Home Staging. You may sell your home faster and at a bigger profit

 

Interesting article about why staging a home will improve your bottom line. As a Realtor, we need to give you all the suggestions that will improve the chances of getting your home sold.

Staged for Success: The Case for Hiring a Home Stager

CASTELLI REAL ESTATE Servs

Renzo R. Lara, PLLC. Realtor
2227 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors, FL 33305
(954)459-1638

Do you want to know: What's your Home Worth?

     

Renzo Rafael Lara, PLLC.
REALTOR for CASTELLI
email: renzolara@msn.com
direct: (954)459-1638

Mistakes Home Buyers must avoid in a sellers market

Mistakes Home Buyers must avoid in a Buyer's market

  

Renzo R. Lara, PLLC.

renzolara@castellihomes.com

direct : (954)459-1638

Facts About Fort Lauderdale, FLORIDA

Fort Lauderdale (frequently abbreviated as Ft. Lauderdale) is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, 28 miles (45 km) north of Miami. 

The city is a popular tourist destination, with an average year-round temperature of 75.5 °F (24.2 °C), and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. Greater Fort Lauderdale which takes in all of Broward County hosted 12 million visitors in 2012, including 2.8 million international visitors. The city and county in 2012 collected $43.9 million from the 5% bed tax it charges, after hotels in the area recorded an occupancy rate for the year of 72.7 percent and an average daily rate of $114.48. The district has 561 hotels and motels comprising nearly 35,000 rooms. 

Forty six cruise ships sailed from Port Everglades in 2012. Greater Fort Lauderdale has over 4,000 restaurants, 63 golf courses, 12 shopping malls, 16 museums, 132 nightclubs, 278 parkland campsites, and 100 marinas housing 45,000 resident yachts.
Fort Lauderdale is named after a series of forts built by the United States during the Second Seminole War. The forts took their name from Major William Lauderdale (1782–1838), younger brother of Lieutenant Colonel James Lauderdale. William Lauderdale was the commander of the detachment of soldiers who built the first fort. However, development of the city did not begin until 50 years after the forts were abandoned at the end of the conflict. Three forts named "Fort Lauderdale" were constructed; the first was at the fork of the New River, the second at Tarpon Bend on the New River between the Colee Hammock and Rio Vista neighborhoods, and the third near the site of the Bahia Mar Marina.

Economy

Fort Lauderdale's economy has diversified over time. From the 1940s through the 1980s, the city was known as a spring break destination for college students. However, the college crowd has since dwindled, with the city now attracting wealthier tourists. Cruise ships and nautical recreation provide the basis for much of the revenue raised by tourism. There is a convention center located west of the beach and southeast of downtown, with 600,000 square feet (55,742 m2) of space, including a 200,000-square-foot (18,581 m2) main exhibit hall. Approximately 30% of the city's 10 million annual visitors attend conventions at the center.

The downtown area, especially around Las Olas Boulevard, first underwent redevelopment starting in 2002 and now hosts many new hotels and high-rise condominium developments. The downtown area is the largest in Broward County, although there are other cities in the county with commercial centers. Office buildings and highrises include Las Olas River House, Las Olas Grand, 110 Tower (formerly AutoNation Tower), Bank of America Plaza, One Financial Plaza, Broward Financial Center, One East Broward Boulevard, Barnett Bank Plaza, PNC Center, New River Center, One Corporate Center, SunTrust Centre, 101 Tower, and SouthTrust Tower.

Fort Lauderdale is a major manufacturing and maintenance center for yachts. The boating industry is responsible for over 109,000 jobs in the county. With its many canals, and proximity to the Bahamas and Caribbean, it is also a popular yachting vacation stop, and home port for 42,000 boats, and approximately 100 marinas and boatyards.[24] Additionally, the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the world's largest boat show, brings over 125,000 people to the city each year.

Companies based in the Fort Lauderdale area include AutoNation, Citrix Systems, DHL Express, Spirit Airlines, and National Beverage Corporation. The largest employers in the county are Tenet Healthcare, which employs 5,000 people; American Express, which employs 4,200; The Continental Group, which employs 3,900; Motorola, which employs 3,000, and Maxim Integrated Products, which employs 2,000.

Gulfstream International Airlines, a commuter airline, is headquartered in nearby Dania Beach. An Online Trading Academy center is also located in the city.

TESTIMONIALS for RENZO LARA REALTOR for Castelli RE Servs.

How do I price my property for SALE?

