Florida Real Estate Round Table

On this episode, we talk with New Home Consultant Erik Reusch with Lennar about Arborwood Preserve; a resort lifestyle community located in highly desired Gateway. Erik gives us the lay of the land about this incredible community.  If you are in the market for new construction, give us a call today at 239-931-9779 and ask for Jason Jakus or Eric Grainger. We know new construction in the Southwest Florida market place because we live it every day.  Arborwood Preserve11730 Arborwood Preserve BlvdFort Myers, FL 33913877-205-7491 Erik Reusch - New Home Consultant

Mr. Bill Risser is the Vice President of Digital Strategy for Fidelity National Title and hosts his own Podcast  called The Real Estate Sessions Podcast and is a 2019 Inman Innovator Award winner. Bill is a dynamic Real Estate Industry Leader and previous manager of a Fidelity National Title office in Arizona.  We got to talk with Bill about everything title and consumer protection regarding the biggest epidemic in our industry; which is wire fraud.  If you know someone that is looking to buy or sell real estate, please share this podcast with them. If you are moved by our content, please subscribe yourself and leave us a review - that is how we are found and can help more people.  If you or someone you know is looking sell or buy, contact Eric Grainger or Jason Jakus.  Jakus Realty Team Eric Grainger

Brenda Whetsell works for Midland Trust; which specializes in 1031 Exchanges, Self-Directed IRA's and Real Estate IRA's. Brenda is a wealth of knowledge and she goes into some key strategies for both 1031 Exchanges and purchasing Real Estate in your IRA. Here are some of the key takeaways in this episode.  1. These transactions are CASH transactions, which will give you the buyer leverage (Cash will always be king).  2. You have to identify your properties and follow the very specific time lines with 1031 Exchanges. Time is not in your favor, but the tax savings definitely are!  3. Do you know what a "Reverse" 1031 Exchange is? Neither did we until we were schooled by the master, Breda Whetsell! You will NOT want to miss this tip! For more information, contact Brenda directly either via email or her phone. We are also including the Midland Trust website; which is packed with great content.  Brenda Whetsell Email or directly at 239-333-4913 Midland Trust Website As always, please leave us a 5 start review and if you know someone who is interested in Florida Real Estate, please share this podcast with them. If you are looking to sell or buy yourself, and want a great Real Estate team on your side, contact Broker Jason Jakus or Realtor Eric Grainger.  Contact Jason Contact Eric Grainger

With a signifiant amount of new construction and development occurring in Florida, it is believed that around 1 out of 9 homes sold are brand new. Florida Real Estate Roundtable interviews Sales Consultant Stanley Stouder II with Pulte Group who works at Eagle Reserve in Fort Myers. We talk about the importance of having representation as a buyer and Stanley also destroys the philosophy some buyers have that if they don't have a REALTOR representing them they will save more money. The fact is, it is the opposite. A great REALTOR who understands new construction and development like Jason and Eric can actually save you money and know how to negotiate key items like additional closing cost contribution from the builder. Stanley Stouder can be reached at (239) 309-1625.  Check out Eagle Preserve www.JasonJakus.com www.EricGraingerPA.com Eric and Jason work Charlotte, Lee and Collier Counties in Florida - so if you are looking to sell or buy in these counties, give them a call at 239-931-9779.  Please leave us a review! If you know anyone looking to sell or buy real estate in Florida, pass along this podcast to them.   

When you purchase a home in Florida, there are a lot of different things that you need to be aware of. Home Owner Associations, Insurance and the purchase process are just some examples. On this episode, we have the honor of talking to a 20+ year veteran Insurance Agent who works with buyers and homeowners in Lee County Florida. In this episode we take a deep dive into what are the FEMA flood map zones, what are the requirements for flood insurance and even what flood insurance really is. We always know we have a home run with an episode when Eric Grainger and Jason Jakus each pick up some knowledge - which they both did. If you want to review your insurance coverage or if you are purchasing a home in Florida, give Inge Hutson a call. Her email address is Inge@cigflorida.com and she can be reached at 239-940-1940. Inge works with Chapman Insurance Group. 

