Mixing Business with Business!

 

Every quarter, I host a Business Mixer at various venues across the Tampa Bay Area. I partner with one of my preferred business associates and invite all of our clients, friends and colleagues that are entrepreneurs. It’s an opportunity to not only solidify our existing relationships with these business owners, but to introduce their services to other like-minded individuals. I believe that we can all help each other succeed.

For my Real Estate business, I keep a well-defined list of professionals that I can refer should the opportunity presents itself. Since I work by referral, I do like to offer referrals too. It’s a Win Win. Not only does the end recipient receive service from a trusted professional, but it helps build that client’s confidence in me.

I'm a Quality Agent that delivers Quality Service. I like to work with people that share the same High Standards in their Business. Feel free to come on out to my next business mixer. I’d love to meet you. Upcoming Business Mixer Link –> http://bit.ly/1EfvPM7.

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.

Move-In Ready Home in Wesley Chapel

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO!

Ready for immediate occupancy is this contemporary turnkey single family home in desirable Ashton Oaks, FL. Only two years young, this open concept home features wood, ceramic tile and carpet flooring, modern-style ceiling fans, canned/recessed lighting, a spacious laundry room with washer/dryer hook-up, a sophisticated paint theme, as well as granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen.

The den/sitting room is perfect for entertaining privately or personal quiet time. The island kitchen features 42” dark maple cabinets, pendant lighting, built-in wine-rack, a breakfast bar, as well as a dining area that leads into the family room. The split bedroom floor plan allows master suite privacy that features a stand-up shower, dual sinks, and walk-in closet. Furthermore, the open lanai offers a covered space to enjoy the Florida weather.

This home is conveniently located in close proximity to I-75, the Wiregrass Mall, the Cobb Theatre, Publix, and many shopping, dining and other area points of interest. This pet friendly community also features a small dog park and a community pool.

Email, call or text 813-419-7009 for more information. Make an Offer today.

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.

Average 30-Year Mortgage Drops Below 4%

 

30 year loan plans to hit their lowest numbers since June of last year (2013). Yields from Treasury Bonds marked new lows. Now it is much more affordable to borrow the funds necessary to buy a home.

 

• Freddie Mac says nationwide average for 30 year loan is 3.97%, down from 4.12 while 15 year loans are at 3.18% from 3.3%
  
• 10 year notes now trade at 2.1% which is down from 2.34%. The bond yields are rising, because of the falling prices on bonds.
  
• Treasury yields have dropped, and the federal reserve may force the Federal Reserve to delay interest rate increases.
  
• Down Jones Industrial Average is down 460 points and all three US Stock indexes were in negatives for the year. Fear Index rose sharply.
  
• Mortgage rates are down, despite the Federal Reserve's ending of monthly bond purchases. This is to keep long term borrowing rates low. Shorter term loan rates will be kept at near zero levels until inflation shows signs of rising.
  
• Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the US to calculate average mortgage rates. This average DOES NOT include extra fees, which most borrowers pay to get lower rates. A POINT IS 1% OF THE LOAN AMOUNT.
  
• Average fee for a 30 and 15 year mortgage is .5 points. For a one-year ARM, the average rate fell to 2.38 percent from 2.42 percent. The fee held at 0.4 point.

Huntington By the Campus, USF Area, Tampa, FL

 

Click Here to View Property Video!!!

Move-in ready unit available in a quiet neighborhood in the USF area. This spacious two bedrooms, one bathroom villa features an updated kitchen, ceramic flooring throughout, and ceiling fans. As you enter through the doors, you are greeted by the clean, white kitchen with a smooth counter-top and breakfast bar that overlooks the vaulted ceiling dining room and living room combination. The split bedroom floor plan is separated by the bathroom and a hallway closet.

 

The backyard is a stunning and well landscaped feature of this villa. Not only does it include a spacious screened lanai, but an open deck and space for more entertaining. This home will make an excellent owner occupant resident or investment unit.

 

For more information, call 813-419-7009 or email info@gloriawalters.com.

International Buyers Finding Homes in US

Dr. Jerry D Parrish, a chief economist, wrote this article which chiefly outlines the purchases of property made in Florida by international buyers. Florida has been, is, and will continue to be in the future an attractive place for the real estate industry. The article stipulates that the buyers are coming from mainly Western Europe and Britain, with a sizable number also coming from South/ Latin America and Canada.

Chinese buyers are also present. Sales have been gradually increasing since 2008. International buyers are important to Florida's economy, and a forecast of around 60,000 purchases of property in Florida made by international buyers is made by Parrish. Parrish conjectures that the strong property rights in Florida are spurring more and more international buyers, as well as the strong tourism industry.