Monthly Archives: January 2015

    • Costly Home Seller Mistakes to Avoid

      By Chris Handy

      As a Sellers’ Representative, my customers ask me to get the most amount of money for their homes, and usually in the shortest amount of time possible. As we began to recover locally approximately 18 months ago, and the market is stabilizing, a mix of time-tested methods and modern strategies, when put in place, allow me to help them achieve the goals they demand of their trusted professional.

      Written by Admin

    • February 2015 Alachua County Community Events

      So much to do, so little time! If you’re looking to unwind a little, this is the last weekend of the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, so get out and enjoy this beautiful weather. If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, be sure not to miss the Tour of Kitchens where you can get some great ideas for your new kitchen renovation.

      Written by Michelle Schibuola

    • 2014 Gainesville-Alachua County Annual Review

      I hope this extended analysis provides you with information that will both educate and prepare you to make the best real estate decisions possible in 2015. The data presented in this report were accumulated from the GACAR MLS and FloridaRealtors.org through 12/31/14. Some of these statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially.

      Written by Perry McDonald

    • The Importance of an Open House

      Many sellers ask if having an open house is important to selling a home. While it’s not the most vital component, it certainly gives you the opportunity for more visibility. Having your Realtor® host an open house is all about the exposure it’s going to receive. When a potential buyer walks in the front door of your home, it’s already passed some litmus test in terms of location, price and features. The open house is attracting a captive audience with real buyers coming directly to you with one purpose is mind, finding the home that is right for them.

      Written by Michelle Schibuola

    • Is a Mini Bubble in the Making?

      By: Henry Rabell
      Sr. VP with Bosshardt Realty Services, LLC

      It was a remarkable rebound year for most new home builders. A perfect storm of low interest rates, competitive labor costs, fewer short sales and foreclosures combined with the lack of desirable inventory to spawn the new construction, home sales bonanza of 2014. This mini boom was underpinned by subdivision lot prices. It appears that, in many cases, such lots were purchased by savvy builders at a fraction of their original purchased price via foreclosure sales, or by developers simply cutting their losses on their original capital investment. This mix of factors catalyzed the new home sales resurrection. Builders were able to use the money saved from discounted lot prices and apply it toward enhanced home features. In turn, these bells and whistles, along with prices that rivaled older, less efficient used homes, motivated home buyers. Think about it: The benefits of a new home which includes granite counter tops, crown molding, energy savings components, a modern kitchen and space designs, plus new, unblemished carpet versus the costs associated with updating a used home in need of an eventual roof, AC unit replacement or deferred maintenance issues (often left over by the previous home owner)—and the new home became the undisputed, relative bargain.

      Written by Admin

    • 5 Residential Real Estate Predictions for 2015

      It’s a new year and the housing market is definitely looking up. What exactly does that mean for real estate in 2015?

      Mortgage Rates Will Increase
      Have you thought about refinancing and still haven’t pulled the trigger for one reason or another? Now is the time as interest rates are predicted to increase.
      Although rates will remain reasonable, they could rise as much as a point. Freddie projects mortgage rates to average 4.6 percent and creep up to 5 percent by the end of 2015 due to an improving economy. “The one-year adjustable rate will likely rise less if much at all, and accordingly, we are likely to see a shift into more adjustable and hybrid mortgages over fixed,” said Jonathan Smoke, Realtor.com Chief Economist.

      Written by Michelle Schibuola

    • Drotos Ryals Group: Year in Review 2014

      Wow, what a year! Our team certainly had a busy and productive 2014, although this does not hold true throughout all asset classes and market sectors. The local commercial real estate (CRE) market has absolutely turned the corner and is on the upswing in both number of deals as well as pricing, depending on factors such as asset, asset class, and location. A year ago, this report used the words “slowly emerging” when describing the marketplace. Six months ago, the message was “recovery is the theme of the day”. Now our feeling is “hold on for the ride”. The general consumer seems to agree and understands that now is a good time to get back into real estate. Prices have bottomed and started to trend back up (albeit slowly and reasonably). Interest rates are still at all-time lows and sellers remain anxious to get deals done.

      Written by Michael Ryals

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