Posts Tagged ‘home finance’

Venice FL Property, Gold Or Lead?

Friday, October 1st, 2010

No I am not crazy, the economy is a wreck and housing markets are in a slump, it’s true. But we have just come off of the tax credit that helped put a lot of property under contract here at Venice FL property for sale. This tax credit which ended in April caused a lot of real estate to be put under contract creating an artificial spike in the market for a short time. As a result Venice FL Property is now resting on a historic low.

The result has been a big slow down in home sales during July. Things are slowly returning to a bit more regular market pattern. But prices are even better than before, and the selection is at incredible levels.

You can get a great deal. This is a buyers’ market and many people who are not ready to retire but are still thinking that the year round beaches, golf, fishing, tennis, biking and warm climate of southwest Florida is where they would like to spend their retirement.

Buyers right now in Florida’s real estate markets are looking for maintenance free condos and homes in a community that caters to their lifestyle choices. The features they want are pools, tennis courts and exercise facilities on premise. Basically everything they need to maximize their leisure time to its fullest.

Buyers need to keep in mind when considering to buy or not to buy a home right now is that these are actually financially historic times. Interest rates are at 4.5 percent, about the lowest anyone has ever seen. Mark my words in a few years you will overhear someone saying “I really should have bought our home when prices were at rock bottom and paid peanuts in interest” That time is today.

Choices are incredible, as there is such a large real estate inventory. You as a buyer have so many great choices, that as a Realtor sometimes it’s hard to keep up with all the great deals and options on the market just here in Venice. You can pick a beautiful, lush golfing community where over coffee every morning you overlook the stunning fairways before hitting a few balls yourself. Like the beach? Then perhaps a condominium overlooking the ocean, where you are two minutes from your door to your toes directly in the sand. If you chose Florida as your next home it’s all yours for the asking.

One of the things I so much enjoy about Venice is the incredibly diverse lifestyle options you can make and enjoy here. These lifestyle choices are directly reflected in the communities and home options available that help you live how you like to live. You could get a condo in a tennis club, and work on that backhand every day. You could plan for the future and get a home located in a retirement community where there are daily activities to participate in and services that you might need. Right now almost every lifestyle option is available and for the first time, at every budget level. Combine those wonderful factors, sunny weather and beautiful beaches, what’s not to love?

Don’t let yourself look back at the days of cheap beautiful homes in Florida at rock bottom prices and historically low interests rates and wish you would have made the move then. We all wish we had bought Microsoft shares at $20 bucks a share. Well some people did, but most of them already live in Florida as far as I can tell.

The market will eventually right itself. Baby boomers are in or edging toward retirement. Young families find the lifestyle of Venice, FL appealing. The supply and demand will eventually meet and balance out. This is the time to buy and relax and enjoy the sunshine.

Love to see some of the amazing Venice FL Property?, Call me, Christina Lavoie, I would love to be yourVenice FL Realtor

New To RE Investing?

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

So you decided to get into real estate investing.Good for you! While at first, real estate investing can seem a bit overwhelming, if you pay attention, you will be paid in rewards and dividends for years.

Where to start? Well lets look at a few basic tatics for a new investor.

First things first where to find the information. In the last several years the amount of real estate investment groups has exploded. Find a local one and attend a meeting. And dont be afraid to ask the most basic of questions.

RE investors, are for the most part, a great group of people, from all walks of life. the one thing we all share is our passion for what we do. We discuss tatics and ideas about what to invest in as well as where. We share tips on things that have worked ..and warnings about things that dont.

Before actually buying any investment properties, beginning real estate investors should begin to put their organizations together by outlining a specific business plan. The plan should go over every step in the purchase of a property, from the marketing strategies on through the sale or leasing of a property.

In the beginning it is important to decide what types of properties to focus on. If you wish to buy rental properties, then focus on those. If flipping houses is in your plans, then concentrate on those types of properties. This is important because it allows the new investor to become a specialist within that area. Becoming a specialist leads to fewer costly mistakes.

Ok now comes the fun part. you need to find the people that offer the skills you need to accomplish your plan. Contractors,handy men, sub-contractors etc. Finding the right people to make your team is the hardest part of this game. (I use the same people for the same job on EVERY property I buy)

If you will be working with “fixer-upper” houses, line up a plumber and an electrician, as well as heating and air-conditioning experts. Better yet, find a reliable “handyman” who is capable of doing many of the jobs needed in fixing up houses.

Find a good agent. THis is harder then you might think. You see most agents dont work well with investors. Why? Investors want the agent to do tons of work the normal buyer doesnt. Offers counter offers…spread sheets to show profits and losses..not to mention all the surrounding research on the sales in the area in the last 6-12 months. A good agent will do this. a good agent understand that they may sell you more then one house in a years time..and that means repeat business for the agent.

Time is always a key factor in real estate investing, so always look to ways to “turn” a property in the least amount of time. A property that remains unsold or not rented is eating up profits every day it in your possession. Learn to cut the losses on properties that fail to meet their profit potential.

Every beginning real estate investor will make mistakes that cut into potential profits. It is imperative to recognize these mistakes and correct them before they can cripple the business.

In the end, the investor who runs their business in the most efficient ways will profit, succeed, and grow in real estate investing.

About the Author: