The Susan Heller Team Real Estate Podcast: Recent Episodes
Susan Heller
If you are looking to buy or sell a home, get all the information and the latest updates, tips, and tricks from The Susan Heller Team- your professional Naples Real Estate Agents.
Generating bidding wars is key to getting the highest price for your home.If you’re a seller, bidding wars will inevitably result in you getting the highest price—possibly even $50,000 to $100,000 over asking price. We’ve developed a proven system to help our sellers generate a bidding war for their property, and today I’ll discuss how we do it. We’ll start by bringing in a professional photographer and videographer, whose high-quality photos and videos will make buyers feel comfortable touring your home online. That enables them to make an offer on your property without coming to Florida. They don’t want to miss the opportunity; they’ll make an offer if we make it easy for them.
"Bidding wars will inevitably result in you getting the highest price."
Once the photos and videos have been taken, we’ll submit your listing to the MLS. We have over 12,000 local agents working with buyers and over 300 websites worldwide. We’re not the top real estate company in the world for no reason—we simply offer more than the competition.
When the first offer on your home has been submitted, we’ll broadcast that fact to all the potential buyers who have shown interest. That usually motivates other buyers to submit their own offers, thus kicking off the bidding war. We’ll inform all the buyers that they need to submit their highest and best offers by a specific deadline. In many cases, we’ve been able to get buyers to waive inspections and appraisals, offer an extended closing, or offer a lease-back at no additional cost.
If you want to make the most of this market and get the best price and terms for your property, give us a call or send us an email.
Here’s why you shouldn’t wait until the fall to sell your property?Should I wait until the fall to sell?” I’ve been hearing this question from clients a lot recently, and my response is always to share the three key benefits of selling a home now:
1. Sellers can currently negotiate extra time to shop. Most buyers don’t need to move until next season. If snowbirds don’t need to use a property, many of them will spend the holidays up north with family and come down to Florida in January. This means you could negotiate a seven- or eight-month closing or lease-back agreement with your buyer. This allows you to move seamlessly and spend more time looking for a property you truly love.
"Now might be the last time to get top dollar for your home."
2. A quick close can save you a ton of money in carrying costs. If you don’t plan on using your property over the summer, I can help you close quickly to avoid carrying costs. This means you won’t have to pay property taxes, HOA fees, utilities, or unforeseen repairs.
3. Housing prices might drop in the near future. Economists predict that prices may correct soon due to rising interest rates. Now might be the last time to get top dollar for your home, so if getting the most money possible is important for you, don’t delay.
Given these three factors, there’s no reason not to sell now. If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Are you worried you’ve missed the right opportunity to sell your property?There’s been a lot of buzz about the real estate market lately. My clients have been asking me a list of questions. Is the market going to crash? Are market prices going down? Have they missed the market?
"Selling now could be an ideal opportunity. "
My answer to the last question will always be no. There will always be a market you can participate in. However, the only way for us to know whether we’ve hit the peak of the market is when it starts to go down. All I know is that right now, it’s still a great time to sell. Prices and demand are still high. Offers are still made in record-breaking time, and listings don’t sit on the market for more than 30 days. We still have a very strong market. If prices remain the same and you decide to sell today instead of next year, you’ll save six to eight months of carrying costs. Selling now could be an ideal opportunity. Stop worrying about if we’ve hit the top of the market. Focus on how you can do better now instead of waiting. If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Here’s what to expect from an HOA.If you’re considering buying a home in an HOA, be sure to thoroughly read and evaluate if it makes sense for you to live in such a community. There will be restrictions, guidelines, rules, and regulations, and while many people find that they keep the community nice and uniform, not everyone likes it. Living in an HOA will come with fees for the amenities and common areas. Sometimes these can be savings, such as when the cable, internet, and phone service are included because the HOA has negotiated a bulk rate with the provider. HOAs also have a community board, which will decide what type of community they want to have, such as what kinds of pets are allowed. There are often restrictions on certain breeds or weight classes for pets, whether you’re an owner or a renter.
