The upside of Florida real estate: 15 market positives

The upside of Florida real estate: 15 market positives

Link Out: Take a Break

Enjoy your time off, starting right now!

July is National Anti-Boredom Month. Not that you have time to be bored with all of your responsibilities but as you wrap up personal and business appointments and prepare for Summer Break, you might be looking for some welcome distractions. Enjoy your time off, starting now, by listening to this relaxing song,

Take Off Your Cool by Outkast on ...Featuring Norah Jones

 
and visiting some of these fun sites.

Anyone who’s ever been stuck at a desk for long periods of time has likely tapped into the glorious time playing online casual gaming. Over at Kongregate, they save you some trouble by ranking the best games, so you can quickly find a winner to start unwinding to. In one of the highest rated new games, you could become an elephant chasing a wooly bully to retrieve a stolen bowler hat. Almost as fun as Mario Bros. and just as whimsical, you could also go for the most frequently played, highest rated game Platform Racing 2. Looking for a specific type of game to get lost in for a moment? Check out 1Up’s 101 Free Games 2011.

Of course, if it weren’t so expensive, everyone would probably rather use the time over the break to travel to an exotic new location and indulge in some new scenery. As a substitute, you could go exploring by clicking here and enjoying an impressive collection of free online nature documentaries, where you can visit all the great natural wonders of the world in one fell swoop. If you like documentaries, there are equally impressive collections here and here.

There are tons of ways to let go a little, but for true comfort, many of us turn immediately to our favorite foods for an easy indulgence. Cupcakes are a pretty trendy go-to, and I found a great list of inspired cupcakes, complete with recipes so you can get to replicating! However, if you listen to ABC News, they say cupcakes are out this year, and pies are the new comfort food of 2011. For awesome pie recipes, wander over to the Tasty Kitchen. For something a little more savory, feast your eyes on what Huffington Post has declared America’s Top 10 New Sandwiches. (Vegetarians: don't worry, someone posted recipes for veganized versions of these same sandwiches!)

Did you know that laughing is one of the body’s natural ways of counteracting stress? A quick source for laughs is Qwantz, a clever webcomic that recently had a series commenting on popular games like poker, monopoly, scrabble and solitaire.

Have a fun and relaxing Summer Break!

Tips To Protect Your Home, Property In Case Of A Hurricane

Tips To Protect Your Home, Property In Case Of A Hurricane

The video presentation and the article is a great reminder to all of us, that it is prudent for homeowners to learn "what it means to protect your home and be proactive."

Beautiful Plantation Home with Virtual Tour

This beautiful 4,369 square foot home has 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms is listed for $510,000. It is located at 660 NW 100th Terrace, Plantation, Florida.

Visit Virtual Tour Here

Spring Cleaning with Your Kids

It's time to say goodbye to the winter grime and hello to springtime. The time for a thorough cleaning is here again, but we don't have to send the kids away to get the job done.

I’ve had a crash course in living with a teenager. About a year ago, a girlfriend of mine and her two sons came to live with us. One boy is turning eleven in May and the other one is turning seventeen in April.

It's interesting to see the differences in cleaning attitudes between the teenager and the three other children in the house. My daughter, bless her heart, still seems to think that chores and cleaning projects are exciting and new opportunities to play a game.
She is a very good helper; on the other hand, let’s just say my teenager and other two boys in the house are not as enthusiastic. But regardless of whether or not children are trying to help me, I always find myself thinking: This would be done so much better and faster had I just done it myself.

Daily chores are hard enough, let alone spring cleaning. And although it may be quicker and easier to do it ourselves, there are some valuable benefits to getting our kids involved in the cleaning.

Engaging them in this effort teaches them some fundamental life skills. Cleaning is a part of healthy living and it also builds self-esteem. Children can learn that a parent believes in them, and that they can do something to contribute and add value to the family. Research has shown that having household jobs increases a child's sense of resiliency.
Contributing in rituals, like a yearly spring cleaning can also build a sense of social responsibility. The family unit is a community and part of living and belonging to a community is to contribute to it.

