Stuart Florida Real Estate » Home Buyers

Why an Out-of-the-Box Approach to Selling Homes Attracts Buyers

Eric Slifkin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:44:57 +0000

In today’s competitive real estate market it is essential that real estate professionals think outside the box when it comes to marketing homes. While yard signs, print ads, and open houses remain popular, today’s well informed home buyers are looking for an agent who will go out of his way to connect with them, which typically means leveraging the Web to attract buyers. By incorporating the latest technology into his or her marketing plan, a tech-savvy agent can seamlessly connect with buyers, instantly provide property information, and gain an edge over the competition.

Just how important is technology when it comes to selling homes? By utilizing some of the same e-commerce techniques you might find on consumer Websites such as Amazon and eBay, I have been able to get hundreds of motivated buyers to connect with my Web sites and online listings each and every month.

Reaching Out to Potential Buyers

Connecting with buyers is the name of the game in today’s market. One of the first things a potential buyer sees when they visit any of my websites is a “Search Widget”, which provides buyers with the ability to find and research homes. My Search Widget is a great tool to capture those buyers. In fact, once an individual registers at the website, the system notifys me and I can call them back within minutes.

Connecting with potential buyers doesn’t stop there. I also promote within my online listings, providing opportinities to register for free reports and market information. If someone is searching for properties online and pulls up one of my listings, the search widget and registration links are included right there in the property Web site. This is a great way to generate interest among buyers, follow up with these leads immediately, and provide more information about the property.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

As Web-based real estate technologies continue to improve and consumers increasingly turn to their PC, tablet, or smart phone for information, it’s becoming more crucial than ever that an agent stays ahead of the curve, which is now trending towards Mobile Search apps. My Mobile Search app enables clients to view listings while on-the-go. If a buyer happens to pass a home they like the Mobile Search app can pull up the property and show the client pictures of the inside right then and there.

Text Message marketing is another technology that can be custom-tailored for real estate applications. Using Text Message marketing in my print ads and signs enables prospective home buyers to send a short code (text message) via their mobile phone to a dedicated phone number and receive property information instantly on their cell phone. Buyers receive brief property info (price, bed, bath etc.), a contact number to call and a link to the mobile property website. The system also captures the home buyer’s phone number, sends me an instant email notification, and saves the lead in my database.

Having become become more tech-savvy, home buyers expect REALTORS® to do the same. With “out -of-the-box” features such as the Search Widget, the Mobile Search app, and Text Message marketing, my clients can search for homes online when it’s convenient for them while providing privacy, control and flexibility in researching homes for sale.

This post has been authored by Eric Slifkin, REALTOR® serving South Florida’s Treasure Coast. You can reach me at 888-288-1765, or visit my Web site. As your resource for information on new or resale homes throughout the Treasure Coast, please be sure to contact me about any home you may find on the Web, yard sign or ad and I will research the property, arrange showings and handle all the details.

Insurance Questions Potential Homeowners Should Ask Before They Buy

Eric Slifkin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:55:39 +0000

Insurance Information Institute says insurance is often the last thing people think about when buying a home, but it should be a key factor.

When it comes time to buy that dream home, the cost to insure it is often overlooked. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) says there are two questions every potential homeowner should ask before they buy: How much will the home cost to insure? And, will separate coverage be needed for certain disasters, such as flood or earthquake?

Insurance is an expense you will have for as long as you own the home. Before purchasing a home, there are important factors to consider that will affect the cost of insurance. The I.I.I. has created the following checklist to help:

-How far is the home from the fire department? Houses that are near a fire station with professional firefighters usually cost less to insure.

-What is the condition of the plumbing and electrical systems? Poorly maintained, unsafe and/or outdated systems can cost more to insure.

-Is the home vulnerable to wind damage? Find out if private insurance is available, or a state-run insurance program. Is there a windstorm deductible, and how high is it? A home on or near the beach may be more costly to insure than one inland.

-Is the house at risk from flooding? Flood insurance is not covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy. However, it is available from the National Flood Insurance Program which is serviced by private carriers and from a few specialty insurers.

-What about earthquake risk? Earthquake insurance requires an endorsement or a separate policy.

-Is the house well built and well maintained? Homes built by reputable builders using disaster resistant materials and designed to meet current building codes are likely to better withstand natural disasters.

A knowledgeable home inspector and your insurance agent can be helpful in answering these questions. The home’s loss history report can also provide useful information about its claims history of water damage, fire and other losses.

For more information, visit www.iii.org.

Home Buying Tips: Buying Your First Home

Eric Slifkin — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:45:48 +0000

When it comes to buying your first home (or move-up home), there is nothing easy about the process. You have to be prepared to go through every step of the entire transaction, which can be daunting.

Buying a home is not something that will happen over night, but with assistance from your real estate professional it can be a great experience that will achieve your goal of home ownership.

It will take effort and preparation to get to the closing table. You have to make sure that you have all of your finances in order and that your credit is sufficient to ensure you get a decent interest rate when applying for a mortgage.

