Becker Rd Area 4 BR Home Leased

06.16.15 by

Becker Rd Area 4 BR Home Leased

4541 SW Athena Dr for Rent

Sorry, but you missed this 4 BR Port St Lucie home for an annual lease for $1,700 a month.  It has now been leased.

4541 SW Athena Dr for Rent 4541 SW Athena Dr for Rent

Enter this large 4 bedroom home with 2 bath, 2 car garage plus a den that could be used as a 5th bedroom. Vaulted ceilings with lots of natural light. Great family home with eat-in kitchen, breakfast bar and panty. Family room has sliding glass doors to cover patio where you can BBQ and enjoy the outdoors. The master bath has double sinks, make-up table, garden tub and walk-in closet. The laundry room is located in the house. Bring your own washer/dryer or landlord will provide a set. Located on a quiet street close to the Turnpike, Becker Road, Publix, Restaurants and shops.

4541 SW Athena Dr for Rent 4541 SW Athena Dr for Rent

4541 SW Athena Dr for Rent 4541 SW Athena Dr for Rent

This Port St. Lucie rental home is offered for lease by the Gabe Sanders BlueWater Realty Team

To search for additional Port St Lucie rental homes click on our rental search here.

Becker Rd Area 4 BR Home Leased

“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!

Long-Range Strategy for Selling a Home in Palm City

06.12.15 by

Long-Range Strategy for Selling a Home in Palm City

 Lake Grove in Palm City

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

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

LANDSCAPING:

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

THE MECHANICALS:

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

PHOTOGRAPHY:

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

INFORMATION:

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

June 2015 Market Update for Ballantrae

06.11.15 by

June 2015 Market Update for Ballantrae

For June 2015 there are 6 active listings in the Ballantrae community in the Sandpiper section of Port St Lucie, FL.  List prices range from $187,900 to $426,900 for an average list price of $296,933 which equals $130.46 per sq. ft. of living area.

There are 4 homes under contract which have not closed to date.  List prices were from $219,000 to $369,000, which averages to $294,000 or $128.32 per sq. ft. of living area.

In the past 12 months, there have been 21 home sales.  Sales prices ranged from a low of  $135,000 up to $950,000 for an average sales price of $396,291 or $141.19 per sq. ft. of living area.  Listings stayed on the market for an average of 116 days and sold at a 92% list to sales price ratio.

Ballantrae in Port St. Lucie

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.

Ballantrae in Port St. Lucie

Ballantrae in Port St. Lucie

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.

Ballantrae in Port St. Lucie Ballantrae in Port St. Lucie

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

View our slideshow of Ballantrae

Search for Ballantrae Homes for Sale

June 2015 Market Report for The Soundings

06.10.15 by

June 2015 Market Report for The Soundings Yacht and Tennis Club

For June 2015 there are currently 8 active listings in the Soundings Yacht and Tennis Club in Hobe Sound, FL.  List prices range from $395,000 to $725,000 with an average list price of $563,300 which equals  $235.58 per square foot of living area.

There are no homes currently under contract in the Soundings.

In the past 12 months 9 homes have sold in the Soundings.  Sales prices ranged from a low of $320,000 to a high of $779,000 for an average sales price of $545,388 or $228.26per sq. ft. of living area. The average days on marker was 167 days and sales averaged 93% of listing price.

The Soundings in Hobe Sound FL

Conveniently located only minutes from beautiful Jupiter Island Beach, June 2015 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.

The Soundings in Hobe Sound FLOn 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 club house.The Soundings in Hobe Sound FL

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.

The Soundings in Hobe Sound FLMore information about the Soundings Yacht and Tennis Club can be found on their community website.

Search for Homes in the Soundings Yacht and Tennis Club

View all of our Listings

Hobe Sound  Real Estate is presented by:

the Gabe Sanders real estate team

June 2015 Market Report The Soundings Yacht and Tennis Club

June 2015 Market Report River Marina Stuart

06.09.15 by

June 2015 Market Report River Marina Stuart

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

River Marina Homes and Townhomes in Stuart FL

For June of 2015, there are currently 6 active listings  (2 homes and 4 townhouses) on the market at prices of $172,500 to $349,000 for an average listing price of $215,330 which equals $123.45 per square ft. of living area.

There are 6 homes under contract awaiting settlement (3 homes and 3 townhouses) with list prices from $179,900 to $344,900 at an average list price of $244,471 which equals $122.73 per sq. ft. of living area.

In the past 12 months, 15 homes have sold (5 homes and 10 townhouses) with sales prices from $145,000 to $370,000 at an average sale price of $220,116 or per square foot of $119.72.  The average days on market was 45 days and sales were at 96% of list price.

