Sarasota Florida Flat Fee MLS Listings FSBO

I had a condo listed @ El Conquistador CC in Bradenton, Florida that was getting minimal activity at best, but was a great deal. This unit was 1,300ft2, 2 bedroom 2 bath condo, overlooking the treacherous #9 hole of the private Country Club golf course, coupled by breathtaking sunsets. It was located on the top floor of the complex, not a big selling point, but along with the stairs comes a great view from your lanai that actually grabbed a peak of the Gulf (Could’ve easily listed as ”Water View”, but I would’ve been pushing the envelope a bit).. Inside had been upgraded with new carpet, new bathroom fixtures, etc. totaling around $4,000 in “polishing-up” costs. So, I had this unit listed for $189,900 and I was getting very frustrated with the lack of activity so, scratching my head, I came up with a plan.

How about we “Feed the Realtor” and really give the hardworking real estate agent, a super payday incentive! Creating incentive and instilling sense of urgencies is Sales 101, and in a buyers market, you begin to dig deep into your bag of tricks to give your listing a competitive advantage over competing homes. Knowing that the maximum appraised value of my listing was a bit over our asking price (its common in this market to be listed below appraised value), I went to my seller and pitched a plan to offer an unbelievable commission to a buyers agent for bringing us a buyer. I wanted to keep his net gain out of the sale congruent with his goals, so we inflated the price and inflated the commission to a buyers agent for bringing us their buyer. Essentially this created a wash with the inflated price over what he needed out of the sale with the extra commission to the agent. Here’s a layout of the plan: Read the rest of this entry »

2 Comments »

Factors influencing your FICO score

Most lenders use FICO credit scores to get an objective measure of your creditworthiness. By understanding the factors that affect your score, you’ll get an in depth understanding of how creditors view your credit application and how you can bump up your credit standing.

1. Payment history

The factor that has the biggest impact on your score is whether you have paid off the past credit accounts on time or not. It counts for approximately 35% of your score. It should be noted that the recent late payments or missed payments hurt your score more. It will be reflected on your report whether you are 30, 60, or 90 days or more late with a bill payment. A record of late or missed payments on several accounts will hamper your score more than late payments on a single account. So, pay off your bills on time, it will definitely have a positive impact on your overall score.

2. Amount owed

It counts for approximately 30% of your total FICO score. It shows how well you can manage your credit. However, it is not just the amount you owe already that influences your FICO score. Also taken into consideration is the amount of credit available to you. So, total up all the outstanding balances you have and compare it with the amount of credit that is available to you. If you are reaching or exceeding the available credit then it will negatively impact your score.

3. Length of credit history

The third factor that makes up 15% of your total FICO score is the duration of your credit history. The longer your credit history, you will be considered more creditworthy by the creditors. Also taken into consideration is how long it has been since you used the credit accounts. For instance having an idle card for 15 years won’t bump your score. Also remember not to open multiple accounts at once to build a credit history.

4. Types of credit

Another vital factor that influences your score is the type of credit mix that you have. Your score will reflect your mix of retail accounts, credit cards, and installment loans like car loans and home loans. Consumers who have a healthy mix of credit have a higher FICO score.

5. Number of new credit applications

The fifth factor that influences your FICO score is the total number of recent credit applications that you fill out. For instance, if you have recently made multiple credit inquiries then it will negatively influence your score because it will suggest to the creditors that you are financially burdened and might be late on your payments.

There are other factors like employment, salary, duration of stay at current residence, and marital status that lenders look into. However, these factors do not affect your FICO score.

3 Comments »

Real estate sales for the month of January have been pulled & posted! It seems brighter days are just around the corner for motivated sellers and others trying to get out of distressed selling situations. However, the optimism is only speculation of months to come as January did see a slow down in property sales. This could be due to the Property Tax Referendum, voted on January 29, 2008, keeping many buyers on the temporary sidelines waiting for results. With that vote passing, many buyers should be jumping back into the market creating a quick spike in sales volume, not necessarily property appreciation. At this point, all we are looking for is that demand to come back to our market and light a fire under the seat of those stragglers trying to “time” the market and buy at bottom-shelf pricing. So, this is positive news!

