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	<title>Gainesville FL Real Estate Blog</title>
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	<link>http://blog.gatorhomes.com</link>
	<description>Gainesville FL real estate and homes for sale.</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:28:49 +0000</pubDate>
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			<item>
		<title>10 Predictions For 2009 Gainesville Real Estate</title>
		<link>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/10-predictions-for-2009-gainesville-real-estate/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/10-predictions-for-2009-gainesville-real-estate/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:28:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>North Central Florida Real Estate Agent</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Market Trends]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[2009 predictions]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gainesville real estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.gatorhomes.com/?p=33</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[10 Predictions For 2009 Gainesville Real Estate
2009 is likely to be a year of continuing adjustment to a changing real estate marketplace. The following predictions from HGTV’s FrontDoor.com are relevant to the Gainesville real estate market.

Sellers will continue to face falling home values in the new year because they’ll be competing with banks and builders who are [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><span class="article_title">10 Predictions For 2009</span> Gainesville Real Estate</strong><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">2009 is likely to be a year of continuing adjustment to a changing real estate marketplace. The following predictions from HGTV’s </span><a href="http://www.frontdoor.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">FrontDoor.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"> are relevant to the Gainesville real estate market.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">Sellers will continue to face falling home values in the new year because they’ll be competing with banks and builders who are slashing prices to sell off the still-huge inventory of foreclosures and new homes.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">The Obama administration will act on its plan to crack down on abusive lending practices.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">Mortgage holders in danger of losing their homes will receive more assistance from a variety of programs since the Senate&#8217;s Joint Economic Committee has predicted two million foreclosures in 2009. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">Banks&#8217; restructuring should bring increasing calm, making loan modifications and short sales easier to obtain. Eventually this will lead to a decrease in the number of bank-owned properties on the market.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">Mortgage applications will continue to receive a comprehensive review, requiring borrowers to provide extensive income and debt documentation. Those with the best credit will get the best rates. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">The foreclosure crisis has created wiser consumers, with a deeper understanding of real estate, mortgages, and credit enabling better decision-making going forward.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">Green is good with increasing numbers of buyers opting for smaller homes that are within walking distance of school and work.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">Buyers and sellers will be more and more tech savvy, relying on tools like video, webcasts, and mobile search. Consumers and practitioners will benefit from being ahead of the curve.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">Prices will be low as will interest rates, creating great buying opportunities, and likely, inspiring reluctant buyers to make their move. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">The recession will end and buyers will regain confidence in the market.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;">Learn more about Gaines ville real estate by visiting <a href="http://www.Gator Homes.com" target="_self">Gator Homes.com</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.gatorhomes.com/re-homesearch.htm" target="_self">Search all Gainesville real estate and homes for sale.</a></span></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Do You Believe In Santa Claus Gainesville?</title>
		<link>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus-gainesville/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/do-you-believe-in-santa-claus-gainesville/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:09:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>North Central Florida Real Estate Agent</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[North Central Florida Real Estate]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gainesville]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[santa]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.gatorhomes.com/?p=31</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Do You Believe In Santa Claus Gainesville?
If you are a skeptic, this story may turn you into a believer. The author is unknown.
I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="line-height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Do You Believe In Santa Claus Gainesville?</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">If you are a skeptic, this story may turn you into a believer. The author is unknown.</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: “There is no Santa Claus,” she jeered. Even dummies know that!” My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her “world-famous” cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true. Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me.</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">“No Santa Claus?” she snorted….”Ridiculous! Don’t believe it.</span></em><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial;">That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let’s go.” “Go where Grandma?” I hadn’t even finished with my second cinnamon bun yet.</span></em></span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">“Where” turned out to be Kerby’s General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">That was a bundle in those days. “Take this money,” she said, “and buy something for someone who needs it. I’ll wait for you in the car.” Then she turned and walked out of Kerby’s. I was only eight years old. I’d often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself.</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to my church.</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock’s grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn’t have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn’t have a cough; he didn’t have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that. “Is this a Christmas present for someone?” the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. “Yes, ma’am,” I replied shyly. “It’s for Bobby.” The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat.</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">I didn’t get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, “To Bobby, From Santa Claus” on it. Grandma drove to Bobby Decker’s house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa’s helpers. Grandma parked down the street from Bobby’s house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. “All right, Santa Claus,” she whispered, “get going.”</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open.</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Fifty years haven’t dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker’s bushes.</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px; line-height: 12.75pt;"><em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Think about doing something this holiday season that will make you one of Santa&#8217;s helpers!</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; color: black; font-family: Verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Gainesville Real Estate: 5 Reasons Buying A Vacation Home Is A Good Idea</title>
		<link>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/gainesville-real-estate-5-reasons-buying-a-vacation-home-is-a-good-idea/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/gainesville-real-estate-5-reasons-buying-a-vacation-home-is-a-good-idea/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:14:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>North Central Florida Real Estate Agent</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Buyer Info]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gainesville]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[rental market]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[vacation homes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.gatorhomes.com/?p=29</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Gainesville Real Estate: 5 Reasons Buying A Vacation Home Is A Good Idea 
With the stock market in turmoil, many people are looking for alternative investments. Most of us are scared to death of jumping into the market right now and wondering what to do with their nest egg&#8230;other than sticking it under the mattress.
