Selling a Palm City Home Yourself is a Lonely Proposition

06.30.15 by

Selling a Palm City Home Yourself is a Lonely Proposition

 FSBO

You pronounce it “FIZZ-bow.”

That’s FSBO: For Sale by Owner, and it’s the Road Less Traveled by area homeowners bent on selling a home in Palm City as economically as possible. It does seem to make common sense, after all. It’s the homeowner who knows the ins and outs of their own home best—so who could be more qualified to show it off to the buyers who’ll be lined up, waiting to take a look?

And even more to the point, why lose any part of the sale proceeds to some Martin County real estate agent? It can’t be rocket science to fill out the paperwork and complete the sale. Isn’t that just common sense?

For those considering selling a home themselves, even cursory research is likely to result in one nagging question. The latest sampling from the NAR shows that the vast majority—88%, in fact—of today’s successful sellers are assisted by a real estate agent. That proportion has been growing, lately, too: it’s up 19 percentage points since 2001. This has to give rise to the nagging question: “If it’s common sense, how come the vast majority eventually wind up going with a real estate agent?”

What actually happens in a sale plays a large part, starting with an examination of the bottom line of actual sales. It reflects the fact that the customary commission percentage that goes to real estate professionals is split in two, with half going to the seller’s and half to the buyer’s agent. So the net “savings” a FSBO seller stands to realize is half of the usual initial assumption when the buyer is professionally introduced by the buyer’s representative.

Unless the buyer just appears on his or her own.

Which brings up a couple of other potential problems. If the buyer shows up on the seller’s doorstep, who has qualified him or her? (Short answer: nobody). It’s awkward and practically impossible for a homeowner to interview every prospective buyer in depth before showing the home, but having strangers in your Palm City home with no outside record of the event is at best an iffy prospect. The fact is, most qualified home buyers see the advantage of teaming with a licensed Martin County real estate agent, whose market knowledge is up to the minute, and who will assist them every step of the way at no cost to themselves. Those qualified buyers stand to be a FSBO’s likeliest prospects, in which case the potential ‘savings’ from a do-it-yourself strategy are halved.

But as a working reality, FSBO sellers run a substantial risk that those hoped-for calls from active agents may be slow to materialize. It is often the case that local agents, noting that the home is a FSBO, place it low on the list of properties their clients have time to tour. Among other indicators, a FSBO listing on the MLS signals to the Martin County real estate community that the owner is not truly serious about selling the home—else why is it not part of a professional office’s marketing package? Too, buyers’ agents work to protect their clients from difficult situations, and many FSBO sellers are not well-versed and experienced in negotiating and selling houses. Problems can erupt. All things being equal, it means that FSBOs get few showing requests.

Plus, any advertising costs will be paid for out of the owner’s own pocket—an expensive strategy.

It’s pretty clear why almost 9 out of 10 homeowners selling a home go with a qualified real estate agent. I hope you agree—and decide to give me a call!

Selling a Palm City Home Yourself is a Lonely Proposition

Calculations before Committing to a New Home in Palm City

06.22.15 by

Calculations before Committing to a New Home in Palm City

  Palm City Waterfront

You want your approach to finding a new home in Palm City to be at least somewhat hard-headed and businesslike. The financial stakes are certainly major, and to some extent, much of what your future lifestyle will be like will depend on making a good choice.

This is not to totally discount the emotional component that’s inevitably part of finding your new Palm City home. You do want your family to feel good about the final choice—you’ll be moving to the dwelling that will become everybody’s center of operations.

So if your repeat visit begins to convince you that this really is the place you’ve been hoping to find, it’s the appropriate time to take a step back to do your most hard-headed, businesslike projection. This is beyond the back-of-the-envelope kind of calculation (the one that originally guided the price range you gave to your Realtor). This is time to take everything into account to see how well this new Martin County home truly fits—on a number of counts.

A new home’s true affordability begins with the banker’s basic price formula—purchase price, mortgage, insurance and taxes. You should also contemplate the cost of having the property inspected and the closing costs (your Realtor® can give you a close estimate). But that’s not the whole picture—a new home’s true affordability also incorporates the difference between your family’s current expense profile and any factors that will change it.

For instance, if the square footage of the new home greater, you can expect that simple maintenance costs will rise proportionately (unless the new home’s condition is a good deal better than your current one). Utility costs may rise, too, if the living space is greater—unless more efficient systems are in place.

If the location will necessitate a change in driving distance or other transportation expenses, they should be taken into account. Does the new place have a significantly larger lawn or other landscaping features? If you have a green thumb and enjoy getting that kind of outdoor exercise (IOW, mowing), that won’t have much effect. If not, you’d better factor in a gardener’s bill.

There is one other element that’s easy to overlook, but accounting for it can eliminate the possibility that the whole move results in an unexpectedly depleted bank balance. Most people who are moving into a terrific new home forget to fully account for the few changes they’ll need to make before the place is perfectly suited their family. These could be minor, like changing out a light fixture that doesn’t fit the dining room table. Or they could be major, like addressing wholesale décor clashes that call for choosing between repainting the walls—or reupholstering— or even purchasing new furniture!

