The Real Estate Mango

WHAT HOME IMPROVEMENTS ARE WORTH DOING BEFORE YOU SELL

Many factors enter into the decision of what improvements to make to your home before you sell…for instance the current state of your home and buyers expectations in your price range.

It also depends on the relative aesthetic and perceptual boost that a particular project promises and any negatives that this improvement will make up for. Your budget has to be figured in,as well.

But here are some decisions that have a big impact and will not cost a lot of money.

l. PAINT A fresh coat of paint gives a massive upgrade with relatively low cost and a high do-it-yourself ability of painting. The aim of a new coat of paint is to go neutral, not boring. You might try taupe walls and white trim. If you can’t paint everything, then paint the hallway, moldings and trim.

2. NEW KITCHENS Only do this if you are in a very high price range otherwise, just painting the cabinets…replacing the sink…replace appliances if they are truly very outdated.

3. PLUMBING PROBLEMS Have a handyman or plumber come in and fix any leaks, drips, etc. which will alleviate any worries that buyers may have.

4. DON’T FIX faulty appliances.. Instead consider offering a credit for the buyer to choose his own.

5. FIX old and outdated hardware, fixtures and finishes.. These can be just small things like light switches,, kick plates. These are not expensive and make a big difference. Old and broken toilets, dinged or broken doors should be replaced. This makes a big difference.

6. CLEAR all clutter and keep shades up and let in the light.

7. YOUR home should look like a stage on opening night. Selling your home, is a lot like theatre. The BUYERS have to be enticed.

FRENCH BUYERS INTERESTED IN SOUTH FLORIDA REAL ESTATE

French Buyers’ interest in South Florida properties in growing as reported in the Miamire.com, a realtor web site

France rated as the top country searching for Miami properties, according to Miamire.com, on their web site since April 2013

Foreign buyers have been very instrumental in heating up the real estate market in Dade and Palm Beach counties. The highest prices on record have been paid this year, 2013, in these areas.

Canada, Brazil and Venezuela were top countries of origin for the majority of the Florida buyers last year.

Miami has been the Sunshine States’ biggest real estate magnet, where tens of thousands of pre-construction condos still in the pipeline were paid 9 out of 10 times in cash.

Cash is the most powerful currency in real estate and prices of luxury properties have reached fantastic heights.

GOLDEN POINTE TOWNHOUSE SELLS IN RECORD TIME!!

This beautiful, two story townhouse sold quickly which is a sign of the new market in South Florida.

Properties are hard to come by. This townhouse had everything….four bedrooms, updated kitchen, great view of the waterway and intracoastal.

If you are thinking of selling….NOW IS THE TIME.

More buyers are in the market than properties. Call me as soon as possible for a no obligation visit.

GREAT TIPS FOR THE SUMMER…MEMORIAL DAY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

ARE WE HEADING FOR ANOTHER REAL ESTATE BUBBLE?

Three quarters of Americans say it is a good time to buy!

Home prices are rising at double digits!

Two out of five applicants for a purchase mortgage are rejected.

First time in three years Americans surveyed now expect home prices to increase.

According to Trulia website the rising prices in home sales is not the sign of another bubble.

Bubble Watch assesses the markets susceptibility to bubble conditions by comparing home prices with historical prices and incomes and rents.

Rents reflect how much people value housing. Incomes determine how much people can pay for housing. and increases aren’t sustainable if they get too high in relation to incomes.

According to those metrics, Trulia concluded that national home prices are actually 7% undervalued.

At the moment mortgage rates are low but they are edging up. They are now 3.57% but last month they were 3.54%.

These are important facts to know. If you want to buy…now is the best time. It will only become more expensive in the future.

REIMAGINING YOUR NEW KITCHEN

FABULOUS CLEANING TIPS FOR YOUR HOME

GORGEOUS WATERFRONT TOWNHOUSE FOR SALE IN GOLDEN POINTE, AVENTURA $625,000

This beautiful townhome on the harbor in the Waterways, is a rare opportunity to buy luxury at a very affordable price. This is the only waterfront home available at this time.
4 Bedrooms
3 Full Bathrooms
Custom Designed Kitchen
Formal Dining Room
2 Patios Facing the Harbor in the Waterways
Elevator
24 Hour Guard House

Call today to see this wonderful home 305 607 1943

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO AUDIT FORECLOSURE PROGRAM IN FLORIDA

The Federal government says it will investigate a $1 billion state housing program (as per the Sun Sentinal, Ft. Lauderdale) designed to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson called for this audit in March. He said the Florida Hardest Hit Fund was poorly run and not reaching enough people. “This is good news for the people of Florida” he said.

As of March 1, 9,052 of the nearly 24,000 processed applicants had been approved. Nearly half were still waiting. The Florida Housing Finance Corp administers this program.

Homeowners can apply for this program at flhardesthithelp.org. The Southeast metro area includes Palm Beach, Broward and Dade counties. These areas had the highest foreclosusre rate in the country for the first three months of 2013.

SELLER’S MARKET EMERGING!

ACCORDING TO RIS MEDIA…JANUARY EXISITNG HOME SALES HOLD WITH STEADY PRICE GAINS. A SELLER’S MARKET IS DEVELOPING….

Total home sales including single family homes, townhomes, condos, co-ops, have increased 0.4%.

Buyer traffic is continuing to pickup. Seller traffic is steady. Buyer traffic is up 40% since a year ago.

Total housing inventory at the end of January fell 4.9 to 1.74 million existing homes available for sale nationwide.

Listed inventory is 25.3% below a year ago.

All this adds up to less product, more demand….therefore a seller’s market is coming.

This means a great deal to people who have been waiting to sell. Now is the time….prices are strong….sales will be swift.

If you have been thinking about selling….call me today….