This is progress and due to more  realistic pricing by sellers and a general interest in the market place in real estate.  However, if banks would be more inclined to lend the situation would be far better.  It takes a longer time than usual to close a loan.  More documents are required and greater qualifications to borrow are in place.  This adds up to long delays and in  some cases denials.  Even though mortgage rates are incredibly low, what difference does it make when a buyer cannot get a loan.

Also, the rates of foreclosures (also the banks fault because they refuse to modify loans or accomodate short sales in a timely manner) are still very high.  Every foreclosure, affects the prices in the neighbor where they occur.  More must be done by banks in coordination with the government to avoid the huge glut of foreclosures that are waiting to get on the market.

So..before we can see real change, the banks have to play ball.  Banks are the most integral part of the housing industry. Meanwhile, we are still enjoying the uptick. 

Prices are lowest they have been in 10 years.  It is the best time buy in a generation!!  Interest rates are low!    Interest Rates are 4.63% today.  See my chart, below!

 Call me today, to start looking for that home of your dreams. 

1. Clean and declutter  It is absolutely the first and most important procedure to make your home inviting to a potential buyer.  Take everything off the shelves in the kitchen and put them inside the closets.  Have a smooth, clean surface on all the counters.  If there is a window in the kitchen, have it washed, both inside and out if possible.  Bathrooms are particularly guilty of clutter.  Put all toothpastes, gels, hair conditioners inside the cabinets.  Clean and deodorize the entire bathroom and put fresh, if possible, new towels on the racks.  Bedrooms should be devoid of dirty clothes, beds should be made and carpets vacuumed.  The living room should look as though it is ready for company. Cost…$100 to $200.  Home Price Increase  $1500 to $2000
2. Home Staging  If you have furniture that doesn’t show well, or too much furniture, or if your rooms don’t show that well..it might be good idea to hire a home stager.  She or he will arrange your rooms with beauty in mind.  These people can be tremendously creative.  Cost…$300-$400  Home Price Increase $1500 to $2000
3. Lighten and Brighten If your furniture is dark and the rooms seem dark, it is a wonderful idea to buy inexpensive slip covers and lampshades in soft, light shades.  Your rooms will take on a new glow and will look more attractive. $200 to $300.  Home Price Increase $1000 to $1500
4. Landscape front and back  All dead plants should be removed and replaced with inexpensive plants, fresh from the nursery.  Buy some mulch while you are at it and make sure you mow the lawn.  Cost $300 to $400. Home Price Increase $1500 to $2000
5. Repair Plumbing  You never know when a potential buying walking through will decide to turn on a faucet or flush the toilet.  Make sure all the plumbing works right…no leeky faucets, etc.  Cost $300 to $400.  Home Price Increase $1000 to $1500
6. Update electrical  Make sure your electricity is up to code and all your outlets are correcrt. $300 to $400.  Home Price Increase $1000 to $1500
7. Replace or Shampoo Carpet   There is not bigger turnoff, than stained, dirty carpet.  If the carpeting is beyond cleaning, a store like Home Depot or a store carrying remnants will be able to sell you carpeting cheaply.  This is a big deal  I can estimate the cost at $400 to $ 500 per room.  Home Price Increase $1000 to $1500
8. Paint Interior You can brighten and freshen or home  with just a can of paint.  The cost is less if you do it your self or cost $500 to $750 with some help.  Home Price Increase $1500to $2000
9.  Repair Damaged Floors  Cost estimate $500-$750  Home Price Increase $1500-$2000
10. Update Kitchen  You don’t have to do a whole job.  Just new appliances are great and the stores may even include installation.   Cost depending on the appliances…$1000 to $1500 Home Price Increase $$2000 to $3000
11. Update Bathrooms  New faucets, new toilet seats, change out wall paper to neutral, new towel racks, new bathtub if you need it.  Cost estimate $750-$1000  Home Price Increase $1000-$1500      

    12.  Paint Exterior  Only if necessary and this is not always possible in a planned development.  But getting a touch up by a professional will estimate Cost at $750 to $1000 and the Home Price Increase will be $1500-$2000   

Any one of these suggestions can make a big difference in the presentation of your home.  Call me any further advice or hints for home improvement!

There are stands with pretzels, ices, water, and tents where the children can get a purple painted face.  The stage had three beautiful little girls in long pink dresses singing and the seats were all taken by 12:00 p.m. as soon as the park opened.  I would say that this event was put together beautifully and it truly enhances the experience of living in Aventura.