Helping you make sure your new Martin County home is a comfortable match for your family’s needs is a large part of the service I provide my buyers. If you are ready to take a look at the latest crop of Palm City new home offerings, I’ll be standing by for your call!

Calculations before Committing to a New Home in Palm City

Long-Range Strategy for Selling a Home in Palm City

06.12.15 by

Long-Range Strategy for Selling a Home in Palm City

 Lake Grove in Palm City

This is actually a situation that’s very common, but not much remarked upon: you know you are going to be selling your Palm City home—only not for a while…and perhaps not for a very long while! Is there anything you should be doing now, long before actual preparations are called for?

There sure is! Let’s call these low-intensity preparations. They may be low-intensity in the immediacy department, but when the distant day arrives when you are selling your home, they can be very fortuitous. Here are some of the elements you can benefit from putting into action long before you expect to need them—

LANDSCAPING:

Number One (the most obvious and perhaps most important) is landscaping. Trees and bushes are part of the backdrop of our everyday living, and something many people—even gardeners—may tend to accept without envisioning large-scale changes. That’s because they grow so slowly it doesn’t seem realistic to worry about what might be possible. But when you think long-range, landscaping should be at the forefront. When the time comes for selling your home, a vision first initiated five or 10 years earlier can become a colorful and shady reality, worth a very great deal in terms of the overall impression your Palm City home makes.

THE MECHANICALS:

It’s human nature to just put up with heating, plumbing, air conditioning and other systems that could operate much more conveniently and economically, but which are expensive to overhaul. But think realistically: if you know that later on you will be selling your Palm City home—and realistically will certainly have to upgrade those vexing mechanicals when that happens—give serious thought to taking action earlier…even NOW! Not only will you be able to enjoy the improvement­, it’s entirely possible that savings realized from the gains in efficiency will materially offset your initial outlay. Why let the future owners get all the benefit?

PHOTOGRAPHY:

When you are selling a home, photography is one of the most impactful marketing tools you’ll have at your disposal. A couple of years before you plan to join the Palm City listings, keep a camera ready to snap those fleeting moments when the season and light combine to make some detail of garden or home magically illuminated. Even a professional photographer can’t ‘make’ such moments happen. As Ansel Adams’ outdoor masterpieces confirmed: the perfect light at the perfect season is worth more than money can buy.

INFORMATION:

It doesn’t hurt to keep abreast of happenings in the national and Martin County real estate market, so that you’re informed about what to expect when you ultimately join the fray. One of the best ways to do that (other than to keep reading my blog) is to check out the neighborhood listings from time to time: they’re here on my site. And one of the best ways to proceed when the moment does arrive when you will be selling your home in Palm City is (of course) to give me a call!

Palm City Listings Favor Practical Post-Recession Features

05.28.15 by

Palm City Listings Favor Practical Post-Recession Features

 Lake Grove in Palm City

Just as with movie credits, the features you find in Palm City listings have a “billing order.” The “stars” may not be printed in gigantic superstar type—but the order in which they appear do reflect changes in current buyer priorities. For a homeowner soon to add their property to this spring’s Palm City listings, it’s important to learn which features currently tend to attract the most favorable attention from prospective buyers. It’s of more than marketing interest, as well: knowing what’s in and what out can also help determine where improvement dollars should go.

The question is, which features are most desirable, and which formerly popular features have become passé: “so Twentieth Century!”

New answers to these questions usually appear a couple of times a year—and 2015 is no exception. The latest one I found was on the Realtor.com website. It went into recent history, describing in detail how listings’ features for newly-built homes have been undergoing rapid change over the past few years. In general (and probably as a reaction to the difficult economic times that only lately have seen improvement), over-the-top luxury details are fading, being replaced in favor of features centered on efficiency, organization, and pragmatism.

Examples of the kinds of details less likely to be found in today’s listings are two-story foyers, master bathrooms with whirlpool tubs, and luxurious details like outdoor kitchens. (“NOPE” in capital letters is shown stenciled over a picture of one of those outdoor kitchens…which, I have to admit, really does look like it belongs in a hotel). Whereas ten years ago, those outdoor kitchens with fancy wine racks might have been found near the top of a listing, today it might be replaced by ‘walk-in closets’ or even, simply, a ‘laundry room.’

“It’s not sexy,” says one industry executive, “but that’s what people want.”

The most extensive survey of home builder trends is conducted by their national association, the NAHB. By quizzing nearly 400 builders, they concluded that other features on the decline include outdoor fireplaces, sunrooms, and media rooms. Taking their places (and likely candidates for what we’ll soon see creeping toward the tops of some of our Palm City listings) are the walk-in closets (since people want to get out the door efficiently first thing in the morning) and well-organized and well-lit laundry rooms (to improve the efficiency of the household).