River Marina Homes and Townhomes in Stuart FL

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.

River Marina Homes and Townhomes in Stuart FL

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.

River Marina Homes and Townhomes in Stuart FL

June 2015 Market Report River Marina Stuart

River Marina Homes and Townhomes for Sale

Stuart, Florida Real Estate presented for your consideration by:
the Gabe Sanders real estate team

View Our Featured Listings!

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!

 

Oversized Corner Lot in Port St Lucie Sold

06.08.15 by

 Oversized Corner Lot in Port St Lucie Sold

This 1/3 of an acre lot at 2979 SW Boxwood Circle has been sold for $13,000.  The new owner will be building soon.

Overview
Maps
Photos
Description
$13,000
Lots and Land
Main Features
Location
2979 SW Boxwood Circle
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34953
USA
Over-sized corner lot in a quiet and uncrowded residential area of Port Saint Lucie. Close to the Turnpike as well as easy access to shopping. Ready for a large home in an excellent location.
Our recent listings

 

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Oversized Corner Lot in Port St Lucie Sold

 

 

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

 

Search here for:

Snug Harbor Homes for Sale

Snug Harbor June 2015 Market Report

June 2015 Market Report Locks Landing in Stuart Florida

06.06.15 by

June 2015 Market Report Locks Landing in Stuart Florida

As of June 2015, there are 6 homes on the market in Locks Landing in Stuart Florida.  Listing prices range from $375,000 to $525,000 for an average price of $427,150 which equates to a per square foot of $174.06.

There are 3 homes currently under contract.  List prices range from $299,000 to $459,900, or an average list price of $400,933 which equals $160.03 per sq. ft. of living area.

In the past 12 months, 12 homes have sold in Locks Landing with sales prices ranging from $259,000 to $495,000 for an average sales price of $372,781 or $147.81 per sq. ft. of living area. These sales averaged at 95% of listing price.

Locks Landing in Stuart FL

Locks Landing in Stuart Florida is a planned unit community of 243 homes on the south eastern shore of the Saint Lucie Waterway, just upstream of the Locks on the Okeechobee Water Way at Phipps Park in Stuart, Florida.

Locks Landing in Stuart FL

Locks Landing homes range in sizes from just under 2,000 square feet of living area to some spacious 3,000 square feet plus homes on spacious preserve lots.   Many homes enjoy lake views and a few homes offer views of the Saint Lucie Waterway.  This wonderful family neighborhood boasts a number of docks with available water and electrics..  Easy access through the lock to the main Saint Lucie river and out to the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean or sail west into Lake Okeechobee for a fabulous day of fresh water fishing.  For those without their own boat dock, there’s a convenient boat ramp to allow all to enjoy the fabulous boating available to all residents of Martin County.

Locks Landing in Stuart FL Locks Landing in Stuart FL

Locks landing is only moments to I-95 for those needing to commute either north or south on the Interstate.  The equestrian farms of Martin County are only a short drive to the west; while to the east is shopping, restaurants, beaches and all the amenities that Martin County has to offer.  This family friendly community also boasts an ‘A’ rated school system with local children attending Crystal Lake Elementary School, David L Anderson Middle School and South Fork High School

Locks Landing in Stuart FL Locks Landing in Stuart FL

To view the current homes available for sale in Locks Landing please select the following link:
Locks Landing Homes for Sale

 

For any questions you may have about Locks landing, please call the Gabe Sanders real estate team at 772-323-6996 or Contact Us Here

Stuart Florida Real Estate

Residential Homes, Condos and Land
Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties

June 2015 Market Report Locks Landing in Stuart Florida


Jensen Beach Golf and Country Club June 2015 Market Report

06.05.15 by

Jensen Beach Golf and Country Club June 2015 Market Report

 There are currently 7 homes and/or villas available for sale in the Jensen Beach Golf and Country Club.
List prices range from $269,000 to $399,000 or an average list price of $331,755 which equals $168.32 per square foot of living area.

9 homes are under contract awaiting the final sale.  List prices range from $200,000 to $375,000 for an average list price of $298,077 that equals $1150.90 per square foot of living area.

In the past 12 months, 38 homes have sold.  The sales prices ranged from $185,000 to $440,000 for an average sales price of $281,340 which works out to a price per square foot of  $151,92 at a 97% sales to list price ratio.

The Jensen Beach Golf and Country Club in Jensen Beach Florida is one of the most desirable communities on Florida’s Treasure Coast.  There are 656 homes and home sites spread out on over 240 acres of wildlife preserve with plenty of privacy and homes from four different builders.   Homes began to be constructed in 2000 and new homes from D.R. Horton and Renar Homes have been recently completed.  Previous builders included WCI Communities and Engle Homes.

