Naples Real Estate Guys http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:29:41 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Foreclosure Scams and Short Sales – What You Need To Know http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/foreclosure-scams-and-short-sales-what-you-need-to-know/ http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/foreclosure-scams-and-short-sales-what-you-need-to-know/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:58:15 +0000 admin http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/?p=3611 Foreclosures have been a factor in the market over the last few of years, and there has also been an increase in foreclosure scams as a result. Some companies have profited from the crisis while taking advantage of unaware home buyers. Buyers also looking to profit themselves and purchase a first home or vacation home inadvertently helped increase the number of scams. The unfortunate reality is that many people fell victim to these scam tactics because they simply did not understand some important facts about foreclosure sales.

Home buyers should engage a Realtor before attempting to find foreclosures on the web. The first and most frequent scam tactic, and a definite “red-flag” for home buyers, is a payment is required to receive a list of foreclosure properties. The fact is that many companies promote these foreclosure lists on the web and other media for a fee. The simple truth is that a Realtor sees foreclosures first through the MLS.

Another concern of home buyers recently is the worry that a foreclosed home they purchase can be taken back if the former owner wins a lawsuit against the former lender. This is absolutely not true. Providing the new lender and new owner have title insurance, the former owner cannot get the home back. The new owner will keep the home regardless of legal outcome, and the displaced former owner will be awarded damages at best.

Another important point is to be aware that a “short sale” is not the same as a foreclosure. There are three parties involved in a short sale transaction, Seller, Buyer and Bank. A short sale usually occurs because a home owner defaults on their existing mortgage and hoping to be released of their loan obligation before their home is foreclosed upon by the lender. In order to sell the home, the seller solicits a Realtor to list the property at a discounted rate, usually below market value. Sounds like a good buying opportunity? No it is not.

Most often, short sale real estate listings will have prices posted that seem discounted. Problem is, the discounted price has not been approved by the lender. In most cases, the bank approved selling price is usually much greater and the listing price will be re-listed in the MLS. The newer list price will not be close to what was originally listed in the MLS to draw in the buyer. So, deal gone; and after months of waiting. Even if the first lien holder gives an approval and can agree with the seller on a short sale price, there are often times when a second lien holder will not. When more than one lien holder is involved, it becomes three times more unlikely that a short sale will close.

We counsel our home buyer clients to stay away from short sale transactions (pre-foreclosure), and the lengthy process is only one reason. Buyers negotiation leverage is reduced in these transactions and we would rather see our clients stay with foreclosed bank-owned homes (post-foreclosure).

]]> http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/foreclosure-scams-and-short-sales-what-you-need-to-know/feed/ 0 Grey Oaks Real Estate | Grey Oaks Country Club | Luxury Living http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/grey-oaks-real-estate-grey-oaks-country-club-luxury-living/ http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/grey-oaks-real-estate-grey-oaks-country-club-luxury-living/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:10:01 +0000 admin http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/?p=3600 Grey Oaks real estate is a luxury home and country club community located in central Naples, Florida. The three golf courses and custom homes that dot the surrounding golf course landscape are superior in design. The golf course names are Palm, Pine and Estuary at Grey Oaks. Estuary at Grey Oaks Country Club was awarded “Golf Course of the Year in 2005″ by the Florida Golf Course Owners Association. The well designed homes carved among the towering pines, cypress, and oak trees reflects in the glistening lakes in this nature sanctuary. It is basically described as breath-taking. The gorgeous homes have splendid views and the gated community is nearby to the bustling downtown area of Fifth Avenue South where there is abundant shopping, dining and other entertainment. Naples is an internationally recognized vacation destination these days with seven miles of sugar-fine sand and the city has quickly become the definition of luxury on the southwest Gulf Coast. The lifestyle, culture and upscale tastes here have molded the Collier County area into one of the most attractive locations in Florida for real estate buyers. Some of the most distinctive and highly rated golf course communities call Naples home today.


Whatever type of property you seek, vacation home or year-round home, this is a perfect real estate location for well-to-do home shoppers. With only the finest builder craftsman in the area, custom estate golf homes in the gated community of Grey Oaks should not be missed. With the first wave of boomer generation seniors reaching age 65 in 2011, and a total of fifteen million expected to relocate to Florida over the next twenty years, now is a good time to get serious about property here. As stated by economists for real estate developer Del Webb, home price appreciation from bargain prices this year is a near certainty the coming decade. Grey Oaks Country Club has numerous awards, including Travel & Leisure’s top 100 golf communities and Platinum Club 2009 which ranks the Golf Club as a Top 35 Private Golf Club nationally.


