Florida’s existing home and condo sales rise in May, 2010
June 22, 2010
ORLANDO, FL., June 22, 2010 – Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 18 percent in May, marking 21 months that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.
A total of 16,745 single-family existing homes sold statewide last month compared to 14,172 homes sold in May 2009, according to Florida Realtors. The statewide existing-home median price of $140,400 in May was slightly higher – by $300 – than April’s statewide existing-home median price of $140,100. It marks the third month in a row that the statewide existing-home median price has increased over the previous month’s median.
Across the state, a variety of housing opportunities continues to be available at attractive prices while mortgage interest rates remain historically low, said 2010 Florida Realtors President Wendell Davis, a broker with Watson Realty Corp. in Jacksonville.
“Favorable conditions like this spark buyers’ interest,” Davis said. “However, like the rest of the world, Floridians are deeply concerned about the long-term ramifications of the April 20th explosion of BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig, which killed 11 people and triggered the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.” Read more
Palm Harbor, FL Short Sale and Bank-Owned Statistics
May 20, 2010
My clients regularly ask for my professional opinion on the Tampa Bay area real estate market. Are things turning around or will prices continue to decline? Should I sell my house or attempt to find a tenant?
This week I was asked about the overall real estate market in Palm Harbor, Florida, and specifically, what percentage of homes for sale are short sales or bank-owned. So I set about to get some data for this client that I’ll now share right here for anyone interested in Palm Harbor real estate. Keep in mind that these numbers represent a snapshot in time and may not apply if you’re reading this post at a much later date.
As a general rule there is an inverse relationship between list price and percentage of short sales and bank-owned properties. As list price increase the percentage of listings that are short sales or bank-owned decreases. I’ve known this inverse relationship exists, just by virtue of being a full-time Tampa Bay Florida Realtor, but today was my first day running the numbers.
Palm Harbor, Florida Short Sale and Bank-Owned Statistics
I ran a series of MLS searches in Palm Harbor in $100,000 increments. Afterall, I’m trying to demonstrate that as price increases there are fewer and fewer financially distressed properties on the market.
| $0 – $100k | $101 – $200k | $201 – $300k | $301 – $400k | |
| Total | 12 (100%) | 154 (100%) | 125 (100%) | 78 (100%) |
| Short Sales | 6 (50%) | 41 (27%) | 19 (15.2%) | 7 (8.9%) |
| Bank-Owned | 3 (25%) | 7 (4.5%) | 2 (1.6%) | 0 (0%) |
| Regular | 3 (25%) | 99 (64.3%) | 104 (83.2%) | 71 (91%) |
I’ve called listings that are not short sales and not owned by banks “regular.” In real estate we often term these as “traditional sales.” The point being as price increases the percentage of homes that are financially distressed decreases. In the table above only about 25% of the Palm Harbor Florida listings priced below $100,000 are NOT in financial distress.
I actually ran the numbers for the next 4 $100,000 price increments and the trend continues to the point where there are virtually no financially distressed Palm Harbor listings at the higher end.
| $401 – $500k | $501 – $600k | $601 – $700k | $701 – $800k | |
| Total | 46 (100%) | 19 (100%) | 18 (100%) | 4 (100%) |
| Short Sales | 3 (6.5%) | 1 (5.3%) | 2 (11%) | 0 (0%) |
| Bank-Owned | 1 (2.2%) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) |
| Regular | 42 (91.3%) | 18 (94.7%) | 16 (88.9%) | 4 (100%) |
I hope brief study helps my Palm Harbor buyers and sellers understand the current ratio of traditional listings to distressed property listings. As is obvious I have refrained from commenting on why these numbers might be important to buyers and sellers of real estate. That will be a different post.
* These numbers only pertain to single-family houses and not condos, townhomes, villas, or land for sale.
* I rounded my numbers off and might not have always done so perfectly.
* The numbers don’t always add up to 100% because there are a few other seldom used categories in MLS, such as “pre-foreclosure” and “in foreclosure.”
Expect prices in Tampa Bay to drop even more
April 29, 2010
We hear so many different opinions on the subject of home values and the overall real estate industry that it is very difficult to know who or what to trust. I’m here to tell you that nobody really knows and anyone who claims to be an expert on the subject is trying to sell you something.
