Start Your Engines.... The Mobile One 12 Hours of Sebring is Here

Our small town of Sebring, Florida is all the buzz in the World Famous Lemans Racing, we host the 12 hours of Sebring, this event kind of puts us on the map so to speak. It is like our Marti Gras and NASCAR all rolled into one. Over 100,000 people travel from all over the world watch this main event, it is a 3+ mile track made for endurance racing. Audi has won the past 4 years or more and have really ruled this event. Last year at the very end was one of the most exciting finish line dramas I have ever witnessed.

At the same time as the formula one cars are racing on the same track so are 2 other types. One being Porsche, and last year at the end a Porsche "rubbed" the other within 1/2 mile of crossing the line to be the winner. Now I am from the south so "rubbing" is a NASCAR term and the practice is totally acceptable, it is not so in formula one. I found that out last year, but it made for an exciting ending. Sebring races have been long traditions in many families, coming and camping out, some make it like their Spring Break. We have events all week long. Last week we had the classic vintage cars racing. Actually last Thursday the Sebring Chamber Of Commerce hosted an event on the Historic Sebring Circle, and all of the cars came to the downtown circle (from the track) and we had all you could eat beer & brats for $10. Great time was had by a lot of people.

Now the main event takes center stage. The engines are running all week long. Our little community does benefit from this event, of course it brings in tons of tourist & that of course economically helps our local economy. The hotels are booked for the next two weeks and some folks book them for at least one year if not more prior to the event. People are renting out their homes to accommodate drivers, their staff & race fans!

The race track has a main midway where many set up their tents for futuristic car displays, Hawiian Tropic host a beauty event & volleyball game. It totally becomes an event not to be missed! The excitement runs through the community like a fever. Everyone talking about where they are going to set up camp to watch the race and the fans! Most times you do not know a race is going on, there are tons of people walking and riding around visiting one another like a huge party is happening all around. I like watching from my living room so that way I can really watch the race and float in my pool. (in March wow, don't you want to move to Florida???)

Happy Selling!
Dawn Dell, Dell Realty
Broker/Owner
863-381-0400
www.sebringfloridarealtor.com

Central Florida Real Estate
Why live in Central Florida? We have Florida's best kept secret!

We are South of the freeze line for all general purposes, meaning, we usually do not see much cold weather, that Northern Fla is prone to.
We have a low crime factor.
We still have plenty of land that is rural and undeveloped, for potential growth and maybe for State to purchase for future parks etc...
Our taxes for the most part are generally lower than the rest of the state.
Our insurance rates are also considerably lower, especially lower than the coastal areas.
Hardly no traffic at all!!!!! You can drive down the main highway 27 on Friday night at 7pm and WOW, no traffic!
Great resturants, shopping, generally a family atmosphere with a laid back way of life and lots of outdoor activities that include many great Golf Courses!
Beautiful lakes for recreation & fishing.
The 12 Hours of Sebring Races!!!
Has Seniors/Retirement Communities.

And last but definitely not least, where else in the world can you go 1 hr and 45 min to the East coast and watch the sun rise, and then drive across the state to west (from Sebring again approx 1 hr 45 min) and watch the sun set.
When I first moved back to Sebring in Nov of 1994 as a single mom from Washington DC that was one of the first things I did with my daughter, we drove over to the Atlantic Ocean and watched the sun rise, played a while in the surf, showered on the beach, got in our little red Honda Civic and drove back to Sebring, had a lunch at our home, and then drove over to the west coast and played in the Gulf of Mexico (2 totally different types of beaches, sand, water and generally almost night and day difference) and watched the sunset. This is an incrediable experience and I know it is one of the most memorable experiences I ever had.

Centrally located in the state of Florida, 1 hr from Orlando, from each coast 1 hr 45 min, 2 hr 30 min to Ft Lauderdale & Miami (another whole lifetime away from Sebring) but one tank trip.

We have Florida's best kept secret! And our home prices are getting back to normal with the 2004 pricing I am seeing again, and sellers that are now becoming realistic. If you would like to experience this laid back lifestyle give me a call at Dell Realty 863-385-8822 and I will show you what Florida is really all about! I am a native, from Hollywood (located between Miami and Ft Lauderdale) and I can really relate to what most people are looking for.!!! Again, to buy or sell call Dawn Dell and I will treat you like Family!
Happy Selling!
Dawn Dell, Dell Realty
Broker/Owner
863-385-8822
See our website for a look at Highlands County! Click Here
www.sebringfloridarealtor.com

Terrorist! If we were not there .....

