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        <title>Marco Island Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.buymarco.com/blog/2013-02/</link>
        <description>Your resource for Marco Island real estate news. This Marco Island blog is updated regularly with homes for sale, recently sold homes and condos, market conditions and other useful information.</description>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/black-friday-in-florida-real-estate.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/black-friday-in-florida-real-estate.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>Black Friday in Florida Real Estate</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

We are all familiar with Black Friday - the day after Thanksgiving when Christmas shoppers, trying to grab bargains, have been known to fight over merchandise.  It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas - if you know what I mean.  The Florida real estate biz is humming like we haven't seen in years.  In certain price ranges and neighborhoods, buyers are getting worked up into a frenzy.


Here's a little anecdotal evidence for you...  I've made four offers for a single client of mine over the last few weeks and we haven't been able to even negotiate them.  In three of the four, there were multiple offers.  With these, our good offers we beaten by full-price offers or similar offers that were preferable because they were cash.  In the remaining case, the seller simply refused our good offer stating that there have been so many showings of her home that she will be holding out for a full-price, cash offer.


Now, this story is extreme because the houses are in the very hot low $100s, north of Marco Island, but similar stories are being told in all price ranges.  The market has clearly shifted to a &quot;buyer's market.&quot;  The shift has been so dramatic in the last few months, that many buyers can't accept the reality.  We are still getting low-ball offers on a regular basis.  The difference is in the buyer's reaction to the low offer.  A year ago, any offer was met with some regretful consideration by most sellers.  Those days are gone.  Now, they flatly reject them and are reluctant to look at any further offers from the offensive low-baller.  They are feeling a little macho these days - a feeling that haven't experienced in six long years. Sellers are now very confident that another offer is around the corner and they are happy to wait.


So, what should a buyer do?  First, understand that the market is still oversold.  Despite the long-awaited reversal of the price curve,  we are still near the bottom of an extremely deep trough. Historically, we are still priced around 2003 or 2004 prices which is before the real estate bubble started inflating.


Buy now  If you wait, even a few months, you will pay more.  It's as simple as that.  Waiting for a dip in the market before buying means you simply won't be buying. Want more proof?  Stay tuned for my article on the F-word.  Yep. Flippers are back and they are making money.


 
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    <pubDate>Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:35:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/february-18-hot-listing-of-the-week.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/february-18-hot-listing-of-the-week.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>February 18 - Hot Listing of the Week</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

Serendipity - a lucky find.  Well, we've got your serendipity.  This week, we have a new listing in Smokehouse Bay Club.  Smokehouse Bay Club is located ideally on Marco Island.  The community is, of course on the beautiful Bay so access to the Gulf from the common dock is direct.  By land, this popular and sought after community is located right next to The Esplanade so a two minute walk gets you to Starbucks, CJ's, Tara Steak and Lobster House, Mangos and more.


There is a lot more to Smokehouse than its perfect location.  It is one of the best kept and most beautiful landscapes on the island.  The flowers are in bloom and the lawns are manicured meticulously.  The buildings are tasteful in design and very well maintained. Inside, each unit is an efficient two bedroom, two bath layout that is very liveable as a winter home or permanent residence.


This particular home has only had one owner since the mid-90s and it has experienced very little wear and tear.  The A/C was new in November of 2009.  The hot water heater and washer and dryer are newer as well.  Yes I said washer and dryer.  You'll have your own in Smokehouse Bay Club - no community laundry  The kitchen is fresh and bright. The furnishings and decor are terrific.  The view of the lush gardens is serene.


Smokehouse Bay Club listings are always in demand.  There aren't very many condos that offer everything that Smokehouse does and none for $169,900.  If the recent demand in this price range is any indication, this condo will sell quickly.  To schedule a showing, contact us today.  To see all of Tthe Smokehouse Bay Club listings, click here.
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    <pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:05:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/why-trulia-and-zillow-are-so-awesome.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/why-trulia-and-zillow-are-so-awesome.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>Why Trulia and Zillow Are So Awesome</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Trulia and Zillow are awesome if you are interested in getting some general real estate information. If you want to see what prices have been doing over the last five or ten years on Marco Island, these big websites can give you a pretty good idea of what transpired. If you want to reach some random agent that probably knows nothing about the market, these sites will deliver that too.  But, if you want the good stuff - the real timely information you need in order to make a good decision, you might want to bypass these Goliaths.


