When selling your home, the overall first impression is most important to prospective buyers. Don’t be surprised if your agent reminds you to tidy up before showings, make your bed, and not stuff your dirty laundry in the closet like you did when you were a teenager.

2. She takes your calls late at night.

No matter your age, clients are like agents’ babies and their nurturing instincts kick in when she sees a call come in late at night. She will most likely ask you if everything is OK before you even have a chance to speak.

3. She worries about you when you don’t respond to her many calls, texts, and emails.

You can’t hide from your Mom OR your real estate agent! Remember when you went away to college or worked a late night job, and your mom always wanted you to check in with a quick phone call from time to time? Remember how she’d think the worst when a day would pass after you didn’t return her call and she was seconds away from calling hospitals to make sure you weren’t there? Your agent is wired the same way, so just communicate to prevent any possible panic attacks, ok?

4. She teaches you how to save your money, set a budget, and help you stick to it.

Your mom taught you the value of a dollar when she paid you allowance, and an extra fifty cents to take out the garbage was an exciting bonus! She probably also helped you budget and explained taxes and savings when you started working a real job. You’re an adult now, so your mom probably doesn’t want to be seen as a nuisance meddling with your personal finances… but your agent doesn’t mind! 

Your agent wants you to know all the costs associated with any home sale or purchase, and has your best interests in mind. When you want to see homes $50K out of your budget, she’ll reel you back into reality and coach you along the way to find a home you will love—and that you can afford. 

5. She makes you do your homework.

Yes, you have homework when you’re buying a home. You’ll want to drive by any homes that interest you. You’ll want to survey the neighborhood, the convenience to schools, shopping and your workplace, and the overall curb appeal. Just like your mom reminded you to study before an exam, your agent will remind you that online photos don’t show everything and you should really check out the area first.

6. She’s a good listener.

Your mom always has time for you and will listen to you whine, complain, and share fears and excitement; she’s always there for you when you need an ear. Your agent is too, and the more you share with her, the better she will understand what you want and need, whether it’s selling or buying a home. Both mom and agent always want the best for you.

7. You drive her to drink.

Why do you think your mom always had her favorite coffee mug that wasn’t full of coffee, and a nice wine collection on display with no dust on the bottles? Or why she brought a thermos to all of your Little League games in the heat of summer? Your agent has the same mug, same wine collection, and same thermos with your name written all over ‘em. Although both have your best interests at heart, there are times that you can be quite a challenge.

8. She drives you around and not ask for gas money.

Mothers log hundreds of miles on their cars driving to and from baseball practice, dance lessons and competitions, after-school functions, summer camp, and to and from the doctor every time you had an ear infection or strep throat. Agents log even more miles, and they enjoy it because it allows quality time to discuss your home-buying wants and needs, hopes and dreams, and occasionally a chance to rock out together when a good jam comes on the radio.

9. She gives you tough love.

Mom kissed your boo-boos, and it broke her heart if you got hurt. But she didn’t hesitate to smack the back of your head if you did something stupid. She would hug you tight and smother you with kisses one minute, and the next be chasing you with a fly-swatter threatening to spank you when you acted up. Agents are the same way (minus the fly swatters), because they will tell you what you need to hear, and not always what you want to hear. 

They’ll break bad news and console you when you didn’t get the house. They’ll also give you the figurative head-smack when you need to focus and stop making stupid decisions like buying a new car a week after getting pre-approved for a loan. Or putting off seeing a home that would’ve been perfect for you (and finding out the next day it had sold). Or not doing your homework and wasting an hour of time driving to a house that backs up to a power plant with the county jail next door. Just listen and do everything your agent advises, and all should be hunky dory. 

10. She’s both happy and sad when you move on, but ultimately is proud to see you pursue your dreams and to have been part of the journey.

Moms go through “empty nest syndrome” when you leave home, and they cry and cry and miss you more than you can imagine when you’re gone. They know they’ll see you again, and they beam with pride when you leave for college. Or buy your first home. Or get married and move out. But they’re also so sad inside because they know you’re all grown up now and don’t need them as much anymore. 

Real estate agents go through this too. After spending weeks or months with a client, bonding with them, creating memories, and sharing in their joy of buying or selling a home, all the phone calls and meetings end when the home closes and they’re no longer needed. 

The best thing you can do to make each of them feel better is this:

Call your mom and remind her you love her, and send your agent referrals to remind her she was awesome!

The post 10 Ways Your Real Estate Agent Is Like Your Mother appeared first on | Florida Real Estate Advisor.

