Price it competitively from the beginning

Positioning a home for sale at the right price, based on current market analysis, is essential for success in today’s market, according to Bankrate.com. The largest number of showings will occur in the first two to three weeks, and buyers are most likely to make offers on properties that are priced realistically. The MLS and Internet drive the majority of showings, which is why real estate experts stress that it’s important to set a price that generates excitement and energy from day one.

Additional perks may also attract buyers, according to Bankrate.com. Consider sweetening the deal with a top-of-the-line washer and dryer or wall-mounted, flat-screen TVs. And, of course, a home that’s in perfect turn-key, move-in condition, clean and clutter-free is on top of every buyer’s wish list.

What do you think is the key to selling a home in today’s market? Is value-pricing evident in your neighborhood?

Foreclosure relief effort kicks off with 7/22 deadline

A new $1 billion mortgage assistance program will give unemployed homeowners loans to help them avoid foreclosure. But they have only until July 22 to apply, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The new Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program provides zero-interest loans of up to $50,000. The Department of Housing and Urban Development said 27 states are approved for the program. Homeowners will need to apply by July 22 to be eligible for the program and must be approved by September 30. Visit FindEHLP.org for details.

How will this program assist unemployed homeowners in your community? Will they have time to apply before the deadline?

Does 'Buying Frenzy' for Low-Priced Homes Signal a Bottom

Home purchases have picked up in the last few weeks in Phoenix and Las Vegas, a sign that some of the hardest-hit housing markets may have hit bottom.

Lenders say there has been a flurry of buying activity for homes priced at $200,000 or less, mainly distressed properties, such as foreclosed ones.

But a full-blown recovery is still hampered by the dearth of move-up homebuyers, the scads of homeowners with negative equity and a massive inventory of properties in foreclosure that have not yet been put up for sale.

"The real estate market is more fragmented than ever before," said Brian Yampolsky, owner of Orion Mortgage Corp. in Phoenix. "Not only is Arizona different from other states but there are sub-markets within our market that are reacting differently."

Higher-priced homes still have plenty of room to fall further, said Alex Villacorta, director of research and analytics at Clear Capital.com Inc., a Truckee, Calif., data provider.

"Low-end distressed properties are selling," said Villacorta. "When you look at the higher end, there may be another wave of declines because higher-priced homes have not fallen nearly as much as lower-priced homes."

What do you think about the current market? Do you have real estate questions?

View the full American Banker article by Kate Berry

UPS and Downs

By Guest Contributor, Anne Platt, Sales Associate, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Coral Gables office

www.floridamoves.com/anne.platt

Elated Buyers and Sellers whisper of purchases almost concluded, but not yet officially “pended.”

In February the sale at 3500 Curtis Lane on Biscayne Bay broke all recent Coconut Grove residential records. This outstanding bay front estate on almost two acres sold for $13,419,495.00.

Throughout the last year the numbers of sales in North Coconut Grove, South Coconut Grove and Coral Gables remained consistent while the inventory grew. Now the inventory has begun to decline as pending sales for the end of the first quarter and following month end for May have escalated. Look at the growth in pending sales!

View Statistics for Recent Home Sales:
North Coconut Grove
South Coconut Grove
Coral Gables

	1 Qtr 2009	1 Qtr 2010	1 Qtr 2011	May 2011
South Coconut Grove
Pending Sales (Pending now*)	8	13	21	23
Closed Sales (6 months back)	23	33	36
Homes on the Market	119	102	79
North Coconut Grove
Pending Sales (Pending now*)	7	15	14	20
Closed Sales (6 months back)	20	28	29
Homes on Market	87	74	67
Coral Gables
Pending Sales (Pending now*)	"N/A"	109	109	124
Closed Sales (6 months back)	137	196	184
Homes on Market	588	452	386

Note Pending sales are agreements between buyers and sellers not yet closed. These are cumulative numbers over the last several months. Do NOT add the First Quarter figures to the May figures.

Eclectic architecture and exotic lush landscaping have long been popular in Coconut Grove. Coral Gables offers a wide selection of exceptional homes from the Old Spanish built in the 1920’s in the North Gables to the glamorous walled and gated custom designs in Cocoplum. Gables Estates offers magnificent waterway homes only minutes from sparkling Biscayne Bay. As each home is so distinctive it comes as no surprise that sales in various price ranges are also different. Below are several examples of sales in both Coral Gables and Coconut Grove in some of our most popular price ranges.

