Claudio The Realtor now with United Realty Group

Reach us at 954-260-5570

Moving up? Do It Now!!

Justin Miller with Primary Residential Mortgage shared this great information with us. This is a great article from KCMBlog.com that  demonstrates how important these low rates are if you have any current or past clients that are looking to move up into a bigger home anytime soon.  I hope you find it informative. 

 

A recent study revealed that the number of existing home owners planning to buy a home this year is about to increase dramatically. Some are moving up, some are downsizing and others are making a lateral move. Another study shows that over 75% of these buyers will, in fact, be in that first category: a move-up buyer. We want to address this group of buyers in today’s blog post.

                                            

There is no way for us to predict the future but we can look at what happened over the last year. Let’s look at buyers that considered moving up last year but decided to wait instead. 

Assume they had a home worth $300,000 and were looking at a home for $400,000 (putting 10% down they would get a mortgage of $360,000). By waiting, their house appreciated by 13.8% over the last year (national average based on the Case Shiller Pricing Index). Their home would now be worth $341,400. But, the $400,000 home would now be worth $455,200 (requiring a mortgage of $409,680). 

Here is a table showing what additional monthly cost would be incurred by waiting:

 Prices are projected to appreciate by over 4% and interest rates are also expected to rise by as much as another full percentage point. If your family plans to move-up to a nicer or bigger home this year, it may make sense to move now rather than later.

So If you friends or family are ready to make a move, give us a call to help you find that new home, hook you up with a great lender and make the transition as smooth and pleasurable as possible. Call the team that helped 50 families buy and sell their homes last year. Experience that serves you well!

Robyn and Claudio Petasne Real Estate Team 954-770-6850       www.ClaudioPetasne.com

Top Producer 2013!

Thanks to all our friends and customers who made our year so successful. Together we helped 50 families buy and sell their homes.
If you know someone who needs a great team of Realtors refer us with confidence that we will take great care of them.

Get the Family to Pitch In: A Mom’s Advice on Chores

Get the Family to Pitch In: A Mom’s Advice on Chores

Foster teamwork and a sense of ownership about housekeeping to lighten your load and even boost togetherness.

Will 2014’s New Mortgage Rules Affect You?

Keller Williams’ Claudio & Robyn Petasne Emphasize The Importance
of Finding the Right Real Estate Partners.

Changes to the home loan industry seem to be more the exception than the rule. But 2014’s new changes taking effect on January 10 are intended to protect the buyers, according to South Florida realtors Claudio and Robyn Petasne.

“The first major change is related to what the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau calls ‘qualified mortgages,’” Robyn says. “Qualified mortgages are intended to protect the buyer because they are ones the buyer can afford to repay.”

In 2014, qualified mortgages mean lender cannot take fees higher than 3 percent. Lenders also cannot grant loans that would exceed your debt-to-income ratio by 43 percent.

These new laws may protect homebuyers, but Claudio points out that he also views his and Robyn’s job as having a similar pathway.

“We want our buyers to be in their dream homes, but we also want to them to be in dream homes that means they don’t have to limit their lifestyle due to their mortgage payment,” Claudio says. “Our experience in South Florida real estate and our close partnerships with lenders means we can work with buyers to get the right house at the right price.”

One such partnership is with Priority Lending, where Dan Longman, President and CRMS, works with the Petasne’s buyers to obtain affordable mortgages.

“Our fees never exceeded this 3 percent mark and are typically around the 2.5 percent range,” Longman says. “However, as wholesale lenders, we are really able to offer a greater variety of loans in the first place. Even with these differences and changes in 2013, we’ve been able to navigate these waters with realtors like Claudio and Robyn and help their homebuyers move into homes.”

Buyers’ Outlook for 2014
As for the buyers’ outlook in South Florida for 2014, both the Petasnes and Longman are seeing more and more buyers qualify for loans in a timely fashion.

“One of the biggest challenges in 2013 is that the market seemed to be flooded at times with investors that were snapping up homes,” Longman says. “This meant well-qualified buyers were losing out to investors coming in and paying cash. But investment companies are backing off, which leaves more room for buyers.”

Having realtors that know the market well and always seem to know where the next best property for a homebuyer is can equal greater success, Robyn says.

