Now is the Time to Invest in Real Estate in Sebring, Avon Park & Lake Placid

I just finished two full days at the Allen Hainge Cyber Star Summit in Orlando, July 21-22.  My head is on overload with all the great ideas, latest tech tools, and best marketing ideas for selling real estate.  Some of the top selling agents from around the country attended this event.  Along with all these good tips and talk about the negative media on foreclosures, short sales, high gas prices etc., one of the points agents from around the country kept making is there are great deals just waiting for buyer!  The stock market may be bad.  But now is the best time to invest in real estate for those with money to invest.  Pick up good properties at rock bottom prices.  Invest in your future.

To find out the best deals in Avon Park, Sebring and Lake Placid, give the Cool Team of Maureen and Carl Cool a call today at 863 873-7243 or 1-888-243-2665.  We will be happy to provide a free list of foreclosures and short sales in the Highlands County area by email.   You can request this by emailing me at maureen@ACoolRealtor.com.

June 1 – July 15, 2008 Real Estate Update: Sebring, Avon Park & Lake Placid

June 1 – July 15, 2008  Real estate sales in Highlands County are down a little, but this tends to happen during the summer.  Our real season is January through March with summer being the slowest.  The greatest amount of sales are short sales or bank forclosures.  There are some really good deals out there.  I just saw a home go into the MLS close to Florida Hospital that is a foreclosure for $69,900.  It is a four bedroom home (the garage was converted to the fourth bedroom).  For an investor or first time home buyer, this is a steal.  RE/MAX continues to lead our county with number of sales.  I am fortunate enough to continue being one of the top selling agents in Highlands County.  Finding good buyers to qualify continues to be an issue.  But, the buyers are there!
 
This is the recap of activity for the past six weeks June 1 – July 15, 2008 in Highlands County.
 
Single Family Homes
 
Currently Listed                      1,578
Contingent or Pending             116
Sold   6/1 – 7/15                     77
       Sebring                           42
        Avon Park                      11
        Lake Placid                     23
 
Condos, Villas, Duplex
 
Active                                   357
Contingent or Pending            15
Sold                                     9
 
Mobile Homes – Owned Land

Active                                    134
Contingent or Pending             9
Sold                                      7
 
The majority of the sales were under $125,000, 15 sales were over $250,000 and 5 sales were over $400,000.  The houses that are price to sell are selling.   With all the media about short sales and foreclosure sometimes really good deal of great homes that are in the best condition are missed.  Work with an experienced agent…Call Maureen Cool to find the best deals.  Maureen keeps up with listing daily and knows what is new on the market that is prices right.  Let Maureen help you find your next home.  Now is the time to buy!.  Let the next great deal be yours!  Call Maureen Cool today at 863- 873-7243.

Residential Interest Rates for the Week of July 14th

Heartland National Bank Residential Loans

July 14th, 2008

 

Owner Occupied                                                         Investment Property (1-4 family)
 
30 year fixed    6.375%                                                    30 year fixed    6.875%
 
15 year fixed    6.000%                                                    15 year fixed    6.625%

 
•        Free prequalification
 
•        Loan approvals within 24 hours
 
•        Underwriting decisions are made locally
 
•        Stress-free, hassle-free, in-house loan process from application through closing
 
•        Fixed, Adjustable and Bridge loan products
 
•        Up to 100% financing on primary purchases
 
•        Current rate, terms and closing cost estimate provided same day
 

Contact Information

          
Residential Loans
               
Melissa Rego                           mrego@heartlandnb.com

Steve Scheck                            sscheck@heartlandnb.com
         
Commercial Real Estate Loans
           
William Allbritton                      wallbritton@heartlandnb.com  
           
Jim Belflower                            jbelflower@heartlandnb.com 
                      

320 U.S. Highway 27 North, Sebring, Florida 33870   (863) 386-1300 Fax (863) 386-1302
www.heartlandnb.com

April-May 2008 Real Estate Update Sebring, Avon Park & Lake Placid

This is what is happening in the real estate market in Highlands County for the months of April and May 2008.  Homes are selling, but again it is the lower priced homes under $175,000.  RE/MAX Realty Plus continues to out sell everyone else in Highlands County at more than 2 to 1.  RE/MAX continues to dominate the market which is good news for those listed with us!    The inventory for homes on the market is still at an all time high.  Homes need to be priced correctly and in the best possible condition to compete in this market.
 
This is a quick look at what has happened over the past two months.
 