However, with the increased demand for housing in Miami, prices have been steadily rising. The limited inventory of available homes for rent and sale has further contributed to the price increases. Despite the high prices, some overpriced homes may stay listed longer than expected as renters and buyers resist certain prices.

Nevertheless, Miami remains an attractive destination for people from all walks of life. From young professionals looking to start their careers to retirees seeking a sunny place to settle down, Miami has something for everyone. So if you’re looking to rent or buy a home in Miami, be prepared for a competitive market and high prices, but also be excited for the many opportunities and experiences that this vibrant city has to offer.

The post Residential rental demand in Miami stays hot appeared first on | Florida Real Estate Advisor.

Not if your home appraisal comes in significantly lower than the accepted offer. Even if you think your offer is fair, it doesn’t matter to your mortgage lender. If you receive a low appraisal, chances are you won’t be approved for the full amount of your loan. And if the seller’s unwilling to lower the price, you’ll have to make up the difference.

According to Fannie Mae, about 10% of home appraisals come in low. If it happens to you, it doesn’t mean your dream is doomed. Here are the four options you have when you receive an appraisal below your offer price, plus insight into the chances for success in each case.

1. Appeal the appraisal

Appealing what you consider to be an unjust appraisal requires a concerted effort, but it is doable.

“In order to appeal an appraisal, you will have to request a copy of the appraisal report,” says Carter Crowley, co-owner and acquisition manager at CB Home Solutions in Wisconsin. “This way, you can check the details and find concrete evidence of any miscalculation. It works all the time if discrepancies are found.”

Errors and discrepancies are more common than you might think.

“There are sometimes errors to the processing, such as failing to include certain sources of income or incorrect comparables used in the comparison,” says Joel Camino, CEO and founder of Indiana’s Next Modular. “In these cases, if you can provide evidence to support your claim, then it may be possible to have the appraisal revisited and a revised result given.”

Chances of success: It’s hit or miss. While errors aren’t unheard of, Jonathan Faccone, managing member and founder of New Jersey’s Halo Homebuyers, says that “the success rate [of appeals] is generally low, as appraisals are typically conducted by licensed professionals and are based on objective criteria.”

2. Order a second appraisal

If you suspect the first appraisal was flawed, ordering a second one is a viable option. But it will cost you.

“To order a second appraisal, you need to keep in mind that you will bear the fee,” says Zach Tetley, co-founder of Nexus Home Buyers in Knoxville, TN. “Once you ask for the second appraisal, the lender asks you to fill out the form for ‘reconsideration of value.’ The lender may or may not entertain your request.”

Chances of success: Snagging a second appraisal can be time-consuming and costly, and it might not pay off.

“Lenders may also be cautious about accepting a second appraisal, as it may be seen as an attempt to cherry-pick a higher valuation,” says Faccone.

3. Negotiate with the seller

Trying to come to a mutual agreement with the seller is probably the easiest and most obvious option on the table.

“Negotiating the sale price with a seller is easier than attempting to get a second appraisal,” Melanie Hartman, owner of Maryland’s Creo Home Buyers. “Any homeowner will have a hard time selling their house for more than it’s worth. As long as the appraisal is accurate, most sellers are willing to adjust their selling price to get their house sold.”

A renegotiation can also help “to bridge the gap between the appraised value and accepted offer,” points out Boyd Rudy, team leader at Keller Williams Living in Brighton, MI.

Chances of success: If sellers are as eager to offload their home as you are to buy it, this might be a promising avenue.

“However, sellers are not obligated to renegotiate, and they may be unwilling to lower the price,” Faccone says.

4. Walk away

Walking away from your dream home often feels like a divorce—it’s emotional, and there are financial implications.

“Walking away from the purchase is a drastic option that should be considered carefully,” Rudy says. “On the one hand, it can help to avoid a situation where the buyer is locked into a purchase that is significantly overpriced. On the other hand, it may mean forfeiting the time and money that you have invested in the purchase process.”

If you have an appraisal contingency in your contract, that means you take yourself out of the deal and still get your earnest money deposit back. But without an appraisal contingency, walking away can mean losing any upfront costs like your inspection fee and earnest money.

In certain situations, you might have no other choice.

The seller is not obligated to lower the asking price if the house appraises low. So in a seller’s market—where houses are in demand—the seller might not be amenable to a price negotiation. For many buyers, this means they’re forced to drop the purchase because they can no longer afford the home. Their mortgage lender will loan them only enough for the appraised value, leaving it up to the buyers to make up the difference. And if they can’t make up the difference, they’ll have to say goodbye.

