COMMERCIAL According to the latest NAR Commercial Member Profile, commercial members experienced a 7 percent jump in median sales volume for 2006, reaching a median of $2.249 million in sales. Selling land was the single largest commercial specialty for respondents, accounting for 19 percent.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-052108.cfm

CHARITY The foreclosure problem has given something good to the country's best-known housing charity: Cheap properties for sale. Some Habitat for Humanity chapters have seized the buying opportunities.Read the full story: http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-052208.cfm

From Florida Realtors.org HOME SALES Florida Realtors reported positive signs in their local housing markets during first quarter 2008, noting a slower rate of expansion for inventory levels and an increase in pending home sales in some areas. Another positive note: A total of 8,581 existing condos sold statewide during the quarter, up 8.3 percent over fourth quarter 2007. "If we look at what is happening month-over-month for 2008, it appears that the bottom may be here," says 2008 FAR President Chuck Bonfiglio. "We are now seeing more activity, more sales and even prices starting to rise in some markets."Read the full story:

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-051308.cfm

GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME
According to Realty Times, Florida real estate experts say the state's housing market is showing signs of recovery, despite falling residential prices and rising foreclosures and short sales. They note that inventory is expanding at slower rates, and home sales are on the rise in some markets. The Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers, for instance, reports an 85-percent surge in pending single-family home sales in its area during the past 10 weeks. Meanwhile, pending sales jumped 65 percent in February from January in Fort Lauderdale, and 30 percent in March from the prior month in Palm Beach County.Source: Realty Times (05/09/08) Carr, M. Anthony © Copyright 2008 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688

HOMESELLERS
It's a challenge to sell a home in today's market, but the battle eases considerably with careful preparation. Sellers should focus on the top 10 issues. Curb appeal, kitchens, bathrooms and doors head the list.Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-050508.cfm

Wow, billion dollar home in India...
Check out this article from Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/30/home-india-billion-forbeslife-cx_mw_0430realestate.html

Daily Real Estate News May 1, 2008 The First $2-Billion Home Is Coming The world’s largest and most expensive home will be completed in January.The 27-story skyscraper in downtown Mumbai, India, will be the residence of Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita. Ambani, head of Mumbai-based petrochemical company Reliance Industries, is the fifth richest man in the world.The couple who have three children, are custom designing their $2 billion property with help from architecture firms Perkins + Will and Hirsch Bedner Assoc., based in Dallas and Los Angeles respectively.The home will have 400,000 square feet of interior space, nine elevators, a ballroom and a section for security guards and assistants to relax.There will also be an ice room where residents and guests can escape the Mumbai heat and be dusted by man-made snow flurries.Source: Forbes, Matt Woolsey (04/30/2008)

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/10/billionaires08_Mukesh-Ambani_NY3A.html

MORTGAGE RATES Rates on 30-year mortgages remained above 6 percent and almost unchanged this week. Experts polled by Bankrate.com generally agree that rates will increase or remain steady in the short term.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n4-050208.cfm

HOMEBUYERSSome programs for first-time buyers still offer slightly more lenient underwriting standards that make it easier to get into a home, or discounted interest rates that make homeownership more affordable. But it's harder to find first-timer mortgages today.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-043008.cfm

What a deal! Perfect for FHA financing. Home features R13 wall insulation for efficiency, oak kitchen cabinets, 25 year shingles, fenced back yard. Call Chad Stewart, http://www.chadstewart.com/ for 386-487-1463 . $118,900.

FHA: New government data shows that claims on FHA mortgage insurance, which is backed by the government to prevent foreclosures, rose by 61 percent last year compared to five years ago. These payoffs allowed more than six in 10 homeowners who defaulted on FHA-insured loans to stay in their homes.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-042808.cfm

HOME SALES
Florida Realtors statewide reported slight gains in existing home and condominium sales from February to March 2008, according to FAR's latest housing statistics. A total of 9,142 existing single-family homes changed hands in March, a 10 percent increase over the previous month. Statewide existing condo sales totaled 3,145 in March, up 13.7 percent compared to February's sales.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-042208.cfm

Lake City among country’s hottest markets
Magazine rates area as No. 47 for doing business.
By TROY ROBERTS
www.lakecityreporter.com

Lake City was named one of the top 100 small business markets in the south — coming in at No. 47 — in the April issue of Southern Business and Development magazine.Lake City was second on the list in the state of Florida behind Palm Coast.

