Utilities Expansion is coming to Cape Coral FL

http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2012-02-16/Cape-Coral-council-votes-to-restart-utilities-expansion


Get out your checkbooks, the predicted utility expansion project has begun again in Cape Coral. The estimated cost is 20k per home. The project will start in 2013 and is broken into 9 'sections'. They expect to complete one section per 2 yrs. Check with the city to see what section your property falls into.



If you're planning to sell, you need to disclose this. If you're in section 9, 16 yrs down the road is a whole lot easier to sell than next year!

Claudia DeBruyn,  Realtor
cell/text 781-799-7570

Mortgage Foregiveness act extended! 2013

Article from FloridaRealtors.org




Daily Briefing: Wednesday, January 2, 2013
A service for members of Florida Realtors

Special Report: Real estate provisions in 'fiscal cliff' bill WASHINGTON - Jan. 2, 2013 - Yesterday, the House and Senate passed H.R. 8, legislation to avert the so-called "fiscal cliff." Following are real estate-related provisions of the bill, which President Obama plans to sign into law today: • Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act extended to January 1, 2014. In place since 2007, the act provided a tax break for homeowners who struggled through financial hardship such as a foreclosure, and were granted mortgage debt forgiveness. In the past several months, National Association of Realtors (NAR) issued numerous calls to action urging its million-plus Realtor members to ask lawmakers to extend the tax break for another year. More than a quarter of all transactions involve distressed properties, the NAR said in its plea. "Homeowners shouldn't be forced to pay a tax on money they've already lost with cash they never received." • Deduction for mortgage insurance premiums for filers making below $110,000 is extended through 2013 and made retroactive to cover 2012. • The 15-year straight-line cost recovery for qualified leasehold improvements on commercial properties is extended through 2013 and made retroactive to cover 2012. • The 10 percent tax credit (up to $500) for homeowners for energy efficiency improvements to existing homes is extended through 2013 and made retroactive to cover 2012. • "Pease limitations" that reduce the value of itemized deductions are permanently repealed for most taxpayers but will be reinstituted for high-income filers. "Pease" limitations will only apply to individuals earning more than $250,000 and joint filers earning more than $300,000. The thresholds are indexed for inflation so will rise over time. Under the formula, filers gradually lose the value of their total itemized deductions up to a total of a 20% reduction. First enacted in 1990 and named for Ohio Congressman Don Pease, who proposed the idea, the limitations continued throughout the Clinton years. The limitations were gradually phased out starting in 2003 and eliminated in 2010. Reinstitution of these limits has far less impact on the mortgage interest deduction than a hard dollar deduction cap, percentage deduction cap or reduction of the amount of mortgage interest deduction that can be claimed. • The capital gains rate remains at 15 percent for individuals earning less than $400,000 per year and couples earning less than $450,000. Any gains above these amounts will be taxed at 20 percent. The $250,000/$500,000 exclusion for the sale of principle residence remains.

Military families get a short sale break!

Look like someone finally noticed that our men and women of the military have housing problems too in this short sale market.

Those who bought before 6/30/12 who need to short sell to move along with PCS (permanent change of station) orders will have relief! There will be no deficiency judgements or requests to contribute at closing. These military families do not have to be in default to short sell their homes!

See the attached article for details. http://www.dsnews.com/articles/new-guideline-will-make-short-sales-easier-for-military-homeowners-2012-06-21

Claudia Debruyn, Realtor
cell/text 781-799-7570

BEAUTIFUL Buckingham Fort Myers

BUCKINGHAM, Fort Myers, Florida

Buckingham is a gorgeous horse lovers paradise on the outer edge of Fort Myers, FL. Although it is very country, it is bordered by I75, route 82 and route 80. Route 80 goes directly into downtown Fort Myers so if a night on the town is a must, you have access! Route 82 heads out near the SWFL International airport (RSW) and beautiful Bonita Springs.

Search Buckingham area MLS http://matrix.swflamls.com/Matrix/public/IDX.aspx?idx=bba1a43


My short photo album https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.368964469825589.84823.144602288928476&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=368964493158920&set=a.368964469825589.84823.144602288928476&type=3&theater



According to 'Neighborhood Scout', most of the homes in Buckingham have been built between 1970 and 1994, although there are many older and newer homes scattered throughout the area. The supply of homes in Buckingham is low compared to the demand for property. It is a beautiful place to live! Read more from Neighborhood scout below. www.neighborhoodscout.com/search/fl/fort-myers/buckingham/#desc

 
Buckingham is also the home of the 'World Famous Buckingham Blues Bar'! www.buckinghambar.com/ World famous? Not really, but they are working on it! The original bar was built in 1957. It was completely renovated by new owner, Tommy Lee Cook, a Buckingham resident. It hosts local bands and is a great place to hang out with the locals!

