Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee Florida Real Estate: March 2011

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

B2 OCEAN DUNES Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

B2 OCEAN DUNES Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

96012 STARLIGHT LANE Yulee, FL 32097 Hot Off The MLS!

96012 STARLIGHT LANE Yulee, FL 32097 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

75119 MORNING GLEN COURT Yulee, FL 32097 Hot Off The MLS!

75119 MORNING GLEN COURT Yulee, FL 32097 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

85176 SHINNECOCK HILLS DR Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

85176 SHINNECOCK HILLS DR Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

85586 BOSTICK WOOD DRIVE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

85586 BOSTICK WOOD DRIVE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

95042 STARLING COURT Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

95042 STARLING COURT Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

41 OAK GROVE PLACE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

41 OAK GROVE PLACE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

2193 FLETCHER AVENUE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

2193 FLETCHER AVENUE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

1885 GARDENIA STREET Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

1885 GARDENIA STREET Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

95186 WOODBERRY LANE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

95186 WOODBERRY LANE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

2735 OCEAN OAKS DR Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

2735 OCEAN OAKS DR Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

95239 AMELIA NATIONAL PKWY Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

New Construction with quality upgrades. Located in the Amelia National Neighborhood. Community features include golf course, clubhouse, tennis courts and more. 10 minutes to the beaches of Amelia Island. Built by ICI Homes and reduced for a quick sale. $339,900

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

85586 BOSTICK WOOD DRIVE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

North Hampton Neighborhood with community pool, tennis, basketball, walking trails.

85586 BOSTICK WOOD DRIVE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival

Complete Shrimp Festival Schedule

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival

Monday, March 21, 2011

20 BEACH WALKER ROAD Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

20 BEACH WALKER ROAD Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

2252 FLETCHER AVENUE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

2252 FLETCHER AVENUE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Starling Court At Amelia National

Home on Starling Court

John Holbrook - REALTOR - Prudential Chaplin Williams Realty
Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Yulee FL 32034
Great Resource for Local Information!
Phone: 904-415-0171 - Blog of Local Market Information
Email: holbrook66@msn.com Search for homes at www.ameliaislandsearch.com

See the full gallery on Posterous

Amelia Island Home Report

Better News – Builders Confidence Improves And Remodelers Find More Work

Posted: 15 Mar 2011 09:51 AM PDT

The National Association of Home Builders had 2 reports of better news. The numbers are still rough enough that it is hard to call it good news, but these days any improvement is worth noting.

While new construction has been definitely hurting since the housing boom, builders are seemingly more confident than they were last month. The hope of spring season sales is infusing the new home builders with a little more confidence. The bad news is that even though the numbers are better, they are still very negative. 50 is the magic number that tells us the industry is feeling confident in the future. The current number is 17.

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Pools on Amelia Island

When searching for a pool company on Amelia Island, Chris Walton is an excellent designer and builder for your pool project. He has previously worked with Rutenburg Homes. Chris Walton has the knowledge needed for pool projects on the Amelia Island Plantation as well.

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Monday, March 14, 2011

Ocean Oaks Amelia Island

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$299,000

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

397 PORTSIDE DRIVE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

397 PORTSIDE DRIVE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Market Report - John Holbrook - Realtor
Prudential Chaplin Williams Realty
Amelia Island, FL 32034
904-415-0171

INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE...Last week there was no guessing involved in the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) report that applications for purchase mortgages hit their highest level of the year. The MBA credited this to the improving job market and mortgage rates remaining at super low levels. This demand for purchase mortgages was up 12.5% from the week before and at its highest level since last May. Freddie Mac's weekly survey of conforming mortgages showed mortgage rates pretty much unchanged, at historically low levels for the third week in a row.

