CHICAGO – Sept. 28, 209 – It’s not too late for a determined first-time home buyer to take advantage of the $8,000 federal tax credit, which expires Nov. 30.
Scott Voak, a San Diego practitioner specializing in first-time buyers, helps potential buyers target homes that can close quickly. To identify those properties without touring them, he suggests contacting the listing agent with blunt but important questions that aren’t usually addressed in the listing. These can include:
• Is there mold?
• Does the home need extensive repairs?
• Does the home have aging systems or appliances?
• Are there any troublesome neighbors?
Buyers should factor in these questions before making an offer:
• How long has the property been on the market?
• Have there been any price reductions?
• Are there any offers written on the property?
• Do the home owners need to move by a specific date?
Other recommendations include:
• Provide buyers with as much information about financing as possible.
• Encourage buyers to begin the process right away.
• Make sure buyers understand who is responsible for closing costs.
Source: Move.com, Scott Voak (09/23/2009)
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Lee County Seeks UK Tourists
From The News Press - Fort Myers, Fla. Author: LAURA RUANE
Local airport leaders are stepping up their courtship of the United Kingdom.
Late Sunday, Lee County Commission Chairman Ray Judah and two airport staffers returned from a trip to Dublin and London, where they paid visits to representatives from three airlines and several tour operators.
Of the estimated 275,000 UK residents who come each year to the Sunshine State, only about 11 percent arrive at Southwest Florida International, according to data from Visit Florida and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
"Obviously, most of these travelers are visiting the mouse first, and then driving over here," Judah said, alluding to Disney theme parks in Orlando. "We want them to have a direct path to Southwest Florida International."
The airport has no direct or nonstop flights to the United Kingdom, but has had scheduled service to Germany since 1994.
This has gained the region not only European tourists, but part-time residents who buy homes and support commerce here, Judah said. He thinks the area also is a sure bet for the Irish and the British, because of its affordable homes, "quality of life and ease of travel."
In June, an estimated 8,270 guests from the United Kingdom stayed in paid lodgings in Lee County, according to research for Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. That's up 24.4 percent over June of 2008. UK guests comprised 4 percent of the county's total lodging users in June, just one percent more than a year ago.
Direct or nonstop flights between the UK and Fort Myers "would be fantastic," said Glyn Raven, who hails from Manchester, England, but who now lives in the Verandah community east of Fort Myers.
Raven flies to U.S. hub airports in Chicago, New York, Atlanta and Philadelphia for direct flights to his hometown. Unless the new service were to Manchester, he's not sure he'd use it much.
It might make it easier to get his octogenarian parents here for visits, Raven said, adding airport leaders "are thinking more about getting people here from the UK."
The three airlines the Lee County delegation visited were Aer Lingus, Ryanair and British Airways, Judah said. His travel companions were Carol Obermeier and Brian Solis of Lee County Port Authority aviation market development. In London, they teamed up with the county visitor bureau's U.K.-based employee.
Airlines didn't commit to new service, "but we have determined how we can get creative with airlines that have an open mind," Judah said.
The Lee County Port Authority is picking up the tab for the nine-day trip. It cost about about $5,000 per person, including airfare, ground transportation, lodging and meals, said Victoria Moreland, airport spokeswoman. The airport authority derives its income from rents and fees charged tenants and a portion of concessionaire sales.
Obermeier and her staff travel frequently in the United States and abroad, working to entice new air service. It's far less common for Judah, who estimated he's made fewer than five international business trips during his 21 years as county commissioner.
"When you talk to an airline, it's nice to have an elected government official along, especially someone with Ray's experience," said Obermeier, aviation market development director.
On Sept. 14, Judah and colleagues on the commission will vote on an amended air service incentives package that would broadly expand the potential for temporarily lifting landing fees for carriers offering new nonstop international flights to and from Fort Myers.
Local airport leaders are stepping up their courtship of the United Kingdom.
Late Sunday, Lee County Commission Chairman Ray Judah and two airport staffers returned from a trip to Dublin and London, where they paid visits to representatives from three airlines and several tour operators.
Of the estimated 275,000 UK residents who come each year to the Sunshine State, only about 11 percent arrive at Southwest Florida International, according to data from Visit Florida and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
"Obviously, most of these travelers are visiting the mouse first, and then driving over here," Judah said, alluding to Disney theme parks in Orlando. "We want them to have a direct path to Southwest Florida International."
The airport has no direct or nonstop flights to the United Kingdom, but has had scheduled service to Germany since 1994.
This has gained the region not only European tourists, but part-time residents who buy homes and support commerce here, Judah said. He thinks the area also is a sure bet for the Irish and the British, because of its affordable homes, "quality of life and ease of travel."
In June, an estimated 8,270 guests from the United Kingdom stayed in paid lodgings in Lee County, according to research for Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. That's up 24.4 percent over June of 2008. UK guests comprised 4 percent of the county's total lodging users in June, just one percent more than a year ago.
Direct or nonstop flights between the UK and Fort Myers "would be fantastic," said Glyn Raven, who hails from Manchester, England, but who now lives in the Verandah community east of Fort Myers.
Raven flies to U.S. hub airports in Chicago, New York, Atlanta and Philadelphia for direct flights to his hometown. Unless the new service were to Manchester, he's not sure he'd use it much.
It might make it easier to get his octogenarian parents here for visits, Raven said, adding airport leaders "are thinking more about getting people here from the UK."
