Sarasota Florida Flat Fee MLS Listings FSBO

After reading a recent 2007 NAR (National Association of Realtors) Report on International buyers swarming Florida, you Simply MUST make this advertisting part of the campaign for your home. Due to the current strength in foreign currencies, Florida Real Estate is where most the US Real Estate appeal lies.. Read on for the Details..

During a Spring of 2007 study,  65% of Florida Realtors had conducted a transaction with an international buyer. During that same study focusing on the Realtors that had conducted a transaction with a foreign purchaser, 50% of those Realtors had represented between 1 and 4 international clients in their career. International buyers are soaking up the Florida Marketing campaigns run by leading International real estate companies. The top five countries representing this flood of buying are, Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom, India, & China. Reports show that as US purchasing of Florida real estate has slowed, the percentage of foreign purchasers has risen. This is due to current strengths of foreign currencies, in relation to a weak dollar.

Polls found that the most important reason for the Florida purchase among internationals is a vacation spot for family and friends. (Attention Sellers of Beachfront Property: Advertise Your Vacation Spot Overseas..)

The median sales price for the international buyer was $299,500 in 2007 (note this is higher budget than the average US resident spending on Florida Resident), and the majority of these deals were financed through a conventional mortage.

The typical International Buyer spends, on average, 4.2 months per year in their United States property. International buyers of Florida Real Estate show a balanced preference between single-family homes and condominiums.

According to another 2007 NAR Poll, China seems to be spending on average $340,000 on their vacation home, representing the most costly average among foreign countries purchasing Florida Real Estate. The UK runs a close second place, spending on average $322,000.

International buying of Real Estate has increased due to currency conversion advantages. When choosing a broker to help you sell your home, talk to the Realtor about their International Campaigs. Feel Free to talk to Shirley International Realty Inc. about how they can assist you in promoting your home overseas.

Justin

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I watched this program just yesterday on HGNet TV, and thought about the downfalls many buyers and sellers go through in the Home Selling Process.. I think this is really good information to pass on to my ”For Saley By Owner” sellers (as well as buyers), to re-iterate the need for a real estate specialist. All of these mistakes can be eliminated with great real estate advice. Shirley International Realty Inc. would like to assist you in hurdling these mistakes by offering our professional marketing/consulting services. Here goes the list, in no particular order, of how they appeared on the program.

10-Not Providing Easy Access to Showings-

In a buyers market, there are many selections. If your home isn’t easily accessible for buyers at any time, you may get skipped a lose a big opportunity to sell your home. Be really flexible with buyers interested in previewing your home. Sellers need every opporunity to put their home in front of as many buyers as possible. 

9-Losing Money With Auctions-

While starting an auction is a great process to attract traffic to your home, it doesn’t necessarily mean the final price is going to be congruent with what you wanted out of the sale. Don’t get caught giving your home away through the auction process.

8-Trying to Make the “Hard Sell” while Showing-

If you are holding an Open House, or have buyers previewing your property at any time, don’t be in the home selling it while the buyers are trying to preview. This is very annoying and can get in the way of your property selling itself.. Buyers know what they are looking for and won’t let themselves be “Sold” anything. Relax and let them experience the amenities of your home. They will appreciate the privacy you award them.

7-Waiting Until Spring to Sell Your House-

Timing is everything; however, it doesn’t mean you can’t highlight the seasonal amenities of your home at any time. Real Estate is bought and sold 365 days a year. Don’t wait for the right time. The time is now!

6-Failing to Market Your Home in Different Ways-

The for sale sign in the front yard looks great; however, marketing and advertising your home now needs to take a global approach. The Internet provides different campaigns that promote your home well. (Shirley International Realty specializes in Internet Promotions for your Home! We are the best at this)

5-Not Thinking about Resale -

The average home is bought and sold once every 5 years. If you are not planning on being buried in this home, consider how the cosmetic changes you are making to the home will affect the value when its time to sell.

4-Trusting Everything a Real Estate Advertisment Says-

Physically visit the property before making the purchase. Many sellers and brokers will promote the home in a way that’s completely correct just to attract traffic. Also, follow the old adage, “if its too good to be true, then it probably is”.

