Last week I visited the St. Tropez project in Sunny Isles Beach for the first time in over a year.  The project has really come along and it is definitely a contender.  Where else in the area can you find large three - four bedroom condos with low maintenance at a really great price?  Call me for more information, or to take a look for yourself.

 There will be a help for homeowners community event on July 11, 2011 at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa, 3555 South Ocean Drive, Hollywood, FL  33019  where homeowners can meet one-on-one with a HUD approved housing counselor.  Find out if you qualify for the Obama Administration's Making Home Affordable Program or other options from your lender.

For more information call Homeowner's HOPE hotline at 1 888-995-HOPE 

visit MakingHomeAffordable.gov or HopeNow.com

To get tips to avoid scams, visit LoanScamAlert.org  Help is Free!

If you attend the seminar bring the following forms with you:

• Monthly mortgage statement
• Information about other mortgages on your home if applicable.
• two most recent pay stubs for all household members contributing toward mortgage payment.
• If self employed, the most recent quarterly or year-to-date profit and loss statement and two years of tax returns
• Documentation of income you receive from other sources
• two most recent bank statements
• a utility bill showing homeowner name and property address
• Unemployment insurance letter, if applicable.

The request for Modification and Affidavit Form (RMA) and the IRS forms 4506-T or 4506T-EZ will be available on site.  You can also print these forms and get more details about other documents your mortgage lender might require at :  MakingHomeAffordable.gov, click on "Get Assistance/Request a Modification"

*This information obtained from sun sentinel House Keys Blog entry June 30, 2011

Why Use an ABR®: REALTORS® Experienced in Buyer Representation 

Buying a home is no small matter. Besides being the largest financial transaction you may ever undertake, it’s probably also the most complex. There are many good reasons to work with a qualified real estate professional—especially a trained professional who has earned the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation, representing best-in-class buyer services. 

When you look for an ABR® before you look for a home, you’ll be served, not sold. Your interests become their interests. And you’ll be working with someone who has gone the extra mile by completing specialized training in delivering the best in buyer-representation services. Plus, a REALTOR® who has an ABR® Designation also has an established track record, with proven experience in representing the concerns of home buyers. 

The ABR® Designation is awarded through the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council, or REBAC, which was founded in 1988 to promote superior buyer-representation skills and services. REBAC is an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). 

ABR® vs. Buyer's Rep: A REALTOR® Designation

A buyer’s representative (or simply buyer’s rep) is a licensed real estate professional who represents prospective home buyers in their property transaction. If you’ve formalized an agency relationship, typically by signing a buyer’s rep agreement with a buyer’s rep, you can expect him or her to:

• Understand your specific needs and wants, and locate appropriate properties.
• Assist you in determining how much you can afford (pre-qualify your mortgage).
• Preview and/or accompany you in viewing properties.
• Research properties, to identify any problems or issues you should consider.
• Advise you in formulating your offer.
• Help you develop your negotiation strategy.
• Provide a list of potential qualified vendors (such as inspectors, attorneys, lenders, etc.) for other related services that may be needed.
• Keep track of all the details throughout the entire transaction—to closing and beyond.

In other words, a buyer’s rep should make your home buying experience go as smoothly and successfully as possible. 

But not all buyer’s reps are equal. A buyer’s rep who has earned the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) REALTOR® designation has made an extra effort to raise the bar, with additional training and experience in serving you, the home buyer. If you work with an ABR®, you can feel more confident that you’ll receive the highest level of buyer-representation services. 

 “Copyright REAL ESTATE BUYER’S AGENT COUNCIL. Reprinted from REBAC.net with permission"

Listing agents can play a pivotal role in determining the amount of time a home remains on the Miami Beach real estate market.  This is why setting a price is one of the most important steps when you're getting ready to sell.

Generally, the more listing agents you have on your side, the greater odds of catching the eye of prospective buyers.  This does give you better odds of finding a Miami Beach real estate buyer but it also means that if your price is too high, listing agents will easily overlook your home.  After all, a home with a price that seems more agreeable is where the offers will go.

Even if you are more than willing to negotiate, always remember that Miami Beach real estate buyers may still be dissuaded because of that price tag you initially set.  Setting a high starting price isn't necessarily wrong but you may find that pricing competitively and engaging in a friendly game of negotiation could help you find a buyer in a shorter amount of time.