Over the past several years a risky trend appeared and it took place in almost every major city in the US. As real estate proved to be a lucrative market, many people began taking classes, earning their licenses, and immediately leading people into real estate transactions with little knowledge or experience in the complexities of navigating the real estate market. Although the market has lost its appeal to those realtors, many are still in business.
PREPARE YOURSELF
This is why it’s in your best interest to interview several realtors with specific questions that will help you select an ethical, honest person to represent you.
These questions cover an agent’s schedule, their past selling attempts, successes and failures, former clientele, price ratios, personal statistics, the realtor’s skill level, and other pertinent information that you need to know, but they may be reluctant to divulge of their own free will.
QUESTIONS FOR INTERVIEWING MULTIPLE REALTORS
1. What is your list price to sale price ratio for the last 60 days?
2. What is your average days on market for the last 90 days?
3. What is the absorption rate for home like mine in the area?
4. Of the listings that you had last year that did not sell; why did they not sell?
5. What percentage of homes did you represent the seller and not the buyer last year?
6. How many homes did you actually sell last year?
7. Can you give me a list of your last 10 clients with their contact information?
8. Do you do any type of work besides real estate?
9. How many people do you speak with each day about the real estate business?
10. Can you show me a copy of your daily schedule?
These questions will help you find an honest realtor who can do the best possible job for you. He or she should have no problem telling you everything you want to know. Any hesitation or misinformation in the answers, and you know it’s time to look elsewhere.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Land O' Lakes - One of the Tampa Bay Area's Best Kept Secrets?
Located just twenty miles north of downtown Tampa Bay, Land O’ Lakes is quickly becoming one of the premier locations for those looking to move to the Pasco County /Tampa Bay area. After visiting the area, it is clear why so many people are choosing Land O’ Lakes as their new home. But for those who have not had the privilege of doing so, and are interested in what it has to offer, here are a few reasons real estate in the Land O’ Lakes development is so attractive to prospective buyers.
QUIET PEACEFUL LIVING
With a quiet county feeling, Land O’ Lakes offers many lovely and affordable master planned communities within a quick commute to the Greater Tampa Area and businesses in downtown Tampa. Although it might seem like the Land O’ Lakes community is a world apart from the hustle and bustle of Tampa Bay, it is only twenty miles from downtown. And it is approximately 10 minutes from the new shopping malls being developed near I-75 and highway 54 – Wiregrass and Cypress Creek.
PLANNED COMMUNITIES
The many master planned communities, most of them built since 2002 offer wonderful opportunities for individuals and families to enjoy neighborhood amenities such as lap and spash pools, tennis courts, soccer fields, fully equipped gyms, walking and biking trails, and common recreation rooms for events – all within the neighborhood itself. You won’t have to go far to relax and enjoy your free time in a “country club” environment. Some of your newer neighborhoods include Asbel Estates, Connerton, Concord Station, Stonegate, Suncoast Lakes, LakeShore Ranch and Lake Talia.
QUIET PEACEFUL LIVING
With a quiet county feeling, Land O’ Lakes offers many lovely and affordable master planned communities within a quick commute to the Greater Tampa Area and businesses in downtown Tampa. Although it might seem like the Land O’ Lakes community is a world apart from the hustle and bustle of Tampa Bay, it is only twenty miles from downtown. And it is approximately 10 minutes from the new shopping malls being developed near I-75 and highway 54 – Wiregrass and Cypress Creek.
PLANNED COMMUNITIES
The many master planned communities, most of them built since 2002 offer wonderful opportunities for individuals and families to enjoy neighborhood amenities such as lap and spash pools, tennis courts, soccer fields, fully equipped gyms, walking and biking trails, and common recreation rooms for events – all within the neighborhood itself. You won’t have to go far to relax and enjoy your free time in a “country club” environment. Some of your newer neighborhoods include Asbel Estates, Connerton, Concord Station, Stonegate, Suncoast Lakes, LakeShore Ranch and Lake Talia.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
International Buyers Look to Tampa, FL for Real Estate
In recent years, International real estate investments have increased dramatically in the United States. One of the more popular areas for buyers the UK, Germany, Canada, and even Asia has been Florida; more specifically, the Tampa Bay area. The reasons for such a trend are quite evident.
