No kidding, Cape Deb is “the best of the best”. She knows the Cape Coral area – not only is she a resident of NW, but she takes great pride in this “top 5 rated place to retire in the United States” (according to money magazine). She knows the real estate market in SW Florida. Deb will take your call and respond 7 days a week – anytime any place – from the car, the office, the boat, or the beach. If she doesn’t have an answer, she’ll find out fast. She knows how to handle all types of real estate situations including short sales, like she did for me. Make her your real estate agent – you will be delighted! I am, Denis Catalano

Cape Coral Police have a website where you can map criminal incidents.

Check out www.CapeCops.com

The Cape Coral Police Department says the map is updated in real time and includes assaults, homicides, thefts, robberies & burglaries, and other misc crimes.

Thanks Cape Coral Police for doing a fantastic job of keeping our City safe and keeping us informed.

Newly released by the Realtor® Association of Greater Fort Myers & the Beach, Inc:

February 2010

In February, our members sold 1,141 single-family homes, which is 21.9% above last year and 12% above the prior month. The median price of a single family home in the Greater Fort Myers area was $85,000, down 5.6% from $90,000 a year ago due to the continued influence of distressed properties on the market. Buyers from around the country (and the world) continue to be attracted to our area because of the affordability, the low interest rates and the looming deadline for the home buyer tax credit.

January 2010

In January, a total of 1,079 homes were sold by members of the MLS, which is 22.5 percent more homes than the previous January. 1,799 pending sales were recorded, which is 29.8 percent lower than January 2009 and 48.2 percent lower than the prior month. The decline in pending home sales resulted in the months of inventory growing from 2.0 months in December to 4.1 months in January – this figure is still below what is considered to be a balanced market – 5-6 months of available inventory.

December 2009:

Members of the Association closed 1,340 single family home sales in December, bringing the total for 2009 to 16,789; this is a 91.4 percent increase vs. 2008 when 8,768 homes were sold.  Of the December sales, 48.3 percent were bank-owned, 18.2% were short sales and the remaining traditional sales made up 33.4 %. The median price was $89,929, which is 8.0 percent lower than the prior December; however, the median price continues to be driven down by the number of bank-owned and short sales properties. During Quarter 4, the median price for traditional sales was $135,000 (a 3.5 % decrease from the prior quarter), for bank-owned sales it was $69,900 (up 2.7 %) and the median price for short sales was $94,950 (up 6.6 % from last quarter).

You can have some of this FABULOUS weather too but you better hurry.  Paradise is selling fast!

There are currently:

• 2414 single family homes for sale in Cape Coral, FL
• 1402 homes have sold in the past three months

That leaves us with an absorption rate of: 5.1 months

What does that mean?

Let’s say that not another house went on the market.  How long would it take to sell the existing inventory?  Only 5.1 months….

Rule of thumb:

• A ‘normal’ real estate market (if there is such a thing) has an absorption rate of 6%
• When is it a buyers market?  When the absorption rate is over 6 %
• When is it a sellers market?  When the absorption rate is under 6%

The tide has turned…but the deals are still available.  But  RUN don’t walk…..

Paradise is selling fast!

The tide has turned…but there are still deals available.

There are currently:

2382 single family homes for sale in Cape Coral, FL

1504 homes have sold in the past three months

That leaves us with an absorption rate of: 4.7 months

What does that mean?

Let’s say that not another house went on the market.  How long would it take to sell the existing inventory?  Only 4.7 months….

Rule of thumb:

A ‘normal’ real estate market (if there is such a thing) has an absorption rate of 6%

When is it a buyers market?  When the absorption rate is over 6 %

When is it a sellers market?  When the absorption rate is under 6%

You can have some of this FABULOUS weather too but you better hurry.

RUN don’t walk…..

Paradise is selling fast!

Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA)

Wow!  New Housing Guidelines announced yesterday by the Obama Administration….
–Allows borrowers to receive pre-approved short sale terms before they list the property
-Prohibits servicers from requiring a reduction in commission (up to a certain percent)
-Requires borrowers to be fully released from future liability for the 1st mtg debt
-Provided financial incentives: 1,500 for borrower relocation assistance, 1,000 for servicers to cover admin and processing costs, and $1,000 for investors.
Program does not take effect until 4/5/10 but servicers may implement it before then if they meet certain requirements.  Program expires 12/31/12
What do you think about them apples?…

1. Check for and correct errors in your credit report. Mistakes happen, and you could be paying for someone else’s poor financial management.