“Our goals for 2014 are to help more buyers than ever to realize their dream of home ownership or to move into a home that’s a better fit for their needs,” she says. “We are prepared to help them navigate any changes to mortgage requirements and are proud to work with the right partners to help them get there.”

To find out more about how Robyn and Claudio can help you find or sell a home, call their office at (954) 770-6850 or by cell phone at (954) 260-5570.

You can also visit:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SFL.HomeSales
Blog: https://greatlivinginwestbroward.wordpress.com/
YouTube: http://youtu.be/umUg-Bm1Pdc
Search for Homes Here: http://www.FtLauderdaleRealEstateForSale.com
Testimonials: http://www.zillow.com/profile/ClaudioPetasne/

Exterior Replacement Projects Offer The Greatest Bang For The Buck

Exterior Replacement Projects Offer The Greatest Bang For The Buck

A home’s curb appeal is crucial because it’s the first thing buyers notice about a home, according to Realtors® in the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2014 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report. Exterior projects were among the most valuable home improvement projects cited.

Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Agents Claudio and Robyn Petasne

http://www.ftlauderdalerealestatefors…
Claudio http://linkd.in/192FC3m and Robyn Petasne are Florida Realtors and they work as a team, please call 954-260-5570 they will quickly help you sell or buy your home or condo, expertly handle negotiations and all the paperwork to get you the best deal on your property.

When you are looking for a Realtor, it is important to choose a Realtor that has the knowledge, skill and expertise to guide you effortlessly through the home buying or selling process, one who puts your needs first! Claudio and Robyn have been residents of South Florida since 1980, and consider it home. Claudio and Robyn are Bilingual in both English and Spanish.

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SFL.HomeSales

Buying Homes for Cash

When we talk to our customers and are preparing them to buy in todays market, we always try to explain that there is an unofficial hierarchy in purchase offers based on how they are paying for the property. Using the analogy of the childs’ game “Rock, Paper, Scissors” I offer “Cash, Conventional, FHA”. Home buyers who require financing for their home purchase can struggle to compete against buyers who have offers of all-cash. I go on to explain that in all price brackets South Florida Buyers are offering cash creating a highly competitive, multi bid situation where prices are bid higher then asking sometimes, even among cash buyers vying for the same property.

Here in town over half the sales are cash! In the last 90 days in Coral Springs,FL 13 homes closed that sold with with VA loans, 50 sold with FHA loans, 64 sold with Conventional loans, and 99 sold for CASH.Having realtors who can creatively write your contract making your offer as strong as possible is a great boost to the buying power of customers using financing. Call Claudio and Robyn Petasne at 954-260-5570, Realtors experienced in buying homes for their clients. Making the most of your assets is both a science and an art that changes with the fluctuating South Florida Real Estate Market. !
Where are all-cash deals are the most prevalent? Cash deals represented 80 percent of home sales in June in Vermont; 58 percent in Nevada; 57 percent in Florida, and 51 percent in New York, according to RealtyTrac. Cash deals represent a very small percentage in Texas, Utah, and New Mexico.

The markets with the most all-cash transactions tend to have a high number of foreclosures and depressed home prices, which attracts investors and private equity firms, according to RealtyTrac. Here in Coral Springs and the surrounding area, 60% of the homes are distressed properties, combination of short sales and foreclosures.

The following 10 metros had 40 percent or more all-cash deals out of the total home sales in June, according to RealtyTrac:
1. Miami/Ft. Lauderdale: 64%
2. Las Vegas: 62%
3. Tampa, Fla.: 58%
4. Detroit: 56%
5. Orlando: 53%
6. New York: 49%
7. New Orleans: 43%
8. Memphis: 43%
9. Jacksonville, Fla.: 42%
10. Atlanta: 42%

So in review, when competing in the market to buy a home, you need realtors that know how to write a great offer, making the most of your financial assets. Claudio and Robyn Petasne are such realtors. Experienced and dedicated to helping you buy a home you will love and an investment that will prosper! If you have a suitcase of cash, that can always help too! Give us a call and see how we can help you. 954-770-6850

Source: “Housing markets where cash is king,” CNNMoney (July 25, 2013)

Back to School Savings in Coral Springs Florida with NO TAX WEEKEND

Rejoice Mom and Dad…Florida’s tax-free holiday for school supplies is back this year, starting Friday August 22, 2013 at 12:01 a.m and ending Sunday at midnight. This year, some new items are on the tax-free list, including personal computers and tablets.