This is the second time in the past decade that Lake City has been named one of the top small business markets by this magazine, said Jim Poole, executive director of the Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.“This is based on the number of actual deals or company locations within your community that has created a minimum of 200 jobs,” Poole said.

He said the scoring is done during the course of a five-year time frame, and new industries in Lake City such as Hunter Panels, New Millennium Building Systems, U.S. Cold Storage and Target helped Lake City place on the list again.Ranking businesses east of Texas and south of West Virginia, the magazine ranked communities similar in size to Lake City, Poole said, and noted that many of the communities were larger than Lake City and very few, if any, were actually smaller.

Lake City being named to the list could help future expansion, Poole said, as companies looking to relocate into the South or into Florida will see Lake City’s high ranking.

“The last time (we were named to the list), it definitely helped us because people began to realize where we were, and began to look and see who is here and what’s happening and why this community was emerging,” he said.“I think that will continue,” Poole said.

“The magazine goes out to site developers, company locators, people looking for new locations for businesses; when they go through the businesses on the list, they’ll see how well we did within the state and southern markets.”

PENDING HOME SALESNAR released its pending home sales and outlook this morning, with Chief Economist Lawrence Yun predicting little change over the next few months followed by an upswing in sales in the second half of the year.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-040808.cfm

Canadians, especially those who live in U.S. border areas, are snapping up vacation homes in the U.S. as the Canadian dollar gains value against the declining American dollar. According to NAR, the largest number of Canadians head to Florida, with California ranking second.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-040808.cfm

Title: 5 Tips for Buying a Home in a Down Market
URL: http://www.bankaholic.com/2008/buying-home-down-market/

MARKET WATCH: GAINESVILLEIn Gainesville, some positive signs have recently emerged about median home prices and existing home sales. "I think we're heading in the right direction," says Craig McCall, president-elect of the Gainesville Alachua County Association of Realtors. More buyers, McCall says, are beginning to look at properties, and agents are starting to receive more offers.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-040108.cfm __________________________

HOMEBUYERSRecognizing that the current market favors buyers, 77 percent of respondents in a MarketTools survey said that the time is right to buy a home - a 20 percent increase compared to a similar January survey.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-032608.cfm __________________________

Breaking News

Home sales rose by 2.9 percent in February, the first increase after six straight declines, trade group reports.
from Cnn.com today 3-24-08

HOME VALUESThe real estate mantra of "location, location, location" rings particularly true in a slow market. Encourage your buyers to do their research, because choosing the right neighborhood could have a big effect on whether or not their home turns out to be a winning investment.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n4-031708.cfm

STUDY SAYS: MILD HOUSING RECOVERY ON THE WAYIt looks like the housing market may have hit bottom, setting the stage for a mild housing recovery to begin prior to year-end 2008, according to a new study by SMR Research Corp. The market's recovery is likely to be gradual, with house prices merely firming up or increasing slightly, rather than returning to the strong growth seen from 2002 to mid-2006, the firm said. An SMR study was among the first to declare (in 2002) that a housing price bubble existed, defined as prices rising faster than consumer incomes. In a 2004 study, SMR forecast that a "perfect storm" in credit quality would cause an explosion in foreclosures within two years. SMR specializes in mortgage and home equity loan industry research. "Our prior forecasts were accurate but widely disbelieved when issued," says SMR President Stuart A. Feldstein. "We similarly expect a skeptical reaction now to a recovery forecast, which is not the common view. But the numbers are what they are." The new recovery forecast was published within SMR's annual spring study. "Homes are now affordable again," Feldstein says. "Consumer psychology is the biggest remaining hurdle to recovery." © 2008 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Here are some good design tips from Lowes
https://www.lowesrealtorbenefits.com/newsletter/pdf/022008.pdf

