Treasure Coast Real Estate Blog

Your local news and information source for homes and investment real estate along South Florida's Treasure Coast

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Q: Where Can I Find Luxury Townhomes in Stuart, FL?

A: River Glen is one of Stuart's newest townhome communities. This gated subdivision is situated along the South Fork of the St. Lucie River offering three bedroom designs with one or two car garages, and preserve or water views. Residents are minutes away from pristine Treasure Coast beaches, local golf courses, and "A" rated Martin County schools as well as the shopping, dining and cultural activities of Historic Downtown Stuart. Read more


River Glen Luxury Townhomes in Stuart, FL by Kolter Homes


Monday, May 25, 2015

Winter Rental in Stuart West at Palm City, FL

Now Accepting Reservations for the 2016 Winter Season

601 Southwest Stuart West Blvd, Palm City, FL

For Lease

$ Click for current price
3 BEDROOMS | 3 (3 full ) BATHROOMS | 3984 SQUARE FEET

Property Description

Furnished seasonal or short term rental in Stuart West at Palm City. This is a three bedroom, three bath pool home with den (presently used as a fourth bedroom) situated on a four acre parcel. Stuart West provides 24 hour gated security and is within minutes of I95 and the Florida Turnpike. Minimum three month rental. Application fee, background check required. Pets with restrictions. 10% tourist tax on rentals of less than six months.


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Saturday, May 23, 2015

Basics for Buying Your First Home

Okay, first-time buyers… it’s time to turn the dream into the dirt you can stand on. Your very own home. I’m sure you have questions. In fact, I’m sure your questions are like most first-time buyers. Which is why I’ve put together this down-and-dirty answer guide for the most common questions home buyers have.

1. What kind of credit score do I need to have?
Generally, 630 or above is what you’ll want to have. The better your score, the better the terms will be on your loan. Some lenders may give you wiggle room on this, but it all depends on the circumstances. A loan professional can help you navigate this as you go.

2. How much of a down payment is required?
There are loans which will let you in for as low as 3% - 5% of the value of the home, but I would consider 5% to be the floor. More is better, especially if your credit isn’t as optimal as you’d like it to be. Working with a loan officer will help.

3. What’s the first step to home buying?
Getting pre-approval for a mortgage. Don’t shop for a home until you know what you can afford. There’s no use in falling in love with a $300,000 home in your dream neighborhood if the banks will only write you a loan of $150,000.

4. How much do I have to pay my real estate agent?
As a buyer, you don’t have to pay your real estate agent. The seller is responsible for listing fees and a portion of those fees will be paid to your agent for helping with the transaction.

5. Why should I use a real estate agent?
Like a lawyer, doctor, or other professional hired to represent your interests, the agent will not only advise you about the transaction, but protect and facilitate the process.

6. How long does it take to buy a house?
After you find the home you want to buy, it takes between 30 and 45 days, generally. The home search can take longer, however, so have a clear idea what you’re looking for and able to afford. (Your agent can help you with this. Another reason to have one on your side!)

Naturally, there’s more to buying a home, but this covers the basic introduction to the process. As your agent, I will walk you through the rest, guiding you along the way. When you’re ready to make the move, reach out to me!

Click here for more articles about buying your first home


This post has been authored by Eric Slifkin, REALTOR® and  Accredited Buyer’s Representative serving South Florida’s Treasure Coast. You can reach me at 888-288-1765, or visit my Web site. As your resource for information on new or resale homes throughout the Treasure Coast, please be sure to contact me about any home you may find on the Web, yard sign or ad and I will research the property, arrange showings and handle all the details.

Friday, May 22, 2015

New Homes for Sale in Tradition at Port St. Lucie

Discover the Best New Home Values in Tradition at Port Saint Lucie


The Town of Tradition in western Port St. Lucie is a master-planned community located in the heart of south Florida's Treasure Coast. Tradition features estate homes, single family residences, town homes, and condominiums as well as nearby recreation, health care facilities, shopping and dining.

How's the Real Estate Market in Stuart Florida?

