West Broward Real Estate Watch

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Random Act of Kindness : Balloons to Heaven

To all of my friends who have lost loved ones. In honor of you we send you Balloons to Heaven. I was/am truly blessed to have known all of those who died in the last year and I am glad we did this. Virtual hands and friendship has gone a long way!

Via Melissa Grant Virtual Assistant (Virtual Office Systems):

38 Random Acts of Kindness - Balloons to Heaven !

 

This year, so many people that I hold dear to my heart, have taught me more than they could ever imagine, through their strength and their loved ones. So many have had to endure what no person ever should. From parents, grandparents, brothers, sister, aunts and uncles, losing a loved one, to friends who have lost their courageous fight to cancer and other illnesses.  Having lost many loved ones in my life, I know the hole and void it can leave in your heart. Although, I cannot ever imagine what some of my friends have gone through this past year, I wanted them to know that there is not a moment in the day that I don't think of them. no matter how busy life can get. That there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of the struggles they have had to endure and that mightily I continue to pray. Praying for peace, understanding, comfort and joy to be brought to their lives. Although the miles and the waters may separate us - I would like to think a bridge has been built - from - heart to heart.

What can you say or really do in such moments of adversity ? There are never enough right words to say that can ease the pain. There is nothing you can say or do when someone you love fights the good fight and only seems to lose the battle anyway, although not the war. We love, we lose - no matter how unnatural the order of things may seem. Some people come into our lives only for a moment, while others can be with us for years. I'd like to think that no one is ever really gone.That we are all Angels and some of us are just called home sooner than others.

In this life we are and can be taught so much by others, if only we open our hearts and minds. No matter the age - there is something to learn from everyone. A baby, someone's son or daughter, can teach us innocence and purity. With every breath they take they can breath so much life into a person. The innocence of a child teaches us that we can do and be anything if only we believe. The purity of a child brings us unmatched, unconditional love that remains forever in our hearts no matter how long they get to share those milestones with us. Without expecting anything in return, they give us joy and hope for the future. While the mature one teaches us courage, strength and perseverance. No matter their life struggles, they become fighters until the very end, teaching us that life and love are worth fighting for. Courageously they climb the highest of mountains - with no fear of falling and they persevere to the top, waving, loving, smiling all the way there.

So many have taught me so many things about life. I watch the faith of others and stand in awe. That they could face the most difficult time in their lives and still know that the God they love and serve is not a mean God. That the God they serve through it all loves them and is and will continue to bring them peace and comfort. That no matter their struggles there is HOPE. Something that many of us forget and all to often take for granted.There is a lot to be learned and said of someone's great faith and I continue to learn from them.

Today, it's my turn to give back because so much has been given to me.

The Caulk Family - Have taught me so much about love, faith and family. Through all of their struggles they never forget who they are. I love them all.

The Baker - Sodero Family - Their beautiful son taught me about innocence and how big things do come in such small packages. Love You Al and Desiree.

Sharon Young - Taught the true meaning of living life to the fullest and no matter what hand you are dealt, you still just live and love. RIP Dear one.

Joe Ferrara - Taught me what it means to be a great teacher - in life and in business. Thank You Joe, forever in our hearts.

Clint Miller and Family - This family has taught me courage. Courage to face things head on. To know that it's okay to be tired but never to be scared. Our thought and prayers are with you always.

So many, have taught me such beautiful things. I thank God for all of them and I thank God that I have had the chance to know them and love them.

So, I, we, sent balloons to Heaven. In honor of our friends and their loved ones who passed away because they are ALL special to me.

 

38 Random Acts of Kindness, it's my birthday present to myself : http://www.aserendipityworld.com/2011/11/38-random-acts-of-kindness.html


Special thanks for Midori Miller, Jeanette Neerpat, Vicky Wyman for joinging me in 38 Random Acts of Kindness. To my neighbor for helping me shoot my video, lending me the beer and allowing me to spew it all over her porch. You all ROCK !

See Jeannette here : http://browardcountyreview.com/2011/11/happy-thanksgiving-from-our-family-to-yours/

See Vickie here :  http://blog.allaccessre.com/2011/11/23/random-acts-of-kindness-pay-it-forward-day-two/

 

 

                                                                                

 

Melissa Grant
lissalgrant@yahoo.com
772-419-1369

 

 Virtual Office Assistant specializing in busy professionals who just need an extra hand. Real  Estate, General Office, Marketing and more.

                              " When Time is of the Essence "

                              

To make things just a bit EASIER!

If you are like me, I carry my camera everywhere. Pictures for my listings, pictures of the neighborhood, or like what I am also doing, LOTS of BPO's.