"Ask questions upfront, read the rules and regulations thoroughly, and ensure that it makes sense for you financially."On the subject of renters, HOAs may also have rental restrictions in place. It might be that you can only rent a certain number of times per year, for example. They may also have restrictions as to how you can alter your property, be that putting up a fence, using certain paint colors, or what types of vehicles can be parked in the driveway. It’s common to have a motorcycle or truck restriction; often, they’ll restrict work trucks, meaning that trucks with lettering on them aren’t permitted. Before buying a property in a community with an HOA, be sure to ask questions upfront, read the rules and regulations thoroughly, and ensure that it makes sense for you financially. If you’ve been considering purchasing within an HOA or have questions about doing so, be sure to reach out to me via phone or email. I’d love to help you.
Here’s why sellers in our market should do a pre-listing inspection.How do pre-listing home inspections help sellers in our current market? Many sellers are getting a home inspection done upfront, but you may be asking yourself why the seller would pay for an extra inspection, especially in a market with low inventory and high buyer demand. The main reason is that it attracts more solid offers for the seller. Some buyers are trying to balance the playing field by making offers on multiple properties contingent upon a home inspection. They’re coming down to Florida, looking at four or five properties, and tying them up with home inspection contingencies. Then they’ll make the decision about which one to go with, but that means three or four sellers have been waiting off the market for up to 14 days, only to have the buyer back out of the deal."Many sellers are getting a home inspection done upfront."I’m having my sellers do the inspection upfront, which provides confidence for buyers. Then, honest buyers without ulterior motives are more likely to make offers on your property, quite often without an inspection contingency. When we give them the peace of mind that they can buy your property without worry, multiple offers will come in, which gives you more choices, a higher price, and better terms. Upfront inspections mostly eliminate buyers that are not coming in with fair intentions. I want to help you get more offers so you can choose the strongest buyer. If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Here’s how home sellers get top dollar in today’s market.Today’s buyers are really excited to hear about sellers who underprice their homes since they’ve felt like they’ve been overpaying. They will want to see these homes first and when they see value that will cause them to make an offer on your home. Sellers, of course, want top dollar, and today I’ll discuss how they can get it.Looking at the closed sales stats from our market, we know what the buyers were willing to pay for homes. When a home is priced correctly, either at or just under market value, sellers can generate a bidding war and in many cases sell their properties well over asking price. It’s like an auction; if the room is full and everyone is bidding against each other, it can create a frenzy that motivates buyers to put in a higher offer. However, if you price the property over the competition, the home may sit on the market and become stale. An increased number of days on market gives buyers and their agents the wrong idea and an opportunity to come in with low offers.If you have any questions or would like to discuss pricing or marketing strategy, please call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Conventional marketing wisdom might not work in this market. I’ll share how we adjust accordingly.
You’ve probably heard the old market wisdom of "Sell high, buy low". It seems obvious. Doesn’t everyone want to time their buying and selling decisions based on price? However, conventional wisdom leaves out two crucial factors that are huge in our market right now: interest rates and Season. Prices are as high as they were during the boom back in 2006, but demand hasn’t decreased. The reason is our incredibly low interest rates and seasonal buyers here right now. Rates are historically low right now, and we don’t know how long they’ll stay that way. Therefore, buyers are trying to take advantage of them while they can, even though prices are high. Properties are selling around the country. These buyers are motivated and many sold their homes to buyers with financing and they have the cash to buy yours! If you’re a seller trying to sell high, it will require delicate timing. Everyone wants to sell at the market’s peak, but it is very difficult to tell when we’re at the peak until prices begin to drop."Interest rates are historically low right now, but we don’t know how long they’ll stay that way."If you have a second home you’re not using or an investment property, now is the time to cash out and maximize the return on your investment!We’re living in a unique market that defies conventional wisdom. Despite high prices, demand remains high. If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Here's a quick summary of our Southwest Florida summer market stats.Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
The Southwest Florida real estate market has been on fire this summer. Today’s market stats are exciting! The number of closed sales has increased by 51.6%, the average sale price has risen 21.2%, and the number of homes for sale has declined 83.2% from this time last year. The number of new listings coming onto the market has dropped 18.5%, and in July, the number of listings for sale was 330, and 432 listings sold. Our market absorbed more listings than the number coming onto it. Though we thought listings were low before summer, the market has absorbed the majority of our inventory. If you’re even slightly considering selling, the market is up, demand is high, prices are high, and inventory is low. This is the best opportunity to be a seller that we’ve seen in 16 years! If you’re thinking about selling, please reach out to me. If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Today I’m sharing your options for buying and selling simultaneously.Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
