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Levitan-McQuaid Real Estate Services

Homeowner’s Insurance Basics

Homeowner’s insurance is synonymous with buying Naples Florida real estate. It’s one of those required items that although costly can save homeowners hundreds of thousands of dollars in unforeseen situations. What many fail to comprehend is what’s actually covered under their policy and what isn’t. Here are a few tips.

Your coverage should be enough that it would allow Naples homes to be built from scratch. Instead of relying on an agent to give you the amount of coverage, get an estimate based on the square footage and how much it would cost to actually rebuild. You may also want to check out the fine print under “loss of use” as this will determine how long your insurer is required to pay your rent while your home is being rebuilt or repaired.

Always do the customary research when searching through Naples homes and the best policy. You can get quotes via the internet and it also helps tremendously if you have good credit. Also look out for common items that are not covered in many policies such as property damage from pests, mold, or even equipment intended for use as a home office.

Naples Golf Communities

Part of the appeal of choosing Naples homes is the abundance of golf courses. In fact, the so-called “Golf Capital of the World” is often considered to have the largest number of courses in the country. This distinction plus its reliance on tourism contributes heavily to the Naples economy. Here are a few of the top Naples golf communities.

Forest Glen – Besides the course itself, the single family Forest Glen homes are acclaimed for their amazing views that overlook lakes and the sprawling nature preserves.

The Quarry – This private golf community has the requisite golf course plus a pair of large lakes considered ideal for enjoying a little boating or fishing. You’ll come across a large array of property types from traditional single gamily homes and condos to villas and estates.

Wyndemere Golf & Country Club – Also a private Naples golf community, this gated neighborhood also happens to have a golf course open at all hours of the day. Similar to The Quarry, the community has condos, single family homes and villas, albeit at much more varied prices.

For more information on this topic, visit Naples real estate .

The Truth about Short Sales

Short sales are nearly as commonplace as foreclosures, affecting owners of Naples homes and tons of homeowners around the country. In a nutshell, a short sale occurs when a lender accepts a payoff that’s less than the amount owed on the property. Although it’s gained traction as a better option than foreclosing, short sales do have their own caveats many homeowners fail to take into account.

Credit will not go unscathed. At the end of the day, you will still be considered a financial delinquent regardless of whether you foreclose or do a short sale. However, if you were responsible with your credit prior to a short sale, your credit won’t be affected as badly.

That unpaid balance might still need to be paid back. It’s not unusual for banks to try and get back the money they lost on the short sale. Be aware of what you’re signing and if necessary, consult an attorney or talk with the bank so you don’t end up agreeing to pay back this balance.

There is little time for recovery. For the most part foreclosures take a considerable amount of time to process before you find yourself out of your home. Short sales are relatively quick so you’ll have significantly less time to get your bearings and your finances together.

First Time Buying Opportunities Abound

In the current market for Naples homes, time truly is of the essence. Homes that once commanded a 200,000+ price tag can be had for nearly half that price and the people responsible for this are none other than first time buyers.

Numbers show that first time buyers were responsible for a little more than half of the home sales that occurred in the month of March. This figure is actually higher than the typical forty or so percent and reinforces the dominance first time buyers have in the existing market. Analysts believe that these figures will further increase as the year progresses.

Low prices for Naples homes, buying incentives, all of these factors continue to spur first time buyers in spite of the issues that remain a problem like foreclosures and the continued uncertainty of when prices will stabilize. Even with these problems, people who could only dream of someday owning their home are now seeing their dream become a reality.

Impressing Naples Buyers

Sellers trying to find buyers for their Naples homes know that current market conditions are heavily skewed towards said buyers. Even though it’s taking a lot longer to actually get homes sold, sellers needn’t worry too much. With a few renovations that leave a distinct impression, you can make your home stand out amongst the crowd and improve your odds.

For example, more and more buyers are placing strong emphasis on environmentally friendly Naples homes so consider including some energy efficient appliances or renovations that are designed to reduce your home’s carbon footprint. Also experiment with crown molding and wider baseboards as this can dramatically improve the look of an otherwise conventional room.

A fresh coat of paint with some texture can do wonders for Naples homes but always make sure that you remain neutral in your color selections and are catering to the broadest audience. If money allows you may also wish to consider improving the flooring as dirt, chipping or tears will give off the impression of the home being unkempt.