$1,500,000 - $2,000,000	Coconut Grove	Coral Gables
Active on Market	26	35
Pending in the last 30 days	2	2
Ave. Days on Market	19**	350 **
Months Supply	13	17
$500,000 - $750,000	Coconut Grove	Coral Gables
Active on Market	35	60
Pending in the last 30 days	8	9
Ave. Days on Market	71	128
Months Supply	5	7

Keep in mind that there are more homes in Coral Gables than Coconut Grove so the number of Gables sales will always be higher. ** This sample is too small to give a real accurate cross section of the inventory marketing time. Typically, luxury homes do take longer to sell.

As you can see, each market is unique and has subtle differences. If you, or a friend, neighbor or colleague wish an individual up to date survey for your property, call me and I will be glad to share the survey and meet with you to help you plan your move.

Why Own My Home?

In a recent International Business Times article, Phoebe Chongchua answers the question…Why own my own home?

A soft real estate market that is ripe with all the conditions that should entice people to purchase a home still has some renters asking, "Why own my own home?"

Low interest rates, lower home prices and an improving job market still have some buyers sitting on the fence fearful of an uncertain real estate market. Real estate agents and even sellers are finding that prospective buyers (current renters) may need a little more "emotional" attention in these market conditions. They may need a little more explanation to ensure that they understand the benefits of purchasing your home rather than renting another.

While deciding to own a home or rent one is very personal, many tend to let fear of the unknown be the driving force in making their decision and that can later create an unhappy decision.

View the tops five reasons

11 Ways to Move on a Budget

By Guest Contributor JoAnn Roberts, Sales Associate, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Pinecrest office

Whether you are planning an out-of-state move, or even moving across town, the costs associated with moving your possessions from one location to another can be a significant burden, especially given today’s economy. If you are planning on moving during the busy summer season, the following tips from Two Men and a Truck will help you save both time and money.

1. Pack all items into boxes and tape all boxes closed with packing tape. Do not use duct, Scotch or masking tapes.
2. Label all boxes by room and contents to save time when movers unload them from the truck into your new home.
3. To reduce load time, as you pack your boxes, take them to the garage or to a common area on the main floor.
4. Disassemble and reassemble items such as beds, cribs, entertainment units, etc., yourself.
5. Make sure all electronics are disconnected and wires are removed or taped tightly to the item.
6. Be prepared for the movers. Packing or disassembling items while the movers are present will increase load time and costs.
7. Move all miscellaneous unboxed items such as lamps, pictures, toys, yard tools, etc., yourself.
8. Disconnect washers/dryers/refrigerators and other large appliances to save time.
9. Reserve ample parking for the moving trucks, as long walks add to the load and unload time.
10. Make sure there is a clear walkway for the movers to get to and from the truck.
11. Be at the new location on the day of the move so movers know where to place furniture and other items.

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, JoAnn has a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact her any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Hyperlocality and Choosing the Best Agent

By Guest Contributor Carlos Lobato, Sales Associate, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Miami Lakes office

“How’s the market?” It seems like everybody wants to know. And it’s really such a loaded question with real world implications for my business. When many folks ask this question, what they’re really asking is “how’s your business?” In other words, the “how’s the market,” question is quite often an informal job interview. And the way that I answer it gives the interviewer a lot of instant information about my knowledge base, my attitude, and my overall proficiency in the subject at hand…real estate that is.

This is not to say that I ought to have a canned, overly impressive, industry laden jargon beast of an answer. But let’s say, all things being equal, that you ask 2 real estate agents the big question:

Agent #1: “The market’s great!” Agent #2: “The Real estate market today is very hyper local. And those gloom and doom market scenarios that you read about have to be taken with a grain of salt. For example, homes in Las Vegas are down 60% from peak prices, while homes in Pittsburg are down only 1% from their peak. Wouldn’t you agree that the strategy for getting a home sold in either of these two markets would have to be different?”

Now which one of these two agents would you hire to handle the sale of your house?

Turnaround: 4 Months and Counting?

By guest contributor, JoAnn Roberts, Sales Associate, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

Acording to Steve Cook of RisMedia, price declines will end and average U.S. home prices will stabilize by Labor Day. Prices in even the hardest-hit markets will level out by the end of 2012. That’s the latest prediction from the authoritative Moody’s Analytics and Fiserv, Inc., after an analysis of home price trends in 375 markets tracked by the Fiserv Case-Schiller Indexes.

