The Difference An Hour Can Make in Real Estate...

It's time to set the clocks back an hour.  An Hour can make a big difference in the Real Estate World!  We found these statistics surprising, Waiting to buy a home may cost you if the prices goes up every hour.

Every Hour in the US Housing Market: 

• 634 Homes Sell
• 347 Homes Regain Positive Equity
• Median Home Values Go Up $1.46

Are you ready to be one of the 634 Homes that sell every hour in the U.S.?  Contact The J Team Fort Lauderdale and we will help you sell your home!

Find out the Current Value of your Fort Lauderdale home at http://Sell.JTeamFL.com

10 Ways to Prepare your Home to Sell

Being in real estate several years, we can't express the importance of getting your home ready to sell.  My team has never sold a home that was dirty, lacked curb appeal or had chipped paint and scuff marks everywhere.  Here are some simple ways to keep your home looking fresh, inviting and will help you sell quickly.

1. Curb Appeal - This is the #1 thing you should instantly look at updating.  If your home is not inviting NO ONE will see the inside!  They may just drive by and never give your home a chancel.
      - Give the front door a fresh coat of paint, maybe a pop of Color
      - Powerwash the front walk ways, driveways etc. You can rent these at Lowes/Home Depot
      - Add Mulch to the gardens and near the trees, weed the gardens and trim the bushes!

2. Remove your personal Photos, even of pets!  These are distractions to buyers and they will see the house as being yours still.  By putting neutral artwork or Scenic artwork, Buyers will start seeing themselves living in your home.  We've seen it happen when personal photos are up the showings usually last a few minutes, when the home is nice and neutral the buyers tend to stay in the home longer and keep imagining their life and are more likely to put in an offer.

3. Rent a Storage Container or Storage Space: Start packing up items you don't need now.  Less is more is a great rule to ALWAYS follow when selling your home.  Closets overflowing with items, Garage so full of stuff you can't park a car.  All items that will turn off buyers.  Start packing items up for your move, holiday decorations you don't need, Seasonal Clothing making your closets look small.  Pack it up, store it safely and have your home show the best it can.

4. Touch Up Paint - Go around your home, Scuff marks on the walls, doors and trim are noticed.  While minor to fix and clean, buyers see this as a red flag that the house is not cared for and start getting worried something else is wrong with the house.  Don't give the impression your home wasn't cared for.  Go room by room with your can of paint and touch up any marks, dings and patch cracks.  Buyers are more impressed walking through a home not seeing any marks and will feel that the home is well taken care of and a great deal.

5. Remove Clutter - Yes, a word you've heard forever thanks to HGTV.  However, its one of the simplest ways to stage and sell a home.  Make sure shelves and closets are clean, clear and staged.  Buyers will open EVERYTHING; such as kitchen cabinets, closets, bathroom cabinets, closets you name it they will open it.  Don't do the minimum, go through every room and get an outside opinion.  Our version of clutter doesn't mean the same as everyone's.  Clutter hides the best features of the home and distracts potential buyers from wanting to buy your home.  We've had clients walk out just because the house was messy, no joke they will leave an cluttered home.

6. Clean the Windows.  Your kids and pets may love to look out windows and the hand prints or nose prints are cute.  This distracts buyers from seeing out of the window.  Once they see fingerprints on the window they no longer can see the beautiful backyard or the pool.  Every window, mirror and glass surface...this includes the Microwave, Stove and fridge.  Make everything clean and looking like new.  Buy the Windex attachment for your garden hose and clean the outside of the windows as well.  An hour or two of hard labor on the windows will earn you $$$ at closing and help your home sell faster.

7.  Stage the Rooms for their intended purpose.  We mean turn the dining room back into a dining room and not keep it as an office.  If its a bedroom, it should have a bed in it.  Even if it's a playroom.  We've sold many homes with a simple air-mattress in an office with a desk because Buyers knew the room was a bedroom.  Sounds simple, but once you start selling your home you need to stop thinking of it as your house.  You need to think of it as a commodity to sell, and how do items sell?  By having them staged and shown in the best light.

