Florida Mortgage Rates on the Rise? Bellwether Signals Clues

06.27.15 by

Florida Mortgage Rates on the Rise? Bellwether Signals Clues

 Home Mortggage Rates

If you’ve ever had the kind of neighbor who is apt to borrow something (like your hedge trimmer), only to later complain about how it performed, you know how much patience it takes to hold your tongue. The Mortgage Bankers Association would be justified if they felt that way about me: I read their website, and sometimes quote it in posts about current Stuart mortgage rates—but it sure makes for dull reading!

Anyway, with apologies to their (undoubtedly hard-working) writing staff, last week’s blog about national mortgage rates was as numbers-heavy as usual, yet still held a contradiction…but one that actually makes perfect sense. It also flags what could be seen as a bellwether that Stuart home buyers and sellers would be hard-pressed to ignore.

The apparent contradiction was that mortgage rates were on the increase: national mortgage rates for 30-year fixed loans rose to 4.17%, which is the highest they’ve been since November. This is for conforming loans; the jumbos (greater than $417,000) went north as well, up to 4.15%.

As everyone knows, low mortgage interest rates are terrific for our Martin County residential home sales. The low monthly payments that they create make homeownership more affordable for a greater number of buyers. So when rates increase and monthly payments go up, it should create a drag on the market. The apparent contradiction in the MBA release was that the increase in rates was accompanied by an increase in mortgage applications. And it was a big one: up 8.4% from the week before.

Most commentators were united about the phenomenon, and it’s hard to disagree. In addition to the natural surge that comes with the season (spring and summer are always expected to be quite active), consumers are seeing the uptick in mortgage rates and suspecting that rates will head higher. That’s nudging them to action, causing them to jump in now, while rates are still attractive—especially compared with historical averages.

CNBC’s Diana Olick agreed that such sharp increases actually help the home-buying market. She quotes one lender’s take about the buyers: “They understand that ‘wait a minute, rates are at an all-time low, let’s react now, let’s react before they go higher.’”

It’s far from a certainty that rates will continue to take off. Lots of us remember last year, when almost all the experts predicted a rise, yet mortgage interest rates headed in the opposite direction…and stayed there! But you can hardly blame area buyers if they go with the national trend and decide that locking in today’s rates is a prudent move: it’s a bird in the hand.

If you have been thinking along the same lines, I hope you will give me a call!

 

Florida Mortgage Rates on the Rise? Bellwether Signals Clues

Stuart FL Listing Prices Reflect the Market (or Wishful Thinking)

06.26.15 by

Stuart FL Listing Prices Reflect the Market (or Wishful Thinking)

 Legacy Cove in Stuart FL

A Martin County listing can be a smash hit when the pictures show a property that’s cosmetically appealing, the copy rings true, and the details hit the sweet spot where features and value are a match for the best the area has to offer. But it still might not be as effective as it should be if one other detail is a little bit off. It’s a detail that can cause qualified buyers—the ones who should be a home’s most interested prospects— to miss the whole show.

I suppose that calling that part of a Stuart listing a “detail” is like calling the end score of the NBA’s final playoff a detail—or calling the final vote count in an election a “factor.” It may be just one element of many, but it is uniquely important. In a Stuart listing, it’s often the first element that shoppers specify when they’re picking which area homes they will consider. If it’s not thoughtfully calibrated to fall within the parameters they name, the results may suffer considerably.

Of course, the “detail” we’re talking about is the price on the listing, and choosing the “right” one is the object. We’re looking for a number that will help a home sell quickly at the highest price possible. If the neighborhood comps—the prices paid and asked for nearby area homes with similar features—were all that mattered, coming up with the most suitable listing price would be a cut-and-dried affair. But there are other factors that need to be taken into account. Some are easy to determine, some…not so much.

  • the Stuart residential market is a moving target, sometimes building from a lower level, sometimes echoing the latest transactions, sometimes losing momentum.
  • competitive Martin County listing prices reflect either other sellers’ best estimates of that market for their properties, or else their personal opinions of what they think the market should be–but there’s no way to verify which!
  • the final selling price of any home is determined not only by the seller’s situation, but by the buyer’s, also, which is a factor which cannot be determined in advance.

That’s why there is no universally agreed-upon formulas to rely upon, and since there is no way to determine what outcome would have resulted if a different price had been chosen, there’s also no way to verify after the fact if the absolute “best” one was chosen—even if everyone considers the sale a great success! Web titan Zillow says, “if the home sells within a few days of listing, chances are you listed too low” yet if a higher price had been chosen, causing that home to linger for months on the market, it wouldn’t have been listed too low. On the other hand, if the listing price were set to court multiple offers, a quick sale could mean a higher selling price was achieved. There’s simply no way to know for sure.

Put it all together and you have to figure that arriving at the right listing price is really more of an art than a science. I help clients by pooling my extensive Stuart experience, up-to-the minute market knowledge, and detailed examination of the property’s unique attributes to suggest the range of listing prices I judge most likely to achieve the Holy Grail—a quick sale at top dollar! If you’d like, we can get together for a no-obligation discussion of your own property’s listing prospects. It’s a great reason to give me a call!

Pet Lovers’ Concerns Impact Hutchinson Island Real Estate Activity

06.25.15 by

Pet Lovers’ Concerns Impact Hutchinson Island Real Estate Activity

 Hutchinson Island Real Estate

Stuart residents don’t have to be pet owners to get a sense of just how nutty Americans are about our animals. Just a few minutes of watching TV will do it. After you’ve been bombarded with the images of happy/sad/exuberant/listless cats and dogs who are saved/rewarded by the pet products in the commercials, you won’t doubt that $60.59 billion is being spent on pets this year. It becomes clear how Fido and Kitty can afford to foot the bill for so much of today’s prime time television.