Source: Realtor.com

The post 4 Ways for Buyers To Deal With a Low Home Appraisal appeared first on | Florida Real Estate Advisor.

Meanwhile, homebuyers in seller’s markets face a tough road: Due to increased competition, they’ll have to act fast, bid high, and generally bend over backwards to woo sellers into accepting their offer over the many that may be at their disposal.

So here’s what buyers need to know about seller’s markets—and how to survive them.

Are we in a seller’s market?

For the greater part of 2021 and 2022, the U.S. housing market was a seller’s market. Homes were flying off the market in record time due to historically low mortgage rates and sellers were in the driver’s seat. Buyers all over the country had to waive contingencies and offer over asking just to have a chance at being the winning bid.

But in the last several months, uncertainty about the economy, inflation, mortgage rates, and more has stunted the market—and taken power away from buyers and sellers alike. Some experts have dubbed it “nobody’s market” right now. Others still believe we’re in a seller’s market, especially in hot areas of the country where buyer demand is high and median days on market is low.

What makes a seller’s market?

The main metric used when evaluating housing markets is home price appreciation.

“The greater imbalance of supply and demand, the faster you’ll see price appreciation,” Blomquist says.

Here are the factors that often fuel seller’s markets:

Population growth. Generally, when there’s an increase in the number of people moving to a town, demand for housing begins to exceed supply. You can view population growth in your town using the U.S. Census Bureau’s American FactFinder.
Job growth. An influx of new companies and jobs can in turn fuel population growth that turns areas into seller’s markets. For example, “wherever Amazon opens its new headquarters, you’re going to see a huge influx of home buyers in that city,” says Seth Lejeune, a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway in Malvern, PA. You can view job market trends in your city through the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Housing starts. The term “housing starts” refers to the number of new homes on which builders have started construction in any particular month. Because new construction directly affects supply, a decrease in housing starts can result in a seller’s market. You can see housing starts and other new construction trends in your town on BuilderOnline.com.

Are you in a seller’s market? How to tell

Home buyers and sellers can evaluate whether they’re in a buyer’s or seller’s market by analyzing a few key variables:

Average days on market (DOM). This measurement shows the median age of real estate listings in your area. “If houses are selling in your neighborhood in less than 10 days, it’s a strong seller’s market,” Lejeune says. You can find what the average DOM is in your city using realtor.com’s Local Market Trends tool.
Asking vs. final home price. In seller’s markets, bidding wars can often erupt among buyers, which means sellers may enjoy a final sales price that’s equal to their asking price, or more. So, if a home is listed at $450,000 and sells for $450,000, $460,000, or higher, that’s a seller’s market. In a strong seller’s market, the final sales price is typically at least 10% higher than the asking price. You can compare listing price vs. closing price in various cities across the country at realtor.com/local.
Home prices over time. Rising home prices over time is a sure sign of a seller’s market. You can determine if home prices are rising or falling in your city by looking at your ZIP code’s “market price curve” on BuilderOnline.com.
Buying a house in a seller’s market

To compete against other buyers in a seller’s market, you need to be prepared. First and foremost, you’ll need a mortgage pre-approval letter before you start shopping, so that a seller knows you can put your money where your mouth is.

You may also have to waive some contingencies to edge out other buyers—or widen your search to an up-and-coming neighborhood with less demand.

Other ways to make your offer more attractive include increasing the amount of earnest money that you’ll put into the escrow deposit, adding an escalation clause, writing a personal letter to the seller and, of course, offering above list price.

Source: Realtor.com

The post What Is a Seller’s Market? appeared first on | Florida Real Estate Advisor.

Several factors are at play in the current strong real estate market. There’s a shortage of homes for sale, which means that demand is high. As a result, home prices are rising, and your property could be worth more than you think.

To determine the value of your home, you’ll need to work with a real estate agent or appraiser. They’ll take into account the size and condition of your home, as well as the neighborhood, local real estate trends, and recent sales of comparable homes in the area. With this information, they’ll give you an estimate of your home’s value.

Once you have an idea of your home’s value, you can decide whether to sell. Selling your home can be a big decision, but there are many benefits to doing so. For one thing, you’ll be able to take advantage of the current real estate market and get top dollar for your property. Additionally, selling your home can free up money for other expenses or investments.

If you do decide to sell your home, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to make sure your home is in good condition and is attractive to potential buyers. This may involve making repairs, painting, decluttering, and staging your home. You’ll also need to work with a real estate agent to market your home and find the right buyer.

