June 2016 Market Report River Marina Stuart

Here’s the latest update for the River Marina Community of Stuart FL:

For June of 2016, there are 12 active listings (3 homes and 9 townhouses) on the market in River Marina at prices of $169,900 to $384,000 for an average listing price of $249,822 which equals $137.38 per square ft. of living area. As of June 16, 2016, these homes and townhouses have averaged 98 days on the market.

There are 4 homes under contract awaiting settlement (all are townhouses) with list prices from $218,690 to $224,390 for an average list price of $222,165 which equals $139.75 per sq. ft. of living area. These townhouses averaged 62 days on the market before going under contract.

In the past 12 months, 35 homes have sold (5 homes and 30 townhouses) with sales prices from $127,000 to $344,000 at an average sale price of $204,402 or per square foot of $121.52. The average days on market was 62 days and sales were at 98% of list price.

River Marina is a newer community consisting of 84 single family homes built from 2006 to 2008 ranging in size from 3 BR, 1600 sq. ft. homes to 5 BR homes with 3,380 sq. ft of living area. 14 of these homes are waterfront with Ocean access through the South Fork of the Saint Lucie River. The single family homes in River Marina are in a gated enclave.

Also available are newer townhomes in a non-gated area. Currently, only about 47 townhomes have been built with plans for a total of approximately 220 units. Both 2 and 3 Bedroom townhomes are available with 1627 sq. ft. of living area and a 1 car garage. There’s a community pool and easy access to recreational areas.

June 2016 Market Report River Marina Stuart

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June 2016 Market Report for The Soundings Yacht and Tennis Club

06.13.16 by Gabe Sanders

June 2016 Market Report for The Soundings Yacht and Tennis Club

For June 2016 there are currently 4 active listings in the Soundings Yacht and Tennis Club in Hobe Sound, FL. List prices range from $380,000 to $899,000 with an average list price of $545,075 which equals $212.18 per square foot of living area. As of June 12, these homes have been on the market for an average of 93 days.

There is one home under contract which has not sold to date. The list price was $289,500 or $196.14 per sq. ft. and this home was on the market for 196 days before going under contract.

In the past 12 months, 8 homes have sold in the Soundings. Sales prices ranged from a low of $315,000 to a high of $725,000 for an average sales price of $524,478 or $228.62 per sq. ft. of living area. The average days on market was 50 days and sales averaged at 97% of listing price.

Conveniently located only minutes from beautiful Jupiter Island Beach, June 2016 Market Report The Soundings Yacht and Tennis Club, Florida is an active planned community bordering both sides of Gomez Avenue in Hobe Sound. There are a total of 153 home sites in the Soundings with only 2 vacant lots unbuilt at last count.

On the East side of Gomez, the Soundings homes are mostly waterfront with deep water docks accessing the Intracoastal waterway. A small marina with additional docks deeded to a few select homes that do not have waterfront locations. In addition, there is a boat ramp as well as trailer storage for those wishing to keep their boats in dry storage. In addition, there’s a large community pool, tennis courts, and an active fully equipped clubhouse.

Homes in the Soundings Yacht and Tennis Club range from spacious estate homes with Intracoastal views to smaller cottages that are perfect for the occasional seasonal resident or those not requiring large homes but want easy access to the water.

More information about the Soundings Yacht and Tennis Club can be found on their community website.

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June 2016 Market Report The Soundings Yacht and Tennis Club

June 2016 Market Update for Ballantrae

06.10.16 by Gabe Sanders

June 2016 Market Update for Ballantrae

For June 2016 there are 8 active listings in the Ballantrae community in the Sandpiper section of Port St Lucie, FL. List prices range from $235,000 to $1,299,000 for an average list price of $591,338 which equals $201.95 per sq. ft. of living area. As of June 10, these listings were on the market for an average of 148 days.

There are 4 homes under contract which have not closed to date. List prices were from $270,000 to $1,025,000, which averages to $527,475 or $206.27 per sq. ft. of living area. These homes averaged 83 days on market before going under contract.

In the past 12 months, there have been 12 home sales. Sales prices ranged from a low of $162,000 up to $442,000 for an average sales price of $$233,436 or $119.77 per sq. ft. of living area. Listings stayed on the market for an average of 80 days and sold at a 95% list to sales price ratio.

Ballantrae is a gated community of over four hundred homes located in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. We’re on the North Fork of the Saint Lucie River with direct access to the South Fork of the river which leads to Lake Okeechobee and the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, the Indian River Intracoastal Waterway and access to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lucie inlet are both within an easy sail down the river.

There is a newly updated and private Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, Santa Lucia River Club. This is a par 72 championship course of masterful design that winds through 402 acres of upland preserves, oak hammocks, and stands of mature pines.

