The Links at Greenfield Plantation Homes and Real Estate for Sale

Optimism remains high in the Bradenton real estate market in Florida because of the splendid values that can be possibly had in the golf communities in the area. One of these properties is The Links at the Greenfield Plantation which count among real estate agents' choices of properties that they recommend to prospective buyers.

Location, the most important factor to consider in a due diligence for a property, is a great plus for The Links at Greenfield Plantation real estate. Its State Road 64 main transit point is only two miles east of Interstate 75. Hence, this places the community only minutes away from the commercial areas of Bradenton and Sarasota to the south, as well as the latter's arts and culture district. The urban centers of Tampa and St. Petersburg up north are also within ten miles from the community.

The alluring combination of a residential community with a golf course and its clubhouse also work well in favor of The Links at Greenfield Plantation. Opened in 1998, the course has grown in popularity in the Bradenton area not only for some memorable play but also because of its hospitable clubhouse. This community center comes out enticing with its Snack Bar storied for its home-style deli specials, hot and cold sandwiches, delectable soups, and fresh salads. Likewise contributing to the homey atmosphere are the comfortable appointments at the clubhouse which include a large screen projection TV. There's also a swimming pool with a spacious deck contributing to the laid-back lifestyle at Greenfield Plantation.

The 18-hole, par 72 golf course in the community was designed by the famed course architect, Chip Powell. The layout measures 6.719 yards with its well-maintained grounds wending through a dramatic landscape of lakes, woodlands, and marshes that has become a natural habitat for local birds and wildlife. Some drama looms in every play with the wide bunkers and water hazards that were built subtly into the layout. To help golfers solve these riddles, the club recently acquired a ParView GPS system to enable access to graphic overviews of each of the eighteen holes of The Links course.

Options for sales-listed homes in The Links at Greenfield Plantation can consist of single family residences either in ranch-type Florida style or in Mediterranean-inspired architecture. Reputable builders like La Maison and Bruce Williams, were behind the construction of these homes. Their superior values can best be appreciated in homes with floor plans of about 1,300 square feet that can carry tag prices in the $140,000 range. Another good reference point are houses with floor areas of around 2,500 square feet listed in the $300,000 price range which can fully show the great property values in this golf community.

Is Housing and Real Estate Bubble Hype Irrational Exuberance?

Not so, says the author of this article and four real estate books including the recent "1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home". The upside of the hype is for real estate consumers and investors. The housing bubble topic has produced real estate market information for new or nervous investors about specific markets. Little reporting on the bubble topic exploits the "sell now" syndrome. The downside of the hype is the occasional real estate industry naysayer (never say never?) who has a financial interest to protect.

Media stories have included balanced perspectives from real estate analysts, brokers, consumers, educators, and trade associations. Their experiences remind us that real estate remains a market based upon supply and demand. The value for consumers is the wealth of updated information about their market and current real estate practices. These new resources help them make informed investment decisions concerning the management of their real estate holdings.

Housing once relegated behind the headlines has become the cover and lead story. It's certainly struck a relevant cord with its appeal to consumers, as sixty-eight percent of us are homeowners. Online monitoring service Hitwise confirmed consumer searches for real estate and housing bubble information reached a twelve-month high at the end of May 2005.

Zoning 101 - Understanding Buncombe County Zoning and Real Estate in Asheville, North Carolina

Zoning can be a confusing issue regardless of where you own real estate, whether it's a large city like Charlotte (NC), a small city like Asheville (NC) or a rural area like Buncombe County Western North Carolina. Zoning is a tool used to designate individual areas of land for specific purposes. When used correctly zoning can help fast developing cities and counties create a smart growth plan. This is one of the reasons Buncombe County commissioners are implementing new zoning in the metropolitan region surrounding Asheville, North Carolina.

The new zoning, adopted in May of 2007, impacts property owners throughout Buncombe County, as well as future homebuyers, sellers and real estate investors. A clear understanding of the zoning ordinances and restrictions is essential if you are going own real estate. It affects the value of your home and the choices you can make when selling or building on your property. This applies to residential real estate as well as commercial property owners.

