South Florida On The Market

There are many benefits to eco-friendly living. Here are 10 big ones:   1. Lower utility and water bills. Having energy-efficient appliances in the kitchen and media room can reduce monthly utility bills. Tankless water heaters mean less time and water wasted waiting for water to warm up in the sink or shower. 2. Healthier indoor air quality. Green-certified homes offer reduced exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. This is especially beneficial to sufferers of asthma and bronchial disorders. 3. Tax benefits. DSIRE is a database of state incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Through the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the U.S. government offers several tax breaks and incentives for efficiency upgrades to homes. The Department of Energy offers federal tax incentives. The USGBC lists local tax breaks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also offers sources for green funding, as does the Energy Star program. 4. Higher real estate resale value. Acc

When you are shopping for a home, it makes sense to know your price range. Often the first step a real estate agent will take is prequalify you for a loan. This might be a ballpark figure or estimate based on typical loan setups, or you may formally apply for a loan and become preapproved. When you are preapproved, you need to submit various documents that specify your income and expenses. The lender then gives you a letter specifying the loan amount you qualify for based on your specific financial situation. Sellers prefer preapproved buyers because they know that the buyer will not have problems securing a loan for the home. What to know how much you can afford? To start, you need to total all of your income. Next, separately total all of your debt obligations: car payment, credit card balance, and so on. You can then use this information to get a rough estimate or a formal preapproval. 　 Getting a ballpark figure Roughly, you can afford two to two-and-a-half times your gross in

Miami metro home sales in the third quarter jumped 51% from a year ago, according to the Miami Association of Realtors . Home sales, including existing single-family homes and condos, totaled 6,412, up from 4,239 last year. Existing condo sales increased 48%, and single-family home sales went up 47%. Statewide sales for Florida also saw an increase from last year, with single-family homes up 12% and condos up 13%. Nationally, the National Association of Realtors reported home sales fell 0.1% from the second quarter, though they increased 17% from a year earlier. Miami's home sales have increased 13 consecutive quarters dating back to the third quarter 2008, according to the local realtor association. "Strong demand from international buyers is fueling robust sales activity in Miami despite low consumer confidence and high unemployment," association chairman Jack Levine said in a Wednesday release. "Local sales are expected to set a record this year that sho

1. NOT ENOUGH MARKETING 　 Gone are the days when an agent could simply put a sign in you front yard, place your listing on the internet, do one or two open houses and wait for a buyer. Today's top performers launch an aggressive marketing plan that includes listing open houses for other real estate agents, newspaper ads, weekend open houses, listing flyers and placements in multiple websites. Computers and the Internet also have changed the face of real estate. According to the National Association of Realtors, today more than one-third of all home buyers use the Internet for house hunting. The best real estate agents are computer-savvy. They have your listing in color on their laptops to show clients and communicate frequently via e-mail, a particular boon when working with out-of-town buyers. 　 2. BAD AGENT 　 Yep, they exist: Real estate agents who mislead, misfire and misbehave. Their bad advice can cost you plenty of time and money. Some real estate agents will a

Are short sales getting easier? Some homeowners are reporting that banks are now not only more willing to consider a short sale, but are even offering incentives to complete a short sale. For example, a homeowner in Chicago says his lender approved his short sale and then gave him a $20,000 check after the deal was finalized for selling the home as a short sale instead of letting it sink into foreclosure. Lenders accepting a lower mortgage payoff from an underwater seller traditionally isn’t thought of an easy transaction to complete. Lenders weren’t so willing a few years ago. But as the number of Americans underwater on their mortgages grow, more lenders are reconsidering as they try to avoid the extra costs incurred to their bottom-lines that a foreclosure can cause. For 2011, short sales accounted for about 8 percent of total home sales, and rose 7 percent over 2010 totals, according to CoreLogic data. Short sales are up by 59 percent year-over-year in Illinois, 32 percent in Michi

President Obama has opened up refinancing opportunities to more Homeowners who owe more than their home is worth (a.k.a. “underwater”) through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)! If you are wondering what this means...and if you can benefit...here is some helpful information. The President's proposal is not a new program, but a revision to the current Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). One of the biggest changes under new HARP provisions: Now Homeowners can refinance no matter how “underwater” they are! Next, an Appraisal is not necessary IF Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac can electronically estimate the value through their valuation models, saving YOU Time & Money! Keep in mind that these updates to HARP apply only to people whose mortgage is currently secured by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac...and whose loan was securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac prior to May 31, 2009. How do I know if my loan is owned or has been guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac?