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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/</link>
        <description>The Real Estate Blog for industry professionals. Exit Realty Premier introduces you to news on short sales, foreclosures and home trends. Our bloggers are not to be missed!</description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/trends-in-south-florida-home-decoration.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/trends-in-south-florida-home-decoration.html</link>
            <author>leomiller@gmail.com (Leo Miller)</author>
            <title>Trends in South Florida Home Decoration</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Trends in South Florida Home Decoration


The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has recently issued a report indicating that the remodeling of kitchens and bathrooms is trending upward. According to a several surveys taken since 2010, home remodeling is a trend of great significance. Bathroom remodeling is statistically more popular than kitchen upgrades/remodels. Given the economic hardships faced by many homeowners, part and parcel of the economy, it is not hard to understand why many decision makers are opting for bathroom upgrades over remodeled kitchens. Pricing out upgrades for both may provide valuable insight into why bathroom remodeling is statistically trumping kitchen upgrades.


Not every fixture/feature in a bathroom needs to be changed in order to create the appearance of a newly remodeled room. Home owners may choose to change the most obviously obsolete fixtures/features just to show their home in the best possible lighting. Regarding the potential changes that may be made it is important to itemize the potential expenses. This will help a seller decide if they want to update their bathroom(s) or the kitchen.


Many older bathrooms are equipped with dimly lit, poor lighting. New light fixtures may cost between $50 and $200. To replace an exhaust fan costs on average $125. A new medicine cabinet costs about $250. A new shower door can range from $250 all the way to thousands of dollars. For those looking to upgrade and save there are plenty of less expensive models. A new toilet seat costs about $25, while a new flapper can be purchased for under $10. Replacing a shower nozzle is easy and a decorative model with water saving technology can be obtained for $30. A new pedestal sink is inexpensive at $150. Painting a bathroom may cost as little as $100 and can be done without any assistance. While there are always additional options such as replacing a shower/tub or installing new tiles, those are major remodeling projects that are significantly more expensive and time consuming. A seller has to consider what a buyer may be looking for first and foremost and then generate a cost/benefit analysis.


A kitchen remodeling is not only enormously expensive, it is also time consuming. A seller needs to decide if they are comfortable with investing thousands of dollars in a new kitchen that they may never use. Upgrades to the appliances, lighting and cabinetry might augment the value of their home and make it more competitive on the market, but will it generate an increase in the value of the home? If a home is not selling can an owner afford this expenditure?


Let’s itemize the three most expensive kitchen upgrades for the purpose of starting a cost/benefit analysis. Granite countertops start at $5,000 and go as high as tens of thousands of dollars depending on the design and quality. Most basic cabinets start at $5,000 and the price trends upward depending on what materials are being used and how much labor is required for the fitting. Packages that include appliances, the backsplash, countertops and cabinets can start as low as $10,500 but that estimate does not always include labor or additional and unforeseeable costs.


Realtors frequently recommend to homeowners that they update the appearance of their home before listing it for sale. Today's real estate market is a bulls and bears atmosphere. Many homes without upgrades are similarly priced as those with beautiful new appliances and functional features. This places thousands of homeowners at a disadvantage. Agents that provide sound advice to their clients are not trying to make a quick and easy sale; they are making their client's home sellable at the listed price. When considering offering advice to your clients, please keep in mind they may need more than your word, they need pictures, and comparables and possibly even an installation specialist to help them make these types of important decisions. The most important factor is traditionally the cost of upgrades and the value of the return. According to surveys, in today’s real estate market, bathrooms may evolve more than kitchens.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:40:24 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/how-can-a-realtor-help-their-clients1.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/how-can-a-realtor-help-their-clients1.html</link>
            <author>vdefrisco@exitrealtypalmbeach.com (Victor Defrisco)</author>
            <title>How Can A Realtor Help Their Clients</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
How Can A Realtor Help Their Clients


Every real estate agent possesses positive and negative attributes. The best realtors are those who constantly improve their trade skills with the goal in mind of providing the finest possible home buying experience for their clients. Examples of an agent’s strengths are: person-ability, an ambassadorial attitude, years of valuable experience to draw on, and the ability to close deals to both the buyer and the seller’s satisfaction. Why stop there? Let’s expand on this list. Objectively, we need ask ourselves first and foremost, "what do clients look for when choosing a realtor?”


1. A realtor should research listings to find properties that best suit a client’s needs and wants, as well as those listing that buyers cannot find on their own.


2. A realtor needs to be technologically proficient to make the best use of the industry’s cutting-edge technologies available.