As part of a “post-recession cultural shift toward pragmatism,” this makes perfect sense. But that word “post-recession” may offer a clue to what could be the temporary nature of the NAHB’s 2015 findings. For example, granite countertops—once a ‘luxury’ item in Martin County listings—are now more popular than the laminate alternatives. And those supposedly unpopular media rooms are not vanishing totally. They’re simply being replaced by spaces that are “more flexible.”

If you’re soon to be scrutinizing your own home to determine which of its best features to emphasize, I’d be pleased to furnish an opinion—it will be based on the results we’re seeing from today’s Palm City listings!

Quick Touchup Ideas to aid your Palm City Home Staging Efforts

05.18.15 by

Quick Touchup Ideas to aid your Palm City Home Staging Efforts

 Palm City Home Staging Efforts

You’re eager to get your home sold quickly with a minimum of fuss. You’ve been over the comparables with your Realtor®; and the listing looks and reads great. It’s getting close to showing time—and although you know that your Palm City property is a great buy that any new owner would be proud to call home, you also know that this spring there is a lot of competition out there.

Producing a quick turnaround is about the marketing—which your agent is handling adroitly—but it’s also about presentation. That’s “staging”—an area you can definitely do something about!

According to the Room Solutions website, properly staging a home has been shown to reduce time on market by a factor of 5. Those comparison stats are notoriously hard to prove, but when a home has been stuck in the listings for months, undergoes professional staging, then sells in a fraction of the time, it is pretty convincing. But whether or not you decide to engage a full-on professional Palm City staging service, there are plenty of small scale DIY home improvements that take 30 minutes or less—but which make a big staging difference.

  • Reinvigorate the bathroom and other tiled areas by doing some grout cleaning. That grout between tiles may have been pristine when you first moved in, but years of use will take a toll. Use plain water and a stiff brush (they’re easy to find at any home center) to get rid of build-up and residue. Stubborn areas may need a spray bottle with a 50% solution of white vinegar: spray, leave it on for 5 minutes or so, then brush off and rinse. It really makes a difference when you bring the grout back to its original uniform tone.
  • Many a Palm City kitchen is burdened by an outmoded, timeworn backsplash. Replacing it may sound like a major project, but it is often possible to make quick work of it using one of the new peel-and-stick backsplash products. Instead of tearing up your kitchen and taking days to assemble a replacement, look into peel-and-stick tiling. These products come in many colors and styles—with installation processes that can have the entire project done in very short order.
  • Repainting whole rooms is not something that can be accomplished in minutes, but some rooms don’t need all that. Taking care of small but unsightly wall dings and scuffs will bolster first impressions—and often, just a few minor touchups can do the trick. If you don’t have the original paint style notes, some stores have computerized color-matching systems that recreate sample hues. Wood trim scuffs and stains can often be banished with colored felt pens or crayon color packs; more obscure tones may require a color matching kit. In any case, the time requirement is minor compared with the resulting subliminal improvement.
  • Stain kitchen cabinets. If yours is one of Palm City’s older homes with the original kitchen cabinets that remain dull no matter what you do, you can still avoid the time and expense of completely replacing them. Instead, renew the existing stain job or switch to a new tone that complements the kitchen.

Staging your Palm City home is an important adjunct to the overall marketing effort this Realtor provides. If you are looking for some energetic help in that department, I’m here to answer your phone call!

Palm City Homeowners Association Rules are well worth the Read!

05.14.15 by

 Palm City Homeowners Association Rules are well worth the Read!

 gate

It does seem that whenever a story about some faraway homeowners association finds its way into our newspapers, nearly always it’s because something has gone awry. Either there’s an ongoing dispute about a flag display (“Indiana Couple Violate Rules for Flying U.S. Flag”), a fencing disagreement (“Border Feud is Childish and Dangerous”), or something else to catch readers’ eyes. The pettier, the better (“North Carolina Man in Dispute over Pansies Planted in Common Area”). Why does this hit the local news? Let’s face it: it is sort of fun to read about!

The downside is that when those instances are all we hear about, it can lead Palm City buyers to believe they should stay away properties with HOAs when they are buying a home. But the fact is, town homeowners associations exist to protect the common interests of owners and residents. Homeowners associations can and do offer many benefits. The key is understanding what they are, what the costs are—then choosing the right association.

Know the Rules

The first step in evaluating any Palm City homeowners association is to thoroughly examine a current copy of its rules. When you realize that it’s natural to focus on the individual property instead of the community, it’s more understandable why many prospective buyers pay too little attention to this step. Later, they may find themselves in violation of rules they should have noted before. Those stories about flags are typical: usually the problem was not with the flag, but with rules about flagpoles. Small details can become big problems when the homeowners association ‘covenants, conditions and restrictions’ remain unread in a kitchen drawer.

Comparing Costs and Amenities

In addition to the rules of a contending Palm City homeowners association, there is the matter of its fee structure. Older homeowners associations are often (not always) less expensive than newer HOAs. Yet price is not the whole picture. Especially when evaluating two or more associations, it’s time to sharpen a pencil and compare what the fees cover. One association may include lawn maintenance, while another leaves that as your responsibility…and there may be value for the community (and your property’s resale value) in guaranteeing proper maintenance by everyone. One HOA may have a pool, tennis courts and other amenities, while another may only offer a community room. Newer Palm City homeowner associations are tending to offer more features, but not always.