Learn more: Get a Mortgage Preapproval

Do your research and get all the facts and information that you need about buying a home. You can go online and find many great resources and tips to improve your finances and get your home financed for less than what you may expect.

Free Ebook: Your First Home: The Proven Path to Home Ownership

Make sure that you are looking at a variety of homes and not go with the first one that you see. Checking out as many homes as possible will also give you a good idea of what is available in your price range. You will know it when you have found the right home that will be perfect for you- most people get a gut feeling that they have found their dream home the minute that they walk into it.

Buying a home takes a team to make it happen. You may want to have the help of a real estate professional to get you started. A Realtor can help you locate different homes so that you can find the one that you love. He or she can help you find a lender, home inspector and closing (title) company to facilitate your transaction. If you choose to go it alone, there are many different individuals and companies to choose from so you have to make sure that you are taking the time to find people and companies that you are comfortable with. You need to be able to trust these people so that you get to settlement with as little stress as possible.

Learn more: Frequently Asked Questions in Real Estate

Acquiring your first home requires patience and persistence. You have to be able to make sure that you have all the tools and resources necessary to make a good buying decision and are happy with the end result.

Florida’s Existing Home, Condo Sales Rising

Eric Slifkin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:18:30 +0000

Now may be the time for Florida second home or retirement home buyers to get serious. With strong demand and wavering prices, the best units are going under contract quickly.

This trend became evident recently while showing beachfront condos to an out of town couple. Having seen a dozen properties over a three day span, we scheduled second showings of three waterfront units only to find they had all gone under contract. Two were priced at half what they would have sold for five years ago and the third was even less with a dock! All were furnished and updated. The couple returned home disappointed they had missed out on these properties and unable to purchase a home in time for the winter season.

While less desirable properties still languish, the market for well-maintained homes in good locations appears to be heating up. Buyers in this niche are now less inclined to move onto another property if all their demands are not met, thwarting more discerning buyers’ attempts to find a dream home at a bargain basement price. Read Market Report

Seven Reasons Why NOW is the Prime Time to Buy a Home

Eric Slifkin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:21:30 +0000

Still on the fence about buying a home? Here are seven compelling reasons why now is the prime time to buy a home:

1. Home affordability is at an all-time high.

The median mortgage payment on the median priced home as a percentage of the median household income is lower than it’s been in a generation.

2. Mortgage rates have reached rock bottom.

As interest rates start to inch back upwards, monthly payments and total loan costs will spike upwards.

3. Buy Now; Buy Low!

After declining nearly three years, home prices are stabilizing.

4. Sellers are motivated.

This means that buyers have the upper hand! From banks looking to dispose of foreclosed properties to homeowners who are fiercely competing among an excess of housing inventory, buyers have untold choices and negotiating power.

5. Financing is readily available for qualified buyers!

Banks are getting back in the game and ready to lend to well-qualified buyers.

6. Owning vs. renting is increasingly favorable.

Since 2009, the average principal and interest payment has fallen below the average rental rates, and the gap is now wider than it’s been in the past 22 years.

7. Homeownership is at the core of the American Dream!

Owning a home is critical to financial stability and wealth building. It’s a forced savings account, a place to live and a fabulous tax deduction.

Jensen Beach Living

Eric Slifkin — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 07:18:28 +0000

Situated along the Atlantic Ocean, Jensen Beach is just 45 minutes north of West Palm Beach in the heart of South Florida’s Treasure Coast. Together with its “A” rated Martin County schools, uncrowded beaches, shopping, restaurants, fishing, and quaint downtown, Jensen Beach is a great place to enjoy South Florida living.

Housing

Jensen Beach provides a variety of affordable residential real estate with condos, townhouses, single family homes, and beachfront properties available for rent or sale. For those desiring new construction, The Windemere and Hummingbird Place subdivisions offer attractive floor plans and good values. Other popular subdivisions include the golf community of Jensen Beach Country Club, the Pines, and Pinecrest Lakes, which features older estate homes on oversize lots.

Recently, younger couples, first time home buyers and retirees have been discovering Jensen’s inventory of “old Florida” style homes. Many date back to the 50′s and require work, but low prices and their proximity to downtown Jensen and beach areas have drawn buyers’ attention in recent years. As a result, good buys have been getting more difficult to find.

Popular Jensen Beach Neighborhoods and Subdivisions

Holly Creek

Hummingbird Place

Jensen Beach Country Club

Jensen Park Estates

Pinecrest Lakes

Portofino at Jensen Beach

Renar Riverplace

Savanna Oaks

Sugarhill

The Falls at Jensen Beach

The Pines

Windemere

Windemere at the Pines

Appraisals: The Numbers Game

Eric Slifkin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:56:49 +0000

Websites like Zillow.com claim to provide estimates of what your home is worth, and while this estimate might be somewhat accurate, the only way to get a true assessment of the value of your home is to have an appraisal done by a certified third-party professional. There are a few situations where an appraisal is mandated, such as when you’re buying and selling a home, refinancing or applying for a loan using real estate as security.