Another fact—one that directly relates to Hutchinson Island real estate—is that slightly more than 56% of all American households are said to include a pet. The ASPCA says that 37%-47% of households have a dog, and 30%-37% of households have a cat (as far as the cats are concerned, it’s the cats that have the households, not the other way around). Whether or not Fido and Kitty are part of your own family, this does give rise to how important the real estate concept of “pet-friendly” homes has become.

Consideration:

Does your finicky cat need a room of his or her own? Does your MegaDog require a large yard? Space is always a leading qualification when you go to assess minimum real estate requirements for your Hutchinson Island family, but since 68% of families include pet needs in their calculations, that is one of the basics that qualify a property. That’s why it makes increasing sense to emphasize pet-friendliness. For instance, if the back yard has a low or not very restrictive fence, a proactive seller might research the cost of installing an invisible fence. Even if they don’t go ahead and actually put it in, having a bid in hand showing that the cost is reasonable could be enough to sooth pet-owning prospects’ concerns.

Consideration:

Although pet owners are unambiguous about considering the four-footers to be family members, that’s not a universally shared concept. If you don’t see (or hear) any signs of pets in a prospective neighborhood, buyers should make certain that a property they are thinking about buying doesn’t carry restrictions that could cause pet turmoil. Local ordinances and neighborhood associations can enforce restrictions on the number and kind of pets.

Consideration:

Along with the growing popularity of pets have come a number of pet perks that have real estate implications. Pet amenities like dog parks are becoming more and more common in newer communities (in some areas, a movement is afoot to feature dog- and even cat-friendly cafes and public buildings).

I hope you will give me a call if you are embarking on an Hutchinson Island house-hunting exploration­­, or are preparing to list your own property­­­­­ this summer. Pet accommodation is only one dimension I’ll help you make sure is fully addressed!

Pet Lovers’ Concerns Impact Hutchinson Island Real Estate Activity

In Stuart Location Location Location is More than a Catch Phrase

06.23.15 by

In Stuart Location Location Location is More than a Catch Phrase

 Fountain at Indian Riverside Park in Stuart - Jensen

“There’s No Place like Home” is one of those quaint sayings that somehow lasts forever, probably just because it’s so true. “Home is Where the Heart Is” is another one: corny, maybe, but undeniable.

There’s a strictly real estate saying that Martin County residents will recognize at once, too. Less corny as well as a good deal more practical. It’s “Location! Location! Location!”—and it’s every bit as true as the other ones. It’s the where of real estate, and although it is usually thought of in its commercial connection, to a slightly lesser degree, it has major Stuart residential significance.

For those of us who are already Stuart residents, where our next home should be located is almost certainly one of the two or three primary considerations. But even more so for out-of-towners who will be moving into our area. After price range, it’s a ruling factor: location location location—which Martin County neighborhood will be our best choice for home—is a good place to start.

When you’re brand new to any area, just thinking ‘location location location’ is one thing, but going about finding the right one in a timely manner isn’t necessarily easy. First step will be to consult the real estate professional you’ve teamed up with (a good one would be me!) and have an in-depth orientation conversation about our neighborhoods. Next come prioritizing your own priorities:

Professional. If you know the ‘location location location’ of where you’ll be working, the commute distance is likely to be a key factor. The convenience of having your Stuart home as close as possible to your work will only grow with time.

School. If you have school-aged children, you’ll want to research how the schools are rated, or opt to a top-notch private institution. Either way, getting the kids to and from can be less of a hassle if home is in the right place. Location, location, etc.!

Shopping. Weekend mall visits certainly don’t need to be right around the corner, but things like visits to the grocery store can become an irritant if it involves 15-minutes each way…every day! Perhaps not a governing factor, but one that gains importance over time.

Community. Church, social groups, cultural gatherings are either to your liking or less so. Once you have gauged all of those “practical” factors, it will take some local visits and conversations with residents to get the real flavor of the possible communities—and determine which seem most inviting. Access to sports and outdoor recreational facilities also fit into this category…which, taken together, can easily turn out to be the most important quality of life factor.

Unless you happen to be a longtime local resident, many of the qualities of a listing’s location location location in Stuart isn’t fully evident from the listing information. It takes some on-the-ground knowledge, and (ideally) more than one visit. It also will benefit when your buyer’s Realtor® is a knowledgeable and experienced local resident…which is another good reason to give me a call!

In Stuart Location Location Location is More than a Catch Phrase

3 Inexpensive Improvements to Boost a Sewalls Point Home’s Value

06.21.15 by

3 Inexpensive Improvements to Boost a Sewalls Point Home’s Value

 Sewalls Point Real Estate

When it comes to boosting your Sewalls Point home’s value, the question arises about which of the possible improvements that you might undertake would wind up paying for themselves. At first blush, you might think this should be a cut-and-dried analysis­—that is, any improvements that don’t at least add their own cost to the asking price should be disqualified.

But that would be to discount the fact that a property’s improved condition can speed its sale. When a few improvements might change the overall impression from ‘fixer-upper’ to ‘move-in-ready,’ true value is added. Too many days on market can wind up being costly to the seller, not only because of the inconvenience factor, but because interested buyers may assume a deeply discounted offer will have a better chance of being accepted.