If you were going to purchase a house today and start shopping for that perfect home, where do you start? Do you need to get a pre-qualification and what is it? Or, do you need to get a pre-approval and how is that difference?  Once you find that home - what do you need to do? What level of information is needed and required to buy a home and is it different for condominiums? Kinsy Prescott goes into detail on what you need, how you can help the process to be smoother.  We also dive a little into the recent law changes on FHA and condominium financing.  Kinsy Prescott - Mortgage Broker at Mortgage 1 (239) 841-9611 NMLS# 1631611  

Commissioner Brian Hamman is a Lee County Native and currently is the Acting Chair for the Lee County Board of County Commissioners. Brian joins us today to talk about everything Lee County Florida, from water quality to economic development.  Water quality is Southwest Florida is crucially important to our tourism as well as our economic stability. Commissioner Hamman has been a champion of water quality and is very involved in protecting our environment. Commissioner Hamman is also an advocate for redevelopment in the Lee County area and has been extremely proactive on smart development. Brian speaks candidly about the amount of land that is set aside for preservation and talks about what Lee County Florida will look like in the next 10 years from a growth perspective.  If you are thinking of moving to the Southwest Florida area, give Eric Grainger or Jason Jakus a call.  239-931-9779 About Commissioner Brian Hamman  

With 900 people per day moving to Florida, you can imagine that Real Estate is red hot. The question is always what can impact home ownership. During this episode we had the pleasure of talking with Chris Lopez, the Governmental Affairs Director from the Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association in Fort Myers & Cape Coral.  We start with talking about policies effecting real estate in Florida as a whole, from a 35,000 foot view. We talk about how critical tax revenues are and the economics of real estate in Florida. In Florida at a macro level prices continue to go up, the economy in Florida is good and smart growth is happening. Chris talks about Amendment 2, which passed as a ballot initiative in 2018 to cap non-homesteaded property taxes - and it passed because of the advocacy of the REALTORS.  Today we ask the tough questions about water quality on the beaches of Lee County. In 2018 the beaches saw several red tide blooms and had blue green algae. We talk about what has occurred to help protect our beaches and we are proud and happy to report that our beaches in Lee and Charlotte Counties are incredible.  Another great topic we get to dive into is Home Owner Associations as well as local ordinances impacting vacation rentals. If you are looking to invest or rent your property, you absolutely need to find a REALTOR that is aware of these ordinances and rules of the HOA so that you can maximize your return on the investment.  If you are looking to buy or sell, please contact Jason Jakus or Eric Grainger.  ericgraingerpa@gmail.com Jason@YourNextHomeAdvisors.com  

Insurance conversations are always very interesting. With 906 people moving to Florida every single day (according to ABC Action News) we hear a lot of myths about obtaining home owner insurance and flood insurance on the purchase of a home in Florida. We talk with Insurance Expert David Arter of Private Client Insurance Services located in Fort Myers Florida about the myths, facts, and fantasy regarding obtaining insurance on your home in Florida.  We also talk about claims and what to do and what not to do if you have a claim. We specifically dive into some real life examples of claims made were denied from damages caused by Hurricane Irma and how that effects a seller in todays market.  David Arter has been in the insurance industry for nearly 40 years and has been with Private Client Insurance Servcies for over 10 years. David is not only a fantastic professional that will answer his phone for his clients, he talks about how he went to homes in Fort Myers after Irma to help his clients.  David Arter can be reached at darter@pcins.net or at 239-481-1949.

We are seeing a "shift" in the market, with nearly 5.7 months of inventory on the market, up from 5.4 month in May 2018, longer days to contract (now at 68 days up from 63 days in May 2018) and pending sales down 2.3%; it won't be long before we are at a true buyers market again in Southwest Florida.  Here are some key items to look at (Single Family Homes). Closed Sales are up 8.1% in May 2019 over LY May 2018. This is the first month in 2019 that we had positive comparable closed sales numbers! April we were down 6.8%, March we were down 4.4%, February we were down 4.1% and January we were down 18.7%.  Prices are up! Median Sale Prices are up 1.6% and Average Sale Prices are up 3.3%.  The Median Time to Contract (up 7.9%) and the Median Time to Sale (up 1.4%) have both increased - meaning the homes are taking longer to sell.  The single family homes between $ 100,000 and $ 199,999 have the lowest median time to contract and days on listing. What is even more interesting is that this price range has the least amount of new inventory on the market. The most inventory we are seeing coming in on the market is the $ 250,000 - $ 350,000 price range - which ALSO has the highest Median Time to Contract (more inventory and less buyers in this pool).  Please SHARE this podcast with a friend and have that friend share this with another friend. Please leave us a review!!  If you want to know what your home is worth - contact Jason Jakus or Eric Grainger for a no obligation Comparative Market Analysis and Broker Price Opinion.  Jason Jakus - www.JakusRealtyTeam.com - 239-931-9778 Eric Grainger - www.EricGraingerPA.com - 239-494-0775  

