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Tag Archives: Brooksville
Time for home sellers to Spring into action
When we welcomed the first day of Spring this week, I was psyched about how fortunate we are to enjoy this beautiful, sunny weather in Florida. And then that much-needed rain came the day after, and I was reminded of how every everything around us is in a constant cycle of rebirth. This is the perfect time to plant seeds in our gardens. But it also is the time of year that home sellers and home buyers should plant the seeds that will grow a successful real estate transaction. Judging by how busy THE Gail Spada TEAM has been lately, the Hernando County housing market appears to be experiencing its own cycle of rebirth. Homeowners who have been sitting on the fence about placing their home on the market should understand that now is one of the best times of the year to make their move. The time is ripe … Continue reading
Tampa Bay housing market has a sunny disposition
Maintaining a positive attitude is a way of life for me. Admittedly, I sometimes must strain my neck and eyes to find the silver lining hiding behind some of the darker clouds, but I usually succeed. But I didn’t have to look very far last week to find the bright side of some news about the sometimes gloomy Florida housing market. Two reports gave us a double dose of encouragement. For the first time in 5 years, more people moved into Florida than moved out, according to the 2011 Atlas Van Lines Migration Patterns study. The increase was slight — 5,636 inbound moves vs 5,269 outbound — but it is significant nevertheless. For decades leading up to the housing crisis in 2006, there were always more people coming to Florida than leaving. The Great Recession that ensued sustained that migratory downturn not only in Florida, but in most states. The … Continue reading
Hernando County is a Florida golfer’s paradise
We are in the process of adding and updating some consumer-friendly information on THE Gail Spada TEAM website. Every time we do this I am reminded once again that those of us who have lived here a while have a tendency to overlook some of the reasons we chose to make Hernando County our home. This truly is a great place to live and play, especially for those who enjoy a suburban lifestyle that also has easy access to metropolitan amenities and country comforts. On this stretch of Florida’s Nature Coast, one can play a round of golf in the morning, go horseback riding in a state park in the afternoon and still catch a concert or professional sports event that night. (If you have the energy!) A good number of the homes I market as a REALTOR® are located in golfing communities such as Silverthorn, Glen Lakes, Wellington and … Continue reading
Unqualified home buyers waste everyone’s time
There. I said it. And I did not sugarcoat it. We are seeing more and more buyers in Brooksville, Spring Hill and Weeki Wachee who are being misled by real estate agents who have forgotten two basic rules of their real estate training: Don’t show properties to buyers who have not at least begun the pre-approval process for financing a purchase. Never bring a buyer to a home he or she cannot afford. These rules are even more important in today’s economy, where lenders, despite offering low interest rates, are being very picky about to whom they will lend. This due diligence is good news when you consider that the inflated mortgages that were routinely approved a few years ago brought our nation to the brink of financial Armageddon. However, it puts added responsibility on borrowers, who need more cash for down payments, a solid credit score, and a favorable … Continue reading
Real estate rules for the Dog Days of Summer
The Dog Days of Summer. It’s a familiar phrase to convey our collective opinion about this steamy, stifling time of the year. Of course, there’s the scientific explanation. The way the Earth is tilted on its axis this time of year puts the Northern Hemisphere closer to the sun. It also is the time of year when Sirius — aka the Dog Star — is in conjunction with the sun. Hence, the moniker by ancient astronomers. But most of us relate to the everyday meaning attached to the Dog Days of Summer: It’s hot as H-E-double-hockey-sticks! Granted, the heat index in Brooksville, FL was only 104 degrees this morning, but when you string together a couple months of those days, it’s no wonder folks are slowing down to cool down. Fortunately, the real estate market in Hernando County, like the humidity, is gathering some steam. But unfortunately, also like the … Continue reading
Garages should be assets, not eyesores
Before you listed your home for sale, I’ll bet you spruced up every room. You boxed knickknacks and personal items. You scrubbed, cleaned and dusted. Maybe you even rearranged or replaced furniture, painted the walls or cleaned the carpet. But after you finished, what did you do with those boxes, half-empty paint cans, cleaning supplies and discarded furniture? If you are like most homeowners in Brooksville and Spring Hill, you hurriedly stashed them in your garage — right next to stacks of other items you use infrequently, if at all. Although our tendency to create “convenient clutter” is understandable, it can be a liability when you are trying to sell your home. The garage is a very important part of every house, and it also can be a great selling point. For buyers who are handy with tools, or have hobbies that include cars, boats, bicycles or motorcycles, the garage … Continue reading
More incentives that sellers can offer buyers
In our last article, we talked about sellers offering to pay for home warranties as a way to sweeten the pot for potential buyers. Warranties are a very appealing option because they offer protection for the buyer and are relatively inexpensive for the seller. Still, warranties are not right for everyone. So, determined sellers may wish to explore other buyer incentives as they work with their REALTOR® to get a leg up on their competition and make their property more memorable. As we’ve said before, the key to catching buyers’ interest is affordability. Addressing that factor begins with a realistic listing price, and continues with being creative and flexible as you customize incentives to satisfy buyers who, especially in today’s market, are culling many options. In this installment we’ll take a brief look at a few other ideas that appeal directly to the buyer’s and seller’s bottom lines. Prepaid home … Continue reading
Home-selling incentives: The successful and the silly
With so many homes on the market, sellers in Spring Hill and Brooksville often ask “What can we do to make our property stand out from the others?” The short answer to that question is simple: Lower the price. But if you’re a seller who already has lowered your asking price — maybe more than once — and you aren’t prepared to go lower, it may be time to start brainstorming with your REALTOR® about incentives you can offer that will help bring buyers to your door. When it comes to incentives, the possibilities are virtually endless. And they are most effective when other sellers in your neighborhood also have reduced their prices on their real estate, which lessens your chance of being unique. Incentives can range from furniture to financing. But some are more practical and dependable than others. While offering to throw in a Harley-Davidson or a golf … Continue reading
Pet owners as home sellers
I love pets. Not just mine, but others’. And I have a special concern for those that are orphaned or homeless. I’m pleased to express that concern by being an active supporter of both the Humane Society of the Nature Coast and the SPCA of Hernando County. I was the primary sponsor of both organizations’ annual golf tournaments this year, and the events raised more than $23,000 combined to help sustain these indispensable community resources. I also donate a portion of my professional fee to the Humane Society every time I close on a “pet parents” home. (Check out this video!) But my personal fondness for our furry friends sometimes is at odds with my professional commitment to my customers who are listing homes in Brooksville and Spring Hill. Marketing a home where pets are present can be a problem. Even if your dog or cat is well-behaved and well-trained, … Continue reading
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