Monday, July 30, 2018

What You Need To Know About The Mortgage Process


Some Highlights:

  • Many buyers are purchasing a home with a down payment as little as 3%.
  • You may already qualify for a loan, even if you don’t have perfect credit.
  • Take advantage of the knowledge of your local professionals who are there to help you determine how much you can afford.
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The Sarasota Native Group® is made up of full-time agents; this is not our retirement career nor is this a second job while also waiting tables. Collectively we have been full-time real estate agents going on 15 years. We were born and raised in Sarasota and we know the area and the market very well.
On average The Sarasota Native Group® has helped customers save 3% off the list price (or $3,000 for every $100,000) using our years of negotiating experience and knowledge of the local real estate market. (This does not include helping buyers save money by recommending trusted service providers in the area. Our contacts become your contacts.) 
Are you not seeing your dream home on the market? Contact us to discuss the possibility of having our team target off-market homes that have high selling potential that match your specific criteria. We only provide this service to committed customers because of the time and effort we put into finding the home of their dreams.
The Sarasota Native Group® will negotiate to get you the best deal possible and we would be delighted to work with you and anyone you know who is currently looking to purchase a home.
Contact us today!



  


The Sarasota Native Group® | www.TheSarasotaNativeGroup.com | 2000 Webber St. Sarasota, FL 34239 | 941-822-1519

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

3 Bathroom Trends Homeowners Might Want to Avoid


Bathroom makeovers can help enhance a property, but homeowners should be careful not to be too trendy or it may have the opposite effect. HouseLogic detailed several recent bathroom trends that homeowners might want to reconsider, including:
Tiny tiles
Mosaics of tiny colored tiles may be on-trend and offer a retro vibe to your bathroom, but they’ve also earned a reputation as being a pain to keep clean. Tiny tiles mean more grout to clean and maintain. Instead of doing a large space of tiny tiles, HouseLogic recommends using them as an accent, such as the wall surrounding your vanity. Choose a place where they won’t get wet on the floor, in the tub, or in the shower so that cleaning them is less of a chore.
Hardwood floors
The flooring may be a hot choice for the rest of your home, but they can be a pain in the bathroom. “It will warp next to a shower or tub if not dried after each use,” Tanya Campbell, a designer for Virdis Design Studio in Denver, told HouseLogic. “Also, tile is more sanitary.” If the wooden look is what you want, opt for something that resembles the exterior, but is actually tile.
Colored tubs and sinks
Color is gradually entering more bathrooms. But don’t forget the lessons from the 1950s pastel bathroom craze that brought in pink and aqua sinks. That had renovators ripping them out a few years later in favor of white, a safer choice for the long term. “The bathroom is one of the most expensive rooms in the house to do, and so I try to be very safe because the parts are going to be expensive to change out—like a tub,” Suzanne Felber, a designer in Dallas, told HouseLogic. If color is what homeowners want, opt for painting the walls instead; it’s easier to change later on.
Source: Realtor Magazine

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The Sarasota Native Group® is made up of full-time agents; this is not our retirement career nor is this a second job while also waiting tables. Collectively we have been full-time real estate agents going on 15 years. We were born and raised in Sarasota and we know the area and the market very well.
On average The Sarasota Native Group® has helped customers save 3% off the list price (or $3,000 for every $100,000) using our years of negotiating experience and knowledge of the local real estate market. (This does not include helping buyers save money by recommending trusted service providers in the area. Our contacts become your contacts.) 
Are you not seeing your dream home on the market? Contact us to discuss the possibility of having our team target off-market homes that have high selling potential that match your specific criteria. We only provide this service to committed customers because of the time and effort we put into finding the home of their dreams.
The Sarasota Native Group® will negotiate to get you the best deal possible and we would be delighted to work with you and anyone you know who is currently looking to purchase a home.
Contact us today!



  


The Sarasota Native Group® | www.TheSarasotaNativeGroup.com | 2000 Webber St. Sarasota, FL 34239 | 941-822-1519

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Buyer Demand Still Outpacing The Supply Of Homes For Sale


The price of any item is determined by the supply of that item, as well as market demand. The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) surveys “over 50,000 real estate practitioners about their expectations for home sales, prices and market conditions” for their monthly REALTORS Confidence Index.
Their latest edition sheds some light on the relationship between Seller Traffic (supply) and Buyer Traffic (demand).

Buyer Demand

The map below was created after asking the question: “How would you rate buyer traffic in your area?”
Buyer Demand Still Outpacing the Supply of Homes for Sale | Keeping Current Matters
The darker the blue, the stronger the demand for homes in that area. Only four states had a ‘stable’ demand level.