Another UCLA Anderson Forecast came out, reporting that the economy is growing and employment should soon pick up steam. But this somewhat pessimistic group of West Coast economists feel housing will continue to lag behind other sectors. Nonetheless, they see a "modest" recovery in housing starts, up 12% this year, then hitting 1 million in 2012 and approaching 1.5 million in 2013, thanks to pent-up demand.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

20 BEACH WALKER ROAD Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

46 LONG POINT DRIVE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

46 LONG POINT DRIVE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

28 LONG POINT DRIVE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

28 LONG POINT DRIVE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

47 BEACH WALKER ROAD Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

47 BEACH WALKER ROAD Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

50 MARSH CREEK ROAD Amelia Island, FL 3234 Hot Off The MLS!

50 MARSH CREEK ROAD Amelia Island, FL 3234 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

8156 RESIDENCE COURT Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

8156 RESIDENCE COURT Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

6 JUNIPER COURT Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

6 JUNIPER COURT Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

2 OCEAN CLUB DRIVE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

2 OCEAN CLUB DRIVE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

139 LONG POINT DRIVE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

139 LONG POINT DRIVE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

2 HARRISON CREEK ROAD Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

2 HARRISON CREEK ROAD Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

101 LONG POINT DRIVE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

101 LONG POINT DRIVE Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

98 SEA MARSH ROAD Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

98 SEA MARSH ROAD Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Thursday, March 10, 2011

75258 JOHNSON LAKE ROAD Yulee, FL 32097 Hot Off The MLS!

75258 JOHNSON LAKE ROAD Yulee, FL 32097 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

96015 HICKORY PLACE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

96015 HICKORY PLACE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

85176 SHINNECOCK HILLS DR Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

95015 BERMUDA DRIVE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

95015 BERMUDA DRIVE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

86511 EASTPORT DRIVE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

86511 EASTPORT DRIVE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

85586 BOSTICK WOOD DRIVE Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

95042 STARLING COURT Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

95006 LANTANA COURT Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

95006 LANTANA COURT Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
Www.ameliaislandsearch.com
Www.johnholbrook.globally.com

95239 AMELIA NATIONAL PKWY Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

95239 AMELIA NATIONAL PKWY Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Hot Off The MLS!

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Jacksonville Area Real Estate Report

Jacksonville, FL – Attractive Pricing Helps Drive Traffic

3,381 single-family permits in 2010, 26th largest market in the country
Traffic meets expectations as buyers look for deals. Buyer traffic met agents’
expectations in February after beating expectations in January, as our buyer traffic index came in at 50 (from 70 in January), in-line with a neutral reading (readings of 50 point to traffic in-line with expectations). Agents noted that buyers remained interested in getting deals in February. According to one agent, “low home prices are motivating buyers to act.” Another mentioned, “It appears that buyers have decided that prices have bottomed out.” The agents’ commentary reflects themes from our January survey, in which agents said buyers were also out looking for low prices and bargains. Rising interest rates have also factored into buyers’ decision making, as agents noted that buyers wanted to lock in low rates now before costs become too high. One agent mentioned that “higher interest rates have drawn people into the market.”

Prices fall further though buyers respond well to lower prices as time to sell is
unchanged. Home prices fell again in February as our home price index came in at 30,
unchanged from our reading in January, and remaining below a neutral reading of 50,
pointing to lower prices over the past month (readings below 50). We continue to believe these declines are driven by actions to quickly move inventory, as the lower prices have driven better traffic. Inventory levels were higher in February as our home listings index came in at 40 (from 70 in January), with readings lower than 50 pointing to sequentially higher inventory levels. Our time to sell index came in at 45 in February (from 40 in January), in-line with a neutral reading of 50, pointing to an unchanged time to sell over the past month. The time to sell has steadily improved in Jacksonville in recent months, which we think is the result of buyers’ positive response to better pricing.

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Monday, March 7, 2011

Housing Market Report - John Holbrook

The latest NAR overall forecast gave an interesting picture of that recovery. Existing home sales should grow 8.1% this year and another 5.2% in 2012, with the median price essentially flat in 2011 before gaining over 3% next year. New home sales are forecast up about 5% this year, then up over 55% for 2012, with the median price up a bit in 2011, then up 3.5% next year. Fannie Mae's latest National Housing Survey reported that the vast majority of people believe housing prices will hold firm in 2011 and that Hispanics, African-Americans and Generation Y (18–34 years old) are more positive than other Americans about homeownership.

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Friday, March 4, 2011

Nassau County Florida Government

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) levy Ad Valorem Taxes on Property in the County to provide funding for the services listed below.

