There is a great post over at Global Edge this morning discussing International Property Portals. This is really a must read for every home seller in South Florida.
When you list your property with a Realtor in South Florida, your listing will be posted automatically by our MLS system to Realtor.com, which ranks as the number one property portal on the internet in the world. Home buyers worldwide will be able to find your home with free internet searches.
But what about other property search portals? How many Realtors will post your listing on other popular sites? I use a posting service that automatically submits your listing to Zillow, Trulia, Homegain and even Craigslist - all included in your listing with me.
But I noticed in the list of the Top 100 portals a significant lack of portals that directly serve South America. In South Florida, it is essential to disseminate your listing information to investors coming from Central and South America, and I am working to find outlets to serve this population. I have recently signed up with a service that translates the site into Spanish. Also, EscapeArtist.com serves the international community looking to make an international relocation.
I'd love to hear your comments and suggestions on this topic.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
It's good to be Hélio!
Congratulations to Coral Gables resident Hélio Castroneves, who captured his third win at the Indy 500 on Sunday. Castroneves held off second place finisher Dan Wheldon, Indy's 2005 winner, and Danica Patrick, who finished third, the best by a woman at Indianapolis.
I know that much of this blog is devoted to the first time homebuyer, but in honor of Castroneves and his expansive manse in Cocoplum, let's take a look today at some of the luxury homes on the market in Miami Dade.
For a mere $49,500,000 (not a typo) you too can own a breathtaking, one of a kind 8 bedroom, 11 bath bayfront estate:
Go ahead and indulge in the visual tour: http://photoplan.planomatic.com/viewer2.php?propertyTourID=3474
For the much more....accessible? $7.8 million, a lovely 7,443 square foot home on deep water access:
And just in case you think you can't get a fabulous foreclosure deal on a luxury home, check out this Pinecrest abode for merely $2.35 million:
Or this ocean access, no bridges, Coral Gables foreclosed home for only $1.2 million:
So whether you are a first time buyer or looking for your luxury family estate, call me at 305-984-0404 for your free consultation.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
First Time Homebuyers in Miami-Dade
If you are a first time homebuyer in Miami-Dade County, Florida, now is the time to buy! You really cannot afford not to.
The Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade County assists eligible home buyers with the tools to own a home of their own:
-30-year fixed interest
-down payament and closing cost assistance
To be eligible, the property must be in Miami-Dade, buyer must live in the home, and the property must be single family, condo, townhome, duplex, or up to four units.
The maximum purchase price is $525,090; max income for family of 1 or 2 is $71,160, for a family of 3 or more is $83,020.
With great, FHA approved condos around town for under $60,000, and duplexes for under $200k, and interest rates hovering around 5%, there is no better time to buy. And did I mention the $8,000 tax credit?
First time buyers, call me now at 305-984-0404 for your free consultation!
The Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade County assists eligible home buyers with the tools to own a home of their own:
-30-year fixed interest
-down payament and closing cost assistance
To be eligible, the property must be in Miami-Dade, buyer must live in the home, and the property must be single family, condo, townhome, duplex, or up to four units.
The maximum purchase price is $525,090; max income for family of 1 or 2 is $71,160, for a family of 3 or more is $83,020.
With great, FHA approved condos around town for under $60,000, and duplexes for under $200k, and interest rates hovering around 5%, there is no better time to buy. And did I mention the $8,000 tax credit?
First time buyers, call me now at 305-984-0404 for your free consultation!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
First time homebuyer stats:
If you are a first time homebuyer, you're not alone!
According to http://www.mortgagecurrentcy.com/,
in 2008, 41% of all home purchases where made by first time homebuyers. In the first quarter of 2009, that number was 53% (according to the National Association of Realtors).
Of course there are many great reasons to buy your first home now!