As someone who lives and breaths real estate I can say with complete confidence that I don’t know what the future holds. All I know for certain is that there are too many homes on the market for the quantity of buyers, and as a result prices are down and will remain down. If you’re looking to sell now or in the immediate future you need to face the music. You’re not going to get what you probably feel you deserve for your home should you decide to sell in 2010.
According to Inman News
National home prices were up slightly in February from a year ago — the first annual increase in more than three years — but are expected to give up those gains and more later this year, according to a report from First American CoreLogic.
First American CoreLogic’s LoanPerformance Home Price Index showed prices up 0.3 percent in February from a year ago, compared to a 0.5 percent year-over-year price decline in January.
The index currently shows a 30.6 percent decline in national home prices from an April, 2006 peak, or 21.7 percent if distressed properties are excluded.
Border Crossings 101
April 27, 2010
Richard Sellers, a Lake Arrowhead, California Realtor, had the following to say about the current crisis in immigration control in Arizona.
LET ME SEE IF I GOT THIS RIGHT!!!
IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET 12 YEARS HARD LABOR
IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED INDEFINITELY.
IF YOU CROSS THE AFGHAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU GET SHOT.
IF YOU CROSS THE SAUDI ARABIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE JAILED.
IF YOU CROSS THE CHINESE BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU MAY NEVER BE HEARD FROM AGAIN.
IF YOU CROSS THE VENEZUELAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE BRANDED A SPY AND YOUR FATE WILL BE SEALED.
IF YOU CROSS THE CUBAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE THROWN INTO POLITICAL PRISON TO ROT.
IF YOU CROSS THE U.S. BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET
1 – A JOB,
2 – A DRIVERS LICENSE,
3 – SOCIAL SECURITY CARD,
4 – WELFARE,
5 – FOOD STAMPS,
6 – CREDIT CARDS,
7 – SUBSIDIZED RENT OR A LOAN TO BUY A HOUSE,
8 – FREE EDUCATION,
9 – FREE HEALTH CARE,
10 – A LOBBYIST IN WASHINGTON
11 – BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS PRINTED IN YOUR LANGUAGE
12 – AND THE RIGHT TO CARRY YOUR COUNTRY’S FLAG WHILE YOU PROTEST THAT YOU DON’T GET ENOUGH RESPECT
The Top 10 Overseas Real Estate Portals
March 28, 2010
Are you interested in buying real estate in Ireland, England, France, or somewhere else overseas? I’ve compiled a list of the top real estate web sites for buying real estate overseas. These international real estate portals are the highest ranking in the world.
1. Kyero.com
“Kyero.com is the No.1 Spanish property portal, with more than 100000 Spanish properties for sale from over 1500 leading Spanish property estate agents.”
2. ThinkSpain.com
“Real estate for sale in Spain.”
3. RightMove.co.uk
“Search over a Million properties for sale and to rent from the top estate agents and developers in the UK.”
4. TheMoveChannel.com
“The overseas property search portal that has been helping UK & international real estate agents, developers, investors and private owners to buy and sell houses, flats, homes, land, residential, investment, commercial and auction property since 1999.”
5. Property Index
“PropertyIndex.com can help you to find the perfect property to buy, rent or invest in, search from over 300,000 properties from estate agents around the world.”
6. PrimeLocation.com
“Find over 650,000 properties from leading UK and international estate agents and developers, including flats, homes and houses for sale and to rent.”
7. Point2Homes.com
“The Best Place on Earth to Find Homes.”
8. FindaProperty.com
“Property for sale & rent through leading UK & overseas estate agents & letting agents.”
9. PropertyShowrooms.com
“Property Investment Overseas – We are experts in property abroad; Operating the International Property Investment Network.”
10. Property-Abroad.com
“Overseas property portal helping you to find a cheap property overseas for sale direct from local estate agents, developers and private owners abroad.”
Programs hold key to homeownership
March 5, 2010
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 at www.tbnweekly.com
There has never been a better time to buy your own home.
Real estate prices are down. Stimulus money is available as is federal dollars for county and municipalities to purchase and rehab property in eligible neighborhoods throughout Pinellas.
“Now is a great time to purchase a home,” said Daphne Johnson-Mccluster, senior community planning specialist with Pinellas County’s Housing Finance Authority and Community Development Department.
