South Florida Real Estate and Information

Is It Me? Are Realtors Not Reading What's Printed On The MLS, Anymore?[Real-Estate:Homes] Yesterday, we received an "Offer to Rent" a home that isn't for Rent! It's impossible for an agent to make this type of mistake, or so it seemed, yet, the fax clearly read "Contract to enter into a Lease". The real question: "why would any agent waste their time, presenting a "Lease" when it clearly reads on the MLS "For Sale"? Can you imagine the amount of time spent?
Sellers, Don't Try To Attempt To Do A Short Sale By Yourself![Real-Estate:Foreclosures] Completing a "Short Sale" isn't easy, it requires time, effort, patience and most of all a staff of professionals who along the way know how to deal with glitches that will definitely occur.
Don't Believe For One Second The Business Is Not Out There![Self-Improvement:Inspirational] Business is still out there for those who know how to find it! Part of our success in this type of market is the fact we continue to follow up with potential buyers and renters which creates a nice "pipeline" of business. The same holds true with our sellers who we speak to every 3-4 days a week to let them know what's happening in their neighborhood.
New Trend in Real Estate - Fly By Night Title Companies a Growing Trend[Real-Estate] It's been my belief for the past 2 years that too many Title companies have decided to "Open Shop" with an entirely different agenda! I've dealt with Mortgage Brokers who have insisted we use these "Fly by Night Title Companies" which is a direct conflict of interest and many times "Junk fee's" mysteriously are tacked on for no reason, except to line the pocket of the Mortgage Broker and these title companies. It's amazing to see who's interest they represent.
Rental Properties Continue to Move Full Speed Ahead[Real-Estate:Investing] New creative ideas such as "First Right of Refusals" or "Lease Options" have become very familiar terms to both Realtors and Investors alike as they've been added into leases, in hopes that these renters will eventually become future buyers.
No, The Sky Isn't Falling And The Market Moves On![Real-Estate:Selling] Last week there were several discussions about the market and it's doldrums. One issue in particular was the fact that one of the financial analysts was proclaiming to folks in the Media that "The Sky is falling". The same analysts were telling people 10 years ago to buy Yahoo at $400.00. They would pound on the table and scream "BUY Yahoo it would only go higher and higher!" I'm not making this up!
How To Properly Handle A Short Sale[Real-Estate:Buying] You know the old saying "nothing from nothing is nothing". We're doing everything to salvage this transaction,but when the other agent's negligence in conducting themselves professionally is in the way there isn't much to say or do. For the record, before you actually handle a Short Sale there are a few things you must know in order to proceed.
If You're Having Problems Dealing With Mortgage Payments There Are Alternatives[Real-Estate:Foreclosures] Banks are unforgiving as anyone who has dealt with foreclosure will tell you. Many Homeowners are faced with this dilemma each day. There are hundreds of people seeking alternatives, but many Realtors have no idea what they can do to help.
New Generation Of Realtors - Don't Blame Others For Doing Your Job![Real-Estate:Property-Management] Rule #1: Never allow another Realtor to write a lease if they're representing the tenant. It's your responsibility to protect the client you represent. Rule #2: Don't depend on others to do all the work for you! The tenants are moved in, they paid the 1st months rent and gave the security. Yesterday the agent came to our office to naturally pick up her commission check.
When Is Enough Finally Enough? Seller Wants Us To Purchase A Swing Set At Closing[Real-Estate:Selling] He's upset that the buyers refuse to compensate them. We explained to him that the swing set was never part of the transaction, so if they want they can move this "Custom Swing Set" with them. Problem solved! Nope! The seller explains that he doesn't want to take the "Swing Set" with them to Pennsylvania. It's his opinion that there should be compensation for a $2300 Swing Set.
Are Realtors Forgetting The Entire Point Of Doing Our Jobs?[Real-Estate:Selling] Maybe I'm getting too old for this business or the business of selling Real Estate has changed so drastically that the rules are completely different from what i remember. The total lack of cooperation seems to be reaching a crescendo as more Realtors simply forget what their jobs are.
Understanding How The Lenders Work In A Short Sale[Real-Estate:Foreclosures] In a short sale many are confused, the seller does in fact sign the contract to sell, but the lenders make the final decisions. It's important when asking for the forms that your client writes a "Hardship Letter" explaining the circumstances.
A Single Mother's Quest to Become a Realtor, Finally Happens[Self-Improvement:Inspirational] The fact is, Patricia is a single mother of a three year old son who's name is Jalen. It's very difficult to make time to arrange for classes, study, take the exam. Without any assistance. Patricia was determined to accomplish this feat. It wasn't easy for her! Most people would have stopped attempting to do what she did! Through it all Patricia showed the confidence that a "True Professional" has when it comes to becoming a Realtor.
Why Do Investors Believe We Work For Free?[Real-Estate:Investing] There's something very wrong here! I've received calls from people who want us to sell their property. Each have a similar story. They call informing us they need to sell a home or a parcel of land. They're all "Investors" mind you! The callers take the time to give me the particulars, we speak for an average of 20-30 minutes and each time we explain how we work, i'm interrupted with the same storyline, " I already have a Realtor, who`s placed the home or land on the MLS, I need someone like you to sell our property. "