Nobody wants to be sentenced to cleaning the bathroom on their own. Establishing a sense of teamwork while taking on spring cleaning can help you work more quickly and more happily. For a parent and five-year-old, tasks can be divided to make the work cooperative and more fun than punishment. For instance, one might polish the bathroom fixtures while the other cleans the toilet bowl. And cooperation and teamwork are invaluable lessons.

No parent enjoys nagging, threatening, or hollering to get kids to do chores. So, instead of using your voice, post a list of the days jobs, or write them out on index cards. Pair off the younger kids with a parent and let the older kids work independently if they like. Each team can choose a job from the list or stack of index cards until all the jobs are done. Try mixing up the cards and treating the tasks like a lottery.

Picking the right music can make cleaning much more enjoyable. Playing upbeat music keeps spirits high and dust cloths moving. Let each helper choose his or her tunes throughout the day to give everyone some sense of ownership of the process.
Yes, bribery is certainly an option. Give the kids something they want if they do something you want. For example: If the windows are all clean and sparkling by 11:30 a.m., then we’ll go to the movies. Make sure the projects are something you really want done like window cleaning, cleaning out a closet, sorting through a toy box, etc. And when the kids do a good job, make sure to show your verbal appreciation for a job well done in addition to whatever reward you've set up.

Kids love to compete, so capitalize on this and let each choose a room or cleaning project from a list you’ve prepared. The one who does the best job (not the fastest) wins a prize, and perhaps bragging rights.

Last but not least, when you set-up the garage sale, tell the kids that they can keep the proceeds of whatever they sell of their own that is no longer used, but still in good condition. You may be surprised how quickly toys, clothes or other things that are no longer used will be sorted out for the sale. The thought of some extra cash to fill their pockets at the end of the process can be a great motivator to clean.

It's easy to be overwhelmed and unsure of where to start with your spring cleaning, so try breaking it up into small manageable bits by assigning just three tasks to each weekend.

Whether you decide to get it done in one day, a weekend, a month, or longer, don’t underestimate what your kids can do. Get the whole family involved and get your spring cleaning done in no time and hopefully without too many frustrations.

Generation X to Lead Housing Recovery?

Generation X to Lead Housing Recovery?

Gmail - Inbox (1468) - natalie.west50@gmail.com

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Closing Costs, Title & Escrow FAQS

The big day has arrived. Today you will go to the title or escrow company, sign your name on the dotted line an unbelievable number of times, hand over a check and prepare to take ownership of your new home. What is this all about?

It's also the day that you and the seller will pay "closing" or settlement costs, an accumulation of separate charges paid to different entities for the professional services associated with the buying and selling of real property.

To help you better understand this confusing subject, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about title, closing and closing costs.


What services am I paying for with closing costs?

You will usually be paying for such things as real estate commissions, appraisal fees, loan fees, escrow charges, advance payments such as property taxes and homeowner's insurance, and title insurance premiums. You may also pay for a pest/termite inspection and a home inspection if you did not pay for these separately.


How much should I expect to pay in closing costs?

The amount of closing costs will vary; however, when buying your home and obtaining a new loan, an estimate of your closing costs will be provided to you as required under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) after you submit your loan application. This disclosure provides you with a "good faith estimate" of what your closing costs will be. A final itemized list of charges will be prepared for you as you close your home purchase or sale transaction.

This disclosure of your costs is called the "HUD-1 Settlement Statement," a standard form that clearly shows all charges imposed on borrowers and sellers in connection with the settlement (or closing). RESPA allows the borrower to request to see the HUD-1 Settlement Statement one day before the actual closing date. The settlement agent must then provide the borrowers with a completed HUD-1 Settlement Statement based on information known to the agent at that time.


Can I pay for my closing costs in installments?

The simple answer is "no." Many different parties will have fulfilled their responsibilities and expect payment at closing. The title or escrow company will disburse funds to each of those parties, pursuant to the escrow instructions at closing.


Can I pay my closings costs with a personal check?

Again, the simple answer is "no." Your closing funds will most likely be required to be in the form of a cashier's check, issued by an institution within the state of your purchase, and payable to the title company or escrow office conducting the closing. A personal or out-of-state check could cause a delay in your closing due to the delay required to "clear the check."


How much can I expect to pay for Title Insurance?

This point is often misunderstood. Although the title company or escrow office usually serves as a meeting ground for closing the sale, only a small portion of your total closing fees are actually for title insurance protection.