March Housing Statistics for Martin County Show Improving Market


As many home buyers in greater Stuart, Florida are aware, our market continues to gain traction with limited inventory and moderate price increases. 

As the chart below illustrates, there is about a six month supply of inventory, which has decreased from over seven months a year ago. Likewise, median days on market has shrunk from 64 to just 39.

Homes are selling at an average of 92.8% of their original list price, which is an increase of just 1.1% from march of 2014. What this tells us is that while homes are selling, prices are stabilizing. That's good news for Treasure Coast home buyers.

Monthly Market Summary - March 2015 Single Family Homes in Martin County


This post has been authored by Eric Slifkin, REALTOR® serving South Florida’s Treasure Coast. You can reach me at 888-288-1765, or visit my Web site. As your resource for information on new or resale homes throughout the Treasure Coast, please be sure to contact me about any home you may find on the Web, yard sign or ad and I will research the property, arrange showings and handle all the details. 

Thursday, May 21, 2015

First Home Buyer Insights: Know Before You Owe

Shop for a Mortgage When Purchasing a Home


By John Voket.  I am always thrilled to hear when folks make the jump to homeownership. And it's important for prospective homeowners to know about all the resources available to them to help the experience go as smoothly as possible, especially when it comes to financing. In the first of this two-part report we clued potential homeowners in on the U.S. Consumer Finance Protection Bureau's new (consumerfinance.gov) report that featured some revealing data - particularly that almost half of consumers do not shop around for a mortgage when purchasing a home. Among the key findings were:
  • Almost half of consumers who take out a mortgage fail to shop prior to filling out an application for a mortgage.
  • While half of consumers shop around to see who advertises lower rates, fewer than one in four actually end up submitting a loan application to more than one lender or broker - NOT filling out applications with multiple lenders to see which one can offer them the best deal.
  • 70 percent of consumers report relying on their lender or mortgage broker a lot to get information about mortgages.
  • The survey found that among all borrowers – those who shopped and those who did not – 42 percent said having an established banking relationship with the lender is “very important.” Since most borrowers likely only have a few banking relationships, this likely inhibits shopping.
  • Consumers who are confident in their knowledge about the mortgage process are more likely to shop around.
  • Consumers who are confident about their knowledge of available interest rates are almost twice as likely to shop as consumers who are unfamiliar with available interest rates. The survey found that 55 percent of shoppers said they were very familiar with mortgage rates, while 30 percent of shoppers said they were not at all familiar.
Following this report release, as part of its "Know before You Owe" mortgage initiative, the CFPB announced it was releasing “Owning a Home,” an interactive, online toolkit designed to help consumers as they shop for a mortgage. Anyone in the process of - or anticipating buying a home in the near future can access this virtual toolkit by clicking here.

This post has been authored by Eric Slifkin, REALTOR® serving South Florida’s Treasure Coast. You can reach me at 888-288-1765, or visit my Web site. As your resource for information on new or resale homes throughout the Treasure Coast, please be sure to contact me about any home you may find on the Web, yard sign or ad and I will research the property, arrange showings and handle all the details.
Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Now Available in The Meadows at Palm City

1719 SW Waterfall Boulevard, Palm City, FL

$ Click for current price
2 BEDROOMS | 2 (2 full ) BATHROOMS | 1966 SQUARE FEET

Excellent patio home in the Meadows at Martin Downs. This extended Capri model features a two bedroom / two bath split plan with two car garage and private back yard. Features include newer A/C, paint and carpet, central vac, and accordion hurricane shutters. The Meadows is a guard gated and patrolled community with heated pool, tennis, and tot lot. Minutes to shopping, beaches, entertainment, and highways.