Retailers are planning on bringing in extra staff to help handle crowds and BestBuy, for instance, is extending hours, opening at 8 a.m. instead of 10 a.m. Here in the Coral Springs and Parkland area we have several great shopping areas, Coral Square Mall of course, plus Target on Westview Dr, Super Walmart on Coral Ridge near Heron Bay in Parkland and the new one n McNab Rd. Also several office supply stores such as Staples, Office Max and Office Depot. Best Buy located on Atlantic has extended hours.

School supplies can all add up. The National Retail Federation forecasts that families with school-aged kids will spend $634.78 this year on shoes, clothes and supplies – which is actually down from $688.62 last year.

Here’s a rundown of what you need to know:
* New items on the tax-free list this year: Personal computers, tablets and accessories, such as keyboards and monitors, that sell for $750 or less.Lawmakers approved the exemption this year after they realizing how important technology is to education.

* Bonus: The tax holiday applies to handheld gadgets too, so that includes things such as the Apple iPod touch and other MP3 players and E-Readers.
* Sorry: That doesn’t include cellphones, video game consoles, digital media receivers or devices not primarily designed to process data. So, no HDTVs tax-free this time.
* No kids? No problem: The holiday applies to any approved purchases, whether you have a kid or not.
* Apparel: Everything from shirts and shoes (up to $75) to backpacks and hats. Even diaper bags are tax-free during the holiday.
* Supplies: Any school supply-like item up to $15 apiece.
* Upper limit: You can still buy something above that limit, but any dollar spent over the limit becomes taxable.
* Online: You can also order online during that period, tax-free, as long as the retailer is set up to process the transactions. Even if the item won’t arrive for days, as long as you bought it during the holiday period, it should still be tax free.

* Not tax-Free: “Clothing” does not include accessories or equipment such as watches, jewelry, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, or sporting gear.
The state Revenue Estimating Conference has estimated the tax break will cost Florida $28.3 million in revenue this year, with local governments out $6.4 million. The statewide projection is up from a $25.9 million estimate from the 2012 back-to-school period that was also three days

* Details: A full list of eligible items is online at dor.myflorida.com/dor/pdf/sales_tax_holiday_list_of_items.pdf
If you find you need more office space or a bigger kitchen for all that after school study sessions and homework, Call Robyn and Claudio Petasne,954-770-6850 the Coral Springs Realtors with Keller Williams Partners Realty. We can help you find a new home to meet your needs and sell or rent out your current property!

More Renters Buying Homes in Coral Springs

 

When asked about their highest priority for their future, the majority of renters say home ownership is top.  In a survey from the 2013 National Housing Pulse from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) more renters say they want to buy soon. 51% of renters reported wanting to eventually own their own home. The last survey taken in 2011 was 42%

“Home ownership matters to Americans who consistently realize the many benefits it provides to communities, families, and the nation’s economy,” says NAR President Gary Thomas. “Due to high housing affordability and today’s interest rates it makes sense for people to consider home ownership over renting. In fact, in many parts of the country it’s cheaper to own a home than to rent one. Therefore, it’s no surprise that renters recognize that owning a home offers tremendous long-term benefits and is an investment in their future.”

The survey of 2,000 Americans  found that 80 percent say they believe buying a home is a good financial decision. Sixty-eight percent said now is a good time to buy a home, too. Their main motivations to home ownership: Building equity, wanting a stable and safe environment, and the freedom to choose where to live, the survey found.

Coral Springs is a great example of how more homes are selling, Year to date 606 single family homes have closed in Coral Springs, with another 396 pending.

Meanwhile, the main obstacles to home ownership have remained the same over the years: saving for the down payment, closing costs, low wages, and student loan debt.

Working with a great team of Realtors such as The PetasneReal Estate Team  and using the many great lenders they recommend will help many buyers obtain the home loans they need to purchase their real estate investment.

 

Source: National Association of REALTORS(R)