The importance of pricing

A buyer's first impression of a property is directly related to how he/she perceives it to be priced in the marketplace. If the buyer does not feel that it is well priced in comparison with other available properties, this will negatively impact an otherwise good first impression. For this reason, it is important to price it correctly.

Defining a fair market value range

Fair market value is the highest price at which a willing buyer will buy and a willing seller will sell, i.e. fair market value. Many factors are considered in determining a fair value range:

• Location, size, condition and demand for this type of property
• Recently sold comparable properties
• Competition from comparable properties currently on the market
• Availability of financing
• Terms of the sale

Asking price

Once the fair market value has been determined, the best asking price can be determined. Your agent will discuss the pros and cons of the various pricing strategies to determine which is most appropriate.

Taking advantage of optimum exposure: the first weeks

Your property will get the most attention during its first two to three weeks of market exposure. Further, it has been shown that you will likely receive the highest price during this period. If your property is overpriced during the initial marketing period and a price reduction becomes necessary, it is unlikely that you will regain the level of activity experienced in this initial period.

Help me understand Closing Costs?

Closing costs are the various charges made by the lender, the title company, real estate agents and other service providers necessary to complete a transaction. Although who pays for the various closing costs is ngotiable between the buyer and seller, the following sets forth the customary division in Broward County.

The Buyer customarily pays:

• Title insurance premium for lender and buyer.
• Escrow fee
• Notary fees
• Contractor's and pest inspection fees
• All new loan charges (points, appraisal, document processing fees, etc.)
• Interest on new loan from ddate of funding to 30 days prior to the first payment date.
• Homeowner's insurance for first year
• Wind insurance
• Private mortgage insurance (typically 2 months) if required by the lender
• Private mortgage insurance impound account (1 year) if required by the lender
• Property tax impound account if required by lender
• Move- in fee
• HOA account transfer fee
• Miscellaneous charges

The seller customarily pays:

• Real estate commission
• Document preparation fo deed
• Documentary transfer tax (amount is dependent upon sales price)
• Payoff af all loans against the property
• Interest accrued on loans being paid off, reconveyance fees and pre-payments penalties
• Home warranty (if specified in contract)
• Any judgement of tax liens against seller
• Property tax proration
• Unpaid homeowner's dues (for condominiums)
• Bonds or assessments
• Delinquent taxes
• Move- out fees (for condominiums)
• Notary fees and recordation fees
• Third party Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement & Florida Tax Disclosure report
• Pre- Sale pest inspection fee
• Underground storage tank report
• Miscellaneous charges

* This list is a general guideline of charges and may not be wholly inclusive for your transaction.

1 Bedroom Condo for Sale at The OCEAN GALT CLUB CONDO in Fort Lauderdale

3800 Galt Ocean Drive #814 Fort Lauderdale

Galt Ocean Club Condo for Sale!

Location, location, location.

Live steps from the beach.

Close to shops, restaurants and grocery store.

INFO:

direct: 954.459.1638

email: renzolara@msn.com

Spacious and comfortable 1 bedroom 1 bathroom fully furnished


Enjoy the balcony with Intracoastal views.

Real Estate Opportunity at the Ocean Galt Club Condo.





3800 Galt Ocean Drive #814 Fort Lauderdale



Listing presented by Castelli Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Services

29 ways it PAYS to work with a REALTOR.

Thinking about buying or selling a home on your own?

Consider all the steps you'll personally have to complete:

TO DO LIST FOR FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS

There are many things a Licensed Real Estate Agent can do to help you achieve your American Dream.

Los siete pasos para comprar un vivienda en USA

Primer Paso:

Decida si ser propietario de una vivienda tiene sentido para usted.
A. Comprenda los pros y los contras.

1. Pros: Fuente de orgullo, buena inversion, otros beneficios financieros.
2. Contras: Responsabilidad, mas caro que alquilar, no tiene acceso al dinero invertido y requiere sacrificio.

B. Determine el dinero en efectivo disponible para la entrega inicial y los costos del cierre.

1. Deposito de buena fe. Del 1 al 3% del precio de la propiedad.
2. Entrega Inicial. Del 3 al 20 % del precio de la propiedad.
3. Costos del Cierre. Del 3 al 6% de la cantidad de la hipoteca.

C. Verifique que sus antecedentes crediticios son precisos y estan en un buen estado.
D. Repase las capacidades de gestion financiera.

Si esta listo para comprar una vivienda, proceda al Segundo Paso; si no vuelva al Primer paso.

Segundo paso:

Determine cuanto dinero tiene disponible.
A. Calcule los gastos de vivienda que usted se puede permitir.