PROPERTY TAX PORTABILITY
Only three days remain: Friday is the deadline for homeowners to apply for a homestead exemption, and, for 2007 homebuyers, the last day to apply for property tax portability – the right to take tax savings from a home protected by Florida’s Save Our Homes amendment and transfer it to a home purchased last year.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-022608.cfm

HOUSING MARKET
NAR’s housing report yesterday had some good news. While the sales numbers were down, they weren’t as dismal as many economists expected. Some investors saw that as positive news, and a sign that the housing downturn is on the verge of bottoming out.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-022608.cfm

Here is some interesting info about foreclosures...

http://www.trulia.com/newsletter

http://images.trulia.com/resources/Trulia_Trends_Report-February_2008.pdf

Wow! Even in what is being referred to as a dismal market almost 7,000 existing homes sold in ONE MONTH in Florida in January!!! Also note the good positive outlook for the future in Par. 2 -
----
ORLANDO, Fla. – Feb. 25, 2008 – The mortgage credit crunch and a sluggish economy continued to affect the sales pace of existing homes and condominiums in Florida in January. Statewide, sales of existing single-family homes totaled 6,737 last month while 9,360 homes sold in January 2007 for a decrease of 28 percent in the year-to-year comparison, according to the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR).
--------
But some industry analysts expect sales activity to improve by the second half of the year, especially if the increased loan limit caps within the federal government’s economic stimulus package can be implemented quickly. In the latest market outlook from the National Association of Realtors®, Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says, “Existing-home sales have moved narrowly since last September, but when the full impact of higher loan limits for conventional mortgages begins to hit the market, there is likely to be a notable rise in home sales and prices. If higher limits are enacted very quickly, we’ll see a faster and more meaningful recovery by expanding safe, affordable financing in high-cost areas – that, in turn, would help to stimulate overall economic activity.”

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTInvestors who bought housing stocks at the beginning of the year made money. As the Federal Reserve started cutting interest rates, the stocks of several home builders started to rise dramatically; and some analysts believe it signals sunnier days ahead for the entire housing industry.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-021908.cfm

HOMESELLERSSome sellers may need to be convinced that the price they want for their home is not the price they’re going to get. Associates can use a number of tools to make that happen.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-020708.cfm

PROPERTY TAX AMENDMENTRealtors around the state expect the pent up demand to buy-and-sell will spark home sales statewide thanks to yesterday’s passage of Amendment 1, which lowers property taxes statewide.Read the full story:

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-013008.cfm

Now is the time to buy a home.
Check out http://www.chadstewart.com/ & start browesing for Lake City, FL Homes & Real Estate today.

COMMERCIALUF’s latest real estate survey finds that commercial real estate remains healthy in Florida. While the residential industry continues to suffer, the commercial respondents report stable, healthy conditions in the market.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-012908.cfm

From LowesRealtorBenefits.com

If "getting organized" is on your list of New Year's resolutions, you're not alone. Surveys show that getting organized is right up there with exercising, spending more time with family and paying off debt.
Organizing your home from top to bottom doesn't have to be a daunting task, especially if you focus on one room at a time and work in short intervals. Help your clients and customers get their homes in shape for 2008 by printing out and sharing these helpful tips.

8 Home Organization Tips

Please remember to vote YES on Amendment 1 in Tuesday's primary election.

Amendment 1 cuts property taxes for all homeowners.
Amendment 1 doubles the homestead exemption.
Amendment 1 cuts property taxes on businesses.
Amendment 1 makes the "Save Our Homes" property tax cap portable by allowing owners of homesteaded property to take up to $500,000 of tax savings with them when they purchase another home.

AMENDMENT 1 WILL BRING US BUSINESS!

Amendment 1 *DOES NOT* remove "Save Our Homes" as was proposed in the super-homestead legislation that failed last fall.

