Why should I Invest Now in Real estate?

As a 21 year veteran of the real estate industry, I have seen the cycles of different markets. All indications are that the market is near the bottom and investors know this. There seems to be many investors who are now looking to get back into the "game".

The absorption rate for residential property in Highlands county is getting back to more normal rates and interest rates are still low. Add to this the prices are incredible and it appears to be a Perfect storm (or close to it).

There are several good mortgage programs out there. Some with no money down. In fact. I closed on a home in the 120,000 range and the buyer received over $1000 back at closing.

Call me today and let's see if it is a good time for you to buy.

Code of Conduct

Want to build a new staircase or add a porch to your home? In addition to researching cost, be sure to out if your new project adheres to local billing codes.
Your contractor should know associated building codes for speccific projects, but if you want to do your own additional research, there are a few ways to find up-to-date codes. the best way to find them -----collectively called International Building Codes (IBC)----is to head to the reference section of your local library. Or you can find an explanation of codes on the building section of your local county and state government websites. You should be able to find codes within these department websites.
The International Code Council (iccsafe.org) is dedicated to developing a single set of comprehensive and coordinated national model construction codes, and also can offer insight on building codes. Common queries might include how large a building can be in a specific area or mandatory fire prevention additions. These codes are available in print form, but the codes are updated frequently, so it's best to go to the website for the most recent versions of codes.

Shopping for a New Home

An important first step is selecting a buyer's agent to help you find your dream home. He or she can represent the buyer's interest in a real estate transaction. Before making a decision, however, have a realtor explain the pros and cons of using a buyer's agent versus a sales or dual agent. A CENTURY 21® agent can guide you through every step of buying your next home. When you're ready to visit houses, ask your CENTURY 21 professional champion to arrange showings, and be sure to keep track of the properties you've seen. Each time you view more properties, refer to your "what's right for you" notes to immediately eliminate any that clearly do not meet your standards. And bring a digital camera to record what you see – you’ll be happy to have the record afterwards. After touring each home, write down what you liked and didn't like. Develop a rating system that will help narrow the field. For example, pick the house you like best on day one and compare all other houses to it. When you find a better one, use the new favorite as the standard.

Tour Guide

Virtual tours are a great tool for any REALTOR, and they can make or break a sale. But a home that looks neglected on camera won't shine in a potential buyer's eyes. If you're thinking of listing your home, help your agent make your home stand out on video by preparing it for its digital close-up.
Clean up. Walk through every room and pick up items that don't belong----like the forgotten stack of magazines on your footstool or the shoes lounging by your bed. They'll be obvious in video or photos, and can distract the viewer. Before the pros photograph your home, snap a few shots and take a look ---what sticks out at a glance will surely be the first things a potential buyer would notice, too.
Remove personal touches. Remember, this won't be your home anymore, so it shouldn't look like it. Prior to showing a house, take down family photos, heirlooms and even college diplomas.
Update with a few new details. Flip through a few home decorating publications and take a look at what's the trendy and adjusts your decor to match. A colorful vase of flowers on a glass coffer table, for instance, makes the room look warm and inviting.
Store unnecessary furniture. A good rule of thumb is that the only furniture in the room should accurately display what the room is ( a dining room table and chairs in the dining room, for example.) Removing extra side tables or a chair in the corner that's hardly used will make the rooms look larger and allow the viewer to imagine his or her own furniture in the space.

Congress Extends Homebuyer Tax Credit Closing Deadline

The United States Senate passed an extension of the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline. Known as the “Homebuyers Assistance and Improvement Act of 2010,” The extension applies only to transactions that have ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010 but could not close before June 30. This legislation is designed to create a seamless extension. The new closing deadline for eligible home sale transactions is now September 30, 2010. There will not be any gap between June 30 and the date the President signs the bill into law.


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