Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate

Highlands Reserve, Palm City - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 5730 SW Bald Eagle Dr. on October 17 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

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Palm City, Martin County - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 1066 SW 34th Ter. on October 21 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Property information

Buyers and sellers develop a natural sense of excitement as a transaction's closing date nears. While most aspects should run smoothly, it's wise to be prepared for unexpected delays. Anticipating potential problems before they develop could save untold time and stress.

One pitfall might be the title search. The title is simply legal proof of a property's ownership, but issues such as death, divorce, and liens can cloud the final result. Meet with an attorney to determine and resolve any problems.

Financing can also present snags. If the buyers can't qualify for a loan, the deal falls through. Buyers should begin their mortgage education well in advance of their home search, and sellers should ask a price in line with the home's appraised value. If the appraisal is much lower than the contract price, the lender will likely reject the loan application.

The best situation for buyers (and sellers) is to have a loan pre-approval in hand. It starts with the loan officer performing a review of the buyer's credit, income, and asset v. liability status. A letter of pre-approval should indicate exactly how much home a buyer can afford, and should put sellers more at ease with pre-qualified buyers.

There are myriad aspects to closing the deal, so it's best if you are prepared. Go over each item, specifically any possible problems with your real estate agent. Knowing in advance can help avoid situations that can cause the transaction to fall apart.

Understanding real estate dilemmas and their solutions is our business, and we'll happily share our knowledge with you. Why not give us a call at (772) 323-6996 or visit us on the web at www.GabeSanders.com and www.TreasureCoastFLHomes.com. Our office is located at 2 N. Sewalls Point Rd. in Stuart, Florida (Sewall's Point); please ask for Gabe Sanders or Susan Maxwell.

Heads or Tails?

They say that no coin is so thin that it doesn't have two sides, and home prices are not so different. Many who invested like mad in real estate the last few years felt the giddiness of buying low and selling high. Investors are feeling the pinch now, but what about the regular folks who buy and sell their homes not for profit, but simply because they want security for themselves and their families?

Sellers want rising home values, but buyers need affordable housing. Unfortunately, these two concepts are often mutually exclusive. Sellers may not feel as positively about the markets right now, but as long as your house is your "home," you shouldn't be feeling as much pressure as someone who bought a property simply to "flip" it for profit.

If your income remains level, and home prices are falling, it actually makes you richer. How so? Because now you can buy more home for the money.

Ultimately, lower home prices will benefit buyers and the economy. Imagine what your children or grandchildren would be facing if home prices had continued their meteoric rise of a few years ago.

It's easy to see that affordable housing is more important than wild appreciation (which must correct itself eventually). Widespread homeownership results in economic growth, so try to understand and not to fear lower home prices.

Want more information? Call or visit us for a detailed pricing analyses of available homes in our area, at (772) 323-6996 or visit us on the web at www.GabeSanders.com or www.TreasureCoastFLHomes.com . Our office is located at 2 N. Sewalls Point Rd. in Stuart, (Sewall's Point) Florida; please ask for Gabe Sanders or Susan Maxwell.

It's easy to be swayed by all the negativity swirling around in the real estate industry. However, home ownership offers benefits you just can't get from other forms of investment, regardless of market conditions. In particular, the US tax code makes buying and owning a home a great deal.

First, you can deduct from your income the interest paid on your mortgage. That applies to second homes, too. You may even be able to deduct your loan's insurance premiums. If you've taken out a home equity loan, that interest is also deductible, regardless of how you've used the money.

If you've sold or plan to sell your home, profits up to $250,000 (or $500,000 for married couples) are free from taxation. While some restrictions apply, you won't get that kind of bargain on the sale of stocks, bonds, or other investments.

Now to get back to that mortgage interest deduction: it's almost guaranteed that if you hold a home loan, the interest deduction will help you reach the threshold for claiming all sorts of other itemized deductions above and beyond the standard amount allowed.

So just simply owning a home puts you in the happy position of being able to claim myriad other deductions from your taxable income. Real estate agents are not tax advisers, but they recognize a good deal when they see one!

Call your REALTOR to take advatage of your shelter options!