AMENDMENT 1With green and orange “Vote Yes On 1” signs raised high, Florida Realtors greeted Gov. Charlie Crist this morning with a standing ovation, thanking Crist for his efforts to cut property taxes. The governor addressed Realtors attending FAR’s Mid-Winter Business Meetings in Orlando.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-012508.cfm

DEMOGRAPHICSCensus figures show that Florida continues to grow rather than shrink, but the number of incoming residents from other states dropped by about 86 percent in just two years thanks to higher home prices, property taxes and insurance costs.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-012308.cfm

RENT OR BUY?Are your potential homebuyers on the fence? Smart Money’s Web site allows them to calculate in dollars and cents whether it’s beneficial to rent or buy. An online worksheet estimates how much value will be found in either scenario. Even if it’s smarter for a customer to rent now and buy later, they’re bound to remember you and pass along your good name when friends or family ask for references. Check it out at: http://www.smartmoney.com/home/buying/index.cfm?story=rentown© 2008 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

PROPERTY TAXESGov. Charlie Crist yesterday urged voters to approve Amendment 1, speaking from homes across the state as part of the “Yes on 1” campaign. “You know what that (amendment) will do to the real estate market in Florida? I tell you, it will ignite it,” Crist said.

REASON NO. 4Vote YES on Amendment 1Florida’s homestead exemption hasn’t changed since 1980, which means it’s about time it was increased to better reflect modern home values. Under Amendment 1, the state’s homestead exemption will double from $25,000 to $50,000 for most Floridians. Take that to the bank! Vote YES on 1 – http://www.yeson1florida.com/

ReaFLORIDA ECONOMY

Florida’s housing market slowed in 2007, flattened out and will begin to recover in 2008, according to a new forecast report from the Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund. “Florida has a very large and powerful economy that has gone through a cyclical downshift, but it is still outperforming compared to the rest of the nation,” says Orlando economist Dr. Hank Fishkind, who created the report.

Read the full story:

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-010808.cfm

A Good Time to be in the Commercial MarketGetting to know developers and taking courses are among the ways to develop a new niche and take advantage of some growing commercial opportunities.Read more >

MORTGAGESThe Federal Reserve will propose new mortgage rules tomorrow that would give consumers much greater protection. Under consideration: Voiding subprime borrowers’ prepayment penalties, restricting loans that don’t require proof of income, and improving financial disclosures given to borrowers.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-121707.cfm

HOMEBUYERS

It’s good to be a homebuyer, and buyers today know that they’re in the driver’s seat. Most buyers, flush with inventory, can take their time to find the home that’s “just right.” And many find great deals if they’re patient.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-121207.cfm

For Lake City homes and Lake City Real Estate for sale check out my website at:

http://www.chadstewart.com/

A lot of Florida government information is online – if you can find it. An agreement signed yesterday with Google, however, could make a search easier if you’re looking for state business information or doing research on a property listing.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-120407.cfm

MORTGAGE RATESMortgage rates fell sharply this week with 30-year mortgages dropping to an average of 6.10 percent – the lowest level in more than two years, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly nationwide survey.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-113007.cfm

ECONOMYEverything will be okay: Rising foreclosures will lead to billions of dollars in lost economic activity next year in major U.S. cities, but homeowners and financial institutions have the ability to contain the effects, according to a report released today.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-112707.cfm

PROPERTY TAXESContinuing to bash a property-tax plan he reluctantly voted for, House Speaker Marco Rubio is now urging supporters to back a citizens’ petition to cap the total amount of taxes paid by every property owner to 1.35 percent of the property’s value.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-112607.cfm

Check out my new voice greetings at www.chadstewart.com and let me konw what you think. http://www.chadstewart.com is your source for Lake City, FL Real Estate

Allstate Insurance customers are safe from rate increases – at least for now. State officials say proposed increases by four Allstate insurance companies, ranging from just under 30 percent to more than 43 percent, don’t comply with a new state law.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-111907.cfm