Seller Supply

The index also asked: “How would you rate seller traffic in your area?”
As you can see from the map below, 25 states reported ‘weak’ seller traffic, 21 states reported ‘stable’ seller traffic, 3 states and Washington D.C. reported ‘strong’ seller traffic, and only 1 state reported ‘very strong’ seller traffic. This means there are far fewer homes on the market than what is needed to satisfy the buyers who are out looking for their dream homes.
Buyer Demand Still Outpacing the Supply of Homes for Sale | Keeping Current Matters

Bottom Line

Looking at the maps above, it is not hard to see why prices are appreciating in many areas of the country. Until the supply of homes for sale starts to meet buyer demand, prices will continue to increase. If you are debating listing your home for sale, meet with a local real estate professional in your area who can help you capitalize on the demand in the market now!
Source: Keeping Current Matters
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The Sarasota Native Group® is made up of full-time agents; this is not our retirement career nor is this a second job while also waiting tables. Collectively we have been full-time real estate agents going on 15 years. We were born and raised in Sarasota and we know the area and the market very well.
On average The Sarasota Native Group® has helped customers save 3% off the list price (or $3,000 for every $100,000) using our years of negotiating experience and knowledge of the local real estate market. (This does not include helping buyers save money by recommending trusted service providers in the area. Our contacts become your contacts.) 
Are you not seeing your dream home on the market? Contact us to discuss the possibility of having our team target off-market homes that have high selling potential that match your specific criteria. We only provide this service to committed customers because of the time and effort we put into finding the home of their dreams.
The Sarasota Native Group® will negotiate to get you the best deal possible and we would be delighted to work with you and anyone you know who is currently looking to purchase a home.
Contact us today!



  


The Sarasota Native Group® | www.TheSarasotaNativeGroup.com | 2000 Webber St. Sarasota, FL 34239 | 941-822-1519

Monday, July 9, 2018

The #1 Reason To List Your House For Sale NOW!


If you are debating whether or not to list your house for sale this year, here is the #1 reason not to wait!

Buyer Demand Continues to Outpace the Supply of Homes for Sale

The National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun recently commented on the current lack of inventory:
“Inventory coming onto the market during this year’s spring buying season – as evidenced again by last month’s weak reading – was not even close to being enough to satisfy demand. 
That is why home prices keep outpacing incomes and listings are going under contract in less than a month – and much faster – in many parts of the country.”
The latest Existing Home Sales Report shows that there is currently a 4.1-month supply of homes for sale. This remains lower than the 6-month supply necessary for a normal market, and 6.1% lower than last year’s inventory level.
The chart below details the year-over-year inventory shortages experienced over the last 12 months:
The #1 Reason to List Your House for Sale NOW! | Keeping Current Matters
Anything less than a six-month supply is considered a “seller’s market.”

Bottom Line

Meet with a local real estate professional who can show you the supply conditions in your neighborhood and assist you in gaining access to the buyers who are ready, willing, and able to buy right now!
Source: Keeping Current Matters
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The Sarasota Native Group® is made up of full-time agents; this is not our retirement career nor is this a second job while also waiting tables. Collectively we have been full-time real estate agents going on 15 years. We were born and raised in Sarasota and we know the area and the market very well.
On average The Sarasota Native Group® has helped customers save 3% off the list price (or $3,000 for every $100,000) using our years of negotiating experience and knowledge of the local real estate market. (This does not include helping buyers save money by recommending trusted service providers in the area. Our contacts become your contacts.) 
Are you not seeing your dream home on the market? Contact us to discuss the possibility of having our team target off-market homes that have high selling potential that match your specific criteria. We only provide this service to committed customers because of the time and effort we put into finding the home of their dreams.
The Sarasota Native Group® will negotiate to get you the best deal possible and we would be delighted to work with you and anyone you know who is currently looking to purchase a home.
Contact us today!



  


The Sarasota Native Group® | www.TheSarasotaNativeGroup.com | 2000 Webber St. Sarasota, FL 34239 | 941-822-1519

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Remodeling Projects With Big Returns


Angie’s List surveyed top remodelers and real estate professionals to determine which remodeling projects result in the best return on investment when it comes time to sell your home.
“Well-planned and executed home improvements make your house more livable while you live there, and they boost your home’s resale value,” says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List, the nation's premier provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.
“If you’re investing in your home specifically to help sell it, focus your dollars on the things that will really wow a potential buyer.”