One of the reasons now is such a good time, especially for first-time homebuyers, is the up to $8,000 in federal homebuyer tax credit for qualified buyers who purchase a home before April 30, she said.
A tax credit of up to $6,500 also is available for buyers who have owned and used the same home as a primary residence for at least five consecutive years out of the past eight years.
An obstacle for many potential homebuyers, who would like to take advantage of the tax credit, is coming up with the money for a down payment and closing costs.
Johnson-McCluster said HFA could help.
The county currently is working with qualified buyers to help them get money they need to buy a house now and then repay the loan when they receive their stimulus refund.
Generally, the program is available to veterans and people who have not owned a home in the past three years with certain income restrictions. Repayment of the no interest loans is due 10 days after receipt of the tax refund. In some cases, longer repayment plans can be arranged.
Properties located inside the city limits of Clearwater, Largo, St. Petersburg and Belleair Shore are not eligible. However, Johnson-McCluster said some of those municipalities offer other programs that help with cost of buying a home.
Johnson-McCluster said HFA also offers additional programs all aimed at helping people afford their own homes. She said programs differ depending on the potential buyer’s income.
She encourages people who have been thinking about buying a home but need some financial assistance to give the county at call at 464-8210. People interested in the tax credit program can call Flo Harding at 464-8237.
Johnson-McCluster advises anyone thinking about buying a home to attend a homebuyer education class. She said the classes teach people important information such as the terminology used by the banks and Realtors. She said people learn what to expect from the home-buying process, how to get credit, home inspections and budgeting to afford a home.
She said some FHA programs require participants to attend class to qualify.
She said after people get educated about what it takes to buy a home, they should request a copy of their credit report. She said if necessary, they should contact a nonprofit credit counseling service, such as Consumer Credit Counseling and Homebuyer’s Club of Tampa Bay, for help.
Next, Johnson-McCluster recommends people contact a mortgage broker to get pre-qualified or pre-approved. For a list of current mortgage companies and lenders participating in the county’s programs, call 464-8210.
Once a person is pre-qualified and knows how much house they can afford, Johnson-McCluster recommends calling a licensed Realtor for help. The county does not recommend Realtors.
“We have homes looking for good owners,” Johnson-McCluster said. “And we’re going to have more property to sell to income qualified people thanks to the neighborhood stabilization funds.”
Johnson-McCluster is talking about the county’s receipt of $17.8 million for neighborhood stabilization from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
According to a press release, the funding is part of a $50 million award to Florida Suncoast Partners, a consortium consisting of Neighborhood Lending Partners, Pasco County, and Pinellas County.
The cities of Clearwater and Largo also collaborated with the consortium to prepare the grant. Pinellas County’s share will be used in eligible neighborhoods throughout unincorporated Pinellas, Largo, Clearwater, Safety Harbor, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs and Oldsmar that represent a high number of foreclosures.
The money will be used to help halt the decline of property values in neighborhoods that have been heavily impacted by the foreclosure crisis, the press release said.
Single-family and multi-family properties in physical decline will be purchased and renovated. Once properties have been refurbished, they will be sold or rented to income-qualified households.
Help with down payment and closing costs will also be available under the new program.
Johnson-McCluster admits that homeownership is not for everyone. She said people have to be realistic about what they can afford and understand they will be responsible for their property.
However, for people who are ready, the rewards in terms of tax benefits and stability are worth it, she said.
“Homeowners help make the community a better place,” she said. “Our staff is willing ready and able to help.”
Fannie Mae to Rent Foreclosed Homes
March 2, 2010
Thousands of borrowers on the brink of foreclosure will soon have the option of renting their homes from Fannie Mae under a new program announced in early November.
Under the new “Deeds for Leases” program, Fannie Mae will allow borrowers facing foreclosure to transfer ownership to Fannie Mae and sign a one-year lease, with month-to-month extensions after that, as part of the latest effort to help troubled borrowers while keeping a glut of foreclosed properties from hitting the housing market.
But the new government-sponsored program is unlikely to help many distressed homeowners. In the first half of the year, Fannie Mae repossessed 57,000 properties, compared to only 1,200 properties that were leased back to owners.
Fannie Mae has hired an outside management company to administer the program. To qualify, borrowers have to live in the home as their primary residence and prove they can afford the monthly rent. The rent cannot be more than 31 percent of their pretax income.
