Speechless Sunday: Great Save!

Speechless Sunday:  Great Save

great save

This is a picture of my goalkeeping son, Chase, that my girlfriend captured over the weekend at his soccer game.  I have lots of great pictures of Chase playing on the field and in goal, but this is by far one of my favorite "action" shots.

Michelle Gibson REALTOR®
HANSEN REAL ESTATE GROUP INC.
561.333.0446


©2011 All Rights Reserved
7 comments • Michelle Gibson REALTOR® Wellington Florida Homes for Sale • January 30 2011 09:26PM

Wellington FL: Was Cash King in 2010?

Wellington FL:  Was Cash King in 2010?

Cash did remain King last year in Wellington Florida.  Over 44% of home buyers paid cash for their Wellington Florida home, but don't think these buyers paid 30%, 20% or even 10% less than the asking price.  In fact the median List to Sales Price Ratio for a Wellington Florida Cash Buyer was 94%.  That means a home listed for $300,000 sold for $282,000, NOT $210,000, $240,000 or even $270,000.

Wellington Florida Cash Buyers 2010 

Buyers who chose to finance their Wellington home had a slightly higher List to Sales Price Ratio, which was around 95%.  However this number could easily be different if those buyers who had seller concessions chose a reduced purchase price instead.  Seller concessions is when a seller contributes a certain amount of money towards a buyers closing costs, escrows and/or pre-paids. 

For example a buyer may purchase a home for $300,000 and ask the seller to contribute $10K towards their closing cost netting the seller $290,000, but if these financed buyers chose to remove the concessions and pay the $290,000 instead of $300,000 the List to Sales Price Ratio for financed buyers could be well under 95%.

Unfortunately there is no way to find out how many of these financed buyers actually had seller concessions other than contacting each listing agent for the 535 financed homes that sold in Wellington Florida and asking them.

Are you a Buyer looking to purchase a Wellington Home?  Start you home search here:  Wellington Florida Home Search where you can search for a Wellington property by type or price.

 

Wellington FL:  Was Cash King in 2010?

Michelle Gibson REALTOR®
HANSEN REAL ESTATE GROUP INC.
561.333.0446


©2011 All Rights Reserved
1 comment • Michelle Gibson REALTOR® Wellington Florida Homes for Sale • January 30 2011 12:35PM

"We Key" Locksmith, Inc. - West Palm Beach Florida Locksmith

"We Key" Locksmith, Inc. - West Palm Beach Florida Locksmith

The day of closing is a very exciting one; the sellers are happy they sold their home and the buyers are happy they bought a new home. However with all of this excitement buyers often forgot to do the most important thing as a new home owner, which is CHANGE THE LOCKS.

West Palm Beach Florida LocksmithI always remind my clients the day of closing to change the locks right away because they have no clue who still has keys to the house. Unfortunately not all buyers make this a priority and one of my clients was VERY lucky and avoided what could have been a disaster, read all about their close call at Old Locks = House Party.

If you don't want to buy a brand new lock,which can be very costly at least have the locks re-keyed by a local company like "We Key" Locksmith Inc. in West Palm Beach Florida.

I recently met "We Key" Locksmith Inc. at one of my clients homes so they could fix a broken lock and I couldn't believe how reasonable their rates were. From fixing locks, re-keying locks, replacing locks and even making extra keys on the spot "We Key" Locksmith Inc. seems to do it all when it comes to Locks and Keys.

"We Key" Locksmith, Inc. is a family owned and operated locksmith in West Palm Beach Florida. They are certified locksmiths, professional security consultants licensed and are also bonded & insured.

"We Key" Locksmith, Inc.
5916 Okeechobee Blvd
West Palm Beach, FL 33417
561-686-7831

"We Key" Locksmith, Inc. - West Palm Beach Florida Locksmith
Photo Courtesy of Image: Filomena Scalise / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Michelle Gibson REALTOR®
HANSEN REAL ESTATE GROUP INC.
561.333.0446


©2011 All Rights Reserved
0 comments • Michelle Gibson REALTOR® Wellington Florida Homes for Sale • January 30 2011 11:10AM

Foto Friday: On Display Again

Foto Friday:  On Display Again
Foto Friday
Another one of Aidan's works of art is on display, this time it's at the front office of his elementary school.  When Aidan was in Kindergarten his first piece of art was on display downtown CityPlace in West Palm Beach at the Eg2 Art Gallery.  As his parent it's always exciting, but for Aidan he seems indifferent.