In today’s market, a lot of people are looking to sell their current home and buy a new one. I’ve been getting many questions about how to buy and sell at the same time, so today I’ll be talking about the ways you can make it happen. First, find out if you’d be able to buy a home without selling your current one. It’s a lot easier to buy a home and then sell your old one later. If you don’t have the cash available to do this, are you able to use your home’s equity through an equity or bridge loan?"Since there are so many buyers in the market, many are willing to offer flexible terms to sellers."If neither of these options work, are you willing to sell your home without buying? Many people take this route because they believe they can time the market by selling high now and buying low later. Some people are willing to rent for a while, but others don’t want to risk not having a home.Fortunately, since there are so many buyers in the market, many are willing to offer flexible terms to sellers to have their offer stand out and win the bid. A lot of sellers can make the move by utilizing a delayed closing or leaseback option to give themselves time to find a new place.Now is the ideal time to sell if this strategy is appealing to you. Buyers today often do not need to use the home until the season, so you will have plenty of time to shop for the right home. However, if you wait until the season to list, buyers typically want to close in about an hour and the luxury of time is not as easy to come by.If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
You can strengthen your offer on a home in five simple ways.Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
We’re still in an incredibly competitive market, so buyers need to do all they can to make their offer stand out. Here are the top five ways you can strengthen your offer and win the home of your dreams:
1. Your first offer should be your strongest: Come in with the best price you can afford. You may not get a second chance as counter offers are rare in this market of multiple offers and bidding wars. The BEST offer is accepted.2. Remove all contingencies if possible: The first one we see waived is the home inspection, as it immediately makes an offer much more secure. If you’re knowledgeable about homes or know someone who is, have them come with you and assess whether it’s a smart idea to waive the inspection.
"Make sure that your agent is finding out what terms the seller wants, and try to meet those needs in order to make your offer stronger."
3. Make a cash offer: This will allow you to skip the appraisal contingency. Even if you have to get financing, you can still waive the appraisal contingency if you feel comfortable doing so.4. Make the second deposit right away: Typically, you make a 5% to 10% deposit to take the property off the market. There’s an initial deposit and then a second deposit, but you can make your offer stronger by providing the second one immediately. If your offer isn’t accepted, they won’t cash your check anyway.5. Be flexible with the closing date: If the seller needs to close quickly or extend the closing period, let them do so. You could do a leaseback or extended closing to give them plenty of time to move.
Make sure that your agent is finding out what terms the seller wants, and try to meet those needs in order to make your offer stronger. If you have any questions about this or anything real estate, feel free to reach out. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Escalation clauses are a buyer’s best friend.Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
Competition is fierce among buyers in today’s real estate market, so many people want to know ways they can make their offers stand out. One of the simplest but most effective ways to ensure you win is to include an escalation clause. This is an addendum that is attached to the offer, and it includes three parts: the purchase price, the amount of escalation, and the maximum price. So, a buyer may offer to buy a home at $500,000 and include an escalation clause of $5,000. If other offers come in, the buyer will pay $5,000 more than the next highest offer."One of the simplest but most effective ways to ensure you win is to include an escalation clause." For example, if someone else offers $525,000 for the home, the buyer’s offer will go up to $530,000. However, the buyer may include a max price of $550,000, which means they won’t escalate once an offer hits that price.The catch here is that the seller will know the max amount you can spend, so they may make a counteroffer and ask for that maximum price. If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Home sellers should be ecstatic about our current market.Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
The topic of the day is summer. Specifically, our summer real estate market here in sunny Southwest Florida and how strong it is. Temperatures and sales are both spiking right now. We’re seeing homebuyers come down on home-buying trips for the weekend and they want to make sure they have a property to return to in the fall by the time they leave. If you’re a seller, this is a bit of a perfect storm. Inventory is low, interest rates are low, and buyers are ready, willing, and able to purchase your home. We’re ready, willing, and able to help! It’s a wonderful time to be in the Southwest Florida real estate market.If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
By following these steps, you’ll leave nothing on the table when you sell.Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
