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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
The volatility of the U.S. stock market, combined with the downgrading of our nation’s debt rating on long-term Treasury bonds by Standard & Poor’s, has prompted just about everyone to take inventory of their finances. This financial gut-check is especially timely for people who are selling or buying homes, because there is no doubt these historic events will have an effect on the residential real estate market. However, speculation from industry analysts about the fallout is as unpredictable as the Dow Jones Industrial Average. I certainly don’t have any definitive answers (and I wouldn’t trust anyone who says he does), but I have done enough research to offer my two-cents worth, so here goes. Worried investors are looking to put their money somewhere safer than the stock market. The obvious choice for many of them is real estate. For those who have time and cash at their disposal, the situation … Continue reading
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
A friend asked me earlier this week if the proposal by Citizens Property Insurance to increase premiums for sinkhole coverage by more than 400% would affect the Hernando County housing market. If it wasn’t such a serious question — with such certain consequences — I might have laughed. It’s sort of like asking “If Congress doesn’t raise the debt ceiling so our government can pay its bills, will it affect our national economy?” The prevalence of sinkholes in this region of Florida has had an impact on the housing market for a decade. But the problem has escalated in recent years because of several reasons, including the burden that development places on Florida’s fragile geology, misguided legislation by state lawmakers, the Great Recession and fraudulent claims. Those factors have now converged to create a perfect storm that threatens to steer the Tampa Bay housing market, which was just beginning to … Continue reading
Sellers can learn a lot from the first offer that is made on their home. Working with their listing agent, sellers should use that knowledge to their advantage and make any necessary adjustments sooner than later. We’ll separate the information you can gather into two categories: Presentation and Price. But before we explore those possibilities, it may be useful to restate some basic advice that we give home sellers before we plant a for-sale sign on their lawn, or place the first photo on the Hernando County MLS. Nothing is more crucial to selling your home than setting a realistic price. Set the price too high at the outset, and you automatically will eliminate potential buyers who either recognize that you are asking too much, or whose online searches don’t match your asking price. One of the biggest risks of pricing your home too high is that you will not … Continue reading
What’s real about real estate? You! Welcome! I am so pleased you have chosen to visit our website and read my blog. Your time is valuable and before you invest it, I think it’s essential that you know why I’m here, and why what I’m writing may be of interest to you. My success as a real estate professional has been tied to one common theme: effective communication. Whether I am assisting a customer who is looking to buy, sell or rent a home, the most valuable service I can offer is honest advice and reliable data. I’ve built my business on that premise and I have instilled it in all members of THE Gail Spada TEAM. We all make better decisions when we are armed with up-to-date, credible information. That is why I am investing time and resources to expand my online outreach. I intend to use this blog … Continue reading