However, the report here is on January and anything through the rest of season is pure speculation. January showed a minor decline in property sales as we tipped into the New Year. Property sales were down 19%, in comparison to January 2007 figures. There were 329 overall sales during the month of which- 221 coming from single-family homes, & 108 coming from condominiums. This number also reflects a 20% drop from December 2007 sales volume of 427. Statewide, numbers seemed to be a little worse with sales volume on single-family homes down 28%, and condominiums down 30%. So, in the overall snapshot of Florida real estate, Sarasota is making the healthiest recovery from our recent depressed history.
Looking forward, what should we expect? There was obviously some hesitation from buyers during the month of January, with the pending property tax reform vote coming up,” said Helen Sosso, 2008 SAR President. “Now that the issue is settled, and was favorable to the home buyer, we should see prospective buyers taking advantage of the historically low interest rates, the incredible property selection, and all of the attributes that always make our area a great place to buy a home and live.” I couldn’t agree more with President Sosso! I think we have always been mildly immune to nationwide bubble talks, & it always frustrates me when the media clumps together our market with the likes of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and the rest of the South East Coast of the State. We are in a totally different genre of lifestyle as well as taste here on the West Coast. The pace of lifestyle here is more conducive to a babyboomer looking to relax and not be rushed to do anything, (Just take 95 North or South from Lauderdale @ 5pm on a weekday and tell me how exciting that congestion is! No fun!) not too mention our superior beaches. Do I like Ft. Lauderdale and Miami? Absolutely! I try to visit once a month. But, do I want to rest here or there? Sarasota wins that election every time! This is my plug for Sarasota living and will continue to be that; regardless of sales statistics, or any other objective measure of where people are spending their money. Let’s focus on moving forward and having a wonderful season! I’ll take care of selling the homes.

May the buyers float through our doors with wings made of cash, & sellers greet them with homes of fresh Florida air & smiles that flash! Now that’s a winning combination.

Justin

1 Comment »

This is such a great deal I really want to get it out there in front of you guys! I just took this listing & the package details are listed below.. This condo is located in a high demand area of Bradenton because its located directly beside IMG & Bolleterri Academy.. This is an Academy for kids whom are prodigies in a certain sport. This Academy refines the atheletes abilities and then sends them off to the top Division 1 schools in the country to perform on full-ride scholarships. Learn more about the Academy (www.imgacademies.com/home).

 So, with my listing being just across the street from this Academy, many families from around the world are constantly looking for housing for their athletic sons & daughters. This unit would be perfect! This condo’s rental market value is between $875-1,200/month for an annual lease. Take a look below for the details on the unit & notice the bargain price (Being offered turnkey furnished!) Also, these are the kind of deals I ‘m bringing to the market through offering the Flat Fee service.. I’m excited about having these packages to offer sellers, so we can get this bargain inventory on the market and get it sold, so values can begin rising again. 

5310 26th Ave. #301

$105,900 

2 bed/ 1 bath

932 ft2

Minimum Lease- 1 Month / 12 Times per Year

*Turnkey Furnished*

17×12 Living Room

13×11 Master Bedroom

Appliances Included: Dishwasher, Disposal, Microwave Oven, Refrigerator, Smoke Detectors, Washer, Dryer

Marketing Remarks: Motivated Seller! Turnkey Furnished Including Paintings, Beautiful Bedding, Dishes/Cookware!Just bring your toothbrush*Unit Shows Like Model! Perfect for First-time Homebuyer, IMG Student, or Professional! Upgraded Throughout*Cherry Cabinets*Foyer Entry*Window Coverings*Total Appliance Package*Professionally Decorated! Steps to IMG/Bolleteri Academy,Manatee Community College, Bayshore High*2 bedroom 1 bath*Tile Floors*Near Beaches and Shopping*Best Value in Complex**On Site: BBQ Grills, Picnic Areas, Fishing, Clubhouse, Fitness Room, Heated Pool*This Unit Shows Like New Construction Model!

Justin

No Comments Yet »

Over the weekend, myself and Jim Barclay, Shirley International all-star Commercial Sales Rep, attended a convention in Orlando educating us on buying/selling Short Sales & Foreclosures. The symposium was presented by Andy Tolbert, an extremely savvy real estate broker rep. located in Ocala, who specializes in Short Sales and Foreclosures. She probably buys more of these types of deals, than lists and sells them, so her input was very objective backed by years of trial & error on how to do transact the purchase perfectly. The Short Sale market is certainty a niche with tons of opportunities to buy a home at bargain prices. With our economy looking grim, these are the types of bargains I’ve noticed buyers/investors looking to get into, so its important we understand the “ins & outs” of that process. However, this post is specifically geared toward the foreclosure market, as I see the endless opportunities to get rock-bottom priced real estate.