Christine Karpinski, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Gainesville Real Estate: 5 Reasons Buying A Vacation Home Is A Good Idea </strong></p>
<p>With the stock market in turmoil, many people are looking for alternative investments. Most of us are scared to death of jumping into the market right now and wondering what to do with their nest egg&#8230;other than sticking it under the mattress.</p>
<p>Christine Karpinski, director of Owner Community for HomeAway.com (an online vacation home rental marketplace) and author of How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner, 2nd Edition: The Complete Guide to Buy, Manage, Furnish, Rent, Maintain and Advertise Your Vacation Rental Investment, says buying a vacation home is an excellent home is a good investment right now.</p>
<p>Gainesville home values are down right now, but history shows they always rebound, making a vacation home a great long-term investment. Christine doesn&#8217;t recommend buying with the thought of flipping it in a year, but buying as a long term investment.</p>
<p>You are probably asking why buying a vacation home is a good investment.</p>
<p>First, there are deals to be had. Prices are lower than a few years ago during the peak of the housing bubble. The excessive number of foreclosures is also keeping prices down and inventory up, making sellers more negotiable.</p>
<p>Interest rates also remain reasonably low, with rates hovering 6-6.5 percent. If you have good credit, there is mortgage money to be had.</p>
<p>Below are Christine Karpinski&#8217;s <strong><a href="http://rismedia.com/wp/2008-10-26/a-wall-street-alternative-5-timely-reasons-to-invest-in-vacation-property/">5 Reasons Why the Vacation Home Rental Market Is Holding Strong&#8230;Even in our Weak Economy</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>1.</strong> It&#8217;s easy for consumers to find information on vacation homes. By visiting respectable websites travelers can quickly find the vacation home that&#8217;s right for them. HomeAway&#8217;s network of vacation rentals includes over 300,000 properties all over the world, making it possible for almost anyone to find one within a two- to three-hour driving distance from their home.</p>
<p><strong>2.</strong> Vacation homes tend to be less expensive than hotel rooms. This is especially true if you&#8217;re traveling with extended family or a group of friends. HomeAway recently contrasted a three-bedroom vacation rental private condo in Orlando with a popular three-star hotel and found that the condo was cheaper by more than $1,700! &#8220;That&#8217;s a big difference, and in a tenuous economy it seems even bigger,&#8221; notes Karpinski.</p>
<p><strong>3.</strong> When airfare gets expensive, people start taking road trips instead. Even with gas prices relatively high, it&#8217;s still far cheaper to drive a couple hundred miles to your mountain cabin than to fly to some lavish vacation destination. &#8220;Even with the bad economy, people need to take vacations,&#8221; says Karpinski. &#8220;In fact, psychologically, they may need to get away more than ever. A fairly inexpensive stay in a nearby vacation home is the perfect solution.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>4.</strong> The weak dollar makes U.S. tourist destinations attractive to European travelers, whose currency is still strong. &#8220;On my recent trip to Hawaii, I noticed a lot of German tourists,&#8221; notes Karpinski. &#8220;And when I speak to many of the vacation homeowners I work with, they confirm that they&#8217;ve encountered a surprisingly high number of European travelers lately.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>5.</strong> Business travelers still need a place to stay. When corporations must meet with business associates-who increasingly hail from overseas-they need good lodging solutions. Enter the vacation home. &#8220;More and more executives are putting their guests up in vacation homes instead of cramped, impersonal hotel rooms,&#8221; notes Karpinski. &#8220;It&#8217;s a far more comfortable option; plus many companies work out deals with homeowners whereby they can get ‘volume discounts.&#8217; It&#8217;s a win/win for all parties involved.&#8221;</p>
<p>Learn more about buying a Gainesville vacation home by visiting <a href="http://www.gatorhomes.com" target="_self">GatorHomes.com</a> or give us a call, 352-332-8841.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gatorhomes.com/re-homesearch.htm" target="_self">Search all Gainesville vacation homes for sale.</a></p>
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		<title>Gainesville FL Real Estate Sales Statistics: October 2008</title>
		<link>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/gainesville-fl-real-estate-sales-statistics-october-2008/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/gainesville-fl-real-estate-sales-statistics-october-2008/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:01:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>North Central Florida Real Estate Agent</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Market Trends]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gainesville fl real estate]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[sales statistics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.gatorhomes.com/?p=28</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The National Association of Realtors® has stepped up its challenge to lawmakers encouraging them to take new, decisive actions to address the continuing problems in the housing industry, as well as the ongoing economic crisis.Let&#8217;s take a look at the sales statistics for September 2008 to see how the Gainsville FL real estate market looks: 