Homeowners associations offer a sense of community along with amenities and other benefits…but for some, the cost in individuality weighs against it. When I’m invited to be your real estate representative, I help you ask the right questions—the ones that will guide you to a new home that’s the right fit for your family. I hope you’ll give me a call!

Palm City Homes in Gated Communities

Palm City Condos

Overcoming Rival Bids in Today’s Palm City Real Estate Market Tips

05.11.15 by

 Overcoming Rival Bids in Today’s Palm City Real Estate Market Tips

 Lake Grove in Palm City

It was only a few years ago that the last thing a prospective Palm City home buyer had to worry about was being outbid. Those were the days when the bottom seemed to be falling out of the Palm City real estate market. Anyone brave enough to be looking to buy at a time when the real estate market was frightening most folks away was not only plucky—they were also alone. Sellers who had to move no matter what found themselves forced to accept offers that they knew were well below their property’s true utilitarian value. The only saving grace was that those same sellers could turn around and buy in their new community at the same kind of crazy discount.

That, as they say, was then—and this is now. As the real estate market in Martin County continues to revive, sellers’ mindsets have returned to normal. Knowing that their Palm City home is a valuable commodity, they demand offers that are respectable. One national survey found that that buyers are acting quickly on the most sought-after homes, and that overall, median DoMs (Days on Market) fell to 32 in March from 40 just a month earlier.

As the spring selling season heats up, some buyers who find the home of their dreams may also suspect that they aren’t alone. It calls for definitive action—and if it looks as if just making an offer might not win the day, some additional action. For home buyers who have a good idea that they must act decisively or miss out, here are some options for increasing the odds that their offer will be accepted:

One tactic to prevent being outbid is to add an escalation clause to the offer. If allowed, such a provision states if the seller receives another offer, then the buyers are willing to increase their own offer to a set price. For instance, a home buyer who makes an offer of $310,000 might include an escalation clause in increments of $3,000 should a competing offer appears, up to a maximum of $360,000.

Since people have different reasons for selling their home, another tactic is to discover what’s important to the seller. Perhaps they have a new job opportunity and need to vacate as quickly as possible. Or maybe they have plenty of time, and are holding out for the maximum price. Your agent may have a good idea what is motivating the sellers so that you can craft your offer around their requirements. If a normal schedule calls for an inspection period of 10 days, but the sellers want to move quickly, they may be motivated by a shorter inspection period.

Usually, home buyers find it prudent to keep the upfront earnest money pledged to a minimum, allowing them more leeway in limiting their loss if they decide to back away from the deal. Increasing the earnest money shows the sellers you are serious about completing the purchase. It also subtly affirms your financial stability. An even more substantial demonstration is to become pre-qualified with a mortgage lender. Unless an all-cash purchase is possible, it’s the best way to guarantee you will be able to act quickly. Even if competitive bidders appear, when you are a pre-qualified buyer, you increase your chances of winning out.

When I’m tapped to act as your buyer’s agent, I become your advance scout and strategic partner as you explore this spring’s exciting Palm City real estate market. I hope you’ll give me a call!

Affordable Palm City Pool Home Under Contract

05.10.15 by

Affordable Palm City Pool Home Under Contract

Palm City Pool Home

The old adage saying: “You snooze you loose” is certainly true about 877 SW 33rd St in Palm City.  After numerous offers, this home is now under contract courtesy of the Gabe Sanders BlueWater realty team after less than 1 day on the market.  Numerous people called about our “coming soon” preview of this home, unfortunately many thought they could wait to see it at there leisure.

Palm City Pool Home Palm City Pool Home

Enjoy the good life in this Palm City pool home with no HOA.  Sitting in a quiet neighborhood with mature trees and landscaping.  Enter this charming 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home into a huge oversized kitchen.  Then, move on to either the living room or family room with serene views of your large pool and fenced backyard.  Step outside for a swim or just play in your private pool or gather your friends and neighbors for a barbecue in your own outdoor space.

Palm City Pool Home Palm City Pool Home

This home is conveniently located close to shopping, restaurants and just a quick ride to the downtown Stuart area and beaches as well.  Less than one mile to a public boat ramp, this is Florida living at its best and it’s yours for under $200,000.

Palm City Pool Home Palm City Pool Home

Search here for all Palm City Pool Homes currently available from the Martin County MLS

Palm City Pool Home Palm City Pool Home

Affordable Palm City Pool Home Under Contract

Just Listed Affordable Palm City Pool Home

05.09.15 by

Just Listed Affordable Palm City Pool Home

Palm City Pool Home

877 SW 33rd St in Palm City is now on he MLS and those with an interest are encouraged to act fast as this home appears to be in high demand.