The sub-divisions at Grey Oaks include the residences of Torino, Miramonte and Traditions. Torino offers luxury villa living with one and two-story residences with Tuscan designed architecture and streets. There are 54 villas within the Tuscan styled village and it is designed to provide a feeling of old world lifestyle and charm. Miramonte consists of one and two-story villas as well and is enhanced with more privacy and is a private enclave of 36 Mediterranean styled. Traditions, the Golf Residence at Grey Oaks, is the pinnacle in golf course home living. All Traditions residents enjoy large coach homes and upscale amenities. The utimate in terms of luxury homes here are the Estuary residences of Mirada, Marsh Wren and Noble Heron Estates. These dream home mansions are million dollar homes that offer large lots and splendid views. If luxury homes and luxury living is your destiny, don’t miss Grey Oaks.

]]> http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/grey-oaks-real-estate-grey-oaks-country-club-luxury-living/feed/ 0 Home Inspection in Naples Florida | What To Know http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/home-inspection-in-naples-florida/ http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/home-inspection-in-naples-florida/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:28:10 +0000 admin http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/?p=3594 When approaching the task of buying a home, it is important to understand why a home inspection is necessary. The process can be stressful, especially if the buyer does not understand what is involved and what results are expected. A home inspection is designed to give a buyer peace of mind through knowledge. It often can have the opposite effect. Absorbing a great deal of technical information over a short period of time is part of the process and many home buyers simply do not have the training in home construction and building design to grasp the technical information. This generally includes a written report, photographs, environmental reports, and a written summary from the home inspector regarding the overall condition of the property. Combined with the seller’s disclosure may make the experience even more overwhelming.


Residential home inspectors are well trained technicians and generally have experience in home design or the construction trades. Some have been electricians, plumbers, carpenters, roofers or even developers. Some have an architectural background, been employed and trained by national building materials vendors or former home builders. They are all state licensed and among the best trained in the construction trades industry to spot common construction problems. Water intrusion and the myriad of problems caused is one key area they focus on. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), plumbing and electrical are a few others. Most of your residential home inspection will be related to maintenance recommendations and minor imperfections. These are good to know about. However, the most important items and what really to pay attention to will fall into the following categories.


1. Major building defects; An example of this would be a structural defect like roof sag.
2. Problems that lead to major defects; like a small roof leak and the potential for mold development.
3. Problems that hinder the ability to finance or occupy the home; Chinese Drywall for example.
4. Safety hazards; Such as an exposed wiring in the electric panel or electrical outlets.


Anything in the above categories is critical and must be repaired. Often, a potentially serious and expensive problem can be corrected quickly and inexpensively before the damage becomes extensive. Roof leaks are a good example of this as water can travel far from the leak point and can cause major interior damage and even mold if left in disrepair. Most home sellers are honest people and are often surprised to learn of building defects discovered by a buyer initiated home inspection. This is why it is wise to perform the home inspection in the first place. Some home sellers actually have the home inspection completed prior to the home being listed for sale to offer potential home buyers peace of mind. Home sellers are under no obligation to repair discovered during the inspection, but most will, or at least share in the cost of discovered major defects. No home is perfect, so it is important for all parties to keep things in perspective.

]]> http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/home-inspection-in-naples-florida/feed/ 0 Naples Florida Moving Guide | Moving To Naples Florida http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/naples-florida-moving-guide/ http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/naples-florida-moving-guide/#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:04:59 +0000 admin http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/?p=3563 Moving can be both exciting and stressful.  Thoughts of new and exciting activities, beautiful weather and great beaches are all positive. On the other hand, choosing a new Naples home, even with the right Realtor, can be a bit of a stressful experience. If you are planning on moving to Naples Florida, it would be very helpful if  information was available to ease the transition.  Information like Naples Schools, Restaurants, Worship locations, shopping malls, golf courses,  and other important community information.  We have put together a solid list of information for the beach area where we cater to our clients, mainly for zip codes; 34102, 34103, and 34108.  Although you may find some surrounding zip codes in the information provided, the main location for the information provided is all about these three zip codes near the beach.  So, please click on the links below to view this valuable community information.


