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July 28, 2010
My HOA at Woodland Waters forwarded a media release this morning. As indicated in my prior blog, the release stated that we could follow the link to the site, but when I did that the site said the maps were “coming soon”. I called and left a message for Brenda Frazer at Hernando County, and she promptly returned my phone call. She said it should be available by tomorrow afternoon; she just wanted to get the release out so the dates for the meetings were available. If you want to attend, the information is in my prior post.
As always, we keep you posted.
Have a great day and enjoy!
Elsie Kempsey & Julie Ludovico
Team Tropic Hernando
July 20, 2010
Anyone who reads my blogs knows I am not a fan of “short sales”. However, as a realtor, I was trying to keep an open mind and even took a class on listing “short sales”. Hopefully, this class would make it clearer to me how to handle a short sale in a more timely manner.
As a realtor in Hernando County (I cover Spring Hill, Brooksville, and Weeki Wachee), I can tell you that there are no smooth short sales and I have a very unhappy customer (not with me, but with this so called process).
He submitted a signed offer on April 15, 2010 which was verbally accepted but the listing agent choose not to have his customer sign until the deadline for the tax credit of 4/29 because he didn’t want to take it off the market. That to me is questionable behavior and I let him know how I felt about it. We, however, proceeded and I am constantly e-mailing the listing agent who tells me that it is now in the Equator system which is a program used by Bank of America. About two weeks ago the listing agent tells me he is pretty sure they will accept our deal. My customer of course is very happy. They live in NJ and have been very patient. Last week I hear that there is a “third party negotiator” who is handling it. Who was paying for this? I never found out and actually what good she was doing, is also questionable. She evidently calls the listing agent yesterday, who in turn calls me, to say that they want an additional $1,600 and my customer agrees.
I ask for this “worksheet” from the bank in writing because to date, nothing has been sent to me and I am skeptical about the whole way this is being handled (I am from NY). They send it and it has our offer with the extra $1,600. Low and behold, today, I get a call from the listing agent saying the bank wants another $5,000. I ask, in writing again, how could this be since the offer was accepted. The “negotiator” e-mails me back that the investors didn’t accept it; only the bank’s negotiator. Why are there negotiators to begin with if they can’t act on behalf of anyone?
The government needs to look at these “short sales” with more scruitiny; it is people’s emotions and lives we are dealing with.
We will always keep you posted.
Elsie Kempsey & Julie Ann Ludovico
Team Tropic Hernando
July 8, 2010
My buyers wanted a house in Spring Hill (Hernando County) and they are from New Jersey, so through an automatic e-mail, we notify them of homes coming on.
I am not a big fan of short sales and always tell my buyers that. However, there was a house that my buyer really wanted; they put in an offer and the listing agent didn’t want to put it “active with contract” because he didn’t want to take it off the MLS. I still wonder about that. However, he finally did on April 30th anticipating that we could close and my customer could get the tax credit.
Guess what? Bank of America just notified us that they made a “mistake” in the system, have to cancel it and re-enter it. So we have to start from the beginning and it could take another 60 days; therefore, probably losing the tax credit. We also don’t know if they have accepted the contract yet. This has been going on since the beginning of April; it is ridiculous and they should be help accountable for it; or rectify it on their end. Unfortunately, we have no control over it.
Again, be cautious with “short sales”; there are no assurances and you have wasted time.
We will always keep you posted!
Have a great day and enjoy!
Elsie Kempsey & Julie Ludovico
Team Tropic Hernando/Tropic Shores Realty
June 27, 2010
Posted by Debbie Vance @ 7:15 pm
The International Plaza and Bay Street are located adjacent to the airport in Tampa and offer an amazing variety of restaurants and shops. You can stroll outdoors along Bay Street to such incredible restaurants as Cheescake Factory, Cafe Brio and Capital Grille as well as an endless variety of smaller bistos and cafes. Convenient Valet parking is only $5 if you don’t want to walk from the parking lot.
The mall itself beckons with such high-end stores as Tiffany’s and Neiman Marcus as well as every fashion store you can imagine. It is anchored by such giants as Nordstroms and Dillards. There’s even a great playground for the little kids and the Apple and Sony stores for the “big kids”.
It makes a great destination on a hot Sunday – enjoy a great brunch and then shop or people watch! And it’s a quick trip from Hernando County down the Suncoast Parkway – easy to get to and easy to park.
June 19, 2010
Posted by Debbie Vance @ 8:46 am
For a wonderful dining experience, consider The Tarpon Turtle on Lake Tarpon in Tarpon Springs. They truly have the best onion rings I have ever tasted! Fresh fish, sandwiches – a great variety of dishes. You can sit outside along the lake or relax in the cool rustic inside. It’s a great place to meet friends.
There is an outside bar with live music on the weekends.
So give it a try for a memorable dining experience. It’s an easy ride from Hernando County and worth the trip!