Palm City Pool Home Palm City Pool Home

Enjoy the good life in this Palm City pool home with no HOA.  Sitting in a quiet neighborhood with mature trees and landscaping.  Enter this charming 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home into a huge oversized kitchen.  Then, move on to either the living room or family room with serene views of your large pool and fenced backyard.  Step outside for a swim or just play in your private pool or gather your friends and neighbors for a barbecue in your own outdoor space.  This home is conveniently located close to shopping, restaurants and just a quick ride to the downtown Stuart area and beaches as well.  Less than one mile to a public boat ramp, this is Florida living at its best and it’s yours for under $200,000.

 


Palm City Pool Home

 

$189,900
Single Family Home
Main Features
3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Interior: 1,665 sqft
Lot: 0.26 acre(s)
Year Built: 1976
MLS #: 381974
Location
877 SW 33rd St.
Palm City, FL 34990
USA

 

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Search here for all Palm City Pool Homes currently available from the Martin County MLS

Call the Gabe Sanders BlueWater Realty Team (772) 210-2538 to schedule a sneak peek!

Just Listed Affordable Palm City Pool Home

When Buying a Palm City Home, Adopt an Atypical Price Range

05.04.15 by

 When Buying a Palm City Home, Adopt an Atypical Price Range

Palm City Home

 At some point while weighing the pros and cons of buying a new home in Palm City, you begin to mentally fix on a price range. If you are able to depend on a family income that’s fairly predictable, the issue is simplified. If not (small business owners, entrepreneurs, and many sales professionals frequently find themselves in this category), finding an appropriate price range takes careful deliberation.

Sometimes the issue can be decided for you. In most cases, buying a home will involve a mortgage, so lenders get to weigh in. Since it’s a good idea to seek preapproval from a local Martin County mortgage lender early on, you can let their professional opinion help with the price range.

Let’s say the Martins have been preapproved for a $260,000 home loan. They have $20,000 set aside for a down payment, and are certain to clear another $20,000 once they sell their current home and retire its mortgage (it’s in very good shape in a nice neighborhood, but just too small for their growing family). So it’s good news: they can buy a $300,000 home!

It’s at this point in buying a home that the Martins can also decide to make a decidedly atypical decision. That decision would be to pick a number below their peak eligibility as the top figure in “their” price range, and to shop accordingly. Most folks don’t wind up doing that.

Maxing out your budget and purchasing the most expensive home you can afford is undeniably appealing. The math might tell you that you can afford the monthly mortgage payment, even if buying your new Palm City home puts you at the top of your price range. It can mean you get the space and features you’ve always dreamed of. However, there are some sound reasons why buying a home at the top of your price range might not be your best choice—

  1. Additional Expenses

That mortgage amount alone does not take into account the other expenses and financial obligations that come with being a homeowner. Homeowners’ insurance and neighborhood association fees can add to your regular monthly expense, as will property taxes—a considerable figure. If you are moving to a larger property, any maintenance and utility expenses that you’ve grown accustomed to might be greater. If you plan on buying the most expensive home you can, those extra bills might be budget-busters.

  1. Room to Renovate

Even if you’re buying your dream home, chances are very good that you’ll want to make a few changes to the new place. From fresh coats of paint to changes of carpets, appliances, or countertops, changes are a normal phenomenon after buying a home. Even if you’re pleased with the existing aesthetics, you might need additional furniture if the move is into a bigger space. Purchasing at the top of your price range can limit your ability to make needed changes.

  1. Emergency Fund Savings

An emergency fund is a stress-relieving must for homeowners. When the refrigerator fails, the furnace needs to be replaced, or a busted pipe floods the bathroom, you’ll be relieved to have the extra cash. Even true do-it-yourselfers need to call for professional help occasionally. When you purchase a more affordable home, you’ll have extra cash to set aside for emergencies.

One of the greatest benefits of buying a home in Palm City is the sense of stability and security it brings. Working with a group of experienced professionals is the surest way to achieve your home buying goals…as well as a sound reason to give me a call!

Why Buyers Resist those Palm City For Sale by Owner Signs

04.30.15 by

Why Buyers Resist those Palm City For Sale by Owner Signs

For Sale By Owner

Let’s start out by agreeing that a “For Sale by Owner” sign on a Palm City fence does have a certain appeal. It summons up mental images of a simple, direct relationship: no middle men, just straight talk and fair dealing with the One in Charge! And in fact, in many walks of life, dealing directly with the owner can be a plus. When you’re recommending a retail outlet to friends, telling them that you know the owner strengthens your endorsement.

So when you cruise by a sign announcing a Palm City For Sale by Owner property—a “FSBO”—you wouldn’t be alone if you were tempted to walk up and knock on the door. Buying a home directly from its owner should be a way to purchase a house at the lowest possible price, what with no real estate professionals getting involved!

That’s the fantasy, and although those assumptions are theoretically possible, in reality, homes being put up for sale by their owners represent a temptation that many experienced home buyers avoid. They have more than one reason.