*First Time Homebuyer tax credits
*Lower purchase prices in most areas
*Even lower interest rates
*Increased number of FHA lenders
*$10 Billion USDA Funds Allocated
Still, many people who qualify for the tax credit have never heard of it, or have heard misinformation. The best way to tell whether you qualify for all or a partial credit is to consult your tax advisor.
Whether you are a first time homebuyer or just looking for a great dea, check out this adorable foreclosure in Schenley Park:
Wood floors, beam ceilings, adorable! Call to schedule your showing 305-984-0404.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Monetize Your $8,000 Tax Credit
Great news from HUD for FHA homebuyers:
WASHINGTON, May 12, 2009
Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development, said that theFederal Housing Administration is
going to permit its lenders to allow homeowners to use the $8,000 tax credit as
a downpayment.
Donovan’s remarks came in an address to several thousand
Realtors® gathered this morning at The Real Estate Summit: Advancing the U.S.
Economy, a special daylong session at the Realtors®
Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo here.
Read more here. And call me at 305-984-0404 to discuss your options.
And since you'll be buying a new home soon, maybe you should check out these 10 Steps to a Sound Personal Financial Policy .
And how about checking out these great deals:
1 bedroom/1 bath condo near Coral Gables, condo fee only $119 per month, Foreclosed for only $49,900!!
Foreclosed 2 bedroom/1 bath off of Coral Way for only $66,000:
Call me at 305-984-0404 and buy your new Miami home by the Summer!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Miami Home Alarm Systems
Another great guest post from Trey - Thanks! contact me at LisaMerrittRealtor@gmail.com if you'd like to guest post here. And of course contact me if you'd like to list or buy a home!
You've just bought a new Miami home, and filled it with your most beloved personal treasures. Now you need to protect your investment, and by taking a few simple steps, you can ensure that your home stays safe. One of the most effective ways to safeguard your home is to install an alarm. There are a number of systems out there, including traditional monitoring alarm services. This security system is wired throughout your home, or company and is connected to a central security office. When the alarm is tripped, this security service will call your home to see whether the alarm was set off by accident or an intruder. If they can't reach anyone in the home, they will notify the police. T
hese systems are great for peace of mind. Knowing that someone is monitoring your home 24/7 can be very comforting for the elderly, and for people who live aloe, but on the downside this system is not portable, so when you move, your system stays behind. Some companies when your moving will come out and reinstall your old system you have to talk to them about it but if your moving out of state you may just have to start all over. Another drawback is the fact that some homeowners have the alarm connected to their only phone line. This means that when the alarm is set off, no one can get through on the phone. The alarm company can't reach you, and will dispatch the police every time the alarm is triggered. If the alarm has been set off accidentally, this can be an embarrassing and stressful event. Try to see if you can give them a backup phone number like your cell phone if you don't want to get another line in your house.
Tracy, a homeowner from Miami, works for a small business that features this type of setup. Forgetting the code one morning, Tracy accidentally set off the alarm. Panic-stricken, she tried to call her supervisor for the code, but the phone line was connected to the alarm, so it didn't have a dial tone. Unable to call the alarm company or her boss, all she could do was wait until the police showed up. Now Tracy says, "If you're going to install a security system, get a second phone line. This experience was really frustrating, I felt helpless like I was wasting everybodys time. I'm really angry actually, that security companies would even allow their systems to be connected to a sole phone line. It kind of defeats the purpose of having someone monitor the place, don't you think?" Tracy was so shaken by the experience, that she now carries the alarm code on her person. "It's not a good idea, I know, but I never want to go through that again."Another option is to install an audible-only alarm. This is one that is wired throughout your home, and emits a loud siren, much like the monitored version. The difference is that there is no one checking on your home. If there alarm is triggered, it will be up to neighbors and passersby to call the police.
