Buyers default want escrow check back!What would you do?
In three days we were supposed to go to a closing, only one obstacle remains. The buyers just called to inform me that they won`t close, they have decided to change their minds.
We spoke for 45 minutes and i attempted to explain to them what will transpire to no avail! Unfortunately the buyers refuse to believe their escrow check is non-refundable! They called to ask me what time they can stop by tomorrow to pick up the check!
It appears an executed contract is meaningless. They refuse to hear the truth!
The conversation is as follows:
Default Buyers: My wife and i changed our minds. We don`t want the town home now!
Me; We`re supposed to close in 3 days. What do you want me to do?
Default Buyers: Call the owner and tell them we`re sorry. We changed our minds..
Me: That`s great, but we have a contract, if you default, you lose! It`s that simple.
Default Buyers" Lose? Lose what our money? Hell No!!!
Me: It`s not that simple, you`re sure you really want to walk away?
Default Buyers: What time can we stop by tomorrow to pick up our check?
I`m sure this has happened to others out there. The buyers are under the impression, that it`s that simple, "No Harm, No Foul"... I pray that reality sets in between now and tomorrow!
Posted by FloridaListForLess Realty 0 Comments [Edit]
Filed under: coaching realtors how to sell [Edit Tags]
Sunday, July 08, 2007 7:19 AM
Fair is Fair! Landlord wants us to pay $100 cleaning fee for former tenant!
We received a call from a former client who we rented a home for them 12 months ago.They live out of the area.The tenant that we located,moved out yesterday.
The landlord found a new tenant on their own and it appears they`re moving in next week.
The landlord called us yesterday to find out if we can send someone over to the home to clean the home.
We use a cleaning service that charges $100. They do fantastic work.
I recommend to the landlord that he contact them to arrange for their service.He seemed OK with it until i mentioned the $100 fee.

The conversation is as follows:
Landlord: How come I have to pay the $100 fee, shouldn't it be coming out of you`re end, after all you rented the home for us, the tenant moved out, why aren`t you and you`re company paying the fee?
Me: I`m sorry, we rented the home for you 12 months ago, the former tenant moved,you located a tenant on your own. How is it my responsibility to send a cleaning service to your home?
Landlord: It`s a service I thought a Real Estate office should perform, besides it`s good business practice on you`re part! Next time, I`ll give you the house to rent again, how`s that?!
Me: Good business practice? If I follow you`re advice I`d be out of business. The former tenant paid the rent, the lease expired, you found a new tenant and I have to pay for the home to be cleaned?
Landlord:Yes, I think that`s fair.
I`m deadpan serious, his response "Fair is fair" floored me! It`s his home,his tenant and we`re supposed to compensate the landlord a $100.00 fee for a tenant we located for them a year ago!
Why me?
Posted by FloridaListForLess Realty 0 Comments [Edit]
Filed under: renting homes in florida [Edit Tags]
Saturday, July 07, 2007 12:08 PM
Today in the Ocala Star Banner. A classic example of media hype!
Today in the Ocala Star Banner there is a very interesting article for all Marion County Realtors to enjoy or cry about!
It`s entitled:HOME SALES DOWN 50 PERCENT FROM 2006 (http://ocala.com/article/20070707/NEWS/207070343/1025/NEWS)
I`m never one to get involved in the media hype because i believe the media has a right to print the news as they see fit! After all that`s the "Newspaper game" I do take offense though to the huge void left in this article written by Mabel Perez.
Here is my rebuttal:
The state of Florida as a whole has seen th market go from bad to worse. There`s no denying what`s happening in Real Estate. Marion County overall never really felt how bad the rest of the state has seen,and probably never will. Sure, it`s not a great market, but the opportunity is there.
Part of the biggest problem in Marion County currently is that many sellers haven`t come to "terms" in regards to properly listing their homes.
Many Realtors in the area have actually fueled this problem and made it an obstacle. I can`t tell you how many time agents inside of our company have placed "Offers" to sellers around Marion County,only to be told by the selling Agent "Our client won`t consider this offer".Some refuse to present offers or even counter, it`s not like the old days, you have to work for the sale. Not all Realtors in Marion County are like that!
The Ocala market is far from collapsing. The fact is now is the time to be a buyer! I have no idea why the reporter failed to mention this, or the Realtors who were interviewed. The rental market in Ocala seems to be thriving, which will lead to potential buyers down the road. Many buyers were caught off guard with sub prime lenders and are now seeking alternatives such as FHA loans.
Again, Ocala isn`t as bad as the article portrays and I wish that when doing a story like this, all the facts are presented, not just the Media Hype!