&#8220;Our members see [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The <a href="http://www.realtor.org/">National Association of Realtors</a><sup>®</sup> has stepped up its challenge to lawmakers encouraging them to take new, decisive actions to address the continuing problems in the housing industry, as well as the ongoing economic crisis.Let&#8217;s take a look at the sales statistics for September 2008 to see how the Gainsville FL real estate market looks: </p>
<p>&#8220;Our members see firsthand the impact that an unstable housing market is having on communities all across this great country,&#8221; said Richard F. Gaylord, NAR president. &#8220;The U.S. Treasury and Congress need to work together to ensure that the American people - not Wall Street and large banks - benefit from the economic recovery plan.&#8221;</p>
<p>NAR sent a letter last week to U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson calling on him to refocus the Federal Housing Finance Agency&#8217;s efforts on restoring strength to the mortgage-backed securities market, which would help lower mortgage rates for all home buyers and for those who need to refinance.</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s take a look at the <strong>Gainesville FL real estate</strong> sales statistics for October 2008 to see how the market looks in our area:</p>
<p>The <strong>Gainesville FL</strong> area single family home sales experienced a 29% decline in new listings in October 2008, when compared against October 2007.  Pending listings were down 40% and the average sales price was down 5% to $215,480 while market times increased by 27 days. </p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="487">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Gainseville Area<br />
Single Family</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>New Listings</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Pending Sales</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Sold Listings</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Avg. Sales Price</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Days on Market</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Oct 2008</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">366</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">101</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">141</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$215,480</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">121</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Oct 2007</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">513</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">167</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">186</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$226,500</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">94</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The<strong> Gainesville FL</strong> area Condo/TH market saw the average sales price decrease by 5% to $138,249 in October 2008 compared to October 2007.  Likewise, new listings were down 37% and sold listings were down by 55% this October.  Pending sales decreased by 62%, while the average market times increased by 64 days. </p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="487">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Gainseville Area<br />
 Condo/TH</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>New Listings</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Pending Sales</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Sold Listings</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Avg. Sales Price</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Days on Market</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Oct 2008</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">77</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">17</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">19</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$138,249</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">140</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Oct 2007</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">123</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">45</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">42</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$145,684</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">76</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>For the latest <strong>Gainesville FL real estate</strong> sales statistics and market conditions in your area, please call me at 888-424-8841 or visit <a href="http://www.mygatorcondo.com/">MyGatorCondo.com</a>.</p>
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		<title>Pros &#038; Cons Of Owning Gainesville Rental Property</title>
		<link>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/pros-cons-of-owning-gainesville-rental-property/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/pros-cons-of-owning-gainesville-rental-property/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:10:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>North Central Florida Real Estate Agent</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Buyer Info]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gainesville real estate]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[homes]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[rental property]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.gatorhomes.com/?p=27</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Pros &#38; Cons Of Owning Gainesville Rental Property  
Investing in Gainesville real estate and owning rental property sounds glamorous, but it isn&#8217;t for everyone.