Naples Florida Area Guide


Naples Florida Schools Guide


Naples Florida Restaurants


Naples Florida Worship Locations

]]> http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/naples-florida-moving-guide/feed/ 0 Naples Realtor Discusses Home Staging in Florida http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/naples-realtor-discusses-home-staging-in-florida/ http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/naples-realtor-discusses-home-staging-in-florida/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:14:15 +0000 admin http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/?p=3450 Florida home staging is an art, and best accomplished by a Naples Realtor who first focuses on the exterior of a Florida home. This is true for two reasons. First, the exterior of a home is the first impression a buyer receives when arriving at the location of any real estate property. In the trade, this is referred to as “curb appeal”. In Naples, Florida, this is especially important, because in a Sunbelt community the exterior of a home is as important as the interior when weather allows for more time outside. In the northern U.S., where cold winters, and a great deal of inclement weather chases folks inside, it is a lot easier to ignore curb appeal and focus on the interior of a home where more time is spent. The second reason for focusing on the exterior of a home when home staging in Florida is that it is just plain inexpensive to increase curb appeal. Landscaping, cleaning cobwebs, and even painting are relatively cheap when compared with many interior home staging strategies.

When it comes to home staging, it is common to freshen up a home’s curb appeal with mature landscaping and dark-brown mulch. Also, investing in four or five over-sized urns at your local nursery to accommodate flowers or other flowering plants is a good idea. These urns can be placed at strategic locations on the exterior of a home, using drip irrigation to keep them blooming well. These urns can also be placed at the rear of a home as well, possibly around a pool, to entice buyers into feeling the beckoning of a private oasis. Rich looking, dark brown mulch around trees, bushes and other areas is also a must. If you are having a landscaper do the work, insist on the color, and even ask to approve it before application. These days there are many different types and colors of mulch, some actually “red”; which look very unnatural. If some plants have been in for too long, “woody”, or just not looking quite as full as they once were, replace them with new robust plants. Plants are very well cared for at nurseries where they have superior techniques, fertilizers and skills which deliver the lush look of new plants. Lastly, do not forget cleaning. This is best done last after moving all the landscaping materials around which can cause a bit of a mess. Brooming first, and power washing second, is recommended to finish off the project.

In summary, it is really inexpensive for Naples Realtors to focus Florida home staging on the exterior of a home. It is too bad it is not this easy everywhere.

]]> http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/naples-realtor-discusses-home-staging-in-florida/feed/ 0 Old Naples Real Estate in Florida | What You Need To Know http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/old-naples-real-estate-in-florida-what-you-need-to-know/ http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/old-naples-real-estate-in-florida-what-you-need-to-know/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:21:02 +0000 admin http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/?p=3447

Old Naples real estate is best described as quaint, historic, with Old Florida styled homes common and a nice mix of newer luxury homes. Home prices are half what they were four years ago which is a real bonus for would-be buyers. A beach mansion, golf course home, or beachfront high-rise condo are all options. Naples homes are staging a moderate price increase these days. The upscale and cosmopolitan community is located in the center of the evening entertainment action between the beach and Gulf Shore Drive on the West; Naples Bay on the East, and The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club on the North. To the South of Old Naples FL lies the Naples Yacht Club at the intersection of 7th Street South and 14th Avenue South. Aqualane Shores, Royal Harbor and Port Royal are nearby adjacent communities. The community is also quiet at just the right time and within walking distance of the beach. High-rise MLS listings provide great views of Old Naples, the Gulf of Mexico and Naples Bay. If you look forward to an active retirement lifestyle, this is the place. With well kept landscape and many mature shade trees, Old Naples has much to offer.

This Naples Realtor suggests that Old Naples real estate will always be sought-after for homes for sale as an active retirement community with vacation homes also a popular choice for those not yet ready to pull back from the working world. Beautiful views of the gulf and quiet streets for a perfect evening stroll make this quaint community a definite first search for active and current MLS listings. Fifth Avenue South boasts many fine restaurants such as Chops, Vergina, and Bice. Cambier Park has many outdoor concerts and art shows along with a great tennis club. In addition, many art shows are held at the park. Third Street South, only a few blocks away and a favorite of locals, is also a great venue for restaurants and upscale shopping. World famous Naples Pier is a great venue for sunset and and a short walk from the both entertainment districts. The Sudgen theatre adds much as a performing arts venue and sells out continuously.

A quick homes for sale search of Old Naples will locate many great real estate properties and vacation homes. Rarely can one find a neighborhood where dining, shopping and entertainment exist so perfectly together, with other luxury homes enclaves nearby. For instance, Venetian Village which includes some of the finest restaurants offering waterfront dining, is located adjacent and to the north in Park Shore, as this neighboring waterfront community also offers a similar lifestyle on the beach. Visit other Naples communities on our website like the luxury golf home subdivisions of, Grey Oaks and Tiburon. Pelican Bay with a two miles of private beach, and Pelican Marsh also with beach access are also worth a look.