Zoning Rules for Real Estate in Asheville, NC: The Importance of Community Accountability

In a video entitled "Will Zoning Affect You?" on the Buncombe County web site, [http://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/Planning/landUse.htm], Assistant County Manager Jon Creighton explains the county's motivation for implementing new zoning in the spring of 2007 and describes the proposed zoning changes. He also confirms that concerns about the increasing number of county residents, real estate developers and homes being built on the tops and sides of mountains have compelled Buncombe County and city of Asheville officials to make zoning a priority.

Creighton begins by defining an Open Use zoning designation. Open Use, or OU, is zoning usually found in rural areas. Land considered available for Open Use means property can be purchased and sold for a wide variety of residential and commercial purposes with the exception of certain restricted uses. The uses restricted on Open Use land include incinerators, concrete plants, landfills, asphalt plants, chip mills, mining operations and motor sports facilities.

According to Creighton these types of businesses have a large impact on the community, as a whole, so any real estate investor or property owner interested in these ventures must present a project proposal at a public hearing. This allows other property and homeowners in the Asheville area to hold Western North Carolina business and real estate developers accountable for the impact they have on existing neighborhoods and residents.

How Does Zoning Affect Buyers and Sellers of Mountain Homes and Land Near Asheville, North Carolina?

The comprehensive zoning throughout Buncombe County and Asheville, NC also changed in 2007. Comprehensive zoning differs from Open Use because it separates residential and commercial areas into designations like R-1 and R-2 residential districts, employment districts, and neighborhood and commercial service districts. Buncombe County and Asheville homebuyers and sellers can find their property's zoning designation using the county's online GIS system. The system can be found at [http://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/Planning/landUse.htm].

Property owners and real estate investors interested in changing the zoning designation of specific land can approach the Buncombe County Commissioners and Board of Adjustment. Public hearings are required if an Application for Variances or Conditional Use Permits or an Application to Amend the Buncombe County Zoning Ordinance Text or Maps are submitted. In order to obtain a building permit for any zoning district other than Open Use real estate investors and property owners must file for Certificate of Zoning Compliance. The cost associated with these applications varies.

Size Does Count! Downtown Zoning in Question on Merrimon Avenue

The most recent zoning debate taking place in Buncombe County is actually happening in downtown Asheville, NC. In an article written by Mark Barrett in the January 15, 2008 issue of the Asheville Citizen Times the Asheville City Council will explore two major zoning matters in 2008. First, the developers of the Horizons Project, which would erect nine buildings including two 10-story towers, have asked to postpone a public hearing until July in order to evaluate neighborhood opposition and economic conditions.

Barrett also writes that the Asheville City "council is scheduled to hear from city staff on zoning proposals for the 2.4-mile stretch of Merrimon between Interstate 240 and North Asheville Library near Beaver Lake." "The city had considered creating a new zoning district for much of the property along the street that would encourage taller buildings closer to the street," Barrett continues, "but several property owners and some residents objected."

As Buncombe County moves forward into the future growth is inevitable, but the real effects zoning will have on real estate in Asheville, North Carolina is yet to be seen. Local homebuyers and sellers can achieve more real estate success the more they educate themselves about zoning restrictions and changes. To learn more about zoning or buying and selling real estate in Asheville, NC visit http://www.MarkGJackson.com.

Your Home Equity and Real Estate Commissions

If you're like most people, your home is the biggest single investment you've got. You expect it to increase in value over time, and you probably have more money tied up in it than in any other investment. This money is your equity, and a large chunk of it disappears when you sell your home using a real estate agent.

In this article, you'll learn how real estate commissions affect your equity, you'll see just how many real estate agents make money from a single commission, and in the section called Avoiding the Pressure, you'll get an inside look at why many real estate agents are so persistent at getting their sellers to accept low-price offers.

A Quick Word to Buyers

Buyers and sellers alike benefit when there is no real estate agent involved. The term "fair market value" has a different ring to it when the middleperson is taken out of the equation, and prices trend to a truer value when they no longer reflect real estate commissions.

Equity

Equity is the value of the unencumbered interest in your home. It's the difference between the fair market value of your home and the unpaid balance of your mortgage, plus any other outstanding debt on the home.

Real Estate Commissions

Real estate commissions are the fees earned by real estate agents and are based on the selling price of the property. They're usually in the range of 6%, and they represent an excessive portion of the property's equity, equaling thousands and thousands of dollars.