Be sure you know what you&#8217;re getting into and understand what you are getting into before signing on the dotted line. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before purchasing an investment property:

Where [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Pros &amp; Cons Of Owning Gainesville Rental Property</strong>  </p>
<p><img class="alignright" style="float: right; margin: 5px;" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll10/revirtualassistant/forrent.jpg" alt="gainesville real estate" width="201" height="155" />Investing in Gainesville real estate and owning rental property sounds glamorous, but it isn&#8217;t for everyone.</p>
<p>Be sure you know what you&#8217;re getting into and understand what you are getting into before signing on the dotted line. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before purchasing an investment property:</p>
<ul>
<li>Where will the down payment come from for this property?</li>
<li>Do you have cash reserves so you handle periods of vacancy, i.e. no income?</li>
<li>How about reserves for unexpected repairs and other expenses?</li>
<li>Do you need property to rent immediately or do you have time and money for a &#8220;fixer-upper&#8221;?</li>
<li>Will you make needed renovations and repairs or hire someone else for the job?</li>
<li>What type of property do you want: single family, apartment, duplex, condominium, or vacation property?</li>
</ul>
<p>Thinking it through ahead of time assures that you won&#8217;t get caught making a rash decision you will regret later.</p>
<p>If you decide now is the time to take advantage of lower market prices and invest in Ginesville real estate and rental property, visit <a href="http://www.GatorHomes.com" target="_self">GatorHomes.com</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mygatorcondo.com/access.asp" target="_self">Search all Gainesville real estate and homes for sale.</a></p>
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		<title>Gainesville Real Estate: Buying Condo vs Single Family</title>
		<link>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/gainesville-real-estate-buying-condo-vs-single-family/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/gainesville-real-estate-buying-condo-vs-single-family/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:14:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>North Central Florida Real Estate Agent</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Buyer Info]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[buying]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gainesville real estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.gatorhomes.com/?p=26</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Gainesville Real Estate: Buying Condo vs Single Family
Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes when buying Gainesville real estate, and they’re ideal for those who appreciate a maintenance-free lifestyle. But before you buy, make sure you do your legwork. These are some of the important elements to consider:

Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt; line-height: 19.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="articletitle1"><span style="font-size: 18pt; color: #000000;">Gainesville Real Estate: Buying Condo vs Single Family</span></span><span class="articletitle1"></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia;"><img class="alignleft" style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll10/revirtualassistant/condo-2.jpg" alt="gainesville real estate" width="250" height="113" />Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes when buying <strong>Gainesville real estate</strong>, and they’re ideal for those who appreciate a maintenance-free lifestyle. But before you buy, make sure you do your legwork. These are some of the important elements to consider:</span></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Storage.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to hold extra belongings.<br />
</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Outdoor space.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. However, if you dread yard work, this may be the perfect option for you.<br />
</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Amenities.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home.<br />
</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Maintenance.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Many condos have onsite maintenance personnel to care for common areas, do repairs in your unit, and let in workers when you’re not home — good news if you like to travel.<br />
</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Security.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Keyed entries and even doormen are common in many condos. You’re also closer to other people in case of an emergency.<br />
</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Reserve funds and association fees.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Although fees generally help pay for amenities and provide savings for future repairs, you will have to pay the fees decided by the condo board, whether or not you’re interested in the amenity.<br />
</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Resale.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> The ease of selling your unit may be dependent on what else is for sale in your building, since units are usually fairly similar.<br />
</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Condo rules.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Although you have a vote, the rules of the condo association can affect your ability to use your property. For example, some condos prohibit home-based businesses. Others prohibit pets, or don’t allow owners to rent out their units. Read the covenants, restrictions, and bylaws of the condo carefully before you make an offer.<br />
</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt; color: black; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Neighbors.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> You’re much closer to your neighbors in a condo or town home. If possible, try to meet your closest prospective neighbors. </span></span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thinking of buying Gainesville real estate? Visit <a href="http://www.gatorhomes.com" target="_self">GatorHomes.com</a> or give me a call. I’m glad to help!</p>
<p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.mygatorcondo.com/access.asp" target="_self">Search all Gainesville real estate and homes for sale.</a></span></span></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Why It&#8217;s A Good Time To Buy Gainesville Real Estate</title>
		<link>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/why-its-a-good-time-to-buy-gainesville-real-estate/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/why-its-a-good-time-to-buy-gainesville-real-estate/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:40:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>North Central Florida Real Estate Agent</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Buyer Info]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gainesville real estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.gatorhomes.com/?p=25</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Why It&#8217;s A Good Time To Buy Gainesville Real Estate
The Gainesville housing market has never been better for many potential buyers. In fact, more often than not, it is less expensive to own your own home rather than rent. 
