Shirley's San Antonio Real Estate Blog

Buyers in this real estate market enjoy many more liberties and advantages with sellers than I have ever seen since I was first licensed in 1996. Not only do they have the lowest rates in half a century, they have far more bargaining power, and in Westchester County, where a starter home can cost $500,000, that is huge. It is a great time to be on the purchasing side. The one thing they don't get to do, however, is consider themselves exempt from reasonable scrutiny regarding their qualifications to buy. Simply put, I as the listing agent have to verify things, and no amount of annoyance or insistence to the contrary can change that. 

I have written previously how cash buyers simply have to show proof of funds if they want to be truly taken seriously. Today, I will reiterate that fact for buyers getting a mortgage. If you are going to submit a pre approval, or in today's case, a prequalification, it is part of my job to verify things, and that goes beyond your agent's "cross my heart" reassurances. It means in many cases calling the loan officer on the pre qualification letter and asking questions. Here are some that I would ask:

• Have you verified the borrower's credit?
• Have you verified income and employment? 
• Have you run  the borrower through your underwriting software (an industry standard)? 

Today, we had an offer where it was disclosed that they were in the process of selling their current home, it was submitted with a pre-qualification from a mortgage broker, not a direct lender, and the amount on the letter was less than the offer. My question to the buyer agent was shrugged off with a reassurance that all would be fine because they had extra money. Perhaps that is all true, but my job is to verify, not take assurances blindly. Like I said, in Westchester, with the competing number of homes for sale, real estate mistakes can be very expensive. Having a deal die can cost my clients tens of thousands of dollars. 

SO...I called the listing agent on the property they were selling (under contract, strong buyer) and I also spoke with the loan officer. I heard what I needed to hear from those I needed to speak with. Without getting into too many details, this did not sit well with the buyer, who actually called me directly. 

Sorry, but that is how it is today. I have to verify the qualification of buyers before I can advise my client to accept an offer. Spending months off the market under contract with a buyer who cannot close is not acceptable. Buyers are the belle of the ball now more than ever, but they don't get a mulligan on basic due diligence from the listing agent. It is my job to verify, and the notion that I am invading their privacy is fallacious. It is absolutely our business to ascertain that the buyer can perform. If I wanted to take some perverse pleasure in sticking my nose in someone's personal business, I'd watch reality TV. This is business, and should never be taken personally. 

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If you want to honor September 11 by hanging the American flag by your front door, remember that there is a flag etiquette to respectfully display the American flag vertically as per the U.S. Flag Code (Public Law 94-344), a joint Congressional resolution.

(1) Make sure your flag must be displayed to its full extend, with no sag or wrinkles against your front door.

(2) Drape the flag over the front door. I used a clear tape to secure it from the inside.

(3) IMPORTANT: The Blue/ Stars portion (known as the Union side) must be at the top left corner of the door when you're facing the door.

 

Additional US Flag Handling Tips:

(1) The US Flag must be handled respectfully at all times.
(2) Do not sloppily display the US Flag. It is a sign of disrespect. If you choose to display the US flag, it must be done appropriately.
(3) When there is more than 1 flag to be displayed when compared to state, cities or local flag on the same halyard, the US Flag must be hoisted at the top before any other flags.
(4) When there is more than 1 flag to be displayed of different nations, the flags must be the same size, with not one bigger than any other. It must be on its separate staff, at the same height. International usage forbids one flag flown higher than another.

More Common Sense Tips:

• The US flag cannot touch the ground.
• The US Flag cannot and should not be used as a decoration.
• The US Flag cannot and should not be used as a table cover.
• When carrying the US flag, do not put other things on it.
• The US Flag should not be made as a clothing material.

 

Public Law 94-344 is known as the Federal Flag Code. It contains rules for handling and displaying the U.S. flag enacted on July 7th 1976.

 

 

 

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3:16 team REALTY is a locally-owned Frisco TX real estate brokerage that serves buyers and sellers in and around the Frisco TX areas.

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper & North Dallas area communities.

 

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How to Hang the American Flag Vertically

 

 

  

Posted by:  Ellie Penaranda - Naples FL Real Estate Blog

I love going to the beach every morning looking for shells and I am always hoping it is a slow market low tide, so I would have a big selection of shells to choose from and find my rare and elusive Alphabet Cone, Colorful Natica, or Paper Fig.  Ahead of me, I see someone bending down to pick something up.  My heart sinks and I am afraid that they got to my favorite shell before I did.  I walk over to the same pile of shells, my heart racing now, and behold here is my cone sitting there on the top for everyone to see.  When I was a newbie to shelling I would stop and wonder why that person before me did not pick this absolutely beautiful and rare find.  Now I jump with joy that it is not what they are looking for and it will be mine.   

You learn real quick that we are all different and not looking for the same thing.  We think the standard of beauty is the same, but like everything in life it is relative and depends on your personal needs, desires and tastes.  So why is it when a home buyer finds a property they like and its been there for a while, the first reaction they have, is "Why didn't anyone else buy it?  What's wrong with this house?"

Low tide means more shells  - Slow market means low prices and a wide selection of homes.

Since I live in Florida and go to our beaches (Barefoot Beach, Bonita Beach, Vanderbilt Beach, Delnor Wiggins State Park, Naples Beach & Pier) every day, I've become the expert.  I know which beaches have the sand dollars, I know exactly which spot I might find the Natica and can tell by the color of a pile of shells that there is a  shark tooth hidden there.  I don't waste my time just walking a beach area that does not have shells.  Same in real estate, I regularly preview homes every week - I know exactly where we will find the home you are looking for.

Looking in the area closest to the water for the new finds - looking in the old piles for the best finds.

At the beach I always spot something I want or have been looking for - and in real estate I have found the perfect home for my clients.

Every shell has its own markings - and in Naples no home is like another, even if it is the same neighborhood or the same model, it does not make it the same condition, same view, same upgrades or same sun exposure.

I've learned when I find it , to grab it.  

Yes there are more shells in the sea that will come on the market shore tomorrow, but today I can still find what I want, and maybe what comes tomorrow does not fit my collection's needs and just might not be as large, as colorful or in the same condition.  Now here is an advantage in home shopping over shelling, you can fix or repair a home and it will shine as new, but a broken shell can't be fixed.

Today the tide was very low and  I found some exceptional shells. . . . and today is a great day in real estate in Naples, with a wide selection of homes, the lowest prices in years, the most serious and realistic sellers we've had for a while and with interest rates attractively low to make it happen.  But like shelling, If I don't grab what I want, the tide will change on me before I know it.

As a real estate local expert I am always looking for the perfect income property for my investors, the best beach view for my 2nd home buyer, and the best amenities for my snowbirds - I know exactly where to go to find the right home.

If you are serious about buying a home in Naples, know what you want and like -  I know where to find it.

 

Search Homes for Sale in Naples, Florida

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  If you are considering a purchase or sale in the Naples area, it is important to be informed of the sales activity and price trends - the more you know the better equipped you will be to make the right choices.             Visit our website   www.StepsToTheBeach.com   for more specific community information or call me direct at 239-776-5077

  

Check our new website:  365ThingsToDoInNaplesFL.com

 

 

  Call or text me direct 239-776-5077 & Let's Get Started!

Downing Frye Realty -  ellie@stepstothebeach.com -  www.STEPSTOTHEBEACH.com

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