8. Have the A/C & Heater serviced and vents cleaned.  You'd be surprised how many times we will walk into a home and find strange odors due to ventilation system.  Open up the Air Handler closet and find dust pouring out of the Filter.  Many buyers have sensitive allergies and while you may not notice an odor or smell, they will.  We've walked in a home and had a client just walk out because she couldn't stand the smell.  The A/C & Heater are big ticket items and having them serviced before you sell your home will make sure they are in proper working order, which is no surprises at the inspection.  These items cost money and buyers are always fearful of a bad system.

9. Professionally Clean Floors - Most of us have steam cleaners and clean our floors regularly.  When it's time to sell your home spend a little money upfront to either replace/repair bad flooring and have it professionally cleaned.  They have ways to getting old carpet and tile to look new again, ways to add stainguard and sealant to old floors to make them look new.  Just a side note, if your carpet is a funky color like Burgundy or Dark Green...Just replace the carpet now with a Neutral.  Grey is the neutral of choice and tan works as well.  If you aren't sure what color consult a carpet expert and let them know your selling your home and need it to appeal to the masses.  Once floors are professionally cleaned, have all shoes taken off at the door including for showings.  Keep it looking new!

10.  Let the light in!  You may enjoy a dark home, with low wattage bulbs.  Potential Buyers respond better to homes that have the curtains and blinds open, letting in natural light.  Make sure you use energy efficient light bulbs and go for higher wattage.  If your home is naturally dark, consider the light bulbs that are in the Cool white colors instead of the standard yellow warm.


We hope you found these tips helpful, these 10 items are just a small fraction of all the things you should do to stage your home and prepare it to sell.  If you are serious about selling your home contact The J Team Fort Lauderdale at 954-235-3589.  We will help you navigate through the challenge of selling your home and help you prepare your home to sell and earn top dollar in the least amount of time.

Find out what your home is worth at http://Sell.JTeamFL.com

Why You Should Hire A Professional When Buying A Home!

Many people wonder whether they should hire a real estate professional to assist them in buying their dream home or if they should first try to go it on their own. In today’s market: you need an experienced professional!

You Need an Expert Guide if you are Traveling a Dangerous Path

The field of real estate is loaded with land mines. You need a true expert to guide you through the dangerous pitfalls that currently exist. Finding a home that is priced appropriately and ready for you to move in to can be tricky. An agent listens to your wants and needs, and can sift out the homes that do not fit within the parameters of your “dream home”.

A great agent will also have relationships with mortgage professionals and other experts that you will need in securing your dream home.

You Need a Skilled Negotiator

In today’s market, hiring a talented negotiator could save you thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of dollars. Each step of the way – from the original offer, to the possible renegotiation of that offer after a home inspection, to the possible cancellation of the deal based on a troubled appraisal – you need someone who can keep the deal together until it closes.

Realize that when an agent is negotiating their commission with you, they are negotiating their own salary; the salary that keeps a roof over their family’s head; the salary that puts food on their family’s table. If they are quick to take less when negotiating for themselves and their families, what makes you think they will not act the same way when negotiating for you and your family?

If they were Clark Kent when negotiating with you, they will not turn into Superman when negotiating with the buyer or seller in your deal.

Bottom Line

Famous sayings become famous because they are true. You get what you pay for. Just like a good accountant or a good attorney, a good agent will save you money…not cost you money.  

The J Team is dedicated to being the best professionals we can, focused on customer service and being a superhero in the deal for you.  Contact The J Team Fort Lauderdale today at 954-235-3589 and schedule your Real Estate consultation, let us help and save you money!

Search for Fort Lauderdale Homes for sale online instantly at http://JTeamFL.com

Buying A Home Can Be SCARY… Until You Know The FACTS!

Buying a home Can be SCARY....Until you know the FACTS!  Don't be scared about the home buying process...The J Team Fort Lauderdale is here to help you navigate through the system.

Some Highlights:

• 36% of Americans think they need a 20% down payment to buy a home. 44% of Millennials who purchased a home this year have put down less than 10%.
• 71% of loan applications were approved last month
• The average credit score of approved loans was 723 in September (the lowest recorded score since Ellie Mae began tracking in August 2011).