The market may be down but a survey finds that most consumers appreciate the value of using a Realtor when buying or selling a home. A new NAR survey finds that 79 percent of homebuyers and sellers use a real estate professional. The survey also looks at buyers’ incomes, shopping techniques and other information that can be used in marketing campaigns.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-111507.cfm

Now it’s the voters’ turn: Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday signed into law a bill that would implement property tax cuts, providing voters approve the proposed constitutional amendment in January.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-111407.cfm

MARKETINGAs newspapers struggle to adapt in a world in which a growing number of people go online for real estate information, a consortium of 11 media companies, representing 282 newspapers, has signed a real estate listing agreement with Zillow.com.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-111307.cfm

AN I-SIGN OF THE I-TIMESRealtor.com has launched a special URL for users of Apple’s iPhone that allows them to easily access home listings and sales associate contact information. Joe De Tuno, senior vice president of product management for Realtor.com, states, “Our new search capabilities for the iPhone are relevant enhancements that give consumers the full power of mobility and immediate access to Realtor.com in a manner that fits naturally into their everyday lifestyle.” The site is capitalizing on the iPhone’s popularity, with an estimated 45 million of the devices expected to be in use by 2009. Cell phones and PDAs equipped with Windows Mobile 5.0 can also search Realtor.com.Source: CNNMoney (11/07/07)© Copyright 2007 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688

WASHINGTON – Nov. 9, 2007 – Rates on 30-year mortgages fell for the third straight week, dropping to the lowest level in five months.

Freddie Mac, the mortgage company, reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages dipped to 6.24 percent this week, down from 6.26 percent last week.It was the third straight weekly decline after rates hit 6.40 percent. Analysts attributed the decreases to mounting evidence that the economy is starting to slow.

Info from FAR.
www.floridarealtors.org

HOME SALESNew-home sales rose 2.8 percent in July, after falling 4 percent in June, the Commerce Department reported Friday. The increase in July lifted sales to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 870,000 units.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-082407.cfm

HOMESELLINGWant to help your sellers catch the eye of potential buyers? Have them consider an investment in their yard, maybe by adding flowers, trees or shrubbery. A nicely landscaped property can boost the selling price by about 7 percent, according to researchers. Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-082007.cfm

CONSUMER CONFIDENCEHave U.S. consumers turned a corner? Consumer confidence for July surged 7.3 points over June numbers to reach its highest level in six years, suggesting that economic activity may gather momentum in the coming months.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n4-073107.cfm

I recently finished my schooling & got my Florida Real Estate Brokers license, upgraded from a sales associates license. I am active with Westfield Realty Group as a broker associate.

Great tips for staging your home & home improvment from Lowes.

https://www.lowesrealtorbenefits.com/library/

www.REALTOR.COM new Realtor.com consumer feature enables buyers and Realtors to immediately get listing information using their PDA or cell phone. The service, available 24/7, has a one-click button that delivers listing info about a nearby home, and another one-click feature to contact the listing agent or broker.Read the full story:http://click.email.floridarealtors.org/?ju=fe5f11767764007b751d&ls=fe0215707d64077877177371&m=feff1070756103&l=fec21d7177640c74&s=fe671c707464007d771d&jb=ffcf14&t=

RED-HOT TV REAL ESTATETelevision is one area where the real estate market hasn’t slowed. Among the hot programs are: “Bought & Sold” on HGTV, “Real Estate Pros” on TLC, “Flip This House” on A&E, and “Property Ladder” on TLC. Viewers might wonder if the situations featured in the episodes are made for TV. “My show is never scripted and never will be,” says South Carolina real estate developer Richard Davis, whose adventures are chronicled on “Real Estate Pros.” It’s just the way the business is, says Michael Morrison, executive produce of “Flip This House.” “The real estate world is a magnet for personalities. There’s no shortage of bold, in-your-face individuals who are at times likable and at other times not likable.”Source: McClatchy Newspapers, Robert Trussell (07/07/2007)

