Viewing Real Estate Through the Eyes of Your Phone or Tablet.

 

Photo Credit: RISMedia.com

A recent survey conducted determined that many Realtors use FaceTime, an iPhone video app, to help overseas or out-of-state Buyers view homes virtually. Personally, I’ve used Google Hangouts, or even Skype to conduct such viewings. These outlets have also proven reliable when a Buyer cannot make it to the final walk-through and have chosen to close via mail-away.

Such applications as FaceTime, Google Hangouts, and Skype are all capable of sending video and sound using your smart phone or tablet. The user can also switch views between the front and back camera as needed to talk to a client and showcase a a home during the walk-through or tour. The Realtor can get up close and answer any questions on the home on the spot for the client.

Considering how hot the market is right now, homes can be under contract in one day. This method allows the Realtor to discuss all pertinent items with the Buyer in Real Time and the visual aspect offers added comfort for making quick decisions. If the client is unavailable at the time of the property viewing, I video record the property and outline all features and challenges of the home. The video is then shared with the client via Dropbox or Youtube, depending on file size.

In today’s market, having a Tech-Savvy Realtor is a plus. The Tampa Bay market is volatile and values are increasing daily. Buyer’s offers need immediate presentation to the sellers to increase chances for success. As I have listed many homes in the first quarter of the year, I see the first hand competition among eager buyers ready to secure a home and cease their long home search.

Looking to purchase or sell real estate in the Tampa Bay area? Your Favorite Realtor is here ready to assist. Feel free to call me at 813-419-7009 or email me at info@gloriawalters.com. Follow me at @GloriaSellsTPA or Facebook.com/GloriaSellsTPA.

New home construction moves 6.3% higher in September

Construction firms broke ground on more apartment complexes in September, pushing up the pace of U.S. homebuilding.

• Housing construction start ups rose 6.3%, according to Commerce Department. These gains are made up largely from apartment construction- a volatile market.
• The economy has recovered slowly and wages have increased equally so, which leaves many Americans renting, rather than owning homes. This results in the high apartment construction percentages.
• Single family houses rose 1.1% in September, adding to an 11% gain during the past year.
• Applications for building permits are a sign of good future activity, which increased 1.5%. These numbers are also reflected in apartment complex construction. Multi family buildings (apartments) rose 7% in September.
• American Institute of Architects' billing index in August was 58.1. This index is weighed heavily to multi family housing, and any rating 50+ signals growth.
• Real Estate sales have dwindled. Price growth is slowing. Home values are increasing, which makes affordability a challenge for many home owning Americans.
• Prices rose 6.4% in August. This is a slowdown from last year, which was up 12%.
• Prices are increasing more than wages, which only just exceeds inflation. This makes it difficult for Americans to save money and make a down payment and qualify for mortgages. This influences more Americans to rent. This influences the driving force behind increased apartment construction rates.
• These figures influence increasingly few buyers to search for homes, which makes homebuilders less confident to build.Though new homes represent only a fraction of the housing market, they have an outsized impact on the economy. Each home built creates an average of three jobs for a year and generates about $90,000 in tax revenue, according to data from the Home Builders. This is another well written article that effectively showcases the reasons how and why the economy is effected by various industries, and vice versa. The cause and effect of the housing market is nicely illustrated.

Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act

The United States Senate has just passed "The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act" by a vote of 72-22 (both US Senator Nelson and Senator Rubio voted in favor of the bill. This is the bill the US House passed on March 4. This is incredible news for Florida REALTORS® and property owners. The bill will now be sent directly to President Obama for his signature!

* Reinstates Grandfathering - This bill permanently repeals Section 207 of the Biggert-Waters Act, meaning that grandfathering is reinstated. All post-FIRM properties built to code at the time of construction will have protection from rate spikes due to new mapping - for example, if you built to +2 Base Flood Elevation, you stay at +2, regardless of new maps. Also importantly, the grandfathering stays with the property, not the policy.

* Caps Annual Rate Increases at 18% - This bill decreases FEMA's authority to raise premiums. The bill prevents FEMA from increasing premiums within a single property class beyond a 15 percent average a year, with an individual cap of eighteen percent a year. Pre Biggert-Waters, the class average cap was 10%. Currently (Post Biggert-Waters), the class average cap is 20%. The bill also requires a 5% minimum annual increase on pre-FIRM primary residence policies that are not at full risk. The updated legislation also states that FEMA shall strive to minimize the number of policies with premium increases that exceed one percent of the total coverage of the policy (e.g., 1% of $250,000 = $2,500).

* Refunds policyholders who purchased pre-FIRM homes after Biggert-Waters (7/6/12) and were subsequently charged higher rates

* Permanently Removes the Sales Trigger - This bill removes the policy sales trigger, which allows a purchaser to take advantage of a phase in. The new purchaser is treated the same as the current property owner.

* Allows for Annual Surcharges - This legislation applies an annual surcharge of $25 for primary residences and $250 for second homes and businesses, until subsidized policies reach full risk rates. All revenue from these assessments would be placed in the NFIP reserve fund, which was established to ensure funds are available for meeting the expected future obligations of the NFIP.

* Funds the Affordability Study and Mandates Completion - This legislation funds the affordability study required by Biggert-Waters and mandates its completion in two years.

* Includes the Home Improvement Threshold - This bill returns the "substantial improvement threshold" (i.e. renovations and remodeling) to the historic 50% of a structure's fair market value level. Under Biggert-Waters, premium increases are triggered when the renovation investments meet 30% of the home's value.

* Additional provisions: This legislation includes several other provisions including preserving the basement exception, allowing for payments to be made in monthly installments, and reimbursing policy holders for successful map appeals.

South Pointe, Riverview FL Home For Sale

 

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Your Home Search is over! This South Pointe home showcases an owner's pride. Well maintained from roof to floors. Your future home features three well-sized bedrooms, two full bathrooms, an entertainment alcove, modern light fixtures, sparkling baseboards, immaculate carpet and tile flooring, high-ceilings, contemporary interior colors, a two car garage, and a great open patio area for enjoying the Florida weather. The master bedroom is well adorned with high ceilings, modern paint colors and the master bath boasts a stand-up shower, water closet, double-sinks, a large walk-in closet, and a garden tub. South Pointe is centrally located less than 30 miles away from Tampa, Sarasota, and I-4. Furthermore, a number of shopping areas and restaurants are located within minutes of this humble abode including Publix, Panera Bread, Sam's, Qdoba, and many more... Call 813-419-7009 or email info@gloriawalters.com for more information or to make an offer. This unit is being offered for sale and for rent.

Set The RIGHT Price For Your Home From The Start…

 

 

Homes that sell the fastest also sell for the most money!  If you want to get Top Dollar for your home, beyond making your home show like a model, it needs to be priced correctly.

Most agents will only do a CMA (comparative marketing analysis), but the best agents offer a “Maximum Home Value Audit.”  What’s that?

It’s a careful, thorough valuation of every square inch of your home to determine the best possible price based on real world facts, and presented in an EASY to understand format.  You won’t get any inflated values just to pressure you into listing with me. 

If we’re already working together, simply let me know you’d like to redeem your “Maximum Home Value Audit” coupon. Or, if you’re looking for professional representation to sell your home, use this free service as an introduction to the value I can provide you.

So call me right now I’ll immediately arrange a convenient time to meet, and share with you my Maximum Home Value Audit. It’s Free. It’s FAST.  And it could help you net $1,000’s more on your home sale by setting the home price right from the start.

Gloria Walters
Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc.
Direct: 813-419-7009
Fax: 813-200-8708
E-mail: info@gloriawalters.com
Website: www.gloriawalters.com