Your Realtor or title company representative can give you an exact amount. The title policy you pay for is good for as long as you and your heirs own the property.


Why are separate owner's and lender's title insurance policies issued?

Both you and your lender will want the security offered by title insurance. Your home is an important purchase, and you will want to be certain your home is yours, all yours. Title insurance companies insure your rights and interests in order to protect you against claims. Your lender is looking to insure the enforceability of their lien on your property and the "marketability" of your loan. What is "marketability?" Your local lenders will "originate" your loan, but often, they will sell it to an agency or investor. This investor, who may never see the property, needs to know that he has a valid and enforceable lien. Title insurance is the way of making certain. Without a current title policy, the loan is essentially unmarketable.


What does my Title Insurance dollar pay for?

Title insurers, unlike property or casualty insurance companies, operate under the theory of "risk-elimination." Risk-elimination can only be accomplished after intensive risk identification.

Title companies spend a large portion of their revenue each year collecting, storing, analyzing and maintaining official records regarding title to real property. Issuing a title insurance policy is highly labor-intensive, based upon the maintenance of a title "plant" or library of title records, in some cases dating back over hundreds of years. Each day, recorded documents affecting real property are posted so when a title search on a given parcel of property is requested, the information is already available for retrieval. Trained title examiners can identify the rights, if any, others may have in your property, such as liens, legal actions, disputed interests, rights of way and other "encumbrances" on your title. Before closing your transaction, you can seek to "clear" those encumbrances, which you do not wish to assume.

The goal of title companies is to conduct such a thorough search and evaluation of public records that no claims will ever arise. Of course, this is impossible in an imperfect world, where human error and changing legal interpretations make 100% risk-elimination impossible. When claims do arise, title insurance companies have claims personnel to make sure your property rights are protected under the terms of your policy.

To conclude, with your title insurance policy, you are paying for a team of professionals who work together to deliver you a title insurance policy that represents "protects your ownership of the real property you bought."


Where can I get straight answers on Title and Closing costs?

Your first stop for all real estate-related questions should be with your Realtor. But, don't be surprised if he or she refers you to a title or escrow company representative who can give you the most complete and accurate answers any of your questions.

Setting and Achieving Goals

Along the way I have learned…
People set their goals differently, depending on their current situation, resources, physical capacity and other factors. You can, however, follow some guidelines to make sure that your goals are credible and possible. Too many individuals set their goals too high unknowingly, only to lose and get disappointed for life. Here are some tips for you.

Being Specific
Goals need to be specific, so that you know which part of the process you’re currently in and the particular ways on how you will achieve it. Most people have goals to get promoted, get rich, improve relationship and the like, but these are very vague and your mind can become confused about what you truly mean. General descriptions usually do not have boundaries, so you always leave room for mistakes and compromise. If you want results that you can be proud of, be specific.
To be specific, you need to include the full details. Write down something like, “I want to get $1 million by October of this year.” or “I need to become key supervisor of the sales division by next week.” or “I want my kids, William and Kylie, to become best friends beginning tomorrow.” Include the names, the position, the amount, the date and everything else needed to train your mind to start working towards that goal.

Being Measurable
Goals need to be measurable so that you can gauge how well you have done lately. To help measure your paths and goals, you should include measurable details. For your job, you can include details such as the number of hours you’re working, the amount you’re earning, the staff you’re handling, etc. For the goal of money, you can include details such as the amount you want to have as a whole, the number of companies or businesses you own, your contact persons, etc. Always have things and items to be measured so you can understand how close you are to getting your goals. If your goal is to earn $100,000 a month, then you know you’re halfway there if you’re already earning $50,000 a month.
Being Attainable and Realistic
Only set goals that can possibly be accomplished. Some people set goals that are too high to reach, that they are almost setting up things that are impossible. Make sure you only set objectives that you can reach within a given amount of time, provided the current resources and capabilities you have. Some examples of impossible goals are doubling your salary overnight, getting a promotion higher than your boss’s position, etc. Some goals can be achieved faster compared to others if you have some strengths and paths to back these up. Always include a strategic plan for big objectives.

