SHARON's Blog

What can $1,000,000.00 buy you in todays Real Estate market?  Amazingly enough ALOT!  Comparatively speaking the amount of home you can buy in today's market v.s. 2006/2007  is amazing.  Although many are "downsizing" realizing the impact the Real Estate market has had on not just the Mid-Size homes but the Luxury homes as well.   With most homes being Short-Sales or Foreclosures, the amount of time the properties are on the market and the dramatic drop in the prices is evident all over!  The lower price range properties sell a little quicker as the luxury homes are not moving as quick, for obvious reasons.  But you will get more bang for your buck with these properties as well!! 

Atlanta, Georgia

Provided by: Vawter Vision Group

Home listed in 2007

Price: $1,300,000*
Interior: 3,500 sq ft
Lot Size: N/A
5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Bathrooms

*Currently listed at $1,095,000

Provided by: Vawter Vision Group

Home listed in 2009

Price: $999,000
Interior: 3,650
Lot Size: N/A
5 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms, 2 Half

Click here to view the virtual tour

http://13acresonhutchinsonis.epropertysites.com/

It has been several months since my last post or even log-in for that matter, so much has happened over the past few months, let me catch everyone up.  As most of you already know my mom has been in a LONG battle with breast cancer and after having a double mastectomy, Chemo, and reconstructive surgery she is starting to do better.  God has been so good to her, has definitely renewed my faith in him as well.  Among that I have changed companies and have started to test the waters with Commercial Sales as well, all of which I am very optimistic that all will go smoothly.  I have missed my Active Rain family, and it will be good to reconnect with many of you again, I will start to utilize my blogs again and will keep in touch much better this way with everyone, I want to thank everyone for their continued love, support, emails, and most of all PRAYERS!  I have met some great fellow Realtors and friends on here which I do hope on meeting some day.  I am back and will use this to my advantage once again, as Active Rain was a very important part of my Business Plan, one that I MISS! 

I hope that everyone is doing well, catch me up!

Sharon

Tomorrow is the start of a new life for my mom. She is Cancer Free!!!! & tomorrow is her last Chemo treatment. She still has a long road ahead, she had a double Mastectomy and will undergo reconstructive surgery in the months to come. Life has thrown us a curve and God has helped us take each and every step with a new found faith and trust in him. She had a Stage 3 cancer we are beating it and I love the motto : Cancer Sucks! I know not very lady like but oh so true. My mom is my true inspiration in life, she has made me and my sisters and my daughters the women we are today, she is so strong and so brave to fight this fight, through all of her trial she has been so worried about everyone else, never complaining, even when she lost her beautiful long blond hair, she is still the most beautiful woman I have ever known, everyone says she is an angel on earth, I do believe that, she is my angel, and my strength, when I think that my day could not get any worse I think of her and see what she deals with on a daily basis and I feel selfish, we are not Guaranteed tomorrow, but we are Guaranteed that God will not place any more on us that we can handle. I only ask for continued prayers as we take the next journey. It's a long path but knowing we don't walk it alone brings joy and comfort to us!

I am a dog lover, my pets are a very important part of our family unit. We have Samson who is a Wolf Hybrid and Zeus who is a German Shepherd. Is this about Real Estate?

Not really

...But I will say that being a pet owner the amount of foreclosures has left our local shelters strapped and over crowded. I know that when times are as tough as these our furry little friends are placed to the side. I am grateful that there are places where individuals can take their pets when all else fails. It has to be made public that these places are out there and that the pets should not be left in the property. I have heard of some horror stories about this, finding pets severely emaciated and neglected. It really does break my heart to see such a thing.

My little(ok...BIG) guys are such sweet dogs they keep us sane some days and others they drive us in sane, like when I came in from doing yard work and saw that Samson has figured out how to open the French Doors and he decided to let himself & Zeus in for a little garbage treasure hunt, but we would not change it for nothing.

I just wanted to share the 2 "other guys" in my life..... :0)

Rank in Saint Lucie County: 2 /236 (Featured!)
Rank in Port Saint Lucie: 2 /188 (Featured!)

I am proud to say that I am #2 in St Lucie county, after months of blogging and being a part of the active rain community I am moving my way up, the St Lucie Ladder :0) 

Yes I am tooting my own horn and I am proud to say that I use active Rain as a every day part of my business plan, and it does work for me.  I try to use it everyday, and I am starting to use it more and more, as I see that I am reaping the rewards of making it something that I do not only for fun, but also for business purposes, and most of all, I am making friends along the way!  That is the best part.  I am working my way to be #1 in St Lucie County....Soon....Very SOON!  Have a great week to everyone!