1. Determine cuanto dinero puede gastar cada mes en pagos de hipoteca.
2. Los pagos hipotecarios incluyen el capital, intereses, impuestos y seguros.
3. No mas del 28% de sus ingresos brutos mensuales.

B. Calcule la cantidad de la hipoteca.

1. Determine el pago mensual de su hipoteca.

Tercer Paso:

Calificacion preliminar para una hipoteca.

Es opcional, pero se recomienda.

De esta manera, sabe exactamente cuanto dinero usted puede gastar en una vivienda.

Cuarto paso:

Busque una vivienda que cumpla con sus necesidades.

A. Tipos de viviendas

1. De una sola familia.
2. Hogares en urbanizaciones planificadas (HUD)
3. Condominios (Condos)
4. Hogares cooperativos (Co-ops).

B. Lista de prioridades:

1. Caracteristicas de la vivienda
2. El vecindario
3. Las escuelas
4. La conveniencia.

C. Colabore con una agente inmobiliario para encontrar su hogar.

1. Puede contestar preguntas sobre el vecindario que le interesa.
2. Puede ayudarle a encontrar viviendas a su alcance economico.
3. NOTA IMPORTANTE: Los agentes inmobiliarios estan interesados en conseguir el precio mas alto y los mejores terminos para el vendedor.

D. Inspeccione la vivienda.

1. Debe inspeccionar toda la vivienda antes de hacer una oferta de compra.
2. Las zonas importantes que debe inspeccionar son:

• Elementos estructurales: cimientos, pisos, paredes, techos y tejados.
• Condiciones exteriores: alcantarillas, revestimientos, terrazas, porches, vallas, escaleras y rejas.
• Condiciones interiores: pisos, paredes, armarios, ventanas y losas interiores, electrodomesticos.
• Fontaneria (plomeria)
• Sistemas electricos.
• Sistemas de calefaccion y aire acondicionado.Negocie el precio de venta y los terminos de la compra.
• Complete el contrato de compraventa.
• Consulte con un abogado antes de firmar el contrato de compraventa con el fin de asegurarse de que es justo para usted y que establece los terminos acordados correctamente.

Quinto paso:

Solicite una hipoteca

A. Complete la solicitud y entrevista.

• B. Tipos de hipoteca:

Buying or Renting in South Florida? What is best for you?

There is no question now that for millennials in South Florida and Broward county, buying a home beats renting — but a shortage of affordable homes has left young locals and first-time home buyers trapped renting apartments they can barely afford.

According to a new study done by Trulia, buying is 44 percent cheaper in Broward.

Trulia assumed that buyers would put 10 percent down, a more realistic figure for millennials and first-time home buyers than the standard 20 percent down payment.

“The fact that buying is a better deal is particularly surprising because home prices in South Florida have been on a tear over the last three or four years,” said Ralph McLaughlin, Trulia’s chief economist. “But rents are going up quickly too.”

In Broward, the median price for single-family homes and condos was about $200,374 in September, compared to a median monthly rent of $1,750, the study found.  When you do the math, renters in South Florida spend more per month than they would on a mortgage without the benefits of building equity in a home.

But finding a home to buy isn’t easy. “Even though it’s cheaper to buy than to rent, that doesn’t mean that [South Florida] is a cheap place to live,” McLaughlin said. Besides, there is a shortage on homes available on the market just now.

Putting together a down payment can be a challenge as well.

Across the region, real estate agents say that modestly priced homes in decent neighborhoods spark frenzied bidding wars, and investors who put down cash almost always beat out locals who need mortgages. Buyers complain that many homes they come close to purchasing end up failing the strict inspections required by first-time home buyer programs.

As the area gets build up, prices of homes are quickly going up once again. Inventory on homes for sale is shrinking. The biggest hurdle is to start the process and work with a realtor that can guide your steps towards "The american dream".

Here is a link to Trulia's rent vs buy calculator. It's very useful if you want to find out what is the best option for you.  Thanks to Eleanor Fisher (Outreach Coordinator at Trulia for recommending this tool.

If you are tired of renting or have any questions about becoming a homeowner, or are in the market to sell or buy real estate, please don't hesitate to contact Renzo Lara of Castelli RE Services. We'll help you find a place that matches your budget and lifestyle!

We have tons of properties here in Fort Lauderdale.

Hope you enjoy!

 

Renzo R. Lara, PLLC. Realtor
(954)459-1638
renzolara@castellihomes.com

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article40508565.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article40508565.html#storylink=cpy