First off let me state I am an ex-military veteran, USN. I served during the Persian Gulf Conflict in 1990-1991. (back when we should of taken care of this problem) So I am speaking somewhat from experience.

9-11, I know we all remember this sad day, and does everybody remember the nation rising together and praying and displaying our patriotism? That lasted for what seemed like a brief moment in history. Now we are going into another election year and the candidates like to use the Iraq War as a forum of discussion. Well, here is my 2 cents...if we were not over there right now, we as Americans would not be able to attend football games, concerts, go to amusement parks or attend any function without worry about them attacking us. If we were not over there, they (meaning terrorist) would be here!!! Face it, it is true. I hate the fact we are still there and this is like Vietnam, a war we can not win. They are an army without uniform, they attack and run and hide behind women and children and when we go after our attackers and kill the innocent they hide behind, then we look like War Mongers. I do not necessarily agree that what we have done is right, but we did need to respond to what happened to us on our soil.

So for these politicians that want to withdrawal, what will happen? We must stand together and unite like we did, but not after a tragedy, but prior. And this is responsible for our current dollar situation, which is hurting our market.
Again, let's unite and go back to basics. Our country needs it!
Dawn Dell
2006 REALTOR OF THE YEAR

Pigs Get Fed..... Hogs Get Slaughtered!

Wow, what a headline, should bring some kind of attention from some of you, No, this is not a recipe, I guess you can tell I am from the south with this headline also. Someone told me this back probably 2 years ago, he is wiser than his years, and yet I did not listen to him. Now let's discuss the meaning. This is about GREED!!!!!! Pigs get fed, Hogs get slaughtered.If you are selling your home and are expecting a huge profit in today's market, then you are a HOG. Offensive you think? No I do not intend to be, let me break it down.

Normally in a real estate transaction, earning a profit of $15k-$30k was the norm. Operative word there WAS. Now we have heard of these huge profits ($70k +) that are to be gained and we also feel we need to earn these huge profits. We (meaning all of us) have been using our homes as ATM cash machines, to finance things we want, improvements to this home and to pay off our bills. This therefore increases your mortgage, line of credit or equity line that needs to be paid off in a sale, so therefore this decreases your "bottom-line". But keep in mind, you have been fed all along by this home and you need to really factor all of the benefits your home has provided you.

Now those of you who really want to sell, you are probably a pig and realize earning any profit in today's market is huge. And you get fed, move on with your life. Many hogs end up slaughtered! They get offers on their home and continue to decline them, they start off at $250k get offers of $200k turn them down, and a year later that very same listing is $170k, imagine if they only would of taken that offer 8 months or so ago and they would be done with the stress of trying to sell their home, they would of been fed and continued on.

Then there's the monthly payment factor, Whatever offer you get Mr.Seller, always take into account your monthly expenses on that property and times it by 7 (for 7 months, average time on market) and then take that amount minus it from the lowest fair amount you will consider to take for your property and list it at that price. Why, well either you want to sell, and get fed, or put your property on the market and be a hog and make these monthly payments, etc... and get slaughtered at the end of the day because you end up taking close to 20% lower than the number we just discussed. It is up to you, your Realtor can only advise you on listing price, you hold the key. Your professional should tell you the truth and give you facts on the comparative market analysis, but if you direct that Realtor to list at an unreasonable price, due allow that Realtor (as long as they advised you of the true market value from the beginning) an opportunity to market your property until it does get sold.

Remember this is our profession, we do it to make money, so we invest a lot in order to try to sell your home. Give us an opportunity to do our job. And to Realtor hop, (go from one Realtor to another) will only frustrate you, this is a partnership, you both are trying to go towards the same goal. As in any relationship COMMUNICATION is the key. Talk to your Realtor at least 2 times a month. Lower your price is not a sign of weakness, it is the sign of the times. And shows your looking to get fed and not slaughtered.

Dawn Dell
2006 REALTOR OF THE YEAR

Expert Smxpert! Who are these so called people?

The news continues to do it. These people get on the TV, Radio & Internet (or if dinosaur) Newspaper, and tell us about our economy, our lively hood and everything else, they claim to be "EXPERTS", just may I ask, "Where did they get their degrees of Experts?

I am curious, because I have yet to see that class being offered in my local college. Plus what are the criterias? If that is the case, then I am an expert. Of what you ask? All of it. Trust me, I can give you an opinion on anything, and I guess I can claim to be an expert. Where am I going with this you ask?