As residents in large cities know, car alarms are often ignored due to the frequency of false alarms, and are seen as more of an annoyance than anything else. The same can be said of house alarms. Neighbors may ignore the sirens, all while your home is being burgled. Some police ignore these alarms too. Unless they have received notification of suspicious behavior in the area, police aren't likely to check on a property that has an alarm going off. The benefit of this type of alarm is that its very presence can scare off potential burglars. Keeping security stickers on doors and on prominent windows, advertises the fact that you have an alarm systemin place. Robbers want an easy target, so they will likely bypass your house completely. So look into the best alarm system for you and your family.
Author Bio:Trey is VIP Realty's marketing specialist. Focusing on the Houston real estate and San Antonio real estate market.
You've just bought a new Miami home, and filled it with your most beloved personal treasures. Now you need to protect your investment, and by taking a few simple steps, you can ensure that your home stays safe. One of the most effective ways to safeguard your home is to install an alarm. There are a number of systems out there, including traditional monitoring alarm services. This security system is wired throughout your home, or company and is connected to a central security office. When the alarm is tripped, this security service will call your home to see whether the alarm was set off by accident or an intruder. If they can't reach anyone in the home, they will notify the police. T
hese systems are great for peace of mind. Knowing that someone is monitoring your home 24/7 can be very comforting for the elderly, and for people who live aloe, but on the downside this system is not portable, so when you move, your system stays behind. Some companies when your moving will come out and reinstall your old system you have to talk to them about it but if your moving out of state you may just have to start all over. Another drawback is the fact that some homeowners have the alarm connected to their only phone line. This means that when the alarm is set off, no one can get through on the phone. The alarm company can't reach you, and will dispatch the police every time the alarm is triggered. If the alarm has been set off accidentally, this can be an embarrassing and stressful event. Try to see if you can give them a backup phone number like your cell phone if you don't want to get another line in your house.
Tracy, a homeowner from Miami, works for a small business that features this type of setup. Forgetting the code one morning, Tracy accidentally set off the alarm. Panic-stricken, she tried to call her supervisor for the code, but the phone line was connected to the alarm, so it didn't have a dial tone. Unable to call the alarm company or her boss, all she could do was wait until the police showed up. Now Tracy says, "If you're going to install a security system, get a second phone line. This experience was really frustrating, I felt helpless like I was wasting everybodys time. I'm really angry actually, that security companies would even allow their systems to be connected to a sole phone line. It kind of defeats the purpose of having someone monitor the place, don't you think?" Tracy was so shaken by the experience, that she now carries the alarm code on her person. "It's not a good idea, I know, but I never want to go through that again."Another option is to install an audible-only alarm. This is one that is wired throughout your home, and emits a loud siren, much like the monitored version. The difference is that there is no one checking on your home. If there alarm is triggered, it will be up to neighbors and passersby to call the police.
As residents in large cities know, car alarms are often ignored due to the frequency of false alarms, and are seen as more of an annoyance than anything else. The same can be said of house alarms. Neighbors may ignore the sirens, all while your home is being burgled. Some police ignore these alarms too. Unless they have received notification of suspicious behavior in the area, police aren't likely to check on a property that has an alarm going off. The benefit of this type of alarm is that its very presence can scare off potential burglars. Keeping security stickers on doors and on prominent windows, advertises the fact that you have an alarm systemin place. Robbers want an easy target, so they will likely bypass your house completely. So look into the best alarm system for you and your family.
Author Bio:Trey is VIP Realty's marketing specialist. Focusing on the Houston real estate and San Antonio real estate market.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Welcome to Pow Wow Miami!
This weekend, starting May 16, Miami and Miami Beach welcome travel industry professionals to our tropical paradise for Pow Wow International Miami. And I'll bet a fair number of attendees fall in love with the area and are anxious to purchase or recommend purchases of second and vacation homes here.
And what better time will there ever be to buy? Spectacular deals abound, from beach front condos to luxury homes to family compounds, prices on some of the most sought after properties are at the lowest prices in years. Low interest rates are making it even easier to purchase.
For investors, there are many options throughout Dade County to find cash-flowing investment properties.