One of the best ways to get top dollar for your home sale is to drum up a bidding war. Today we’ll be talking about some helpful strategies we can use to create a multiple-offer situation when you sell. Here’s what my team and I do:1. Find the right price: Appraisals are rarely done in today’s market since many buyers are offering cash. However, they can still be incredibly helpful for figuring out where to start with pricing. With clients, I’m able to use my appraisal experience to determine the best listing price for a home — one that’s not too high or too low.2. Consider other sales: In the past, we looked primarily at closed sales to determine value but today we look at pending sales and also look at active listings to see what comparable homes are being listed for. We want to make sure we aren't leaving any money on the table in an appreciating market!3. Price the home: We’ll typically price a home above recent comparable sold homes, listing it somewhere in the range between pending and active prices. This gets more buyers in the door, gets agents interested, and gets more eyes on your home; ultimately generating more offers and more money."We don’t want to sell on the first day — doing so usually means leaving money on the table." 4. Boost exposure: We order professional photography, create videos, and organize virtual tours to introduce your home to the market. Appealing to online buyers is important, so we want to have a great presentation that truly showcases the home. 5. Have showings: We usually list on a Monday on the MLS to prepare to go live by Wednesday and begin scheduling in-person and virtual showings until Sunday, which is when we host an open house. Quite often, there’ll be multiple buyers and their agents checking out the property and making offers. By noon on Monday, we list the highest and best offer in the MLS. We normally have multiple offers that are well above the asking price. 6. Start the bidding war: After sharing the highest and best offer, we give plenty of time for buyers and agents to make better offers on the home. We don’t want to sell on the first day — doing so usually means leaving money on the table. By doing this over a five-to-seven-day period, we can draw out all the interest in the market and allow everyone an opportunity to bid resulting in the highest price the market will achieve. If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Our market provides a perfect opportunity for both buyers and sellers.Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
In Southwest Florida, we’re seeing a lot of eager homebuyers pour into the market. These buyers are looking to secure a house now so that when the cooler weather spreads throughout the country in a few months, they can come back here where it’s warm. Though demand is high, inventory is incredibly low. Listings are regularly receiving multiple offers, and they’re selling for the highest prices we’ve seen in 16 years. However, buyers are still saving money thanks to record-low interest rates. In other words, it’s a great time for buyers and sellers alike to jump into the market. Additionally, since most buyers don’t need to move in until fall or the season, you can easily negotiate a delayed closing or leaseback situation. Sellers: Beat the summer heat and list your home now. I’d be happy to talk with you about what your home is worth in our market, and I’m always glad to answer any questions you may have. If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
These are my thoughts on a potential repeat of 2006 with today’s market.Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
A common expression we’ve been hearing about this market is, “It’s like 2006 all over again.” We have little to no inventory and sellers are raising their prices with every new home that is listed and sold. Is our market going to crash like it did back then? There’s one major difference between 2006 and 2021: the level of distress. We’re not seeing the same type of loans that would lead to foreclosures and short sales as we did then. The president has not yet lifted the moratorium on foreclosures, but we don’t have the predatory lending now that we did in 2004 and 2005. There are much stricter regulations in place and I highly doubt we’ll see the same level of foreclosures. Additionally, there is more cash in the market today than ever so the number of homes sold with mortgages is considerably less than in 2005."It’s certainly the best time tosell your home since 2006." This means prices are less likely to drop and crash like we saw in 2007, 2008, and 2009. I think we’re in a much more stable market. Interest rates are low, but that won’t last forever. They’ve risen several times in the last few months, and we are projected to see an increase by the end of the year. If you’re buying within the next 12 months, there won’t be a better time than today. If you’re a seller, we’re still seeing huge demand, so it’s also the best time to sell your home or condo since 2006.Curious about what your home could sell for in today's market? I am happy to provide an updated market evaluation—it is likely considerably more than you think! If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
We have record-low inventory, but it can work for both buyers and sellers. Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
Whether you’re a buyer or seller, everyone is talking about our housing inventory. Inventory is at record lows, and we haven’t seen our real estate market this busy since 2006. If you’re a seller, low inventory is a massive advantage. Classic supply and demand tells us you’ll sell quicker and at a better price in a market like this. We currently have the highest prices we've seen in 16 years! However, if you’re also looking to buy, you may be worried that you won’t find what you want. Many potential sellers tell me they’d love to sell, but they don’t know if they’ll find the right home to buy next. We have plenty of buyers waiting for the next home to come onto the market. So we’re specifically proactively networking & targeting to find properties in communities where we have buyers. I’m on the phone and out in the community every day speaking to buyers and sellers alike, and I know where the shadow inventory is. Shadow inventory is inventory not available on the market, so the general public doesn’t know these homes are for sale. There’s less competition for these houses, so you won’t have to contend with 10 or 15 other buyers, and that could mean you’ll get it for a better price. This is a special service that we provide to our buyers!"If you’re a seller, low inventory is a massive advantage; but we also have an advantage for buyers: shadow inventory." If you’re considering selling, I’d love to have a conversation upfront about where you’ll be buying. We can find off-market inventory for you, and I may already know of a property that a seller wants to list that could be perfect for you. Don’t let the fear of buying keep you from selling. Looking for a home in Florida? We have off-market or shadow inventory that is not advertised to the public. Call now! If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Here’s what I recommend buyers do in a competitive market like this. Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
