Sherry Armstrong Daytona Beach FL real estate

As reported on CFNews13, 2 disaster recovery centers are now open in Volusia County. Teams are walking the streets in some of the hardest hit areas to check on damages and get aid information to the victims. In some of the areas, flood victims can use their cell phones to contact FEMA disaster assitance.

Here are the details:

Apply For Disaster Aid

Volusia County residents can apply online for the assistance or by calling (800) 621-FEMA.

Residents must bring the following items with them to the centers or when calling the FEMA hotline:

• Contact information (name, address, etc.)
• Social Security Number
• Household income information/number of people in household
• Insurance information
• Description of damage to home/business as a result of the rainfall event

Disaster recovery centers are open at:

• Holly Hill Recreation Center, 1046 Daytona Ave. in Holly Hill
• Dickerson Center, 308 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Daytona Beach

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
www.sherryarmstrong.com

RisMedia recently ran a story on the trends already established by the Gen Y'rs, who are 72 million strong, just in the US, and 2 billion globally. They were born between 1978-1987, and are becoming a very strong economic force. We as Realtors need to adapt our strategies to fit their needs - just as we have to their parents, the Baby Boomers.

These are the trends identified by RisMedia:

1. Fast-paced and tech savvy: they are AC, not BC (before computers). They grew up with video games, the web, and fast access to tons of information. They expect this speed from those they work with, and this same knowledge of technology. To work with Gen Y, we need to be accessible, quick to respond, be active in social networks, online ads, blogs, YouTube, etc.

2. Confident & prepared: The "millennials" know how to use these computer resources to find information, so will already know market information, sales data, school comparables, and more. We can't assume we are the only purveyor of this local knowledge any more, nor will our familiarity with that area be perceived as particularly valuable. We will need to demonstrate expertise in local issues, local businesses, local benefits.

3. Tasts and priorities differ: Their dream home is no longer a ranch in the suburbs on 1/2 acre. Condos and townhomes close to shoppoing, work, and entertainment are more desirable. Definitely, their home has to be wired and have all the current technology available. As the country becomes greener, this will become more important in their choice of place and style - so low maintenance, economy of scale - these will become strong themes.

One-third of the Millennium Generation is minorities. Adapting to diverse styles, backgrounds, tastes and needs will represent both an opportunity and challenge for us as real estate professionals.

If you are a Gen Y'r, contact me for information on our Daytona Beach lifestyle.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com

Read more at RisMedia.

Florida's existing home sales rose in April - the eighth consecutive month that sales activity increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR). April's statewide sales showed gains over the previous month's sales level in both the existing home and existing condominium markets.

Florida Realtors also reported a 21 percent rise in statewide sales of existing condos in April; existing condo sales last month increased 6.2 percent over the total units sold in March. Fourteen of Florida's metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased existing-home sales in April, including Daytona Beach. The number of single family home sales in Daytona rose 10%, while the median price decreased 29%.

In Florida's year-to-year comparison for condos, 4,660 units sold statewide compared to 3,862 units in April 2008 for a 21 percent increase. The statewide existing condo median sales price last month was $106,600; in April 2008 it was $178,900 for a 40 percent decrease. In the latest data available at press time, NAR reported the national median existing condo price was $177,600 in March 2009. In Daytona Beach, the number of condo sales decreased 6% from April, 2008, and the median sales price decreased 22%.

Contact me for a complete real estate market analysis of any area in Daytona Beach and surrounding communities.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
www.sherryarmstrong.com
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com

I got some really sad news today.  I've been working with a seller on a home in Daytona Beach for 9 months, in a short sale situation.  The husband died a very sad and painful death. The wife took care of him until that day. She wasn’t able to work because of his needs. She went home to be with her family as she had no means to support herself here. She has been looking for work out of state since July 2008 and hasn’t found a single job. She lowered the price and lowered the price.  True, it's a fixer but at a price of $59,900, an investor would have plenty of room to improve the property and rent it out for more than mortgage payments.  It's a single family home with land underneath it - not a condo, no maintenance fees. 

So we found a buyer, and it's been in escrow about a month.  Today the seller's lender told me foreclosure is tomorrow.  They won't wait for the sale to close.

There are always two sides to every story, but it seems to me everyone noq loses in this transaction:  the seller, certainly, who will have a foreclosure on her credit history; the buyer, who had made a commitment and moved forward with plans to purchase; the lender, which will have the cost of foreclosure, the liability of an empty house, and one with repairs needed; and - of course - the realtor, who worked hard to put a deal together.  After 9 months of reducing the price, does the bank really think it can sell it at auction for more than list price and recoup their legal fees and foreclosure expenses too? 

Real estate transactions in Daytona Beach will be largely short sales and preforeclosures for some time to come.  I would hope sellers would be honest with their realtors from the beginning and throughout the listing about their financial situation.  And I hope lenders can be more sympathetic and realistic in the future.  Isn't that the foundation and purpose of the national mortgage recovery plan, to help the borrower? 

I'll go on to my next listing and next escrow, but the seller in this transaction won't be able to walk away from her credit record any time soon, and will probably always wonder what her life would be like if the bank had just given her a little more time.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor

p.s.  If you want to see what homes sell for in the Home Acres community of Daytona Beach, use this widget to search for properties for sale, courtesy of RealBird:

For those of you who haven't been watching the Florida weather this week, take a look at these photos of the Daytona Beach International Speedway,  17.5 inches of rainfall at the Daytona Speedway.  Maybe they could run a boat race, but I don't reckon the banking would help.  5-18-09 thru 5-21-09 and still raining.

We've had fires recently so this sure takes away the fire danger.  Many folks in Volusia County have had their homes flooded, the schools were closed, roads closed, etc.  Tribulations like this bring our communities together and neighbors help each other.  It's a great place to live.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
www.sherryarmstrong.com
www.ormondbeachflhome.com
www.daytonabeachflhome.com
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com