Donna Gallegos

ACCORDING TO SELLERS, SILENCE ISN'T ALWAYS 'GOLDEN'

When trying to sell a home, silence isn't always golden especially when you're expecting your real estate agent to call. In fact, it's one of the leading complaints among sellers in the real estate market. Often times you find an agent who is more than willing to take on your listing, but once the relationship is made, the seller enjoys getting a call at least once a week.

"A seller should establish with the agent up front the expectation that regular communication will occur. Even if it's just to check-in, the seller will be more satisfied being kept 'in the loop'," said Donna Gallegos with Century 21 AmeriSouth in Pensacola, Florida.

Keeping the communication lines open between the two parties assures the seller that the agent is keeping them apprised of any and all offers. In addition, agents often provide valuable tips on why prospective buyers weren't interested. Often times, an agent is privy to the buyer's dislikes of the property. For instance 'this room's too dark' or 'the kitchen has a funny smell.' This allows the agent to give the seller constructive feedback and offer important tips on how to make the home more attractive to future buyers.

If you're a seller and are not hearing from your broker, be sure to keep calling them until they get the message that you expect a regular update. If the broker doesn't return your calls, leave a message for your broker's office manager. The manager will see to it that your broker becomes more attentive to your listing.

Selling a home can be a lot of work and sometimes quite stressful. It is incumbent upon an agent to satisfy the seller's expectations of routine updates, this will ensure the possibility of future business not to mention a successful sale. Furthermore, as a seller you must demand the communication exchange between you and your agent. If both parties work in a cooperative effort, the selling experience will be more successful and enjoyable for both the agent and the seller involved.

Florida Housing Launches Statewide Hardest-Hit Fund Program (HHF)

Help is on the way for thousands of Florida unemployed or underemployed home owners who are struggling to avoid foreclosure. on Tuesday, April 5, Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) announced that home owners who are having difficulty paying their mortgages, will be able to apply for financial assistance from the Florida Hardest-Hit Fund (HHF) beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 18.

Steve Auger, executive director of Florida Housing said on Tuesday “For the homeowners who qualify, this temporary relief from their mortgage payments will provide some ‘breathing room’ so they can focus on becoming re-employed at a level that will allow them to resume making payments on their own.”

On April 18th, 2011, troubled homeowners in all 67 Florida counties who want to apply for HHF assistance will be able to do so. Because of the red tape and massive paperwork involved, I suggest home owners consult a licensed Florida Realtor to help in navigating the process and the paperwork.

Florida homeowners BEWARE! There are several “imposter” and “copycat” websites posing as HHF application sites have been identified. Once the application process opens, applicants are strongly encouraged to verify that the website they are using is, in fact, the official Florida HHF website before providing their personal information. If applicants are suspicious about a website, they can submit an anonymous report on the official HHF website by clicking the “Report Fraud” link on the homepage. Also, they may call the Florida HHF Information Line at 1-877-863-5244 to ensure they are using the correct website address. Application for the Florida Hardest-Hit Fund program is FREE-OF-CHARGE, and applicants will not be asked to pay for any eligibility determination services in conjunction with applying for the program.

Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) was directed by Treasury to use a portion of these funds specifically for targeted unemployment programs that provide temporary assistance to eligible homeowners. These targeted unemployment programs are as follows:

• Unemployment Mortgage Assistance Program (UMAP) will provide up to six (6) months of payments (with a cap of $12,000) to the mortgage lender to assist unemployed/underemployed borrowers with their first mortgage until they can resume full payments on their own.

• Mortgage Loan Reinstatement Payment (MLRP) Program will be used to bring a delinquent mortgage current (up to $6,000) for a homeowner who has returned to work or recovered from underemployment.

Homeowners from across the state will be able to submit applications via the HHF website. For additional information (including detailed eligibility criteria) and/or to apply for these programs visit the HHF website at www.FLHardestHitHelp.org. or call a licensed Florida Realtor.

A total of 15,550 existing single-family homes sold statewide in December, up 4 percent from the 14,923 homes sold in December 2009. The statewide existing home median sales price last month was $133,100; in December ’09 it was $139,800 for a 5 percent decrease, according to Florida Realtors’ data. However, December’s statewide existing home median price was higher than the $132,700 reported in November 2010.

The national median existing single-family home price was $171,300 in November, according to the latest data available from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. In December, 12 of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported higher existing home sales and 14 MSAs reported higher existing condos sales.

In the year-to-year comparison for statewide existing condo sales, a total of 6,673 units changed hands last month, up 12 percent from the 5,955 condos sold in December 2009. The statewide existing condo median sales price in December was $88,100; in December ’09 it was $106,700 for a 17 percent decrease. The national median existing condo price was $165,300 in November, according to NAR. Looking back on 2010, Florida’s existing home sales rose 5 percent for the year, with a total of 170,848 homes sold compared to 162,873 homes sold in 2009. Statewide existing home sales activity in 2010 also was 37.5 percent higher than 2008 statewide sales, records show.