Sheriff Current Allocation: $28.90
Fire Department Current Allocation: $11.70
Public Works (Enineering, Road & Bridge) Current Allocation: $8.90
Rescue Current Allocation: $7.90
Administration (BOCC, Human Resources Risk Mgmt, Mgmt & Budget/Info Services, Co Manager)Current Allocation: $4.90
Facilities Maintenance Current Allocation: $4.60
Grants & Aid (Not for Profits, Volunteer Fire, Health Department) Current Allocation: $4.20
Clerk of the Courts Current Allocation: $3.80
Solid Waste Current Allocation: $3.50
Tax Collector Current Allocation: $3.30
Reserves Current Allocation: $3.20
Property Appraiser Current Allocation: $3.20
Required State Mandates (Legal Aid, Medicaid, Juv.Detention, Med. Examiner, etc.)Current Allocation: $1.90
Supervisor of Elections Current Allocation: $1.80
Libraries Current Allocation: $1.70
Animal Control Current Allocation: $1.70
Growth Management/Planning Current Allocation: $1.30
Legal / Contracts Management Current Allocation: $1.10
Parks & Recreation/Beach Current Allocation: $0.90
Code Enforcement Current Allocation: $0.60
Cooperative Extension Current Allocation: $0.60
Emergency Management Current Allocation: $0.30

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.netwww.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Mortgage Rates - Fernandina Beach

The effect of rising mortgage rates.
Let’s say you were going to take out a $200,000 30-year-fixed-rate mortgage in November of 2010. At that time, interest rates were 4.17% (as per Freddie Mac). Your principle and interest payment would have come to $974.54. According to the most recent report from Case Shiller house prices fell 3.9% in the 4th quarter of 2010. The most recent report from the Federal Housing Finance Agency shows a 0.8% fall in prices. Let’s use the larger percentage decrease: 3.9%.

For the sake of keeping the math simple, we will now say you can get the same house with a $192,000 mortgage (4% discount from November price). Interest rates are now 4.95% (as per Freddie Mac).

Your principle and interest payment would now be $1,067.54.

By waiting to pay less for the PRICE of the house, the COST increased $93 a month. That adds up to $1,116 a year and over $33,000 over the life of the loan.

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com

6 tips to selling on Amelia Island

Here are 6 big-time homebuyer turn-offs that make buyers cringe at the thought of your home, and action steps you can take to prevent your home from being an offender:

1. Stalker-ish sellers. I know you think you’re being helpful, walking the buyer through your home and pointing out the wagon-wheel light fixture you made with your own two hands, the custom mural of a stingray you paid top dollar to have painted across your living room wall and the way the sounds of happy schoolchildren running across the front yard of your corner lot to get to the school in the next block lifts your spirits. However, the buyers might be trying really hard to ignore, minimize or figure out how to undo the very features of your home you hold dear. They also may want or need to have personal space and conversations with their mate or their agent while they’re viewing your home - you being there, especially walking right alongside them while they’re in your home, prevents them from being comfortable about doing this, or discussing all the things they would change if the home were theirs. In my experience, the more nitpicky a buyer gets about a house and the more detailed their list of things they would change, the more serious they are about considering making an offer on this place.

What’s a Seller to do? Back off. Let your home be shown vacant, or leave the house when people come to see it. If you need to be there, at least walk outside or go sit at the coffee shop down the way while prospective buyers view your home. If the buyers have questions, their people will contact your people.

2. Shabby, dirty, crowded and/or smelly houses. You already know this one. Yet, buyers constantly marvel. The buyers who come to see your home are making the decision whether to choose your home for the biggest purchase they’ve ever made during the worst economic conditions most of them have ever experienced. Your job is to get your home noticed – favorably – above the sea of other homes on the market, many of which are priced very, very low.

What’s a Seller to do? Other than listing your home at a competitive price, the only tool within your control for differentiating your home from all the foreclosures and short sales is to show it in tip-top shape. Pre-pack your place up, getting rid of as many of your personal effects as possible. Do not show it without it being completely cleaned up: no laundry or dishes piled up, countertops freshly washed, smelly dogs (I have a couple who smell on occasion – no judgment – but don’t show your house with pet odors) or litter boxes cleaned and/or out of the house.