Well, here we go, Real Estate, they claim the bubble had to burst, how long did that take? Here in Central Florida, over 2 years, and we never went to the ceiling cap. The bubble final did BURST. But now it must hit rock bottom. The media will not be happy until all of us have hit rock bottom. These so-called experts are now telling us that the economy is still in for a rough haul. But they still want us to spend our money for Christmas, and are speculating that the consumers will wait until the last moment and over spend to impress people we do not even care about but want to impress.

This is the medias way of controlling us. It is time we took control of our own destiny. Stop listening to these so called Experts, turn the TV off, especially if they are telling about this doom and gloom. Remember this is job security for them, if they do not have bad news they feel they have no news to report, so only bad news is good for them. So, if you really look at this from our perspective then you may want to agree with me.

Now is a great time to buy property, interest rates are low, the feds are asking banks to work with buyers to help them get into a home, and prices are really negotiable. Realtors are hungry, and sellers are getting desperate. This is a great time to buy. Now I really have a unique situation, I am in central Florida, and the projections are in, (by these so called experts) that the first wave of the baby boomer's will be retiring this year coming up and where do you think they want to be? Florida? or Wisconsin? let me just say this, the sun is shinning and we are desirable.

Where I live it is 1 1/2 hr from each coast, basically 2 hours(OR LESS) from Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Naples, Sarasota, Ft Myers, Pt St Lucie, and some of the best beaches in the world. We are south of the freeze line, we have many beautiful fresh water lakes, lots of agricultural land, and we are still under the average price. We are Florida's best kept secret. I am not letting these so called experts get me down, instead I see light at the end of the tunnel, Highlands County is where we are, and I know it is the best place right now. The experts have nothing on this.

So ... if you want a great deal, give me a call 863-381-0400, and I can help you get on your way to living the good life. And remember when those so called experts start to tell you what is going on, remember what I am telling you, we are all experts and we can learn from our mistakes, but if you do not make mistakes, then you can not learn, so if your living a life and not just sitting there worried about what is happening next, then you are your best expert. Live, Love. Laugh and Learn.
Dawn Dell
2006 REALTOR OF THE YEAR

Choosing a Realtor to List your Property!!!

Prior to listing your home you should do some home work yourself. First look around your neighborhood and see if a certain Realtor specializes your area, if so definitely contact that Realtor (regardless if you use them or not) and see what they have to say.

Second, look at the local advertising and see who is going to aggressively market your property. Ask around, see if someone recommends someone they have recently done business with and possibly hear their story. Then you should get at least 2 opinions of price from 2 local professional Realtors. This is letting you know if you are thinking in the same price range as what the real market value is. Remember, if these 2 professionals come in with such a different price range then you need to get a third opinion.

Some Realtors have to meet a "quota" of listings in order to stay at their office. So this would be a reason for a Realtor to over inflate a listing price, just to get the listing. This is called "Buying a Listing", and this also does no good for either the seller or the Realtor. Instead, seller usually gets frustrated with the Realtor and Realtor is frustrated because they took the over priced listing in hopes of catching a fish (another story) and if so... then the realtor could possibly talk the seller into excepting a lower price, but in reality the seller could of possibly sold alot earlier if they would of listened to the lower priced Realtor. And remember.. "don't punish the honest Realtor for giving you fair market value", they are only doing their job.

Sometimes Realtors offer "staging" services, this is done usually on a case by case basis. Some homes staging is needed, I know I have found homes, with minimal knick knack and furniture do sell quicker. Most buyers do not have an imagnation to see themselves in a home that has too much of the sellers personality. De-clutter!!!! Clean Clean Clean, and refreshing the landscaping and painting goes along way. Ask the professional what you should do to make your home more appealing. Of course in the old days, I am told LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION was the main 3 ingredients to real estate. Today it seems to be PRICE PRICE PRICE, so be smart and interview several professionals and price your property right!!! Happy Selling!!! Dawn Dell
Dell Realty
2006 REALTOR OF THE YEAR

Hot Potato Market

Strange heading I know, but let me explain as I always do. This is what I called what happened during the BOOM. Here it goes, take where I live for example, in 2003 you could find a home on a golf course in a gorgeous community 3 bed 2 bath 2 car garage, pool, CBS (concrete block stucco) with over 1800 LSF (living square footage). Now brace yourself, for $130,000 or high end $200,000.