The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that in 57 out of the 100 most populated metro [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Why It&#8217;s A Good Time To Buy Gainesville Real Estate</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignleft" style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll10/revirtualassistant/thumbup.jpg" alt="gainesville real estate" width="196" height="173" />The Gainesville housing market has never been better for many potential buyers. In fact, more often than not, it is less expensive to own your own home rather than rent. </p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.nlihc.org/template/index.cfm">National Low Income Housing Coalition</a> reports that in 57 out of the 100 most populated metro areas, renting a three-bedroom home is more expensive than monthly costs on a six percent mortgage for a typical low-priced house in the same area. </p>
<p>With all the news these days concerning the economic crunch and these tumultuous economic times, you might think I&#8217;m crazy saying it is a good time to buy Gainesville real estate. Of course, buyers with strong credit are best positioned to take advantage of today&#8217;s opportunities. A high credit score will yield a lower interest rate and increase the likelihood that a loan application will be approved. </p>
<p>For example, a buyer with a 6 percent mortgage will pay a third less per month than a buyer who has a loan at 8 percent. This difference can be hundreds of dollars per month. </p>
<p>FHA loans, VA loans and government backed first-time buyer loans are all available to qualified buyers. With the current low interest rates and affordable housing prices, it is a great time to buy your Gainesville home. </p>
<p>It is also a time to keep in mind that buying a home is a long term investment&#8230;and an investment you and your family can enjoy for many years!</p>
<p>Learn more about buying Gainesville real estate by visiting <a href="http://www.gatorhomes.com" target="_self">GatorHomes.com</a>. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.gatorhomes.com/re-homesearch.htm" target="_self">Search all Gainesville real estate and homes for sale.</a></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Gainesville FL Real Estate Sales Statistics - September 2008</title>
		<link>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/gainesville-fl-real-estate-sales-statistics-september-2008/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/gainesville-fl-real-estate-sales-statistics-september-2008/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:44:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>North Central Florida Real Estate Agent</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Market Trends]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gainesville fl real estate]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[sales statistics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.gatorhomes.com/?p=24</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Pending home sales activity surged as buyers took advantage of low home prices and affordable interest rates, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in August, jumped 7.4 percent to 93.4 from an upwardly revised reading of 87.0 in July, and is 8.8 percent [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pending home sales activity surged as buyers took advantage of low home prices and affordable interest rates, according to the <a href="http://www.realtor.org/">National Association of Realtors<sup>®</sup>.</a></p>
<p>The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in August, jumped 7.4 percent to 93.4 from an upwardly revised reading of 87.0 in July, and is 8.8 percent higher than August 2007 when it stood at 85.8. The index is at the highest level since June 2007 when it stood at 101.4.</p>
<p>Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home buyers were responding to improved affordability. &#8220;What we&#8217;re seeing is the momentum of people taking advantage of low home prices, with pending home sales up strongly in California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Rhode Island and the Washington, D.C., region,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It&#8217;s unclear how much contract activity may be impacted by the credit disruptions on Wall Street, but we&#8217;re hopeful most of the increase will translate into closed existing-home sales.&#8221;</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s take a look at the sales statistics for September 2008 to see how the <strong>Gainsville FL real estate</strong> market looks: </p>
<p>The <strong>Gainesville FL</strong> area single family home sales experienced a 13% decline in new listings in September 2008, when compared against September 2007.  Pending listings were down 11% and sold $208,520 while market times increased by 7 days. </p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="487">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Gainseville Area<br />
Single Family</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>New Listings</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Pending Sales</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Sold Listings</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Avg. Sales Price</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Days on Market</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Sept 2008</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">412</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">142</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">113</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$208,520</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">95</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Sept 2007</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">473</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">159</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">175</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$231,980</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">88</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The<strong> Gainesville FL</strong> area Condo/TH market saw a  23% drop in pending sales in September 2008, compared to September 2007.  Likewise, new listings were down 41% and sold listings were down by 49% this September.  The average sales price, decreased by 16% to $157,520 while the average market times increased by only 102 days. </p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="487">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Gainseville Area<br />
 Condo/TH</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>New Listings</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Pending Sales</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Sold Listings</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Avg. Sales Price</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Days on Market</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Sept 2008</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">86</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">30</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">23</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$157,520</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">187</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p align="center"><strong>Sept 2007</strong></p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">146</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">39</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">45</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">$187,548</p>