The Jensen beach Golf and Country Club is home to the Eagle Marsh Golf Course.   This is apublic course and all are welcome to play.  Inexpensive membership plans are available along with dining facilities, a snack bar and a pro shop.  More information about the Eagle Marsh Golf Club can be found on their web site.

Homes in the Jensen Beach Golf and Country Club range from smaller 2 BR attached villas of approximately 1300 plus square feet of living area and single car garages to spacious one floor and two story pool homes of just over 2500 square feet with 3 car garages.  In addition to the facilities associated with the Eagle Marsh Golf Club, there are two community pools and an active tennis club with 6 professional courts along with a local pro and active league play.

All of these amenities come at an incredibly attractive HOA fee of around $225 per month and include landscaping, trash pickup as well as basic cable TV service.

The Jensen Beach Golf and Country Club is attractively situated only 2 miles from the Indian River (the Intracoastal Water Way) and quaint downtown Jensen Beach, only across the causeway to the public beach of Jensen beach for those wishing to take advantage of the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean.  Less than a mile to the west is the Treasure Coast Mall and the shopping and restaurant corridor of US-1.

For those with children, the ‘A’ rated Jensen beach High School is within walking distance from the front gate of the Jensen Beach Golf and Country Club.

Here are the currently available homes in the Jensen Beach Golf and Country Club

 For any questions you may have about the Jensen Beach Golf and Country Club, please call the Gabe Sanders real estate team at 772-323-6996 or Contact Us Here

Jensen Beach Florida Real Estate

Residential Homes, Condos and Land
Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties

Jensen Beach Golf and Country Club June 2015 Market Report

When a Stuart FL Home goes Searching for its Identity: Comparables

06.04.15 by

When a Stuart FL Home goes Searching for its Identity: Comparables

 

There are two kinds of situations that homeowners looking at Stuart FL comparables run into:

  1. THE SIMPLE COMPS: Your Stuart FL home is part of an area that’s more uniform than not, in a neighborhood where there are a sufficient number of similar houses to have produced several sales recently. Your street may not be part of a literal development with models that have near-duplicate floor plans—but the area is, in general, homogenous. When it comes to selling your Stuart FL home, you’re in luck!
  2. THE NOT-SO-SIMPLE COMPS: AKA, the incomparable situation. Your Martin County home is one of a kind, almost totally unlike any other in the neighborhood (two bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths) or unlike any other in any neighborhood (who else has a swimming pool built into the attic?). All right, maybe your house isn’t quite that weirdly incomparable, but it’s still the case that no similar home has sold within a 5-mile radius within the last year or two. When it comes to selling your Stuart FL home, you may still be in luck—but not because of ‘the comps’!

When your property falls into the first category, one whole part of your selling situation becomes a piece of cake because of the comparables. Stuart FL comparables from previous sales make the ultimate, convincing case that your home has at least $X value, because the market says so. In writing. Real people have plunked down their hard-earned dollars as proof. Even better, real banks have backed them up with their also very real dollars. It’s all verifiable in the public records.

When your property falls into the second category, in terms of the comparables for Stuart FL, it really doesn’t matter if you have the most attractive house or the best bells and whistles and bathroom renovations that will take a buyer’s breath away. If no other home within a reasonable distance has sold with a reasonable period (say, six months) that are close to the same size as yours, or if none has anything like similar features, you and your Realtor® are going to be pretty much on your own even settling on a listing price. Here’s a few lesser known reasons why paying attention to comparables is important when selling your home.

  • Unique amenities won’t always guarantee a higher comparable value. If the amenities are unusual for Martin County, it might make it that much more difficult to find enough comparables in your area to come up with a listing price.
  • School districts factor heavily into value. You might have grumbled about paying school taxes if you aren’t sending your own children off to school, but the quality of the school district has a large influence on comparables.
  • Scarcity of housing inventory in your neighborhood can be either an advantage or disadvantage. It’s a plus if the housing inventory is low due to high demand (there will be enough recent sales information to set an accurate listing price). It’s a negative if scarcity occurs because no one is buying nearby homes—and appraisers will find it more difficult to place a value on the property.

It’s my job to get your home the best offers in the shortest amount of time for either category of Martin County comparables. Give me a call—regardless of which one yours falls into, we’ll discuss how we can produce results that are truly incomparable!

When a Stuart FL Home goes Searching for its Identity: Comparables

June 2015 Market Report The Retreat in Hobe Sound

06.04.15 by

June 2015 Market Report The Retreat in Hobe Sound

For the June 2015 Market Report The Retreat in Hobe Sound there are currently only 2 homes on the market, ranging in price from $248,000 to $405,000 for an average price of $326,950 which equals $155.30 per square foot of living area.