]]> http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/old-naples-real-estate-in-florida-what-you-need-to-know/feed/ 0 How To Buy Real Estate Foreclosures | Naples Florida http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/how-to-buy-real-estate-foreclosures-naples-florida/ http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/how-to-buy-real-estate-foreclosures-naples-florida/#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:24:46 +0000 admin http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/?p=3400 Most folks think that buying a foreclosure starts with paying third-party-firms for foreclosure listings or dealing directly with banks. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Realtors are the first to know when the new listing hits the MLS as nothing really happens until then. Behind the scenes, banks hire asset managers to move the property after foreclosure but that is before the property is really for sale. So the best thing a buyer can do is engage a good Realtor to represent them. Cash buyers are usually favored by lenders, but that does not make it impossible to purchase if you are using financing to complete the real estate purchase. Here again, engaging a Realtor in advance allows for getting pre-approved and then when a property of interest comes to market, an offer can be produced quickly. We hope this dissolved a bit of the mystery about real estate foreclosures. We can supply a list of foreclosures in Naples Florida or other communities in southwest Florida, so contact a Naples Realtor today. ]]> http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/how-to-buy-real-estate-foreclosures-naples-florida/feed/ 0 Use A Six Percent Real Estate Sales Commission! Here’s Why. http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/use-a-six-percent-sales-commission-heres-why/ http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/use-a-six-percent-sales-commission-heres-why/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:52:24 +0000 admin http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/?p=3326 Many folks mistakenly think that a selling commission is something to avoid. Others want to reduce the selling commission. First, let us explain why we advise our selling clients NOT to deviate below a six percent sales commission. Agents have powerful search tools available in the MLS that allow them to search properties for sale at any commission level or range. Buyers agents can be especially focused on this as they only receive half of that amount. We are seeing some saavy lenders offer seven percent and bonus commissions as well to encourage the sale of foreclosed properties. Real estate agents are only human, and some may be tempted to “screen-out” properties listed at lower commissions when deciding what properties to present to clients. Although Realtors are bound by a code of ethics, not all agents are Realtors; which is a special designation earned with a hefty annual fee and adherence to a Code of Ethics issued by the National Association of Realtors. We again advise NOT lowering the sales commission.

]]> http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/use-a-six-percent-sales-commission-heres-why/feed/ 0 Naples Real Estate | Free Naples Homes Foreclosures List http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/naples-real-estate-free-naples-homes-foreclosures-list/ http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/naples-real-estate-free-naples-homes-foreclosures-list/#comments Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:47:35 +0000 admin http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/?p=3280 Naples real estate in Naples Florida is some of the most scenic beach property in Florida. Located on the sun-drenched southern and west coast of Florida, Naples captures gorgeous nightly sunsets that lures many. With its super-white pristine sand beaches and perfect year-round temperature, Naples homes and MLS listings are shopped heavily by residents of both the U.S. and Canada. Even our friends in Europe are finding Naples luxury homes attractive these days for both a seasonal home or an investment property as well. U.S. property buyers are fortunate to find some of the lowest cost real estate on the globe here, in addition to the currently running vacation homes sale. This combination of great geographic position combined with low cost, continued population expansion globally, and limited coastline are the macro-economic factors that are driving real estate prices higher in Naples, FL. We can supply a list of foreclosures for Naples homes, so contact a Naples Realtor today. QTKEGQZKSCZD

 

]]> http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/naples-real-estate-free-naples-homes-foreclosures-list/feed/ 0 Bay Colony Real Estate | Naples Florida | Why Buy Now http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/bay-colony-real-estate-naples-florida-why-buy-now/ http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/bay-colony-real-estate-naples-florida-why-buy-now/#comments Sun, 25 Sep 2011 17:51:00 +0000 admin http://www.naplesrealestateguys.com/blog/bay-colony-real-estate-naples-florida-why-buy-now/

Bay Colony Real estate home prices here mostly topped the million dollar mark five years ago, but today the central theme is really million dollar views for less. Naples luxury homes and Naples luxury real estate is in-demand. Dream home MLS listings offer mansions for sale and million dollar homes in this upscale community at dreamy prices today. Luxury real estate is again in-demand at today’s bargain prices and things are looking good here in 2011 with pending sales up triple digits. Real estate properties can be financed conventionally and also with a reverse mortgage. Talk to a Naples Realtor for more details. High rise million dollar homes, and the Moorings beach homes on Gulf Shore Drive are favorites. Park Shore real estate near Venetian Village is a big part of the Naples luxury homes community as well. Some million dollar homes can now be found for under a million dollars in Park Shore.

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