PROPERTY INSURANCEHow do property insurance rates compare in your county? Homeowners and buyers can now find comparison info on a state-run Web site, which creates a fictional house and then shows how much it would cost to insure, by company and county, based on rate filings submitted to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

http://www.flgov.com/shop4insurance/HOCompareRates.htm

SOME GOOD GRASS

A St. Augustine lawn boosts curb appeal, but a new type of grass developed by the University of Florida could make traditional St. Augustine an also-ran. Not only is this new turf far more resistant to sap-sucking, lawn-killing chinch bugs than current varieties, it’s also more attractive with a finer leaf blade and dark green hue. Need another hook? It also requires less mowing; perhaps 50 percent less than current common Florida grasses. Although IFAS officials recently approved the public release of the new grass, what’s now known as NUF-76 won’t be on the market until next year. Growers are quickly expanding acreage of NUF-76 to ensure there’s enough sod to create a buzz for the as-yet unnamed brand they hope will compete with Floratam, a turfgrass released by UF in the early 1970s that now covers some 750,000 acres around the state. Beyond homeowners, the grass could also help the environment. “If we can eliminate just one mowing per year, that could lead to substantial savings in fuel,” says Dr. Russell T. Nagata, associate professor horticultural sciences department. “And it’s possible the darker green color will prevent some people from applying as much fertilizer.”© 2007 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

The Luxury Homes Topping the MarketWant a 95-acre estate that boasts a 56,000-square-foot mansion with 15 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms? It'll only cost you $135 million. Find out the priciest U.S. homes for sale.

100 acres listed in the heart of North Central Florida, nearby the interesection of I-10 & I-75.



Check it out on loopnet at



http://listing.loopnet.com/15126218

100 acres listed in the heart of North Central Florida, nearby the interesection of I-10 & I-75.

Check it out on loopnet at

http://listing.loopnet.com/15126218

Check out my new Point2Agent site with lots of great virtual tours.

at

www.lakecityfloridarealtor.com

NEW HOME SALES
Sales of new homes surged in April by 16.2 percent – the biggest amount in 14 years – but the median price of a new home also dropped by the largest amount on record, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. The mixed signals left no clear picture of whether the worst of the nation's housing slowdown is over.
Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-052407.cfm

PROPERTY TAXES Business leaders met with Gov. Crist yesterday and asked him not to forget commercial interests when the state formulates new rules for property insurance, cautioning him not to shift more of the tax burden to commercial and non-homesteaded residential property owners.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-051607.cfm

TRENDSTo lure young buyers, many developers build condo complexes with amenities like videogame lounges that promise a great social life as well as an affordable first home. But it’s not easy to control demographics: Some of the buildings draw buyers old enough to be the parents of the kids down the hall.Read the full story:http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n4- 051407.cfm

Lake City, FL is in the news. Fortunatly this is not effecting the major residential areas as much as it is in government or national forest areas.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070513/D8P3N7E80.html

INTEREST RATES
No news is good news: The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady yesterday at 5.25 percent. The current rate, relatively good by historical standards, impacts ARMs and home equity lines of credit.
Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-051007.cfm

HOME SELLERS
Home sellers should find and fix plumbing problems before they put their home on the market – if they know how to inspect pipes and faucets. It’s worth fixing upfront. A buyer’s inspector will eventually find the troubles, which could delay closing.
Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n5-050807.cfm

Ever wondered what at all Section Township Range, ex: as in the NW1/4 of the NW1/4, etc, etc means.

Graphical Display of the Federal Township and Range System
http://www.outfitters.com/genealogy/land/twprangemap.html

FHA REFORM
The U.S. House Financial Services Committee on Thursday passed legislation that would allow FHA to offer borrowers a safer alternative to risky mortgage products and help many homeowners facing foreclosure. NAR supports H.R. 1852, saying the bill will help provide stability to local real estate markets and economies. Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-050707.cfm

$5 Ideas for Making a House More AppealingYou don't always have to spend the big bucks to get a home ready to sell.Read more >

Enjoy quite country living, but still say close to town in this 2001 built home. Enjoy your own pecan grove with 5 varieties of pecan trees. Wide brick steps lead to a 30ft wide elevated front porch to enjoy the great views & sunsets.