WEAK DOLLAR ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE BUYERS
Perhaps the largest reason for such a trend is the strength of the U.S. dollar compared to other International currencies. International real estate purchasers have taken advantage of a relatively weak U.S. dollar, effectively getting much more value. The strength of the euro, the pound, and Canadian dollar has made investing in Tampa Bay real estate very attractive, allowing for International investors to really stretch their money in the U.S.’s currently tumultuous market.
FOREIGN INVESTORS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOWER PRICES
Because of the down real-estate market, there are large numbers of properties available at a cost which is significantly less than what buyers would pay for comparable housing in Germany, the United Kingdom, or even Canada. Another great aspect of investing in the Tampa region is that the state of Florida has no state income tax, again making it a financially sound investment for overseas prospects.
TAMPA FLORIDA FOR INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS
For those investors looking for more than just a place to call home, there is a virtual sea of business opportunities present in the Tampa Bay area, as well. Unfortunately, one never knows when the tables will turn – and for how long these fantastic values will be available to foreign investors. So as the saying goes, there is no time like the present to invest in Tampa Bay Area Real Estate.
TAMPA FLORIDA ACTIVITIES
And after business is taken care of, the Tampa vicinity offers an almost endless choice of leisure activities. Many of these choices are somewhat unique to the area, allowing for International buyers to experience a different way of life than they would in their home countries. The Tampa area is located on the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and is dotted with freshwater lakes which play home to fisherman and water sports enthusiasts alike. And the fun can be enjoyed year-round!
WEAK DOLLAR ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE BUYERS
Perhaps the largest reason for such a trend is the strength of the U.S. dollar compared to other International currencies. International real estate purchasers have taken advantage of a relatively weak U.S. dollar, effectively getting much more value. The strength of the euro, the pound, and Canadian dollar has made investing in Tampa Bay real estate very attractive, allowing for International investors to really stretch their money in the U.S.’s currently tumultuous market.
FOREIGN INVESTORS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOWER PRICES
Because of the down real-estate market, there are large numbers of properties available at a cost which is significantly less than what buyers would pay for comparable housing in Germany, the United Kingdom, or even Canada. Another great aspect of investing in the Tampa region is that the state of Florida has no state income tax, again making it a financially sound investment for overseas prospects.
TAMPA FLORIDA FOR INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS
For those investors looking for more than just a place to call home, there is a virtual sea of business opportunities present in the Tampa Bay area, as well. Unfortunately, one never knows when the tables will turn – and for how long these fantastic values will be available to foreign investors. So as the saying goes, there is no time like the present to invest in Tampa Bay Area Real Estate.
TAMPA FLORIDA ACTIVITIES
And after business is taken care of, the Tampa vicinity offers an almost endless choice of leisure activities. Many of these choices are somewhat unique to the area, allowing for International buyers to experience a different way of life than they would in their home countries. The Tampa area is located on the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and is dotted with freshwater lakes which play home to fisherman and water sports enthusiasts alike. And the fun can be enjoyed year-round!
CAN A GREAT REAL ESTATE AGENT MAKE BUYING A HOME EASIER?
For many people deciding to purchase a new home, the first thought is finding a top real estate agent. It seems like the number of real estate agents available have grown exponentially recently, which might make it more difficult to find the one that is right for the job.
HOW TO FIND A TOP REALTOR
When looking for a great real estate agent to help in acquiring Tampa Bay real estate, one of the best, and oldest, methods is through word of mouth. Ask your friends and family for a referral to an agent that has helped them in the past. And once you have the name of an agent, ask them for a list of previous and current clients, a prospective homebuyer can learn a great deal about what sort of experiences those buyers had while shopping for Tampa Bay real estate. And you may wish to inquire if the agent is certified by an independent company for quality service. The QSC is now offering a rating of real estate professionals – please visit their website.