We wear our Realtor Pin with Pride.  We Actually WANT you to come up to us and say hello, see that pin, it says we are Approachable, or does it?  What sort of message are we sending to others looking in?  Do we always dress the part?  Is there such thing as ever having a "day off", in my opinion, NO.  I feel that we owe it to our community to wear that pin with pride and to provide a bit of knowledge when approached, so in return we have to make ourselves approachable, let them know that we always welcome you to come up and say hello, most times that little pin is all that is needed to spark a conversation, the rest will flow....... 

I was told when I became an agent, to always dress the part, does that mean no flip flops or ponytails?  No it just means to always make yourself look approachable, and always wear your pin :0)

So the courts in Ohio are requesting that you supply your own paper!  Are things actually that bad?!??!?  Wow what a mess we are in, when I read this I was just amazed, whether we realize this or not, I do think that if we have come to this, we can not even supply paper to the courts then yes my friends we are in times that are that bad.  The court system in Ohio stated that they will handle the cases where the paper is supplied first, I don't even know if that is even allowed, due process comes into my  mind, I am just amazed by this, am I the only one?  I just know that something does have to be done AND it needs to be done quickly.  So in the meantime we muddle through, right?  I know it will get better, and it can only go up from here, right? 

What is it that makes me sane? In all the talk of Recession, Bail Outs, Stock Market down, etc. etc. etc.....I have a few things in life that I do take the time to STOP, enjoy life and actually think that we are not guaranteed tomorrow, so why waste today! I love to play video games, yes me....Do I think of myself as a "gamer" NO WAY! But I do love the Wii (with my kids) Fav is FIFA 09, Mario (anything) and XBox 360 (with Hubby) Fav is Halo 1,2, &3 and Gears of War, I know funny isnt it....I know it does not seem that I would even consider playing those games, but it is something that takes my mind off of everything and it gives me time with the people that I enjoy spending time with the most. Life is short, and I do what I enjoy, I love reading, yes I got caught up in the Twilight series, I wouldnt let my kids read it before I did, and that gives us something in common. I like Mountain Biking which is very difficult to do here in Florida :0) Well that is just a little insight into my personal life. There has to be something to keep us sane :0)

So yes my friends we paid 165 million dollars to the execs at AIG again.....This just makes me so upset! AIG states that these bonuses were agreements made previous to the bailout agreement. Well I think it is time that we get MAD and do whatever means necessary to let them know that this is NOT ok. We are paying for the bonusus of a business that just posted a record high LOSS ever. So why are they getting paid for doing such a poor job? And furthermore why are we paying for it with the Bailout money! Tax payers are paying for it!

That is $165,000,000.00 dollars in bonuses. WHY????

And just like that, the foreclosure proceedings came to a standstill.
Desperate times call for Desperate measures, correct? In a last ditch effort for homeowners to stay in their homes and to stall or even halt the foreclosure process, the homeowners are now reaching for any last ditch effort to stay in their homes.

What is the last ditch effort you may ask? It is asking the bank for the "ORIGINAL PAPERWORK" on the mortgage. What do the banks do? Well they have to stop the foreclosure process until the original paperwork can be found, in most instances it has been sold so many times, or placed in some storage area that no one knows where it is.

Does it work in all instances, NO, but it can in some instances cause the judge to delay the foreclosure process long enough for the banks to work with the homeowner and maybe renegotiate the mortgage. This has been sent by email to me many times over the past few weeks, and I feel that if it helps the homeowner stay in the home and work something out with the bank then yes it should be used as the last ditch effort. I have heard that it has worked in some instances, it could be dependent upon how much sympathy the judge has for the homeowner. I do also understand that this may also be avoiding the inevitable, even if only for a while, and I would hope that the homeowner would also recognize this as well.

With no where else for the blame to go, it is now being placed on the Realtors. What was the role of the Realtors. Could it possible be that there ARE Realtors that do place the Client ABOVE the commission. I know it sounds hard to believe....(according to the recent reports) But yes there are Realtors that do even give up part of their commission just so your buyer can get into the home if their dreams. It is our responsibility to make sure that all aspects of the transaction are understood, that includes the financing, and if it means having them to consult a Real Estate Lawyer then so be it.

I want my buyers/sellers to be ASSURED that their interest is first and foremost, not the commission. This is where the Code of Ethics does come into play. (thats another blog) We have to protect our client, which means we can't profess that we are Mortgage "experts" when in fact we are not, and we can not lead them one way or the other, but what we can do is EDUCATE our clients, make sure they are aware of the different outlets available to them to educate themselves with the whole transaction, I know it gets touchy and I in no way would ever give legal advice.