June 16, 2010
Posted by Debbie Vance @ 8:16 am
There are programs out there to help first time home buyers get the home of their dreams. Combine that with the availability of incredible deals and you’ve got a winner.
One program matches your down payment 2-1 – if you put $500 down, they give you $1500 towards closing costs. Some programs require a class but that can only help you.
A lot of the homes today need repair in order to qualify for an FHA loan. There is an FHA loan that can help you get the money needed for the repairs and roll it into your mortgage.
Talk with a Buyer’s Agent today about all the possibilities for first time home buyers. It costs you nothing to use a Buyer’s Agent and you get someone looking out for YOU!
June 2, 2010
We had a very excited buyer on a short sale in Spring Hill, Hernando County, Florida, but did warn them about “short sales”. We were told by the listing agent that if we made the offer, which was cash, and would close by June 1, the bank would accept it. Low and behold, after many requests to see this “bank letter”, we never received it and guess what – June 1st came and went and we still have not seen anything. The story has now changed that the bank was going to “consider” it if we made the offer with the 6/1 closing date.
We told our buyers during this period not to expect anything. Every short sale is a “nightmare” as far as I am concerned. It seems that it is a “shot in the dark” for everybody. We now have passed the time, the buyer no longer wants to wait this out, and we have to cancel the deal. That means we have to do a bit of paperwork and track down the poor seller, who now still has a house.
There has to be more conformity when it comes to short sales and the listing agents and/or title companies and third party negotiators need to come to an agreement PRIOR TO all this nonsense. In this instance, there was only communication to hurry us up to sign, do our due diligence, and then when we asked the title company, who supposedly was handling this for updates, he sent me on two occasions, updates on the wrong house. Needless to say, I really never received an update on this house.
I like a challenge but not when it causes considerable pain to everyone. Our buyer is still my customer and we will find something else. I told them the truth about short t sales from the beginning. Make sure you have a Realtor that will tell you the whole scenario and that you are comfortable with.
Have a great day and enjoy! We will always keep you posted.
Elsie Kempsey & Julie Ludovico
Team Tropic Hernando
May 7, 2010
Posted by Debbie Vance @ 11:10 am
Even though the tax credits have expired, it is still a great time to purchase a home in Hernando County on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Summer is typically a slow time for real estate sales in Florida which makes it a great time to make a deal. As the summer ends and the snow birds return, prices will go up again.
When searching for a home, it is important to use a Buyer’s Agent to help you navigate today’s rough waters of real estate. A good Buyer’s Agent will help you determine the fair value for the house by researching the comparable sold properties in the neighborhood, help you with all the contracts, negotiate on your behalf, step you through the short sale or foreclosure processes, help you through closing and help you get situated in you new home.
So contact a Buyer’s Agent today to start looking for your dream home at your dream price!
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May 5, 2010
The oil spill continues to spread toward the eastern Gulf, Hernando County’s top emergency official said Tuesday. We must brace ourselves as many communities are on the shoreline and could be affected.(Hernando Beach South and Hernando Beach North and the Weeki Wachee River which is connected to the Gulf.
With the timing and severity of the contamination largely unknown, Emergency Management Director Cecilia Patella said planning is already under way for the county’s reaction.
They are planning to put “booms” up but cannot cover the whole coastline.
Those areas have already been identified through the Coast Guard’s plans for the region and other areas of specific concern can also be added during this preparation process.
There are many boats docked in our beautiful Nature Coast community and they may be requesting boat owners to move their boats.
Gov. Charlie Crist on Monday expanded his emergency declaration down Florida’s west coast including Hernando County and officials are discussing a strategy.
Those at the table included Emergency Management, Hazardous Materials through Hernando County Fire Rescue, the Port Authority, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Sheriff’s marine unit and the waterways staff for the county.
Officials said it is still “early in the process” and they will notify us once they have a strategy. I personally don’t think anything is “early in the process”; a plan should have been in place for such a disaster that could affect our fragile coastline.
While British Petroleum is responsible for the cleanup, the coordination of the local response will be through emergency management with the Hazardous Materials officials as the prime partner leading the operation.
Besides boat owners having to move their boats, another serious concern is the environmental impact of the spill. The coastline and waters will need to be cleaned up and what about our precious wildlife that will be affected?
We will always keep you posted!
Have a great day and enjoy!
Elsie Kempsey & Julie Ludovico
Team Tropic Hernando/Tropic Shores Realty
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May 4, 2010
Posted by Chuck Bennett @ 5:00 pm
With the economy being what it is and the news media spouting real estate news it’s no wonder home buyers can be hesitant and worried if they are getting a good deal. The short answer is YES they are! Home prices are at a historic low and savvy buyers have realized this and purchased their homes. In the last 34 days alone from April 1st to today 559 homes have sold in Hernando county alone.
Don’t let your Florida dream get away call me now.
Take care,
Chuck
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