Here is the problem I run into several times maybe a week. I take my pictures and have to wait till I get to a computer to upload my pictures. I have run into problems where I forget my card reader for the camera card. Would have to run home to get the card or just wait till I got home. Which would slow me down, and if you are like me are always on the go. So having to stop to go back home to get it is no use to me.

EyeFiEyeFi

So my husband got me this great Christmas gift to make things just a bit easier for me. Its a wifi camera card called the EyeFi. Basically how it works, if you are near a wireless network and if your camera is on, it will automatically upload your pictures to where you have it assigned to. You can have it upload to your home computer or sites like FLickr. It is the coolest thing. I was at home and the computer was on, I had my son taking pictures around the house and you would see within seconds the picture uploading to the computer.

Now there are several cards to the EyeFi, there is a 2Gb card that only does pictures and there is a 4Gb card that does video and pictures. Now the video will upload as well with the 4Gb card not the 2Gb.

I had to share this with all of you. Just to make things just a bit easier for you as my husband did for me. Leave it up to him to find something like this. When he went to go buy it at Best Buy, they looked at him like he was crazy. But he managed to find it there.

Hope this helps you! Have a Great New Year everyone!

Jeannette Neerpat

Big Update - Want to Endorse Active Rain in the Shine A Light Contest?

Via Judy Jennings - Realtor® Serving Plymouth & Barnstable Counties (Cedrone and MacDonald Real Estate):
I had an email conversation with Bob Stewart and as a result, I have nominated Active Rain for the Shine A Light Contest! At first I did not believe that they would qualify, but Bob has assured me that they do! For all that Active Rain has done for us, perhaps we can help them earn some marketing dollars and a little extra exposure as a token of our appreciation.

If you do not know what I am talking about, click on the link Want to Turn Your 1,000 Active Rain Points into $3,000? We should at least qualify providing we have at least 50 members endorse the nomination. With over 158,000 members, we should be able to scrape up a minimum of 50 members. So, please click on the widget below at "endorse this story now."

Check out the prizes:
  • The businesses featured in the three (3) Finalists will each receive a $10,000 grant.
  • The business featured in one (1) Winner, chosen from among the three (3) Finalists, will receive $50,000 grant and $50,000 worth of marketing support.
  • The submitters of the three (3) Finalists will each receive an American Express Gift Card valued at $3,000.


I hope you will endorse
Active Rain




It would be great if Active Rain wins!

Meanwhile, I hope you are all still nominating your favorite business.

Let's show Amex & NBC Universal what a talented group of professionals belong to this community.

Good Luck Active Rain!

This is an ideal time to start your search and realize your dream of purchasing a home in Bourne, Duxbury, Kingston, Lakeville, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Pinehills, Wareham or Cape Cod - call me 508-947-2295, ext 210. I can help you find the property that best suits your individual needs.

For a list of properties for sale in Plymouth or Barnstable counties, please visit my website FocusedonRealEstate.com or contact me directly Judy Jennings - Realtor® Serving Plymouth & Barnstable Counties for a free consultation.

You can also click on the link below and sign up to receive property listings in Massachusetts immediately.

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Running out of Time.....

Time is Running outTime is running out.... I have been getting lots of calls from 1st Time Home buyers. You see now they are realizing that time is running short if they are going to use the $8,000 Tax Credit.

I got a call the other day from someone who found me from a blog post I wrote about the buyers seminar. She had the print out from here ActiveRain and one from Trulia. She told me that she really wants to buy now but didn't know what steps to take.

She thought I was going to do another seminar, but I did something better.. Met her one on one. We covered all the bases. She filled out what she was looking for and she signed the Buyer's Brokerage Agreement.

I gave her the number to the Mortgage broker to get her Qualified and as soon as we know what she qualifies for we will start her search..

So if you are looking to buy your first home, time is running short if you want to get your Tax Credit. You need to close on your home by December 1st.

 

Jeannette Neerpat
9000 Sheridan Street
Pembroke Pines, Fl 33024
www.BrowardCountyReview.com 

Would you like a Free Market Analysis? Visit www.Neerpat.com or call 954-667-7653(SOLD).

Why Do Some Real Estate Agents Short Change Buyers?

Via Midori Miller-Daytona Beach Florida Real Estate Trainer (CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty):

An agent works with a buyer for days...they get the buyer pre-qualifed for a loan and off they go in the car.  What is wrong with this picture? 

Why do some real estate agents short change buyers?

I say this because we take the time to sit with a seller...we prepare to meet with the seller..we provide a consultation..we have them sign documents before we market their property and then market the property. 