But if we are silent and we don't say anything isnt that in fact just as bad? In my opinion yes it is.

I am so tired of hearing that Realtors are only concerned with one thing, and that is closing the deal. That is SO far left field with me, and I hope it is with most Realtors, I want what is best for my client, and if that means that now is not the time to buy, then so be it! I don't want them being faced with foreclosure within the next year, due to my negligence. It is absurd to think that the blame is now falling onto us. That we CAUSED this mess. I am sure that there were Realtors that did get greedy, but that is one of very few.

This is where the saying one bad apple....

It is now time for us to make the CHANGE!

The very first thing I was told when I became an agent, was to get an ACTIVE business plan, one that I worked to improve each and every day.  My business plan is working for me, thus far. 

Active Rain is a very important part of my business plan, and it is something that I work everyday. It has brought me business and continues to do so!  Use it!

Make sure you know what your objectives are, and know your market. 

Go out and MEET your fellow Agents, learning from them is the most valuable tool out there, getting into the REAL WORLD and actually learning is something you can't learn from a book.

WORK your SOI and Farm areas!

Figure out what your budget will be for your marketing plan and stick to it.  What plans do you have to generate business?

Set a Realistic Income Goal.

Set a Schedule and STICK TO IT.  The one important thing is to make a schedule for yourself, it is so easy to stray away from going into the office, or not making it in at all, if you set a schedule and get used to a routine, it will make it easier.

These are just ideas, ones that I have had and that work for me, you have to find what works for you!

So exactly how do the banks "Pick & Choose" which homeowners to help? Do they pick straws? It sure does seem that there is no Rhyme or Reason pertaining to which homeowners are in need of their assistance. With the new assistance program stating that one monthly payment can not amount to no more than 31 percent of the owner's income. This leaves the banks NO CHOICE as to who they help....or does it? It seems as though the banks are still just hanging on, waiting for a Better BAIL OUT to come along, while in the meantime, homes are continuing to be foreclosed on. Eventually the banks will have to move on some of these loans, try and figure out some sort of plan even if it is drawing straws, picking a number, or pulling a rabbit out of a hat! It has to be done! Isnt that what all of this bail out money is suppose to do....Boost our Economy! I just see many individuals that could actually benefit from the new proposal from president Obama and yet these banks are dead set on not helping. WHY?? It infuriates me to no end, to know that there is help to be had for my fellow neighbors and I have to stand there and do nothing. AS a Realtor they come to me for advice, and I feel as if I am failing my neighbors, because I have no answer for them!! It is very frustrating to not be able to help....Especially when you know that there is someone who CAN!

City of Port St Lucie has indeed been hit hard with the Foreclosures and all of the Short Sales. But is this a reason for our county to be declared in a State of Emergency? This would be a first of its kind, in an economy like no other. Just as we are declared in a State of Emergency with a Hurricane, Port St Lucie would be declared just that. At one point in time Port St Lucie was one of the fastest growing cities in America. With families flocking here to attain their dream homes, we are now 10,000+ strong in foreclosed properties and a staggering 10.5% unemployment rate. There is $17.5 million dollars that is set aside for our Hurricane Season, and now commissioners are wanting to use those funds to take care of this "DISASTER". The foreclosure Disaster a disaster that WE caused, not a natural disaster, a MAN MADE ONE! It is amazing that we are in an economy so bad that we are actually thinking of using these funds to take care of the foreclosures, and what will happen when a Hurricane hits this area? Is that going to leave the city strapped for funds? Yes it is! There has to be some other solution to this problem. I will tell you that THIS is not the solution! Port St Lucie is still a great place to live, the prices on Real Estate is great right now, jobs can be found, and giving hope to the communities here in Port St Lucie is something that we ALL have to do. Posting stories in local news papers and on CNN stating that St Lucie county is one of the hardest hit area is true, but is the trauma to the area so severe that it is a Disaster, I would say no in my opinion. In some sort of little or drastic way, everyone in the US, and beyond in some instances, have been effected by the downturn on the market, and yes some hit worse than others, but I still believe that Port St Lucie is one of the best places in the US to live and to raise a family. The negativity that this has brought to our area is unjust, where are the positive aspects of our area? You dont see that in the news. The prices on homes are at an all time low, and new industry and Bio-Tech jobs are coming to St Lucie county, we have to all work on this together, volunteer our time when we can, get together within your community and see where you can help, have a community "pot luck" dinner, its the little things that help, and we do have to start somewhere. I am continually amazed at even in our bleakest times, we can still come together as a community and help each other.