There are also 2 homes under contract and awaiting sale.  Listing price are $249,000 and $252,500 for an average price of $250,720 which is $156.84 per sq. ft. of living area.

In the past 12 months, 27 homes have sold in the Retreat.  Sales prices ranged from a low of $221,000 to a high of $475,000 for an average sales price of $302,422 which equals $159.99 per sq. ft. of living area. These sales averaged 95% of list price.

the Retreat in Hobe Sound FL

This is a beautiful DiVosta master planned community at the end of Seabranch Ave just west of US-1 in Hobe Sound.  The Retreat contains 555 well built CBS homes ranging from 2 BR to 4 BR homes that continue to impress their owners with their functionality and quality DiVosta construction.

the Retreat in Hobe Sound FL

Located near Schools, Golf Courses, Shopping, Medical facilities, Beaches, and all the amenities either a family or a second home owner looks forward to in Florida living.  Amenities at the Retreat include a heated community pool, clubhouse, fitness room and tennis courts.  Golf course access in right next door at Lost Lake.

the Retreat in Hobe Sound FL

The Retreat was a finalist in the Communities of Excellence contest in the communications division. Association volunteers under the direction of the Communications Committee utilize a bimonthly newsletter, website, bulletin boards, community television channel, town hall meetings, resident directory, email blasts, and open board meetings with published minutes to get information to and from the residents. The newsletter is particularly popular. The website provides information of a business nature, with a resident showcase for display of artwork.

 the Retreat in Hobe Sound FL

Currently some select Retreat Homes are available at very attractive prices.

To view these available Retreat Homes for sale, click here.

the Retreat in Hobe Sound FL

Gabe Sanders

Stuart Florida Real Estate

Residential Homes, Condos and Land
Waterfront and Golf Course Communities in Martin and Saint Lucie Counties

June 2015 Market Report The Retreat in Hobe Sound


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!

 

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!

Four Skills to help turn a Port St Lucie Property into Rental Gold

06.01.15 by

Four Skills to help turn a Port St Lucie Property into Rental Gold

 agreement

Become a landlord!

Be your own boss!

Build equity that someone else pays for!

These may sound like the kind of come-ons that you tune out when you hear them on the radio or TV, but, surprisingly, they’re actually more reality-based than not. Whether you’re buying a Port St Lucie property for its rental potential, or preparing to turn a currently-owned property into an income-producer, the game plan is straightforward. Locate a suitable local property: one with the rental potential to create cash flow either as income, or to build real estate equity…or both!

So what’s the catch?

In fact, there is one. Becoming a successful landlord has more to it than spotting an appropriate Port St Lucie property and sitting back, waiting for someone to nail up an ‘Easy Street’ sign. In order to make the most of the opportunity a Treasure Coast rental property represents, you need to either already have, or develop, a requisite set of skills. Chief among them:

  1. The relationship between landlord and tenant, and landlord and the tradespeople he hires, should be purposefully professional. Your tenants may also be fellow Port St Lucie residents (or even neighbors), yet skillfully establishing and maintaining an amiable yet businesslike relationship takes dexterity and finesse. Substituting an overly personal relationship instead of the more proper businesslike one can result in counterproductive consequences…like tardy rent payments or superfluous demands.
  2. As much as any other business, successful landlords are usually ‘people people’: they don’t shy away from interactions on a face-to-face basis. Whether it’s dealing with renters’ concerns, interviewing potential tenants, or handling the personnel who help maintain a Port St Lucie property, great landlords have great leadership skills. They have the knack of bringing positive energy to everyday dealings. Good landlords exhibit authority without being overbearing, and they allow their tenants to feel the right degree of investment in what is their home, if only temporarily.
  3. It may seem as if turning a property into an income-producer is an extremely simple task, but in fact it takes organizational skills to accomplish it efficiently. There are laws that have to be observed, and documentation to be maintained. People who cultivate clarity in such matters are nicely suited to the demands of running a rental property.
  4. There are unavoidable time availability demands that mustn’t be ignored. A tenant with a maintenance emergency needs to have it addressed. Now. It’s one thing that even the most people-oriented, organizationally proficient business titan should be prepared to attend to without delay.

But suppose you lack some (or even all) of these traits? Should you just walk away from a Port St Lucie property—even after you’ve spotted one you know has great potential? Actually, there is a Plan B, which is to hire a property manager—a professional practiced in all the requisite skills. To explore the current crop of Treasure Coast property listings with serious potential, just give me a call!