Michelle Gibson REALTOR®
HANSEN REAL ESTATE GROUP INC.
561.333.0446


©2011 All Rights Reserved
10 comments • Michelle Gibson REALTOR® Wellington Florida Homes for Sale • January 28 2011 07:20PM

Facing Foreclosure? Attend Wellington's Home Preservation Event this weekend

Facing Foreclosure?  Attend Wellington's Home Preservation Event this weekend

This Saturday, January 29, 2011 from 9:00am to 4:00pm Wellington is having a "Home Preservation Event" for Wellington home owners who are facing foreclosure or the possibility of foreclosure.

Wellington Florida HomeForeclosureWellington will be having some of the biggest mortgage lendersat this event along with HUD-certified counselors to provide information and assistance regarding home loan modifications, home loan refinancing and government assistance programs.  Banks in attendance will be; Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, SunTrust, PNC, Ocwen and Housing Partnership, Inc.

This event is FREE and taking place at the Wellington Community Center (12165 West Forest Hill Blvd. Wellington Florida 33414)

Wellington Residents are asked to bring copies of the following documents: recent correspondence from your Mortgage Company, last mortgage statement, 2 months of your most current paycheck stubs, 2 months of bank statements, recent Income Tax Return of W-2 Forms, list of household expenses along with a hardship letter explaining delinquency of mortgage payments or any gap in employment.

Scheduling an appointmentwith one of the lenders or a HUD-certified counselor is not mandatory, but strongly recommend.  You can schedule your appointment by calling Wellington's Helping Residents With Needs line at 561.791.HRWN (4796).

Photo Courtesy of:  Image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Michelle Gibson REALTOR®
HANSEN REAL ESTATE GROUP INC.
561.333.0446


©2011 All Rights Reserved
4 comments • Michelle Gibson REALTOR® Wellington Florida Homes for Sale • January 28 2011 09:58AM

Wellington Florida Annual Father Daughter Dance - Last day to buy tickets

Wellington Florida Annual Father Daughter Dance - Last day to buy tickets

Calling all fathers, step-fathers and grandfathers for the 2011 Father Daughter Dance.  All blends of family are invited to take part in this fabulous annual event.

wellington floridaIt will be a "night of delight" for dads and their daughters to share dinner, games, pictures and of course dancing.  Wellington thinks this event will be most enjoyed by girls between 5 and 14.

When:  Saturday, February 5, 2011

Where:  Village Park Gym - 11700 Pierson Road in Wellington Florida

Time:  6:00pm to 9:00pm (doors open at 5:30pm)

Cost:  $50 Per Resident Couple & $62.50 for non-residents (single tickets will be sold at $20 per resident and $25 for non-residents)

Tickets can be purchased at the Village Park Gym or the Wellington Community Center.  Sales end today, Thursday January 27th at 6:00pm

For more information  call 561-791-4005 ext 0

Michelle Gibson REALTOR®
HANSEN REAL ESTATE GROUP INC.
561.333.0446


©2011 All Rights Reserved
3 comments • Michelle Gibson REALTOR® Wellington Florida Homes for Sale • January 27 2011 09:04AM

Wellington Lakes Real Estate & Homes for Sale in Wellington Florida

Wellington Lakes Real Estate & Homes for Sale in Wellington Florida

Wellington Lakes is a great single family home community located in the heart of Wellington Florida. Shopping, dining and entertainment is in every direction. Top rated Wellington schools are also just a short drive away.

Wellington Lakes Homes for SaleWellington Lakes is comprised of one and two story single family homes that were built in two separate phases. The first phase of homes built in Wellington Lakes was from 1987 to 1991 and the second phase was built from 1997 to 2001.

There are less than 240 homes in Wellington Lakes and almost every single one is situated on a cul-de-sac lot. Some are even located on the beautiful Lake Wellington.

Each one of these great homes in Wellington Lakes Wellington Florida has between 2-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms and 1-2 car garage. The smaller homes have just under 1,100 square feet of living while the larger homes are over 2,000.

Wellington Lakes Homes for SaleWellington Lakes also offers a few great amenities:

  • Swimming Pool
  • Spa
  • Children’s Playground

All of the homes in Wellington Lakes Wellington Florida are part of a homeowners association, which has a monthly HOA fee and includes all of the amenities listed above along with additional services.

Take a tour of Wellington Lakes or Search Homes for Sale in Wellington Lakes now!

Michelle Gibson REALTOR®
HANSEN REAL ESTATE GROUP INC.
561.333.0446


©2011 All Rights Reserved
1 comment • Michelle Gibson REALTOR® Wellington Florida Homes for Sale • January 26 2011 01:39PM

"Here's how I work....." says a Tenant

"Here's How I Work......" says a Tenant
While I appreciate buyers, sellers and tenants telling me how THEY work, it doesn't necessarily mean that is how I work. All real estate agents work differently regardless of what city, county or state they practice in.