3. Savvy realtors should have a general idea (based on experience) how much money a home buyer would need to invest in their new home for repairs or upgrades.    


4. If a client has their heart set on living in a specific location it is important that a realtor encourage their desire but also give an honest assessment of home prices and availabilities in that area. Perhaps choosing a similar style home in a surrounding town/city or area for less money may be views as a major contribution.


Now that we have established (at least on a limited basis) some of the qualities or skills a realtor should possess, let’s spend some time concentrating on his/her possibly negative attributes.


First, an agent should never be condescending toward a buyer. Under no circumstances should you make them feel uncomfortable with their home buying decision. Referring to a buyer’s budgetary constraints instead of finding the best possible homes within their price range can turn the client away. A realtor that is unwilling to provide photos, comparables and or video tours of a home will miss out on a huge opportunity to interest a buyer in the homes being shown. Finally, showing homes that a realtor likes, without taking into consideration the buyer’s desires, is both egotistical and it may show a lack of responsiveness to the client’s needs. It is important to make the buying experience about the home buyer because as we all recognize, buying a home is a major life decision that deserves our attention, care and stewardship.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:40:19 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/southern-living-holiday-decorating-ideas.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/southern-living-holiday-decorating-ideas.html</link>
            <author>vdefrisco@exitrealtypalmbeach.com (Victor Defrisco)</author>
            <title>Southern Living Holiday Decorating Ideas</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Enjoy these ideas from Southern Living for decorating your house for the holidays.




  Evergreen wreath and garland on the front door


  Decorate mailbox with winter plants, pinecones, ribbon, garland, ornaments, bows and berries


  Table centerpieces with red flowers and white berries in a silver vase surrounded by gold votives with box garland


  If you have pendant lights in kitchen use garland to decorate them


  Fill glass cylinders with ornaments


  Use festive pillows


  Hang twinkling lights


  Tie wreaths on napkin rings to decorate a table




For more ideas go to http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/holidays-occasions/christmas-decorating-ideas-00400000059442/page104.html
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:40:14 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/is-it-really-a-buyers-market.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/is-it-really-a-buyers-market.html</link>
            <author>vdefrisco@exitrealtypalmbeach.com (Victor Defrisco)</author>
            <title>IS IT REALLY A BUYERS MARKET?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
A buyers market was traditionally when there was more than 6 months of inventory on the market.  As a broker in Lake Worth, a small City in Palm Beach County Florida, I must say the tides have turned here.  For the past 5 years, it was a buyer’s market, but in the past year, Mr. and Mrs. Seller have again become King and Queen.


 


 With the stabilization of the market beginning, the shift has created a shortage of inventory.  Following the crash of the housing market, a transition has evolved in an ever changing market.  However, in the past year prices have not only stabilized, but have begun to rise.  This is a direct result of the correction of the over corrected anomaly that had taken place beginning in 2006 with a huge influx of investors recognizing the bargain basement prices of residential real estate especially in key States such as Florida, and particularly South Florida where we are located in Lake Worth.


 


The drastic shift in the residential housing market had caused financial hardship for many homeowners Nationwide, resulting in a record breaking number of foreclosures and short sales and created a shortage of buyers, and Lake Worth is not any different.  More important, the drastic fall of prices from 2006 to 2011 caused a shortage of buyers for the simple reason people that would have chosen to sell their existing home to move up or move down were unable to do so causing a large decrease in transactions.  As result of this and a pullback in bank foreclosures, inventory dropped dramatically and investors began taking advantage of the low prices and in 2011 prices began to rise, thus the people that couldn’t move because they were upside down suddenly found they were back in a position of positive equity and could now make that move.


 People that were under water desiring to move are finding themselves once again in a position of equity, and that they are able to once again make a move.  We have found in Lake Worth the traditional buyer is  reemerging because of homes that are still very affordably priced, and low prices combined with low interest rates is a winning equation in the housing market.  Additionally, people with lower incomes that didn’t qualify at the height of the market; now qualify because prices are low.