Your equity increases in two ways: as you pay off your mortgage and as your home appreciates. It decreases when you borrow against your home. But nothing reduces your equity quite like a real estate commission. You get nothing for it that you couldn't have got on your own.

Here are three assertions for why you should sell your home yourself:

Lower Cost of Selling

If you sell your home using a real estate agent, the commission you'll be charged is around 6%. For a $250,000 home, that's $15,000. For a $600,000 home, it's $36,000. You have to ask yourself what you're getting for all that money. The cost of selling your home on your own is negligible by comparison, and the result is the same: your home will sell. If you list your home on a For Sale By Owner real estate wed site, run a few classified ads in the real estate section of your local paper and prominently display a For Sale By Owner sign in your front yard, the cost of selling your home could be less than $1,000. With the amount you'd save in commissions, you could still afford to advertise more, if necessary, in places like local real estate publications and newspaper supplements.

Retaining Your Equity

Let's say a couple decides to sell their home. It has a fair market value of $300,000 and they have $60,000 of equity in the home. They decide to use a real estate agent and agree to pay a 6% commission, or $18,000. The house sells. After the closing, the couple realizes they've lost 30% of their equity. The $18,000 commission paid at closing meant that instead of walking away with $60,000, they only walked away with $42,000. So they have much less to put down on their next home.

Avoiding the Pressure

The economist Stephen D. Levitt and co-author Stephen J. Dubner wrote recently in their book Freakonomics (HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.) of Levitt's study showing that when real estate agents sell their own homes, those homes stay on the market an average of 10 days longer than their clients' homes. The same study shows that the selling price of real estate agents' homes is on average 3% greater than that of their clients.

Here's why. A couple who lists their home with a real estate agent for $250,000 may hear from the agent that someone has offered $240,000 for the home. The agent will typically insist that this is a good offer and that the sellers should take it. Why would the real estate agent be so eager to accept a price that's $10,000 below the seller's asking price?

It's simple. Agents split their commissions: half goes to the buyer's agent, half to the seller's agent. Then it's usually split again: each agent gives half of their commission to the agency they work for. So the agent representing the seller is only getting 1.5% of the sales price of the home (6% ÷ 4).
With a $240,000 offer, the price of the home is reduced by $10,000, but the commission is reduced by only $600. The real estate agent's cut of this is $150. It will cost the seller's agent only $150 to accept the low-price offer. What does it cost the seller? An additional $9,400.

This situation happens every day. There is a strong incentive for real estate agents representing the seller to entice their sellers into accepting offers well below their asking price.

Summary

As you can see, there are tremendous financial advantages to selling your home yourself. That's not to say it's for everyone. It requires a little more effort, and some are willing to part with all that equity to have a real estate agent do it.
But selling your home yourself can be easier than you think. The right research will help you price your home correctly, understand the paperwork involved, and prepare you getting the home ready to sell.

Make sure you walk away from your closing with your equity intact.

Mortgage and Real Estate Information for Debtors

If you owe money and have a below average credit score you may find it difficult to get a mortgage loan. In view of these facts, you may find interest in asking a qualified real estate agent help you find a home. These agents have a database full of houses that stream from land contracts, bad credit approval, and so on. The real estate agent may help you find a home you can buy despite how bad your credit maybe.

If you have outstanding debt, the lender will inquire about your credit history and debts incurred. The lender will ask if you have any outstanding loans, and if so, what amount do you pay monthly. In other words, if you have car loans, you will need to supply the balance owed and the amount paid monthly toward the loan.

Lenders will ask about credit card debts. If you reply yes, then the lender will ask how much do you pay monthly. Overall, the lender will ask how much monthly do you spend on incurred debts that come from your pretax salary on credit card repayments etc.

You will need to answer questions pertaining to assets, which includes cash on hand. The underwriters will investigate information relating to the questions. For example, they will examine and ask, "What is the estimated amount in your banking account?" How much funds will be available in your account after you have paid closing fees, down payment costs, and other fees applicable to mortgage loans. Do you have a saving account?

The lender will ask how much cash do you intend to apply to the loan. The lender may ask also if the down payment is money coming from your pockets. If the answer is no then the lender will ask where the money is coming from...