The J Team Fort Lauderdale is committed to helping everyone achieve homeownership.  We take a consultative approach to Real Estate.  We can sit down with you and work with you to help you achieve your goal of buying a home.  Schedule your appointment today 954-235-3589.

Search Fort Lauderdale Homes online at http://JTeamFL.com

Here Come the Millennial Homebuyers!!

Many have been wondering when the much anticipated move by Millennials’ into homeownership would actually take place. We know the belief in owning a home is there.

According to a recent Merrill Lynch study, eighty one percent of Millennials believe“homeownership is an important part of the American Dream”. This compares favorably to previous generations.

The obstacle seemed to be employment. It appears that is about to change.

The most recent jobs report disappointed many economists. However, the silver lining in that cloud of doubt was Millennials. Jonathan Smoke, realtor.com Chief Economist,reported:

“About 33% of civilian jobs created over the last 12 months have been for the young adults who are most likely to buy their first home. This should help support continued growth in the share of homes purchased by first time buyers, as economic success has been influencing older Millennials to jump into the housing market this year.”

Selma Hepp, chief economist at Trulia, concurred:

“The faster rate of job growth among Millennials will continue to bolster both the rental and for-sale housing markets for an extended period of time.”

It appears that Millennials will be entering the housing market in great numbers in the very near future.

Being a fellow Millennial, feel free to Text The J Team Fort Lauderdale at 954-235-3589 and schedule a home buyers consultation.

Family Wealth Grows as Home Equity Builds

With residential real estate values rising quite substantially in most parts of the country over the last few years, many homeowners are seeing a major increase in their family’s wealth as equity continues to build in their house.

A recent study by the Joint Center of Housing Studies at Harvard University revealed that home equity grew nicely last year and has grown dramatically over the last five years…

Buyers looking today may not see the same build-up in equity but could still do quite well.

Let’s assume you went into contract in the next six weeks and closed on a $250,000 home in January. If we take the house value projections from the last Home Price Expectation Survey, here is how your equity would grow over the next four years:

Bottom Line

Homeownership has historically been a great way for the average American family to build wealth over time.

Contact The J Team Fort Lauderdale to schedule your Homebuyers consultation today! 954-235-3589

Search Fort Lauderdale Homes for Sale at http://JTeamFL.com

Buying a Home Remains 35% Less Expensive than Renting!

In the latest Rent vs. Buy Report from Trulia, they explained that homeownership remains cheaper than renting with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage throughout the 100 largest metro areas in the United States.

The updated numbers actually show that the range is from an average of 16% in Honolulu (HI), all the way to 55% in Sarasota (FL), and 35% Nationwide!

The other interesting findings in the report include:

• Interest rates have remained low and even though home prices have appreciated around the country, they haven’t greatly outpaced rental appreciation. “In the past year, these two trends have made homeownership even more affordable compared with renting.”
• Some markets might tip in favor of renting if home prices increase at a greater rate than rents and if – as most economists expect – mortgage rates rise, due to the strengthening economy.
• Nationally, rates would have to rise to 10.6% for renting to be cheaper than buying – and rates haven’t been that high since 1989.  

Bottom Line

Buying a home makes sense socially and financially. Rents are predicted to increase substantially in the next year, lock in your housing cost with a mortgage payment now.

Don't get stuck in the Renter's Trap!  Contact The J Team Fort Lauderdale and let us help you come up with a plan to buy a home now!  954-235-3589, there are many solutions to problems holding you back from buying like Credit Issues and Student Loan Debt holding you back.  We have an amazing Solution Center with the Krasker Law Firm, they can help in almost every state!

Do You Really Think Your Landlord Pays for Repairs?

A recent article that appeared on Nasdaq.com addressed the issue of whether it is best to buy or rent in today’s real estate environment. The article was very fair in discussing both options.

However, there was one portion of the article that we questioned. One of the experts was quoted as saying:

“For some people, the choice is very clear: Buying a home can be more costly, given the cost of the purchase itself, plus taxes and insurance, plus maintenance and repairs.”