Selling your home can be a complex process, but with the right guidance, it can be a smooth and successful transaction. If you’re interested in learning more about selling your home in 2023, reach out to me today. They’ll be able to give you more information about the current market and help you determine whether now is the right time to sell. Remember, your home is worth more than you think, so don’t wait too long to take advantage of the current real estate market.

How Much is Your House Worth?

The post Your Home Is Worth More Than You Think in 2023 – It’s Time to Sell! appeared first on | Florida Real Estate Advisor.

Find the right real estate agent: Not all real estate agents are created equal, so it’s important to find one who is experienced, knowledgeable, and has a good track record. Ask friends and family for referrals, read online reviews, and interview potential agents to find the one who is the best fit for you.

Set a price: Your real estate agent will help you determine the right price for your home based on the local market, comparable sales, and other factors. Pricing your home correctly is key to attracting the right buyers and getting the best possible price.

Prepare your home for sale: Before you put your home on the market, you’ll need to clean, declutter, and make any necessary repairs. Your real estate agent can give you tips on how to stage your home to make it more appealing to buyers.

List your home: Your real estate agent will list your home on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and other online platforms to reach as many potential buyers as possible. They will also handle all inquiries, showings, and negotiations on your behalf.

Receive and evaluate offers: When you receive an offer, your real estate agent will help you evaluate it and determine whether it’s the right fit for you. They will also negotiate with the buyer’s agent to ensure you get the best possible price and terms.

Close the sale: Once you’ve accepted an offer, your real estate agent will guide you through the closing process, which includes inspections, appraisals, and the final transfer of funds and ownership. They will also help you navigate any issues that arise along the way.

Move out: Once the sale is complete, it’s time to move out! Your real estate agent can recommend moving companies and other resources to help make the process as smooth as possible.

Selling a house with a realtor can be a complex process, but with the right agent by your side, it can also be a rewarding one. Follow these 7 steps to ensure a successful sale and a stress-free experience.

Love where you Live. but if you don’t I can always help.

How Much is Your House Worth?

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When buying your first home, it’s important to remember that it won’t be your forever home. Most people will go on to buy a second or third home in their lifetime, so it’s essential to approach your first home as an investment. Instead of focusing on getting everything you want, focus on the long-term value of the property.

One of the most significant advantages of owning a home is building equity. Equity is the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and what your home is worth. As you make your mortgage payments, you build equity, which can be used as collateral for loans, or you can borrow against it to finance home improvements, education, or other expenses.

If you’re too picky about your first home, you might miss out on an opportunity to build equity quickly. For example, a fixer-upper might not be your dream home, but it could be an excellent opportunity to purchase a property below market value and make improvements over time. As you make those improvements, the value of the property will increase, and you’ll build equity.

Another factor to consider is the potential for appreciation. Appreciation is when the value of your property increases over time due to market conditions. While you can’t control the housing market, choosing a home in a desirable location or up-and-coming neighborhood could increase the potential for appreciation.

Thinking like an investor when buying your first home means being willing to compromise on some of the things you might want in a home to focus on the long-term benefits of homeownership. For example, you might have to settle for a smaller home or a longer commute to work if it means getting a home in a desirable location that has the potential for appreciation.

It’s also important to remember that you can always make changes to your home over time. If you don’t like the layout or the decor, those are things that can be changed. It’s much more difficult to change the location or the overall value of the property.

In conclusion, being too picky when buying your first home can mean missing out on opportunities to build equity and appreciate the value of your property over time. It’s essential to think of your first home as an investment and focus on the long-term benefits of homeownership. Remember, it’s not your forever home, but it’s an important step towards building wealth and financial stability.

The post Building Equity: How Being Open-Minded and Thinking Long-Term Can Help You Maximize Your Investment in Your First Home appeared first on | Florida Real Estate Advisor.

Firstly, Miami’s real estate market is very welcoming to foreign investors. The city has a large international community and is home to many investors from countries such as Canada, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina. The city’s pro-business policies and tax incentives make it easy for foreign investors to invest in Miami’s real estate market. Additionally, there are no restrictions on foreign ownership of real estate in Miami, making it an accessible and straightforward process.

Secondly, Miami’s real estate market is well-developed and offers a wide range of investment opportunities. The city has a diverse selection of properties, including luxury condos, single-family homes, and commercial properties. The city’s robust rental market also makes it an attractive location for investors seeking rental income. Many of Miami’s properties also have excellent appreciation potential, which can make for a profitable long-term investment.

Thirdly, Miami’s real estate market has excellent support services for foreign investors. Real estate agents, attorneys, and property managers are available to help foreign investors navigate the real estate market and ensure a smooth transaction process. Additionally, many real estate firms offer specialized services for foreign investors, including multilingual support and investment advice.

