RED DAY (Renew, Energize, Donate) is an initiative that supports Keller Williams agents in their year round committment to give back, support, and work in conjunction with other businesses, organizations, and people to improve our local communities. Last week Keller Williams Realty of Manatee agents, business partners and family members joined many of the 79,000 other Keller Williams agents throughout North America for our fourth annual RED DAY. For RED DAY 2012, our KW Manatee agents assisted with work on a Manatee County, Habitat for Humanity home in the Hope Landing neighborhood in …

If you’ve been toying with the idea of moving some of your money into real estate investments, this information just might get you off the fence and into the game. Mortgage lenders experienced with and offering the 203K Renovation loan can now do these types of loans on conventional as well as FHA loans using the Fannie Mae HomeStyle® Renovation loan.  The occupancy requirements of the borrower include not only buyers who will be occupying the home as a primary residence, but also buyers who are purchasing the property as a second home and buyers who are purchasing the property as an income …

At the end of February billionaire Warren Buffett, commonly referred to and lauded as one of the most respected, successful investors in the world, told CNBC that if he were a young investor in the current market, with a choice of investing in the stock market or buying his first home, he would select buying a home as the wisest choice. Buffett went on to say that as a first time investor, if he had the opportunity, he’d buy as many single family homes at distressed pricing as he could, and then finance them with a 30 year mortgage (to take advantage of current low interest rates), and find …

Last week President Obama announced the passing of the largest federal and state civil settlement in a decade.  A $25 billion federal-state mortgage servicers settlement, between government officials, state attorneys general, and Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Ally Financial, was designed to help underwater and struggling homeowners who are upside down with their mortgage loans get back on their feet again and is projected to benefit nearly one million home owners.  That number could increase if other mortgage servicers jump on board to be included in this …

As we bid farewell to another year and prepare to greet a brand new one, tradition dictates that we look back on the important events from the past year, as we organize our plans to move forward into the new year. Like the previous year, 2011 has been an ongoing struggle for many residents of our state. But with positive signs of improvement, the year that lay before us may prove to be a smoother journey. Some observations of 2011 over 2010 and outlook for 2012: Job Market – Unemployment Statistics Statewide, the year ended in 2010 with the average unemployment rate at 11.5 percent. This year…

By Mike Koebel, Guest Columnist “I Want One of Those Obama Refi’s!” This was the opening statement in a telephone call to a mortgage lender earlier this week, after the announcement of HARP 2.0 (Home Affordable Refinance Program). The 1st HARP program fell far short of helping the number of underwater (owe more on your mortgage than the value of your home) homeowners than hoped for by the government. Thus, the Obama administration has asked that the program be tweaked to include improvements so that more homeowners will be helped.  Although details of HARP 2.0 have not been fully announced, …

A new provision to an immigration bill already being considered by the U.S. Senate was proposed last week by Senators, Chuck Schumer of New York, and Mike Lee, of Utah that would grant residence visas to foreign buyers spending a minimum of $500,000 to buy residential property in the U.S. The 'Resident Visa' provision to the immigration bill was written with the purpose of boosting and energizing the slow U.S. Housing market by encouraging foreigners to purchase U.S. real estate. If accepted, this provision would compliment other foreign visa actions proposed in the bill that would encourage …

If you are planning a home purchase, new construction homes are an option that should be considered. Below are just a few of many builder/new home community options and resources.  But first, here are a few tips to keep in mind when purchasing new construction homes: Research mortgage options and compare lender fees before agreeing to use the builder's lender.  Incentives offered to use the builder's lender might not be as enticing after researching and comparing 'apples to apples.'   Don't visit or tour new home communities without your real estate agent.  Choose an agent who is familiar …

We are entering that season again when condominium home buying is beginning to heat up here in Florida. Whether you're considering the purchase of a condo for a permanent residence, part time/vacation home, or for a real estate investment, there are some important things to consider when making comparisons and before making that final decision. Here are just a few: Compare Amenities Community amenities are important for enhancement and enjoyment of your chosen lifestyle. When purchasing your condo be sure to compare what different communities are offering in the way of amenities like: golf …

I'm happy to share some uplifting and positive real estate news this week! Our national real estate trade magazine, “RealtorMag” published an article this past week listing the top ten cities nationwide that have had the most significant rebound, year over year, for home listing prices based on August data of 2.2 million listings in 146 markets gathered by the popular real estate consumer website, "Realtor.com." Out of the top ten, nine of those cities were from our beloved state of Florida, with the Sarasota/Bradenton area scoring sixth. The top ten, with the percentage of increase, year …