This argument is often made in defense of renting. However, we don’t believe it makes logical sense. They claim that, as a renter, you won’t have the expenses of “taxes and insurance, plus maintenance and repairs”. Do they really believe that the landlord pays all those expenses for their tenants?

The vast majority of landlords own rentable real estate as a form of investment. As any other investor would, they expect to make a return on that investment (ROI) - otherwise known as profit. In order to make a profit, the landlord needs to include EVERY expense they incur into the rent…AND THEN ADD A PROFIT MARGIN!!

We think it is incorrect to advise a prospective renter that they won’t have the same expenses that a homeowner would have. They just pay those expenses to a landlord with a “premium” built in.

Rent prices will continue to surge the next several years..

Stop paying a premium for repairs and earning someone else money.  Make the investment in Real Estate.  Contact The J Team Fort Lauderdale at 954-235-3589 today and schedule your FREE homebuyers consultation.

Find Fort Lauderdale homes for sale online at http://JTeamFL.com

New Construction Home Sales Surge...

According to the latest report from the US Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, newly constructed home sales jumped 5.7% month-over-month and 21.6% year-over-year to an annual pace of 552,000.

Many buyers are looking to the new homes market to make up for the lack of existing home sales inventory. National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist David Crowe explains:

"Today's report indicates the release of pent-up housing demand as the overall economy strengthens, consumer confidence grows and mortgage interest rates remain low. The housing market should continue to move forward at a modest but more persistent pace throughout the rest of 2015."

Regionally, the Northeast led the way with a 24.1% increase in new home sales, followed by the South (7.4%) and West (5.4%). Sales in the Midwest declined by 9.1%.

The inventory of new homes for sale currently sits at a 4.7-month supply down slightly from July (4.9) and significantly from August 2014 (5.4).

Buyers who purchased a new home were willing to spend more to get the amenities that they wanted. The median home price for new homes was $64,000 higher thanexisting homes in August at $292,700!

Approved applications for building permits increased 3.5% over July and 12.5% over this time last year. Permit applications are seen as a strong indicator of builder confidence in the market.

Bottom Line

Buyer demand continues to outpace inventory of homes for sale. If you are thinking of selling your house this year, now may be the time to list before builders have a chance to replenish the supply of new homes.  Fort Lauderdale Florid and all of Southeast Florida has a large Surge of New Construction!  It's a great opportunity to buy a new home.  Contact The J Team Fort Lauderdale today at 954-235-3589 and let us help you get into a new home...

4 Reasons to Buy BEFORE Winter Hits...

It's that time of year; the seasons are changing and with them bring thoughts of the upcoming holidays, family get-togethers, and planning for a new year. Those who are on the fence about whether now is the right time to buy don't have to look much farther to find four great reasons to consider buying a home now, instead of waiting.

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise

The Home Price Expectation Survey polls a distinguished panel of over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts. Their most recent report released recently projects appreciation in home values over the next five years to be between 10.5% (most pessimistic) and 25.5% (most optimistic).

The bottom in home prices has come and gone. Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.

2. Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase

Although Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have softened recently, most experts predict that they will begin to rise later this year. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison projecting that rates will be up almost a full percentage point by the end of next year.

An increase in rates will impact YOUR monthly mortgage payment. Your housing expense will be more a year from now if a mortgage is necessary to purchase your next home.

3. Either Way You are Paying a Mortgage

As a recent paper from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University explains:

“Households must consume housing whether they own or rent. Not even accounting for more favorable tax treatment of owning, homeowners pay debt service to pay down their own principal while households that rent pay down the principal of a landlord plus a rate of return. That’s yet another reason owning often does—as Americans intuit—end up making more financial sense than renting.”

4. It’s Time to Move On with Your Life

The ‘cost’ of a home is determined by two major components: the price of the home and the current mortgage rate. It appears that both are on the rise.

But, what if they weren’t? Would you wait?

Look at the actual reason you are buying and decide whether it is worth waiting. Whether you want to have a great place for your children to grow up, you want your family to be safer or you just want to have control over renovations, maybe it is time to buy.

Bottom Line

If the right thing for you and your family is to purchase a home this year, buying sooner rather than later could lead to substantial savings.

