Voters Say Yes on 1

Jan. 30, 2008

Realtors around the state expect buyers and sellers’ pent up demand to generate an immediate increase in home sales following passage yesterday of Amendment 1, which allows buyers to take their Save Our Homes tax savings with them when they move. “People who buy now are getting a great deal because home prices have fallen,” says 2007 FAR President and St. Petersburg Realtor Nancy Riley, who led the charge last year in support of Amendment 1. “These price reductions, combined with portability, will mean a great deal on the taxes owed on their new home.”

Some Realtors expect to see sales activity from first-time buyers thanks to a slight increase in the homestead exemption provided by Amendment 1, record-low mortgage rates, pent-up demand and a large selection of properties. “Again, given the lower cost of housing and the increased homestead exemption, those who have been dreaming of buying their first home will find this the best market in many years,” Riley adds.

The portability provision of Amendment 1 is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2007. Sellers may transfer their Save Our Homes credit (the difference between the assessed value of a homestead and the market [or “just”] value) provided:

1. The residence sold last year was homesteaded;

2. The new residence qualified for the homestead exemption as of Jan. 1, 2008;

3. The owner applies for the exemption and transfer with the county property appraiser by March 1, 2008.

For specific questions about property tax reform, contact your local property appraiser at http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/appraisers.html

© 2008 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Laurelmoor, North Carolina and Ginn Resorts at Quail West

Until March 31st, Ginn are currently offering a Complimentary DreamSampler weekends to Laurelmor, Blowing Rock, North Carolina, which include: Two nights and three days at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock. I have been to Laurelmor and can't tell you how beautiful it is and what a great community Ginn is developing there.

In addition, they are a few months out from unveiling their brand new *Ginn One Club, which will allow Laurelmor owners to have reciprocal Club Memberships at every Ginn Resort, including:

Ginn Laurelmor, North Carolina – http://www.ginnlaurelmor.com/
Ginn Reunion, Florida
Ginn Hammock Beach, Florida Ginn Sur Mer, Bahamas
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
The Belvidere Club, Charleston, SC
Burke Mountain, Vermont
Minturn, Colorado

*Details of the One Club are subject to change until the finalized product comes available (probably mid February).

Ginn are having an event to inform people all about Laurelmor at Quail West in Naples, Florida on Tuesday, 29th January from 6 pm until 8 pm. It's by invitation only, so please call Vanessa Franklin, 239 290 5627 by Monday 28th January if you are interested in attending.

Take the SW Florida Luxury Home Tour

The 4th Annual Southwest Florida Luxury Home Tour will showcase 25 spectacular, million-dollar homes as well as million-dollar ideas! These custom built, one-of-a kind homes are valued from $1.5 million to $4.3 million. Whether you’re looking for a luxury builder to build the home of your dreams or to find creative ideas in architecture, design and technology for your own home, the Southwest Florida Luxury Home Tour has something for everyone.

Come and see Vanessa and Vikki at our tour home at:

11637 TALON DR - Twin Eagles Golf and Country Club

Dates: February 1-3, 8-10, and 15-17, 2008

Friday through Sunday • 10 am –5 pm

Call Vanessa at 239 290 5627 for more information or visit the tour website at:

http://www.napleshometour.com/

Only Newspapers benefit from Open Houses...

Industry statistics reveal that Traditional Open Houses are not very effective at selling homes. In fact, less than 1% of homes are sold as a result of a traditional open house. They’re a huge waste of time listing agent's time and effort and they’re a shameful waste of the client’s time and effort as well.

Despite this, thousands of agents waste an average of $150-$300 (and 3-4 hours of their time) every single week advertising traditional open houses. This is like throwing money out an open window 99% of the time. In the vast majority of cases, traditional Open Houses don’t benefit the seller. They don’t benefit the buyer. They don’t benefit the listing agent.

In fact, the only one who benefits is the local paper who keeps pocketing wasted advertising dollars.

What should we do instead? Tour of homes perhaps?



Reference: Billion Dollar Agent Craig Proctor - edited by Vanessa Franklin, Amerivest Realty.