The statewide existing home median price for 2010 was $136,500; it was $142,500 in 2009 for a 4 percent decrease. “It’s encouraging to close out the year for Florida’s housing market with increased sales activity,” said 2011 Florida Realtors President Patricia “Pat” S. Fitzgerald, manager/broker-associate with Illustrated Properties in Hobe Sound. “The homebuyer tax credits helped to fuel home and condo sales during the first half of 2010, while favorable affordability conditions and historically low mortgage rates continued to bring buyers into the market in the waning months of the year. “Looking to the future, 2011 is going to be a year of opportunity for buyers and sellers,” Fitzgerald added. “Industry analysts report seeing steady economic improvements, including more jobs and stronger consumer confidence, which will have a positive, stabilizing impact on the housing market.”

Source: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=253201

Stonechase is a lovely Gated community located in Pace Florida. It is located just north of Pensacola, Florida and adjacent to Escambia Bay and the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area. The Escambia River has the richest collection of freshwater fish of any river in Florida, including numerous sport-fish species, and the bays and sugar white beaches offer a wide variety of water activities for nature and sun lovers.

Blackwater River State Forest is located about 25 miles from Stonechase, where you will find exceptional forest and water resources with recreational activities such as hiking, swimming, camping, canoeing, fishing, hunting, nature study, mountain biking and horseback riding.

The area offers so many amenities for fun, education and enjoyment for residents who say they live in paradise on the Florida Gulf Coast. In Stonechase and other communities, Celebrity Homes custom builds beautiful, top quality homes priced from the low $140’s that fit well into each lovely landscaped community. The new homeowner can choose from communities in Pensacola, Florida and Pace, Florida,

You can choose to buy a completed home or choose from dozens of options and floor plans should you choose to have a home built. Depending on the stage of construction, you may be able to choose your:

Carpet

Vinyl

Ceramic Tile

Counter Tops

Cabinet Style & Color

Fireplace Front is Ceramic Tile

Brick Roof Color

The prices of a Celebrity home include the following features which may be additional costs if you choose another contractor:

• MOST Closing Costs PAID! (when mortgaged with Celebrity approved lenders)

• 10 Year Bonded Builders Warranty

• All Homes Meet NEW RIGID Hurricane Codes

• Energy Saving Ridge and Soffit Vents

• Energy Saving R-38 Ceiling Insulation

• Energy Saving R-13 Exterior Wall Insulation

• Energy Saving Double-Pane Windows with Tilt Sash

• Energy Saving Insulated Exterior Doors

• Brick Exterior on Most Plans (your choice of color)

• 20 Year Fiberglass Shingles (your choice of color)

• All Walls Framed with 2X4 Lodge Pole 16" O.C. Studs

• All Wood Baseboards and Window Sills Two Exterior Electrical Outlets and Two Exterior Water Faucets

• Fireplace with Mantels, Glass Doors, Fan Kits, and Outside Air Source (most plans)

• Large Owner's Bedroom Suite Curtain Blocking at All Windows

• Large 20X12 Patios (most plans)

• Smoke Alarms in All Bedrooms

• Noise Reduction Insulation Around Baths and Utility Rooms

• Common Key Safety Deadbolt Locks All Exterior Doors

• Self Cleaning Kenmore Range (your choice of color)

• Quality Kenmore Dishwasher (your choice of color)

• Kitchen Pre-Plumbed For Ice Maker

• Bedroom Ceiling Lights Reinforced For Future Fans

• 110 Watt Copper Wiring and Copper Water Supply Pipes

• Garage Pre-Wired for Garage Opener

• Pull Down Attic Stairs with Light and Switch in Attic

• Raised Panel Foam Core Steel Insulated Garage Doors

CALL DONNA TODAY AND SPEND A FEW HOURS VISITING THE COMMUNITY OF YOUR CHOICE AT 850-712-1490 OR EMAIL FOR FREE LISTINGS AND A FREE 32 PAGE PENSACOLA, FLORIDA BUYERS GUIDE PCOLAAGENT@YAHOO.COM

With so many different aspects of purchasing a home to worry about, title insurance can sometimes seem like a mysterious extra expense for buyers. The purchase of title insurance can end up saving you thousands of dollars and can prevent potential problems in the future.

• Title insurance guarantees that no one else can claim your property.

• Title Insurance provides the peace of mind that you will not incur unexpected debts from your new property.

Even if you have owned your property for years, unexpected problems can arise that may put your ownership in jeopardy.

• Title Insurance ensures that your purchase has a clean, clear title.

The title insurance policy means that your lender can be reassured regarding their loan, and you can be reassured regarding possible problems with your property.

There are numerous problems that can arise when buying a property. A previous owner could have taken out a loan on the property, which would become the new owner's debt. In a separation or divorce, the previous owner could have taken out a mortgage without the knowledge of their partner. A lost heir could appear and stake a claim to the property.

• Title insurance protects new owners from all of these claims.

In Florida, title insurance ensures that your property has ingress and egress (you have access on and off the property ) and it is not considered landlocked.

If one of these issues occur and you are without title insurance, you could be forced to move out or find that selling is impossible. You could also legally be required to pay a debt on a property that is no longer yours. If you have fee title insurance, the title company will handle any litigation or payments towards your case. In the very rare case of title loss on your property, the title company can pay you or buy the mortgage from the bank.