Time-Bound
Set deadlines to achieve your goals or else you’ll never going to finish anything. Stay specific when setting timelines and schedules. For example, indicate things like “To spend an hour with my wife everyday starting tomorrow (indicate exact date and year).” Setting the exact time and date will spur you to start working on your goals, instead of putting it off for another available time. Some goals can take years to accomplish so it is wiser to break these down into smaller objectives, still complete with deadlines. You can finish everything in a sequence to finally reach the biggest one.

TIPS FOR GOOD LANDSCAPE IN SOUTH FLORIDA:

Grass:
• Grass tends to grow year round in South Florida. Summer growth is more pronounced because of warmer weather, longer daylight hours, and heavy rainfall, which provide natural fertilization.
• Winter or cooler months produce slower growth because of a lack of the above. When soil temperatures drop below 55 degrees, growing and nutritional intake diminish greatly.
• Mowing frequency during high growth periods should increase to 7–10 day intervals. Off season cutting can drop to 2 – 3 weeks if cool weather prevails.

Water:
• Proper watering is critical to the health and appearance of your turf. During the warmer months watering should be done as often as 3 times weekly, only if rainfall is absent. However, during periods of adequate rainfall, your irrigation system should be shut off as too much water is as equally damaging to turf as drought.
• Most of us turn our irrigation system on and forget about them. Adjusting properly for current conditions is critical. The best frequency to water is actually determined by the turf.
• The University of Florida states that you should water at the initial wilt of the grass blade. This is impractical for most of us, but attention to frequency based on conditions is important. If not under water restriction, the generally accepted rule of thumb is 1 to 2 times weekly during the cooler months, and 3 times weekly during summer months, unless we are having adequate rainfall.
• The amount of water applied is also critical. The usual misconception we encounter is that watering in small amounts more often is best. It is far more important to irrigate long enough for the water to penetrate to the root zone. Failure to penetrate the root zone creates a shallow root system.
• One inch of water allows for several inches of soil penetration promoting a healthier deep-rooted turf.
• The proper amount of ¾ to 1 inch is determined by running time. Most systems that are properly working will furnish this amount in about 25 to 30 minutes. If you have a lot of time on your hands, place a pie pan on your lawn just before the next cycle and examine it afterwards. You can better judge the time requirements in this manner. If the pie pan is full after the watering cycle, the time is adequate. If not, adjust accordingly.


Sunlight:
• Turf is best suited for full sunlight. Highly shaded areas cause the thinning of turf. Selective pruning of trees will allow more sunlight and will help reduce this effect. There are also varieties of turf such us palmetto sod (St. Augustine) which are more tolerant to shade, but even this hybrid performs best in full sun. It is important to make the proper choice of plant material based on its tolerance for shade or sun.

Proper Maintenance:
• Mowing (proper height and frequency): St. Augustine looks best when the cutting height is 3 inches.
• Summer cutting: 7 to 10 day intervals.
• Pruning and trimming: selective trimming and pruning is always best for trees and shrubs.
• Heavy pruning and hat raking of trees exposes previously shaded portions of the tree or bush causing sunburn. Hat racking of trees also promotes sucker growth at each cut, which can lead to the decline and possible death of the tree.

Nutrition, Insects, and Diseases:
• A good pest and nutritional program enhances the beauty and health of all landscape material. Nutritional deficiencies can appear as yellowing or off color leaves of palm fronds. Stunting can also occur as a result of insufficient nutrition. Insects can damage plants by chewing on the leaves, leaving a notching effect. Other insects pierce the leaf sucking the chlorophyll from the plant causing yellowing, blooms to drop, and leaves to shrivel.

Diseases:
• There are a wide variety of fungal pathogens present in the soil. When conditions exist for development, the fungal spores will grow and cause damage to turf or plants. Some fungi are more suited for cooler weather while others flourish during warmer months. Over watering is usually the key ingredient that aides in their development. Fungicides are applied to control the growth of spores reducing damage and allowing the turf or plant to return to normal appearance. Multiple applications may be required.
• Weeds occur during all seasons. Weeds are a symptom of poor turf care including scalping, insect problems and over or under watering. Weeds are divided into broad-leaf, sedges, and grassy weeds. Specific herbicides are applied depending on the type of weeds present.
• Weed control is usually performed during the cooler months to avoid stunting or yellowing of the turf. Some products allow for treatment in all seasons, but caution must be used. Even so, stunting or yellowing may occur.