In any case, especially when the budget for improvements is especially tight, there are some cheap fixes that can be counted as especially likely to recoup their cost. Here are three that Stuart sellers can consider:

Let There Be Light

Nothing torpedoes a Sewalls Point home’s marketability like the impression that it’s a creaky old relic. We’re not talking about homes that merit ‘antique’ status, which is a plus, but those with rooms that seem gloomy: the opposite of those with bright, airy spaces that convey a cheerful feeling. Because rebuilding a room to actually expand its physical dimensions is expensive, one solution is to create an improved atmosphere with light: adding or replacing light fixtures.

To maximize your bang for the buck, consider adding a showpiece fixture or two—perhaps a chandelier or pair of wall sconces—in key locations. The kitchen, dining room, and entryway/foyer are all great choices for a hanging light fixtures. Buyers often tend to focus on those areas, and respond well when they are transformed into warm and inviting spaces.

Seed Your Way to Curb Appeal

It’s a truism that curb appeal is vital, but when time and budget make it impractical to deal with a full front yard do-over, one of the least costly improvements that immediately boosts eye-appeal is to put the lawn in top condition with a quick reseed. Brown patches and bare spots are a sure way to kill a lawn’s visual appeal, and even otherwise-healthy areas can get a boost from thicker growth. A variety of easy-to-use products are available that allow you to simply sprinkle an all-in-one mixture of fertilizer and seeds that will take root and grow quickly. Take a pass over the lawn now, and with consistent watering, by summer the entire yard can look terrific!

Update Vintage Plumbing

While appearance matters, buyers are still going to be very interested in the “guts” of the home. If you’re dealing with an older Sewalls Point house, it’s likely that the plumbing has seen better days. Fortunately, replacing or upgrading pipes doesn’t have to be as expensive and disruptive a project as used to be the case. Modern technology allows new plastic piping to be snaked between the walls through a few small holes. Amazingly, today’s plumbers can sometimes even avoid installing new pipes by lining existing pipes with self-expanding vinyl bladders that seal leaks and protect water quality.

I’m always happy to provide a no-obligation consultation to discuss which budget-wise improvements have a track record of adding appeal to Stuart home buyers. Why not give me a call?

3 Inexpensive Improvements to Boost a Sewalls Point Home’s Value

Vista del Lago June 2015 Market Report

06.20.15 by

Vista del Lago June 2015 Market Report

As of June 2015, there are 3 active listings in Vista del Lago. The list prices range from $49,900 to $74,900 for an average list price of $64,600 which equates to $76.22 per sq. ft. of living area.

There are currently two condos under contract which have not closed yet.  List prices were $37,00 and $50,000 for an average of $43,950 which equals $50.02 per sq. ft. of living area.

26 condos have sold in the past 12 months. Sales prices were from $33,000 to $85,000 with the average being $59,796. This equals $64.08 pr sq. ft. of living area. The average days on market was 50 days and these condos sold on average at 94% of list price.

 Vista del Lago in Stuart FL

The Vista del Lago condominium complex consists of over 500 condos located north of the Roosevelt Bridge and west of Federal Hwy (US-1) in North Stuart.  This attractive complex is very conveniently located near shopping, restaurants and a quick drive to either downtown Stuart or Jensen Beach.  Just a few minutes more and you can be on the Ocean in either Stuart or Jensen Beach.

Vista del Lago in Stuart FL Vista del Lago in Stuart FL

Vista del Lago condos were first built in 1974 and the last one was completed in 1979.   All the buildings are two story and contain both 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath and 1 Bedroom 1 Bath units.  Sizes range from 1,014 sq. ft. of living space down to 631 sq. ft. 1 bedroom units.  Many of these condos have attractive water views as well as some with golf course views of the Pine Lakes Golf Club.

Vista del Lago in Stuart FL Vista del Lago in Stuart FL

There’s an active clubhouse with a large swimming pool as well as shuffleboard courts.  No pets are permitted in Vista del Lago and this is an age restricted (55+) community.  The HOA fees as of June 2015 were from the low $200’s for a 1 Bedroom unit to just under $300 per month for 2 Bedroom condos.

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Vista del Lago Homes for Sale

Vista del Lago June 2015 Market Report

Mariner Village Home With Lake Views Sold

06.19.15 by

Mariner Village Home With Lake Views Sold

Mariner Village Homes for Sale

5085 SE Devenwood Way in Stuart FL has been sold by the Gabe Sanders BlueWater Realty Team.  With the current strong activity in the Stuart FL area, this home was on the market for only 18 days.  The buyers purchased this home for $297,000.

Mariner Village Homes for Sale Mariner Village Homes for Sale

A wonderfully maintained Mariner Village home with spectacular long views of the entire lake. Fabulously located in the southern most area of Stuart adjacent to Hobe Sound with easy access to restaurants, shopping, and the beaches. This CBS three bedroom home with 2 full baths features 10′ ceilings, crown moldings, tile in main living areas & carpeted bedrooms (tile underneath). Also, an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances & granite countertops. This home was professionally decorated with all window treatments & blinds which convey with the sale. Additional storage available through the pull-down ladder in garage, hurricane shutters. The furnishings are negotiable.