Interior of home features: 12ft vaulted ceilings, 2664 under roof per appraiser, wood fireplace, built in bookshelves, French doors, Florida room, a tiled 12’x31’ back porch, large windows to let sunlight in, tile throughout, laminate wood flooring, 3rd bedroom is connected to master.

A family member may build a 2nd house on property & the deed restriction give an exception on this lot to allow for this.

Top 10 Towns Where People Want to LiveRelocate-America.com has compiled a ranking of cities and towns that are considered top places to live. Did your town make the list?Read more >

The Priciest Homes on the MarketA home in Montana for $155 million leads a list of the top 12 priciest properties in the United States.Read more >

Lake City Florida Hometown newspapers. Get to them all right here.
http://www.hometownnews.com/fl.htm

Our road project here in Columbia county on Hwy 47 is finallly about done.... See below update from the Chamber.

The completion of the widening of State Road 47 between U.S 41 and Interstate 75 in Lake City will be commemorated with a ribbon cutting planned for this Friday (March 16) at 10 a.m.
The location is the new Park and Ride lot on the east side of SR 47 (next to the S&S Shell).
The $27 million project began in October 2004 and is expected to be completed this week.

ECONOMY
Toning down some earlier remarks, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said during a Tokyo seminar that he does not think an economic slowdown in the U.S. is “probable.” Even better news: Greenspan also said that the nation has experienced the major part of adjustment in housing prices and “the worst is over.”
Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-030107.cfm

Check out the Lake City, FL Chamber website at
http://www.lakecitychamber.com/

Lake City is a great place to live.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
Consumer confidence rose to its highest level in five-and-a-half years amid optimism that the nation's economy is creating enough jobs, a private research group said Tuesday.
Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n4-022707.cfm

PROPERTY TAXES
Lawmakers in the state House of Representatives are ready to lower Floridians' property taxes – by raising the state’s 6-cent sales tax by 2 to 3 more pennies and making it the highest in the nation.
Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n1-022107.cfm

New Virtual tours now available at www.chadstewart.com. Check out some of the finest homes in the Lake City, FL area.

Virtual tours hosted thru Point 2 software. Additional info & tours available from.
http://chadstewart2.point2homes.biz

Thanks again for visiting.
Chad Stewart
Professional Realtor
Lake City, FL

REALTOR.com. Reviewers liked the detailed descriptions and estimated monthly payment tool, and said multiple pictures and virtual tours for some properties are a plus

4 Minor Improvements That Bring Big ResultsSmall home repairs and simple enhancements can make a big impact on buyers, says Sid Davis, author of the new book "Home Makeovers That Sell."Read more >

TAG. YOU'RE IT!
It's your turn to "Support Homeownership for All." FAR's specialty
license plate to support workforce housing is now available online,
by mail or at your county tax collector's office. The license plate costs
an additional $27 (beyond the state's fees for a tag), which includes a
$2 Department of Motor Vehicles processing fee. And if you purchase
the tag online, you'll pay a convenience fee of either $2 or 2.95 percent
of the tag's total cost. Read more about FAR's efforts to support
workforce housing through the new vehicle tag and find a link to order
the new tag online at
http://www.floridarealtors.org/LegislativeCenter/LegislativeNews/Homeownership-For-All-license-plate.cfm

INTEREST RATES
Analysts weren't surprised that the Federal Reserve held the federal-
funds rate steady at 5.25 percent this week. But after its meeting, the
Fed also released an upbeat statement noting that the housing
market appears to be stabilizing.
Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n2-020107.cfm

Just Listed... 4 bedroom, 3 bath, built in 2006 in the Plantations neighborhood here in Lake City, FL priced at $359,900

Upscale home in premier neighborhood built by top quality builder Isaac Construction. Home features: stronger 2x6 framing, crown molding, custom cabinets, stainless appliances, encased windows wi custom plantation style blinds and sun bursts, individual shower temperature controls.