2. Pay down credit card bills. If possible, pay off the entire balance every month. However, transferring credit card debt from one card to another could lower your score.

3. Don’t charge your credit cards to the maximum limit.

4. Wait 12 months after credit difficulties to apply for a mortgage. You’re penalized less for problems after a year.

5. Don’t purchase big-ticket items for your new home on credit cards until after the loan is approved. The amounts will add to your debt.

6. Don’t open new credit card accounts before applying for a mortgage. Having too much available credit can lower your score.

7. Shop for mortgage rates all at once. Too many credit applications can lower your score, but multiple inquiries from the same type of lender are counted as one inquiry if submitted over a short period of time.

8. Avoid finance companies. Even if you pay the loan on time, the interest is high and it will probably be considered a sign of poor credit management.

This information is copyrighted by the Fannie Mae Foundation and is used with permission of the Fannie Mae Foundation. To obtain a complete copy of the publication, “Knowing and Understanding Your Credit,” visit http://www.homebuyingguide.org.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Get prequalified for a mortgage. You’ll be able to make a firm commitment to buy and make your offer more desirable to the seller.

Stay in close touch with your real estate sales associate to find out first about new listings that come on the market. And be ready to go see a house as soon as it goes on the market.

Scout out new listings yourself. Look at Internet sites, newspaper ads, and drive by the neighborhood frequently. Maybe you’ll see a brand-new “for sale” sign before anyone else.

Be ready to make a decision. Spend lots of time in advance deciding what you must have so you won’t be unsure when you have the chance to make an offer.

Bid competitively. You may not want to start out offering the absolute highest price you can afford, but don’t try to go too low to get a deal. In a tight market, you’ll lose out.

Keep contingencies to a minimum. Restrictions such as needing to sell your home before you move or wanting to delay the closing until a certain date can make your offer unappealing. In a tight market, you’ll probably be able to sell your house rapidly. Or talk to your lender about getting a bridge loan to cover both mortgages for a short period.

Don’t get caught in a buying frenzy. Just because there’s competition doesn’t mean you should just buy anything. And even though you want to make your offer attractive, don’t neglect inspections that help ensure that your house is sound.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Selling or buying a home is time consuming. Even in a strong market, homes in our area stay on the market for an average of ____ days. And it usually takes another 60 days or so for the transaction to close after an offer is accepted.
Real estate has its own language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with someone who speaks that language.
REALTORS have done it before. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. And even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. That’s why having an expert on your side is critical.

REALTORS provide objectivity. Since a home often symbolizes family, rest, and security, not just four walls and roof, homeselling or buying is often a very emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you keep focused on both the business and emotional issues most important to you.

REALTORS are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, a trade organization of more than 1 million members nationwide. REALTORS subscribe to a stringent code of ethics that helps guarantee the highest level of service and integrity.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.

Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to store belongings.

Outdoor space. Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. However, if you hate yard work, this may be the perfect option for you.

Amenities. Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home.

Maintenance. Many condos have onsite maintenance personnel to care for common areas, do repairs in your unit, and let in workers when you’re not home.

Security. Many condos have keyed entries and or even door attendants. Plus, you’ll be closer to other people in case of an emergency.

Reserve funds and association fees. Although fees generally help pay for amenities and provide savings for future repairs, you will have to pay the fees agreed to by the condo board, whether or not you’re interested in the amenity or not.

Resale. The ease of selling your unit is more dependent on what else is for sale in your building, since units are usually fairly similar. Single-family homes usually are more individual.

Freedom. Although you have a vote, the rules of the condo association can affect your ability to use your property. For example, some condos prohibit home-based businesses. Others prohibit pets. Read the covenants, restrictions, and bylaws of the condo carefully before you make an offer.

Proximity. You’re much closer to your neighbors in a condo or townhome. If possible, try to meet your closest prospective neighbors before making a decision.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Make a list of the activities—movies, health club, church—you engage in regularly and stores you visit frequently. See how far you would have to travel from each neighborhood you’re considering to engaging in your most common activities.