The appraiser’s report can help determine a selling price, and it can provide owners with information about problems that are devaluing the home’s worth and give insight about worthwhile fixes. Appraisals are usually conducted after an

offer has been made or to determine the initial value of a home as part of the selling process. Keep in mind that to approve a loan, banks typically require an appraisal using their preferred appraisers to ensure the most accurate assessment, even if you’ve already had one done by another party.

The appraisal offers side-by-side comparisons of the home, along with three similar properties and an evaluation of the overall real estate market in the area. The appraisal will also note flaws in the property, such as a crumbling foundation, and offer specific dimensions pertaining to the home, such as the square footage and the size/number of rooms.

The appraiser will also research the area’s costs of labor and local building costs to determine how much it would cost to erect a similar property in the present economic climate. Things such as the home’s location and nearby amenities are taken into account to increase or decrease the value of the home — for instance, proximity to a school zone or within a neighborhood might be an increase, while being situated near a busy highway or isolated from the community could be a decrease. These factors, among others, will be used to estimate an approximate time frame for selling the home, which is also included in the appraisal.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY ERIC SLIFKIN^®, A CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST

Whitemarsh Reserve Townhomes in Stuart, FL

Eric Slifkin — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 03:25:24 +0000

Whitemarsh Reserve by Lennar is a townhome community in Stuart, Florida. Located off Kanner Highway (SR76) and just minutes from I95, the community offers a variety of new and resale townhomes as well as a limited number of single level attached villas.

Lennar is currently offering a selection of value-priced three bedroom townhomes with attached one-car garages and double-width driveways. Available homes may include granite counters, stainless appliances and preserve views. The recreation area includes a resort-style pool with oversized pool deck, cabana with restrooms, basketball court, and tot lot.

Whitemarsh Reserve is close to local shopping, historic downtown Stuart, beaches, and “A” rated Martin County Schools. Palm Beach International Airport, Cityplace, and Palm Beach destinations can be reached in less than an hour.

Whitemarsh Reserve offers first time home buyers and second home or retirement home buyers an opportunity to purchase new construction at the best prices and terms in years.

Learn More

First Home Owners Represent 44% of Florida Home Buyers

Eric Slifkin — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 02:15:43 +0000

According to the NAR, first-time owners represent over forty-four percent of current Florida home buyers and will play a major role in leading us out of the housing recession. Other characteristics of first time Florida buyers as researched by the NAR conclude:

-The typical first-time buyer was 31 years old, while the typical repeat buyer was 54 years old.

-The median income was $53,500 among first-time buyers and $84,300 among repeat buyers.

-Nineteen percent of recent home buyers were single females, and 11 percent were single males.

First time buyers who are ready to enter the current real estate market are enjoying rock bottom pricing, low interest rates and an excellent selection of new and resale homes.

Are you a first time Florida home buyer needing an incentive to jump into the market? Several compelling incentives for home buyers comes from federal mortgage programs such as FHA sponsored financing with as little as 3.5% down.

Or how about the USDA Rural Development Loan Program (also known as RD loans), which provides financing up to the appraised value of a property. Qualified USDA buyers have an opportunity to purchase a home with very limited funds or zero out of pocket costs and may even negotiate a seller concession.

Another government sponsored program that may appeal to “rehabbers” is the 203k program, which provides funds to purchase a home and make repairs and improvements.

Learn more about how Uncle Sam is lending a hand to first time home buyers

Stuart, Florida Real Estate: Home Buyers Win the Super Bowl

Eric Slifkin — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 22:16:28 +0000

Sports analogies are great tools for motivational speakers or marketing gurus driving home a point. So I found it interesting when a colleague compared buying a home in Stuart to winning the Super Bowl. He commented, “Florida home buyers have won the Super Bowl- the only question is by how much”. In many cases home buyers not only get a great deal but may qualify for low interest rates and strive for seller concessions.

Some of my own recent sales include a 3,000 square foot pool home in the Torino section of Port Saint Lucie, which just sold for $190,000. Another Port Saint Lucie area home, built in 2004 at a cost of $250,000, just sold for $86,000.

Homes I have recently sold in pricier Martin County reflect similar savings, such as a 5,000 square foot estate home that would have commanded $900,000 several years ago and closed for just over $500,000. I have also sold newer townhomes in the Martins Crossing subdivision for under $100,000. Or how about an 1,800 square foot single family home in Martin’s Crossing for $135,000? For those seeking a Winter residence, clean two bedroom condos can be found in Stuart’s Vista Pines adult community for as little as $50,000.

Getting back to the sports analogy- some buyers will lose the game in the fourth quarter by pushing for a few thousand extra in concessions. In those cases the seller may just let the clock run out on what would have been a trophy home for a more astute buyer.