Linda Flack & Associates

Optimism Is What I Do.

I’ve been accused of always being positive and sometimes over the top.  I try to stay optimistic and believe the best in people and circumstances. That attitude will win the day.  It makes me feel good.  I think that kind of attitude creates a synergy of positive direction. My crystal ball seems to be a bit foggy but change is upon us and we will survive.

Now don’t get me wrong. I am in touch with reality.  I just choose to try and change reality.  Sometimes when things are sooo bad people will put their head in the sand and pretend that it isn’t happening.  We’ve all been in conversations when one person starts with how bad it is and the next person does the (one ups) thing and so on.  The one with the worst story wins. After that conversation you want to go home and pull the covers over your head. 

I’ve sold real estate for 28 years in three different states.  Back in 1980 when I was first licensed I had my house on the market.  Interest rates that year hit 22%.  Now folks, that is bad!  Nothing was selling because nobody could afford that crazy interest rate.  We were relieved when it came down to 15% and we were overjoyed when it came down to 12% and I sold that house. 

This year our whole economy seemed to be in the waiting game. The words you heard were when spring arrives, when summer gets here, when hurricane season is over, when the election is over, and when the snow birds get here all will be better.  When, when, when!

I really am a realist and yes we have hit a hard time.  But, interest rates are amazingly low and prices of short sales and foreclosures are at bargain basement pricing.  Some buyers are embarrassed to talk about their deal because they are not in the group talking about how bad it is.  They are the opportunist silently going YEAH, look what I got.  Folks, there are a lot of buyers and they are buying. Once that magic attitude switch is flipped, stand back because we are on a roll. My crystal ball has houses, lots of houses, swirling around looking for someone to love them. The smart buyers are buying now.  My next blog will be on how easy it is to get a mortgage. It’s true.

Attitude really is everything.

Fair and Unbiased Reporting?

Here we go again!  The power of the press (News-Press) that is.  You would think that they are getting paid by the politicians to pick them for what ever position they are running. Maybe there should be an investigation.  I don’t know what ever happened to “fair and unbiased”. It is instead the “POWER OF THE PRESS”.  I am always incensed by their audacity to tell me who to vote for in any election.  I don’t care if it is for people that I think should be there or not.  For instance, I agree that Mike Scott has done a wonderful job with the Sheriff’s department but I strongly disagree with Ken Wilkinson being re-elected.  I think he is very responsible for putting our economy where it is with the unfair taxing and homestead laws.  But that is my opinion. 

Why the News-Press cannot just put each candidate’s qualifications side by side and let the voters make up their own mind instead of assuming the readers are all dolts and we should vote the way the News Press suggests. 

This practice should not be part of reporting the News.   How do you feel about this?  Let me know

Dispite the posturing of politicians, I believe life goes on and the powers that be will help correct and change consumer confidence.This is unpresidented opportunity to buy homes at an amazing price. Many of the programs available to 1st time buyers have disappeared but new ones have come to the top. Interest rates and pricing are at record lows and before the Government takes ownership of these homes I suggest it is very much the time to buy.  There are programs to help get that home you so desire.  Many renters have had to move several times due to owners being foreclosed on.  If you are renting, think hard about buying NOW. 

Lending Peace of Mind     By Laura Hess CMPS©

In today’s news all you read is about the negative side of our market, but I always make it a point to find the positive side of whatever news I take in. Knowledge can be empowering and I hope to “Lend You Peace of Mind”, and empower you to see the solutions that are available in today’s market.  Anthony Robbins one the most successful Motivational Speakers is quoted to say:

“Never spend more than 10% of your time on problems, and spend at least 90% of your time on solutions.”

So let’s look at some of today’s challenges and how you can find solutions:

1. UPSIDE DOWN – I think it is safe to say that everyone knows someone that is upside down in their home. If this is you – HUD approved Consumer Credit Counselors or Attorneys that specialize in Modifications, can help! Negotiating power is greater than ever before. “Wall Street is finally marking down the value of their mortgage related assets to levels where it is very attractive for mortgage servicers to negotiate with distressed home owners and modify their mortgages,” said Gibran Nicholas founder of the CMPS Institute.
2. BAILOUT OR PROFITSHARING? –I choose to look the acquisition of financial assets acquired by the government as the potential for profit sharing with the American taxpayers later. The fact that the US Govt. is the only entity that is large enough to help AIG raise enough funds in such a short period of time in order to help the company maintain its financial obligations, thus restoring confidence to our economy is the #1 priority of Federal Reserve & US Treasury. The 79.9% equity stake the government now has in AIG, means taxpayers stand to make a profit when the government sells AIG’s assets in the coming months in order to repay the loan. By giving AIG this short term loan, the Fed and Taxpayers just became the largest shareholder at virtually no cost other than the short term Fed loan.
3. LOW MORTGAGE RATES - Interest rates on fixed rate mortgages are tied to the Fannie and Freddie mortgage bonds that trade on the bond market. This past couple weeks have shown a flight to quality as investors take there money out of investments on Wall Street and place them in the safety of the bond market. This will give further opportunity to refinance or purchase into a lower rate. It will also give people more flexibility with lenders to modify into a lower rate.
4. INVENTORY SURPLUS –  Florida, especially Lee County has “Rolled Back the Prices”, and they are here to stay until this inventory is reduced. Renters can now become homeowners and homeowners can help get back their homes “value” by helping to spread the word that “NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY”. When people buy, inventory reduces, and then your home value can return! Don’t believe the media when they say “No money is available & Loans are hard to get”. We have access to Grants up to $10,000 and a variety of Govt. lending programs. If you do not qualify we issue you a “Roadmap to Homeownership” that gives you a path to follow to get approved.   