Contact The J Team Fort Lauderdale at 954-235-3589 and schedule your home buyers consultation in person or over the phone.  Let us help you understand the local Fort Lauderdale Real Estate market and come up with a plan to purchase a home sooner rather than later.

Pending Home Sales Remain Steady

The National Association of REALTORS’ just released the results of their latest Pending Home Sales Index, which showed a small 1.4% decline in signed contracts in August. Pending sales remain strong year-over-year as they were 6.1% higher than August ’14 and have now risen for 12 consecutive months. 

What is the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)?

NAR’s PHSI is “a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings”. The higher the Pending Home Sales Index number, the more contracts have been signed by buyers that will soon translate to sales.

In every major region of the country, pending sales are up year-over-year as shown by the graph below:

What does this mean for the market?

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for NAR explained:

"Pending sales have leveled off since mid–summer, with buyers being bounded by rising prices and few available and affordable properties within their budget."

There is no need to worry

Yun went on to say, “Even with existing–housing supply barely budging all summer and no relief coming from new construction, contract activity is still higher than earlier this year and a year ago."

So What Does This Mean To Buyers?

There is a lot of competition out there right now for your dream home. Prices are going to continue to climb, act now before you are priced out of your future home. 

What Does This Mean to Sellers?

If you are on the fence about listing your home for sale and debating whether now is the time to move on with your plans of relocating… don't wait!

There are more buyers that are ready, willing and able to buy their first, second, third, vacation, or investment property now than there has been in years! The supply of homes for sale is not keeping up with the demand of these buyers.

Listing your home for sale now will give you the most exposure to buyers and the best sales price. 

Bottom Line

Whether you are planning on buying or selling a house this year, waiting to act no longer makes sense.  Contact The J Team Fort Lauderdale today at 954-235-3589 and schedule your Real Estate consultation.  Whether you are looking to buy, sell or invest in properties we can help!

Search Fort Lauderdale Homes for Sale now at http://JTeamFL.com

Home Equity: You May Have More Than You Think

CoreLogic recently released their 2015 2nd Quarter Equity Report which revealed that 759,000 properties had regained equity in the last quarter. That means that 91% of all mortgaged properties (approximately 45.9 million) are now in a positive equity position. Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic, reported:

“For much of the country, the negative equity epidemic is lifting. The biggest reason for this improvement has been the relentless rise in home prices over the past three years which reflects increasing money flows into housing and a lack of housing stock in many markets.”

Obviously, this is great news for the financial situation of many homeowners.

But, do they realize their equity position has changed?

A recent study by Fannie Mae suggests that many homeowners are unaware that their equity position has changed…in some cases dramatically. For example, their study showed that 23% of Americans still believe their home is in a negative equity position when, in actuality, only 9% of homes are in that position.

The study also revealed that, though 69% of homes had “significant equity” (greater than 20%), only 37% of Americans realize it.

This means that 32% of Americans with a mortgage fail to realize the opportune situation they are in. With a sizeable equity position, many homeowners could easily move into a housing situation that better meets their current needs (moving to a larger home or downsizing).

Fannie Mae spoke out on this issue in their report:

“Homeowners who underestimate their homes’ values not only underestimate their home equity, they also likely underestimate 1) how large a down payment they could make with their home equity, 2) their chances of qualifying for mortgages, and, therefore, 3) their opportunities for selling their current homes and for buying different homes.”

Bottom Line

Every homeowner should be aware of the true equity in their house and also realize the opportunities that go along with it. If you are unsure of the savings you currently have built up in your home, contact a real estate professional to help ascertain that number. You may be surprised.

Contact The J Team Fort Lauderdale and find out what your Home is worth in Today's Market!  954-235-3589.  Real Estate goes on a Cycle and we are going to head towards another Crash...No one knows the exact date or when it will happen, just that it is coming.  Find out the value NOW while interest rates are still low and you can still get TOP $$$, don't wait and regret it later.  

Find out what your home is worth at http://Sell.JTeamFL.com, I've got agents all over the world who will be happy to help you understand what your home is worth!