Source: The Associated Press
Mortgage Delinquencies Reach a Record High
March 1, 2010
About one in seven homeowners with a mortgage was at least one payment behind or in foreclosure in the third quarter of 2009, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. This is up from about one in 10 a year ago and translates into about 5 million households that are delinquent.
The 14.4 percent rate in the third quarter was the highest rate since the MBA bagan reporting such data in 1972. driven by rising job losses, prime fixed-rate loans made to borrowers with good credit accounted for 33 percent of all new foreclosures in the third quarter, compared with 21 percent a year ago, the MBA said.
“Job losses continue to increase and drive up delinquencies and foreclosures,” said Jay Brinkman, the MBA’s chief economist. “Prime fixed-rate loans continue to represent the largest share of foreclosures started and the biggest driver of the increase in foreclosures. The outlook is that delinquency rates and foreclosure rates will continue to worsen before they improve.
The MBA said loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration are also showing signs of trouble. More than 18 precent of FHA borrowers are at least one payment behind or in foreclosure. The association expects foreclosures to peak in 2011.
Source: Mortgage Bankers Association
Charles Rutenberg Realty is on the rise
February 24, 2010
Over 3700 agents have joined Charles Rutenberg Realty.
30 agents joined Charles Rutenberg Realty this month! They decided to keep all of their commission. They heard of the free training, the social/charitable events, a non-competing broker with the best staff in the business and much more.
Lakeland, Florida Sun ’n Fun Fly–In is coming in April
January 21, 2010
Event location: Lakeland Linder Regional Airport
Event date and time: April 13, 2010 at 8:00 AM
Start your aviation year at Sun ‘n Fun, one of the world’s premier events for recreational aviation enthusiasts. The focus is on education with more than 450 educational forums, seminars and “hands-on” workshops; plus more than 500 commercial exhibitors who offer aviation products and services including all the major aircraft manufacturers; daily air show plus additional night air show on Friday, April 16; more than 5,000 aircraft of every size and shape. www.sun-n-fun.org or 863-644-2431 for info.
Florida Senator Bill Nelson Demands Chinese Drywall Ban
January 6, 2010
Loan Modification Expert Moose Scheib on Fox News with Neil Cavuto
November 30, 2009
ABC News – Nightline on Loan Modifications
November 22, 2009
The Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County offering down payment assistance for first-time home buyers
November 17, 2009
A new mortgage program from the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County could hold the key to homeownership for first-time homebuyers. The First-Time Homebuyers Program is for individuals who have never owned a home, have not owned a home in the last three years or who are veterans.
Now is a great time to buy and take advantage of additional savings with the federal first-time homebuyer credit of up to $8,000. Homes must close before Dec. 1, 2009 to receive this additional credit.
Down payment and closing cost assistance is also available. This program is available for a limited time.
For more information, call (727) 464-8210 or visit the Housing Finance Authority.
“Pooches for the Planet” Pet Adoption Promotion Has Environmental Message
November 16, 2009
Throughout November, anyone who adopts a dog at the Pinellas County Animal Services shelter or the Humane Society of Pinellas shelter will receive a free Pooches for the Planet adoption kit filled with valuable information and free goodies.
The program is part of a campaign to promote proper disposal of dog waste to prevent water pollution. Major sponsors are the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Pinellas-Anclote Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Pinellas County Animal Services, and the Humane Society of Pinellas.
Additionally, dozens of area pet-related businesses have contributed toys, treats and discount coupons for pet products or services for the adoption kits. A special $25 gift certificate for PETCO is included in the kit, offered to the first five people who adopt a dog during the event kick-off on Saturday, Nov. 7, at either of the two participating animal shelters. The promotional offers are focused on bringing attention to Tampa Bay Estuary’s “Scoop the Poop” campaign, which promotes responsible pet ownership.
Every day in Pinellas County, an estimated 12 to 28 tons of dog waste is left on the ground. Pet waste contains disease-causing bacteria, viruses and lots of nutrients. This waste is washed down storm drains and delivered untreated to the closest waterway during rain events.
Pet waste poses a threat to both public health and water quality. It contributes harmful bacteria that can make people ill, as well as excessive nutrients that cause algae blooms that in turn rob the water of oxygen needed to support fish and other marine life.