Also for your reading enjoyment:
Are "Low Ball Offers" really working?
Posted by FloridaListForLess Realty 0 Comments [Edit]
Filed under: ocala florida real estate lease with option to buy [Edit Tags]
Saturday, July 07, 2007 10:35 AM
Rented in 15 days! Belleview Florida 12347 SE 101 AVE, BELLEVIEW FL at Hills of Tuscany
Rented in 15 days! Belleview Florida 12347 SE 101 AVE, BELLEVIEW FL at Hills of Tuscany
Att: INVESTORS or HOMEOWNERS!
Thinking of renting your home?
Our Trained professionals are standing by to assist you.We have qualified tenants ready to move.
Proven results.
For additional information please contact The Scott Daniels Real Estate Group @ 1-866-268-2274.
visit us @ http://www.listfloridahomesforless.com/
SEC 02 TWP 17 RGE 23 PLAT BOOK 8 PAGE 170 LAKE WEIR HEIGHTS 2ND ADDITION REPLAT UNIT 3 BLK G LOT 7

HILLS OF TUSCANY!
BRAND NEW 4/3 SFH WITH 2 CAR GARAGE. THIS HOME HAS FANTASTIC FEATURES, SUCH AS A SPLIT BEDROOM PLAN, JACK JILL BATHROOM, FORMAL DINING RM, OFFICE/DEN, WITH AN INCREDIBLE OPEN FLOOR PLAN THAT S GREAT FOR ENTERTAINING!RENT FOR $1300 PER MONTH!
Contact our office to preview at 1-866-268-2274.
Visit us @ http://www.listfloridahomesforless.com/
Posted by FloridaListForLess Realty 0 Comments [Edit]
Filed under: belleview florida homes for rent at hills tuscany [Edit Tags]
Saturday, July 07, 2007 7:24 AM
Are "Low Ball Offers" really working?
Our listing in Coral-Springs is priced to sell.
The home as you can see is beautiful and the sellers made sure to price it in the realm of reality.
The home is listed for $589K, an offer arrived yesterday which floored both the sellers! I always preach not to get emotional when negotiating a sale.
The offer came in at $429K, which borders on the sublime. I expressed to our sellers, that irregardless of the buyers offer, they need to counter to see if there is any seriousness in the buyers approach to purchasing a home!
Now more than ever in a buyers market,people sometimes get a little ridiculous and lose focus at the "value" of a home. A home that is priced to sell, doesn`t mean priced to steal, or as i mentioned I had hoped not! We just sent over a counter to the buyers agent who seems reasonable and is questioning her buyers logic as well.
I hope to have a response, although am wondering what the buyers are thinking by using a "Low Ball Offer".
In June I wrote another article entitled " Is your listing priced to sell or priced from H^ll?".
I described how some sellers have "delusion's of grandeur in thinking they`re home is worth more than the market bears." It`s always fun to go back to what you wrote! Maybe the market has shifted and the buyers are having delusions, I see that happening more often.
The sellers and I discussed that in this instance, it`s not worth getting emotional. Hopefully, we`ll see shortly if this buyer is serious or just "throwing out numbers".
Posted by FloridaListForLess Realty 0 Comments [Edit]
Filed under: coral springs florida homes for sale. [Edit Tags]
Friday, July 06, 2007 5:13 PM
How many understand the Section 8 Guidelines for Rentals?
I have a question that needs to be addressed to many Realtors out there who are risking their Real Estate license in order to complete a Section 8 rental.
Section 8 housing is geared to assist those who aren`t able to pay rent.
There are Programs & Guidelines that we must adhere too.
That being mentioned why are some of you attempting to participate in Bribery?
Recently, I received a call from a Realtor who didn`t have a clue how the system works. They called me to ask if our landlord would accept Section 8 housing vocuhers plus an additional $350 per month from the tenant.
I explained that the voucher for a 3bed,2ba home is $1350 which is what the landlord receives,it`s very illegal for the landlord to take any additional monies and besides that the person on Section 8 who is actually doing something like that would be automatically thrown off the program.
Why do some people on Section believe this is some sort of "Reward" or "Gift". Better yet, if you`re a Realtor who doesn`t understand the Allowances that Section 8 clearly states isn`t about time you familiarize yourself with the rules?
One more thing, please don`t call us, attempting to negotiate in illegal activity...It`s a waste of time.
Posted by FloridaListForLess Realty 0 Comments [Edit]
Filed under: Section 8 Guidelines for Rentals [Edit Tags]
Friday, July 06, 2007 7:36 AM
http://www.listfloridahomesforless.com/blogs/floridalistforless_realty/archive/2007/07/06/ocala-florida-34482-homes-for-sale-3-count-fleet-dr.aspxListing Detail Preview
<>
3 COUNT FLEET DR OCALAOCALA, FL 34482MLS ID#: H817729
$299,9003 Bed , 3 Bath
For additional information please contact The Scott Daniels Real Estate Group @ 1-866-268-2274.
visit us @ http://www.listfloridahomesforless.com/
Map & DirectionsSave This ListingSend to a FriendSend to your REALTOR®
Single Family Property, Subdivision: MEADOW WOOD FARMS, Year Built: 1983, View, Single story, Central air conditioning, Fireplace(s)
To access this webpage directly, use http://www.realtor.com/Prop/1074885572
Property Features

