Cyber Monday - Finding Florida Real Estate Online!

With so many websites offering real estate searches such as Realtor.com, Trulia & Zillow, it is most common for potential buyers to explore the market themselves to see what is available. As the online experience continues to grow in every conceivable area, there is no reason logically that real estate shopping would be any different!

To a certain extent that is true. There is an abundance of information available through public records and a little research can uncover a great deal of information from property taxes to recent sale activity to status of liens against a property.

In order to improve the process, here are a few pitfalls to avoid:

1. All of the real estate websites pull their information directly from local Multiple Listing Services (MLS). There are some status categories that these websites do not have which can easily cause confusion. For example, when a listed property goes under contract and there are contingencies to work through - such as short sale lender approval, financing or inspections, the status goes to a category called "Active with Contract". The real estate websites pull these listings as "Active". For that reason, a buyer searching can easily waste a great deal of time researching a property that is actually already under contract.

2. It is very easy to listen to national media and think you understand what the trends are in the market. BUT, word to the wise... every market has its own quirks and trends. Many times it is hard online to determine the pulse of a specific local market.

3. There is no question every buyer wants to feel he or she made a good purchase at a great price. As real estate starts its comeback, there have been many buyers waiting on the sideline trying to decide if now is the time to buy. This pent up demand results in a lot of buyers looking for the same type of property... particularly in a market specific such as the beach area of Tampa Bay. The really good properties go extremely fast and many times are under contract before they can feed through to the other websites.

If you are a serious buyer contemplating a purchase here in the Tampa Bay beach area, The PURTEE Team can offer you a way to blend the ease of online shopping with the expertise of a local realtor. Through our website: www.floridagulfproperty.com , we offer a variety of searches that are available in 'real time'. You can choose to Search All MLS ; Search Distressed Properties ; or select HOT DEALS for our current picks of excellent value properties.

Let us show you how you can become knowledgeable about the specific market you are considering, and help direct you to properties that fit your criteria before others even know about it! Email us to learn more: info@floridagulfproperty.com and you will be on your way to Living the Florida Lifestyle...

In Search Of Distressed Properties In Florida

Every day The PURTEE Team talks to buyers looking for a real estate "deal" here along the coastline of Tampa Bay. There are still great values, but the climate is definitely changing... and we continue to get the word out to our clients.

In Pinellas County, as of November 7th, there are 8,253 properties listed for sale. Over 76% of those are non-distressed! By distressed, we are talking about a short sale or pre-foreclosure or bank-owned. This 8,253 listings number represents 33% less inventory from what was available at the end of October 2010.

For that reason, there is less for the buyer to choose from. Plus, out of the active listings, less than 20% are short sales and only 3.7% are bank owned! Although 1,400 new listings hit the market during October only 7% were bank owned and slightly less than 20% were short sales.

THE RESULT? When comparing sales from October 2011 to October 2010, non-distressed sales are UP 20%, short sales are up 57% and bank-owned sales DOWN by 12% (lack of inventory).

A prospective buyer came into an open house over the weekend to look at a property that has been aggressively priced and is currently one of the lowest per sq ft properties to have been sold in this particular community. He emphatically told me the prices were going to continue to come down and he would pick up one when a lower price came available. HOW DO YOU READ THESE STATISTICS?

Directly from our website, on our HOT DEALS page, you can search all local distressed properties. Our advice? DO NOT DELAY your purchase. As of the holidays we go into our busy season and many people from around the country and internationally are planning to make a purchase while they are here. We are here to help. Contact Us Today!

** Statistics provided by the Pinellas Realtor Organization

October Early Snow Sets More Northeasterners With Sights On Florida

This past weekend's surprise snowstorm took the last of the beautiful fall colors with it. Power outages, blocked roads, treacherous driving, shoveling... SERIOUSLY? And in October???

As part of The PURTEE Team, realtors in the Tampa Bay beaches area, we do business with clients not only from around the country but around the world. We have talked to many clients in Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts in the last few days. With starting the snow so early this year, it has many of them looking toward "living the Florida lifestyle".

Each of the four members of our real estate team relocated here to the Tampa Bay area years ago. We have never looked back on that decision. This area has an abundance of activities with every kind of water sport, 9 area spring training teams, major league sports, international shopping, theme parks, fine dining... and then, of course, there is the pristine white sandy coastline along the Gulf of Mexico that simply takes your breath away!!! What a novel thought to leave the cold and snow behind and instead play a round of golf, a game of tennis, sailing into the sunset, deep sea fishing... or simply a stroll on the beach!

If you are seriously considering the options of either relocating to the Tampa Bay area, or purchasing a second home here... we are the realtors for you. Scrupulously diligent in finding the right property, we won't let you down. Whether you work with Mark, Garges, Lambdin or Kathy, you get the power and expertise of us as a team. Our website www.floridagulfproperty.com is filled with tools to help as well. Fill out your "Wish List" today and one of us will be in touch with you shortly to help identify exactly what you are looking for and how we can help you find it.