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Travis Broadwater

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Should You Buy Now?

06-08-10
Travis Broadwater

Should You Buy Now?

Even though the federal tax credits have expired, it is still wiser to buy now than rent. You get a tax write off and build appreciation instead of throwing money away each month. Home prices are so affordable today it is a good time to take advantage of the buyer’s market conditions with low interest rates and an abundance of properties to select from. Buyers can find great deals on distressed short sales, foreclosure auction properties and REO’s (real estate owned), including single-family homes, multi-family dwellings, townhouse, condos and commercial apartment buildings in all areas and price ranges.

If a large down payment is preventing you from buying, you can purchase an owner occupied property (single-family home -4 units) with an FHA loan that only requires a minimum of a 3.5% down payment. However, if you are going for traditional financing or buying non-owner occupied investment property, then you will need at least a 20% -30% down payment and good credit. If you have less than perfect credit, you may want to investigate seller financing or a rent to own program.

So the first decision you need to make is what type of property you want to buy and how you intend on using it. Intended uses including:

· Residing in the property

· Renting it out

· Holding on to it

· Flipping it

· Lease optioning

Be sure to line up your financing right away so you are ready to make an offer when you find the right opportunity.

Timing is everything in buying and selling real estate, and right now is a great time to buy, especially foreclosure real estate. Foreclosures are sold at discounted prices, and you get a property with built in equity. One thing for certain is real estate appreciates over time. With affordable prices, all time low interest rates and abundant inventory, there is no reason not to buy.


Travis Broadwater

Broadwater Properties


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Opera Browser Available For The iPhone?

02-11-10
Travis Broadwater

Opera Browser Coming to iPhone

opera on iphoneIf you want to browse the web on your iPhone (or iPod Touch or the upcoming iPad), the only option is the built-in Safari browser because Apple, until now, won’t approve other browser apps in their iTunes store.

Opera, hoping that Apple will change their policy, has developed a version of the Opera Mini browser for the iPhone and they’ll showing a preview of this iPhone App during the Mobile World Congress that happens in Barcelona next week.

An email from Opera PR says:

“We are thrilled to offer journalists and partners an exclusive preview of Opera Mini for iPhone during the year’s biggest mobile event,” said Jon von Tetzchner, Co-founder, Opera Software.

Safari vs. Opera for iPhone

Opera says Opera Mini for iPhone offers up to six times faster download speeds than Apple’s own browser, and up to 10 times smaller data traffic.

The Opera Mini for iPhone will only be shown to members of the press but Apple will have to approve the app for everyone else to experience Opera on their iPods and iPhones.

That may not happen anytime soon as Opera is yet to submit their Opera Mini iPhone App to the Apple App Store for approval.

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Finding The Time To Blog

01-31-10
Travis Broadwater

Finding The Time To Blog

Dear Blog,

I must apologize for my lack of commitment lately. Between prospecting for new clients and trying to keep my closings on track I just haven't had time to fill you in on my day-to-day activities. I promise I can change, can you forgive me?

Sincerely,

Travis

Now that I have taken care of the apologies, lets get to the point! I often find myself "blogging" great topics in my head, unfortunately I must admit, not even half make it to my laptop and ultimately to the internet where they belong. My problem lies in finding the time to actually sit down and just get to work.

Well this year I have finally decided to make blogging a priority as so many of you already have. In my "planning" I have made a list of three ideal times and places where I might be able to sneak a few paragraphs without effecting my day dramatically and I would like to share them with you. Please feel free to comment with your preferred "quick blog" places as well, I need all the help I can get!

1. On an airplane/trip- Use those dreadful hours in the air to get ahead on your blog. (I'm on a plane back to Pittsburgh right now, so it works!)

2. Meals out- Anytime you find yourself eating lunch or dinner alone, take your laptop or net book along. Many area's and restaurants provide free wifi. That means when your finished blogging (& eating) you can publish it immediately. Instant gratification.

3. Waiting- Blog while waiting on clients, kids, or your spouse. Especially in the car, trade in those 5 min of mediocre radio play for 5 minutes blogging whats on your mind. It makes the time fly by and does not cut into your daily schedule.

With some simple planning blogging can be a quick and easy method to advance your career and hopefully land some clients as well. So get out there and blog already!

Travis Broadwater

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Tips to a Homeowner when reducing listing price

11-18-08
Travis Broadwater

I recently recieved an email from a local FSBO asking me a question I generally do not answer unless its asked by one of my sellers. I guess I was feeling nice that day, or maybe I just hope to eventually claim the listing but here was my response to him.

When reducing the price of a property there are a few things I recommend to keep it "fresh".

1. As noted in a previous post, a new picture is always a good start. Possibly a different front angle or just a better overall shot (almost all listing photos I see can be improved, including my own). This is especially effective when the seasons have changed since the original shots were taken.

2. If you are not using a Realtor you should be. But if for some reason you disagree, you absolutely need to get your home on the MLS. Some areas have companies that will list your home on the MLS for a low set fee. Fact is, the most powerful marketing tool available is the MLS.

3. Sometimes I use the phrase "New Price!" across the top of my listing photos in print advertising. I find that people are more drawn to it than when using "Price Reduced". It may have to do with the fact that people scan ad's looking for "New Listing" and the word new catches the eye.

4. Keep doing everything you have been doing and be sure to update the price on all the sites you are already using. Find a few more to use, you can never be on to many websites.

5. Make the price change once. If you have come to the conclusion that you are priced higher than you should be than you probably have had your house on the market awhile with no luck. If you are serious about selling your house, price it aggressively now. This is not a market where you are going to get lucky and make a million selling your house. You do not want to have to update 30 websites again next month when you realize you need another reduction.

I hope some of these ideas will help a fellow Realtor! Happy Selling!

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