Too many times I hear agents who discuss buyer loyalty but when I ask questions this is what I get:

  • Did you sit with the buyer and explain the process?  Well I had them meet me in the office and off we went or they called on a particular house so I met them there!
  • Did you discuss the steps in buying a home?  No we just took off
  • Did you see their approval letter?  No they told me they were approved 
  • Did you prequalify them based on their wants and needs?  I know they are looking for a 2 bedroom home.

WOW, OK..lets think about this...think about the way you treat a real estate seller..do you believe in your heart a seller would list with you because they just called you..no you must show your value right?  Why not think along the same lines when working with a buyer

What if you were to spend some time getting to know the buyer's wants and needs. 

How about a true consultation..meaning taking the time to get all of your ducks in a row and their ducks in a row with the understanding of their wants and needs and they with the real estate buying process.

BUYERS DESERVE THAT AND MORE!

Many times if you are showing many many homes to one buyer there is a good chance you have no idea what they are looking for and sometimes neither do they.

How about having a buyer sign a buyer broker agreement for the homes you show..for for a day..month or 3 months?

Get to know your buyer and what their wants and needs are.  Protect yourself with a buyer broker agreement but more importantly take the time so that the buyer will feel good working with you!

About the Author:  Midori Miller is licensed in the State of Florida, BK645709 and currently hangs her real estate license with CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty Midori is also a real estate trainer and an Activerain Ambassador and specializes in short sales for Daytona Beach real estate sellers.  If you are in the market to buy or sell real estate in Daytona Beach, Florida..please contact us!

Hope you had a wonderful 4th of JULY~

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July. Here is a glispe of my evening spent at the Tamarac Sports Complex, which had a wonderful turn out since we didn't get rained out! It happens every year and this year it didn't. Cars were lined up on every street, dancing, face painting.

Here are 2 videos of our evening......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeannette Neerpat
9000 Sheridan Street
Pembroke Pines, Fl 33024
www.Neerpat.com

Would you like a Free Market Analysis? Visit www.Neerpat.com or call 954-993-4104.

What Would I Do If I Were Buying a Home Today?

Via Midori Miller-Daytona Beach Florida Real Estate Trainer (CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty):

How do I get started in purchasing a home? If I were personally look for a home today...I would do the following things before contacting a real estate professional:

Before I would pick up magazines and start looking at houses regardless of my income, my employment record regardless of how much cash I am working with..
I would not assume anything..because I know guidelines have changed..
First things first, I would contact a mortgage professional that I trust and would find out what I qualify for in order to buy a home. 
Because if I don't qualify..I'm not buying!
I would gather docs because I know you will need them...
I would start with the following items: 2 years tax returns, 3 months bank statements, 1 year's worth of rent checks.
I would let my employer know I are buying a house and to expect a letter or phone call of employment verification. It may hold true for a landlord as well so prepare to discuss this with your landlord.
If you are in a lease read through your lease agreement and your lease there may be a chance you can break your lease if you purchase a home. If it is not clearly stated in your documents go to your landlord or property manager and ask what are the consequences in breaking the lease now may be the time to buy a home but it may also prove it's not!

One thing I believe..you have a better chance in buying a home if you are prepared..if you do some homework in advance..and if you keep control in what is going on around you! Don't be the buyer who said they did it to me!

That means trust the professional you are working with, plan on cooperation and make sure and make good sound decisions...understand the documents...read the fine print but most of all pay attention to the numbers...after all its You and only you paying for that mortgage!

These are things I would certainly do!

SEARCH Property Listings       

It would be my pleasure to help you!

Midori Miller is a licensed real estate associate with CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty, Real Estate Trainer and Broker Associate. If you are interested in a career in real estate please contact me!  All calls and inquiries are confidential.  CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty is located in Volusia County with 2 office locations to better serve the public.  Daytona Beach and Ormond by the Sea.   midorimiller@yahoo.com (386) 453-3236

Remember MakeOver 2 TakeOver Contest?

Do you remember last summer the M2T contest? Where there were a bunch of teams of Appertence and Mentor? Well Midori and I were part of that contest and made it to the top 3. Brian and Desiree came in first and Missy and Kim came in second.

Well a year has gone by and a lot came from that contest. Friendship, business and of course we put in place business plans, pre listing packages, listing contracts and so on.

Till this day I still get comments on the pre - listing package Midori and I came up with and she is still ask for a copy of it. Well she called me the other day saying she got an email from someone who was looking to write about our Listing Checklist. So she called me and asked if I was ok with someone writing about it. I was more than ok I was flattered actually.

Someone from outside of AR took noticed of our work we put into this check list. I wasn't sure when the blog post was going to come out when I got a tweet today from @candylynn about getting organized with my name in it. Huh? organized what is she talking about. Well when I click on the link sure and behold there was the post. It blew me away, it was already up....