Most of us have spent lots of money, time, and energy furnishing, decorating, and maintaining our home. Appearance and comfort is important, but sometimes things that are crucially important to your family's happiness might not be readily apparent to the naked or untrained eye. How healthy is the air in your home? Do you know? If not, it might be time to find out. Here are some pointers for keeping the air in your home safer for the sake of your family's good health: Pressure wash the exterior and roof of your home to control mold and algae growth. Get rid of or ensure proper containment of …

Buying a home is about more than the structure that you live in. It's about neighbors, a school district, nearby amenities and your lifestyle. Here are some tips to help you choose wisely: Make a list of lifestyle/neighborhood priorities: This will require a family conference to establish a list of not only the desired home features, but also to identify what types of amenities your chosen neighborhood will need in order to satisfy your family's lifestyle profile.  Are you avid golfers or do you prefer beach activities?  Would you feel most comfortable in a gated community or does that type …

According to national real estate sources, about one million foreclosures that were scheduled to be filed this year, will be pushed out into 2012. Out of the total U.S residential sales, nationally, the percentage of U.S. residential distressed property sales dropped from 36% in the first quarter of 2011 to 31% in the second quarter of this year.  Also worth noting, the sales prices of REO, bank owned, foreclosure properties has been trending down from last year's sales figures.  This is positive news for home buyers who are in a good position to take advantage of lower pricing and for real …

By Mike Koebel, guest author When you hear the term USDA in connection with a mortgage, you may automatically think that this is for a farm (or other rural/agricultural) loan.  Actually, since 1949 the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) guarantees loans under certain conditions for the purchase of a primary residence – and they guarantee them with -0- down-payment, and sometimes even include closing costs in the mortgage amount. There are a couple of “catches” though – the home must be within certain geographic areas and the income of the borrower(s) must be within certain limits.  However…

I just finished celebrating my birthday weekend and, as with every birthday, my thoughts wandered backward, reliving parts of my past, and then moved forward to anticipate what my future might hold.  Looking back, my past produced plenty of predictable conclusions based on personal choices and the results of those decisions and choices.  It’s the projecting forward that gets interesting and especially when you realize that a lot of significant things that might happen are somewhat out of your control. I’m at the end of what society has deemed the Baby Boomer generation, and for a lot of …

Last week, the Neighborhood Preservation Act of 2011 (H.R. 2636) , was proposed to congress by California Congressman, Gary Miller, as a possible strategy for assisting in the stabilization of the housing market with respect to distressed properties. After being first introduced in May of 2009, and passing The House of Representatives in July of 2009 and received and read by the Senate, but never voted upon, The Neighborhood Preservation Act was re-introduced this past week. The bill, if passed into law, would allow banks, as well as government sponsored entities, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, …

I'm hearing a lot of discussions within the real estate community about the fact that agents are finding it more difficult to find properties for buyers in some of the more popular areas of the county.  Multiple offers are, again, a part of the buying process for agents and their clients, who are competing for home listings in areas with limited inventory and high demand. The delay of banks releasing foreclosure properties is part of the equation, as is the fact that there are more loan modification options being offered by lenders and governmental programs available for homeowners who are in…

With the economy and job market just coming out of a "down" period, a large percentage of the population is concerned and wondering how less-than-perfect credit scores might affect their ability to take advantage of the current buyers' market in purchasing a home. In order to know what you need to do to position yourself favorably, you need to understand the different components making up the big picture that is your credit score. Here are the key components, with the percentages that each component contributes to your total credit scoring and a tip on how to improve each one: Payment history…

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” — Albert Einstein Unless you're either in the process of buying or selling a home or have recently had that experience, you've probably forgotten how unnerving and stressful moving can be. My apologies for not posting a real estate article last week, but I was knee deep in boxes and packing tape! Our Bradenton real estate brokerage, Keller Williams Realty of Manatee, just moved into our huge, beautiful new office space off of State Road 64 in Braden River Plaza.  As real estate agents, it is our job to assist our …

Home buyers who may be thinking of upgrading or first-time home buyers who are hoping to take advantage of incredible opportunities out there right now will have the convenient option of touring homes throughout Manatee County on June 4-5 during "Nationwide Open House" weekend. Local real estate agents will be showcasing homes to bring home buyers and sellers together throughout the area. The public is invited to not only visit and tour homes for the areas and communities of interest to them, but to connect with a local real estate professional to ask questions about real estat-related issues…