Check out the school district. The Department of Education in your town can probably provide information on test scores, class size, percentage of students who attend college, and special enrichment programs. If you have school-age children, also consider paying a visit to schools in the neighborhoods you’re considering. Even if you don’t have children, a house in a good school district will be easier to sell in the future.

Find out if the neighborhood is safe. Ask the police department for neighborhood crime statistics. Consider not only the number of crimes but also the type—burglaries, armed robberies—and the trend of increasing or decreasing crime. Also, is crime centered in only one part of the neighborhood, such as near a retail area?

Determine if the neighborhood is economically stable. Check with your local city economic development office to see if income and property values in the neighborhood are stable or rising. What is the percentage of homes to apartments? Apartments don’t necessarily diminish value, but they do mean a more transient population. Do you see vacant businesses or homes that have been for sale for months?

See if you’ll make money. Ask a local REALTOR or call the local REALTOR association to get information about price appreciation trends in the neighborhood. Although past performance is no guarantee of future results, this information may give you a sense of how good an investment your home will be. A REALTOR or the government planning agency also may be able to tell you about planned developments or other changes in the neighborhood—like a new school or highway—that might affect value.

See for yourself. Once you’ve narrowed your focus to two or three neighborhoods, go there, and walk around. Are homes tidy and well maintained? Are streets quiet? Pick a warm day if you can and chat with people working or playing outside. Are they friendly? Are their children to play with your family?

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

While your opinions on the type of home you want to own may change during the homebuying process, use this easy checklist to help you prioritize and make the shopping process less time consuming.

• How close do you need to be to: (a) public transportation _______ (b) schools _______
  (c) airport _______ (d) expressway _______ (e) neighborhood shopping _______
  (f) other_______?
• What neighborhoods would you prefer?
• What school systems do you want to be near?
• What architectural style(s) of homes do you prefer?
• Do you want a one-story or two-story house?
• How old a home would you consider?
• How much repair or renovation would you be willing to do?
• Do you have special facilities or needs that your home must meet?
• Do you require a fenced yard or other amenities for your pets?

Prioritize each of these options into	Must have	Would prefer
Yard (at least_________)
Garage (size________)
Patio/Deck
Pool
Bedrooms (number_________)
Bathrooms (number_________)
Family room
Formal living room
Formal dining room
Eat-in kitchen
Laundry room
Basement
Attic
Fireplace
Spa in bath
Air conditioning
Wall-to-wall carpet
Hardwood floors
View
Light (windows)
Shade

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® ]]> http://capedeb.com/index.php/2009/12/your-property-wish-list/feed/ 0 http://capedeb.com/index.php/2009/12/5-factors-that-decide-your-credit-score/ http://capedeb.com/index.php/2009/12/5-factors-that-decide-your-credit-score/#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:11:09 +0000 CapeDeb http://capedeb.com/wordpress/?p=94 Credit scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. These factors will affect your score.

Your payment history. Whether you paid credit card obligations on time.
How much you owe. Owing a great deal of money on numerous accounts can indicate that you are overextended.
The length of your credit history. In general, the longer the better.
How much new credit you have. New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay promptly.
The types of credit you use. Generally, it’s desirable to have more than one type of credit—installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example.
For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score, go to http://www.myfico.com.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

2. Reduce your debt. Generally speaking, lenders look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income. Since this figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 percent and 28 percent of income, you need to get the rest of installment debt—car loans, student loans, revolving balances on credit cards—down to between 8 percent and 10 percent of your total income.

3. Get a handle on expenses. You probably know how much you spend on rent and utilities, but little expenses add up. Try writing down everything you spend for one month. You’ll probably see some great ways to save.

4. Increase your income. It may be necessary to take on a second, part-time job to get your income at a high-enough level to qualify for the home you want.

5. Save for a downpayment. Although it’s possible to get a mortgage with only 5 percent down—or even less in some cases—you can usually get a better rate and a lower overall cost if you put down more. Shoot for saving a 20 percent downpayment.

6. Create a house fund. Don’t just plan on saving whatever’s left toward a downpayment. Instead decide on a certain amount a month you want to save, then put it away as you pay your monthly bills.

7. Keep your job. While you don’t need to be in the same job forever to qualify, having a job for less than two years may mean you have to pay a higher interest rate.

8. Establish a good credit history. Get a credit card and make payments by the due date. Do the same for all your other bills. Pay off the entire balance promptly

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®