When starting the home buying process, one of the very first things that you should do is talk to a mortgage professional. Local (and Fort Myers native) Mortgage Broker Andy Davis joined our podcast to open our minds on what it takes to obtain a mortgage.  On this episode we talk about: What does it take to get a mortgage What is the truth about "mattress money" What is the credit score you need to get a mortgage in todays economy Selecting a mortgage broker and what your expectations should be Credit scores and the effects on your mortgage Top tips every buyer needs to know when buying a home Check out this episode, leave us a positive review and share this with someone looking to purchase or sell a home in Florida.  Andy Davis - Owner of D&V Home Mortgage - info@dvhomemortgage.com - 239-307-LEND (5363) www.JasonJakus.com www.EricGraingerPA.com      

Selling or buying a home can be stressful; but it does not have to be. In this episode, Jason Jakus and Eric Grainger share their top 5 tips to sellers and buyers.  Eric talks about your vendor team and Jason talks about process and your REALTOR. There are things that can be done to minimize surprises, create transparency in the transaction and make the process easier for you as a seller or buyer. Grab a pen and paper because you will want to write these ideas, strategies and tips down.  Contact Jason Jakus Contact Eric Grainger

You may have heard, the market is starting to shift and as a seller, the market is becoming more competitive. As a seller, there are some actionable things you can do to help make your home stand out and sell. In today's episode, Eric and Jason talk about some of the hurdles sellers have in selling their home. Learn some key tips to get your home to stand out and get sold!  Key Action Items: Staging tips Curb Appeal The Details Quick Maintenance to save thousands of dollars ericgraingerpa@gmail.com Jason@YourNextHomeAdvisors.com http://www.myswflhomefinder.com  

Technology continues to evolve and the way REALTORS and sellers market their homes has evolved as well. With technology like Matterport and Drones marketing has gone to a whole new level. Consumers are picky and showing a home listed on the market is not easy. This new technology allows consumers to completely walk through a home listed for sale and then determine if they want to see it in person. Let's face it, you can't smell cat pee through a virtual tour; however you can see the layout, floor plan and walk through the home and see if it even meets your requirements.  According to Matterport's research, real estate listings with more visual content (like video) receive 403% more inquiries compared to those without video. In addition, 41% of home buyers found interactive maps very useful, while 40% felt the same about virtual tours.  So we got the opportunity to interview the Founder of 3D Interspace Solutions Bryce Clerk in this episode. We have included all of his contact information for you below.  https://3dswfl.com Bryce ClerkAccount ManagerDirector of EngineeringTel: 941-404-6122Bryce@3Dswfl.com  

Jason Jakus and Eric Grainger talk numbers and take a deep dive into what the market is doing in Lee County Florida in 2019. They explore sales trends, pricing and what it is going to take to get your home sold in this competitive market.  www.JasonJakus.com www.EricGraingerPA.com  

On February 28, 2019 the Federal Trade Commission released a report on The Top Frauds of 2018; which revealed that reported wire fraud was $ 423 million in 2018. We got the pleasure of talking with Dennis Egan of Sun National Title in Fort Myers regarding how to reduce your risk on wire fraud and mitigate your exposure when purchasing a home.  Dennis gave three really excellent tips:  Verify the title company you are working with by using google to verify their phone number and address.  Change your passwords on your banking account logins and emails as soon as you get into a real estate transaction.  Verify where you are sending the money by verifying the wiring instructions.  We also explore some other topics in this episode about ensuring a seamless transaction - so check it out.  You can contact Dennis Egan at his office at (239) 334-3321 or check out his website at https://www.closewithsun.com  

The VA Vendee Loan Program offers qualified borrowers the option of purchasing VA Real Estate Owned (REO) properties with little to no money down. The program is available to Veterans, non-Veterans, owner-occupants, and investors. Mortgage Broker Mike Bendebba takes a deep dive into this unique program. The top 6 reasons to get involved in this program are as follows: 1. For Veterans, non-Veterans, owner-occupants and investors (pretty much anyone) 2. You can get financing for very little money down  3. Many of the fees can be rolled into the loan 4. The interest rates are competitive 5. No Mortgage Insurance required 6. No appraisal required If you want more information about this program, contact Mike Bendebba of Fairway Mortgage at mikeb@fairwaymc.com or 240-776-5731. https://www.fairwayindependentmc.com/Mike-Bendebba If you are looking to sell or buy a home, contact Eric Grainger (EricGraingerPA@Gmail.com) or Jason Jakus (Jason@YourNextHomeAdvisors.com) for a FREE analysis of your homes value or to get set up on our live MLS website.  www.JakusRealtyTeam.com http://ericgrainger.com        