3-Picking the Wrong Agent-

Meetings with your real estate agent need to be held the same way you were when interviewing for a big job. Ask plenty of questions and ask for a resume of statistics showing the creditials a particular agent has making them worthy of brokering the biggest investment of your life. When you sell with a certain agent, you are selling under their brand. Make sure you approve of that brand.

2-Not Hiring an Agent-

You need the experience of a real estate agent. 84% of homes sold in 2006 had touched a real estate professionals hands at some point. They work everyday to sell homes and understand the “ins and outs” of the industry. Working with a great real estate agent can save you money, liability, and time in the buying and selling process.  

1-Doing Major Renovations/Remodeling Before Selling-

Putting too much money into your home before selling trying to increase the value, could result in “overimprovements”. Take care of cosmetic touch ups, and let the home sell itself. Allow homeowners to improve it to their liking later on, or offer a discount on the price (also known as allowance) to give you a competitive advantage over other sellers.

 Of all these principle mistakes, I would say picking the wrong agent to sell your home would be the most critical. The real estate market is slow, so its paramount to have an aresenal of tools that will highlight your home in a positive light for the world to see. With Shirley International Realty you are going to receive maximum marketing exposure, coupled with your transaction handled professionally & delicately. We love our customers and want to help in any way we can. Talk to Shirley International Realty about how we can sell your home!

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One of the biggest hurdles a Sarasota or Bradenton homeseller must leap over, is the avenue they must take to get their home sold.. It is common knowledge that a Realtor can be very expensive (@ 6-7%), but is there value in their service, AND what is that value worth? Well, as you all know, I am the biggest cheerleader for the Flat Fee MLS Listing Service.. I know this service gives the homeowner maximum exposure on their home, and also allows them to engage in a relationship with a Licensed Realtor that can advise them through the process, WHILE saving them money at the closing table.. However, many Flat Fee companies are not congruent with my policy of holding the sellers hand throughout the selling process.. They accept the upfront fee for listing the seller on the MLS, then the Realtor walks away and like a bull in a China shop, goes aggressively after the next Flat Fee listing. This is not how Shirley International Realty Inc. operates.. We stick around.. We are always on call and feel its our fiduciary duty to assist the seller in everything from, making price adjustments to give the MLS listing a new facia, to having open-ended conversations by phone on what the market is doing.. We are well-rounded real estate consultants that do not bail on our Flat Fee Sellers.. Below is a NAR (National Association of Realtors) statistical analysis that shows, a little Realtor assistance is a good thing.. Ya just have to get that assistance from the right place (Shirley International Realty Inc. is the PERFECT place)..

Did you know? In 2006 the average FSBO sold their home for $187,200 compared to $247,000 on an agent-assisted transaction.. (With our Flat Fee Listing Service we help coordinate pricing on your home and advertise it in the highest traffic real estate marketing venues, bringing more demand and garnering higher prices)

Most Difficult Tasks for FSBO Sellers:
Getting the right price . . . 11% (We are experts @ establishing market value for your home & will help you do this)
Understanding paperwork . . . 16% (We teach you the contracts/disclosures needed to sale your home, reducing the liability of a negligent transaction)
Preparing/fixing up home for sale . . . 18% (We will introduce you to the best Handymans’ & home inspectors in Sarasota/Bradenton)
Attracting potential buyers . . . 9% (Our Marketing for the Flat Fee of $199 is all the “Butter you need for the Bread” to attract multiple buyers)
Having enough time to devote to all aspects of the sale . . . 9% (Your life is busy.. Shirley International Realty Inc. can take this stress out of your day..)

 Top 5 Websites where REALTORS® place their listings:

 Realtor.com (82%)

 Local Realty Firm Website (76%)

 Local REALTOR® Association Website (50%)

 Franchiser’s Website (30%)

 Broker IDX/Broker Reciprocity Website (29%)

The above percentages represent 72% of the traffic generated to sell your home with a full service listing agent (Charging you 6-7%).. We will list your Home on all of these sites for the $199.. You need this exposure.. Its that simple..

