Archive for February, 2007

First Impressions Are Key For Getting A Showing

February 27th, 2007 categories: Tampa Real Estate, Tampa Florida Real Estate, Tips for Sellers, Tampa Realtor

Jay, over at the ThePhoenixRealEstateGuy.com, recently posted about the poor images that some agents (or homeowners) will post on an MLS listing as the primary, or first photo. As Realtors, we spend plenty of time on the MLS researching properties, and we are constantly reminded of how important it is to make a great first impression on the web.

I remember when my wife and I were shopping with a Realtor for our first home. We’d jump in the car with her and go on a tour of homes. We never had an opportunity to see the home before the actual showing. The internet was in its infancy and online home photos and tours did not exist.

Fast forward to present day and buyers and their agents now have many sites to choose from to preview homes and even see a neighborhood virtual tour. Buyers now rule out whether or not to see a home first hand while they are online at their home or office.

First impressions are very important with today’s technologies. That first impression (and all impressions really) has to be good or you might just lose that buyer at their desktop. The goal should be to present the property in such a way as to get the buyer or their agent to pick up the phone or shoot an e-mail to schedule a showing.

I learned a lesson a while back when a fellow Realtor and neighbor mentioned what a buyer client of his was looking for. I immediately told him about a listing of mine that sounded perfect. I sent the listing to him via e-mail and he later told me that he had seen it on the MLS, but had ruled it because of something he had seen in one of the images. He subsequently did show it, they wrote an offer and closed on the home weeks later. I am now very cautious about what I post to the MLS.

Things to consider:

• Consider a professional photographer to produce the images and virtual tours.
• Use caution in deciding what to post on the MLS or anywhere else online.
• As a Realtor, if you can’t find 10 images that show a home in a positive light, don’t post 10 images on the MLS.
• Sellers should prepare the home prior to the photo shoot.
• Put the buyer hat on and ask yourself “Would this image compel me to pick up the phone?”

Buyers today often rule out a home while researching online. Homes are often ruled out quickly based on the first, or early impressions the buyer gets from the listing images and/or virtual tour. Buyers will then send their agent a list of homes to see based on their own research. Remember to make a good first impression so that your home makes that list.

Posted by Lenny Gurvich | 3 Comments »

10 Things That The EPA Says You Should Know About Mold

February 26th, 2007 categories: Tampa Real Estate

Let’s face it: Tampa is in a geographic region of the USA that experiences a high level of humidity for much of the year. Add to that the fact that we receive about 43 inches of rain, on average, every year, and you can understand why mold can be a problem. Most of the mold that I see in homes is caused by water intrusion from the exterior of the home. If these problems are not resolved in a timely manner, mold can, and does become an issue. The way to keep mold from becoming a problem is to control moisture.

Here are 10 things to consider regarding mold:

1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60% ) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and dehumidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dish washing, and cleaning.
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
10. Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

For more information on mold, visit the EPA’s mold site.

Posted by Lenny Gurvich | No Comments »

Signs Of Spring In Tampa, Florida

February 24th, 2007 categories: Tampa Real Estate, Tampa Realtor

Ah, yes. Spring has sprung in Tampa as it usually does towards the end of every February. It is always welcome relief after our long hard winter season. Nights in the 40’s and days in the 60’s, and having to wear long pants and a jacket sometimes, just really sucks.

So every year at this time I look for those tell tale signs that we are turning the corner, heading for warmer temps once again. In Tampa, those signs can be quite different from what residents in other areas of the country may experience. In and around Tampa, these things usually indicate entry to the spring season:

• The leaves actually begin falling from the trees.
• Anything near Oak trees gets a fine coat of yellow dusting.
• Worms begin to drop out of the Oak trees.
• Not only are the tops down on convertibles, but so are the windows.
• The scent of citrus blossoms fills the air.
• The scent of rotten citrus fills the air.
• Driving due east in the morning, or due west in the afternoon, is blinding.
• UF prepares for a pounding on the hardwood, compliments of the LSU Tigers.
• The number of Canadian license plates on area roads reaches a peak.

Am I missing something?

Posted by Lenny Gurvich | No Comments »

Stability Is The Word In Tampa Real Estate This Week

February 23rd, 2007 categories: Tampa Real Estate, Tampa Market Conditions, Tampa Realtor

Not much to report this Friday regarding any changes in the state of the Tampa residential real estate market. The number of listings available for sale in Tampa increased slightly, along with an increase of the number of properties under contract pending a closing. Simply stated, demand has kept pace with supply over the last 7 days.

However there is mostly an optimistic view from individuals in the business currently. I have spoken with lenders, Realtors, title agents and home inspectors over the last few days and all are reporting an increase in activity and all had a relatively positive outlook as compared to recent months.

None of this holds water however until we see a corresponding change in hard data, which will lag behind any perceived increase in activity. Stay tuned.

Posted by Lenny Gurvich | No Comments »

No Excuses For Not Knowing Your Property Tax Liability

February 21st, 2007 categories: Tampa Real Estate, Tips for Sellers, Hillsborough Property Tax

Every time I hear it I cringe. “I didn’t know my taxes would go up this much.” Too many buyers focus on what the seller of a property has been paying in taxes as an estimate of what they will pay. This can be way off of the mark, especially if the seller has a homestead exemption and has owned the property for some time. Your taxes for the remainder of the year in which you purchase the property won’t change, but the property will soon be reassessed based on what you paid for it.

In fact, Florida state law requires sellers to provide a disclosure to their buyers that tells the buyer not to rely on what the seller has been paying as an indication of what they’ll be paying in property taxes. This disclosure is usually included in all Florida Association of Realtors contracts.

BUYER SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE SELLER’S CURRENT PROPERTY TAXES AS THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TAXES THAT THE BUYER MAY BE OBLIGATED TO PAY IN THE YEAR SUBSEQUENT TO PURCHASE. A CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP OR PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS TRIGGERS REASSESSMENTS OF THE PROPERTY THAT COULD RESULT IN HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING VALUATION, CONTACT THE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER’S OFFICE FOR INFORMATION.

Could result in higher taxes? How about “will most likely result….”! And Rob Turner, the Hillsborough County Propery Appraiser is kind enough to include a great tool for estimating property taxes in Hillsborough County on his website.

Also be careful when getting a good faith estimate from a lender. The lender will often estimate taxes based on what the seller has been paying. Make sure your lender is correctly estimating your monthly tax liability. It is a big component of your monthly payment. See “Calculating Your Monthly Nut“.

So there are no excuses for not knowing what to expect regarding your property taxes. Ask your agent or visit the appraiser’s website.

Posted by Lenny Gurvich | No Comments »

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