Archive for April, 2009
If You Want to Sell Your Home, Do Your Homework!
April 29th, 2009 categories: Tips for Sellers
Buying Your Home is Probably One Of The Most Important Financial Decisions You Will Ever Make, Selling It is Your Second…
If you are considering selling your home you should ask yourself :
What other options do I have?
Should I better rent it?
I owe more than what my property is worth? Should I wait until the market improves? Should I consider a Short Sale?
Should I live there for a few more years?
Defining your motivation is the key to a successful Real Estate Transaction. As much as possible, and I know it is hard, try to treat it as a Business decision. I am one of those who think our house is our “home” but when the time to sell comes you have to get emotionally detached to make sound decisions.
Once you make you mind and selling your home is the final decision, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
1. Do Your Research! Find the Right Real Estate Agent, How she/he should be?
-Knowledgeable, expert in the the area and able to accomplish a smooth transaction. Someone who will provide you timely information and able to help you price right your property.
-Realistically Positive, someone enthusiastic about the job at hand!
-A Good Communicator, Communication Skills are essential because there are at least 10 people directly involved in a Real Estate Transaction.
-A Good Marketer…who will give the maximum exposure to your property using the right marketing tools including a comprehensive online presence. Aware of what consumers are looking for, great Pictures are a must!
-A Good Negotiator you will look for your best interests and willing to help you reach your goals.
-Detailed Oriented, a Real Estate Transaction is loaded with details that need to be taken care of in a proactive manner. Any overlooked detail may delay the process or, in the worst case scenario, kill the deal.
-A Problem Solver, even the most perfect transaction might face some challenges (be prepared for that) and someone who can remain calm and look for win-win resolutions is a big asset.
Most importantly your agent must be someone you trust and respect!!!
2. Dress For Success! I am sure you will not go to a business meeting or a wedding party in your pajamas…well that applies to your home as well. Prepare your home for sale! De-clutter, Repair, Clean, Organize, Show it’s best face during every showing! I personally have the challenge to keep my home picture perfect 24-7 but the times when I have sold my own homes, stressing as it can be with everything else we have going on in our lives, I kept it as if my obsessive future mother-in-law is coming to inspect it. This is a very competitive market and the only thing that can be traded off is the price of a home when it doesn’t look at it’s best. A $ 500 repair/update can look like a $ 2,000 problem for a potential buyer.
3. Be Flexible and Open Minded! Remember every Buyer is looking for “a bargain” or “a deal”; regardless of the listed price you might receive low-ball offers. If you were buying… wouldn’t you be tempted to try getting a property for 20% less than actual market value?. Please don’t take it personally, don’t get insulted…just counter and see what happens. If your property is well priced and attractive chances are that you will get some reasonable offers.
4. Communicate with your agent! Share your ideas, concerns and mostly your expectations.
Selling your home is a team effort, YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT. Everyone has to be “in the same page”.
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Broward,Fl Schools Information
April 27th, 2009 categories: Living in Weston, Schools, Tips For Buyers
Where to Find The School Your Child Will Go To…
Broward’s Public School System is the 6th Largest in the United States and educates over 255,000 students.
In Weston, Fl all Schools are A rated, including the High School. This year Cypress Bay High School is capped and new student will go to Western High School in Davie an A rated school too. We hope very soon this issue gets resolved and all Weston residents will be able to go to our Weston-Cypress Bay High School.I will keep you updated on this topic!
The site has a wealth of information…
You can search by address and find the school your child will attend:
The 2009-2010 school year runs from August 24, 2009 to June 9th, 2010
2009-2010 Broward Schools Calendar
You can follow Broward Schools on Twitter
browardschools / Broward SchoolsWe are Broward County Public Schools, the 6th Largest District in the Nation.
All you would ever need to know as a parent about getting involved with you child’s school:
CAVEAT: The information provided regarding schools in the MLS printouts might not be updated since boundaries change from time to time. Always double check!
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Of Course…The Cheese Course in Weston,Fl!
April 26th, 2009 categories: Eating Out, Living in Weston
Gourmet Cheese, Sandwiches, Salads and Some More Delicious Treats!
I always say: “If you didn’t go to The Cheese Course you haven’t been in Weston”
The Cheese Course is a must if you visit Weston,Fl. It has a lot of personality! You know you are not in a cookie cutter place. I remember, when they opened, it was conceived mostly as a specialty cheese store with a couple of tables to dine-in. They offered sandwiches, salads and cheese courses that you could enjoy with a cup of wine. The food was so good that they had to open more space for sitting and lately they have added a few new items to the menu, including some breakfast goodies.
Everything there is delicious but everyone has their “favorites” I have some friends that even know what number in the menu is their beloved item. Mine is the English Field Greens and I ask to substitute the Blue Cheese for Goat Cheese, the caramelized walnuts are to die for! I also love the Roasted Vegetables Sandwich and the Prosciutto Di Parma/Mozzarella/Fresh Tomatoes Sandwich. You can’t go wrong with anything you order. For a casual get together the cheese platters with accompaniments such as olives, sun-dried tomato pesto, cranberry relish, mango chutney…, are a party in itself. It becomes a learning experience about the different kind of cheeses and what better compliments its flavor and texture.You will also find the best French Baguettes that can be bought around here; to take home they are the only ones I have found to stay fresh and soft for more than a day. Either regular and whole wheat you will love them!
