Optima Properties' Blog

Exclusive Buyer's Agents give buyers their undivided loyalty.  Most real estate agents and buyer's agents work in traditional brokerages that take listings.  Because of that, they have an inventory that they must sell. In addition, if that brokerage brings both the buyer and the seller into the t...

If you're a first-time homebuyer, you may feel overwhelmed by all the terminology you hear during the process. Here are some of the terms you are likely to hear.   Listings: Real estate agents frequently refer to homes for sale as "listings." A "listing" on a website shows information about the h...

Chances are, when you think about investing in real estate the first thing that comes to mind is your home. For many people, their home is the single largest investment they will ever make. But have you ever stopped to consider that once you purchase a home it becomes part of your overall portfo...

Even though fall is in full swing here in Western North Carolina, it is not too early to start to think ahead to the Christmas Holidays and plan your visit to the area. Here are our top 6 things to do in Asheville, NC this winter. 1. For those of you who love to be outdoors, one of the best thing...

Low interest rates, as we all know, are making history. Last week, according to an article found on CNNMoney, “rates on both the 30-year and 15-year fixed loans fell to new records, at 3.89 percent and 3.16 percent, respectively, according to Freddie Mac.” The question, though, is how long will p...

Many foreign investors I am working with are building real estate portfolios with properties from South Florida and elsewhere in the states.  They are making advanced trips to find a group of professionals as their US Team.  Those professionals include an attorney, accountant, property manager an...

Homeowners' insurance shouldn't be taken lightly.  If you get too much coverage, you're throwing money away.  However, with too little, you won't be able to rebuild if disaster strikes.  Homeowner insurance policies can vary greatly, and if homeowners aren’t careful, they may find their claims de...

It appears there is some good news for real estate players here as we close out 2011 and approach the dawn of 2012 although it may be tenuous at best, according to a comparison of statements released by industry groups. A study released by Deloitte Real Estate Services says the U.S. commercial re...

Homes.org recently released a list of the top 10 reasons for using a buyer's agent. The list was derived from detailed feedback provided by numerous real estate professionals across the country. After reviewing the reasons provided it became clear that the better question wasn't why should home b...

The past few weeks have showcased numerous signals that the real estate market is on the rise. Recent statistics point to an industry turn around, including a 15 percent rise in housing starts in September; a surge in builder confidence in October, an increase in mortgage applications, and a slew...