1. Owners Often Ask for Too Much Money

The principal reason that For Sale by Owner sign went up in the first place is probably because the landowner wants to avoid paying real estate sales fees. They usually run about 6%, with half going to the seller’s broker, half to the buyer’s broker. Unfortunately, For Sale by Owner homes quite often carry higher prices because the owners don’t know how to determine fair market value—or are convinced any property of theirs is a special exception. In fact, some Palm City For Sale by Owner signs go up precisely because the owner didn’t like what a professional broker’s comparable market analysis revealed.

2. Pertinent Information May Go Missing

Disclosure laws are not getting any less cumbersome, but owners who aren’t familiar with their strict requirements can innocently (or less innocently) fail to toe the line. When significant unseen damage or relevant history is not disclosed, the buyer can wind up footing the bill long afterward. Buyers have some legal recourse, but that results in an expensive, drawn out process.

3. It’s Just Not Convenient to You!

Sellers who eschew the services of the real estate professionals have accepted a lot of responsibilities that come with trying to sell a Palm City property. Of course, they have to keep on top of their regular responsibilities at the same time. That can make things inconvenient for prospective buyers. When both parties use real estate agents, visits are scheduled in a professional (i.e., predictable) manner. When owners become sellers, though, visiting hours tend to reflect the owner’s lifestyle needs. When buyers can’t visit during business hours or when the owner has a family obligation, it can add extra strain. Likewise, when the scheduling of inspections is difficult or any of the strict paperwork deadlines aren’t met…it’s one reason that explains the NAR’s finding that the percentage of For Sale by Owner offerings have collapsed from 19% to 9% since 1991.

With so many disadvantages, it makes sense for buyers to focus on homes sold by agents instead of owners. With transparently justifiable prices, better information and procedural clarity all helping you land the best buy, it should be easy to cruise by those FSBO signs…and give me a call instead!

Why Buyers Resist those Palm City For Sale by Owner Signs

Coming Soon Affordable Palm City Pool Home

04.24.15 by

Coming Soon Affordable Palm City Pool Home

Affordable Palm City Pool Home

877 SW 33rd St in Palm City will be available for showings beginning May 1, 2015.

Affordable Palm City Pool Home Affordable Palm City Pool Home

Enjoy the good life in this Palm City pool home with no HOA.  Sitting in a quiet neighborhood with mature trees and landscaping.  Enter this charming 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home into a huge oversized kitchen.  Then, move on to either the living room or family room with serene views of your large pool and fenced backyard.  Step outside for a swim or just play in your private pool or gather your friends and neighbors for a barbecue in your own outdoor space.  This home is conveniently located close to shopping, restaurants and just a quick ride to the downtown Stuart area and beaches as well.  Less than one mile to a public boat ramp, this is Florida living at its best and it’s yours for under $200,000.

Affordable Palm City Pool Home Affordable Palm City Pool Home

Search here for all Palm City Pool Homes currently available from the Martin County MLS

Call the Gabe Sanders BlueWater Realty Team (772) 210-2538 to schedule a sneak peek!

Coming Soon Affordable Palm City Pool Home

Pine Ridge at Martin Downs Condo Sold

03.30.15 by

Pine Ridge at Martin Downs Condo Sold

Pine Ridge Condos at Martin Downs

Sorry, this Pine ridge condo is no longer available.  Under contract in 5 days and it has now sold.  The sales price was $92,500.  For more Palm City real estate opportunities, contact the Gabe Sanders BlueWater realty team, here.

Pine Ridge Condos at Martin Downs Pine Ridge Condos at Martin Downs

Great opportunity to own a 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit in the desirable Pine Ridge Condos under $100,000.  First floor unit, tile on the diagonal, screen patio, eat-in kitchen, full size washer & dryer in separate laundry room inside unit, master has  new fabulous tiled walk-in shower with new vanity and tank-less hot water. End unit located in back of building with lots of privacy. Furniture negotiable.

Lake Grove March 2015 Market Update

03.25.15 by

Lake Grove March 2015 Market Update

There are currently 3 homes for sale in Lake Grove of Palm City, FL. List prices range from $440,000 to 575,000. The average list price equals $514,966 which is $179.09 per sq. ft. of living area. There aren’t any  distressed sales in these listings.

1 home is under contract and awaiting sale. The list price is $595,000 which equals $187.28 per sq. ft. of living area.

In the past 12 months, 2 homes have sold in the Cobblestone Country Club. Sale prices were $423,500 and $537,000 and the average sale price equaled $480,250 or $164.75 per sq. ft. of living area at a list to sales ratio of 97%.  Neither of these two homes were in distressed sales situations.

 

Located south on Mapp Road in Palm City is the community of Lake grove which is comprised of 64 homes built around a square shaped lake.  Lake Grove lies in a lovely private location will all home sites on at least ½ acre of land.

Lake Grove in Palm City

Homes range in sizes from over 4,500 sq. ft. of living space with 5 bedrooms, 4 baths and a three car garage down to just over 2,000 sq. ft. homes with 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms and 2 car garages.  As of March 2015, the Lake Grove HOA fees are a very reasonable $275 per quarter.

