JME Realty Sold To COLDWELL BANKER UNITED, REALTORS

Coldwell Banker JME Realty, the Pensacola Bay Area's largest residential and commercial real estate company, has been bought by Texas-based Coldwell Banker United, Realtors. Joe Endry, JME's founder and president, said combining the two firms is "an absolutely perfect fit."Coldwell United, Endry said, is well established in Texas, North and South Carolina, and JME Realty "is going to be its outlet to the Gulf Coast ... and it will give us the opportunity to bring more prospective buyers to our beach properties." The combined companies will have 77 offices in six states with more than 2,400 agents.

READ HERE THE FULL STORY IN THE PENSACOLA NEWS JOURNAL AND ALSO IN THE STATE, SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS

Housing Market Indicators:

Florida existing home sales: -26%

Florida existing condo sales: -19%

Florida existing home median price: $237,800

Florida existing condo median price: $215,500

Florida consumer confidence: 86

National existing home sales: -2.6%

National existing home median price $212,300

National (Freddie Mac) mortgage rate 6.74%

The Secret Agent

Being a Brit myself I came across this article on the BBC News website. I never imagined that Real Estate in England was so unregulated. I am appalled. Thank goodness I am a Florida REALTOR with integrity and a conscience.** The Secret Agent **Lying to customers, faked signatures, false passports and dodgy deals with developers. An undercover investigation reveals the secret world of estate agents' dirty tricks.< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/magazine/4826444.stm >

My advice to you is always use a REALTOR. Ask your Real Estate Agent if they belong to the National Association of REALTORS.

Calling All REALTORS..Want Something For FREE?

1. Cost of getting your real estate license?….......Expensive.


2. Cost of joining the National Association of Realtors?….......Worth it.


3. Cost of newspaper and magazine advertising?…..........Astronomical.


4. Time you spend driving around buyers viewing properties?…...........Hours and hours.


5. Trying to get noticed in a sea of other agents?……......Disheartening


6. Getting a fully functioning website that is recognized worldwide that truly generates leads and gives you the opportunity to network with thousands of other agents?….PRICELESS


7. Did I mention FREE?

What am I talking about? The Point2 NLS - The National Listing Service
112,117 Members... and growing.
2,131,564 Leads Generated..and increasing.
85 Countries Worldwide.

It allows agents to be in control.
Go to the FAQ to learn about how it works and what it offers to real estate professionals.

"Point2 Agent is Free Real estate websites, real estate lead generation programs, and real estate lead conversion programs – you know you probably need them all, but did you know that they’re all included with Point2 Agent? No extra fees means that you can start building your site, generating valuable online real estate leads, and actively converting those leads into clients – and you can get started absolutely free of charge"

It is not a trial either. The Standard membership is totally free. But you can upgrade to a Professional or a Premium membership later.

NO hosting fee
NO set up fees
NO contract

Agents are doing it!
Brokers are doing it!
Builders are doing it!
Property Managers are doing it!


"The Point2 Agent Difference: Thanks to Handshake™ and the Exposure Engine™, any listings you enter in your Point2 Agent website will automatically be advertised all over the web, at no extra charge. While Handshake™ connects you to other local Point2 Agent members and lets you decide exactly where your listing is advertised and by whom, the real estate Exposure Engine™ automatically converts your listing information into several formats and exports it to major real estate marketplaces like Google Base, Yahoo! Classifieds, Oodle, Trulia, and many more without you taking any extra steps or paying anything extra. Point2’s Exposure Engine™ sends your listings to more places than any other syndication solution – and it does it all for nothing extra"

What Else Do You Get??

**Live Online Coaching and Mentoring with the Point2 Academy
**Get Domain Names for $8.95
**Discount coupons for your customers to help them with their home projects, moving and even the cost of new appliances.

CUSTOMERS: Where do you find your Real Estate Agent? Right here at Point2 Homes

Ask your agent if they are part of the NLS

Where do you find MEGAN FUNKE? Your Tiger Point Expert

Home Features Included in the Sale?

Renovation Projects That Hold Their Value

Most people feel that renovation projects hold their value and that when they sell their home they should get their money back. Well, some projects do and some don't. Adding space and light is key to you but what about when you sell? Here are some ideas of projects that certainly do impact the value of the home.

