Jan Keller

Many of those living in the Northeast, Northwest and Midwest look to retiring or owning a second home in the Southeast or even Southwest. With chilly winter conditions, it is no wonder residents of cold climates long for warmer weather.

It is also little wonder universities and research organizations have conducted extensive studies into economic and health factors in cold versus warm climates. What has been gained from such empirical research only confirms what we already seem to intuitively know: warmer climates are easier on our wallet and better for our health.

But why are warmer climates more economically friendly and healthier than cold-weather climates?

Economic Advantages of Living In a Warmer Climate:

There are several advantages to living in a warmer climate, opposed to living in a cold-weather climate. Chief among them is the cost of home maintenance. To keep a home inhabitable during the winter months, home owner’s have to turn up the heat. It isn’t cheap to heat a home during a long winter.

Other maintenance costs include insulating against the cold. As winter after winter affects a home, more upkeep is needed. The cost of heating rises significantly when doors, windows, the basement and roof need to be re insulated.

The cost of to maintain personal possessions extends to vehicles. Cars in cold climates are adversely affected by winter weather. Drivers in cold weather climates are all too familiar with the cost of owning a car in such an area.

Warmer climates also mean fewer entertainment expenses. There is no cost to stroll on a beach or take a dip in the water.

Health Advantages of Living In a Warmer Climate:

In addition to economic benefits, living in a warmer climate has significant health advantages--especially for senior citizens.

Warmer climates mean the opportunity to do more for longer periods of time. Unlike cold weather climates, the days are long year-round. Moreover, the spring and summer month “feel” extended over a greater period on the calendar. In warm climates, it isn’t unusual to enjoy mid-70s highs during the fall and temperatures reaching the mid-80s in the spring.

Because people can be outdoors more means more opportunity to exercise and explore. That gives children a lot more room to explore and get out of the house. Senior citizens likewise can enjoy the revitalizing
outdoors just as much.

When you get down to it, people live more productive, fuller lives in warmer climates. And their wallets and health thank them profusely.

In any real estate market, you need an experienced real estate agent to sell your home. Regardless of “buyers” or “sellers” market conditions, a proven track record will best serve your needs. Homeowners wanting to sell in a down market can find success where success has been demonstrated. With the right real estate agent listing your home, you’ll be privy to several advantages.

Proven Success

Closings are proof-positive of a listing agent’s ability to best describe a property. Highlighting the best features of your home attracts not only buyers’ agents but attract asking price offers. Hiring a listing agents without such a career record can cost you needless months of waiting for a valid offer.

Command of the Marketing Process

Experienced real estate agents understand the marketing process. Your home will be featured where it gets the most notice. A well adept listing agent will know which digital and paper publications are the most beneficial. Proven agents know how to use the Internet to their client’s advantage. Moreover, a professional agent will bring more people to open houses.

Aggressive Representation

Your decision to sell your home in any market can be a stressful experience. But an experienced real estate agent will know when to advise you to accept an offer and when to reject one. A good agent won’t just look at the offer, but will evaluate the true qualifications of the buyer. Good agents know how to work circumstances to a seller’s advantage.

Network Connections

Inexperienced real estate agents won’t have the strong industry connections necessary to generate a buzz about your property. Your listing will sell faster and for more money if your agent is already “plugged-in” to the circle of local market professionals.

Top Ranking Websites

The Internet has changed every facet of life, including the real estate market. Buyers can tour your home from another county or country. But they’ll only find your listing through top ranking search results. An experienced real estate agent with an attractive, informative website will provide a more diverse dissemination of your listing.

If you are serious about selling your home in a down market for the best price, you need an experienced real estate agent to list your home and represent your interests. An agent that knows the market through good and bad as well as the other real estate professionals, will help you achieve the results you are looking for.

Jan Keller REALTOR®
Direct: 305-289-6623
Cell: 305-664-7069

Charlotte Porter REALTOR®
Direct: 305-289-6628
Cell: 305-393-2749

Coldwell Banker Schmitt
Office: 305-664-4470
Fax: 305-664-4111
info@kellerporterteam.com
www.kellerporterteam.com

A foreclosed home in Florida can be a great buying opportunity for investors and new buyers. Financing becomes much simpler when the price of a house is listed below the market value. This is because a lender is aware that this property holds equity and offers more chances of recovering the amount of a loan. Investors can secure profits by investing in such foreclosed homes.
In order to buy foreclosed homes in Florida people can search through freely available resources or can go through private MLS listings. Besides this, there are some other steps, which can be followed by them.

• Investors can use their local courthouses, department, asset management and government listings in order to look for foreclosures to buy. These are the most updated resources, which can provide investors with current listings available.

• Finding real estate agents, who are familiar with foreclosure procedures and elements related to bidding, is essential. An agent must also be good enough to guide a potential buyer through all the steps involved.

• Securing a good loan setup is also required. If investors are in need of a mortgage or any other type of loan, then pre-qualification letters for bidding must be used. In case you have enough funds without using a lender, then make sure people at your bank can easily provide documents to substantiate that.

