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Issue # 102         
August 2016  
Dear (Contact First Name),  

We strive to keep you informed of the real estate market and trends that may affect your relocation, investment, or purchase decisions.  

You have expressed an interest in properties or rentals in either South Florida or Western North Carolina in the past and these periodic newsletters will help to keep you current of what is happening in the real estate industry nationwide and locally.   
 
In Florida and nationwide home prices continue to rise and inventory is limited. Thankfully, mortgage rates continue to hover at the lower end, unemployment is at an all time low and salaries are increasing continuing to make home ownership affordable.

In its June market report, Zillow says the average selling time was one full week faster than last year, further exemplifying how competitive the U.S. market has grown.  June 2016 homes sales were 25% above June 2015.

Please feel free to call me to discuss any and all matters relating to the real estate market in South Florida or Western North Carolina. 

Enjoy Your Summer!


Contact Kim N. Bregman, Optima Properties
Summer Sun


Lic. Real Estate Broker, FL & NC
REALTOR, MBA, ABR, NAEBA, FEBA 
 
In This Issue
Buyer's Guide  
 
Answers to common questions, resources, and tools.
 
 Finance Center

 

Articles, Calculators, Tools, and Advice  






 

MORTAGE RATES AS OF 7/29/16
30 YR FIXED
3.44
15 YEAR FIXED
2.77
1 YR FIXED
3.25
JUMBO 30 YR
FIXED
3.55
5/1 ARM
2.86



 

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2012 Head shot 
Kim N. Bregman    

Optima Properties 

 Lic. Real Estate Broker, FL & NC, REALTOR, MBA, ABR   

The greatest compliment that I can receive is a referral from clients, friends and co-workers.  Thank you for your trust.    

 

 

 

 

 Florida:
17914 Foxborough Lane
Boca Raton, FL 33496
561-251-7170 Cell
561-477-0676 Office
561-892-0937 Fax

North Carolina: 
581 Tsalagi Trail

Maggie Valley, NC 28751 
828-400-7953 Cell
828-400-7953 Office
561-892-0937 Fax

kim@optimaproperties.com
www.OptimaProperties.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
In The News!
 
 
Fla.'s housing market: Rising prices in June
 

Florida's housing market reported higher median prices and fewer days to a contract in June, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Closed sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 27,086 last month - slightly higher (0.4%) than the June 2015 level of 26,973 closed sales.
 
"Florida's housing market is experiencing tight supply and pent-up demand. That is affecting the pace of sales and putting pressure on statewide median prices. Florida's economic growth, rising jobs outlook and acclaimed quality of life continue to draw new residents eager to call the Sunshine State home.
 
Home sellers continued to get more of their original asking price at the closing table in June: Sellers of existing single-family homes received 96.3 percent (median percentage) of their original listing price, while those selling townhouse-condo properties received 94.6 percent (median percentage).
 
The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $225,000, up 10.8 percent from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors research department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties in June was $164,000, up 8.6 percent over the year-ago figure.
 
In June, statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and townhouse-condo properties rose year-over-year for the 55th month in a row. According to the National Association of Realtors®(NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in May 2016 was $241,000, up 4.6 percent from the previous year the national median existing condo price was $229,600. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in May was $518,760; in Massachusetts, it was $353,000; in Maryland, it was $282,257; and in New York, it was $212,500.
 
Short sales for townhouse-condo properties declined 43.2 percent while short sales for single-family homes dropped 37.2 percent. Closed sales may occur from 30- to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written.
 
"Much of 2016's slowdown in sales growth is due to the dwindling inventory of distressed properties throughout Florida," said Florida Realtors® Chief Economist Brad O'Connor. "In June of last year, about 20 percent of sales across all property types were of the distressed variety. This June, by contrast, only 10 percent of sales were distressed. These declines are not due a lack of demand, but rather, a clear lack of supply. Florida's distressed properties continue to slowly but surely work their way through the pipeline.
"If distressed properties are taken out of the equation, sales growth among non-distressed properties - the traditional market - remains quite strong. Non-distressed single-family home sales were up 13 percent year-over-year in June, while non-distressed sales of townhouses and condos rose by 7.6 percent."
 
Inventory was at a 4.3-months' supply in June for single-family homes and at a 6-months' supply for townhouse-condo properties, according to Florida Realtors.
According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.57 percent in June 2016, a significant drop from the 3.98 percent average recorded during the same month a year earlier.
 
 

 
 

Advice For Buyers!
How To Ensure A Smooth Mortgage Application Process:
  
What to do before closing:
 
  • You can still be denied for a mortgage loan, even after you've been pre-approved by the lender. The pre-approval is not a commitment or guarantee. You've been conditionally qualified for loan. But you need to stay qualified all the way up to the closing. The less your financial situation changes, the better.
  • If you withdraw or transfer funds for any reason before closing, your lender will probably ask for a written explanation. They will also want to see a record of the transaction, such as your bank statements.
  • Make sure you have a home owners insurance policy in place. Your lender will require this. They might even require you to pay the first year's premium in advance, by setting up an escrow account. The lender may contact your insurance agent before closing day, to verify the policy and coverage amount.
  • If you make any large deposits into your account, tell your lender about it. It will only help your cause, as far as mortgage approval goes. Provide any documents you have relating to the deposit.
 
What to avoid before closing day:
 
  • Don't spend a lot of money. Implement a self-imposed "spending freeze," as much as possible. You obviously have to buy groceries, gas for your car, and other necessities. But don't spend anything beyond that. Keep things as stable as possible until after you close on the home.
  • It's best to avoid any major purchases during this period. Your lender might have certain cash-reserve requirements for the loan. So a major reduction in assets could hurt your chances of getting the final approval.
  • Don't open any new credit lines, such as credit cards. The same goes for buying a car, applying for a store credit card, etc. These things will change your debt ratio, which could cause problems with your final approval. Mortgage lenders hate surprises.
  • Don't switch jobs before closing, unless it's completely unavoidable. A new job usually brings a change in income, as well. If your income goes down, it will alter your debt-to-income ratio in a bad way. A change in employment will also require a lot of paperwork changes. Some lenders will verify your employment again, just before closing day.
 
 
 
Mountain Vacation Rental
Book Your Fall Foliage Trip Now!

NC Fall View
Come to the Mountains this Fall and enjoy all the mountains have to offer!  

NC House Exterior
Horseback riding at Cataloochee Ranch & Ski Resort, visit eclectic Asheville,  hike in Smoky Mountain National Park and Pisgah Forest, see the Cataloochee Elk, gamble at Harrah's Casino, drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and visit Cherokee.
 
Soaring Eagle Retreat, Luxury Log Home in
firepit
Waynesville/Maggie Valley available for rental. Just 15 minutes from the Cataloochee Ski Resort and Ranch 30 minutes from the National Parks and 30 minutes from Asheville and Cherokee.
 
 
Kim's Blog
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Optima Properties has beeen working as Exclusive Buyer Agents for 25 years. 

We service customers specifically looking for properties in South Florida and Western North Carolina. 

We act as consultants, advisors, advocates and negotiators for our clients rather than as a salesperson.

I look forward to speaking with you and representing YOUR INTERESTS in future real estate transactions.

Sincerely,
Kim N. Bregman Lic. Real Estate Broker
FL & NC, REALTOR, MBA, ABR, NAEBA  

 

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