Can you believe a year has gone by? Wow times have changed!! I owe a lot to ActiveRain. I have gone so far in this business because of the site and I am so happy I found you by chance 2 years ago.

So a BIG THANK YOU!!!

Jeannette Neerpat
9000 Sheridan Street
Pembroke Pines, Fl 33024
www.Neerpat.com

Would you like a Free Market Analysis? Visit www.Neerpat.com or call 954-993-4104.

Florida is Set to help with Down Payments!

Florida is Set to help with Down Payments!

photo-tax-credit-big

The state is looking to help with the Down Payments assistance. Which helps you with the purchase of your First Home. How much better can this get. So now instead of having to wait for the tax credit, you can use it as a Down Payment.

So with an FHA loan on a $250,000 you need 3.5%, that means you need $8750. So if you get the $8,000 then you are looking at bringing $750.00, plus your closing cost.

So what the government is trying to do, is lend you the $8,000. You still file it on your tax return for next year. Then when you get the return you payback the state. So you are not using your out of pocket money. Makes sense to me.

This article is out of the Sun-Sentinel.

“Here in Florida, rather than qualified buyers waiting to get the tax credit on the tail end of the process, in the form of a credit after they have filed the tax returns, it will allow them to get it upfront and let them use it for down-payment assistance and fees,” said David Hart, vice president of legislative and government affairs for the Florida Home Builders Association. He estimated that about five states are taking a similar approach.

The state’s program takes effect Wednesday, though the money isn’t expected to be available until later in July or August. The funds are being distributed through local government and nonprofit agencies that already provide down-payment help through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership, known as SHIP. Qualified homebuyers are entitled to $8,000 or 10percent of the property’s purchase price, whichever is less.

18 months to repay

Buyers who receive a down payment must file for the tax credit on their federal tax return next year and then repay the agency that lent them the assistance, according to the program, which was proposed by state Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey. The program gives buyers who qualify and get funds 18 months in which to repay the state, which allows them plenty of time to realize the benefits of the tax credit, part of the federal government’s massive stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

To receive the state’s down-payment assistance, the buyer must close on a property by the end of November. Housing agencies are still working out the details of how to distribute the funds, and state officials caution that four or five months is a relatively short time in which to qualify, find a home, obtain a mortgage, close on the property — and use the money. Qualified buyers who do not take advantage of the state program may still take the federal tax credit, which is currently set to expire in December.

Jeannette Neerpat
9000 Sheridan Street
Pembroke Pines, Fl 33024
www.Neerpat.com

Would you like a Free Market Analysis? Visit www.Neerpat.com or call 954-993-4104.

Broward County Property Appraisars going to the Business!

So I was reading the paper today and came across an article that Broward County Property Appraisers are going to business that owe in back taxes. The county is looking to collect around $8 million in back taxes.

FORT LAUDERDALE - Tax collectors hit the streets Wednesday in a sweep of hundreds of business -- demanding they pay delinquent bills or have their equipment and furnishings sold at auction.

Customers were exercising at a downtown Fort Lauderdale gym when collection agents posted a lien for $9,900 in back taxes on its doors in the morning. Workers at a Quizno's sandwich shop on nearby Las Olas Boulevard were preparing for the midday rush when the agents arrived there moments later to tape a lien for $3,400 to its front door.

Broward County hopes to collect up to $8 million in past-due personal property taxes in the three-day push. Auctioneers are on standby to begin selling the property of any businesses that don't pay up within 30 days.

So now my question is, If the businesses pay up, and now the county has that money, will they still be layiing off the 400 plus teachers they plan to let go?

I mean come on $8 million dollars is alot of money!!!

FORT LAUDERDALE - The Broward School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to lay off almost 400 teachers, despite pleas from more than 150 parents, teachers and students -- mostly from West Broward High School -- to keep them in their jobs.

Board members said they had little choice but to lay off the teachers, citing three years of state budget cuts and declining student enrollment. And they were angry, urging the audience to call and write state leaders to protest.

This is the first time in more than two decades that the Broward School District has laid off teachers, though officials said they hoped all the teachers would be back at work with the district by Aug. 24, the first day of school.

Both of these articles are in todays paper. We have 2 different things going on. I hope that the county looks to see if they can hold on to these teachers. I really don't want to see my kids in bigger class rooms and not get the proper teachings they need. To many students in each class takes away from individual times with the teacher.

I am not trying to be selfish in anyway, but I am looking for the best option for my kids!

Am I wrong? I don't think so, but you chime in and tell me if you have a better idea. Not like the government will listen to us. But you never know!

Jeannette Neerpat
9000 Sheridan Street
Pembroke Pines, Fl 33024
www.Neerpat.com

Would you like a Free Market Analysis? Visit www.Neerpat.com or call 954-993-4104.