First of all, its important to understand exactly what a foreclosed property is. A foreclosure is defined as real estate that is being taken back by the lender or government due to failure to pay the mortgage of loans. This is a long and tedious legal process for the banking institution, so when it is ended they are interested in selling it off right away, or “dumping” the property, to get the proceeds and apply to the terms of the contract. Interesting.. This is where the root of the opportunity lies.. The bank if motivated & operating with a sense of urgency (Rule #1 in obtaining a “deal”.. Find someone who is operating with a sense of urgency!) However, don’t let the sad reality of the current owners’ situation push you away from these types of transactions.. Foreclosures are more common in our market now than they have been in years past, so having qualified consumers to take the pressure of the back of current owner, while “turning the frown upside down” on the banks face, is a very positive thing for cleaning up this excess inventory in our congested real estate market. Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments Yet »

I’m seeing an overabundance of inventory on the open real estate market and I continue to ask myself, “what are these sellers doing to give themselves a competitive advantage and make sure they are the ones getting showings and offers on their home?” I see more and more realtors just relying on the MLS to sell the home and they are providing no ancillary marketing to bring activity to the listing.. I think there’s a few questions a seller should ask themselves before hiring a real estate agent to sell their home.. 1) What exactly justifies me paying a realtor 6% to sell my home? 2) What type of marketing do I expect for my home, if I am paying them 6% to sell it? 3)Is there a way I can save a little of my equity here and sell my home at the same speed a real estate agent would that I was paying 6-7%?
I’ve listed over 200 homes over the past year and these are the questions I’ve been asked time and time again.. These concerns are why I created this niche in my organization & it is the new wave of selling homes. The MLS is an unbelievable tool because it puts your home in front of thousands of realtors who are working for buyers and want to sell your home so they can make a commission. So, getting your home listed on the MLS should be a priority.. However, this can done without paying a 6-7% listing commission.. A Shirley International Realty Inc. agent will come out to your home, take professional photographs and dress your listing up on the MLS with maximum marketing details and your contact info. to give you that exposure to these buyers agents.. If one of your questions is, what if I get a contract and don’t have representation to help me negotiate the offer? We also provide this as an ancillary service while still saving you money @ closing. We offer flat fee prices for a number of different packages that are explained in the FAQ section of this website.. The bottom line is, paying a listing realtor 6-7% to post your home on MLS and wait for another agent to bring a buyer, is an avenue of the past.. Take the future road of selling your home, with minimum out-of-pocket expenses, and list through the Flat Fee Listing service.. See you at the closing table!

Justin

5 Comments »

My name is Justin Shirley, and I am the CEO and Founder of Shirley International Realty Inc. based out of sunny Sarasota, FL. I am a member of the National Assocation of Realtors and currently manage a team of full-time real estate agents that love working with people & provide over-the-top customer service. We have offices located just south of downtown Sarasota, as well as St. Petersburg. While managing my staff is part of what keeps our corporation thriving, selling homes on the Gulf Coast & helping people is where my inspiration lies. Representing buyers from all 50 states, as well as a list of international clientele, has given me the opportunity to make many new friends from diverse backgrounds and promote this Florida bliss.
 
Everything from the miles of white sand beaches & breathtaking sunsets, to the pristine golf courses & immaculate residential communities, make Sarasota a place people want to live. I’ve always found that its my job to not get in the way of Sarasota selling itself to buyers who want nothing more than to own a piece of paradise. Sarasota’s tropical blend has earned many accolades over the past 20 years from reputable outfits. Two of my favorites were, Top 10 Beaches Worldwide 1999, and Top 5 Most Lucrative Small City to Live Nationwide 2002.
 
As a representative of your purchase or sell, I commit to a quality due-diligent presentation of all your options. I like to “put myself in the shoes” of my client and focus on doing what’s best for them. Whether that’s finding the best bargain investment purchase available, or squeezing every penny of equity out of the sale of your primary residence, I work for you & try my best to make it happen.
 
Shirley International Realty Inc. can’t possibly provide the quality customer service we hold ourselves to by doing everything on our own. This is why we’ve created a network of support that consists of the best real estate attorneys, home inspectors, real estate appraisers, mortgage consultants, & title companies that make sure your transaction is handled delicately with no room for negligence.

Due to the current volatility of our real estate market, its very important to select a representative with a thorough knowledge of the entire purchase/sell process. I look forward to being that avenue for you and your family and will dedicate my corporation’s collective energy to making this a stress-free process for you. Helping people is my focus in this business, and I hope to make you a part of it.

Justin

6 Comments »

Area: 92

Square Footage: 2,484ft2

Year Built: 2004

Reduced for Quick Sale! Shows Like a Model! Deep Water Dock! Docks are Leased through Management! Breathtaking views all around corner unit. Best value in Blackburn Harbor. Tranquil waterway access to CW and gulf access

No Comments Yet »