</td>
<td>
<p align="center">85</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>For the latest Gainesville FL real estate market conditions in your area, please call me at 888-424-8841 or visit <a href="http://www.mygatorcondo.com/">MyGatorCondo.com</a>.</p>
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		<title>Should You Downsize Your Gainesville Home - Part 2</title>
		<link>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/should-you-downsize-your-gainesville-home-part-2/</link>
		<comments>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/should-you-downsize-your-gainesville-home-part-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:36:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>North Central Florida Real Estate Agent</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Money matters]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Seller Info]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[downsize]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gainesville home]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[seller]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.gatorhomes.com/?p=23</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Should You Downsize Your Gainesville Home - Part 2 
I wanted to follow up our blog post, Should You Downsize Your Gainesville Home with a reprint on a Money Magazine article from CNNMoney.com, When It&#8217;s Wise to Downsize. The article discusses the pros and cons of downsizing, pricing in today&#8217;s market, carrying costs involved and lessons [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Should You Downsize Your Gainesville Home - Part 2</strong> </p>
<p>I wanted to follow up our blog post, <a href="http://blog.gatorhomes.com/should-you-downsize-your-gainesville-home/" target="_self"><strong>Should You Downsize Your Gainesville Home</strong> </a>with a reprint on a Money Magazine article from CNNMoney.com, <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/05/retirement/wise_downsize.moneymag/index.htm?postversion=2008090810">When It&#8217;s Wise to Downsize</a>. The article discusses the pros and cons of downsizing, pricing in today&#8217;s market, carrying costs involved and lessons learned from other empty nesters. </p>
<p>Here is the article in its entirety (but don&#8217;t hesitate to visit the link to the original article to see the interesting graphs): </p>
<p><em>&#8220;Money Magazine) &#8212; Last year Rick and Suzanne Pepin moved from the four-bedroom 3,400-square-foot house in Minneapolis where they lived with their three (now grown) kids to a luxury condo that&#8217;s a third smaller and offers only a Murphy bed for guests. Still, the couple couldn&#8217;t be happier.</em></p>
<p><em>&#8220;The location of our old home dictated that we drive to the grocery store, pharmacy and cleaners,&#8221; says Suzanne, 57, a retired lawyer. Their new digs are across the street from Whole Foods and within easy walking distance of other stores and restaurants. They love the low-maintenance life.</em></p>
<p><em>&#8220;We have no worries about upkeep. No worries about lawn care. No worries about snow removal,&#8221; says Rick, 68, also an attorney.</em></p>
<p><em>Maybe you too have caught the bug. After decades of hankering after the most expensive and enormous house you could afford, owning a smaller place is starting to look appealing.</em></p>
<p><em>Imagine the possibilities! You could move into a posh new condo with everything from a fitness center to a concierge - or into an energy-efficient little cabin on a lake Your commute could be shorter, giving you time in the evening to do something more than watch TV like a zombie.</em></p>
<p><em>And, maybe, just maybe, downsizing could save you some dough. Chuck Petitti, a Boston-area real estate agent, says many of his clients right now are empty-nesters who realize, &#8220;Hey, I could be traveling or doing something else with all the money I am paying for utilities and property tax on this big house.&#8221;</em></p>
<p><em>If that&#8217;s what you&#8217;re thinking, you&#8217;re by no means alone. A 2006 survey by Hanley Wood, a market research firm, found that 58% of affluent baby boomers say they are very likely or somewhat likely to move to a smaller home within the next 10 to 15 years.</em></p>
<p><em>And therein lies a big fat problem. With millions of boomers competing for smaller homes, you may find it hard to catch a break on price. Even though the downsizing trend is in its infancy, over the past five years smaller homes (under 1,200 square feet) have shown a greater rise in value than larger houses (over 3,000 square feet) - 5.2% a year as opposed to 3.5%, according to Zillow.com.</em></p>
<p><em>On top of that, you have to get money out of your old house - not an easy proposition with prices in the 20 largest metropolitan areas down 18.4% from their July 2006 peak, according to the S&amp;P/Case-Shiller index. As of July there was an 11-month backlog of existing homes on the market nationwide. The happily downsized Pepins have yet to receive an offer close to the $1.25 million asking price on their old home.</em></p>
<p><em>What&#8217;s more, smaller isn&#8217;t necessarily cheaper. Depending on where you move, you may face carrying costs that are as high as or even higher than you pay now.</em></p>
<p><em>The trade-offs are complicated. You may cut gasoline costs by moving closer to your job in the city and using public transportation, but those savings could be eaten up by costlier car insurance. You could move to a small condo nearby but be unprepared for the dues and fees that condo living entails.</em></p>
<p><em>So you have to plan carefully, sizing up the finances underlying both new and old houses, or the savings you&#8217;re counting on could be skimpier than you anticipate.</em></p>
<p><strong><em>Get the prices right</em></strong></p>
<p><em>To start you need a clear-eyed assessment of the two markets that make up your downsizing, the one in which you&#8217;re selling and the one in which you plan to buy. A real estate agent can give you an idea of your home&#8217;s value, but you should also check how much houses in your area are selling for on Zillow.com, which lists sales prices of comparable houses.</em></p>
<p><em>Hanging on to past high prices only delays a sale. Dodi Christiano, 55, a psychotherapist, and her husband, Paul Waldrop, 56, a producer of TV public-service announcements, put a price of $850,000 on their 4,000-square-foot Fairfax, Va. colonial last year - about what nearby homes had fetched a couple of years earlier.</em></p>