In addition to golf and boating, we offer tennis, swimming, fishing, and a Homeowners Community Clubhouse which is the center of many community activities.

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Vista del Lago June 2016 Market Report

06.09.16 by Gabe Sanders

Vista del Lago June 2016 Market Report

As of June 2016, there are 7 active listings in Vista del Lago. The list prices range from $44,900 to $76,900 for an average list price of $70,143 which equates to $76.24 per sq. ft. of living area. As of June 9 2016, these condos have been on the market for an average of 95 days.

There are currently 3 condos under contract which have not closed yet. List prices were from $47,900 to $74,900 for an average list price of $57,233 which equals $72.83 per sq. ft. of living area. These condos averaged 36 days on market before going under contract.

23 condos have sold in the past 12 months. Sales prices were from $27,000 to $86,000 with the average sales price being $54,061. This equals $62.25 pr sq. ft. of living area. The average days on market was 63 and these condos sold on average at 93% of list price.

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 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.

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 2016 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 June 2016 Market Report

Bay Colony of Stuart June 2016 Market Report

06.06.16 by Gabe Sanders

Bay Colony of Stuart June 2016 Market Report

As of June 2016, there was only 1 active listing in the Bay Colony of Stuart. This home is listed for $649,000 or $207.88 per sq. ft. of living area. As of June 6, this home has been on the market for 154 days.

There are currently no homes under contract or pending.

2 homes have sold in the past 12 months. The sales prices were $735,000 and $1,275,000. The average sales price was $1,005,000 which equals $254.14 per sq. ft. of living area. These sales averaged 90% of listing price and the average days on market prior to going under contract was 85 days.

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 2016 only two vacant lots remain.

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.

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.

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Bay Colony Homes for Sale

Bay Colony of Stuart June 2016 Market Report

Tennis Villas June 2016 Market Report

06.05.16 by Gabe Sanders

Tennis Villas June 2016 Market Report

As of June 2016, there is only 1 condo for sale in the Tennis Villas. This condo is listed for $269,000 which is $308.84 per sq. ft. of living area. As of June 5, this condo has been on the market for 90 days.

There is one condo under contract which hasn’t closed to date. This condo was listed for $245,000 or $281.29 per sq. ft. of living area. This condo was on the market for 113 days before going under contract.

6 condos have sold in the past 12 months. Sales prices ranged from $210,000 to $267,000 with an average of $228,500 or $258.08 per sq. ft. of living area. These sales averaged 93% of listing price with an average days on market of 189 days.

About Tennis Villas

For those looking to live in a resort setting with the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean close by as well as a full service Marina, golf course, restaurants and fitness facilities without paying the premium price of most resorts, then the Tennis Villas in Indian River Plantation might just be the place for you.

The Tennis Villas are condos located just off the golf course and surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Indian River (Intracoastal) to the west. There are 92 units built in 1978 and 1979. They are all two bedroom and two bathroom condos with 871 sq. ft. of living area. The Tennis Villas are pet friendly and will allow one pet.

The Tennis Villas are in an excellent location, just a short walk to the beach and there’s a courtesy tram that is available to take residents and guests around the sprawling facilities of the Marriott resort at Indian River Plantation. Just a short drive to the grocery store, historic downtown Stuart and the many, many amenities that Martin County FL has to offer.

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Tennis Villas June 2016 Market Report

Stuart Real Estate Sales Success Means Pricing-Right First!

07.02.15 by Gabe Sanders

Stuart Real Estate Sales Success Means Pricing-Right First!

Today’s Stuart real estate market is an alien landscape compared with what it was ten years ago, when it seemed as if a seller could just plant a sign in the front yard and wait for competing offers to roll in. This summer’s real estate scene is equally unlike that of five years ago, when many properties could languish for long months with few showings and fewer legitimate offers.

It’s been a welcome return to a more stable, predictable Martin County real estate climate. With sale prices rising at a sustainable rate and the average days on market making a return to levels approaching historical norms, Treasure Coast real estate participants—both buyers and sellers—gain confidence on what to expect on both sides of home selling transactions. Particularly for Stuart homeowners who are planning to list, that means that their properly prepared property is much more likely to garner a reasonable offer within a reasonable time frame.

This outcome is only likely when sellers prepare their properties in a deliberate manner. Fix up, de-clutter, renovate, clean—all the common tips that are touchstones for making a strong positive first impression apply. Doing it all before listing is a best practice, just as waiting for buyer feedback to tell you what’s awry is not. Be your own Devil’s Advocate when it comes to repair and maintenance issues as you assess whether you should sell the property as-is, or order repairs. Careful, open-eyed preparation has real value. It makes it much less likely that a pre-closing home inspection will catch everyone by surprise. You put yourself in a solid negotiating position when your home hits the Stuart real estate scene as ready as you can make it.