3. Irrational seller expectations (i.e., overpricing). Buying a house on today’s market is hard work! On top of all the research and analysis about the market and situating their own lives to be sure they’ll be able to afford the place for 5, 7, 10 years - or longer, buyers have to work overtime to separate the real estate wheat from the chaff, get educated about short sales and foreclosures and often put in many, many offers before they get even a single one accepted. The last thing they want to add to their task lists is trying to argue a seller out of unreasonable expectations or pricing. And, in fact, there are so many other homes on the market, buyers don’t have to do this. When they see a home whose seller is clearly clueless about their home’s value and has priced it sky-high, most often they won’t bother even looking at it. If they love it, they’ll wait for it to sit on the market for awhile, hoping the market will “educate you” into desperation, priming the pump for a later, lowball offer.

What’s a Seller to do? Get real. Get out there and look at the other properties that are for sale in your area and price range. Get multiple agents’ take on what your home should be listed at, and don’t take it personally if their recommendation is low. If your home has much less curb appeal or space or is much less upgraded than the house across the way, don’t list it at the same price and expect it to sell. If you owe more than your home is realistically worth, you may need to reexamine whether you really want or need to sell, or consider a short sale, if you simply have to sell. Don’t be tempted into testing your market with an obviously too-high price, unless you’re prepared to have your home lag on the market and get lowball offers.

4. Feeling misled. Here’s the deal. You will never trick someone into buying your home. If the listing pics are photo-edited within an inch of their lives, or your home is described as an “approved” short sale when, in fact, the bank approved another offer, now withdrawn, but will require a new offer to go through any sort of approval process (even a truncated one), buyers will learn this information at some point. If your neighborhood is described as funky and vibrant, as code for the fact that your house is under the train tracks and you live in between a wrecking yard and a biker bar, prospects will figure this out. If the detailed information about your home, neighborhood or even transactional position (e.g., short sale status, seller financing, etc.) is misrepresented, the sheer misrepresentation will turn otherwise interested buyers off. If you authorize your agent to “verbally approve” the buyer’s offer, don’t go back the next day demanding an extra $5,000. In cases where the buyer feels misled, whether or not that was your intention, running through the buyer’s mind is this question: If they can’t trust you to be honest about this, how can they trust you to be honest about everything else?

What’s a Seller to do? Buyers rely on sellers to be upfront and honest – so be both. If your home has features or aspects that are often perceived negatively, your home’s listing probably shouldn’t lead with them (like the ad I recently saw with the intro line: “this place is a mess!”), but neither should you go out of your way to slant or skew or spin the facts which will be obvious to anyone who visits your home. Make sure you know what the listing of your home reads like, before it’s published to the web, and that a prospective buyer will not feel misled by it.

5. New, ugly home improvements. Many a buyer has walked into a house that has clearly been remodeled and upgraded in anticipation of the sale, only to have their heart sink with the further realization that the brand-spanking-new kitchen features a countertop made, not of Carerra marble, but brand-new, pink tiles with a kitty cat in the middle of each one (I saw this once, people – no joke). Or the pristine, just-installed floors feature carpet in a creamy shade of blue – the buyer’s least favorite color. New home improvements that run totally counter to a buyer’s aesthetics are a big turn-off, because in today’s era of Conspicuous Frugality, buyers just can’t cotton to ripping out expensive, brand new, perfectly functioning things just on the basis of style – especially since they’ll feel like they paid for these things in the price of the home.

What’s a Seller to do? Check in with a local broker or agent before you make a big investment in a pre-sale remodel. They can give you a reality check about the likely return on your investment, and help you prioritize about which projects to do (or not). Instead of spending $40,000 on a new, less-than-attractive kitchen, they might encourage you to update appliances, have the cabinets painted and spend a few grand on your curb appeal. Many times, they will also help you do the work of selecting neutral finishes that will work for the largest possible range of buyer tastes.

6. CRAZY listing photos (or no photos at all). Here at Trulia, we’ve seen listing photos that have dumpsters parked in front of the house, piles of laundry all over the “hardwood” floors touted in the listing description, and once, even the family dog doing his or her business in the lovely green front yard. Listing pictures that have put your home in anything but its best, accurate light are a very quick way to ensure that you turn off a huge number of buyers from even coming to see your house! The only bigger buyer turn-off than these bizarre listing pics are listings that have no photos at all; most buyers on today’s market see a listing with no pictures and click right on past it, without giving the place a second glance.

John Holbrook - Realtor Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach & Yulee, FloridaCell: 904-415-0171 Email: holbrook66@msn.com Web: www.nassaumls.net
www.johnholbrook.blogspot.com