Pooches for the Planet partners hope to encourage responsible pet ownership through a three-month promotion with the two animal shelters. From November through January, anyone who adopts a dog from Pinellas County Animal Services adoption center or the Humane Society shelter will receive an adoption kit containing an eco-friendly Pooches for the Planet reusable shopping bag filled with valuable goodies, including:
- A Bags-on-Board, pet-waste bag dispenser that clips to a leash
- A listing of county dog parks
- An immunization schedule card
- Discount coupons for a variety of pet services, such as grooming and pet sitting
- Treats, toys and other items donated by generous local and national pet care companies
“I am excited about our partnership with the Tampa Bay Estuary Program,” said Dr. Welch Agnew, director of Pinellas County Animal Services. “I believe that it will further our combined goals of adoptions to responsible pet owners and environmental awareness. After all, responsible owners always pick up after their pets.”
- For more information visit Pooches for the Planet.
- For more information and hours visit Pinellas County Animal Services located at 12450 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33774.
- For more information and hours visit Humane Society of Pinellas located at 3040 State Road 590, Clearwater, FL 33759.
Not necessarily an $8,000 tax credit…but probably close!
November 13, 2009
I’ve recently been asked quite a few questions about the $8,000 first-time home-buyer tax credit. What needs to be understood is that you’re not necessarily getting the full $8,000. Your credit amount is based on the value of the home you purchase. It is the lesser of either 10% of the home’s cost or $8,000. So a $150,000 home will get the full $8,000 tax credit whereas a $50,000 home will get $50,000 x 10% or $5,000. The max amount is $8,000 so basically any house priced less than $80,000 will result in a tax credit less than $8,000, while any home priced over $80,000 will still only get the max amount of $8,000.
This blog post is only addressing this one simple question and is not a blanket statement about whether or not you might qualify for the tax credit. Please contact me if you have additional questions or simply ask them right here on www.CallChrisToday.com. I hope this explanation helped some of you.
President Obama Signs Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension
November 11, 2009
This last Friday, President Barack Obama signed the new tax credit legislation which provides:
- Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010.
- Expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
Loan Modification CNN News
November 10, 2009
Tampa Bay market is starting to heat up!
November 8, 2009
The statistics show that the real estate market in the Tampa Bay area is really starting to pick up. If you’re thinking of buying a new house or condo you might want to start getting serious now. Have prices hit rock bottom yet? There is no way to tell, but most people in the business don’t see them going much lower. If you can buy real estate priced relatively cheaper than comparable properties you should be in good shape over the course of the upcoming months or even year.
Breaking News: Congress Extends Tax Credit
November 6, 2009
Tax credit extension passes House and Senate
By Florida Realtors®
WASHINGTON – Nov. 5, 2009 – The $8,000, first-time homebuyer tax credit has not yet been extended beyond its Nov. 30 end date, but it’s very close to gaining a longer life.
The extension was added as an amendment to an existing bill, HR 3548, that extends unemployment benefits. The U.S. Senate passed that bill on Wednesday and, after debate, the U.S. House passed HR 3548 this afternoon. It now needs only President Obama’s signature to become law, and the White House has indicated it will sign it, perhaps as early as tomorrow.
Until the president signs the bill, however, it is not law.
In addition to extending the tax credit for first-time homebuyers under the current rules, the bill adds a smaller tax credit for move-up homebuyers who have lived in the house for five of the past seven years. The bill also increases the income limits of homebuyers from $75,000 (single) to $125,000; and from $150,000 (married) to $225,000.
Florida downpayment assistance
After the president signs the bill and extends the tax credit, the Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program – a downpayment and closing costs assistance program relating to the federal tax credit -automatically gets extended too. The state still has about $28 million available for homebuyers. The money is essentially a loan to first-time buyers; they receive it upfront, use it for a downpayment or other costs, and pay it back once they get their federal refund.
The Death of Print Newspapers is Near
November 1, 2009
I think it is inevitable that, in the near future, most print newspapers and magazines will go 100% electronic. Fewer and fewer people will be interested in receiving information the old fashioned way. Only those businesses that embrace the new communication technologies will survive.
The other day I was talking to my wife about how newspapers are going out of business across the country and I thought of a new way to deliver the daily paper to consumers. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to order and receive the newspaper directly on your television set? Imagine not having to hold the huge paper in your hands. You could use a remote control to flip through the pages, click on links, access videos and even save and email favorite articles. Advertisers could include direct links to their business web sites.