Preparing the property is Job One, but Job One-and-a-Half is preparing yourself for what you are hoping to achieve. Make sure you have penciled out what the bottom line financial outcome is going to be, which includes what you owe, what price your home is likely to bring, and how the ensuing costs will work out as you move to your next destination.

The biggest unknown is, of course, your property’s ultimate sale price. While online valuation models like Zillow’s are easy to use, they can yield results that are so wide of the mark as to be seriously misleading. Have your real estate agent create the up-to-the-minute comparative market analysis (CMA) which will set out how homes similar in location and amenities have performed in recent months. Those listing and sales prices are the strongest indicators of how your home is likely to fare in this summer’s market—and provide a realistic pointer to what your asking price should be.

Today’s consumers are inundated with information online. With 92% percent of real estate buyers searching via their iPhones, notepads, computers, and all the rest of our electronic paraphernalia, increasingly the tendency is to make quick decisions, often based on price and photos. In a world where consumers swipe or click through hundreds of pieces of information a day, it’s much more easy to be overlooked if your price seems out of line. That puts a premium on right-pricing the first time out. It’s also not a bad idea to have a firm idea in your own mind of your absolute rock-bottom number should be—one that makes sense when your long term goals are taken into account.

This summer promises to be a fine time to enter our Stuart real estate market. I’ll be standing by to assist in all the ways that have proved to be most effective—so why not give me a call?

Stuart Real Estate Sales Success Means Pricing-Right First!

Selling a Palm City Home Yourself is a Lonely Proposition

06.30.15 by Gabe Sanders

Selling a Palm City Home Yourself is a Lonely Proposition

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

Stuart Foreclosure Listings Continue Downward Momentum

06.29.15 by Gabe Sanders

Stuart Foreclosure Listings Continue Downward Momentum

If you are one of those Stuart homeowners who has been gladdened to see property values continuing to rebound, you have also been pleased at the steady decline in the wave of foreclosures that were part of the global financial crisis. When the subprime mortgage crisis triggered widespread financial dislocation, many homeowners felt the repercussions. Every Stuart foreclosure that resulted weighed on neighborhood property values, which reflect the dollar amounts paid when nearby homes change hands.

Even most people whose livelihoods were unaffected—who kept their jobs or businesses and continued to make their mortgage payments without difficulty—could have suffered as a result. When the apparent equity of a home dwindled, so too was the amount lenders were willing to lend for refinancing. The comfort provided by fat home equity lines of credit (the HELOCs) suddenly melted when their maximums were cut, or even withdrawn altogether. HELOCs, after all, were a major component in the foreclosure phenomenon. The whole atmosphere caused confidence to be shaken.

But ‘buy low, sell high’ is a proven investment strategy—and ‘buying low’ is an opportunity that typically arises when fear is in the air. Many large institutional investment outfits looked at the situation and apparently asked themselves, what’s more “real” than real estate? They dived into the panic, buying up distressed residences in droves, paying rock-bottom foreclosure prices.

For many homeowners, though, the real effect was psychological. After all, when your major asset is your home, any Stuart foreclosure can be seen as having the effect of bringing your apparent net worth down.

RealtyTrac is the national scorekeeper for foreclosures and REOs (Real Estate Owned, or bank repossessions); and last month they continued to provide comforting news. Although there are ups and downs in the month-to-month stats, the overall trend continues to decline from the high in September 2013. In fact, there was a small uptick in REOs in April, which might seem like bad news; but REOs are actually completed foreclosures—at the same time, foreclosure starts continued their long slide downward.

Daren Blomquist of RealtyTrac was quoted with more good news, confirming that “the overall increase in foreclosure activity in April is a continuation of the clean-up phase” of the housing crisis. But even better was this: “Foreclosure starts nationwide are now running consistently below pre-crisis levels.”

It does seem as if this season is a choice time for sellers to enter the revived market. If you would like to explore the possibilities for your own property, or are ready to start the search for a Stuart home of your own, please do give me a call!

Stuart Foreclosure Listings Continue Downward Momentum

Leadership and Finding the Ideal Martin County Real Estate Agent

06.28.15 by Gabe Sanders

Leadership and Finding the Ideal Martin County Real Estate Agent

A few of our Stuart professionals operate as one-person enterprises, but that’s unusual. Even a one-doctor medical practice has back-up staff. Most lawyers, even if they aren’t in a partnership arrangement, have at least one assistant or secretary to help. Small commercial businesses are called ‘mom and pop’ operations because…well, you get the picture. Almost any serious enterprise takes a team effort to get anywhere—especially in this day and age.