• Remodel the kitchen. Smart place to invest is in the heart of the home.
• Replacement windows. Saves on utilities too.
• Install a deck or Florida room. It can add square footage if heated and cooled.
• Finish the basement. Adds an entertainment room for your big screen TV or surround sound.
• Replace worn out siding.
• Add an attic bedroom. Great getaway fo kids.
• Bring your bathroom into the 21st century! Get rid of advocado green. Yuk!
• Replace the roof.

FYI:- the highest ranking home improvement in terms of return on investment is....Replace Worn Out Siding. First impressions count!

More About Home Staging

"Showhomes provides a specialized service to real estate agents, homeowners and custom builders by professionally staging, marketing and managing vacant houses. Showhomes creates and maintains a dynamic first impression of the property, thereby enhancing the property's marketability and maximizing the sales effort. We help potential buyers to visualize furniture placement and room use while enhancing features in house construction, layout and design" Says Sherri Nichols, Franchise Owner. "A Vacant House to Valued Home" Showhomes, serving Pensacola and Destin. Office located on Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze.

INTERIORS by Decorating Den
"Imagine the fun and convenience of having your own personal interior decorator come to your home to take care of your challenging project - with talent, creative ideas, and an incredible array of brand names you love, all to fit your taste, your style and your budget."

Staging, what is it?
Prepare home for sale by de-cluttering, de-personalizing, redesigning and organizing. Showcase key features by rearranging furniture and decor.

Home Sellers Sweeten The Deal

Talking about incentives to buy here's an article on how sellers are sweetening the deal by offering goodies to help sell their properties. It's still a buyers market so most buyers are trying to think of ways to make their home look more enticing than the next one.
"They include everything from paying the first year's mortgage or homeowners insurance, to free carpeting, landscaping and bonuses for real estate agents" Sellers are also turning to staging companies, who advise you on the use of furniture and accessories to make your home look better. They also advise on how to use color correctly. These companies are run by interior designers and decorators who have the knowledge of what buyers are looking for and what appeals to the eye. Learn more here

Do You Have Enough Homeowners Insurance?

"Is my coverage adequate to rebuild my house and replace personal possessions?"

"Do I enough coverage for living expenses if I have to live elsewhere while my home is being rebuilt?" i.e. hotel costs and meals.

"How much liability coverage do I have in case of damage or bodily injury to others while on my property?"

So ask yourself, what is "Replacement Cost"? Most people think it is based on market value, however, that would include the land and the location, which do not effect the value of the structure. So you must take into account the following when trying to work out how much it would actually cost to rebuild...

• Rising cost of building materials.
• High cost of construction labor during disasters.
• Cost of replacing antique hardwood floors or granite countertops and custom cabinetry.

Make sure your insurance agent uses a reliable cost estimator to help determine the value of your home and coverage that you need. These systems allow specific criteria of the home to estimate replacement costs, reflecting 100% of costs using "like-kind" and good quality materials. And if you upgrade or remodel your home do contact your agent again to increase coverage.
BTW, we got a new roof etc. But not everyone is lucky! We don't live in a flood zone though. But who needs flood insurance?.....EVERYBODY!

ABOUT Buying and Selling

"Much of the country is experiencing a buyer's market right now, which is delightful news for buyers. Serious buyers are getting some terrific deals and making out like bandits. Sellers are falling all over themselves by paying buyers' closing costs and offering incentives like cars, vacations or prepaid association dues for a year. What I want to know is where are the front-row tickets for the Academy Awards? I might be tempted to buy just about anything if I could sit up front at the Oscars" From Elizabeth Weintraub, ABOUT Buying / Selling Houses

I love this website for up-to-date information about real estate. Tidbits of info that can be helpful in either buying or selling and choosing the right REALTOR to represent you. I signed up for their newsletter and I like its format. Always something new. But talking about incentives, the sellers are offering help with closing costs, home warranties, first mortgage payments etc. All sorts of monetary help. But agents are also looking for incentives to show houses and write contracts. A cash bonus on top of regular commission is good as long it's not more than the commission itself. Agents however, need to be careful that they are not steering other agents to show only their houses by dangling a "golden carrot" Offering too much like cars or vacations can make people greedy and their practices can be unethical. We have to do what we can to sell our customers house without alienating the competition. Lets be fair here.

Wish List For Home Buyers This Year

Check out this website for tips for buying your next home.

Called the Dos and Don'ts Wish Lists of Homebuyers This Year

What buyers look for when they shop... What they want and what they don't want. So sellers take note if you are thinking of putting a bowl type sink over the countertop in your bathroom. Or maybe if you have clear glass cabinet doors in your kitchen.