Fiserv reports that home prices have fallen so far that they are at pre-bubble levels, creating affordable housing relative to income which, coupled with a slowly improving economy, will finally end price declines. The slide in home prices has greatly improved home affordability. Relative to household income, affordability is at or close to pre-bubble levels in nearly every metro area across the U.S. This dynamic, combined with growing economic strength, leads Fiserv and Moody’s Analytics to project that average U.S. home prices will stabilize in the third quarter of this year. By the end of 2012, home prices in even the hardest-hit housing markets will level out.

What are you seeing in your area?

Florida population soars in first century

Florida was #3 nationwide in population growth numerically and #8 by percentage increase during last decade, according to a new University of Florida study.

Florida’s permanent resident population increased by more than 2.8 million between 2000 and 2010 — an increase of 17.6% to 18,801,310. However, the growth rate lagged behind previous decades and is expected to decline steadily through 2040.

Fueled by an expanding economy and a booming housing market, population increases from 2003 to 2006 were among the largest in Florida’s history. During the past decade, 65 of Florida’s 67 counties gained population. Four counties grew by more than 50%, and 20 grew by more than 20%.

How will future growth rates impact the housing market and economic recovery in your community? Have you noticed a significant change in population?

CB LISTINGS GAIN PREMIUM PLACEMENT ON TOP MARKETING WEBSITES

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate announced it has entered into national advertising agreements that will prominently enhance the current placement of the company’s property listings on the top four* real estate websites and portals: Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Yahoo Real Estate and Zillow.com.

The agreements with Move Inc., Trulia, and Zillow give premium placement to Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate’s property listings. As a result, the company’s sales associates and their clients will gain a competitive edge in attracting homebuyers during the 180 million visits that these sites collectively receive each month.

“Real estate companies and their consumers today need to significantly differentiate themselves online,” said Clark W. Toole III, President, Florida, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate and Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT. “The enhancement package will certainly enable our agents to effectively distinguish their client’s listings from those of competitors. This comprehensive online marketing platform is just one of the many ways Coldwell Banker provides unmatched benefits to our sales associates and their clients.”

Hastings is Florida’s Most Affordable Market; Palmetto Bay Most Expensive

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC released its Home Listing Report (HLR), a snapshot survey of listing prices for four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes in more than 2,300 North American markets. The survey reviewed 129 real estate markets in Florida and found Hastings led the list of most affordable markets in the state, with an average home listing price of approximately $74,910 for property listings meeting the subject home criteria.

The report identified Palmetto Bay as the state’s most expensive market, where the average four-bedroom, two-bathroom home has a listing price of $449,353. The difference of nearly $375,000 between most expensive and most affordable Florida housing markets is just one of the many findings in this comprehensive market report. Compared to the national average of $293,251, the average four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Florida overall was $218,670.

The Coldwell Banker HLR provides the average home listing price of four-bedroom, two-bathroom properties on coldwellbanker.com that were listed between September 2010 and March 2011 from more than 2,300 North American markets. Markets included in the U.S. report were required to have at least 10 properties fitting the above criteria within the relevant timeframe.

An interactive graphic summarizing the full results of the Coldwell Banker Home Listing Report is available on coldwellbanker.com. Full national data can be accessed on the Home Listing Report website.

Riverdale is Georgia’s Most Affordable Market; Dunwoody Most Expensive List

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC today released its Home Listing Report (HLR), a snapshot survey of listing prices for four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes in more than 2,300 North American markets. The survey reviewed 97 real estate markets in Georgia and found Riverdale led the list of most affordable markets in the state, with an average home listing price of approximately $61,618 for property listings meeting the subject home criteria.

The report identified Dunwoody as the state’s most expensive market, where the average four-bedroom, two-bathroom home has a listing price of $379,866. The difference of more than $300,000 between most expensive and most affordable Georgia housing markets is just one of the many findings in this comprehensive market report. Compared to the national average of $293,251, the average four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Georgia overall was $180,373.

The Coldwell Banker HLR provides the average home listing price of four-bedroom, two-bathroom properties on coldwellbanker.com that were listed between September 2010 and March 2011 from more than 2,300 North American markets. Markets included in the U.S. report were required to have at least 10 properties fitting the above criteria within the relevant timeframe.

An interactive graphic summarizing the full results of the Coldwell Banker Home Listing Report is available on coldwellbanker.com. Full national data can be accessed on the Home Listing Report website.