I guess what I’m saying is…the Internet will probably soon be available through the TV in your living room. And I know it already is if you use an Apple TV, but I’m more talking about a system where the Internet is available, by default, on all cable TV systems.
The death of print newspapers and magazines is near. He who accepts the future can capitalize on it.
Gus Bilirakis responds to my letter supporting extending the $8,000 tax credit
October 20, 2009
Dear Chris:
Thank you for contacting me to express your support for extending and expanding the federal tax credit for first-time home buyers. I appreciate hearing from you.
I support lowering taxes on home purchases. As you may know, H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, was signed into law in February of this year. This legislation provided an $8,000 refundable credit for all first-time homes brought between January 1 and November 30, 2009. Several bills have been introduced in the House and the Senate that would extend the tax credit from anywhere from six months to one year, expand eligibility of the credit to multi-family properties used as the borrower’s primary residence, and eliminate income caps of $75,000 and $150,000.
I am reviewing these bills to determine how best to make home ownership more affordable and stabilize prices in the housing market. Your comments have provided a valuable perspective as I evaluate these bills. You may be certain that I will remember your support for expanding and extending the tax credit for first-time home buyers should I have the opportunity to consider relevant legislation in the future. I will also share your comments with my House colleagues, who will benefit from your views.
As a resident of Florida’s Ninth District, your comments and opinions are an important source of information to help me carry out my duties as your federal representative. In hat regard, please do not hesitate to contact me in the future on any issue important to you. Also, if you would like to be informed more frequently about my work in Congress and in Florida’s Ninth Congressional District, please visit my website at http://www.bilirakis.house.gov to sign up for regular email or to send me a message.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.
Sincerely yours,
Gus M. Bilirakis
Member of Congress
I’m aware that this letter was probably sent out to 23,000 other people that sent similar letters expressing support for expanding and extending the tax credit.
Charles Rutenberg is rated #1
October 16, 2009
If you’ve been paying attention as you drive around Tampa Bay neighborhoods you’ve undoubtedly noticed an abundance of Charles Rutenberg Realty signs dotting the yards. There are good reasons for why we’re dominating the real estate market, but this blog post isn’t about the why of our success. It’s simply to note that we are successful and significantly more so than every other real estate brokerage in town.
Charles Rutenberg has 3x as many listings as the 2nd place real estate company. With 1997 total listings we have more listings than the next 4 brokerages combined. We control an impressive 19.46% of the market for active listings.
But active listings are only one indicator of success. Even more important than what we have for sale is what we actually have under contract. According to the Kenst Report, the industry ratings guide for the Tampa Bay area, Charles Rutenberg Realty is outperforming all other real estate brokerages. Our share of the market is just under 25% at 24.83%. Our nearest competitor comes in at 10.43%.
And even more important than active listings and listings under contract are listings we’ve actually sold. So let’s take a look at those numbers now. From January of 2009 through the end of September 2009 Charles Rutenberg Realty sold more than 2x as many listings as the 2nd place real estate brokerage. And to show this isn’t some sort of fluke we can look at the same statistics for 2008 and see a similar level of dominance.
Why share these statistics with Tampa Bay area home buyers and sellers? The time will come when just about everyone will need to buy or sell real estate. And at this point a decision needs to be made. Will you hire the best or one of the rest? Yes, that rhymed. I couldn’t help it. I feel like a cheerleader right now, but trust me, you don’t want to see me in a cheerleader uniform.
Housing indicators are pointing in a positive direction
October 13, 2009
A recent Washington Post article pointed out that many of the housing indicators are pointing in the same positive direction. Several analysts attribute the improvements to the soon to expire $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, historically low interest rates, and rock bottom prices in many areas.
Real Estate Woes Around The World: Dubai Edition
August 17, 2009
Dubai is one of the seven emirates and the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is located along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula. The Dubai Municipality is sometimes called Dubai city to distinguish it from the emirate. Written accounts document the existence of the city for at least 150 years prior to the formation of the UAE.
Eagle Lake Park will NOT be opening early due to budget constraints
August 13, 2009
LARGO — Pinellas County’s new $23.6 million park will have something for just about everybody: nature trails, ballfields, a dog park, playgrounds, wetlands and citrus groves.