• Once your bid has been approved, then you need to line up inspections and a title company. This will help in detecting any and all problems, which could prevent ownership transfer. Inspections will also help investors to know any items that need fixing or repairing in the property.

• Once all the formalities have been fulfilled by the buyers as well as the sellers, then it is time to sign a purchase contract.
In order to actually take possession or occupy a foreclosure, it can take some months time to achieve the sale.

FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP WITH THIS PLEASE CONTACT US

Jan Keller REALTOR®
Direct: 305-289-6623
Cell: 305-664-7069

Charlotte Porter REALTOR®
Direct: 305-289-6628
Cell: 305-393-2749

Coldwell Banker Schmitt
Office: 305-664-4470
Fax: 305-664-4111
info@kellerporterteam.com
www.kellerporterteam.com

Home Staging is something more than cleaning and decorating a house. It is about bringing complete perfection to homes so as to make them look cleaner, brighter and more attractive for homebuyers. Potential buyers decide to buy a home within a few minutes and it is in these minutes when staging really works. Want to know how to do it? Here are some simple steps:
• Clean, de-clutter and organize all rooms of a home – First of all, remove all waste products from your drawers, cabinets and other areas in order to make the house look well balanced and clean. Put away anything you don’t really need, so it doesn’t conflict with the beauty of the home.
• Address all repairs which require attention – Small cracks, gaps or holes in house walls, drawers or in any such areas can stop home buyers from buying. Check for squeaky doors, leaks, burnt out light bulbs and anything that doesn’t give the home a clean and fresh appearance.
• Give special attention to cupboards and kitchen counters – Shelves and counter tops, especially in kitchen areas must be cleaned. This is one area which can make homebuyers quickly turned off. Remove all unnecessary appliances and dishes from the counter tops, to make the kitchen appear cleaner, wider and functional.
• Try to make the bathroom and bedrooms as bare as could be – Try removing all your personal items from the bed and bathroom areas. It is essential to pack up all collectible items, children’s artwork, trophies, holiday souvenirs and family photos.
• Take professional photographs of your house. Provide professionally taken photographs for the house for potential homebuyers. This will provide them good images of your house and help close the deal.
• Make the home as bright and as good smelling to as possible – Open all drapes and blinds so as to allow natural light to come in. Add some fragrance to your house by putting up fresh flowers and candles in the dining and/or bedroom area.
• Hide any items, which you don’t wish to sell – If there are any antique or special items which you don’t want to sell then, keep it away from potential home buyers.
These steps can really help you in staging your home to sell.

Jan Keller REALTOR®
Direct: 305-289-6623
Cell: 305-664-7069

Charlotte Porter REALTOR®
Direct: 305-289-6628
Cell: 305-393-2749

Coldwell Banker Schmitt
Office: 305-664-4470
Fax: 305-664-4111
info@kellerporterteam.com
www.kellerporterteam.com

New home buyers can be overcome by the process. Families searching for a home will have to not only find a suitable house, they will have to ensure that home is both affordable and sound. That includes scheduling inspections, securing financing, choosing a title company, determining the true market value of a property and making a reasonable purchase offer.

The good news is you can have someone do this on your behalf. Otherwise, you will spend nearly every waking hour on your home search and purchase.

Here are the advantages of using an experienced real estate agent to buy your home:

Finding a home fitting your wants and needs. Though it may sound simple to browse the Internet and find several potential homes, it takes many hours. A professional real estate agent has a tool known as the “MLS” or Multiple Listing Service. This tool is exclusive to licensed agents. It allows a buyer’s agent to target specifics such as location, square footage, number of room and bathrooms and amenities.

Determining the fair market value. Just because a home is “listed” at a certain price does not mean the home will sell for that amount. Many sellers’ agents will price the home just above market value to have room to negotiate. Pricing a home over market value also helps the seller (and the seller’s agent) to maximize profits. A competent buyer’s agent will tell you what a home is really worth.

Protecting your interests. Repairs may be necessary. You need a professional that is familiar with negotiating repair costs. An experienced real estate agent will get you monetary “concessions” to make repairs yourself or will arrange for the seller to make the repairs prior to closing.

What’s more, an experienced real estate agent can point out where emotions might be driving a bad decision. Having someone to represent you will prevent a bidding war when unnecessary.

Navigating the paperwork. In the home buying process, oodles of paperwork will be involved. An experienced agent can explain and in most cases, complete the paperwork for you.

Expertise at the right price. You won’t have to pay a commission to your buying agent. The seller must pay both his agent and yours. For no cost, your agent will identify possible code problems, ensure a smooth closing and keep records throughout the process.

With an experienced buyer’s agent, the home buying process can pleasant and sound.

Jan Keller REALTOR®
Direct: 305-289-6623
Cell: 305-664-7069

Charlotte Porter REALTOR®
Direct: 305-289-6628
Cell: 305-393-2749

Coldwell Banker Schmitt
Office: 305-664-4470
Fax: 305-664-4111
info@kellerporterteam.com
www.kellerporterteam.com