Non-Vacant Vacant Homes

Some real estate pros encourage sellers of vacant properties to move house sitters in to ensure security and keep the home ready for showings. In Spokane, Wash., Diana and Kevin Uphus of Select Real Estate launched Diana's Home Sitting Services in 2000 to locate house sitters for clients. House sitters pay $400 per month to live in the home, and they also cover the utility bills.

When choosing a house sitter, the Uphuses perform background checks on candidates - whom must be able to leave at a moment's notice for showings, carry $100,000 in personal liability coverage, perform simple maintenance and keep the home clean. They also ensure the sitter's furniture is in good shape and complements the home's decor.

Source:Realtor (01/09) Vol. 42, No. 1, P. 18; Tracey, Melissa Dittmann© Copyright 2009 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688

RE-RE-REPOSITION

Most home sellers find that they cannot sell their properties for as much as they want, and real estate agents increasingly reposition the listings. "When a seller puts their home on the market on day one, they very well could be the best priced home in the best condition," says Tricia McEneaney of Coldwell Banker in Chicago. But if over the next 30 days,10 more competitively priced homes come on the market, then the seller's home may no longer be in a position to sell." Depending on the owner's motivation and price movement in their market, agents might discuss the latest market data with sellers every couple of weeks, or every 60 to 90 days.

Once the most up-to-date data is in hand, sellers and agents can decide whether to lower the asking price, provide incentives, undertake home upgrades, or hold off selling until the market improves. Agents often lower the price slowly over time so that the property shows up on hot sheets; and they might want to consider updating marketing materials with more information or better photos.


Source: Chicago Sun-Times (01/16/09) Smith, Daniel P.© Copyright 2009 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688

Info On The Oaks Club

Considering a home in The Oaks Club of Sarasota? Have questions you've not been able to answer?

Well, not only can I email you all the homes for sale and take you on a tour, but I also have on hand all the information you need to educate yourself and/or get an associate membership (non-residents).

• Detailed maps?
• Membership info for potential buyers and property owners?
• Site access at the gates?
• Contacts for additional info?
• What's for sale?
• What's sold recently?

Let me know what you need.

Hip Hop High-Life For Sale

If you’re in the market for a house that lives large, check out the homes of hip-hop stars currently for sale. Some of these big names are just looking to move to a home that’s still more extravagant. Others have run up against the same hard times that have hit many of their fans. Here are the five hip-hoppers and the homes they are trying to unload:

1. Suge Knight. After he filed for bankruptcy and lost control of his record company, Death Row Records founder Suge Knight's $6.2 million mansion went up for sale last year.
2. Kanye West. The Grammy-winning rapper's six-bedroom, 35,000-square-foot Beverly Hills, Calif., mansion went up for sale six months ago for $8.7 million.
3. Russell Simmons. The Saddle River, N.J., manse of producer Russell Simmons is for sale for $20 million.
4. 50 Cent. Rapper 50 Cent's Farmington, Conn., 19-bedroom, 50,000-square foot mansion went on the market last year for $18.5 million.
5. Scott Storch. The hip-hop producer's $10 million mansion is located on Miami Beach's exclusive, manmade Palm Island. Storch, recently hitless and two years delinquent on property taxes, is facing foreclosure.

Source: Forbes, Peter Hoy (08/18/08)

Possible Short Sale For $72,000

Just listed for $72,000! Affordable for first-time homebuyers or rent as an investment.

Snatch up this cute and stylish 2 bed/1.5 bath condo before the bank does! Tucked away in Fairway Oaks which is only a few minutes to downtown and I-75. Hardwood floors, extra storage and washer and dryer on the inside. Owner says, "Layout feels like home."

For more details, visit: http://sar.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1066832319&s=SAR&t=SAR.

Foreclosure: Private Island For Sale

I just found this listing. Very cool. Who doesn't want to own their own island?


1.4 Acre private island just west of Fort Myers on the Caloosahatchee River. Zoned for a single family residence but could be converted to a bed and breakfast or niche retreat resort. Percolation tests have been sucessfully completed. Two recent MAI appraisals came to $1.5 Million. Lenders loan came to $850,000. Lender/owner will hold to qualified buyers and/or discount to quick cash offers.

Live like Brangelina, Mel Gibson, Johnny Depp, Eddie Murphey, Nicolas Cage, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Gene Hackman, Robin Williams, Tony Curtis, Richard Branson, David Copperfield, Leonardo DiCaprio and Athena Onassis for only $850,000!

Palmer Ranch Price Reduction & More To Come!

Seller wants out... seriously. So much so, in fact, that she has authorized me to reduce the price of the condo by $16,000 to $149,000 and then an additional $1000 every week until it's sold!

Here are details:

• Lovely 2 bed, 1.5 bath Serenade condo in coveted, peaceful and centrally located Palmer Ranch. Neutral tones & barely lived in--shows like brand new!
  
• High ceilings with crown molding, huge walk-in closets, hers & his split bathroom & full-size warrantied washer/dryer included.
  
• Large porch with view of preserve, clubhouse & sunsets.
  
• Fee includes water, exterior insurance, 2 heated pools & spa, playgrounds, awesome workout center, tennis, caterers kitchen, private gate & alarm system!

For more details and pics, visit http://sar.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=907616654&s=SAR&t=SAR.

Easy to show! Schedule an appointment today with me or your Realtor, write an offer (you never know!?!), and help a sister out to get this sold. I know we can make a great deal and a WIN-WIN situtation for all!