Mariner Village Homes for Sale Mariner Village Homes for Sale

Mariner Village Homes for Sale

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Mariner Village Home With Lake Views Sold

Bay Colony of Stuart June 2015 Market Report

06.17.15 by

Bay Colony of Stuart June 2015 Market Report

As of June 2015, there is only 1 active listing in the Bay Colony of Stuart. This home is listed for $989,900 or $420.16 per sq. ft. of living area.

There are currently no homes under contract or pending.

2 homes have sold in the past 12 months.  Ranging in sales price from $344,000 to $433,000. The average sales price was $388,500 which equals $127.99 per sq. ft. of living area. These sales averaged 94% of listing price and the average was 47 days on market.

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The Bay Colony of Stuart is an exclusive gated community lying on the shores of the North Fork of the Saint Lucie River.  There are 34 home sites in Bay Colony and as of February 2015 only two vacant lots remain.

Bay Colony of Stuart

Many homes in Bay Colony are waterfront and enjoy gorgeous mile long wide open views of the river.  Homes come in sizes from 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom homes of just over 2,000 sq. ft. of living area up to a 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom home with over 5,000 sq. ft. of living space and almost 6,300 sq. ft. under roof.  Homes have been built from 1979 to the newest which was completed in 2005.

Bay Colony of Stuart Bay Colony of Stuart

This community enjoys low HOA fees of only $775 per year which go towards maintaining the common areas and gate.

Excellent location that’s close to the Treasure Coast Mall and the shopping areas of US-1 in Jensen Beach as well as only a few minutes to the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean.

This community is in the Martin County School system and children attend the Felix Williams Elementary, Stuart Middle and Jensen Beach High Schools.

 Bay Colony of Stuart Bay Colony of Stuart

 Search here for:

Bay Colony Homes for Sale

Bay Colony of Stuart June 2015 Market Report

 

Stuart FL 34996 Condo Market Report May 2015

06.14.15 by

Stuart FL 34996 Condo Market Report May 2015

Stuart Real Estate Snapshot for ZIP Code 34996, Condo Sales for May 2015

For May 2015 in the 34996 Zip Code area of Stuart, Florida :

There are currently 103 active condo listings (Down by 7 condos last month).

Stuart FL 34996 Condo Market Report May 2015

39 Condo sales are pending and awaiting close or lender approval (Decreased by 16 condos from April).

Stuart FL 34996 Condo Market Report May 2015

33 Condos Sold in May (Increased by 10 condos from April) 

Stuart FL 34996 Condo Market Report May 2015

The Stuart FL 34996 Condo Market continued to be very active through May.  Pending sales were off a bit, which is not unexpected as we head into the summer months.  Typically a slower time for condo sales on the Treasure Coast.

The current absorption rate for the Stuart Florida condos in ZIP Code 34996 – decreased to 3.1 months from April’s 4.8 months .  Still a strong sellers market but soon to turn as we go into the summer months.  A balanced market is considered to occur when the absorption rate is from 6 to 7 months.

The numbers for May 2014 were: 145 active listings, 35 pending sales and 26 closed sales.  Considerably stronger activity this year even though there’s a significant decrease in inventory as compared to last year.

Stuart FL 34996 Condo Market Report May 2015

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Stuart Florida Real Estate presented by:
Gabe Sanders

Stuart FL 34996 Condo Market Report May 2015

“Credit Score Whack-a-Mole” for Stuart Mortgage Applicants

06.13.15 by

“Credit Score Whack-a-Mole” for Stuart Mortgage Applicants

 credit score

You may have wondered why there are credit repair companies out there since the credit reporting agencies have to allow any Stuart consumer to dispute incorrect line items on their own. The big Credit Reporting Agencies (“CRAs”) even have online systems for challenging erroneous information. The Agency must act speedily to investigate and correct any false information. Soooo, why pay someone else to just fill out their form?

The answer seems to be the same one that makes practitioners in the legal profession permanently in demand: it’s in the fine print. And in this case, it could be that some of that fine print is written in invisible ink.

As you can well imagine, speed is vital when a would-be Martin County mortgage applicant finds a credit score that’s lower than expected. The mortgage companies will decide whether you qualify (and how much interest to charge) based largely on that credit score. The actual details about how speedily the CRA must act are all contained in the fine print located in the FDIC’s Consumer Protection regulations, “Procedure in case of disputed accuracy” (6500, § 611). Once you notify the CRA, they have to investigate the validity of your claim and (without charging you a dime) determine within 30 days whether the item is accurate. More fine print describe further protections you have—

PARAGRAPH 2: The CRA has but 5 days to notify the company or person who provided the information about your challenge.

PARAGRAPH 6: The CRA has to provide you the results of their investigation in writing, and, if you’ve asked for it, describe the steps they took to arrive at their decision.

PARAGRAPH 7: If you didn’t know that you had the right to receive the above description, they must furnish it within 15 days after you later request it.

Those sound like pretty solid protections—vitally important since the CRA can’t just sweep your dispute under the rug, stall, or ignore you altogether. After all, they have to detail in writing how strenuously they worked to protect you! Right?

Except for one problem, which is in PARAGRAPH 8. If the CRA simply drops the disputed item from your current report within the first 3 days, that’s officially considered an expedited dispute resolution. Since the item has been dropped, that might seem to be a solid win. But PARAGRAPH 8 says that if the CRA does that, it no longer has to do anything demanded in Paragraphs 2,6, and 7! It’s as if those protections were written in invisible ink…so that next month, if the company or person just reports the same thing, voila! your credit report might once again go back to Square One. The CRA is supposed to notify you 5 days in advance; but let’s face it, the phrase ‘Catch-22’ comes to mind…or ‘Credit Score Whack-a-Mole’…

What can you do, short of hiring repair agency experts to fix your credit score? Most commentators are in agreement: just stay away from the online dispute forms. Send a registered letter with your dispute, because it usually takes the CRA longer than three days to act on it, so they can’t skip the protections.