What Every Homebuyer Should Know about Termites

(BPT) - It's a cruel coincidence that spring homebuying season corresponds with another far less pleasant one - termite swarming season. When eager homebuyers emerge from winter hibernation to look for their dream homes, termites emerge, too, say the experts at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

If you'll be buying or selling a home this spring, the NPMA offers some valuable termite information:
  • The average homebuyer and homeowner might have difficulty spotting the evidence of a termite infestation. Termites chew through wood, flooring and other materials behind-the-scenes, so it can take years before the signs of an infestation are visible to the untrained eye. An inspection by a licensed pest professional is the best way to detect an infestation of wood-destroying organisms (WDOs) - especially if you live in a termite-prone area of the country.
  • A WDO inspection is different from a simple structural inspection. Buyers should be sure to have their prospective home inspected by a licensed pest professional. The inspection will last about an hour, and the specialist will probe the home from top to bottom to look for telltale signs of termite damage. After the inspection is over, the specialist will report to the buyers what he or she has found, and an estimate of how much it might cost to remediate any termite damage he or she has discovered.
  • Different states have varying laws about termite inspections. Some may require one before a home can be sold, while others do not. Check with your REALTOR® about the laws in your state, and keep in mind that many lenders will require a pest inspection be done in addition to a structural inspection - especially if the home you are buying is in a termite-prone area.
  • Termite detection, remediation and control are not do-it-yourself tasks. If an inspector finds signs of a termite infestation and damage, you'll need professionals to remedy the problem. Buyers who discover problems before the sale is final will be better able to negotiate with the seller to take care of the problem. In some states, the law may not allow the sale to be finalized until the damage is addressed, and lenders may refuse to finalize a mortgage for a home with unresolved termite issues.
  • If the termite inspection shows your new home is pest-free, congratulations! After the sale is finalized, be sure to take steps to protect your home from termites going forward, including having the home inspected for termites at least once every three years, and every year if you live in an area prone to termite infestations.

This post has been authored by Eric Slifkin, REALTOR® serving South Florida’s Treasure Coast. You can reach me at 888-288-1765, or visit my Web site. As your resource for information on new or resale homes throughout the Treasure Coast, please be sure to contact me about any home you may find on the Web, yard sign or ad and I will research the property, arrange showings and handle all the details.
Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Port St. Lucie Real Estate: Pool Home in Sandpiper

Pool Home Value in Sandpiper Area


Overview
Maps
Photos
Description




















$259,500
Single Family Home
Main Features
3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Interior: 2,094 sqft
Lot: 0.43 acre(s)
Year Built: 1972
Location
2882 SE Italy Street
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34953
USA
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Real Estate FAQ's: How Do You Choose a Good Condo?

Dune Condos on Hutchinson Island, Jensen Beach, Florida


Q: How Do You Choose a Good Condo?

A: Seek ownership in a well-maintained building, and pay special attention to the financial health of the condo association. Lax maintenance may be a sign of financial trouble, which could result in higher maintenance fees and problems trying to resale the property later.

Things to consider:
  • Get a copy of the latest financial statement from the condo association.
  • Ask the board of directors – which is elected by the unit owners from among themselves – if major repairs or improvements are imminent.  If so, find out how much they will cost and whether there is enough money in the reserve to cover them.
  • Check the by-laws, rules and the covenants, codes and restrictions (CC&Rs). You may find, among other things, that they prohibit or restrict pets and the renting of units.  Some may require that the board have the right of first refusal on the sale of any unit.
  • Learn everything you can about the homeowners association, including legal disputes and conflicts.  Start by reading the minutes of the association meetings.
  • Find out the owner-to-tenant ratio.  Because many condominiums are often purchased as investments, there could be a high percentage of tenants in the building.

This post has been authored by Eric Slifkin, REALTOR® serving South Florida’s Treasure Coast. You can reach me at 888-288-1765, or visit my Web site. As your resource for information on new or resale homes throughout the Treasure Coast, please be sure to contact me about any home you may find on the Web, yard sign or ad and I will research the property, arrange showings and handle all the details.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

Furnished Seasonal or Short Term Rental in Palm City


Furnished seasonal or short term rental in Stuart West at Palm City. This is a three bedroom, three bath pool home with den (presently used as a fourth bedroom) situated on a four acre parcel. Stuart West provides 24 hour gated security and is within minutes of I95 and the Florida Turnpike. Minimum three month rental. Application fee, background check required. Pets with restrictions. 10% tourist tax on rentals of less than six months.