW Florida. It contains links to search the MLS, school and governemnt information, as well as popular news feeds, hurricane information, travel and weather, and much more. Please visit http://blog.topagent.com The site was designed and hosted by Real Estate Blogsites.com which designs top weblogs for real estate agents.

findatlantahomes

2006-04-04T15:01:00.000-05:00

findatlantahomes

Ten Georgia Counties Among the Fastest-Growing in the U.S.

According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, ten Georgia counties are among the 40 fastest-growing counties in the nation in terms of population. The information was gathered between July 1, 2004, and July 1, 2005. The Georgia counties are listed below, followed by their percentage of growth, and are listed from largest to smallest increase:
Forsyth 6.4
Newton 6.2
Paulding 6.0
Barrow 5.8
Henry 5.6
Jackson 5.5
Effingham 5.4
Cherokee 5.4
Douglas 5.3
Walton 5.0
Coweta 4.3
Bryan 3.9

How well do Limited Services Brokerages Perform?

2006-03-15T11:06:00.000-05:00

How does limited service representation affect a property's time on the market and selling price? Recent research sponsored by the Texas Real Estate Center revealed that limited service representation can indeed have significant negative impacts.

Limited service representation and discount brokerages in single-family residential markets have been widely scrutinized by the real estate industry. The Internet portal Yahoo! moved from the sixth most visited real estate website to second (behind realtor.com) through its series of partnerships with limited service and discount brokerages. Some of these brokerages offer consumers menu-based pricing, with fees for specific services, such as listing the property on a MLS system, rather than an across-the-board fee for full representation. Others advertise sharply lower commissions while still promising to provide consumers with all of the traditional services.

Limited Service Research Results

Most of the study results were statistically significant, indicating valid relationships exist between limited service representation and marketing performance (time to sale and sales price). The empirical results show that limited service listings sold for 1.7 percent less than typical exclusive-right-to-sell listings and took 17.1 percent longer to sell. Given that the typical discount offered by limited service brokers is approximately 2 percent, there does not appear to be any net gain to sellers using limited service representation.

For example, if the limited service broker charges a total 4 percent commission, then the commission plus the 1.7 percent lower price is approximately equivalent to a 6 percent commission from the seller’s perspective. This would indicate that limited service brokerage offers no dollar advantages to the seller over typical brokerage when using the exclusive right to sell contract.

If "time on maket" is taken into consideration as well, then limited service brokerages could actually COST the seller depending on the fixed costs of carrying the property on the market (mortgage, maintenance, etc...).

But what about agent experience?

Other research has shown that agents associated with limited service brokerages, either no service or menu-based-pricing, tend to be less experienced than those with traditional brokerages. The Texas Real Estate Center study revealed that sellers using listing agents with less than two years of experience received 1.1 percent less for a house compared with sellers who used agents with two to five years of experience, and the marketing time was 1.9 percent longer. While 1.1 percent may not seem to be a large amount, it represented more than $1,900 for the average property in the study. If the listing agent had more than five years of experience, the seller received 0.8 percent more than sellers who used agents with two to five years of experience, and the property sold 1.5 percent faster.

Source: Texas Real Estate Center

For Millionaires Only? Naperville Segment Grows...

2006-03-14T15:44:00.000-05:00

What's the buzz?
According to the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois...

In Naperville there are currently 172 Single Family (there are also 2 condos in the 520 Washington building) homes on the market over $1,000,000 - 24 of them are under contract (meaning pending a sale) leaving 148 properties for sale. In 2005 there were a total of 58 sales over $1,000,000.

What does it all mean?
If the market is as good as it was in 2005.... those 148 properties have the remaining months of the year to grab one of the remaining 36 sales. Leaving 112 disappointed Sellers ready to face the market in 2007. Of course, this is assuming that no other homes will be coming on the market in that time (silly assumption).

So if I'm a buyer what does this mean?
A buying opportunity! There are motivated sellers that will be be anxious to work with you.

If I'm a seller what can I do?
Be aggressive. Cutting edge marketing combined with realistic goals is the key to your success.

Is all hope lost?
No. In fact there is the evidence that this segment of the market may continue to grow, as evidenced by the yearly numbers:
2005 - 58 sales over $1,000,000
2004 - 37 sales over $1,000,000
2003 - 19 sales over $1,000,000
2002 - 17 sales over $1,000,000
2001 - 9 sales over $1,000,000

Another important fact to keep in mind are the increased numbers of custom built premium homes in this range that won't show up in the MLS system.