It’s a hot seller’s market right now, meaning there’s a lot of competition for homes. Multiple-offer situations are common, and it’s left most buyers wondering if there’s anything they can do to ensure they can come out on top. Well, there are a few ways you can make sure that your offer is one that simply can’t be beaten.Obviously, a higher-priced offer will be more appealing to sellers, but other factors make your offer stand out as well. Providing proof of funds is helpful if you’re a cash buyer; you can use a simple bank statement that shows you have the amount you’re offering. If you’re getting a loan, bring a mortgage pre-approval statement from a reputable lender. This will show that you qualify for the amount needed to buy the home.Sellers will also look at terms like inspections, contingencies, and closing dates. They typically like offers that are as simple as possible, meaning there aren’t a ton of different contingencies or inspections to manage. Additionally, some sellers prefer having a closing date that comes sooner rather than later—especially if the home is vacant."There are a few ways you can make sure that your offer is one that simply can’t be beaten." If you meet the seller, try to make a good first impression. A seller who likes you may choose your offer over others. If you can’t meet them, try and find out as much information about them as possible by speaking with their agent. You can then write the seller a personalized letter that thanks them for letting you see their home, lists all the things you love, and tells them why you would love to join the community.Finally, it’s time to submit the best offer you possibly can—one that’s at a good price and has few strings attached. Always take advantage of the expertise of a professional real estate agent, as an expert Realtor can always help you figure out the best steps to take and the best offers to make.If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Here’s how COVID is affecting our real estate market one year later. Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
As the rest of the country experienced COVID lockdowns, quarantines, protests, and more, Florida was a very desirable alternative. The Florida real estate market is booming!I can’t believe it’s been 12 months since we first heard about COVID. The good news is that Florida's real estate market has been nothing short of incredible over the past year. There has been a big increase in pricing and huge demand for homes in our area. With Florida remaining open, many buyers are looking to move here so they can enjoy the beaches, golf courses, boating, restaurants, places of worship, and more."Florida is one of the hottest homebuyer destinations in the country. Prices are the highest we have seen in 16 years. It is definitely a seller's market! 2,000+ people move to Florida every day." We have beautiful weather 12 months a year, and many people are choosing to make lifestyle choices and move here. They’re working remotely, homeschooling children, and deciding to retire earlier than usual. Florida is No. 1 on the list of places to move right now.If you’re even thinking of selling, this could be the best opportunity you’ll ever see. We have buyers coming into the state by the planeload each day looking for new homes. It’s an ideal time to sell with high demand and low interest rates. These are the best prices and the best market we’ve seen since 2006.If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
We’re leveraging open houses to get more offers and higher prices for our sellers. Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
We’re currently seeing homes receive multiple offers and sell above asking price every week on our listings. We’re positioning our properties so that this happens; we’re pricing and marketing them to find more buyers. The way we’re introducing them to the market is quite a bit different. We use an extensive marketing campaign to put homes in front of more buyers and expose them to all agents in the marketplace to make it a level playing field for all parties. Our marketing is proactive, targeted, and we work within the community to generate a massive turnout for open houses. We unveil the property on a Sunday as an open house between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. We’ve never been able to strategize an open house better than right now, and sellers reap the benefits. Buyers and real estate agents have the opportunity to come see the home, and we’ve had over 30 buyers show up to a single open house resulting in multiple offers."We use an extensive marketing campaign to put homes in front of more buyers." Then we let all the buyers know we’ll be accepting bids until Monday at 6 p.m., and everyone gets excited about this great opportunity. We advertise a week in advance by using strategies like calling people in the neighborhood, targeted postcard mailing, and an email blast. All this means we generate the highest and best offer possible in the market right now. Sellers are delighted, buyers feel they’ve had plenty of opportunities to secure the property, and it’s fair for everyone involved. These homes never languish on the market.If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
This is why buyers are coming to Southwest Florida from all over the world. Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