CMPS © or Certified Mortgage Planner Specialist© is a training, examination, certification and ongoing membership program for financial professionals who provide mortgage and real estate equity advice. The information above is the opinion of the author and is not to be used to make financial decisions. Please consult with your Mortgage Consultant for the best plan to take advantage of these solutions.

I am hosting foreclosure videos in Cape Coral and Fort Myers.  In this amazing new market with these low interest rates and low, low prices I want to give you the buying public a glimpse of what is out there.  Each week I will have a house or three for you to look through and I am posting them on YouTube.  The first one is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7L0Iv99Vyc.  I had a few others but there was technical difficulties with the wind.  Each week we are selling amazing homes and amazing prices.  Our buyers are so excited.   But, be warned.  The word has spread and these deals usually have multiple offers.

Here we go with the local politics again.  This could be dangerous ground I’m going to but I will anyway.  Ken Wilkinson has been our Tax Assessor for many years.  He is partly responsible for the save our homes bill.  He is partly responsible for the portability.  My question is when is he going to be responsible for all the rest. (Non voters).   Old time residents like me pay very little tax on our homestead property.  Some say not my fair share.  Again my taxes went down. Of course I love that my taxes are so low but that is short sited in the big picture. 

Let me try to explain. With many tax payers paying very low taxes the budget for the city and county must be made up of the non homestead properties.  (These people are typically not voters) There is a clue there. They are our second home residents, vacant land holders, and business.  The governments looked at the past couple of years as a windfall for projects.  I personally spoke with Ken Wilkinson just after the trim notices came out Sept 2004.  I expressed my concern of the property taxes almost doubling for many homeowners. I pointed out one that had jumped from $7000 to $14000 in one year. He disagreed and said it would be fine. “What?”!!! If you were the owner of that property would you not be concerned? People freaked out and tried to sell. Now look at the mess we are in. Government; council and county people refused to look at the problem about to change the perception of Florida. (Can’t retire there, too expensive. Taxes are huge)  I heard that time after time.

Now these non voters have been hurt drastically by the huge taxes imposed on them due to the amazing increase in assessed value.  Word has spread far and wide about our high taxes.  Two things happened. One, the people who owned property with those huge taxes tried to sell (1000’s couldn’t afford doubling of taxes) at the same time folks looking to buy would ask; “How much are the taxes?”.  Upon learning the amount would gasp and go to S Carolina, Georgia, Tenn..  This happened over and over. Now we have more people leaving than coming. Ask any moving company.  They don’t like to send empty trucks to SW Florida to pick people up and move them North.  They want full trucks coming and going each way.

Now with the investor debacle, hurricanes, high insurance and high taxes why is it a surprise to local government that the local economy is in such disarray? Yes it will heal and yes we will grow again, but this property tax issue must be worked out in order to do that.  Any time you favor one segment of the population another will suffer.  We have got to find a more equality based tax structure.  This one isn’t working.

There is a meeting Wend night to have open suggestions for cutting the budget. I plan on being there.

Cape Coral Sun Splash is the best of summer fun!

Even in Florida we value summer fun.  One of the best entertainments around is Sun Splash in Cape Coral; fun for all ages.

Water always makes us feel better and if you are afraid to swim in the Gulf  because of what also lives there, then Sun Splash is for you (young and Old).  The park is clean and safe.  You must get there early to get a shady spot and a lounger that they provide.  You can’t bring your own food and drink but it is so inexpensive its OK.  They have lots of choices of food, drink and ice cream.

We took the grandchildren and delighted in watching them on the slides but we had just as much fun on the slides and the lazy river?  We could do that all day.  What a wonderful time and people watching is one of my favorite sports.  That is good too. Hurry check for dates that are still open.

#1 in Foreclosures Cape Coral and Fort Myers 

Foreclosures in Cape Coral and Fort Myers are not what we envisioned for the future of our area.  On the same news channel we are watching Michael Phelps take on Gold medal after Gold medal.

This is your opportunity to get the Gold in this unbelievable market.  Because of the overbuilding of speculative homes people are lining up to take advantage of all these beautiful foreclosures. Buy low - sell high.  enough said!

 I just sold one to a young family with 3 children and the home is crystal clean and in beautiful shape.  It needs nothing. They just have to move in. It is a 4 bedroom home only 2 years old with 4 bedrooms.  The interest rates are low and the down payment assistance is still in place.  Hurry, it won’t last long.