But don’t line up just yet.
While construction of Eagle Lake Park in Largo will be finished five months ahead of schedule, the county says it’s too broke to open it before April.
Officials say it would cost about $96,000 in operational expenses to open the park six months early. It’s money they say they are hard-pressed to find when next year’s budget already required $85 million in cuts.
So the 163-acre park will sit empty, fenced from the public. Read more
Notary ID proposal
July 6, 2009
National Notary Now Issue # 124 — June 2009
Because of their position of trust, Notaries are being called upon to handle society’s most sensitive transactions, such as verifying a person’s identity. This level of responsibility has led to a call for issuing Notaries special ID by state governments in order to assure signers the Notary is reputable and commissioned.
“I think it would be a great idea to allow the document signer equal opportunity to check my ID as I scrutinize theirs,” said Harriet C. Parker of Las Vegas, Nevada. Parker, a Notary who works in a medical clinic, says that while she must be sure to comply with medical privacy rules in her work, the document signers she works with have no way currently to know she is who she claims to be when notarizing.
Notary Verne Hubka of La Mesa, California, also supports the idea, saying that states should issue Notaries a wallet-sized ID that includes a color photo. Hubka said this would not only help signers, but increase prestige and respect for the Notary profession.
The public tends to have more confidence if Notaries have a readily available means of identification to prove their authority, said NNA Vice President of Notary Affairs Charles N. Faerber, provided the ID has safeguards to keep it from being easily counterfeited.
Should states issue Notaries special identification cards? Write to us at publications@nationalnotary.org and tell us what you think.
I’m all for a Notary ID. As a Notary Public and Mobile Signing Agent I would definitely appreciate being able to present a professional ID card that includes a color photograph proving I have the rights and authorities granted to Notaries Public. Without such an identification system signers are left to assume that the individual that shows up at their home or place of business is indeed legally qualified to notarize documents.
What do you think? Should Notaries be required to possess and present a Notary ID upon request?
3 States Account For Half Of The Country’s Foreclosures
June 6, 2009
Since 2007, foreclosures have dominated national real estate news. You can’t turn on the news or open a paper without seeing at least one foreclosure-related story.
But for all of the discussion, even two-and-a-half years after the peak of the housing market, home foreclosures continue to be geographically concentrated.
In looking at the latest stats from foreclosure marketplace RealtyTrac, more than half of the country’s foreclosure actions from March 2009 occurred in just 3 states — California, Florida and Nevada.
Foreclosures Account for More Than Half of All Sales
June 6, 2009
In its monthly existing home sales report, the National Association of Realtors said foreclosure sales accounted for more than half of all existing home sales nationwide in March. NAR also reported that foreclosed homes sold for 20 percent less than homes not facing foreclosure.
Source: National Association of Realtors
Fake “No Parking” Signs near the Tarpon Turtle Restaurant
May 31, 2009
For the past several years Tarpon Springs police have been writing parking tickets for people parking in completely valid parking spots near the popular Tarpon Turtle restaurant. But don’t blame the cops. This isn’t really their fault at all. The police cannot memorize all of the “No Parking” sign locations throughout the Tampa Bay area. Yes, they should have looked more closely at those 22 signs – they would have noticed that there are some obvious signs of them being counterfeit. But I suggest we give the cops a pass on this one. The police have bigger responsibilities than examining every parking sign for authenticity.
If I didn’t know better I would have though this was a childish prank committed by some teenagers with entirely too much time on their hands, but in actuality this was a rather nasty jab from one past business partner to another. According to the St. Petersburg Times:
“During a City Commission meeting earlier this month, Don Alvino, the owner of the Tarpon Turtle, alleged that Bronson was using the “no parking” signs to harass his customers.
Alvino and Bronson were business partners with Alvino initially leasing the Tarpon Turtle from Bronson with a five-month option to buy. In September 2006, Alvino exercised the option and purchased the restaurant for $3.4 million.
Since that time, Alvino says, Bronson has been out to destroy his business.”
While I haven’t personally been to the Tarpon Turtle I sure have heard good things about the great food and laid-back atmosphere.
Tarpon Turtle
727-722-9030
1513 Lake Tarpon Ave.
Tarpon Springs FL 34689