For a look at some of the premium homes in the Naperville area visit:
Luxury Homes of Naperville

Mega MLS

2006-03-10T00:39:00.000-05:00

Where are the MLS goings? Are large MLS's better for consumers and the agents they serve?
It seems that our state of California is heading quickly towards having larger regional MLS systems. Northern California just announced the merger of 5 MLS regions into one and the writing is on the wall to have others. It is likely that by end of 2007 All of Northern California will be one MLS. Somebody will not join of course either by political or contract limitation but for the sake of this point over 120,000 will be on one system. If Southern California follows, as it appears it is headed with systems like the Alliance, soon all of California could be on one system.
Is this good or bad? And why?
Are agents going to try selling in areas they have no knowledge since they now can get easy access?
Are we going to get better services and MLS technology with economies of scale?
What are your thought?
Thanks
Rick

2006 California Market Forecast from CAR

2006-03-01T15:15:00.000-05:00

Leslie Appleton-Young, the Vice President and Chief Economist for the California Association of Realtors, spoke at our office meeting last week. Armed with 100 power point slides, their predictions are for a Southern California “soft landing.” The reasons for this prediction include great financing terms, a strong job market, a growing economy, and low inventory.

A link to her presentation is included here. If the link doesn’t work, email me at Laurie@SouthBayHomeTeam.com

Texas Homestead Exemption

2006-02-17T10:54:00.000-05:00

The Texas Homestead Exemption, in addition to providing legal protection regarding your home, can also save you money on your property tax bill. A homestead exemption reduces taxes by lowering a home's taxable value. All school districts offer a $5000 homestead exemption, and some taxing units offer a percentage exemption of up to 20% of a home's assessed value. Homeowners can lower their property taxes by applying for these exemptions for which they are eligible. You must own your own home and occupy it as your principal residence on January 1. You can have only one principal residence and one homestead exemption.

A special form is needed to apply for homestead exemptions. The form must be completed and returned to the appropriate appraisal office not before January 1 but no later than April 30. You can download the application from http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/50-114.pdf, fill out the form, and send it in to your appraisal district.

Don't fall for misleading solicitations to file your homestead exemption. There is no fee to file a property-tax homestead exemption. Shortly after the purchase of a home in Texas, you might receive letters on official-looking stationery offering to file your homestead exemption for you for a fee. Even some people who have lived in Texas their entire lives confuse these letters as a form from a state agency requiring a mandatory fee.

The actual process is both free and easy so take a few minutes to save yourself hundreds of dollars on your tax bill.

Christina Whipple
http://www.ChristinaWhipple.com

CA requirement is a little late - comparing February 2004 with February 2006

2006-02-17T00:14:00.000-05:00

Life has little ironies, and real estate is no exception.

California buyers agents are now required to tell their buyers that the offers they make are not confidential. The seller and his agent may choose to share the information in your offer, such as the price and terms of the offer, with anyone, including another buyer or agent to entice them to outbid your offer. This information may be important to buyers because it may affect the price and/or terms of their offer. It could also affect what strategies might be used in order to get offers accepted, such as having an offer expire quickly before the seller has a chance to receive another one.

Now that this requirement is in place, however, there may not be many markets that find it useful. Calfornia, New York, and Florida are still in relatively strong sellers' markets, but here in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California, it’s much closer to a normal market in February 2006. February 2004 in Southern California was another story, however, and that’s when this requirement would have been more useful because we had a double-digit number of offers on every property. The highest number of offers on one property that I was involved in was 26. My buyer didn't end up with that property, by the way. In fact, I wrote 15 offers at or above asking price in February 2004 and didn't end up with any of those properties. For February 2006, we have 3 offers written and accepted, all under asking price.

This requirement is just about 2 years too late, but it'll be in place the next time we're in the strong seller's market of the real estate cycle.

It's a Buyers' Market in Michigan

2006-02-14T19:42:00.000-05:00

Have you read George Will's article on the state of the State of Michigan??? Click here There is no question this State is hurting in many economic ways what with auto plant layoffs and shutdowns, unemployment, our corporate income-tax burden . . . Apparently it's been a good economy for United Van Lines who reported that last year the ratio of outbound to inbound moves was the state's highest since 1982!

On the bright side, it's a fantastic market for buyers right now. Whether you are a first-time buyer, an investor, or a move-up buyer you can find some great deals on homes right now. Don't get all in the doldrums about the financial state here but act while prices are the best they've been in years! For assistance, call us at our tollfree number, 800-923-3245.

And the economic state of Michigan will improve!

Florida Homestead Exemption

2006-02-13T00:46:00.000-05:00

Great article about the benefits of filing for the Florida Homestead Exemption, as well as a link to the application form for Lee County Florida. Follow the Link to this article at the top.