Single Family Homes April 1 – May 31
 
Currently Listed                       1,659
Contingent or Pending              140
Closings for April & May           151
Sebring                                   75
Avon Park                               24
Lake Placid                             44
 
Condos, Villas, Duplex
 
Currently Listed                       356
Contingent or Pending              11
Closings for April & May            23  
 
Mobile Homes – Owned Land 
 
Currently Listed                         163
Contingent or Pending                13
Closed April & May                     22

Residential Interest Rates for the Week of June 2nd

Heartland National Bank Residential Loans

June 2, 2008

 

Owner Occupied                                                         Investment Property (1-4 family)
 
30 year fixed    6.125%                                                    30 year fixed    6.875%
 
15 year fixed    5.875%                                                    15 year fixed    6.5%

 
•        Free prequalification
 
•        Loan approvals within 24 hours
 
•        Underwriting decisions are made locally
 
•        Stress-free, hassle-free, in-house loan process from application through closing
 
•        Fixed, Adjustable and Bridge loan products
 
•        Up to 100% financing on primary purchases
 
•        Current rate, terms and closing cost estimate provided same day
 

Contact Information

          
Residential Loans
               
Melissa Rego                           mrego@heartlandnb.com

Steve Scheck                            sscheck@heartlandnb.com
         
Commercial Real Estate Loans
           
William Allbritton                      wallbritton@heartlandnb.com  
           
Jim Belflower                            jbelflower@heartlandnb.com 
                      

320 U.S. Highway 27 North, Sebring, Florida 33870   (863) 386-1300 Fax (863) 386-1302
www.heartlandnb.com

Residential Interest Rates for the Week of May 27th

Heartland National Bank Residential Loans

May 27, 2008

 

Owner Occupied                                                         Investment Property (1-4 family)
 
30 year fixed    6.125%                                                    30 year fixed    6.75%
 
15 year fixed    5.625%                                                    15 year fixed    6.375%

 
•        Free prequalification
 
•        Loan approvals within 24 hours
 
•        Underwriting decisions are made locally
 
•        Stress-free, hassle-free, in-house loan process from application through closing
 
•        Fixed, Adjustable and Bridge loan products
 
•        Up to 100% financing on primary purchases
 
•        Current rate, terms and closing cost estimate provided same day
 

Contact Information

           
 Residential Loans
                   
 Melissa Rego                           mrego@heartlandnb.com
                   
 Steve Scheck                           sscheck@heartlandnb.com

           
Commercial Real Estate Loans
               
 William Allbritton                      wallbritton@heartlandnb.com  
               
 Jim Belflower                            jbelflower@heartlandnb.com 
                       
 
320 U.S. Highway 27 North, Sebring, Florida 33870   (863) 386-1300 Fax (863) 386-1302
 
www.heartlandnb.com

March 2008 Real Estate Update: Sebring, Avon Park & Lake Placid

March 2008 turned out to be a great month for real estate sales in Highlands County.  RE/MAX in Highlands County has 23% of the market share with the next closest office at 6.5%.  As my son would say “RE/MAX Rules!”   In Highlands County, RE/MAX has closed 287 transactions YTD and continues to out sell the next closest office two to one.  I think most will agree this is very impressive especially since we have fewer agents!

This is a recap of what is active on the market and what  has sold during March 2008 for residential sales.

Single Family Homes

Currently Listed               1,676

Contingent or Pending      150

March Closings                71

       Sebring                    37

       Avon Park                12

       Lake Placid               13

Condos, Villas, Duplex

Active                            364

Contingent or Pending      12

March Closings                14

Mobile Homes – Owned Land

Active                             141

Contingent or Pending      22

Closed March                  15

The majority of the sales were under $150,000 and only six sales were over $250,000.  The houses that are price to sell are selling.  I heard on agent descript the market as a beauty contest.  The homes in the best condition, correctly priced win the sale.  A home than needs work — painting, cleaning, new carpet, yard work cannot compete.  It will be Maureen Cool’s pleasure to show you the best of the best for sale in Highlands County.  Let the next great deal be yours!  Call Maureen Cool today at 863 873-7243.

February 2008 Real Estate Update for Highlands County – Avon Park, Sebring and Lake Placid

February has been a good month for my business in Highlands County.  This month I had six of my listings go under contract and sale pended one home that was not my listing.  The prices ranged from $35,000 for a mobile home to $230,000 for a 5 bedroom, 4 bath home, and new construction home.  This was an incredible deal!  I have seen a great increase in internet inquiries on homes on my web sites.  The buyers are here!
 