And while you’re waiting, why not give me a call? We can start scouting for your new Stuart home!

Stuart FL 34994 Condo Market Report May 2015

06.12.15 by

Stuart FL 34994 Condo Market Report May 2015

Stuart Real Estate Snapshot for ZIP Code 34994, Condo Sales for May 2015

For May 2015 in the 34994 Zip Code area of Stuart, Florida :

 

There are currently 91 active condo listings (Decreased by 2 condos from April).

Stuart FL 34994 Condo Market Report May 2015

38 Condo sales are pending and awaiting close or lender approval. (Decreased by 2 condo from last month) 

Stuart FL 34994 Condo Market Report May 2015

19 Condos Sold in May (Unchanged from April).

Stuart FL 34994 Condo Market Report May 2015

The Stuart FL 34994 Condo market showed strong activity for May 2015.  Slightly less inventory and pending sales for May, while closed sales remained unchanged for the third month in a row.

The one month absorption rate decreased to 4.8 months compared to last month’s 4.9.  Continuing as a seller’s market.  Typically a real estate market is considered to be a balanced market with an absorption rate of 6 to 7 months.  Meaning neither the buyers or sellers have an advantage in the real estate market.

Last May the numbers were 111 active listings, 50 pending sales, and 27 closed sales. For the 34994 zip code area of Stuart there was considerably greater activity last year.

Stuart FL 34994 Condo Market Report May 2015

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Stuart Florida Real Estate presented by:
the Gabe Sanders real estate team

Stuart Florida Market Report ZIP Code 34994 – Condo, May 2015

Stuart Real Estate Pro Lends a Hand via Relocation Expertise

06.08.15 by

Stuart Real Estate Pro Lends a Hand via Relocation Expertise

 sailfish

Remember the good old days, when most people could depend on staying in the same job in the same community for an entire career? Okay; the truth is, I don’t actually remember any time like that—but I do remember watching TV shows about it… The truth is, as with so many other facets of 21st Century life, sudden career upheavals that cause a Stuart citizen to undertake an abrupt relocation are fairly common today. And accelerated timing requirements can make the situation more intense.

Even without that added obstacle, familiarity with the ins and outs of practical relocation is one of the most valuable assets you gain access to when selecting an experienced Stuart Realtor®. Especially when a relocation is in your immediate future (even if it’s a future that became apparent without a lot of warning), the reality of having to deal with the mass of details accompanying both moving out and moving in can seem like a huge gray, angry-looking cloud hanging overhead.

Just getting a handle on the details can go far to remove the mystery and dispel anxiety. A short list of the elements that need to be determined and coordinated are:

  1. Professional and school requirements
  2. Transaction imperatives in both communities
  3. Moving and storage details
  4. Utility requirements

Once a timeline is determined and a To Do checklist assembled, it will be possible to stay on top of the process. Most importantly, it will help highlight those details that seem to be falling behind— allowing them to get extra attention. Staying abreast of relocation details is the single most important keys that will lead to a smooth outcome. It’s one of Murphy’s Laws that, come moving day, any detail that has been put off until the last minute is likely to cause foul-ups of one kind or another. For instance, if the electric service wasn’t notified far enough in advance, count on the move taking place on the hottest day of the year. Unpacking cartons and moving furniture around without working air conditioners is a memory best avoided!

Any relocation is a challenge that requires a welter of decisions in areas that fall outside what people encounter in everyday living. Fortunately, it’s a challenge that your Stuart real estate professional encounters regularly. Help with practical relocation to (or from) Stuart is just one of the areas of practical expertise that is yours to tap into when you put an experienced Realtor on your team.

The days when most Americans expected to stay in the same community for a lifetime may be fading from memory, but being able to rely on your Stuart real estate professional to help master some of the most challenging upshots is still here. They may say that nostalgia isn’t what it used to be, but that shouldn’t stop you from giving me a call, anytime!

 

Questions to get the Most from Stuart FL Realtor® Interviews

06.07.15 by

 Questions to get the Most from Stuart FL Realtor® Interviews

 Realtor

Everyone agrees that getting the right Stuart FL Realtor® for your team is vital when you’re buying or selling a home­­. Defining ‘right’ isn’t hard, either: for some of us, that will be a Realtor with the kind of dynamic sales personality that seems to make obstacles just disappear; for others, the ‘right’ Realtor® is the one we just ‘clicked’ with instantly­­—somebody who speaks the same language—is on the same wavelength—who we sense immediately will be someone with whom we can work seamlessly.

Sometimes even veteran homeowners who have bought and sold residences over the years have never had to develop a penetrating interview plan. Their trusted circle of friends may have included a real estate professional, or they may have had a good experience with the Realtor who introduced them to the community. But if that individual is no longer available, it’s going to be necessary to find a suitable replacement.

It all comes down to interviews—and why it’s important to get the most out of them. Personality is a perfectly valid basis for weighing candidates who will be performing the kind of vital­­ service your Stuart Realtor will be called upon to do, but what if there is no single standout candidate in that department? If, after interviewing a host of equally sympathetic candidates, you can’t pare down the field with any degree of confidence­—what then?