The three airlines the Lee County delegation visited were Aer Lingus, Ryanair and British Airways, Judah said. His travel companions were Carol Obermeier and Brian Solis of Lee County Port Authority aviation market development. In London, they teamed up with the county visitor bureau's U.K.-based employee.
Airlines didn't commit to new service, "but we have determined how we can get creative with airlines that have an open mind," Judah said.
The Lee County Port Authority is picking up the tab for the nine-day trip. It cost about about $5,000 per person, including airfare, ground transportation, lodging and meals, said Victoria Moreland, airport spokeswoman. The airport authority derives its income from rents and fees charged tenants and a portion of concessionaire sales.
Obermeier and her staff travel frequently in the United States and abroad, working to entice new air service. It's far less common for Judah, who estimated he's made fewer than five international business trips during his 21 years as county commissioner.
"When you talk to an airline, it's nice to have an elected government official along, especially someone with Ray's experience," said Obermeier, aviation market development director.
On Sept. 14, Judah and colleagues on the commission will vote on an amended air service incentives package that would broadly expand the potential for temporarily lifting landing fees for carriers offering new nonstop international flights to and from Fort Myers.
Friday, September 25, 2009
September Newsletter
August 2009 sets new records
Earlier this year, we reported that the million dollar-plus market was beginning to show signs of life as buyers’ expressed a renewed interest in luxury properties. In August, however, that interest became a reality as pended sales in the $1 million and up category were up 29% over August 2008. This is the first month in 2009 to report such an increase. And while this is positive news, it remains to be seen if this trend will continue. If showings and buyer interest continues at the current pace, similar results could be expected throughout the remainder of the year.
Another encouraging sign that the market is recovering is the decreasing inventory. All price segments in both single-family homes and condominiums showed decreases with the exception of condos in the $2 million to $5 million range, where product actually increased over last year by 10%. Overall, August 2009 turned out to be a record-setting month, particularly with regard to pended sales which were the highest for any August on record since 2000. Pended sales units year-to-date are up 71% over the same period for 2008, and new sales pended during the month of August were up 69% over August 2008.
See full report here.
http://www.johnrwood.com/documents/MarketReportAugust2009.pdf
Florida first in price haggling
CNNMoney.com recently reported that Florida is one of the “easiest” states in the nation to haggle over the price of a home. Vero Beach topped the list with buyers negotiating prices down by 10.2%, which resulted in a savings of $23,500. Rounding out the top spots were Sarasota with an 8.2% discount, Naples with a 7.8% discount, and Daytona Beach with a 7.5% discount.
Throughout the country, the dollar size of the discount between last listing price and final sales price was the biggest in Stamford, Conn., where the median discount of 5.9% resulted in $32,099. In Naples, Fla. that median discount of 7.8% translated into $27,233 in savings.
Read the entire article here.
http://cnnmoney.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Best+place+to+haggle+your+home+price%3F+Florida+-+Sep.+10%2C+2009&expire=-1&urlID=410319950&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2009%2F09%2F10%2Freal_estate%2Fnegotiating_home_prices%2Findex.htm&partnerID=2200
Don’t forget about the $8,000 tax credit
Time is running out to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit incentive available to first-time homebuyers. December 1, 2009 will be here before you know it and then it will be too late.
Published by John R Wood September 1, 2009
Earlier this year, we reported that the million dollar-plus market was beginning to show signs of life as buyers’ expressed a renewed interest in luxury properties. In August, however, that interest became a reality as pended sales in the $1 million and up category were up 29% over August 2008. This is the first month in 2009 to report such an increase. And while this is positive news, it remains to be seen if this trend will continue. If showings and buyer interest continues at the current pace, similar results could be expected throughout the remainder of the year.
Another encouraging sign that the market is recovering is the decreasing inventory. All price segments in both single-family homes and condominiums showed decreases with the exception of condos in the $2 million to $5 million range, where product actually increased over last year by 10%. Overall, August 2009 turned out to be a record-setting month, particularly with regard to pended sales which were the highest for any August on record since 2000. Pended sales units year-to-date are up 71% over the same period for 2008, and new sales pended during the month of August were up 69% over August 2008.
See full report here.
http://www.johnrwood.com/documents/MarketReportAugust2009.pdf
Florida first in price haggling
CNNMoney.com recently reported that Florida is one of the “easiest” states in the nation to haggle over the price of a home. Vero Beach topped the list with buyers negotiating prices down by 10.2%, which resulted in a savings of $23,500. Rounding out the top spots were Sarasota with an 8.2% discount, Naples with a 7.8% discount, and Daytona Beach with a 7.5% discount.
Throughout the country, the dollar size of the discount between last listing price and final sales price was the biggest in Stamford, Conn., where the median discount of 5.9% resulted in $32,099. In Naples, Fla. that median discount of 7.8% translated into $27,233 in savings.
Read the entire article here.
http://cnnmoney.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Best+place+to+haggle+your+home+price%3F+Florida+-+Sep.+10%2C+2009&expire=-1&urlID=410319950&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2009%2F09%2F10%2Freal_estate%2Fnegotiating_home_prices%2Findex.htm&partnerID=2200
Don’t forget about the $8,000 tax credit
Time is running out to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit incentive available to first-time homebuyers. December 1, 2009 will be here before you know it and then it will be too late.
Published by John R Wood September 1, 2009
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