<p><em>For six months they received nary a nibble. Finally, after slashing the price by more than $100,000, they were able to sell. &#8220;We had to face the fact that not everybody loved our home as much as we did,&#8221; says Christiano.</em></p>
<p><em>You can&#8217;t assume that a home&#8217;s price is simply a function of its square footage. The national median sales price for condominiums, which are typically smaller than single-family houses, is now 5% higher than that for houses, according to the National Association of Realtors.</em></p>
<p><em>If you hope to reduce costs dramatically, you may have to buy your new place in another town or state. Think Decatur, Ill. or Mishawaka, Ind., where single-family houses cost just $79,400 and $80,900, respectively.</em></p>
<p><em>George Pollock, 67, a retired engineer, and his wife Marian, 66, wanted to get rid of the mortgage on their house in suburban San Francisco. Pollock worried that if he died before his wife, she wouldn&#8217;t be able to meet mortgage payments with the 50% portion of his pension that she would receive.</em></p>
<p><em>No matter how much they shopped, however, they couldn&#8217;t find a place they could afford in the Bay Area (median price: $701,700) without a mortgage. So they moved to much less pricey Sacramento (median price: $258,500), where their two grown children live. There they bought a 1,400-square-foot home for $380,000, leaving them with nearly $250,000 extra.</em></p>
<p><em>Says Pollock: &#8220;My wife is closer to the kids, and I know she has long-term financial security.&#8221;</em></p>
<p><strong><em>Downsize carrying costs</em></strong></p>
<p><em>Buying without taking out a mortgage would certainly reduce expenses. At the very least you should look for a house whose price is low enough to allow you to buy with a mortgage that&#8217;s smaller than what you have now.</em></p>
<p><em>If you&#8217;re at or near retirement, taking on a new 30-year mortgage is overwhelming. You may be long gone before you can repay. Consider one with a 15-year maturity; the payments may look daunting, but you will save money. The interest rate is only about 0.10% lower than that of a 30-year mortgage, but over the life of the loan, you would save about $141,000 in interest.</em></p>
<p><em>Another option: Take out a traditional 30-year fixed-rate loan that does not charge a prepayment penalty. Then just send in extra payments each month as if you were on a 15-year repayment plan. You&#8217;ll be saving by paying the mortgage off quicker, but if you run into unforeseen financial trouble, you&#8217;ll be able to make lower payments.</em></p>
<p><em>Runzheimer International, a management consulting firm, estimates average annual savings of $1,300 in utility costs and $2,600 in property taxes from down-sizing from a 2,800-square-foot house to one with 1,800 square feet.</em></p>
<p><em>But the devil is in the downsizing details: You need to crunch the numbers to calculate your net savings. Start by totting up the annual cost for ongoing expenses such as property tax, utilities, lawn service and snow removal. As you shop for a new place, you should be gathering comparable information.</em></p>
<p><em>Other potential cost savings: If you move from suburb to city, you may be able to ditch one of your cars and its trailing expenses - insurance, financing, taxes, maintenance and fuel. If you gave up your 2006 Honda Accord, for example, you&#8217;d save nearly $26,000 in the first five years, according to Edmunds.com.</em></p>
<p><em>On the other hand, some costs could rise. In a condo or a house that is part of a homeowners association, there are monthly maintenance fees, and every so often you&#8217;ll be on the hook for assessments to replace the roof or carpet the lobby.</em></p>
<p><em>Before buying, ask how much fees have risen over the past five years and whether new assessments are in the offing. If your new place is appreciably smaller, make room in the budget for new purchases to replace an oversize sectional or a king-size bed that won&#8217;t fit.</em></p>
<p><strong><em>Sell before you buy</em></strong></p>
<p><em>Tempting as a pristine new condo looks next to your drafty old five-bedroom Victorian, don&#8217;t plop down earnest money until you have a buyer with solid financing. Otherwise you could get stuck with two mortgages, two property tax bills and - well, you get the idea.</em></p>
<p><em>At least have your lawyer include a contingency clause in the sales agreement that obligates you to close only if you manage to sell your home by a set date. In the bubble-licious sales frenzy of yesteryear, sellers could make bidders do somersaults and had no incentive to agree to such a clause. But with so many homes on the market for months, sellers may now show mercy.</em></p>
<p><strong><em>What downsizers learned</em></strong></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li><em><strong>Don&#8217;t price your house like it&#8217;s 2006. </strong>Paul Waldrop and Dodi Christiano of Haymarket, Va. asked the same amount that nearby houses had sold for two years earlier. &#8220;We had to realize that what had happened during the boom was not the norm. It took six stressful months to sell,&#8221; says Dodi. </em></li>
<li><em><strong>Get the old place sold first.</strong> Rick and Suzanne Pepin of Minneapolis moved into their dream condo but now can&#8217;t sell their house. &#8220;Don&#8217;t wait to put your home on the market if you decide to buy. We waited for renovations on our new condo to be complete, and by then we couldn&#8217;t sell,&#8221; says Rick. </em></li>
<li><em><strong>Plan for smaller rooms.</strong> John and Polly Smart of Houston had the wrong stuff. &#8220;Smaller rooms may not accommodate your old things. We spent about $20,000 on new furniture and more on a smaller Silverado because the old one stuck about two feet out of the garage,&#8221; says John.</em></li>
</ul>
<p><em>Do you (and your spouse) make more than $170,000 annually and worry about tax-efficient retirement planning? If so, send your name, age, occupation, income and questions, along with a recent photo, to </em><a href="mailto:makeover@moneymail.com"><em>makeover@moneymail.com</em></a><em>. We will be providing advice to a family in this situation in an upcoming article - and it could be you! &#8221;</em><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/05/retirement/wise_downsize.moneymag/index.htm?postversion=2008090810#TOP#TOP"> </a></p>
<p>Interested in learning more about Gainesville home prices and possible downsizing? Visit our website, <a href="http://www.GatorHomes.com" target="_self">GatorHomes.com</a> or give us a call at 352-332-8841.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gatorhomes.com/re-cma.htm" target="_self">What&#8217;s my Gainesville home worth?</a></p>
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		<title>Should You Downsize Your Gainesville Home?</title>
		<link>http://blog.gatorhomes.com/should-you-downsize-your-gainesville-home/</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:05:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>North Central Florida Real Estate Agent</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Money matters]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Should You Downsize Your Gainesville Home?