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Telling the truth

Telling the truth can be a complicated business.  This was one of the first lessons I learned at a very tender age.  Still unable to grasp the importance of the school timetable in my first week, I rolled up for class 20 minutes late having been diverted by a group of my friends.  By the time I walked in, the teacher was so fraught that lying seemed to be the best option.  Five minutes later I was before the principle because my colorful story was not believed.

At the end of the day when my mother came to collect me she was hauled in to the administration office where I was forced to recount my rather elaborate story before being made to apologise to the grown-ups and promise to always to tell the truth.  Just as we were about to leave she reminded my mother that the school day actually finished at 3:30pm and noted that she had arrived five minutes after the bell.  My mother was really annoyed; angry with me for telling lies and irritated by the principle’s observation on the importance of time-keeping on her part.

On seeing me the next day the principle asked me what my mother had to say about the previous day’s events. 

"Oh," I responded brimming with determination to only tell the truth, "she thinks you are an interfering, old busybody." 

I realized there and then that telling the truth can sometimes be painful.

Why am I recounting this childhood story for you?  Telling the truth in business, as I have now discovered, can be a rather precarious thing to do and certainly does not endear you to people in power or seeming authority.  Tact and sensitivity are necessary accompaniments for telling the truth.  When facts need to surface, ethical standards work in positions to influence what is really happening in the landscape of real estate.  If you are too afraid to tell the truth, or even cover the most basic facts and market trends in an open way, then you are in the wrong profession and doing a great disservice to real estate and your clients.

Ours is a noble profession. Those who have become an extension of an agency which uses fear and intimidation with their clients, are not worthy and at the end of the day the truth will be out there. Telling the truth might be an act of courage but it is also a powerful entity, which can open doors, and mobilize people to fight for what is right and what is just.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions but the truth is empowering to those who speak it and listen to it. 

Florida foreclosure crisis: Florida foreclosure cases dramatically slowed in court system - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Go to:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-foreclosure-court-backlog-20110201,0,5936321.story

to read more on the South Florida Trend in real estate.  When you choose Natalie West and Coldwell Banker to handle your South East Florida real estate needs, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family.  Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective.  We are very familiar with all types a real estate in Plantation Florida and it’s surrounding areas.  We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service.

It is said, "What Goes Around - Comes Around."

Craigslist scheme preying on unsuspecting South Florida renters - Sun Sentinel

I agree with Kimberly Miller's viewpoint written in the SunSentinal.  (Please read the article referenced.)  Unprincipled people know how sizzling the leasing promotions are today and they are ruthless on the unsuspecting public. They know this is just another place for them to make money.

Dishonest schemers often claim to be a religious group member who are stationed out of the country and need to rent their home.  Or they claim to be living in another state and cannot afford the second home anymore.  These scammers will post a home's photos on Craigslist with a price and then send interested renters a written agreement, with requests for Social Security numbers and other personal information.

As a real estate professional, I do my best to talk about this type of news to clients, friends and family.  Word of mouth travels fast and spreading useful news is always good.  It is rewarding to feel great about what I do for a living.  When my knowledge and experience can help others, especially during these difficult times where many families are going through financial hardship for the first time in their lives, it is a pleasurable feeling.

Miller, K. (2010). Craigslist scheme preying on unsuspecting south florida renters. SunSentinal, Retrieved from http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-07-21/business/fl-craigslist-scammers-real-estate-20100721_1_craigslist-rental-market-preying 

The Perfect Refferal

The golden rule of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” applies to referrals too.

When you give a referral, the people on both sides should feel like they are being treated with respect – like V.I.P.s or the very important persons that they are. You should be able to give a perfect referral so that the people on both sides get back to you expressing their gratitude for your having made the referral.

The perfect referral is when you talk to both people, get permissions and also confirm the fit before going forward. Followed by a confirmation (maybe by email) and a follow up on how the meeting went and possibly attending the meeting itself. This is what a perfect referral looks like.

I appreciate all the referrals I have received and I am always excited to give referrals to my family, friends and my community of business professionals.

Jan 5, 2011 8:47 AM