Lake Grove in Palm City

The common areas include two tennis courts, landscaped common areas and a fishing dock on the lake.  There’s also a dedicated trailer/RV/boat parking lot for residents.

Lake Grove in Palm City

Lake Grove children attend ‘A’ rated Martin County Schools and are currently zoned for the Palm City Elementary School, Hidden Oaks Middle School and Martin County High School.  (To search for homes within Martin County school districts visit my school search pages here.)

Lake Grove in Palm City

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If you like the Lake grove community, you may also have an interest in its sister community: Orchid Bay.

Click here for the current Orchid Bay Homes for Sale

Lake Grove March 2015 Market Update

Westwood Country Estates Palm City March 2015 Market Update

03.24.15 by

Westwood Country Estates Palm City March 2015 Market Update

As of March 2015, there is only 1 home on the market in Westwood Country Estates in Palm City, FL.  The list price is $379,900 which equals $173.00 per sq. ft. of living area.

There are no homes currently under contract (pending sales)

There have been 2 homes sold in the past 12 months in Westwood Country estates.  Sales prices were $380,000 and $415,000 for an average of $170.88 per sq. ft. of living area.  These sales averaged 96% of the list price.

None of the real estate activity in Westwood Country Estates was in a distressed situation.

Westwood Country Estates Palm City March 2015 Market Update Florida

 Westwood Country Estates in Palm City, FL  is a wide open, gorgeous community that features statuesque homes that are beautifully placed on oversized lots of ½ acre or more, that will give you and your family plenty of room to grow!  Wonderfully landscaped throughout, Westwood Country Estates will make you feel proud to come home to.  Every home is unique and there is sure to be one you will fall in love with!

Palm City is a great place to raise a family with its “A” rated schools and proximity to I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike which opens you to all the opportunities of both Martin County and it’s neighbors, just a short drive North or South!  Martin County has lots of recreational areas and opportunities to enjoy many opportunities outdoors with your family!

Westwood Country Estates Homes for Sale

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Westwood Country Estates Palm City March 2015 Market Update

Cobblestone Country Club March 2015 Market Update

03.23.15 by

Cobblestone Country Club March 2015 Market Update

There are currently 7 homes for sale in the Cobblestone Country Club of palm City, FL.  List prices range from $350,000 to 749,900. The average list price equals $575,085 which is $158.50 per sq. ft. of living area.  No distressed sales in these  listings.

2 Homes are under contract and awaiting sale.  List prices were $474,900 and 574,900 for an average of $524,900 which equals $142.20 per sq. ft. of living area.   Both of these are conventional sales.

In the past 12 months, 16 homes have sold in the Cobblestone Country Club.  Sale prices ranged from $320,400 to $515,000 and the average sale price equaled $428,393 or $134.90 per sq. ft. of living area at a list to sales ratio of 93%.  These sales included 3 bank owned foreclosure sales and there were no short sales.

 

Cobblestone Country Club

Cobblestone Country Club March 2015 Market Update

Located just west of the center of Palm City, Cobblestone Country Club is a peaceful neighborhood of 512 acres with only 238 residences providing generous amounts of space around each home. This upscale community is adjacent to exit 110 on I-95 with easy access to all that Palm Beach County to the South and Orlando to the North, has to offer while enjoying the laid back low growth lifestyle, lower taxes and superior school systems that Martin County offers. Residents enjoy coming home to picturesque views of lakes, preserves and the 18-hole private Fox Golf Course in the Cobblestone Country Club. Homes in Cobblestone consist of new custom built homes and a selection of quality newer resales. 

Cobblestone Country Club March 2015 Market Update

Cobblestone Country Club March 2015 Market Update

Cobblestone Country Club Homes for Sale

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Cobblestone Country Club March 2015 Market Update

Pine Ridge Condo at Martin Downs Under Contract

03.01.15 by

 

Pine Ridge Condo at Martin Downs Under
Contract

This Pine Ridge Condo at Martin Downs has gone under contract in 5 days. Thanks to the Gabe Sanders BlueWater realty team.

Great opportunity to own a 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit in the desirable Pine Ridge Condos under $100,000. First floor unit, tile on the diagonal, screen patio, eat-in kitchen, full size washer & dryer in
separate laundry room inside unit, master has new fabulous tiled walk-in shower with new vanity and tank-less hot water. End unit located in back of building with lots of privacy. Furniture negotiable.

Pine Ridge at Martin Downs Condo

Overview

Maps

Photos

Description


Video
$99,000
Condominium
Main
Features

2 Bedrooms

2 Bathrooms

Interior: 1,111 sqft

 
Location
2703 SW Matheson Ave.#116 E-1Palm City, FL 34990

USA
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Search here for currently available Pine Ridge Condos in Palm City FL

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Pine Ridge Condo at Martin Downs Under
Contract

 

Pine Ridge at Martin Downs Condo Just Listed

02.23.15 by

Pine Ridge at Martin Downs Condo Just Listed

Pine Ridge Condos at Martin Downs

This very well located condo has been listed by the Gabe Sanders BlueWater realty team for $99,000

Pine Ridge Condos at Martin Downs Pine Ridge Condos at Martin Downs

Great opportunity to own a 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit in the desirable Pine Ridge Condos under $100,000.  First floor unit, tile on the diagonal, screen patio, eat-in kitchen, full size washer & dryer in separate laundry room inside unit, master has  new fabulous tiled walk-in shower with new vanity and tank-less hot water. End unit located in back of building with lots of privacy. Furniture negotiable.