· Single Family Property
· Subdivision: MEADOW WOOD FARMS
· Year Built: 1983
· 3 total bedroom(s)
· 3 total bath(s)
· 3 total full bath(s)

· Single story
· Fireplace(s)
· 2 car garage
· Attached parking
· Heating features: Central, Electric
· Central air conditioning

· Interior features: Dishwasher, Disposal, Electric range, Microwave oven, Refrigerator, Carpet, Tile flooring, Foyer, Secondary bedrooms split from master bedroom, Walk-in closet(s)
· Exterior features: Porch, Eastern exposure, Municipal sewer, Garden view, Municipal water supply
· Exterior construction: Cement Block Structure
· Roofing: Shingle
· View
Find out more.
Posted by FloridaListForLess Realty 0 Comments [Edit]
Filed under: ocala florida homes for sale [Edit Tags]
Friday, July 06, 2007 7:35 AM
http://www.listfloridahomesforless.com/blogs/floridalistforless_realty/archive/2007/07/06/hallandale-beach-florida-investment-property-duplex-112-114-nw-6th-ave.aspxListing Detail Preview
<>
112-114 NW 6TH AVHALLANDALE, FL 33009MLS ID#: H828415
$395,000
For additional information please contact The Scott Daniels Real Estate Group @ 954-275-0200.
visit us @ http://www.listfloridahomesforless.com/

Map & DirectionsSave This ListingSend to a FriendSend to your REALTOR®
For additional information please contact The Scott Daniels Real Estate Group @ 954-275-0200. Visit us @ www.listfloridahomesforless.com
TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY.DUPLEX IN MINT CONDITION & MAINTAINED.FULLY RENTED SEC.8 APPROVED.PLEASE DO NOT DISTRUB .DRIVE-BY ONLY.NEED 48HR NOTICE FOR SHOWING.ALSO FORSALE MLS#H828400
Multi-family Property, Subdivision: TOWN OF HALLANDALE B-13 D, County: BROWARD, Year Built: 1991, Central air conditioning
To access this webpage directly, use http://www.realtor.com/Prop/1084708952
Property Features

· Multi-family Property
· Status: Active
· County: BROWARD
· Subdivision: TOWN OF HALLANDALE B-13 D
· Year Built: 1991
· Type: Duplex
· 2 open parking space(s)

· Heating features: Electric
· Central air conditioning
· Interior features may include: Carpet, Tile flooring
· Exterior features: TV cable available, Municipal sewer, Auto sprinkler system, Municipal water supply
· Exterior construction: Cement Block Structure
· Roofing: Shingle
· Unit 1 has 2 bedroom(s)

· Unit 1 has 1 bath(s)
· Unit 1 has 1 full bath(s)
· Unit 1 is renting for $ 950
· Unit 2 has 3 bedroom(s)
· Unit 2 has 2 bath(s)
· Unit 2 has 2 full bath(s)
· Unit 2 is renting for $ 1350
Find out more.
Posted by FloridaListForLess Realty 0 Comments [Edit]
Filed under: hallandale florida investment property [Edit Tags]