Lancaster is Texas’s Most Affordable Market; Colleyville Most Expensive List

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC today released its Home Listing Report (HLR), a snapshot survey of listing prices for four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes in more than 2,300 North American markets. The survey reviewed 146 real estate markets in Texas and found Lancaster led the list of most affordable markets in the state, with an average home listing price of approximately $100,246 for property listings meeting the subject home criteria.

The report identified Colleyville as the state’s most expensive market, where the average four-bedroom, two-bathroom home has a listing price of $350,710. The difference of more than $250,000 between most expensive and most affordable Texas housing markets is just one of the many findings in this comprehensive market report. Compared to the national average of $293,251, the average four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Texas overall was $185,039.

The Coldwell Banker HLR provides the average home listing price of four-bedroom, two-bathroom properties on coldwellbanker.com that were listed between September 2010 and March 2011 from more than 2,300 North American markets. Markets included in the U.S. report were required to have at least 10 properties fitting the above criteria within the relevant timeframe.

An interactive graphic summarizing the full results of the Coldwell Banker Home Listing Report is available on coldwellbanker.com. Full national data can be accessed on the Home Listing Report website.

Get to Know your iPad- The Best Real Estate Apps

So you have this fancy schmancy iPad...but are you really using it to the best of your potential? David Marine, director of consumer engagement for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC has put together a list that he believes techy people like yourself will find most useful when navigating through this AMAZING device. He's spends so much time with his iPad, his wife refers to it as “his girlfriend.”

The iPad is the ideal piece of technology for the real estate industry. It’s the first truly mobile computer made for the professional on the go. It’s big enough to be used as a presentation tool, but small enough to not be overbearing.

In this white paper, David talks about: What are the tools that an agent would fine most useful? Which apps are built for the business of real estate? How can the iPad make running a real estate business simpler or help you get new customers?

Ok, get going and view David's simple document outlining some of the best apps that he has found when it comes to using the iPad for real estate business. ENJOY!!

Homes to Lust After - Coldwell Banker Previews 2011 Florida Magazine

The Spring 2011 Edition of the famous Coldwell Banker Previews Florida Magazine has hit shelves and it's something you don't want to let slip by without viewing. Highlights of this edition include over $650 million worth of luxury inventory, celebrity Florida listings and a feature on Tradewinds, a one-of-a-kind "green" Florida House. Enjoy!

Coldwell Banker FL President and Staff Rides over 6,000 Miles for MS

Recently completing over 6,000 miles for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in over 30 years combined, three men came together once again for an annual bike ride which helps to fight the disease without a cure that affects over 400,000 people. Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate and Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT, Florida President, Clark W. Toole III, Managing Broker for the company’s St. Pete Beach office Terry Coveney and sales associate Tony Rounds completed Bike MS: The Citrus Tour 2011 throughout the Tampa and St. Petersburg area in May, biking over 150 miles each in two days.

“This disease strikes people in the prime of their lives, completely changing them. Riding 150 miles is nowhere near as difficult as confronting a lifetime with multiple sclerosis, but it’s an effort to understand the aches and pain and help find a cure,” said Toole.

Coveney completed his 19th annual ride this year to support the cause, Rounds completed his 17th and Toole finished his 4th year.

Beware of Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM)

ARMs all but disappeared in recent years as homeowners became more cautious and fixed loan rates fell to historic lows, but now they’re making a comeback, according to CNNMoney.com.

With 30-year fixed-rate loans now inching toward 5%, the number of borrowers taking ARMs has jumped 75% since last year. Rates for ARMs that reset after five years are about 3.69% now, vs. 4.99% for a 30-year fixed loan.

If you're buying or refinancing, it's tempting to take an ARM that could help you save money on your monthly mortgage payments and interest. ARMs can be a good choice if you expect your income to grow significantly in the coming years. But if rates go up, your ARM payment will jump dramatically, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Consult with a mortgage professional, such as those at Coldwell Banker Home Loans or Sunbelt Lending Services, to determine which loan option will best serve your needs.

Have you done your research before signing anything to be sure you won’t have a growing mortgage payment you can no longer afford?

"Now is the time to Buy".....Really?

Yes, you constantly hear those famous words from Realtors, "now is the time to buy." Since this phrase is a standard to most people, how do you really know that this statement holds true and is valuable? The Wall Street Journal recently did a story on this topic and we believe it holds a lot of merit.

The article goes on to state a few key factors:

Lending
As rates hover near historic lows, experts expect banks to ease borrowing standards over time.

Psychology
If prices stabilize, it could tip the balance away from fear and pull more buyers back into the market.

Affordability
In several markets, it's becoming cheaper to own than to rent.