An investor from another inflated market area comes to my market and finds this prize piece of property for an excellent investment, purchases home CASH! Usually throws in an extra $1000 to secure getting the home. Closes on the property and in the meantime this smart potato tells all of their investor friends of the fabulous purchase they made and those investors come in and purchase the same way, creating almost somewhat a frenzy. The home does not even have a real estate sign in the yard a whole day without an offer. Then, all of these investors (potato's) tell their investor friends, but.. this time they are selling the property to their friends at an inflated price (usually double of what they purchased it for) and made almost $100,000k.Now the home is $250,000 to $300,000 and still in other markets considered a very good buy.

Then that investor makes minor upgrades, and puts the home on the market and at this point investors are hearing of the huge profits being made and envision themselves making this type of profit too. Some did, and now some did not, some are still trying to sell their homes. So here we go, the hot potato has been passed quickly, some making huge profits, inflating the market, creating the market so to speak and at the end of the day someone is holding the hot potato as the game goes... so let me go out on a limb here and say investors not only created the market but now are victims of their own circumstance.

Investors created our inflation, and some are paying for it. As with Vegas or stocks... it is a gamble when investing in a market. Sometimes you win! Sometimes you lose! In the meantime, the average buyer is the one who is hurt the worst. Some purchased during the BOOM, their homestead property and now are house poor! And as I said in my other blog Correction Curve, the new market price is reflecting a lower than market value in some cases. But as with everything, what goes up must come down.

But... we are Florida, as long as the sun is shining we are desirable. And have you looked at the projections, if not, you should, hang in their and hopefully you will make a decent return in your investment with in the next 2 years. The Baby Boomers are going to retire and who wants to retire to Wisconsin? Especially when you have Florida!

Dawn Dell
2006 REALTOR OF THE YEAR
863-381-0400

"Correction Curve"

The housing market is going to experience what I am calling the "Correction Curve", think about it, what the bank will finance is really what the market will bear, unless we have a frenzy market again and CASH buyers inflating the market (that is a whole other subject coming soon), if the a property is being purchased with a mortgage, then the bank requires an appraisal. An appraisal is really only ones opinion with a calculation of other factors. These main factors are other sales with in the market area and homes that are close in comparison to square footage and actual year built.

Right now in this market there are foreclosures closing, investors getting out of a bad investment at any cost to save their credit, short sales and true sales at true market value. Once these properties close and is recorded these are then used in the calculation process of an appraisal for a loan. Even if a purchase for contract has been accepted by buyer and seller at a price higher than the appraisal the buyer has a "loop hole" out of the contract in the financing clause. Property must appraise at mortgaged value, so make sure when writing an offer on a property to consult with a professional Realtor on how to get you out of the contract if it does not appraise at full purchase price (again another subject for another time, coming soon).

Once several properties have closed at lower than market value the values in general decline and in an inflated market this will create a correction of price therefore "Correction Curve." What this can mean to you as a seller, you should absolutely consult with a professional in your market place and get a fair market value. If you really want to sell, I am finding there are buyers at the right price, but if your intention is to "test the market" or "fish for a buyer" than now is not the time to put your home on the market (unless of course it is priced at fair market value). Marketing your home with a professional is only to your advantage. Use their expertise and also, it literally cost you nothing unless the home is sold.

Now for the buyers, I have mentioned this before, never has there been a better time to buy (of course except to prior to 2003), buyers are getting great interest rates, a huge inventory to pick from, and now the "Correction Curve" price is all in your favor of being able to buy a home at a better than fair market price. So.. if your looking to buy or even do I dare say INVEST, go for it. Get with a Realtor and start looking at the market and making offers, you never know what might be accepted.

Purchasing Real Estate: 101

At some point and time everyone hopefully will make that decision in ones life to purchase the American Dream. A HOME! When you have decided to do so, the very first thing you should do is speak with a qualified Mortgage Professional, again if you do not know of any, ask a friend, relative or co-worker. If you do not have one of those, then go to your bank and see if someone there can help you. When decide to purchase a home, running out and looking at property is NOT the way to go, you make be looking below your means or worse yet, fall in love with the perfect property and then find out you can not afford it. So, as I like to say, "Shopping within your means" is the best way to go, and to find that out you need to see a Mortgage Broker, Banker or financial institute. Once you find out what you can afford monthly, then look at what you have to put down on a home. You need money for closing cost, insurance, appraisals, surveys, home inspections, pest inspections, and utilities, so just the home price is not the only costs to be considering. And then there is the "down payment" that you should have, 3% is FHA requirements. So this is the least amount. Preferably 20%, but in most cases this is not attainable. There are ways to find other programs to help you.