Wellington Homes for RentSome agents will jump in their car at the drop of a dime when a potential buyer calls while others will not. My buyer clients need to be pre-approved or provide proof of funds prior to starting their home search, which you can read about the importance of doing so in my post "Show me the money and I'll show you the Houses."


However when dealing with potential rental clients "showing me the money" isn't what I'm looking for. Instead I want a completed Rental Questionnaire, which when finished will tell me exactly what a tenant is looking for and disclose some key factors that will either qualify or completely eliminate homes for rent in Wellington Florida.

So when a potential tenant responds with the following:
"Here's how I work, find places for me, if I like, I'll give you all the info you need and we'll settle quickly."

Unfortunately this response does not let me do my job effectively therefore is not a person I will work with.

You can start to search for Wellington Homes for Rent here, but if you don't want to waste your time looking at homes that don't fit your needs or homes that you are not qualified for contact me today for my Rental Questionnaire.
Michelle Gibson REALTOR®
HANSEN REAL ESTATE GROUP INC.
561.333.0446


©2011 All Rights Reserved
10 comments • Michelle Gibson REALTOR® Wellington Florida Homes for Sale • January 25 2011 03:50PM

What Wellington Florida Phone Numbers do I need to know?

What Wellington Florida Phone Numbers do I need to know?

There are several phone numbers you will need to know after you purchase a home in Wellington Florida and below are the most common ones that you will need.

 

Cable/ Dish Television  

 

  • Important Wellington Florida Phone NumbersComcast Cable 800.266.2278
  • Direct TV 888.777.2454
  • Dish Network 800.823.4929

 

Electric  

  • Florida Power & Light 561.697.8000

Garbage Collection  

  • Solid Waste Authority 561.697.2700

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office  

  • Emergency 911
  • Non-Emergency (Wellington substation) 561.753.8547

Schools

Telephone  

  • BellSouth 888.757.6500

Village of Wellington  

  • Administration 561.791.4000
  • Utilities (Water) 561.791.4010 
  • Parks & Recreation 561.791.4005

 

 

Michelle Gibson REALTOR®
HANSEN REAL ESTATE GROUP INC.
561.333.0446


©2011 All Rights Reserved
4 comments • Michelle Gibson REALTOR® Wellington Florida Homes for Sale • January 24 2011 12:12PM

What's the Difference Between Foreclosures and Short Sales?

In a market where Short Sales and Foreclosures are common so many buyers think the two are the same when in fact they are very different.

Below is an excellent post written by Debe Maxwell explaining the difference between the two.

Via Debe Maxwell - Search Charlotte Homes for Sale - Charlotte NC Neighborhoods (Helen Adams Realty):

What's the Difference Between Foreclosures and Short Sales?

Real Estate Q and AYou've got to love reading through some of the questions and answers on Trulia!  I always love to clear up the consumer's questions that seem to be so simple for us but, not so elementary for those who are not in the real estate business.  Here's the short version of a recent question that I thought needed a bit of clearing up: 

What is the difference in a foreclosure and a short sale and which is the best one to buy?


In response to the initial question - The difference between a foreclosure and a short sale is that a foreclosure is owned by the bank and a short sale is still owned by the homeowner of record. That homeowner is dependent upon the bank(s) approval of the sale of their property for less than what they owe on their mortgage(s). The short sale process can take awhile but, there are different schools of thought as to which is the best to purchase--short sales or foreclosures.

Consider this--Many homeowners who have lost their home to foreclosure, leave their homes angry and tend to stop maintaining or caring for their home, sometimes removing appliances and light fixtures as they are asked to leave their home, and sometimes even maliciously destroying their former homes as they leave the home. Many short sellers WANT to protect themselves from the 7-10 years of bad credit that a foreclosure can bring, therefore they do everything that they can to keep their homes maintained so that they CAN get a buyer and get out from under their mortgage with as little damage to their credit as possible.

Short sales can and often DO take longer than a standard home purchase or even a foreclosure but, the home that you buy, compared to other options (standard resale or foreclosure), can be in better condition and at a great price too.

Buying a foreclosure is easier on you and your agent but, if you have patience, a short sale can be the better investment, oftentimes requiring FAR less rehabilitation for you, as the buyer.

 

 




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Michelle Gibson REALTOR®
HANSEN REAL ESTATE GROUP INC.
561.333.0446


©2011 All Rights Reserved
5 comments • Michelle Gibson REALTOR® Wellington Florida Homes for Sale • January 23 2011 10:06PM