You won’t have to flip a coin (or consult a fortune teller!) if you’ve asked each candidate the same group of relevant questions. Some of them will differ depending on whether you are choosing a Realtor to help you buy or sell a property, but these are universally relevant:

  • How long have you been working as a real estate professional? How long here in Martin County?
  • How do you keep your clients informed of progress?
  • What if I need to get in touch with you?
  • What kind of Martin County service providers can you connect your clients with?
  • Will you represent me only, or will you represent both buyer and seller?
  • What kind of team do you work with?
  • What is the proposed fee arrangement?

If you make note of the answers to these and other similar questions, you should emerge with a feeling that you’ve gotten the most from the interview process. Along with the ‘track record’ materials every candidate Realtor will be sure to volunteer, at the end of the day, you’ll have with a solid basis for comparison. I hope you won’t hesitate to include me in your group of candidates!

Snug Harbor Stuart June 2015 Market Report

06.07.15 by

Snug Harbor June 2015 Market Report

As of June 2015, there are 2 active listings in Snug Harbor in Stuart, FL.  The list prices are $848,000 and $1,395,000 for an average of $447.15 per sq. ft. of living area.

There are currently no homes under contract or pending.

3 homes have sold in the past 12 months.  Ranging in sales price from $293,475 (foreclosure) to $3,020,000.  The average sales price was $1,300,825 which equals $326.43 per sq. ft. of living area.  These sales averaged 96% of listing price

Snug Harbor remains as one of the most desirable locations in Stuart, FL. Located on the wide Saint Lucie River just east of the city of Stuart Florida is this unique subdivision.


Snug Harbor was the vision of a group of 10 Yachtsmen, many former Commodores of the Chicago Yacht Club back in 1943. They bought the land and platted the area in September 1944 as well as forming the Snug Harbor Corporation, which controlled the ownership of the lots.

 

In 1975 the deeds were distributed and/or sold to the then owners and a condominium form of ownership was established under the name of the Snug Harbor Yacht Club. With both waterfront and non-waterfront homes and estates, located just minutes away from the ocean by boat or car and also convenient to downtown Stuart, offices, restaurants and recreational areas.

Snug Harbor in Stuart FL

Snug Harbor is one of the finest communities in Martin County. There are only 72 home sites with a club house, deep water marina, boat ramp, trailer parking and tennis courts. There is an active association with social activities year round that make this community a very attractive place to call home.

Snug Harbor in Stuart FL

Please feel free to contact Gabe Sanders (772-323-6996), a Snug Harbor resident, if you would like any information about this wonderful community.

Snug Harbor in Stuart FL Snug Harbor in Stuart FL

 

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Snug Harbor June 2015 Market Report

Treasure Coast Readers find few Housing News Jolts…until Tuesday

06.03.15 by

Treasure Coast Readers find few Housing News Jolts…until Tuesday

 Housing News

With our Treasure Coast’s housing news behaving pretty much in line with the rest of the nation’s—that is, exactly as expected for a brisk spring selling season—you don’t usually expect to see much eye-catching housing news in the national press. That’s why last week’s USA Today Money section’s front page story was interesting. Inside, there was more, too. Tucked inside the same section was “THE WEEK AHEAD” which provided a day-by-day schedule about imminent housing news releases—a welcome heads-up for any devoted Stuart housing news observer. I’ll get back to how that wound up working out later…

The lead housing news item, headlined “AS RENT GOES UP, SO MAY HOUSING MARKET,” centered on the sort of shift that can wind up being indicative of something: for the first time in at least five years, they found “a milestone that should spur the sluggish home-buying market.”

That milestone was a rise in U.S. median rent prices, which climbed 4% from a year earlier—the most robust increase since March 2013. A little less firm was what the ‘something’ that this indicated, but the balance of opinion seems to be that the climbing rent number will prod more renters into buying a place of their own. This seems a reasonable enough takeaway, and it’s one that is supported by history. Underlying that conclusion is another contributing factor: “multifamily construction fell off a cliff after the…financial crisis in the late 2000s…”, so the tightening availability of rentals also factors in.

The item ends with a slightly contrary (and logical) point: rising rents means it will be tougher for tenants to save up for down payments, all the more because rents are now rising faster than wages.

That earlier-mentioned “THE WEEK AHEAD” article on the second page had a list of real estate news reports that were scheduled to be released last week. It was headlined, “Data may point to warmth,” and was indeed more real estate news (rather than a weather update). But the optimism about warm spring weather possibly pointing to a rise in home builder sentiment was slightly chilled when the actual report came out: sentiment dropped two points in May.

Housing starts data were scheduled to be released on Tuesday—and this one turned out to be GREAT! The Census Bureau “surprised the market” with the strongest monthly report for starts and permits in 7 ½ years—soaring 20+% in April (with single family housing up 16% from March). So, one has to wonder: if home builders are less optimistic than predicted, why are they breaking out the hammers and saws so energetically? The housingwire.com website thought it represented a rebound from “weather-depressed” previous numbers…so maybe the “Data may point to warmth” headline had been right, after all.

The rest of the real estate news releases for the week were less interesting because they centered on reaction to the Federal Reserve’s release of the minutes of their meeting, which (let’s face it) are traditionally confusingly vague. But the week was slated to end with Friday’s Labor Department release of consumer prices, as indeed it did: price rises slowed to 0.1% from the 0.2% in March. Good news, also. All in all, Stuart readers had to come away from the spate of housing news with a considerably warmer feeling than they’d had for much of the winter.