Here is the Law on doing such a thing, just so you know:

THE LAW

• Chapter 252 of Florida State Statutes gives local governments the authority to declare a local state of emergency.

• It gives the public safety director the ability to seize control of necessary resources

• It allows local government to bypass state purchasing and bidding requirements to repair or recover from the emergency.

Just sharing something that touched me!

The Sack Lunches
  
 I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my 
 assigned seat.  It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a 
 good book to read Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.
  
 Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and 
 filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me.  I decided to 
 start a conversation.  'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier 
 seated nearest to me.
  
 'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then 
 we're being deployed to Afghanistan
  
 After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack 
 lunches were
available for five dollars.  It would be several hours 
 before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help 
 pass the time..
  
 As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he 
 planned to buy lunch.  'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a 
 sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks.  I'll wait till we 
 get to base '
  
 His friend agreed.
  
 I looked around at the other soldiers.  None were buying lunch.  I 
 walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a 
 fifty dollar bill.  'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.'  She grabbed 
 my arms and squeezed tightly.  Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked 
 me.  'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it 
 for
him.'
  
 Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers 
 were seated.  She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like 
 best - beef or chicken?'
  
 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked.  She turned and went to 
 the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from 
 first class.  'This is your thanks.'
  
 After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, 
 heading for the rest room.  A man stopped me.  'I saw what you did.  I 
 want to be part of it.  Here, take this.'  He handed me twenty-five 
 dollars.
  
 Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down 
 the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was 
 not looking for me, but noticed he was
looking at the numbers only on 
 my side of the plane.  When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held 
 out his hand, an said, 'I want to shake your hand.'
  
 Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand.  
 With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military 
 pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch.  It was an act of kindness I 
 never forgot.'  I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of 
 the passengers.
  
 Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs.  
 A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his 
 hand, wanting to shake mine.  He left another twenty-five dollars in 
 my palm.
  
 When we landed  I gathered my belongings and started to deplane.  
 Waiting just inside the
airplane door was a man who stopped me, put 
 something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a 
 word..  Another twenty-five dollars!
  
 Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their 
 trip to the base.  I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five 
 dollars.. 'It will take you some time to reach the base.. It will be 
 about time for a sandwich.  God Bless You.'
  
 Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their 
 fellow travelers.  As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer 
 for their safe return.  These soldiers were giving their all for our 
 country.  I could only give them a couple of meals.
  
 It seemed so little...
  
 A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life,wrote a blank check

 made payable to 'The United States of America' for an amount of  'up to and including my 
 life.'
  
 That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who 
 no longer understand it.'
  
  
  
  

 May God give you the strength and courage to pass this along to 
 everyone on your email buddy list....

 I JUST DID

Angel Food Ministries!

Thought this was fitting for our Economy at this time:

Question:

Dear Sirs:*
*One of my checks was returned marked "insufficient funds". In view of*
*current events in the banking market, does that refer to me or to you?*

Smile :0)

The staggering amount of foreclosures are leaving many HOA dues left unpaid.  Is there a solution to this problem?  Most HOA are using aggressive measures to try and re coupe the fees lost.  Most homeowners that have fallen onto hardships are not able to pay their dues.  This is Nationwide.  Sometimes seeking a foreclosure, short sale, or auction is the only financial option the homeowner has.  I have seen million dollar facilities within associations going unused, simply put, there is not enough money to help sustain these facilities.  the remaining homeowners that are left within the community paying their HOA dues, are likely to see an increase in their dues to help make up for the ones that simply can not pay and not to mention limited services within the confines of the community or limited use of the common areas.  The debate seems to be this:  1. Get rid of the Homeowners fees all together 2. Make homeowners pay in advance 3. Keep them and have the remaining homeowners take the windfall.   Will the communities fall into such a state of disarray if these HOA's are abolished? There are those that choose to put food on their table and try and pay their mortgage versus paying their HOA dues.  Maybe there should be a hardship letter to the HOA explaining the hardship and it needs to be on a case by case basis, is this the answer?  I don't know, but something does need to be done.  Maybe try and take care of your own lawn care, pay your own water, garbage, etc.  Just until we get through some of this.  There needs to be an overhaul on these HOA's.  I do AGREE with having the HOA's, it brings increased value to the property and helps maintain the overall upkeep of the proeprties when they do fall vacant, but in times such as these, drastic measure do need to be taken.