Now that you have figured out where you need to be money wise, price wise etc... now you must find a Realtor you can relate to. Riding around and calling every real estate company sign in front of the homes that appeal to you is a huge waste of time, gas and energy. You should try to find a Realtor, either ask a friend, relative or co-worker, and remember all of us Realtors have the same information on all listings in the area. Once you find a Realtor you feel comfortable with make an appointment to view the homes that fit your search criteria and price points. Remember also, when choosing a Realtor find one that is not afraid to negotiate a price for you, so if you say your price range is highest of $120,000, your Realtor should at least pull up listings in the $135,000 range, unless the listing has already been drastically reduced. The Realtor should really interview you, that is what I do, sometimes we even go look at a property or 2 and then I can get a better idea of what the buyer's needs are and take it from there. Once you decided to go look at property the rule of thumb is to keep it a short list, 4 to 9 listings at the most. Take notes on every property, unless you know for sure it is not the one for you. Remember you will be looking at many properties so taking notes on the good and also the bad things about each property while you are in the property is very important. The hardest part in purchasing real estate I have found to be, is picking the property. Once you have picked the property, you should have the Realtor contact the Mortgage Broker and have them prepare a Pre-Qualified or better yet a Pre-Approval letter, that states you are already in the process of obtaining financing. At this point all of us Realtors have our personal ways of writing, submitting and presenting offers. Make sure you are involved and informed of this entire process. It is very important and as my Dad, the KING OF REAL ESTATE, always tells me, "Time is of the essences".

Once everyone agrees to everything on the contract, then you have what is called a "bi-lateral"contract (between 2 people), the Realtor, Mortgage Broker and Title Company or Attorney then take everything over and process this file as needed. The Mortgage Broker will be working very closely with you and getting the remaining documentation to the underwriters for their approval. Once all is approved, this not only includes your financial status but also the home must approve too, then you are well on your way to purchasing a home. It basically is only a matter of time for the title work and mortgage note to be prepared before you sign on the dotted line and are granted the keys to your new home.

Hope this information was helpful, I know most of my clients are not experienced home buyers and definitely benefit from my knowledge. So interview your Realtor, because you will be very closely involved with them for at least 30 days or more. You can reach me directly at 863-381-0400,
I am in Sebring, FL, and my name is Dawn Dell.

Dell Realty
"Where we treat you like family"

Feds Reduced Rates

Feds reduced to the rate ½ percent, that is a whole 50 points। WOW! Just be careful when talking with a qualified mortgage broker, ask what their rates were just prior to the rate decrease, make sure basically that they are not “padding” the interest rate and you are getting the best they have to offer. Remember this could equate to literally thousands (tens of thousands) at the end of the day. So be smart and educate yourself, use someone that is recommended to you, that way you know that person had a personal experience and it must have been good for them to recommend them.

With the rate being reduced Wall Street of course reacted, positively I might add. We as Americans need to gain control of our own economy. The press is ruining our confidence. We should not allow them to continue to feed us with negative press, and if it has not happened then they continue to report on it basically until it does happen. For instance, you hear a song on the radio, do not really like it but the DJ continues to play the song, finally it sounds familiar and then next thing you know your humming with it and know the words and then you even want to hear it when you turn on the radio. This is how they “brain wash” us. If it is not bad news basically it is no news. Now the flip side to this, since I am the forever optimist, once they (the press at large) conquer whatever their AGENDA may hold, (and you can bet there is an agenda) they quickly move on to another “problem” we may have, or “need” to have??? When the market was GREAT, remember they kept telling us the BUBBLE was going to burst, now 2 ½ years later, it burst, but that is not enough, now it has to “HIT BOTTOM”. These are the new “trigger” words I am hearing out there. But.. Sellers are getting smarter and reducing their prices, if they want to sell. Buyers have the best of all the worlds, sellers reducing prices, interest rates dropping and a few dozen or so homes that would perfectly fit their needs, just location should be the issue, as it use to be in the old days of real estate, location, location, location. So if you are in the market NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!!!

Next up picking a Realtor। And remember to “Buy or Sell… Call Dawn Dell”

Dawn Dell

Dell Realty, Broker/Owner

2006 REALTOR OF THE YEAR

863-385-8822

www.dellrealty.net