For an up-to-the-minute update on how our Treasure Coast’s market compares with the rest of the nation’s – and how your own plans stand to fare – just give me a call any time or check out my market reports page on my website!

 

Emerald Lakes Townhouse Stuart FL Sold

06.03.15 by

Emerald Lakes Townhouse Stuart FL Sold

Under contract in 22 days, this Emerald Lakes townhouse has sold for $138,000.  Ask the BlueWater realty team about Stuart FL townhouse sales.

Updated Emerald Lakes Townhouse

A beautifully updated Emerald Lakes townhouse featuring a modified open kitchen with granite counter-tops and newer appliances (2 years old). This 2 BR, 2 and 1/2 Bath townhouse has lake views from both bedrooms.  Only a short walk to one of two community pools and tennis courts.  This townhouse has new carpets, new washer and dryer and new hurricane and impact resistant PGT sliding windows. Dual sinks and Corian counters in the master bathroom. 2 assigned parking spaces plus ample guest parking. A great location close to shopping, beaches, restaurants, medical facilities and historic downtown Stuart. Emerald Lakes is available for all ages and 2 pets under 40 lbs. are permitted. A wonderful opportunity for an affordable Stuart home.  The list price for this Emerald Lakes townhouse is $144,900.

Updated Emerald Lakes Townhouse Updated Emerald Lakes Townhouse

The community of Emerald Lakes lies in the Port Salerno area of Stuart, Florida and consists of 400 2 and 3 bedroom townhomes and 130 single family villas.  The town homes and villas are governed by two separate home owners association yet share many of the same amenities.

 Updated Emerald Lakes Townhouse SAMSUNG DIGITAL CAMERA

Spread out over 100 acres of beautiful Florida landscape, with 3 ‘Emerald Lakes’, miles of walking paths, 7 tennis courts, 3 heated pools and two club houses.  Very conveniently located within walking distance of a Publix Grocery store, Beall’s, Walgreen’s, Banks, Gold’s Gym, etc.

Updated Emerald Lakes Townhouse

Just a few miles away are numerous Golf Courses, Martin County’s famous waterways, marinas  and beaches  and also within minutes of I-95 for easy access to locations both north and south.  Fort Lauderdale is only a little over an hour to the south and Disney World is just over 2 hours to the north.  A perfect location!

Updated Emerald Lakes Townhouse

Residents of Emerald Lakes enjoy the good life with low HOA fees and an excellent management staff for both Home Owners’ Associations.

Currently Available Homes and Town Homes in Emerald Lakes

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Emerald Lakes Townhouse Stuart FL Sold

The 8-Second Decision for Stuart Home Showings

06.02.15 by

 The 8-Second Decision for Stuart Home Showings

 curb appeal

“Buyers make their decisions in exactly eight seconds. After that, they’ve either fallen in love or are just honoring an appointment.”

You’re likely to come across that quotation (from prominent Manhattan Realtor® Barbara Corcoran) whenever you’re researching how to add the most value to your Stuart home with the least expense. For Martin County home owners about to list their property, it’s a somewhat unnerving prospect. If true, then every showing may start with what sports fans call a sudden death playoff!

If you are a future seller with a Stuart home that needs improvement, it’s only realistic to accept the likelihood that should you go to market without doing anything about it, it will cost you one way or another. Either the offers you garner will be lower than they needed to be, or (worse), the home will linger too long with no real offers at all. If you have any leeway in time and/or budget, there are two approaches you can take to fix the problem.

First, you can hire a professional to assess the problem and lay out solutions. It may be expensive (not necessarily); but it’s a pretty foolproof approach. You and your real estate representative can go over the recommendations, assess which will be most cost-effective—most certain to reflect in the value your home realizes—and then get them done.

The other way is to make your own evaluation, and act on it. Drive up to your curb just as prospective buyers will, get out of the car, approach your home, and take in what needs fixing. If your curbside mailbox doesn’t have clearly recognizable numbers on it; if the walkway looks stained or broken; if the bushes have last fall’s dead leaves lodged in them; if the front doorbell is rusty…you get the idea! Note what’s wrong (heave a sigh of relief for what’s right), and get going! It will pay off!

On the other hand, if you have a Stuart home that’s undisputedly a true eye-pleaser, you’re probably content with the Love at First Sight precept—as you should be. If you’ve done your job of maintaining your home’s exterior and landscaping, you’re steps ahead. But a word of caution: that first decision doesn’t have to be final. If what buyers experience once they are inside is persuasively positive, any off-putting first-glance judgement can be turned around. What’s of key importance is that no single glaring negative element be present. If it is, it can seal a negative first impression…or undermine a positive one.

I’m here to lend experience and advice every step of the way. And a good first step is a really simple one: call!

Putting Stuart Real Estate Prices in Perspective

05.30.15 by

Putting Stuart Real Estate Prices in Perspective

 Prices?

Whenever you are getting ready to buy or sell a residence, taking the temperature of the local housing market is part of how you prepare to engage. When Stuart real estate prices are on the rise, bargain hunters know they’ll have to scramble. When Stuart real estate prices are flat or on the downturn, spotting good value in the local listings is easier. A slow market means that those sellers who are impatient to move on will be willing to reduce their asking price. They will tend to “find the market” more quickly, rather than waiting it out.

Our Martin County real estate prices are seldom in exact lockstep with the national market—but when it moves, the impact is felt sooner or later. Of all the national barometers that are out there, the pre-eminent one is the research done by under the Case-Shiller banner.