As of today, there are 2,134 Residential Homes for sale in Highlands County.  Of these homes, 176 or 8 % of the inventory are currently under contract.  This is up from 6% in January.   Residential homes that closed or sold this month are 62 or 3% of the inventory – up from 2% last month.
 
The number of condominiums, townhouses, villas and duplexes for sale has increased from 324 to 369.  Of this number 18 or 5% of the inventory are under contract and only 6 or 2% have closed or sold in February, a decrease from last month.
 
The sale of mobile homes on owned land has increased.  Currently there are 155 mobile homes on the market with 22 or 14% of the inventory under contract and 12 have closed or sold for 8% of the inventory.  Many of the winter visitors decide to get into the second home market with the purchase of a mobile home.
 
RE/MAX Realty Plus continues to lead with the number of closed transactions in Highlands County and out sells the competition two to one for the first two months of 2008.
 
So remember, if you are a buyer, there is no better time than now to purchase a home.  Whether you are looking to upsize or downsize your current home, or are looking for a good investment opportunity, the best deals are now.  Take advantage of this fantastic buyer’s market.  It will be a pleasure for Maureen to show you the unbelievable opportunities that are available and waiting for you.
 
If you are planning to put your home on the market, contact Maureen today.  Maureen will help properly price your home so your home will bring top dollar in the least amount of time on the market.  The best homes that are property priced and professionally marketed sell in the least amount of time.   Visit Maureen’s web site today at www.ACoolRealtor.com or www.MaureenCool.com to find out why Maureen Cool leads Highlands County in internet marketing.

Real Estate Market Report for January 2008 – Highlands County, Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid

Can you believe January has come and gone?  The real estate market is still slow in January 2008 for Highlands County.  But, hopefully with the passing of Amendment 1 dealing with property taxes in Florida (more about what this means to you as a buyer or seller in a future blog) and the Fed announcing their 50 basis point reduction in their key rate, buyers will get off the fence and start purchasing.  I have shown many homes this past month with negative results.  The main comment I hear is, “I am waiting and want to see EVERYTHING to make sure I am not paying too much or the market is not going to go lower” – (and when I say EVERYTHING, I mean everything).  Sometimes it is hard to keep a smile on my face!  What the buyer does not realize is, the only way to know the market has bottomed is when it starts to go back up and they missed the really good deal that they were afraid they might be paying too much!

This is a quick snap shot of statistics for Highlands County which includes Avon Park, Sebring, and Lake Placid for January 2008…..while the stats do not look too good, February is looking a little more promising for pending sales.  Realtors are reporting significant inquiries, showing activity, and contracts written.
 
Total Residential Homes for sale (includes single family, villas, condos, mobile homes on owned land) is 2,121.  Out of this only 47 residential homes sold which is only 2% of the current number inventory for sale.  Currently 146 or 6.8% are under contract.  The majority of these will close in this month and some out as far as August of 2008.  As we all know under contract doesn’t mean sold.  Some of these will fall through before closing.  The average sales price for homes sold in January was $157,484.  The good news is more offers are being made and accepted!
 
Single Family Home category currently 1,614 homes listed for sale.  In January, 31 homes closed for less than 2% of the market.  The number of single family homes currently under contract is 132 or 8% of the inventory.  The average sales price for single family homes in January was $177,585.
 
Condominium, townhouse, villa, or duplex category currently has 324 active listings.  Out of this number only 7 sold in January for 2% of the inventory.  Currently there are 13 under contract for 4% of the current inventory.  The average sales price in January was $112,000.
 
Mobile Homes on Owned Land currently has 136 active listings.  Out of this 7 have sold for 5% of the inventory.  Currently 17 are under contract for 12% of the inventory.  Average sales price does not work in this category because prices range from $25,000 in a mobile home park to $450,000 with a small mobile home on 30 acres.
 
So as you can see, the great news is buyers are looking and making offers. Historically, February had proven to be one of our strongest months for winter visitors and second home buyer.  If your home is going to be included in the SOLD or Under Contract category, your home needs to be the best value for the dollar and in the best possible condition.   You want all potential buyers to call you home, “Home” when they step out of the car and walk in the front door.

If you are thinking about selling your home, Call or contact Maureen Cool today.  Let Maureen explain her marketing plan and how your home will be in the sold category.

*Statistics taken from the Highlands County MLS as of February 2, 2008.