Demographics
The rate of "household formation" is expected to climb in coming years.

Employment
The strength of the housing recovery depends on job growth.

Click here to read the rest of the article and give us your feedback on what you think.

Commerical Real Estate Market Looks at Job Creation

Reported May 25, The improving economy and job creation mean growing demand for commercial real estate, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said job creation will be the biggest factor moving forward. “Job growth creates demand for commercial space, and the economy should be adding between 1.5 million and 2 million jobs annually both this year and in 2012, with the unemployment rate falling to 8.0 percent by the end of next year,” he said. “Given the minimal new supply in recent years, the rising demand means vacancy rates will be trending down in the commercial real estate sectors. Individual markets are now stabilizing and in some cases rising.”

From the second quarter of this year to the second quarter of 2012, NAR forecasts vacancy rates to decline 1.0 percentage point in the office sector, 0.9 point in industrial real estate, 0.5 point in the retail sector and 1.1 percentage points in the multifamily rental market.

Do you think job creation is relevant to commercial real estate?

Port St. Lucie & Fort Myers Rank High for Single Moms

As reported by Realty Times, a recent Zillow study named Port St. Lucie & Fort Myers, Florida among the top 10 best places for single moms to live. #2 ranked Port St. Lucie offers one of the best opportunities to earn a competitive income compared to men. This area also offers affordable houssing, at a median of $106,600.

Their research was based on females' annual earnings as a percent of males; public education spending per student; crime rates and "walk scores".

How do you rate your town for single moms to relocate to?

Hey Case-Shiller It’s Not the End of the Real Estate World

By Guest Contributor Jim Gillespie, President and CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC

So many of us giggled nervously as we thankfully avoided the end of the world a couple of weeks ago. But judging by the continued “end of the world” type coverage the Case-Shiller housing study got this week, maybe we are nearing the end.

Yes. I am joking, but I am amazed at the attention this report gets. It covers 20 markets, yes only 20, and that is just one of its many flaws. Yet many consider it “the be-all-and-end-all” economic indicator that defines our entire national housing picture. As we know, all real estate is local, and it is unfortunate that the reporting on a 20-city “national” index can have such a jarring impact on otherwise rational people.

Look at some of the headlines the other day:

“Home prices at lowest point since 2006 bust”
“Home values continue downward churn”
“No relief in sight’ for falling home prices”

And even in paradise – Maui- the front page headline in the paper screamed “Crash Spreads.” And Maui isn’t one of the 20 markets. In fact the nearest market covered is San Diego, a mere 2500 miles away!

Shawn Daly, an agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Evanston, Illinois, had to calm down two skittish buyers this week.

One, who is currently working in Iraq, had initially placed on offer of $450,000 on a lakefront Chicago condo. The sellers countered with a price of $525,000. But after seeing Case-Shiller inspired headlines on the web, Shawn’s client emailed him to ask that he lower his offering price by $50,000. Shawn explained that the sellers did not agree with his first offer so if he went lower he wouldn’t get the home. The buyer calmed down and agreed.

Shawn correctly pointed that the Case-Shiller Home Price Indices are meaningless to individual buyers who are looking at specific houses, on specific streets, in specific neighborhoods.

Then yesterday, Shawn met another client for a tour of potential homes. They hardly said hello without telling Shawn they were more nervous than ever after seeing the report on the news.

You have a right to be nervous, but I can’t say this enough. Now is the smartest time in my 36 years in real estate to buy a home if you have the lifestyle reason, financial stability and viability to do so.

And it’s all about “Triple I…P”. Inventory, Interest rates, Incentives and Pricing. Start with inventory, because most communities have seen a rise in the amount of homes on the market, you have more choices. Interest rates for mortgages remain at near-historic lows and have actually trended down over the last 7 weeks, with Freddie Mac reporting 30-year fixed rates now averaging 4.55%. Incentives are the tax advantages to home ownership. And of course, there are prices. Prices are down from mid-decade highs, but in many, many markets are showing stability, slight declines or even increases. Home affordability remains near record levels and the price-to-value proposition in most markets is extremely compelling.

If you are interested in buying a home, you owe it to yourself to contact a real estate agent in the community you are interested in. Look at homes, do a rent vs. buy analysis, explore what is available in your price range.

Don’t just take my word for it. Do your homework.

You might just be surprised that the end of the world isn’t here yet … at least until next month’s report.