There’s no other way to sell your home in any market, than the Flat Fee MLS Listing.. We are Southwest Florida’s #1 Provider of Flat Fee MLS Listings.. Our service is unparalleled, unbeatable, unmatched, the best, second to none, over-the-top, #1, distant from #2, uncomparable, the cookie not the crumb, & the finest while still getting refined.. We can help you.. Give me a call for anything.. 941-448-4872 (I even know the best babysitters if you need one.. :))

Justin

2 Comments »

Offered at one million $ under appraisal. Gorgeous John Cannon Custom Model, set back for a fabulously dramatic grand entrance lined with palm trees. Model home has a 5 car garage (5th door is for your golf cart), deep tropical preserve views with 100′ pines*Great house for entertaining with large extend lanai, wine cellar, game room, double sided fireplace, resort pool with two fountains, spa & rock formation*Double stepped high ceilings with crown throughout, LARGE extended master bath (with numerous opportunities for customization), golf room & HUGE laundry room*Furniture Package Available

2 Comments »

“Selling Your Home is No Stress…. When You List on MLS”

We are Florida’s #1 Provider of Over-the-top Flat Fee MLS Services!

$199 Flat Fee MLS Listing.. Agents and Buyers will contact you directly..

-Listed on Your Correct Local MLS
(Example of Listing View PDF Sample)
-Listed on Realtor.com Enhanced and Upgraded
(Example of Listing View PDF Sample)
-Listing Posted to All High-Traffic Shirley Int. Realty Websites
-Professional photography
-Agent on Call 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
-Comparable Market Analysis
-Listing stays active Until Property Sells 
-Cancel anytime
-YOU set the Buyers Agent Commission!
-Limited Service Listing Agreement (Copy of Contract View PDF)
-Make As Many Changes As You Need too FREE OF CHARGE (Many Flat Fee Companies Charge Sellers Everytime They Want to Make A Change to Their Listing.. We Do Not.. Let’s Keep Your Listing the Way You Want it Throughout The Entire Duration of Your Flat Fee Listing Experience with Shirley International)
-Your Home Will Stay Active Until Your Property Sells! Many Flat Fee Listers Post a Expiration Date to your listing.. With Shirley International Realty Inc., we will keep your listing active until it sells, or until you asked to be removed!

We offer Professional Yard Signs, Lockboxes, Virtual Tours, Access to Our Mortgage Company, Real Estate Attorneys, Inspectors, & Contracts & Disclosures for a Complete Sale with No Agent Involved..

We Want to Help You Sell Your Home..

941-448-4872

2 Comments »

Immaculate Lakefront Home! Upgraded Designer Tile*Den w/French Doors*Open Floor Plan*Optional Office or 4th Bedroom*Electrical Upgrades*Windows Installed for Future Pool*Fresh Paint*New Dishwasher*Complete Appliance Package*High Ceilings*AM/FM Intercom Throughout*Screen Lanai Overlooking Lake and Protected Preserve*Walk-in Closets*Built-in Desk Unit*Pull-Down Stairs to Floored Attic Space in Garage*Across from Greenfield Plantation Golf Course*Surrounded by Million Dollar Home Developments*Great School District*Renters in Place for Positive Cash Flow Investment!

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This is a little “Tid-Bit” on how to Sell Your Home in a Down Market.. If you’re not getting interest in your home, there may be a few things going on.. However, the most important thing is to notice your price.. Real Estate is not as valueable as it was 2 years ago during our boom, (more like an explosion) so its very important to get real about the value of your home.. Most of the time, correcting your price will cure lack of activity. I feel the most intelligent strategy to pricing your home correclty is to pay an appraiser $200-300 to tell you the value of your home.. They are objective and unemotional. This could save you many future headaches and stress as to why no one wants to even see the inside of your listing.

This video will show you how to generate interest through the Auction process and let the bidding process drive the price to market value.. Everyone shopping for a home right is looking for a deal.. Show a deal to this real estate market, and stay by the phone.. Holding an auction can be a litte intimidating, but you don’t need an auctioneer with an incredibly fast voice to sell your home through this process.. Notice in the video how a simple classified ad created the craze of demand.. I also think posting classified ads on the internet (craigslist, ebay, etc) can help create interest.. You have a home someone wants to buy.. You just have to find creative ways to get it in front of them.. Let me know if you have any questions.. My internet marketing skills are how I sell my listings quickly.. I am willing to teach you..