At the end of last month, the latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index again confirmed the uptrend we’ve been seeing for nearly 3 years now. No surprise there: nationally, residential real estate prices continued to rise at the moderate clip that we’ve grown accustomed to. The only standouts were in the 20-City Composite (the single month rise of .5% was the largest increase since July) and in Denver and Dallas—both of which have now actually surpassed the peaks registered at the height of the real estate price bubble (which might have Coloradans and Texans wondering if it was a bubble at all)…

But what was unusually interesting were some observations published at the end of the Case-Shiller report, in the Analysis section. It noted that the data marked the 34th consecutive month of year-over-year price gains, and that home real estate prices “continue to rise and outpace both inflation and wage gains.” It pointed out that, nationally, average residential real estate prices are within 10% of the “housing boom peak.” And then it came up with an insight that puts things in perspective in a way that hasn’t appeared elsewhere. This by S&P Dow Jones Index Chairman David Bitzer:

“A better sense of where home prices are can be seen by starting in January 2000, before the housing boom accelerated…”

Looking at inflation-adjusted numbers, the latest U.S. real estate prices as registered in the Index rose just a touch under 30% from January 2000 to February 2015. In other words, when you remove the whole statistical bulge—the “bubble” phenomenon—out of the picture, residential real estate prices have risen at an annual 1.7% rate. That’s real appreciation, adjusted for inflation. Slow—but “steady as she goes!”…and for the past three years or so, it’s more than doubled that long-term gain.

Stuart homeowners whose stress levels went up and down with the extreme price rise and fall would have been a lot more comfortable had they just snoozed through the whole affair, confident that the long-term history of real estate demonstrates, as the name implies, just about the most ‘real’ investment you can make.

When you get ready to take a look at the residential market, I hope you will want to give me the first call. I’ll share the latest up-to-the-minute info on Stuart real estate prices and activity that will put everything into meaningful perspective!

 Putting Stuart Real Estate Prices in Perspective

Tropical Paradise Ocean Access Waterfront Lot Under Contract

05.27.15 by

Tropical Paradise Ocean Access Waterfront Lot Under Contract

This waterfront lot with ocean access (fixed bridges) is now under contract.  The contract is contingent on financing so if you have an interest, please call me as we will take one or two back-up offers.

7941 SE Paradise Dr New Price

Paved driveway and pad in place.  Existing mobile home has been removed.  There’s 81 feet of waterfront with ocean access suitable for a smaller boat that can go under two fixed bridges with approximately 6′ clearance.  Community has an RV boat storage lot with one space for every resident. Great opportunity in a wonderful friendly community.

Overview

Maps

Photos

Features

Description


Slide Show
$75,000
Lots and Land
Main Features
Lot: 0.20 acre(s)
MLS #: 379758
Location
7941 SE Paradise Dr.
Stuart, FL 34997
USA
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The Tropical Paradise community is a subdivision with modular and manufactured homes that are slowly replacing the original mobile homes that were in place.

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More information about Stuart Florida Homes and Land can be found on the Gabe Sanders BlueWater Realty team’s web site.

Tropical Paradise Ocean Access Waterfront Lot Under Contract

Retirees Rethink Retirement – of Their Stuart Mortgage!

05.26.15 by

Retirees Rethink Retirement – of Their Stuart Mortgage!

 Loan-Paid

Last week, The Wall Street Journal ran an article about personal finances that many Florida mortgage payers who are at or near retirement age should find thought-provoking. It centered on the idea that today’s retirees are often making a decision that differs from what past generations have chosen.

The basis is twofold. First, it’s undeniable that the 60- or 65-year-olds of today rightly expect a future that’s likely to stretch one or more decades longer than was the case for their grandparents. Improved health care and health awareness have combined to extend life expectancies considerably. The WSJ didn’t mention it, but some quick research reveals that while a baby boomer’s parents (assuming they were born in the 1920s) had a longevity expectation at birth of only about 55 years, the CDC says that today’s average 65-year-old male can expect to live another 18 years—with ladies even out-surviving them by another 2½ years.

Such a radical advance combines with a second development—today’s low mortgage interest rates—to create a shift in thinking by many as they hit retirement age. Experts believe that previous generations tended to feel “they were in the last inning” of life, and thus needed to pick a safe path regarding their residences. Paying off their home’s mortgage was given very high priority—one that was almost universally unquestioned. Home ownership unencumbered by a mortgage was taken to be a sound part of a worry-free old age.

But today’s Florida retirees are significantly less defensive in their thinking. According to The Journal, “Maybe their parents paid off the house before retiring, but many baby boomers say it makes more sense to carry a mortgage.” Instead of surrendering their cash or investments, the 21st Century trend is for mature Americans to take advantage of today’s low interest rates. The long time run-up in the stock market has also made the choice that much more appealing.

Florida seniors may also be departing from the way previous generations behaved. A Merrill Lynch/Age Wave study in August found that 30% of relocating retirees were moving to larger homes! And let’s face it: the whole notion of retiring is undergoing a transformation as more and more of the 60+ set realize they don’t want (or can’t afford) to quit working altogether. With so many good years before them, many are embarking on new careers—often elatedly following pursuits they’d “never had time for.”

With mortgage rates in Stuart continuing to roost down in the bargain basement, today’s seniors aren’t alone in recognizing that this spring represents a rare home buying opportunity. If you are coming to the same conclusion, I hope you will give me a call to chat about today’s many Stuart offerings!