The topic of the day is homebuyers in Southwest Florida: Where are they all coming from? The answer is everywhere—all over the world. We have buyers coming from Canada, the Northeast, and even the more congested cities in our own state like Miami and Ft. Lauderdale."Some of our listings are selling very quickly and with multiple offers." We have families that want to get into larger homes, buyers who want to take advantage of the low, low interest rates, and buyers who have the ability to work remotely now and want a different lifestyle. If you’re even thinking about becoming a seller, you have the opportunity to sell while it’s still a seller’s market and buy a new home with an extremely low interest rate. Some of our listings are selling very quickly with multiple offers, and there are likely buyers out there clamoring for a home like yours. It will be a short season, so the right time to get started is now while demand is high and inventory is low. Since Easter is early this year, we have 60 days left of the prime selling season. This is the busiest we have been and we have the best prices we have seen since 2006! Why not sell now? Why wait? If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Today we’re reviewing the results of the Q4 2020 market. Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
Here in sunny southwest Florida, everyone’s been asking about what’s going on in our market. Are there any buyers in town? Are properties selling? Is there much inventory to choose from?The answer to all those questions is an emphatic yes! We had a very strong end of the year, and despite everything, 2020 was an incredible year for real estate. Most of the listings we had sold, and inventory dropped down to the lowest levels we’ve seen since 2006.Heading into 2021, we’re still in a seller’s market. Inventory is low, interest rates are low, and demand is high. We had an early start to season in the third and fourth quarters; many buyers made their purchases in time to enjoy their properties before the holidays.If you’re a seller, get on the market as soon as possible. Why wait? Time is of the essence with Easter coming up on April 4. Prices are up, and it’s an excellent time to take advantage of the market.If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Have a happy new year, and we’ll see you in 2021! Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
On behalf of myself and the Susan Heller Team, I want to wish you and your family a very happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. I don’t know if I’ve ever been this excited to welcome in the new year. We’re anticipating a very strong season, and I think everyone is happy to see 2020 in the rearview mirror. Let’s make it a fabulous year, and if there’s anything I can do to help with your real estate needs, feel free to reach out. My team and I appreciate you, and we’re grateful for your support over the years.If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
The Susan Heller Team wishes you a happy and healthy holiday season! Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
Happy holidays from your favorite Realtors! Amid all the hustle and bustle and festivities of the season, I just wanted to take a moment to reach out on behalf of myself and the team to say thank you. We’re so grateful for all our past clients and those who have sent us referrals. We’ve really enjoyed getting to know you and being able to work with you and your friends. We’re also thankful to have been able to help the community—especially this year. We wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
These latest market stats prove that now is an excellent time to sell. Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
2020 is wrapping up and we have our third-quarter statistics to share—I can assure you, our real estate market is strong! Despite the pandemic, the numbers are high. Sales have increased by 44% while prices have risen 17% compared to this time last year, and inventory has decreased by 61.5% since this time in 2019. If you’re even considering selling within the next year, now may be the best time. Low inventory means less competition—your home will stand out and be seen by the most motivated buyers of the year. Buyers who are active in the market right now want to close soon so they can be in their new homes by the holidays, or at least enjoy it throughout the season. Other buyers may want to close by year’s end for tax purposes."Despite the pandemic, our sales numbers are high." Also, keep in mind that tons of buyers can’t find what they like and are just waiting for the right property to come onto the market. We’re seeing multiple offers, and some homes are selling over asking price. Now is a wonderful time to be a seller. If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
There are benefits to selling before the holidays arrive. Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
We are very busy these days—the holidays are coming up, and buyers are looking for homes they can enjoy during Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and more. With inventory so low, and since many homeowners haven’t returned to Florida yet, selling now will put you at a distinct advantage. It’s classic supply and demand: The lower the inventory, the higher your price. Buyers are very motivated this time of year to find a home, and many of them will get tax advantages if they buy before the new year.If you’re even contemplating selling, now could be the best opportunity. Why wait? Take advantage of what’s happening right now.If you have any questions about selling or real estate in general, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
These are the four home upgrades we don’t advise for getting the best ROI. Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
In a previous blog, we discussed which home improvements we recommend to get the best return on investment. Today, I’m sharing the opposite: the top four home upgrades that won’t get you great ROI. However, never say never; if you’ve already made any one of these enhancements to your home, you’ve likely enjoyed it, so it was worth it. Nevertheless, these are the renovations that, if you’re planning to sell soon, won’t get you all your money back:
1. Pools. Buyers love pools, but if you install a $50,000 pool, buyers aren’t going to give you a dollar-for-dollar return for it. Not everyone wants a waterfall or special pavers; some like a cleaner look—it’s a very personal preference.2. Glass-enclosed lanai. Some buyers love these, but many are only here for a few months of the year; they want to be outside in the beautiful weather, enjoying the breeze. So many buyers see no value in a glass-enclosed lanai. However, if you already have one, other buyers will like it because it’s a multi-season room.