Great News for Real Estate In Aventura!!! 

After all the bad reports on fraud and misuse of the $8000 tax credit for first time home buyers, Congress has decided that the good out ways the bad and is voting, this week to extend this program for 7 Months and will make it better by including couples with incomes up to $225k which is 55k more than the previous program.

$6500 Maximum credit would be available to move-up homeowners who have lived in their currect residence for 5 of the prior 8 years and they don’t have to sell their previous home to qualify.  THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!!

Prices are still very affordable.  Certainly, this is the BEST TIME TO BUY.  Interest rates are still low.  (check my chart on this site).  The Government is making it easier to buy than ever.

Click on the homes for sale button on this page and find your dream home and make it a reality and when you see the perfect place…call me and we will get an appointment, today.

Update:  Congress just passed this legislation and it is expected to be signed into law by President Obama.

Please notice that in July of 2008, there were 73 units for sale in the beautiful Turnberry on the Green high rise in Aventura.  Many of these sales were foreclosures and short sales.

In the past year, 50% of these apartments were sold and now there are only 35 units on the market and the prices have improved, as well.

A year ago, it took 251 days for an apartment in Turnberry on the Green to sell, now it takes 177 days to sell.  These are averages.  Naturally, the better priced units sell quicker than overpriced ones.

The price per square foot has declined.   In 2008, the average price per square foot was $228 and now it is $215.  This reflects the change in prices throughout Dade County. 

However, as the market stabilizes and inventories shrink, prices should start their climb upward.

It is a good time to buy and a good time to sell.  Check out my property  search.  Call me to obtain an opinion of value for your home, as well.

Our prices are very attractive.   It has been years since it has been so affordable to live here.  The Europeans always liked our warm, sunny climate and this week the British pound was worth $1.58 and the Euro was worth $1.45.  The economies domestically and abroad have improved,which has made the U.S. lenders offer mortgages to foreign nationals, again.  Bank of America is offering mortgages to foreign investors much more readily than a few months ago, although the documentation is more strict.

Another reason for more sales is the EB-5 Visa Program.  This visa was created by the Immigration Act of 1990 and it allows foreigners to obtain a green card by making a business investment in the United States.

This is a good time to put your home or condo on the market because there is a much greater chance of  selling now than it has been for the past two years.  This is really good news!  If you are thinking of selling, please call me for an in depth review of your property and advice on pricing.

This Is A Big Change!   It shows that people are buying because the prices reflect an understanding by the sellers of what the public will pay.  During this period properties sold increased by 24.8%.  Prices have met the market.

A decline in inventory of properties for sale combined with an increase in properties sold will force fresh inventory to fill the gap.

This is a better time to sell than it has been in two years.

The average price per square foot sold in AVENTURA  went up from 282 a square foot to 323 a square foot.  Good News.  AVENTURA  inventories are declining as well.

Look through my Home Search.  This is the best time to get a really good buy.  Prices will start to stabilize soon, and opportunities to buy at the bottom will disappear.

Enjoy our fabulous Monthly Mailer, first time, ever in an internet edition.  Flip through the pages to see our terrific properties.  Call ME for any you would like to view…

If you list with us, your property will appear in this mailer which is also mailed to many thousands of contacts.  A very successful marketing tool and that works for YOU…

Well, now you can! You can live in an area where everyday you can walk around the waterways harbor and see the sunrise and admire the boats, all steps away from this beautiful house.

Near shopping, schools restaurants and minutes from I 95.   Call me today and you can see this beautiful home today.  Priced at $375,000!  Buy it in time to close December 1,2009 and the government gives you an $8000 tax credit.  This home is a perfect way to take advantage of the times.

In the economic stimulus package passed earlier this year was a $300 million program offering rebates to buyers of more energy-efficient appliances and other products with the Energy Star label.

This program is a little different, in that each state will run its’ own rebate program.  I am on the lookout to see when Florida will be offering these rebates.  So far, the large chains like Sears and Best Buy are offering cash rebates as are some cities. 

So, ultimately, when you buy, you may be getting a rebate from the store, from the municipality, and from the  Dept of Energy.

The Federal Government wants the public to start buying again.  The public will benefit also, by having lower electricity bills, and making their homes more up to date, always a good thing.

Contact me for further information.