UGA Head Coach, Mark Richt’s Lake Hartwell Vacation Home for Sale for $1.99 Million

Touchdown! Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has listed 2288 Lightwood Road , on Lake Hartwell, in Hartwell Georgia, currently owned by Mark Richt, University of Georgia’s head football coach.

No it doesn't include a football field or a bulldog, but the home does have 8 bedrooms and 9 full bathrooms. Perfect for entertaining, the home boasts a gourmet kitchen, great room, large screened porch with a fireplace, a covered dock and a carriage house apartment. The interior has varying wood finishes and stone accents. A full finished terrace level has a game room, gym, lockers, a bunk style sleeping suite and an outdoor stone fireplace. Situated on a quiet cove with deep water, swimming, fishing, sailing and skiing are just some of the many activities this Lake Hartwell home offers.

Cristian Koch, sales associate at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Alpharetta/North Point office, is the exclusive listing agent for this $1.99 million lakefront estate. For additional information, contact Koch at 770.594.2016 or cristian.koch@coldwellbankeratlanta.com.

Tour An Open House This Weekend - June 4-5

This Saturday and Sunday Realtors® from all over the country and several countries throughout the world will be hosting open houses and participating in the Nationwide Open House Weekend Event. To view participating local homes in your area vist, ColdwellBankerAtlanta.com, CBDFW.com or FloridaMoves.com.

Over 300 Realtor® associations are participating in the event, along with NAR global partners in Canada, Denmark, France, Israel, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Sweden, and the UK. Realtors® will be on hand to provide guidance and insights into the social and financial benefits of home ownership.

According to a recent nationwide Pew Research Center survey, eight in 10 adults agree that buying a home is the best long-term investment a person can make. 81% of renters say they prefer buying a home, demonstrating the value Americans continue to place on home ownership.

What is most important for you to see/know when you are looking at an open house?

New Signage on Beach is Creating Clicks

A Sign of the Times?

We continue to embrace new technology by replacing our traditional advertising signage at the company’s St. Pete Beach office with a giant QR code (quick response code).

People walking by the St. Pete Beach office located at 6505 Gulf Boulevard, can use their smartphone to snap a photo of the QR code on the sign, directing them to the company’s website,FloridaMoves.com. This allows them to quickly receive information on nearly 500 area listings and 70 real estate professionals’ profiles.

“People want information immediately and many homebuyers shop for listings on their handheld devices. We want to remind our clients that we have all the necessary tools available to get them the information they need, instantly,” said David Greenless, Coldwell Banker® sales associate.

We were one of the first real estate brokerages in Florida to deploy quick response or “QR” codes in all of our marketing and advertising efforts as a way to increase engagement with consumers. Brands such as Calvin Klein, TIME Magazine and Sephora have also embraced QR codes on their signage and billboards.

QR code-reader apps can be downloaded free or for a nominal cost from the Web or the App Store for iPhone users. BeeTagg QR code-reader is a free app downloadable directly from a mobile device and compatible with most smartphones.

Terry Coveney, managing broker at the St. Pete Beach office stated, “In today’s world the consumer is king. Coldwell Banker wants to reinforce its commitment to provide consumers access to information about real estate when they want it. The use of QR codes is a major step in that direction.”

Are you using QR codes to access information more quickly? What do you think about this new technology?

Million-Dollar Price Adjusting

If you've ever wondered what happens to big money homes (The Top Ultimate Homes to be exact) in the multi-millions when the real estate market fluctuates, Unique Homes Blog did a great piece on how these types of homes are affected too. Check out this interesting article about how EVERYONE has to adjust the pricing of their home based on the current market.

Several top properties sold in the past year after price adjustments. Click to read the article

As mentioned in the story this property is currently under construction and priced at $100 million if finished according to the developer’s plans, this residence is ideal for anyone who travels with a large delegation, says Lorraine Barrett, who is listing the home for Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in Orlando. Construction is 70 percent complete, which also gives potential buyers the option to purchase the home for $70 million and complete the interior according to their own specifications.

Coldwell Banker Exec Comments on local gas prices

$3.83...$3.87...$3.91... that's an idea of what regular gasoline is costing you in Naples and working in real estate, Sue Wolverton is used to driving all over.

"I noticed in Sarasota it's about what it is here, Cape Coral is a little bit lower and so is Fort Myers," said Sue Wolverton, Regional Senior Vice President for Coldwell Banker who drives all over Southwest Florida.

Sue has it right! If you get in your car and head north to Fort Myers about 30 some miles away you'll see the prices are prettier!

What do you think about gas prices around you? Is this keeping you from driving more?