Pine Ridge Condos at Martin Downs Pine Ridge Condos at Martin Downs

 

Search here for currently available Pine Ridge Condos in Palm City FL

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Pine Ridge at Martin Downs Condo Just Listed

February 2015 Market Update for Hunters Creek in Palm City FL

02.16.15 by

February 2015 Market Update for Hunters Creek in Palm City FL

Currently in February, there is 1 home on the market in Hunters Creek in Palm City, FL.  This home is a 4 BR home listed at $279,900 which is equal to $133.41 per sq. ft. of living area.

There are no homes currently under contract (pending sales)

There have been 6 homes sold in the past 12 months in Hunters Creek.  Sales prices were from $272,500 to $349,900 for an average sale price of $305,816 which equals $130.93 per sq. ft. of living area and 95% list to sales price.  There was one short sale in this set of sold homes.

Hunters Creek in Palm City FL is a gated community of 68 homes located off of Mapp Road just north of the Oak Ridge subdivision and across the road from Harbour Pointe.

Hunters Creek in Palm City FL

Homes in Hunters Creek were first completed in 1990 and the last home was built in 2001. There are no more vacant lots left to be built as this community is fully matured and built out. All homes are custom built and range in sizes from over 3,800 sq. ft. of living area to just under 1,700. From 5 bedroom pool homes on over a ½ acre of land down to 3 bedroom homes on just over a quarter of an acre.

HOA fees are a very reasonable at under $100 per month. This covers the common areas and security gate along with basic cable TV.

Hunters Creek in Palm City FLHunters Creek is very conveniently located near the Palm Cove Golf Club as well as quick access to Florida’s Turnpike and I-95. Also, just a few minutes away from the Palm City Bridge with access to downtown Stuart, Jensen Beach and the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean on Hutchinson Island.

Hunters Creek Homes for Sale in Palm City FL

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February 2015 Market Update for Hunters Creek in Palm City FL

Just Sold Meadows Townhouse Palm City

02.05.15 by

Just Sold Meadows Townhouse Palm City

Living area of Meadows townhouse in Palm City

Just sold in the Meadows, this lovely and updated townhouse at 1563 SW Waterfall Blvd.  The BlueWater Realty Team listed and sold this home for $132,500.

Patio of Meadows townhouse in Palm City

This home is a beautiful Sun Terrace model, featuring 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1 story unit with a large screened porch / lanai, concrete block construction, hurricane shutters, tile floors, vaulted ceilings, and split-plan design. The laundry room is inside the home with a newly purchased washer and dryer. This unit is on the back side of the quad, which offers more privacy for your lanai. The Meadows is an exquisite Martin Downs community in Palm City with a huge community pool, multiple tennis courts, a playground for the kids, and a manned security gate. Your approach to this unit is a serene drive through Oak tree lined roads and curves about multiple lakes.

Kitchen of Patio of Meadows townhouse in Palm City Living area of Meadows townhouse in Palm City

The Meadows at Martin Downs is a family friendly residential community very well situated in Palm City, Florida. Their are 832 homes consisting of single-family homes, duplexes, 4 unit townhouses, and 4 unit patio homes. The Meadows community is divided into 6  distinct villages which are named: Greenwich, Lakemont, Mayflower, Brighton, Foxboro and Ridgewood.

This is a guard gated community with round-the-clock security.  Residents of the meadows enjoy a large heated swimming pool, a tot pool, children’s playground adjacent to the pool, basket ball, 3 lighted tennis courts, a horseshoe pit and 2 bocce courts.  Near the entrance, between the gatehouse and the fountain, is a 2200 square foot recreation center, known as The Meadows House, which also houses the administrative offices of  the Homeowners Association.

 Homes in the Meadows

This community came into existence through the efforts of local developer Peter Cumming who submitted the plans for the community around 1988.  Shortly thereafter, Burg and DiVosta (soon to be just DiVosta) began developing the land in the area called Martin Downs for the soon to be constructed villages of The Meadows.

Homes in the Meadows

Divosta started construction on the site known as The Meadows in 1988 by building two structures from which to sell. One was a Single Family home (Hampton) in what is now known as Greenwich Village, and the other was a four unit Town Home building (Stamford) in what is now known as Lakemont Village. Both types of homes were started in The Meadows at about the same time in 1988.  DiVosta completed the Meadows in 1993 and turned the administration and running of the community to The Meadows Homeowners Association which runs the community through elected officers as well as a full time support staff.

Search for the Meadows Homes for Sale

Just Sold Meadows Townhouse Palm City