You dropped your youngest child off at college this summer and have officially joined the ranks of the empty nesters. One of the first questions that usually comes to mind is should we downsize our Gainesville home. The kids are gone and we probably don&#8217;t need this big house. But is [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Should You Downsize Your Gainesville Home?</strong></p>
<p>You dropped your youngest child off at college this summer and have officially joined the ranks of the empty nesters. One of the first questions that usually comes to mind is should we downsize our Gainesville home. The kids are gone and we probably don&#8217;t need this big house. But is buying a smaller home right for you?</p>
<p>There are pros and cons to downsizing. Consider your finances and lifestyle before making a decision.</p>
<p><strong><img class="alignright" style="float: right; margin: 5px;" src="http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll10/revirtualassistant/house-nest.jpg" alt="gainesville home" width="225" height="159" />Reasons not to downsize: </strong></p>
<p>You want a place for your children and grandchildren to stay when they visit. The family is spread all across the country and you want to have a place for everyone to gather for the holidays and vacations.</p>
<p>You can&#8217;t bear to part with your cherished belongings. You have been in your current home for many years and have filled it to the gills with mementos you don&#8217;t want to part with.</p>
<p>You aren&#8217;t you emotionally ready to leave? You are not ready to pack up and leave a lifestyle you worked hard to create. Leaving family, friends and familiar surroundings is more than you can bear.</p>
<p>You enjoy the prestige that goes along with your luxurious home. A smaller home will not portray the correct image of success.</p>
<p><strong>Reasons to downsize: </strong></p>
<p>The lower house payments that accompany a smaller home would give you more discretionary funds to travel and enjoy other recreational activities.</p>
<p>A smaller homes means less to maintain and more time to play.</p>
<p>You or your spouse, are not able to navigate the stairs like you use to and a single level home is more desirable.</p>
<p>A smaller, newer home is more efficient and better for the environment.</p>
<p>You need to be closer to a spouse who is in a nursing home?</p>
<p><strong>Make sure it&#8217;s affordable: </strong><br />
If you decide to downsize, make sure the place fits both your pocketbook and your lifestyle.</p>
<p>Talk with a real estate professional about how much money you will net from the sale of your current home, as well as the costs of buying another one. This will help you determine if the move benefits you financially.</p>
<p>Under current tax rules, up to $500,000 (if you are married and file jointly) in profits from the sale of your principal residence are not taxable as long as you&#8217;ve lived there for at least two of the previous five years. Up to $250,000 in profits are not taxable if you&#8217;re single. Consult a tax advisor to discuss your situation.</p>
<p>Look into how much it would cost to move and to maintain a smaller home. Make sure it really is cheaper to live there.</p>
<p>Decide to downsize only once you&#8217;re satisfied that the finances make sense.</p>
<p><strong>Buy into your new lifestyle </strong><strong><br />
</strong>A smaller house in your current neighborhood could be the right decision if your priority is maintaining close ties to neighbors. Just make sure there are amenities like public transportation and stores nearby if your health begins to deteriorate.</p>
<p>A condominium or a unit in a retirement community could be perfect if you never want to mow again, or if you want to focus on travel, hobbies and perfecting your golf stroke in the company of other seniors. Just remember you&#8217;ll have to pay maintenance fees for the upkeep of the common areas. Talk to current residents to see whether they&#8217;re happy with the way things are run. Also investigate the rules. If the association forbids pets and you&#8217;re a devoted dog-owner, be prepared to move on.</p>
<p>You may prefer to purchase a duplex or something similar. Renting one of the units will bring in extra income, and you&#8217;ll have built-in neighbors.</p>
<p>Thinking of downsizing your Gainesville home and want to talk with a real estate professional? We are glad to provide you the information you need to help you make the right decision for you. Give us a call at 352-332-8841.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mygatorcondo.com/access.asp" target="_self">Search all Gainesville homes for sale.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.gainesvillehomeprice.com/" target="_self">What is my Gainesville home worth?</a></p>
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