3 Mistakes that Hurt Home Value


The Kitchen

Whether it’s a major overhaul or a simple makeover, putting a fresh face on your kitchen is your best investment. Maximize your return by limiting your project cost to no more than 20 percent of the value of your home. Expect an 85 percent return on your investment.

The Bathroom

An outdated bathroom can spoil a sale. Current trends have homeowners installing large showers instead of garden tubs. A major update by a reputable bathroom remodeling contractor could cost less than $20,000, but it should yield an 80 percent return.

Decks

A new deck can cost a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on size and materials used. Before you build, look at other homes in your area and build accordingly. If the deck is in good shape, your return could be more than 80 percent.

Siding

If your home’s facade is siding and it’s not in good shape, replacing or repairing the siding can bring instant freshness. You’ll likely spend at least $10,000, but you should get at least 80 percent back.

Window Replacement

The energy efficiency of new windows is a clear benefit to switching out older windows, but in some cases, it’s a safety feature, too. Costs depend on the number of windows you’re replacing, of course, and the type. Expect a return on your investment of at least 70 percent.

Hiring a Remodeling Contractor

Do your due diligence when hiring a contractor for any improvement. Visit Angie’s List for consumer reviews on highly rated contractors, builders and other service professionals.
“Don’t settle for a company without a great local reputation or references you can verify,” Hicks says. “Wait for the right contractor.”
Source: Angieslist Blog
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The Sarasota Native Group® is made up of full-time agents; this is not our retirement career nor is this a second job while also waiting tables. Collectively we have been full-time real estate agents going on 15 years. We were born and raised in Sarasota and we know the area and the market very well.
On average The Sarasota Native Group® has helped customers save 3% off the list price (or $3,000 for every $100,000) using our years of negotiating experience and knowledge of the local real estate market. (This does not include helping buyers save money by recommending trusted service providers in the area. Our contacts become your contacts.) 
Are you not seeing your dream home on the market? Contact us to discuss the possibility of having our team target off-market homes that have high selling potential that match your specific criteria. We only provide this service to committed customers because of the time and effort we put into finding the home of their dreams.
The Sarasota Native Group® will negotiate to get you the best deal possible and we would be delighted to work with you and anyone you know who is currently looking to purchase a home.
Contact us today!



  


The Sarasota Native Group® | www.TheSarasotaNativeGroup.com | 2000 Webber St. Sarasota, FL 34239 | 941-822-1519

Friday, July 6, 2018

Why Should You Use A Professional To Sell Your Home?


When homeowners decide to sell their houses, they obviously want to get the best possible price for their home with the least amount of hassles along the way. However, for the vast majority of sellers, the most important result is actually getting their homes sold.
In order to accomplish all three goals, a seller should realize the importance of using a real estate professional. We realize that technology has changed a buyer’s behavior during the home buying process. According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2018 Home Buyer & Seller Generational Trends Report, the first step that “42% of recent buyers took in the home buying process was to look online at properties for sale.”
However, the report also revealed that 94% of buyers who used the internet when searching for homes ultimately purchased their homes through either a real estate agent/broker or from a builder or builder’s agent. Only 2% of buyers purchased their homes directly from a seller whom they didn’t know.
Buyers search for a home online but then depend on an agent to find the home they will buy (52%), to negotiate the terms of the sale (47%) & price (38%), or to help understand the process (60%).
The plethora of information now available has resulted in an increase in the percentage of buyers who reach out to real estate professionals to “connect the dots.” This is obvious, as the percentage of overall buyers who have used agents to buy their homes has steadily increased from 69% in 2001.

Bottom Line

If you are thinking of selling your home, don’t underestimate the role a real estate professional can play in the process.

SOURCE: Keeping Current Matters
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The Sarasota Native Group® is made up of full-time agents; this is not our retirement career nor is this a second job while also waiting tables. Collectively we have been full-time real estate agents going on 15 years. We were born and raised in Sarasota and we know the area and the market very well.
On average The Sarasota Native Group® has helped customers save 3% off the list price (or $3,000 for every $100,000) using our years of negotiating experience and knowledge of the local real estate market. (This does not include helping buyers save money by recommending trusted service providers in the area. Our contacts become your contacts.) 
Are you not seeing your dream home on the market? Contact us to discuss the possibility of having our team target off-market homes that have high selling potential that match your specific criteria. We only provide this service to committed customers because of the time and effort we put into finding the home of their dreams.
The Sarasota Native Group® will negotiate to get you the best deal possible and we would be delighted to work with you and anyone you know who is currently looking to purchase a home.
Contact us today!



  


The Sarasota Native Group® | www.TheSarasotaNativeGroup.com | 2000 Webber St. Sarasota, FL 34239 | 941-822-1519