It is a fun place, while you wait there are tens of curious things to look at. At lunch time it looks crowded but I don’t know how it flows and by the time the food is ready (it takes only a few minutes) there is always an available table. I just have to warn you about something…if you are going to talk private business it is not the place to go in the busiest hours.
The people that work there is lovely and even in their hectic hours you will always see a smile in their faces!
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Address:
Weston Town Center
1679 Market Street (North End of Main Street)
Weston, Fl 33326
Great Food, Cheese Baskets, Catering, Gifts…
Share with us your Favorites!!!
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The History of Weston at The Library Park
April 22nd, 2009 categories: Living in Weston, Parks
At a glace, for many of us,Weston’s background might seem brief. However, looking deeper into it Weston’s history goes way beyond its incorporation as a City in 1997
Ten Bronze Plaques that you will find along the Library Park walkways its Weston’s Walk Thru History .
Library Park-Weston Fl
“40,000 to 250,000 years ago, the Savanna area we know Today as the City of Weston, in Broward County Florida was home to prehistoric creatures.
Archaelogists found fossil fragments indicating the area provided sufficient plant and water resources to support animal life. Investigations have determined that Pleistocene Horse, Mastodon, Elephant and Bison roamed the grasslands and trees of the area.
10,000 to 12,000 years ago, Fossil evidence indicates the presence of man in the eastern everglades…”
Don’t think I will tell you the whole story…go walk and discover it for yourself. Don’t miss the wise quotes around the fountain. I live close by and when I discover the Park I realized how much we have in our City that we don’t know of.
Weston Library Park is the perfect place to go and spend time peacefully. Three beautiful gazebos are often used as an outdoor venue for Library events and by avid readers to scape everyday stress.
View to Weston's Library
Gazebo
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South Florida Hudson and Marshall Auction- May 10th at 1:00 PM
April 17th, 2009 categories: Tips For Buyers
Are You Ready to Bid For a House? On any bank owned property you will be bidding anyway…
The South Florida Auction will be at FORT LAUDERDALE MARRIOT NORTH located at: 6650 North Andrews Ave. Ft. Lauderdale FL 33309.
The Hudson and Marshall Auction Process:
1. Find a House: for a list of the Properties that will be auctioned go to Hudson & Marshall. You can search based on location, size… You can attend the Open Houses or call your Real Estate Agent to show it and accompany you to the event-she/he will be compensated by H&D. Get information about comparable properties and decide upfront how much is the maximum you are willing to pay for the property. Inspections should be made prior to the auction to determine the cost of any needed repair. You don’t have to be represented by a Real Estate Broker to buy in the auction but it doesn’t cost you and you will a professional who will help you in the process.
Some properties sell in the pre-auction program, the site will be updated right up to the day of the auction with last minute accepted offers.
2. Pre-Qualify for a Loan: you have to make sure you will have funds to close. All the terms of the sale are disclosed upfront and if you are not sure if you understand every word of it consult an attorney.
3. Prepare for your Auction: bring a picture ID, Social Security #, Cashier Check or Money Order for $3,000. If you are taking title in the name of a company or trust bring your articles of incorporation, trust documentation, or other proof of signing authority.
4. Wind the Bid: registration starts at 11:00 AM until 1:00PM. You will get your bidding number. With the help of the bidding assistants bid on the houses you like. When you win the bid the closing process starts. Unless identified as absolute, each property sells subject to reserve.
YOUR FINAL PURCHASE PRICE will be your winning bid plus a 5% buyer’s premium.
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Do You Want “a Deal” in Weston? Please Get in Line!
April 16th, 2009 categories: Great Deals, Savannah, Tips For Buyers, Tips for Sellers
List Price: $ 269,900.00
4 Bedrooms
2 Full Baths
1 Half Bath
SF Living Area: 2,116 ( $ 127,55 Per SF)
Development: Savanna, Weston FL
Last Saturday I showed this property. The property looked well maintained and had all the appliances. The backyard was very small and the 4th Bedroom is actually a Den. When the Builder ARVIDA sold in pre-construction this model had the option of having that space built out as a Bedroom or a Den.
There a just a few of Foreclosed Single Family Homes in Weston and this one was priced very aggressively. I expected there would be competing offers.As much as I know that Weston’s Real Estate Market has changed a lot in the last few weeks, when I received this message from the listing agent on Tuesday I was shocked!
LISTING ANNOUNCEMENT : 928 SUNFLOWER CIR WESTON
Thank all for showing this property. This email is to confirm that an offer has been accepted on this property. If you did not receive a call than your offer was not accepted. Again thank you to the 101 agents who showed the property and the 20 or so who put in offers. Thanks again and have a great day.
About this Listing Announcement
You have received this listing announcement because you have shown this property previously.