Family room has built in bookshelf/entertainment center with electric fireplace. Pocket door to guest suite with private bath & door to porch. This is a must see home. Call for a tour.

Workshop is a 20’x20’ built to match house with 13 electrical outlets, roll up door, sink, shelves.

FIXES FOR A FASTER SALE
Want to help your sellers? Here are 10 quick fixes that make a house
more likely to be snagged up by buyers, according to home stager Lori
Matzke, founder and president of Centerstagehome.com in Minneapolis:
1. Paint the trim, columns, front door, and the light fixture.
2. Replace the storm door with a full-view one.
3. Clean all the window screens.
4. Add new mulch and a potted plant by the front door.
5. Remove mirrors from over the fireplace so buyers focus on the fireplace.
6. Move furniture 1 1/2 to 2 feet away from the walls to create the illusion of more space.
7. Get rid of any movable storage pieces in the kitchen and take all the clutter off the refrigerator.
8. Clean and regrout the bathroom floor tile.
9. Replace dated bathroom vanities with trendy (and economical) pedestal sinks.
10. Put colorful bedding and matching window treatments in all the bedrooms.


Source: Star-Tribune, Aimee Blanchette (01/27/07)
© Copyright 2007 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD
(301) 215-4688

FSBOS: FEWER GOING IT ALONE

NAR reports a drop in the number of for-sale-by-owner (FSBO)
transactions to 12 percent of all sales today from 18 percent in 1997.

NAR spokesman Walter Molony says property owners believe agents
are better equipped to achieve fast sales at top dollar in a slow market,
adding that the median price for agent-assisted transactions was about
16 percent higher than FSBO sales last year.

Molony notes that agents
orchestrate showings, handle paperwork and identify serious buyers
for sellers – who often lack the time or experience necessary to
complete such tasks.

MORTGAGE RATES
Rates on 30-year mortgages rose this week to 6.23 percent, the
highest level in nine weeks, as financial markets reacted to a series
of more upbeat financial reports.
Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-011907.cfm

ECONOMY
The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which oversees
the global financial system, said yesterday that ''a soft landing now
seems more assured'' for the United States, and world economic
growth should approach 5 percent in 2007.
Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n3-011707.cfm

The Most Expensive Home of 2006Sales of homes priced at $5 million and above were up about 11 percent over 2005, according to estimates. So what home sold for the most in 2006?Read more >

Home Sales to Rise Gradually into 2008A steady improvement in existing-home sales will support price appreciation moving forward, says NAR Chief Economist David Lereah.Read more >

LUXURY MARKET
Florida's high-end home market continued to do well in 2006, according
to some industry experts. ''It was a really big year, higher than normal in
our market,'' says Joseph Liguori, Premier Estates' owner and
practitioner.
Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n4-011507.cfm

Rise in November New Home Sales Paints Strengthening Housing Market
Foxnews.com
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,239137,00.html

The CCBA gave out awards from last years Parade of Homes.
The categories and the people that won are as follows.

1. Best Prepared Home. Charles Peeler – Emerald Cove House.
2. Best Kitchen and Bath. Isaac Construction – Plantations house.
3. Best Landscaping. Erkinger Home Builders. Plantations.
4. Unique Design. Erkinger Home Builders. Plantations.
5. Best Interior. Sparks Construction. Rolling Meadows.
6. Best Home Under 3000 sq feet. Cady Homes & Assoc – Rolling Meadows.
7. Best Home Over 3000 sq feet. Erkinger Homes. Plantations.

REAL ESTATE FORECAST
There's positive news about the real estate market in 2007: Analysts note that interest rates will remain at historically low levels, homebuyers will see more opportunities and, nationwide, home prices will trend upward or remain stable in 2007.
Read the full story:
http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n4-121306.cfm

Rates Fall for Fifth Consecutive WeekThe average rate on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages dropped to 6.14 percent, its lowest point since Jan. 26 of this year, according to Freddie Mac.