If you are buying real estate in Florida, do you understand the differences in the contracts used? Today we talk with Attorney Adam J. Stevens, partner at Powell, Jackman, Stevens & Ricciardi, P.A., a full service law firm, that provides unparalleled legal services throughout Southwest Florida. What is the difference between the Florida As-Is and Florida FAR-BAR contract? What protection and rights do you have as a buyer or seller? Attorney Stevens speaks about what to do to protect you and save you tens of thousands of dollars, like simply having an attorney review your contract and explain it to you.  What is at risk when you purchase a home? When you put a "Good Faith" deposit down for a home, where is it held and is it safe? What happens if you have buyers remorse? What if there is a material defect, do you get your money back?  If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Southwest Florida, contact Eric Grainger or Jason Jakus.  Mr. Adam J. Stevens can be contacted at https://www.your-advocates.org or 239-970-6844!

Getting your home ready to sell it is a true "job". Expert Real Estate marketing team Jason Jakus and Eric Grainger talk about some of the key things you need to do to get your home sold for the most money and in your time frame.  Jason and Eric explore some key pointers to market your home in the best possible light. From staging, cleaning, decluttering and other strategies, we cover it all in this episode. 

Home ownership is the American dream and a way to build wealth. The problem is that sometimes first time homebuyers don't know that they can buy versus rent and in many cases save money. We explore the "REAL DEAL" on First Time Home Buyers with Mortgage Broker Amanda Conder of Community Lending.  We explore everything from credit score and how you can help and hinder yourself with your credit. Amanda gives some great insight to how you can maximize your credit and what they are looking for when approving you for your next home.  We also talk about down payment. Some people are convinced that they need $ 30,000 down to buy that home or 25%. The truth is revealed in this podcast with Amanda and what programs are out there for you to get into your next home. We even discovered that in some cases, the money down is equal to your first, last and security deposit on a rental.  If you are looking to purchase your first home or your next home, contact Eric Grainger or Jason Jakus. We are also offering first time home buyer seminars this year. Jason and Eric are hosting First Time Home Buyer summits in 2019 to help you with all of your first time home buying needs. You will learn about credit, mortgages, what goes into an offer, home inspections, insurance and much more.  Contact Amanda Conder First Time Home Buyer Summit  

I am always baffled when a seller is motivated to sell; but the home does not sell. Well, let's not call it baffled - lets called it miffed. In today's episode, Eric Grainger and Jason Jakus take a peak behind the curtain and have a brutally honest conversation about why homes don't sell.  When you list you home as a seller, you need to get a copy of the listing before they turn it live for the world to see. You should know what the photos look like, what the description says about your home and how they are marketing it.  There are four basic reasons why homes don't sell! First, is price. Obviously if the home is priced too high it will not sell. Second is condition. A home that does not show well or that is in need of repairs and deferred maintenance or has not been updated in 20 years will deter buyers. Third is location - we all say it - location - location - location. And finally - the home is not marketed in its best light.  A REALTORS job is to be that marketing professional that highlights the home and gets the biggest audience of potential buyers looking at the home. During this session, Eric and Jason really take a deep dive in why a home does not sell and the listing expires.   

Looking to expand your real estate investment portfolio? Or are you looking for an opportunity to invest in real estate and receive passive income or reduce your cost of living. We explore on this episode of the Real Estate Roundtable several strategies that are working right now for investors. Eric Grainger and Jason Jakus will explore some opportunities that have both a great ROI and CAP rates.  Explore Duplex Opportunity Jakus Realty Team    

Dealing with the lost of a loved one is hard enough; but adding in probate to the mix can be stressful. In this episode, Jason Jakus and Eric Grainger talk about their experience representing transactions in probate. Their expertise and experience allows the family a peace of mind during this difficult time.   Jason and Eric will talk about some key things to remember when dealing with a probate transaction as well as some of the issues that could come up during the transaction.  Consumer Pamphlet: Probate In Florida Powell, Jackman, Stevens & Ricciardi