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.