Are you Green with envy? Green features bring more money in shorter time!

Studies Show that having green features in a home helps it sell quicker and for more money. Green is the new buzz word. But being green means different things to different people. Results of studies report consumers are looking for 3 main catogories;
1. health cosiderations
2. Suataqined materials and resources
3. Money saving
Green Realtors are tapping onto the pulse of the green community. Less than 10% of Realtors have positioned through certification, themself as a green home specialist.

There are less green homes available, so they are seller quicker and bringing more money to the seller.
Locally the leading home builder is
www.inmovation-homes.com
They are the "Leader in Affordable energy efficient homes"

Most of the experts say green is not a fad, green is here to stay.

Is SMS or Texting getting out of hand?

As a Real Estate Broker with nearly 30 years experience I have seen allot of changes in the Real Estate technology arena. When i first started practicing we didn't have fax machines, cell phones, PC's, digital camera, and personal 3-1 printers.
We used Xerox machines, carbon paper, pay phones and you took your film to to be developed and waited several days or paid a premium for a 24 hour photo development.
That was the early 80's and this is the 21st century. Technology and the tools we use to practice real estate change weekly if not daily. What used to take years now can be done in a few days. Don't get me wrong I love technology and the changes it has brought to the industry. My question is; Is all this texting getting out of hand?
I see teenagers and many not so young walking in crowds, with know one watching as they walk. Everyone looking at their phone texting or e-mailing. For a non-scientific study I decided as I was heading to an appointment yesterday to watch everyone and try to make eye contact with other drivers. I wanted to see how many people were texting. I only saw a few people who weren't using their phones to text or checking their e-mail.
When I meet a new client I always what is their preference on how they would like to stay in contact. More and more it is through texting. These days I have a separate text only phone. I like the quickness and convenient and the response time. It is also true that most text are still actually read and most e-mail is never opened.
But now the local pizzeria, repairs shop and the local market sends you a text. You can scan a QR code and receive a text with the information back. You can receive a tweet or a Facebook status update via text. It will probably be soon where many will start ignoring their text or unsubscribe many of their would be text'r.
For now I'm enjoying the ability to communicate quickly and easily without allot of time wasted. Although I think I'm starting to think Old School. Maybe I will start picking up the phone and call if it's more then a few words. maybe the phone will come back in fashion.
...Oh no my text phone just went dead.

Veteran's receive unexpected savings when purchasing a new home or refinancing an existing

The VA unexpectedly lowered the funding fee (this is usually financed into the mortgage) they charge. This reduction may save the veteran thousands of dollars in the life of the loan.

2.15 now 1.4 1st time use
subsequent use 3.3 now and 2.8 after Oct 1, 2011
It is great that something was done to give back to those who have given to all us. All of us who enjoy freedom in the greatest country of the world.

For additional information see this great article http://mortgagedaily.tv/2011/09/23/va-funding-fee-lower-for-loans-closed-on-or-after-october-1-2011/va-funding-fee-chart/

This the best time to buy a home in this generation and maybe the next

Many don't realize that the window of opportunity to buy nearly twice as much home for the dollar is closing. The interest rates being charged for FHA and VA loans are the lowest we have seen in 50 years. The current interest rates have been  hovering around 4%. This is a low rate on the type of mortgage used to finance most affordable homes in Florida. This great rate combined by prices that have been reduced to 2003 or 2004 prices, creates a net effect of the average borrower being able to have nearly 2X the buying power of just 4 or 5 years ago.
When rates go up and if inflation picks up then these super low mortgage payments will end.

"If inflation picks up you won't see these mortgage rates again in your lifetime" Brett Arends of The Wall Street Journal Sept 16, 2010

It's time we spread the word, get everyone who doesn't owe a home to buy one. Right now you can lock a low mortgage payment for the rest of your life.

“If you don’t own a home, buy one,” Paulson said,  “If you own one home, buy another one, and if you own two homes buy a third and lend your relatives the money to buy a home.”

http://www.forbes.com/sites/joshhelmin/2010/09/29/urgent-advice-from-billionaire-john-paulson-buy-a-house-and-gold-plus-rupert-murdochs-pay-cut/

Act now before it's too late.

What's the Big deal about being a CRS?

What's the Big deal about being a CRS? (edit/delete)

A CRS which stands for Certified Residential Specialist. A CRS is a member of the council of residential specialist. Only 3% of All Realtors obtain a CRS Designation.
CRS stands for Certified Residential Specialist. A CRS is a member of the Council of Residential Specialist of the national Association of Realtors.
Mission statement:
"...to recruit and retain Realtors and International real estate Professionals seeking the knowledge, tools, relationship building and referral opportunities they need to maximize their income and professionalism in residential Real Estate."

The Council provides superior education, to help Realtors become more successful an

Publish Post

d make more money. The approximately 3% of Realtors who go through the certification process and that have the CRS designation, are involved in 27% of all transactions.
More education, more referral opportunities, more experience...means more competency
You can rely on a CRS!