Lastly, investing in Miami’s real estate market provides investors with various benefits, including tax advantages and the opportunity to obtain residency through the EB-5 visa program. The EB-5 visa program allows foreign investors to obtain a Green Card by investing in a new commercial enterprise that creates jobs in the United States.

Miami real estate is an attractive location for foreign investors seeking profitable investment opportunities. The city’s pro-business policies, diverse property selection, and excellent support services make it easy for foreign investors to invest in Miami real estate. With its excellent appreciation potential and rental market, investing Miami can be a profitable long-term investment for foreign investors.

The post Unlocking the Benefits of Miami’s Real Estate: A Guide for Foreign Investors appeared first on | Florida Real Estate Advisor.

That’s it. That’s Thomas Shelby’s big life advice from the English post-World War I crime drama, Peaky Blinders. And it’s all you need to know to move forward, to move up, to succeed.

Long-term goals are important. Drive is important. Networking, Key Performance Indicators, investments, social intelligence, and innovation are all important. But these attributes are nothing, if we don’t use them within the scope of the soldier’s minute.

You’ve picked a path. Maybe you’re eight years old, maybe you’ve just started your undergrad degree, or maybe you’ve just left a company job of thirty years to start your own passion project. But you’ve picked your path and decided what your title will be and how you will walk through the world. All that’s left is to do it.

So we come to the soldier’s minute. Whatever your long-term goal is, the amount of sales you’d like to land, the amount of clients you’ll take on, or even the amount of product you’ll produce, nothing matters without acting as completely as possible within each moment.

Focus is not about placing a goal at the end of a tunnel and climbing toward it. It’s about feeling your feet on each rung of the ladder. It’s not about the amount of calls you make each day. It’s about choosing your words carefully, one by one. Focus is about pushing aside each conversation before and after this one in order to give all of your attention to the task at hand. In matters as important as your career, your life purpose, every battle matters, and every minute from when you decide what that goal looks like, is a battle.

Thomas Shelby is a fantastic businessman. That’s the entire premise for the show, Peaky Blinders. And it’s his small dealings, his daily conversations, that set him apart from the big idea motivational speakers, rather than an overabundance of talent or original thought. It’s his unwavering determination to treat every moment as if it’s the lynchpin of his life purpose.

Because each moment is the lynchpin.

Treat each moment as the soldier’s minute, because each moment is the life or death of your career. And that deserves your focus.

The post The Soldier’s Minute and Your Success appeared first on | Florida Real Estate Advisor.

Miami Music Week is a highly anticipated event for music lovers from all over the world. The week-long festival takes place in Miami and features a wide range of musical acts, from DJs and electronic music producers to live bands and solo performers. With so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming to plan your schedule for the week. In this blog, we’ll share some tips to help you make the most of Miami Music Week 2023.

Plan Ahead
Miami Music Week features dozens of events and parties, so it’s important to plan ahead to make sure you don’t miss anything you’re interested in. Make a list of the artists you want to see and check the schedule to find out when and where they’ll be performing. Consider purchasing tickets in advance to guarantee entry to popular events.

Get to Know the Venues
Miami Music Week takes place in venues all over the city, from nightclubs and bars to outdoor spaces and concert halls. Before the festival begins, take some time to research the different venues and their locations. This will help you plan your transportation and make sure you don’t get lost during the festival.

Dress Appropriately
Miami Music Week takes place in March, which means the weather can be unpredictable. Be sure to check the forecast and dress accordingly. Wear comfortable shoes that you can dance in, and bring a light jacket or sweater in case it gets chilly at night.

Stay Hydrated
With so much dancing and partying, it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and night to avoid dehydration. Many venues will have water stations available, so take advantage of them.

Pace Yourself
Miami Music Week is a marathon, not a sprint. With events happening every day and night, it’s important to pace yourself to avoid burnout. Don’t feel like you have to attend every event, and make time for rest and relaxation between parties.

Explore the City
While Miami Music Week is the main attraction, don’t forget to take some time to explore the city. Miami has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with plenty of museums, galleries, and restaurants to discover. Consider taking a break from the festival to explore some of Miami’s other attractions.

Conclusion

Miami Music Week is an exciting time for music lovers, but it can be overwhelming to plan your schedule for the week. By planning ahead, getting to know the venues, dressing appropriately, staying hydrated, pacing yourself, and exploring the city, you can make the most of your Miami Music Week experience. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Miami Music Week is a must-see event that you won’t want to miss.

More info Miami Music Week

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