Justin

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Shirley International Realty Inc. is in the process of taking our Flat Fee Listing capabilities statewide. We will be expanding our office locations into Miami, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Orlando, & Tallahassee. Our goal is provide the most exceptional flat fee listing package for the most competitive price in the Sunshine State! We feel this service gives sellers the most “bang-for-your-buck” advertising & our success rate of selling homes via the service is rapidly growing. In a buyers market, sellers have got to find a way to put their home in front of a scarcity of buyers and make it as appealing as possible. The leading indicator in a buyers psyche of “to buy? or not to buy?” is price. The Flat Fee service puts your home in front of the widest range of buyers @ the most competitive price. No more paying 6-7% to sell! Talk to me about your options.

Below is a list of areas where Shirley International Realty Inc. can CURRENTLY list your home, condo, land, or rental in the CORRECT MLS:

-Sarasota                                                  -Manatee/Bradenton
-Manatee/Bradenton                             -Venice
-Pinellas                                                    -Tampa
-Hillsboro                                                  -Osprey
-Englewood                                               -North Port
-Nokomis                                                  -Port Charlotte

Give our offices a call @ 941-448-4872 & let us know how we can help you sell your home!

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You don’t need to pay 6-7% to sell your home.. Use broker incentives to create a competitve advantage over other listings.. This guy does a super job of highlighting the benefits of the flat fee listing service.. We actually offer this service in multiple MLS’s at once, so you won’t find a local outfit that provides a more exceptional package for marketing your home for sale.

Buyers.. Since we are so in touch with the FSBO community, we have an in-house list of these properties that typically out-price other listings. Since our Flat Fee sellers are not having to pay us a listing commission, they discount their asking price, putting more equity in your pocket and making the whole deal a little sweeter. I always try and push my flat fee listings to buyer clientele because these are typically the best bargains in the community. These are sellers in distressed situations and that is what buyers are looking to purchase. Providing Flat Fee listings to sellers & showing discounted property to our buyers have made Shirley International Realty Inc. one of Southwest Florida’s leaders in selling homes through the first quarter of 2008.

2 Comments »

Tax time is here again! It seems like only last week my 2006 taxes were being filed, but here we are again in 2008, and the deadline for 2007 taxes are soon approaching. I am not a CPA and never give personal tax advice. I’m asked many questions about personal tax deductions in relation to owning real estate, but always suggest contacting your local tax attorney or CPA for details and clarification for congruency with IRS rules and regulations. But, today I want to highlight 3 fundamental tax deductions the federal government grants homeowners that could save you money.

1-Mortgage Interest- The interest paid on your mortgage is tax deductible. If you have a mortgage for $400,000 and pay 7% annual interest on that money, $28,000 is a huge tax deduction! Take advantage of this one Sarasota! This interest can be deducted on a first or second home loan. There are a few limitations to this I believe.. One being, the total loan amounts on all homes being more than the fair market value of your home, or home equity loans totaling more than $100,000, but check with your CPA on those details. Also, filing married or single has an effect on these deductions as well.

2- Discount Points- If you refinanced your mortgage, you may be able to write off the points you paid to reduce your interest rate on the new loan. These points must be deducted proportionately over the life of your loan. So if your new loan has a 30-year term, you’ll deduct 1/30th of your points each year. If you’ve refinanced before, and you have points from the previous refinance that haven’t yet been deducted, you can write off the rest of those points in the year you refinance.

The points you paid for, to reduce your interest rate on a home purchase loan, are also tax-deductible for that year. Whether you or the seller paid for the points for you, you may be able to deduct them.

3- Capital Gains on the Sale of Your Home- You Sell Your Home! Nice… As long as this home was your primary residence for 2 of the past 5 years, unmarried sellers are immune to the first $250,000 of profit on their home, and married couples filing jointly returns are immune to $500,000 of the profit of sale.

Noted here are 3 important tax favors the federal government rewards you for owning real estate, so take advantage of these. There are many other tax benefits to owning real estate, but contact your local CPA for the details. I have a few great local CPA’s I’d be more than happy to refer you, if need be.

Hope your weekend went well! Let me know what I can do to help with your Florida Real Estate experience..

Justin
 

4 Comments »