"Forgoing these refurbishments will save you both time and money."
3. Expensive bathroom remodel. The exception to this rule is if you have an extremely outdated or worn-out bathroom; if you can’t stand your bathroom, chances are, the buyer won’t either. There are many levels of upgrades, but I suggest not doing a large remodel if it isn’t truly needed. You don’t want to sink too much money into it. I’m also more than happy to come out for a consultation if you’re unsure what to do.4. An expansion to the home. If you want more space, it’s better to move to a larger home rather than building an addition and making your current one bigger. For example, if you think buyers would prefer three bedrooms instead of two, putting in the kind of money it would take to build a new bedroom won’t get you a full return on the investment. Always be careful not to over improve the home for the area. You may find there is a maximum price a particular community can bring especially to a resale or older home. Don't get caught by diminishing return!
Forgoing these refurbishments will save you from losing valuable marketing time and increasing your cost to carry, only to get a modest percentage of it back.If you’re thinking about doing any remodeling of your home, we’re more than happy to help. If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Here’s what sellers need to know to make the most of their time and money. Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
If you’re thinking about selling your home soon, consider the fact that not every home upgrade will give you a great return on investment. However, there are four improvements that will. The first upgrade that we typically recommend is minor—and I stress, minor—kitchen repairs. You don’t necessarily want to pour a lot of money into new cabinets, especially if yours already meet today’s standards. That said, changing out the hardware, appliances, and putting in a nice piece of quartz will make your kitchen feel as good as new (or even better) in the eyes of a buyer. If you’re thinking about a major renovation, let’s talk before you invest the money; we want to be sure that you’ll get a return on your investment. The second upgrade that almost always pays off is a fresh coat of paint. Nothing freshens up a home better! Choose a light, bright, and neutral shade that’s appealing to everyone. There are two colors out now that seem to strike a chord with the majority of buyers in today's market, and I’m more than happy to discuss which choices will make the most sense for your home.*"New flooring is a surefire way to grab a buyer’s attention."* The third upgrade that buyers love is new flooring. If you have old, worn carpet or outdated tile, upgrading can bring a world of good to your property and make it feel modern. New flooring is a surefire way to grab a buyer’s attention.Lastly, improve your landscaping**. Make sure your shrubs and trees are trimmed, add pops of color wherever you can, and lay down a lovely welcome mat so your home feels inviting.Remember: You’re competing against a builder, so making the right upgrades in the right areas will modernize your home and draw buyers’ attention. If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.
Here’s why agents are critical in new construction home purchases. Thinking of buying a home? Search All Homes
Thinking of selling your home? Receive a Home Value Report
A lot of buyers have been asking me whether or not they need an agent when buying new construction, and if they’ll be able to get a better price by not hiring one. To answer the main question: Hiring an agent as a new construction buyer will quite often get you the best possible deal. There are many incentives and bonuses that builders offer through agents and brokerages that they don’t offer to the general public. It could be price incentives, more money toward upgrades, and more options in general. There are a ton of different incentives that builders promote specifically to us because they want us to bring them buyers. Rather than working with the builder’s representative, have an agent on your side to ensure you’re not being taken advantage of, and rely on the team’s experience to help you get the job done. We agents are highly skilled negotiation professionals in your corner, so it doesn’t make sense not to have one."Builders offer special incentives to agents and their clients." If you’re thinking about buying, we have the connections to help you, no matter if you’re buying from a builder or a home seller.If you have any questions, call or text today at (239) 248-8000. I’d love to help you.