More details on 928 Sunflower Cr (Multiple Listing Service-MLS Detailed View)
Foreclosure Information:
As per Broward County Records:
Mortgage Balance: $ 540,921.00
Judgement Amount: $ 570,681.00
Posted Date: 6/15/08
Previous sale date: 10/09/00 for $ 220,200.00 – Most probably the owners refinanced at the peak of the market.
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How To Buy a Foreclosed Property? Go! Gone!!!
April 15th, 2009 categories: Tips For Buyers
- Bank Foreclosure Here!
Auctions:
I have to confess that until last year I never attended an auction. There were not many anyway…Some of the properties that go to Public Auction have been listed in the MLS. In an auction sale there are not contingencies (at least the ones I know about), you have the opportunity to inspect the property in advance and decide before you go how much is the most you will pay for it. You can go with your Real Estate Agent who can help you determine the market price of the property. Auction Companies have in-site lenders who will pre-qualify prospective buyers to make sure they have the ability to close.
The process moves very quickly and you need to be ready to make a quick decision. For more details about my first experience in an auction and how the process went click here.
Court Doorsteps:
That’s for “pro’s” you will be competing in the same field with knowledgeable investors with deep pockets. If you go this route make sure you are educated enough to avoid making a terrible mistake. What you see on TV and all those wonderful success stories might be true if you make it a career, I don’t think it is the way to go unless you are well versed in the subject. You will have to pay cash and inspect the property prior to the auction date.
Our beloved friend the Multiple Listing Service (MLS):
Just be ready to “Jump” and put your best offer in terms of price, financing and time to close… As the number of sales increase and as the banks price the properties at very attractive prices the “best deals” receive multiple offers and most of the time you are competing against cash buyers. In the last couple of months we have also seen a decrease in the number of foreclosed properties-new listings. In a way it has become a “private” auction!
If a foreclosure is what you are looking for, ask your agent to keep you updated on every new listing that hits the market. Banks normally do not accept any offer in the first few days but you will be more motivated to put an offer if you know there are not 14 offers ahead of yours. You can expect a response 2 or 3 days after the offer(s) are presented to the bank. They come back with a counter offer, very one sided in my opinion…since most of the terms favors the bank. That’s the price you have to pay to get a deal! It’s very hard to have them do any repairs…what you see is what you get!!! Some are requesting no contingencies on inspections. Many of the foreclosed properties, even some in very good shape, do not have appliances. You can not trust the pictures … sometimes you see the kitchen with the appliances and discover when you visit the property that it doesn’t have any. I have seem many counteroffers from banks that include a clause excluding the appliances (in case they disappear between the time the contract is signed and the closing day)
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Pan Pa’Ya Brings the Flavors of Colombia to Weston
April 11th, 2009 categories: Eating Out, Living in Weston
Pan Pa’Ya with more than 20 stores in Colombia opened a few years ago a store in Weston.With all of the traditional Colombian Bakery goodies such as Pan de Bono, their famous fresh fruit salad (Salpicon) and some of the traditional dishes loved all around the world.
On Fridays and Saturdays the soup of the day is the delicious “Ajiaco”. The mouthwatering combination of chicken, three different kinds of potatoes, cream, a spice called huasca, capers and avocado. If you have never tasted an Ajiaco…Don’t miss it!!!
Some of the other dishes you can find are: Arroz con Pollo (Chicken Rice), Vegetables and Green plantain Soup, Beef Soup, Chicken with Cream, Beans,…
Located in Waterways Shops 2 at 2362 Weston Road, Weston Fl 33326 (954)306-0600
For more information about pan pa’ya (sorry It’s in spanish) go to: http://www.panpaya.com.co/
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Weston Real Estate Single Family Homes Sales 1st Quarter 2009
April 10th, 2009 categories: Great Deals, Market Update, Tips For Buyers, Tips for Sellers
In Broward the Future Looks Bright!
Compared to the same period 12 months ago the number of sales have increased almost 50% and inventories have been decreasing steadily.
In Weston the Market is Changing Very Fast!
The Inventories have decreased and pending sales are increasing at a rapid pace.
As the Real Estate Market changes it’s very interesting to look at the comparison between the price properties were listed at and the actual price they sold.
When looking in detail at the List-to-Sale ratio I found an interesting difference between the ratio for regular sales, short sales and foreclosures. Motivation seems to be the key to pricing!
“92.53% Average List-to-Sale Ratio for Regular Sales
“95.19% Average List-to-Sale Ratio for Short Sales
“94.91% Average List-to-Sale Ratio for Foreclosure Sales
I can conclude that as we have been experiencing in the last months…Buyers are looking for bargains and apparently they feel prices are as low as they are going to get and the properties priced appropriately are getting those buyers.
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Egg Hunt at Barnes and Noble in Pembroke Pines
April 10th, 2009 categories: Tips For Buyers
When: Saturday April 11th, 2009.
Time: 11:00 AM
Where: Barnes & Noble – The Falls at Pembroke Gardens. On Pines Blvd. East of I-75.
At 11:00 during Story Telling time children will find a different kind of adventure.
Browsing a book store and egg hunting have a lot in common…we don’t know in which shelf our next gift will be found. It must be fun and I am sure an ever lasting memory and association between Books and pleasant surprises!
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