Loan Purpose

The loan purpose is of interest to the lender. Accordingly, you will respond to questions relating to the purpose of the loan, which includes, are you refinancing a current home, or are you an innovative buyer?

Refinancing Mortgage

If you respond to the question pertaining to the loan, letting the lender know that you intend to refinance a current home with the money lent; the lender will ask, "Do you require cash at closing to repay debts? Of course, the question that follows will be, "How much" cash will you need to pay the debts in full?

Property Purpose

The lender will require information pertaining of the home's purpose. Do you intend to use the home for work or dwelling? Is the loan intended to invest in the property?

Type of Property

The mortgage lender will also need to know if the home is duplex, condominium, or single-family housing.

Blogging for Real Estate Professionals - How Blogging and Real Estate Go Together Well in Business

Blogging and the real estate business go hand in hand. Real estate is about forming long-lasting relationships with people, giving them information that will help them make prudent buying and selling decisions, and see the transaction through from start to finish. Blogging is all about relationships as well, and making sure that the readers are getting the information they want and need.

Realtors and other real estate professionals can easily start a blog that focuses on their farm area, the area that they do most of their business in, or one that focuses on their area of specialization, such as listing homes, short sales, first time buyers, or other area of interest to one segment of the people who are looking to buy or sell a home or condominium at any given time.

There are several blogging platforms to choose from. Blogger, maintained by Google, is free and very easy to set up and get going. One downfall is that you have very little support and there are times when Google may decide to shut down your blog without warning. Poof, it is gone, and your hard work is gone right along with it.

WordPress is also free and has many technical capabilities, but requires its users to be more tech savvy in certain areas. Support is also minimal to the users.

I use TypePad, and have maintained over ten blogs there for a year and a half. TypePad costs from five dollars to fifteen dollars a month, but the customer service is great and most of the features are built in. I recommend that you start with a free, 30 day trial and see if it is for you.

Blog posts should be written regularly, at least twice a week, so that you can build up your readership. Each post can be as short as a paragraph, and should include valuable information for the reader. Blogging can increase your expert status very quickly and have prospects calling you for more information.

Feng Shui and Real Estate - Why Feng Shui is important to Today's Real Estate Agents

How can the ancient art of Feng Shui be helpful to Real Estate Agents? With the diversity of the market, you will want to know what your clients may be looking for in their new homes and addressing these issues ahead of time will put you ahead of the competition.

A basic knowledge of Feng Shui is important for all real estate agents. Feng Shui is a widely held belief of many cultures where potential homeowners will look to see if a home will "support" them in all the areas of their lives. For example, the front door is very important as many consider this area the "Mouth of Chi," a place where all good energy enters. Checking to see that the pathway leading up to the front door is clean and unbroken as well as having an immaculate front door will help a sale right from the beginning. In Black Sect Feng Shui, all doors are considered the "voices" of the occupants. They should all be able to open freely without squeaking or knocking into each other.

What other things will your clientele be likely to be looking into? They are very aware of what we call "missing pieces:" When a home is not in a square shape, depending on where the area is, they will determine this is a missing piece and will affect a certain area of their life depending on where it is missing. For real estate agents, having a simple understanding of The Bagua can help you to understand why they believe this. Feng Shui consultants who are trained in Western method as well as some of the other forms can make all corrections simply and inexpensively; they never believe a home won't support the new occupants.

New homeowners are also looking at the new home in relation to the street or outside energies that are surrounding it. They are unfavorable to homes in Courts (where energy can sometimes pool) or T-Junctions where streets will cross-sect into their homes. Again, using Western methods these are relatively simple issues to address.

The number "Four" on a home is probably the least likely of all of the other areas that will deter a potential buyer. For many, the number "Four" sounds like "death" much as like the number 13 is considered here to be unlucky. This is a difficult area to address though some have suggested painting the house numbers in a circle to "contain" this energy.

They may well want to know a history of the home and something about the previous owners, so you may want to prepare for that was well. It is important for them to dispel the "predecessor" energy of those that have lived there before.

These are just a few of the ideas you can arm yourself with when selling a home in today's market. It might be wise to enlist the aid of a Feng Shui consultant who is familiar with various methods of Feng Shui including Western methods to dispel their fears and help you, as their real estate agent, sell the homes, knowing that someone who practices from a positive perspective will not deter the sale of a home.