So it’s no surprise that when they set about buying an Martin County home or selling their own, most Stuart folks don’t take on the project all by themselves. Even though the average American family buys a new home every 7 to 10 years, constantly changing state and local regulations make keeping up with them a professional-level challenge. And even though the first part of the buying process—finding the most likely listed properties—can be started from your computer, as soon as the winnowing begins, the knowledge of a Stuart real estate agent—someone who lives and breathes real estate—soon becomes crucial.

As we wade deeper into the 2016 election cycle, one of the themes that keeps coming up is “leadership”—the ability to recruit and direct expert help. When buying or selling a Martin County home, it’s no different: you want the team you assemble to be as strong as possible. That will free you for your most important leadership role, the decision-making. The first order of business is to find an agent who will not only assist with all the real estate transactional details, but also help identify and recommend other reliable professionals you will need in successive steps of the process. Since finding that agent starts with you, here are some tips to help focus your selection:

Everyone responds differently to differing personalities. What type of person do you click with? Do you envision a real estate agent who is a straight shooter—who will deliver realistic advice, a bubbly personality full of optimism—or perhaps a bit of both? Jot down the personality traits that you would like to see in your agent.
Identify needs unique to your situation. If you’re house hunting on a tight budget and need a home fast, you want an agent experienced in finding affordable options. If you’re selling an expensive home in a much-sought-after neighborhood, you might want a Stuart real estate agent who’s sold high-end properties in the neighborhood.
Ask colleagues, neighbors, and friends for recommendations. Don’t collect referrals from just one source. Everyone in your neighborhood might use the same agent, but a colleague might have another recommendation. You want to shop around for an agent, so don’t rely on just one referral.
Check credentials. A credentialed real estate agent is absolutely essential. Of course, nix any agent who isn’t licensed in our state.
Interview your short list. When you meet with potential agents, ask for a list of recent sales completed near your price point. See if you are comfortable with how the agent prefers to communicate: phone, email, text, or a mix. Finally, request the contact information for a few recent clients to check references—and then check them!

Finding your perfect real estate agent starts with the effort put in by the leader: you. I hope your search includes this real estate agent…in fact, why not start by giving me a call!

Leadership and Finding the Ideal Martin County Real Estate Agent

Florida Mortgage Rates on the Rise? Bellwether Signals Clues

06.27.15 by Gabe Sanders

Florida Mortgage Rates on the Rise? Bellwether Signals Clues

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 Gabe Sanders

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

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!

Tennis Villas June 2015 Market Report

06.26.15 by Gabe Sanders

Tennis Villas June 2015 Market Report

As of June 2015, there are 4 active listings in Tennis Villas. The list prices are $229,000 and $261,000 for an average listing price of $243,250 which equates to $272.75 per sq. ft. of living area.

There are currently no condos under contract or pending in the Tennis Villas

5 condos have sold in the past 12 months. Sales prices ranged from $210,000 to $255,000 with an average of $229,600 or $242.48 per sq. ft. of living area. These sales averaged 93% of listing price with an average days on market of 178 days.

About Tennis Villas

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Tennis Villas Homes for Sale

Tennis Villas June 2015 Market Report

Pet Lovers’ Concerns Impact Hutchinson Island Real Estate Activity

06.25.15 by Gabe Sanders

Pet Lovers’ Concerns Impact Hutchinson Island Real Estate Activity

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 Gabe Sanders

In Stuart Location Location Location is More than a Catch Phrase

“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

Calculations before Committing to a New Home in Palm City

06.22.15 by Gabe Sanders

Calculations before Committing to a New Home in Palm City

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

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

06.21.15 by Gabe Sanders

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

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 Gabe Sanders

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.

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.

Search here for:

Vista del Lago Homes for Sale

Vista del Lago June 2015 Market Report

Mariner Village Home With Lake Views Sold

06.19.15 by Gabe Sanders

Mariner Village Home With Lake Views Sold

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.

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.

Search for available Mariner Village Homes for Sale

Mariner Village Home With Lake Views Sold

Bay Colony of Stuart June 2015 Market Report

06.17.15 by Gabe Sanders

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.

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.

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.

Search here for:

Bay Colony Homes for Sale

772-888-2885

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Pet Lovers’ Concerns Impact Hutchinson Island Real Estate Activity

Consideration:

Consideration:

Pet Lovers’ Concerns Impact Hutchinson Island Real Estate Activity

In Stuart Location Location Location is More than a Catch Phrase

In Stuart Location Location Location is More than a Catch Phrase

Calculations before Committing to a New Home in Palm City

Calculations before Committing to a New Home in Palm City

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

Let There Be Light

Seed Your Way to Curb Appeal

Update Vintage Plumbing

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

Vista del Lago June 2015 Market Report

Vista del Lago June 2015 Market Report

Mariner Village Home With Lake Views Sold

Mariner Village Home With Lake Views Sold

Bay Colony of Stuart June 2015 Market Report

Bay Colony of Stuart June 2015 Market Report

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