Another method is by searching the internet. The sign of a successful real estate agent is often the amount of business they have done. Chances are, the more experience an agent has, the more apt that agent is able to manage the myriad of details involved in locating, negotiating and closing on the Tampa Bay real estate property that the homebuyer is interested in.
HOW A REALTOR CAN HELP YOU
Once one believes they’ve found that perfect agent, it is important to make sure they are able to provide all the services one would expect and should receive. First and foremost, the real estate agent must understand what the buyer is hoping to achieve both in lifestyle and financial terms. They may recommend a lender so that the buyer can be pre-qualified for a loan before they ever begin looking at actual homes. Then the agent will present the buyer with a good selection of prospective properties that closely meet the criteria set out by the buyer.
The agent should also give the prospective buyers a tour of the area and of the specific neighborhoods in and around the Tampa Bay area, allowing for the buyers to evaluate their options and gauge their travel time to and from the office and other important destinations.
An agent should also prepare the buyer with a comparative market analysis on the property they are interested in purchasing. And alert them to any underlying issues a property or neighborhood might have, as well as negotiate for the best possible price. After such negotiating is over, the agent will also prepare any and all paperwork the buyer needs to sign to execute the purchase of the property.
Once the paperwork is finalized the agent will guide the buyer through the financial approval process, the inspections, and any and all other processes prior to the actual closing.
Finding the right agent to help in acquiring that Tampa Bay real estate, or any other property is crucial, as is making sure all the necessary needs are meet through the services offered by that agent. Through some research, there is no reason a buyer cannot find both a great real estate agent and their dream home.
HOW TO FIND A TOP REALTOR
When looking for a great real estate agent to help in acquiring Tampa Bay real estate, one of the best, and oldest, methods is through word of mouth. Ask your friends and family for a referral to an agent that has helped them in the past. And once you have the name of an agent, ask them for a list of previous and current clients, a prospective homebuyer can learn a great deal about what sort of experiences those buyers had while shopping for Tampa Bay real estate. And you may wish to inquire if the agent is certified by an independent company for quality service. The QSC is now offering a rating of real estate professionals – please visit their website.
Another method is by searching the internet. The sign of a successful real estate agent is often the amount of business they have done. Chances are, the more experience an agent has, the more apt that agent is able to manage the myriad of details involved in locating, negotiating and closing on the Tampa Bay real estate property that the homebuyer is interested in.
HOW A REALTOR CAN HELP YOU
Once one believes they’ve found that perfect agent, it is important to make sure they are able to provide all the services one would expect and should receive. First and foremost, the real estate agent must understand what the buyer is hoping to achieve both in lifestyle and financial terms. They may recommend a lender so that the buyer can be pre-qualified for a loan before they ever begin looking at actual homes. Then the agent will present the buyer with a good selection of prospective properties that closely meet the criteria set out by the buyer.
The agent should also give the prospective buyers a tour of the area and of the specific neighborhoods in and around the Tampa Bay area, allowing for the buyers to evaluate their options and gauge their travel time to and from the office and other important destinations.
An agent should also prepare the buyer with a comparative market analysis on the property they are interested in purchasing. And alert them to any underlying issues a property or neighborhood might have, as well as negotiate for the best possible price. After such negotiating is over, the agent will also prepare any and all paperwork the buyer needs to sign to execute the purchase of the property.
Once the paperwork is finalized the agent will guide the buyer through the financial approval process, the inspections, and any and all other processes prior to the actual closing.
Finding the right agent to help in acquiring that Tampa Bay real estate, or any other property is crucial, as is making sure all the necessary needs are meet through the services offered by that agent. Through some research, there is no reason a buyer cannot find both a great real estate agent and their dream home.
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