About Saint Lucie County, FL

St Lucie County has announced that funding is now available for the NSP* (Neighborhood Stablization Program). They have received $3,984.601 from the Florida Dept. of Community Affairs. The NSP program can provide up to $40,000 in purchase assistance for first time homebuyers meeting income criteria. All applications must be placed between 11-16-09 to 1-16-10 through the St Lucie County Community Services Dept. at 437 North 7th St. For more information please call direct to 772-462-1290 or you may read more via St Lucie County website http://www.stlucieco.gov/community/nsp.htm

*The Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) was established for the purpose of stabilizing communities that have suffered from foreclosed and abandoned homes. Through the purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed, abandoned homes and residential properties this can be accomplished.

NSP grantees develop their own programs and funding priorities. However, NSP grantees must use at least 25 percent of the funds appropriated for the purchase and redevelopment of abandoned, foreclosed or residential properties that will be used to house individuals or families whose incomes do not exceed 50 percent of the area median income.

NSP funds may be used for activities which include but are not limited to:

• Establish financing mechanisms for purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed homes and residential properties;
• Purchase and rehabilitate homes and residential properties abandoned or or foreclosed;
• Establish land banks for foreclosed homes;
• Demolish blighted structures;
• Redevelop demolished or vacant properties

This week was especially busy with not only your normal fruits, vegetables & plants but arts and crafts as well. So much from which to choose.

What a beautiful location the St Lucie County has for it's Saturday Farmer's Market. The park on the waterfront sits next to the yacht basin in downtown Ft Pierce.

And an added plus is that it is also across from the public library. There is usually plenty of parking.

This can be an enjoyable day for all with so such a variety of stores and public sites to see in the area.

Saturday was the annual Airport Day at St Lucie County International Airport in north Ft Pierce. Old and unusual planes were on display for the public to view. A number of related vendors and charities were also on site.

The EEA Young Eagles were to offer free plane rides but the extreme winds canceled those flights. The event was free and quite interesting.

Just another tidbit of information is that Amelia had been a regular visitor to the area and often flew into this every airport.

If you missed the event this time be sure to catch it next year....

HOA Documents

I'm listing a property in a new subdivision and another agent just asked me why I'd want to read them before I list the property. (When I say new subdivision, less then five resales have taken place in the whole community so far.)

Interesting question- I've put a plan in place to become the most productive agent in the "New Area" of town. I've lived here for over five years now. Visiting association board meetings, reading HOA documents, talking to builders has given me a distinct advantage over other agents.

More importantly I become the sourse for all the real estate information in the community,

Why do you think a listing agent should read the docs before listing?

Brian Sharkey Can be reached via email at Brian@Briansharkeyrealestate.com or by phone at 772-579-1981.

Freddie Mac still does not come clean. They keep passing the buck. They keep making up excuses as to why they can not even just give one simple answer. They make empty promises.

Read Freddie Mac- Does Anyone There Know How To Read- Part I, to understand the history of this short sale file.

We have never lost a short sale due to our negotiations. Every listing we take goes through an intake evaluation to get everyone on the same page, to make sure the seller understands what a short sale is, to analyze the seller's commitment to the short sale process and to evaluate the chance for success of the short sale.

We have a 100% closing ratio because we do not give up on our sellers no matter what monster shows up. This would be the very first file that we will lose to a short sale rejection.

So here is the update to what is going on:

The homeowner wants to know why her short sale was rejected when she meets all of Freddie Mac's guidelines.

The seller has been on the phone with Freddie Mac every day trying to get an answer.

She finally reaches a supervisor who promises to help her find her answer. All she wants to know to begin with is why she was rejected. She has now gone through 3 employees at Freddie Mac with not one of them giving her the reason for the rejection. The last person says to her:

This is directly from our seller as to how she is being treated: