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Greg Gorman - Naples Florida Real Estate

Thinking About Finding the Right-Sized Home?

Thinking About Finding the Right-Sized Home?

Americans live in the largest homes as compared to other nations of the worldWith the historically low mortgage interest rates and well-priced properties, we are increasingly finding that buyers and sellers are changing their ideas about finding the biggest home for the right-sized home. Smaller, more efficient homes are more attractive than ever.

It seems as though the work hard, buy a home, start a family and continue to upgrade thinking is rapidly changing. Looking back over the past 50 years, this has been the blueprint for lots of homeowners.

Compared to other Nations, Americans live in much larger homes than most people throughout the world. In 2006, the U.S. Census reported the average single family home had 2,469 square feet which was 769 feet more than the survey conducted in 1976.

Given the current economy, homeowners are looking for ways to cut costs and one thought is that once the children are grown and have moved out, homeowners are finding they have too much room. Even if their home is paid for, they have higher property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance on the larger home than they'd have if they were living in the "right size" home.

Some homeowners state they're keeping their larger home because it has luxury features that smaller homes don't have. There's a movement that seems to have started in the United States to find the right-size home with the amenities and convenience that homeowners want.

This philosophy has been expressed by Sarah Susanka in her book Creating the Not So Big House. It proposes a house that "values quality over quantity with an emphasis on comfort and beauty, a high level of detail, and a floor plan designed for today's informal lifestyle."

We’d love to help you discover the right-sized home. And we can also help you visualize how a smaller home that’s well designed, can offer most of the features of a much larger home. We have a list of builders and remodelers to help get you to the right-sized home.

Call us and we’ll help get you going in the RIGHT direction!

Thinking About Finding the Right-Sized Home?

Waiting To Buy A Home In Naples Florida Might Cost You MORE!

Waiting To Buy A Home In Naples Florida Could Cost You More!


In working with Buyers, we often hear the familiar "We are waiting for prices to drop so we don't overpay for the home." If we used the actual graphic of when prices started to drop, we would need more room on the page! In Naples Florida, the market started dropping in August 2005. Some still predict the overall market will drop and others make headlines that Naples is the most over-corrected market in the country meaning prices have dropped too low.

All the latest statistics for the Naples real estate market indicate several encouraging points. First is that the number of closed sales is up and the listing inventory continues to drop. Those two indicators demonstrate the confidence buyers have in our market.

There are real factors that can increase the cost of housing if you wait to buy, specifically mortgages. Nationally, FHA accounts for a large percentage of the current housing loans and is expected to be even more prominent when the Qualified Residential Mortgage Guidelines go into effect next year.

  1. Rising rates are almost certain, due to looming inflation fueled by higher gas and food prices and the enormous amount of deficit spending
  2. FHA loan limits have been reduced – they are lower than conventional limits in most markets and FHA has suggested that they might be reduced further.
  3. FHA might increase the down payment to 5% or higher in an effort to have a more secure loan that will have less likelihood of going to foreclosure.
  4. FHA might decrease the amount of seller contributions in a similar move to require the buyer to have a larger investment in the home and therefore be a more “qualified” borrower.
  5. Congress may decide to increase the up-front MIP to build up the FHA reserves. The annual MIP has been adjusted twice since October 2010 when the Up-Front MIP was actually reduced.
  6. Due to tougher conventional requirements, demand for FHA loans could exceed maximum annual insurable limits. If Congress is having a hard time raising the limit on national debt, they might not even consider raising the limits for FHA.

In an effort to solidify the lending industry, qualifying is becoming harder for the buyer and more expensive at the same time. Many of the rules changes could go into effect next year. In addition, market factors could easily play a role in increasing buyer’s costs. Waiting will very probably require a larger up-front investment for buyers in the future.

We have excellent statistics and market strategies for our clients so please call any member of our Team Paradise to find out how we can help you make a wise move.

And be sure to check out our tips and videos on our Facebook Business page at http://www.Facebook.com/TeamParadiseNaples

Waiting To Buy A Home In Naples Florida Could Cost You More!

Is Now the Time To Buy A Home In Naples Florida?

Is Now the Time To Buy A Home In Naples Florida?

Fitting Into the Puzzle of Home OwnershipTiming couldn't be better to buy a home in Naples Florida... How much more could get the point across? Recent national press releases underscores the fact that Naples Florida is one of the most over-corrected real estate markets in the country. That means prices have fallen far below the actual value. Bottom line is the prices are great and inventory is still ample. So...what's holding you back from owning a prime piece of Paradise?

We understand that one size rarely fits everyone and the same goes for advice. For many people with job security and who don't own a home and for people with good credit scores and enough savings for a down payment, there may never be a better time to buy a home. Homes have had a significant price correction but in many markets, they have started to rise again and that's true in certain areas of Naples. The lower prices combined with historically low interest rates make this an opportune time to buy a home or vacation property if you can afford it.

One of the reasons homes are an attractive investment is that fact that you can use a small down payment and finance the balance for 30 years. The principle, called leverage, allows you to earn a return on the value of the home rather than the actual cash investment. Small appreciation can create a large rate of return on the initial investment of the down payment and closing costs. Take, for example, the following projection at the end of five years for a $175,000 home with 3% closing costs and a 5% interest rate for a 30 year term. The rate you see in each column is an annual rate of return based on the equity of the home at the end of the five year period due to both appreciation and amortization of the loan.

The nature of positive leverage will cause the returns to be higher with a smaller down payment. As you see in the table, the return is higher on the 3.5% down payment than with the 10% or 20% down payment. If you're curious to see if this advice might fit your situation, you really need to sit down with a knowledgeable real estate professional who can help you assess your position. It's worth the time because there may never be a better opportunity than now.

Call us and we'll get you started with the loan qualification process so you can start packing!

Is Now the Time To Buy A Home In Naples Florida?

Reed Orthodontics - Dr. Barbara Reed Providing Braces in Naples Florida

Reed Orthodontics - Dr. Barbara Reed Providing Braces in Naples Florida

Want your kids to have a great smile? Please let me introduce Naples' most trusted orthodontist, Dr. Barbara Reed, DMD, MSPA. My clients who have used Dr. Reed rave about her and the incredible staff.

"Specializing in orthodontics for children, teens, and adults – the orthodontic
practice of Dr. Barbra J. Reed is your state-of-the-art, family-friendly, orthodontic practice serving Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs, Estero, Immokalee, and all surrounding southwest Florida communities.

Dr Barbara Reed DMD is recommended by Naples Florida Realtors Greg Gorman & David BurkeDr. Barbra Reed and the staff of Reed Orthodontics share a commitment to
provide the best orthodontic services possible in a warm, friendly, caring and
professional environment. Our emphasis is on thoroughness of treatment using
the most current technology. We strive to make service available to all with
financial flexibility. Responsiveness to the needs of our patients is our
highest priority."

Reed Orthodontics
239-596-2255
2550 Northbrooke Plaza Drive Naples, FL 34119-7960 (Immokalee Rd & I-75)

Let her know Team Paradise recommended you!

Reed Orthodontics - Dr. Barbara Reed Providing Braces in Naples Florida


At the Beach In Naples

Another beautiful day in Paradise! Yesterday was the picture perfect day at the beach in Naples Florida! The gentle breeze and 62 degree temperature made it clear to me, after 17 years here, this is the place for me! I was with buyers from Iowa later in the day and they asked me if I ever miss the "seasons" living here. WHAT? We have 3 seasons...Spring-Summer-Fall...just no winter! Yes, this is the place for me.