Sarasota Real Estate Information

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

5 Reasons To Hire A Real Estate Professional Before Entering The Market!

Whether you are buying or selling a home, it can be quite the adventure. In this world of instant gratification and internet searches, many sellers think that they can ‘For Sale by Owner’ or ‘FSBO,’ but it’s not as easy as it may seem. That’s why you need an experienced real estate professional to guide you on the path to achieving your ultimate goal!

The 5 reasons you need a real estate professional in your corner haven’t changed but have rather been strengthened by the projections of higher mortgage interest rates and home prices as the market continues to pick up steam.

1. What do you do with all this paperwork?

Each state has different regulations regarding the contracts required for a successful sale, and these regulations are constantly changing. A true real estate professional is an expert in his or her market and can guide you through the stacks of paperwork necessary to make your dream a reality.

2. So you found your dream house, now what?

There are over 230 possible steps that need to take place during every successful real estate transaction. Don’t you want someone who has been there before, someone who knows what these actions are, to ensure you achieve your dream?

3. Are you a good negotiator?

So maybe you’re not convinced that you need an agent to sell your home. After looking at the list of parties that you will need to be prepared to negotiate with, you’ll soon realize the value in selecting a real estate professional. From the buyers (who want the best deals possible), to the home inspection companies, all the way to the appraisers, there are at least 11 different people who you will need to be knowledgeable of, and answer to, during the process.

4. What is the home you’re buying/selling really worth?

It is important for your home to be priced correctly from the start in order to attract the right buyers and shorten the amount of time that it’s on the market. You need someone who is not emotionally connected to your home to give you its true value. According to a recent article by the National Association of Realtors, FSBOs achieve prices significantly lower than the prices of similar properties sold by real estate agents:

“FSBOs earn an average of $60,000 to $90,000 less on the sale of their home than sellers who work with a real estate agent.”

Get the most out of your transaction by hiring a professional!

5. Do you know what’s really going on in the market?

There is so much information out there on the news and on the internet about home sales, prices, and mortgage rates; how do you know what’s going on specifically in your area? Who do you turn to in order to competitively and correctly price your home at the beginning of the selling process? How do you know what to offer on your dream home without paying too much, or offending the seller with a lowball offer?

Dave Ramsey, the financial guru, advises:

“When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman.”

Hiring an agent who has his or her finger on the pulse of the market will make your buying or selling experience an educated one. You need someone who is going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.

Bottom Line

You wouldn’t replace the engine in your car without a trusted mechanic, so why would you make one of the most important financial decisions of your life without hiring a real estate professional?

Source: Keeping Current Matters

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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?”

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.

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

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.

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:

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

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.

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

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.

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