So take advantage of your visit during Pow Wow Miami to check out the local real estate market. Call me at 305-984-0404 or email LisaMerrrittRealtor@gmail.com to schedule showings or a quick tour, and you could be spending your next Miami vacation in your own home.
And what better time will there ever be to buy? Spectacular deals abound, from beach front condos to luxury homes to family compounds, prices on some of the most sought after properties are at the lowest prices in years. Low interest rates are making it even easier to purchase.
For investors, there are many options throughout Dade County to find cash-flowing investment properties.
So take advantage of your visit during Pow Wow Miami to check out the local real estate market. Call me at 305-984-0404 or email LisaMerrrittRealtor@gmail.com to schedule showings or a quick tour, and you could be spending your next Miami vacation in your own home.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Deal (and News!) of the Day
Before I get to the Deal of the Day post, I wanted to share a couple of worthwhile links:
Inman News has a great article on smoothing out the short sale process at http://www.inman.com/news/2009/05/7/seeking-closure-short-sale-holdups
If you've been caught up in a lengthy short sale transaction, here is some inside scoop.
And finally some good news! The Miami Herald reports this morning that experts are now predicting an end to the recession sooner than previously thought, by y/e 2009! You have to get past the exciting front page story of the Catholic priest caught frolicking on a Florida beach with a lady friend that has all of Miami gossiping (whoops, I just did it too), but here is the link http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/1035983.html
With the end of the recession near and short sales getting easier, now really must be the time to buy! Here's your deal of the day:
Coral Gables 4/2 Foreclosure under $400k!
Inman News has a great article on smoothing out the short sale process at http://www.inman.com/news/2009/05/7/seeking-closure-short-sale-holdups
If you've been caught up in a lengthy short sale transaction, here is some inside scoop.
And finally some good news! The Miami Herald reports this morning that experts are now predicting an end to the recession sooner than previously thought, by y/e 2009! You have to get past the exciting front page story of the Catholic priest caught frolicking on a Florida beach with a lady friend that has all of Miami gossiping (whoops, I just did it too), but here is the link http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/1035983.html
With the end of the recession near and short sales getting easier, now really must be the time to buy! Here's your deal of the day:
Coral Gables 4/2 Foreclosure under $400k!
Big 4/2 on nice lot, needs quick closing - REO-REO-REO! Coral Gables location! location! location!
Ok, so it is missing a few items, like the kitchen. But what a great price! You can install a custom kitchen at that price and still have a great deal.
Call me today at 305-984-0404 so I can show you this bargain. Don't delay, they are seeking a quick closing so this one will sell.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Pinecrest Foreclosure! Deal of the Day
Huge 4/3 in Pinecrest - East of US1. Great Foreclosure deal, vacant!
AT under $500,000 on over a half acre, this won't last! Call me today at 305-984-0404 to schedule a showing.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Huge foreclosure - great price in 33176!
Call me today at 305-984-0404 - this single family home won't last!
Needs a little work, but at this price, you can customize all you want!
Large patio for entertaining!
This home is huge for the price - $101 per square foot! Large 4/3 on half acre lot in great neighborhood -
Needs a little work, but at this price, you can customize all you want!Large patio for entertaining!
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Monday, May 4, 2009
Killian Foreclosure - 33176!
Terrific 4 bedroom, 2 bath pool home on almost an acre!
GREAT Schools - Quiet neighborhood - Almost one -acre lot - Already Foreclosed!
I'd love to show you this home! Call today, this one won't last 305-984-0404.
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Friday, May 1, 2009
Foreclosure!!! West Falls Pool Home
This beautiful family home on over 1/2 acre is ready for your family! Already in foreclosure. Call me today at 305-984-0404 and let me show you this gem.
Many upgrades already included. Beautiful pool patio for entertaining. Price Reduced!
Don't delay! This home is priced right to move and won't last. Excellent area just west of the Falls shopping center. Call me at 305-984-0404 today to schedule your showing.
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