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:40:00 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/for-sale-and-decorated-for-the-holidays.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/for-sale-and-decorated-for-the-holidays.html</link>
            <author>vdefrisco@exitrealtypalmbeach.com (Victor Defrisco)</author>
            <title>For Sale and Decorated for the Holidays</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
For Sale and Decorated for the Holidays


Your house is for sale but you still want to decorate it for the holidays. Everyone likes the cheer of the season; just remember to keep it simple. The smell of fresh garland, tree and pinecones can add to the holiday ambiance for a potential buyer as well as candles, bows and poinsettias. However, it is always best to be cautious with your decorations and keep in mind you want buyers to feel at home, not feel like they are in the mall. Tastefully place your decorations around your house so that they emphasize the space of a room rather than take it away. For example, if your family room is not a large room considers a small to average sized Christmas tree so that it enhances the room rather than create a tight space. In addition, keep the decorations neutral so that they can be enjoyed by all buyers who walk through your house no matter culture, race or religious preference. Even though your house is for sale it can still look beautiful for the holidays!
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:39:38 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/holiday-events-in-palm-beach-county.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/holiday-events-in-palm-beach-county.html</link>
            <author>vdefrisco@exitrealtypalmbeach.com (Victor Defrisco)</author>
            <title>Holiday Events in Palm Beach County</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Enjoy the Holiday Events in Palm Beach County


December 5th:  36th Annual Holiday Boat Parade, Boca/Delray: 6:30pm at the Intracoastal Waterway


December 7th:  Holiday Boat Parade 6:30pm at Boynton Harbor Marina


                          Christmas in Yesteryear Village 5pm to 9pm (Also open December 8, 9, 14, 15, 16)


December 8th:  Delray Beach Holiday Parade 6pm at Atlantic Avenue


                          Menorah Lighting, Sundown at Old School Square


December 9th:  Wellington Holiday Parade 12 to 5pm at Wellington Trace &amp; Forest Hill Blvd.


December 15th: Breakfast with Santa 8, 9, 10, 11am at Delray Beach Marriott


December 18th: Hanukkah Celebration 4-6pm at Canyon Town Center Amphitheater


December 31st: First Night 4pm to Midnight at Downtown Delray
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:39:33 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/how-can-a-realtor-help-their-clients.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/how-can-a-realtor-help-their-clients.html</link>
            <author>leomiller@gmail.com (Leo Miller)</author>
            <title>How Can A Realtor Help Their Clients</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
How Can A Realtor Help Their Clients


Every real estate agent possesses positive and negative attributes. The best realtors are those who constantly improve their trade skills with the goal in mind of providing the finest possible home buying experience for their clients. Examples of an agent’s strengths are: person-ability, an ambassadorial attitude, years of valuable experience to draw on, and the ability to close deals to both the buyer and the seller’s satisfaction. Why stop there? Let’s expand on this list. Objectively, we need ask ourselves “first and foremost, what do clients want from their realtor?”




A realtor should research listings to find properties that best suit a client’s needs and wants, as well as those listing that buyers cannot find on their own.


A realtor needs to be technologically proficient to make the best use of the industry’s cutting-edge technologies available.


Savvy realtors should have a general idea (based on experience) how much money a home buyer would need to invest in their new home for repairs or upgrades.     


If a client has their heart set on living in a specific location it is important that a realtor encourage their desire but also give an honest assessment of home prices and availabilities in that area. Perhaps choosing a similar style home in a surrounding town/city or area for less money may be views as a major contribution.




Now that we have established (at least on a limited basis) some of the qualities or skills a realtor should possess, let’s spend some time concentrating on his/her possibly negative attributes.


First, an agent should never be condescending toward a buyer. Under no circumstances should you make them feel uncomfortable with their home buying decision. Referring to a buyer’s budgetary constraints instead of finding the best possible homes within their price range can turn the client away. A realtor that is unwilling to provide photos, comparables and or video tours of a home will miss out on a huge opportunity to interest a buyer in the homes being shown. Finally, showing homes that a realtor likes, without taking into consideration the buyer’s desires, is both egotistical and it may show a lack of responsiveness to the client’s needs. It is important to make the buying experience about the home buyer because as we all recognize, buying a home is a major life decision that deserves our attention, care and stewardship.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:39:24 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/real-estate-short-sales-approaching-potential-customers-for-short-sale-listings.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/real-estate-short-sales-approaching-potential-customers-for-short-sale-listings.html</link>
            <author>leomiller@gmail.com (Leo Miller)</author>
            <title>Real Estate Short Sales: Approaching Potential Customers for Short Sale Listings</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Real Estate Short Sales: Approaching Potential Customers for Short Sale Listings


There are appropriate ways to approach a home owner under financial duress and there are veritable wrong ways. In order to obtain a listing for a short sale property, a realtor might literally have to knock on an owner’s door. Other times a simple phone call, or infrequently but not impossible, a well-written e-mail correspondence will accomplish the goal. A distressed owner might choose to avoid contact with anyone out of a fear that creditors may be the ones knocking at their door. This might cause the owner to resort to avoiding any and all communications. In these types of situations it might be necessary to go so far as to contact the occupant’s neighbors to find out the owner’s whereabouts. This is just the beginning however, and only lightly addresses the concept of approaching a potential customer for getting a short sale listing.


