Palm Harbor FL real estate listings and homes for sale, home buying, home selling information – Joanne Trugman @ Future Home Realty

My New Blog

HOW IS YOUR PRICING ?

July 13th, 2009 7:09 PM

Nationwide sales of previously occupied homes rose by 2.4 % from April to May ... the third monthly increase this year. Owners of homes currently on the market see more buyers visiting their homes. There is lots of activity and to take advantage of this "buyer's market" it may still be necessary to adjust the asking price to be in line with area competition. "Comps" ... as we like to call them, are changing rapidly. Do you know how many distressed properties are for sale in your neighborhood ? Does the appraiser take into consideration the distressed properties that have already been sold by the banks at reduced prices ? How much weight do they carry in the appraisal process ? The appraisal is key for any financed purchase, and frequently, cash buyers are asking for appraisals to protect their investments. Be sure to have your local Realtor® review the comparable sales for your area, as they occur, giving you the knowledge needed to maintain competitive pricing. Realtors® have timely access to the sales data via the MLS and public records. Buyers will be more likely to make an offer if the pricing is in line with the sales in the neighborhood and/or in your area. If you are planning to sell, call me and I will evaluate the market in your area ... 727-692-8685

Posted by Joanne Trugman on July 13th, 2009 7:09 PMPost a Comment (0)

ARE YOU READY ?

May 13th, 2009 2:52 PM

The question is being asked everyday ... is it time to buy ? Is the bottom here ? What should I do ? The answer to all of those questions may also be a question ... ARE YOU READY ? Purchasing a home is a substantial investment in the future, and only YOU know if you are ready. Can anyone call the bottom in the market ? whether it be real estate, wall street, gold, oil ... no one ever knows ... until it has passed. Prices have declined considerably over the past 18 to 24 months, there are definitely bargains available and sales have been increasing in the Tampa Bay area .... telling us that some buyers were ready. The Florida Association of Realtors® reports sales of existing single family homes in Florida rose 25% in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008. However, the most important question is : ARE YOU READY ? Have you spoken with your mortgage broker and/or bank ? Do you know how much cash you will need to make a purchase happen ? Have you researched the areas where you want to live ? Do you know your bottom line ? Do you want a foreclosure property, a short sale ... or new construction ? If you think you are ready ... call me and we can take the steps to find out if you truly are ready. It's easier than you think, especially with a professional guide to help you find your way.

Posted by Joanne Trugman on May 13th, 2009 2:52 PMPost a Comment (0)

NEW HOMES IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA

August 20th, 2008 5:52 PM

I have been visiting some fabulous model home centers in the Tampa Bay area and I am pleased to see the various pricing incentives offered. Some of these models are featured on my website ... and I have noticed the new home prices to be in a price range that I have not seen since 2000 and 2001 ! In one community, a 5 bedroom 2.5 bath home (to be built) with 2100+ hsf is being offered for under $170,000. Many builders are offering closing cost assistance for qualified buyers, others include upgrades in the base price, and/or reduced lot premiums. Now is a great time to be making your new home purchase. For those of you who have been planning for your future, and want to find the best deals, it is time to take advantage of the incentives being offered ! Please give me a call and we can visit properties in the various communities throughout the Tampa Bay area. This Realtor® is ready to help you find your new home!

Posted by Joanne Trugman on August 20th, 2008 5:52 PMPost a Comment (0)

IS IT TIME TO CLIMB OFF THE FENCE ?

August 12th, 2008 4:28 PM

In the recent past, homes were selling so fast that prospective buyers did not have time to make an offer ... communities of new homes were holding lotteries (remember those) and hopeful future home owners were camping out overnight to be the first in line when a development planned to open their gates. Times have changed !!! TO THE BUYER’S BENEFIT !!! This is the perfect market with a wide selection of choices, competitive pricing, easily negotiated seller contributions, and some GREAT PRICES ! Many homes are priced well below the median price for the area, and it is easy to find homes priced below market value because of unfortunate circumstances of the current homeowner. I just completed a computerized search of one zip code in the Tampa Bay area, I found more than 300 homes priced from $50,000 to $100,000. This was unheard of in the last few years. These are all exceptionally positive reasons to buy now. Find the affordable home you have always dreamed of, there is finally a choice for you. Call me for a real estate consultation, let's discuss your situation and find the right product for you. Shopping can be loads of fun ! especially with today's discounted pricing !

Posted by Joanne Trugman on August 12th, 2008 4:28 PMPost a Comment (0)

BUYING REAL ESTATE IN TODAY'S MARKET

March 22nd, 2008 4:01 PM

Short Sale? Pre-Foreclosure? Foreclosure? Motivated? When searching for a bargain, How does a buyer know where to find their next dream home ? Once you have been prequalified for a loan amount and before getting in the car to visit homes ... it is absolutely necessary to make a list of important features or "must haves" and then make another list of "nice to have, but not required features". Sometimes our list of "nice to have" can cross over, will 2 full baths be sufficient or do you entertain frequently and need an extra half bath for party guests? Do you need a fenced back yard for pets, or can you afford to install a fence ... is that in your budget ? Do you need an extra room for a home office or playroom? After making those decisions about the features of your "Dream Home" then determine your time frame. If you have the time to wait, a short sale or foreclosure may be right for you. With short sales and foreclosures, offers must be submitted to the lender ... be prepared to wait ... lenders have not been making decisions on these types of contract approvals quickly ... most are finding sixty days an optimistic number, and some are taking much longer. If you don't have that kind of time, you may want to look at homes where the seller will make the final decision about a contract and acceptable offer with probable closing within 30 to 45 days. Many owners have reduced prices and are competitive in the 2008 market. Also, decisions on "Pre-Foreclosure" sales may still be in the hands of the sellers if the lender has not started the foreclosure process, your Realtor® can help answer these questions for you. There are so many choices available, it is definitely a great time to find the property with all of the "must haves" on your list ... why settle for less? If you would like to access the local MLS via a free Listingbook™ account, please contact me via email dtrugman@tampabay.rr.com or by phone 727-692-8685 and you can start your "Dream Home Search" immediately.

Posted by Joanne Trugman on March 22nd, 2008 4:01 PMPost a Comment (0)

WHY I AM VOTING " YES ON 1 "

January 5th, 2008 9:56 PM

On January 29th, I will vote "YES" on Constitutional Amendment 1. I do not usually tell anyone how I vote, on anything, because it is a personal choice. HOWEVER, I do believe Floridians need property tax relief and the passage of this amendment is a critical step in the right direction. The voters have the power to cut property taxes by voting "YES". Some have said this does not provide the comprehensive tax relief that was expected, but think about it ... THIS IS A WAY TO START THE BALL ROLLING. The amendment doubles the homestead exemption from the current $25,000 to $50,000 for many Floridians. It will allow homeowners to transfer their "Save Our Homes" benefit - up to $500,000 - to a new homestead if they sell in 2007 or later. Businesses will receive a new $25,000 exemption for "tangible personal property". The property tax cut plan is projected to save taxpayers $9.2 billion over the next five years .... Floridians have the POWER TO CUT PROPERTY TAXES BY VOTING "YES ON 1" on January 29th. See you at the polls.

Posted by Joanne Trugman on January 5th, 2008 9:56 PMPost a Comment (0)