Big real estate websites are ubiquitous these days. If you search for anything real estate related on Google or Yahoo or Bing, you're going to find that Zillow and Trulia are ranked high in the results. The sites are easy to navigate and full of information. The problem is the accuracy of the information. It's questionable at best.


Almost daily we at BuyMarco.com will have a customer ask us about a listing they saw on Trulia. More often than not, when I investigate the listing, it isn't even for sale. That's right. It's not available. It sold a month or two ago or hasn't even been for sale in years. This, of course, makes the process of finding a home very difficult. Why does this happen? Well, Trulia doesn't have access to the real data. The Marco Island Board of Realtors does not distribute the data to these sindicates, so who knows where they are getting it. The bottom line is the information they deliver is damn near worthless and probably even harmful.


The timeliness of their info is bad enough, but their property valuations are totally useless. I'll give you an example. We recently listed a fantastic home on Marco Island. It's priced at $349,000 and is a great pool-home in paradise. While this price represents good value for the buyer, it's not $200,000 low.  Trulia estimates the home's value at $546,000 - 57 more. Most of us will recognize that this is a glitch in Trulia's valuation methodology, but what if the difference were only $40,000 or $50,000? I think most buyers would be inclined to include Trulia's appraisal in their decision-making process to some degree. This is bad.


For the real deal, you need to use a website that delivers the actual MLS data. This can be tricky to find. If in doubt, contact the website and ask. Next, ignore any big website's automatic appraisals. These things are useless. They vary wildly and will only mislead you. Assessing the value of property is easy. As soon as you tour two properties with a competent Realtor, you'll be impressed with your ability to value property - even homes in unfamiliar areas.


Successful buying or selling, especially vacation property in another town, requires due diligence. You need to collect as much data as possible to make an informed decision. BuyMarco.com was built to connect you directly to the Marco Island MLS. We are one of two or three agents on the island that deliver this information to you.  It is updated daily with the real data. 


So, while Trulia and Zillow are awesome for some things, when it's time to get serious, visit BuyMarco.com.
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    <pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:50:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/february-7-hot-listing-of-the-week.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.buymarco.com/blog/february-7-hot-listing-of-the-week.html</link>
        <author>dan@buymarco.com (Dan Boyle)</author>
        <title>February 7 - Hot Listing of the Week</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

This week's hot listing is going to sell quickly.  It's a single family home with a swimming pool priced at $349,000.  One of many attributes that make this home so special is its size.  It isn't 1500-1800 square feet like everything else in its price range.  Not only is it over 2400 s.f., but the lot it's on is big too  The back yard and pool area are private.  You don't have neighbors breathing down your neck.  It's fantastic and would make a great primary home, winter home or investment.


The interior of this home is awesome as well. You're going to love it  It has been well-cared for and the bathrooms and kithcen have been recently remodeled.  In fact, the maple cabinets and granite countertops look like something out of a decorating magazine.  The garage is roomy.  There is plenty of storage.  The bathrooms are fantastic as well.  Whirlpool tub, decorator sink, travertine tile - this is not your typical home.  The closets are huge.  If you look for value when you shop, this is it.


Often times, homes may show signs of deferred maintenance.  Purchasing one will include some degree of catching up on neglected items.  Not this home.  Hot water heater, metal roof, and air handlers have all been replaced recently.  No maintenance has been ignored or deferred.


Now the fun part... The pool has been recently resurfaced and is a tropical dream.  It's big and the covered lanai is roomy and perfect for cookouts or cards by the pool.  The &quot;cage&quot; is in tip-top condition and the pool pump is brand new.


You couldn't ask for a better location either.  Located at 701 N Barfield, this lovely Marco Island inland home is within walking distance to restaurants, churches, shopping and banks.  It's also close to the bridge if you work or have interests that are off-island. 


Nice Marco Island pool homes are scarce at best and good ones in this price range are getting tough to find.  If you need one with more than 1800 square feet, they're just about extinct.  Call us today to take advantage of a rare opportunity.
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    <pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 2013 09:55:00 -0500</pubDate>
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