Experienced realtors will tell you that building trust is the best approach to obtaining a short sale listing. Let’s face it; at one point or another, the majority of us have faced some form of financial hardship. With bills coming overdue and home payments being made late or not at all, it is hard to trust anyone. This can be an unnerving predicament for anyone.


By short selling a home, a realtor can not only enrich his own bank account, he can also help the distressed homeowners remove themselves from a significant financial hardship. Opting for a short sale in lieu of foreclosure can help lessen the impact to one’s credit and may well reduce the possibility of being asked for a deficiency judgment. Perhaps even more important, and in real life terms, the homeowner will have someone to help them during a tough time. This is a tremendous opportunity for a real estate agent to help everybody involved from the bank, to the distressed homeowner to a potential buyer seeking an affordable new home. The realtor is a facilitator and plays a crucial role in resolving a seemingly interminable situation.


“What does the homeowner want or need from the realtor asking for his/her short sale listing?” First, the realtor needs to be knowledgeable. They must be able to answer the owner’s questions competently and completely to ensure they are in capable hands. Subsequently, the realtor needs to stay in contact with the homeowner. This shows the owner that their agent not only is performing his job responsibilities but also that their agent cares enough to navigate them through this challenging process.


In retrospect, we can argue that listing a short sale is a three step process. Step one is to find the homeowner and have a conversation with them in earnest about listing their home for sale. Step two is spend time explaining how the short sale process works and pointing out the benefits of short selling a home as opposed to foreclosure and all of its ugly ramifications. Step three is to guide the distressed owner through the short sale process by providing frequent updates and by maintaining an open-line of communication.


Every situation is different and formulating a plan of action on paper is easier written than done. Regardless, there are many proper ways to engage a potential client as well as some very specific actions a realtor can take to obtain more short sale listings. Every situation, just like every customer, is different. That does not change the responsibilities of a realtor. Always make sure to communicate new developments and please be prepared to respond to any questions a worried homeowner may have. Remember, if an agent were in a similarly distressed position they would also want reassurance and some measure of capable stewardship.


 


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:39:16 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/home-sales-rise-in-palm-beach-county.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/home-sales-rise-in-palm-beach-county.html</link>
            <author>vdefrisco@exitrealtypalmbeach.com (Victor Defrisco)</author>
            <title>Home Sales Rise In Palm Beach County</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Pending deals double from 2011


Lake Worth, Florida (Grassroots Newswire) November 28, 2012 -- Palm Beach County pending real estate sales have doubled from the same time last year.  Pending sales in 2011 were 1,000 and have climbed to 2,000 in 2012 at this time.  Fueling this dramatic increase in Real Estate sales in the area are, record low interest rates, a drastic rollback in prices, and a large influx of investors with cash entering in the market.


This has created a large drop in inventory and a decreased market time for homes put on the market.  Many homes are selling for more than asking price and many times have multiple offers in just a few days of hitting the market. 


 


This has also resulted in a 15% price increase allowing home owners that were upside down last year, to actually have some equity allowing those that had a desire to upsize or downsize the opportunity to sell their homes without writing a check or doing a short sale to get out of their homes.


 


Palm Beach County and such local cities as Lake Worth, Wellington, Boynton Beach, Delray, and Royal Palm Beach are great places to live with good schools, many cultural activities, golf, boating, and a great year round climate.  Now that prices have adjusted and property taxes have decreased, it has again become a very desirable place to live and retire. To search the entire MLS go to www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com


For more information about EXIT Realty Premier, please call 561-967-3948 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting FREE 561-967-3948 end_of_the_skype_highlighting .  EXIT Realty Premier is located at 6177 Jog Rd. Lake Worth, FL 33467.


 







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 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2012 22:56:00 -0500</pubDate>
                    </item>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/a-home-for-the-holidays.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.exitrealtypalmbeach.com/blog/a-home-for-the-holidays.html</link>
            <author>vdefrisco@exitrealtypalmbeach.com (Victor Defrisco)</author>
            <title>A Home for the Holidays</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
A Home for the Holidays


If you are looking to relocate then give you and your family the greatest gift of all, a new home. The holiday time is a great time to purchase a home. Typically, the real estate market slows down between the months of December and February and sellers begin to worry that they won’t sell their house quickly. This can give buyers an opportunity to take advantage of the “motivated seller” and negotiate the right price for the right home. A great holiday gift for all!



 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 09:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
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