 
Buckingham has a rich military history. The air base was built in 1942 on swamp land that had been drained into a canal system. B-24's flew from Buckingham to Romania during war times. During WW2, the field and ranges took over 66,723 acres with approximately 700 buildings, and housed about 16,000 men. Read more... www.airfields-freeman.com/FL/Airfields_FL_FtMyers.htm

 
Buckingham Exceptional Student Center is located on Buckingham Road. This school supports students with multiple disabilities. www.buc.leeschools.net/



Buckingham also has its own Community park! Ball fields are open from dawn to dusk. There is a playground with restrooms, and plenty of parking. Of course, we can't forget to mention Barkingham park for your 4 legged friends! www.leeparks.org/facility-info/facility-details.cfm?Project_Num=0087

 

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Still confused? Short sale?? Foreclosure??

According to Realty Trac, "1 in every 326 housing units received a foreclosure filing in May 2012" in Lee County.


What is the difference between foreclosure and short sale? Legally, on a foreclosure, the lender takes your property as collateral for non-payment or for failing to stay within the contract you signed with them. Currently some FHA lenders will allow you to buy again within 3 years, with good re-established credit . Conventional lenders make you wait about 7 yrs. (See your lender for details because the rules change frequently!).



With a short sale, you owe more than the property is worth. you don't need to be in a default position, but you have a compelling reason to sell. So let's say you owe $200,000 and your home is worth $150,000. You list with me. I bring you a buyer for $150,000. Your bank has to agree to release their 200k lien for only 150k (a short payoff). Most lenders wil consider lending after 2 years on a short sale. (See your lender for details).

Call me for a review of your situation. I'll come out and give you a fair market analysis of your home. You'll fill out a financial package that your lender will require, and we will upload it to them for review. We'll list your home and start the short sale process. I'll answer as many Real Estate questions as I can. Legal and tax related questions are better answered by your Attorney or CPA.



A foreclosure is far worse for your credit. You can be sued for the deficiency. Your attorney will tell you It is not the best route. Call me an we'll talk about whether short selling your home is right for you.



Claudia DeBruyn, Realtor
cell/text 781-799-7570

Renting can be more expensive than buying!

The big guys say were at the bottom! Prices and interest rates havent been this low since Wally and the Beav we in school!

Let's see, at 4% (current rates are a bit lower, but we'll use 4) $100,000 over 30 yrs = 477.42 + taxes and ins, you're payment will most likely be less than $1000/mo. Borrow 150,000 and pay 716.12 + taxes and ins. This link is to an amortization calculator. http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/mortgages/amortization-calculator.aspx?ec_id=m1102654&ef_id=i%40pPqQoL3XcAAEpC%3a20120521213252%3as Play with it and find your financial comfort zone before shopping.

 
Lenders are not a dime a dozen any more. Good lenders are even harder to find. You need to be preapproved to make an offer in SWFL. Collect up your last 4 weeks paystubs, your last 2 yrs W2s, your last 2 months bank statements and make the lender telephone call. After you call your lender, call me 781-799-7570. Having been in lending for over 10 yrs prior to selling real estate, I can help you prepare to buy. I know several different lenders with many programs.

CNE Certified Negotiation Expert

Yep, I'm a 1%-er. Only 1% of Realtors nationwide pass the CNE exam.

Claudia DeBruyn Receives New

“Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE^®)” Designation

Professional negotiation skills are a must for all real estate agents

helping home buyers and sellers, especially in the current market

Claudia DeBruyn has been awarded the Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE^®) designation by the Real Estate Negotiation Institute (RENI). The CNE^® is earned by real estate professionals after successfully completing formal negotiation training from the Real Estate Negotiation Institute. Agents who receive this certification are in the top 1% of all agents nationally.

With professional negotiation skills, agents are able to help clients obtain better results in the sale or purchase of their home. CNE^® agents have a powerful competitive edge because of their ability to 1) communicate effectively to uncover more information, 2) help clients understand their options, 3) work collaboratively with others, and 4) resolve deadlocks. CNE^® agents have a thorough understanding of how to negotiate effectively to help achieve their client’s goals.

The Real Estate Negotiation Institute is the leading negotiation training and coaching company in the real estate industry. Tom Hayman, the CEO and Co-Founder of the Real Estate Negotiation Institute, is a professional negotiator with 35+ years of negotiation experience, including 25 years with The Procter and Gamble Company (Fortune 50 company). Hayman asserts “Any Buyer or Seller who hires a CNE^® agent can feel confident they have one of the best trained negotiators in real estate. They should achieve superior results and have better resolution of all issues when represented by a CNE^® agent.”

For more information visit www.theRENI.com.