The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reports that the Pending Home Sales Index fell 4.3 percentin December as compared to the month prior. The index now reads 101.7. The Pending Home Sales Index measures the number of U.S. homes that have gone "into contract", but have not yet closed. The report is based on data collected from local real estate associations, and from national brokers. Despite December's drop, however, the annual rate at which contracts for a home purchase were drawn increased 6.9 percent from one year ago, and marked the 20th consecutive month of annual purchase contract gains. NAR reports that 80% of homes under contract are closed within 60 days, with the majority of the remaining homes "sold" within months 3 and 4. Analysts believe that December's Pending Home... 01/29/2013

Mortgage rates rose last week as investors gained confidence in the global economy. China and Europe posted better-than-expected manufacturing rates, U.S. Jobless Claims fell for the second straight week, and the worst of the European debt crisis appears to have passed. Last week's economic news provided further evidence of a strengthening U.S. economy. The National Association of REALTORS® released its Existing Home Sales report, which indicates that existing home sales improved by 13 percent on a year-over-year basis and are now at their highest point since 2007. The group expects sales of existing homes to increase by 9 percent in 2013. The Commerce Department released its monthly New Home Sales report; while new home sales for December fell short of Wall Street's expectations, sales... 01/28/2013

As a home buyer in Parkland or Coral Springs , you can get a feel for whether a home's systems and appliances are in working order. However, you can't know for certain until after the home's been inspected. This is why real estate agents recommend that buyers hire a licensed home inspector immediately after going into contract. It's the best way to really know the home which you're buying. By definition, a home inspection is a top-to-bottom check-up of a home's physical condition and systems, including a review of the structure, and its plumbing and electrical systems. Home inspections are not the same as a home appraisal, which is a valuation of the property. When you commission a home inspection, you should be present for it. Here are 3 reasons why : Seeing For Yourself There's a big ... 01/24/2013

Home sales dropped last month, but not because demand was lacking. There are fewer homes for sale than at any time in the last 11 years. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, Existing Home Sales for December 2012 fell to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized rate of 4.94 million homes from November's tally of 4.99 million existing homes. The Existing Home Sales report is based on the number of closings for previously-owned, single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops. It's estimated that existing homes account for 85 to 90 percent of all home sales nationwide. 2012 was a good year for housing. Sales of existing homes climbed 12.8 percent as compared to the December 2011 tally, which may be a strong indicator of future mortgage originations and short-term demand for... 01/23/2013

It's January, but home sales in golf communities remain strong like in the rest of the country. If you're looking to buy a home in a golf course community, either as a primary residence or as a vacation or retirement home, there are additional home traits which make buying on a golf course different from buying a typical Parkland or Coral Springs single-family residence. Here is a quick primer of home characteristics to consider when buying in a golf community. Land Plot When looking at homes within a golf course community, be aware of its location with respect to the community entrance. Homes nearest to the entrance will receive the most drive-by traffic and may be slightly more noisy that a home which is situated far from the entrance. However, homes close to the entrance will also be... 01/22/2013

It's January, but home sales in golf communities remain strong like in the rest of the country. If you're looking to buy a home in a golf course community, either as a primary residence or as a vacation or retirement home, there are additional home traits which make buying on a golf course different from buying a typical Parkland or Coral Springs single-family residence. Here is a quick primer of home characteristics to consider when buying in a golf community. Land Plot When looking at homes within a golf course community, be aware of its location with respect to the community entrance. Homes nearest to the entrance will receive the most drive-by traffic and may be slightly more noisy that a home which is situated far from the entrance. However, homes close to the entrance will also be... 01/22/2013

For home buyers in Parkland and nationwide, credit scores can change low mortgage rates and alter home loan approvals. Borrowers with high credit scores get access to lower mortgage rates, for example, and can find the mortgage approval process to be smoother than borrowers with low credit scores. If your credit score is low, here are some basic ways to help improve it. Get The Reports Download an updated version of your credit report from each of the three major reporting bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The reports may mirror each other, but credit accounts -- especially derogatory ones -- sometimes don't appear on all three. Ordering reports from all three bureaus is a safety step. Note that the credit bureaus each use different scoring models so your credit scores will v... 01/22/2013

The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Housing Market Index ended its 8-month winning streak this month, posting a value of 47. The January 2013 reading is on level with last month, and remains at a near 7-year high. The Housing Market Index (HMI) is a measure of home builder confidence. HMI readings below 50 indicate "poor" new construction conditions for single-family homes nationwide; ratings above 50 signal "good" ones. Not since April 2006 has the Housing Market Index crossed into "good" territory, but the past two years have witnessed the HMI nearly triple; and the index is up from a reading of 25 just twelve months ago. Values would have likely increased this month, too, if not for builder uncertainty. The NAHB cites concern over prolonged legislative decisions as contri... 01/18/2013

If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to sell your Parkland home or Coral Springs home, there are a few simple steps you can take to help prepare it for showings. With a prospective buyer in mind, take a tour of your home, making a list of the good, the bad, and the not-so-bad. You may spot areas in need of major renovation; and areas which could benefit from just a basic touch-up. It's these latter areas which will likely yield the biggest return on your investment so, in preparation for making your home "buyer ready", consider these steps. Landscaping The first thing a buyer will notice is the outside of your home. Sometimes called "curb appeal", first impressions are very important to the sale of your home. Therefore, be sure to trim bushes, rake leaves, and clean up the yard in o... 01/18/2013

Some natural disasters can be forecast -- hurricanes, snow storms and, in some cases, flooding. Other disasters occur unexpectedly, such as tornadoes and earthquakes. As a homeowner or renter in Parkland , it's a safe idea to prepare for a disaster or an unexpected emergency. Every home should maintain a ready, working emergency kit for such a time. Here are some items to include in your home's emergency kit : Waterproof Container : Store items in a locking, plastic container Battery-Powered Radio : A small radio can receive weather updates and emergency broadcasts. Pack extra batteries, or use a hand-crank radio, instead. Light Source : Pack multiple flashlights and many spare batteries. LED flashlights are more expensive than "older" flashlights, but won't lose battery power as quickl... 01/16/2013

Full-scale bathroom remodeling can be expensive and, in today's Parkland & Coral Springs housing markets, you won't likely get all of the money back that you put into it at the time of sale. Knowing that bathroom projects tend to have a low return on investment, here are a few inexpensive changes which you can make to spruce up bathrooms in a home for sale. Fixtures Most sellers will notice if the fixtures in a bathroom are old, and it can have a negative effect on their view of your home. Buy a new set of bathroom fixtures at a home improvement store. Most stores have matching towel racks and bathroom tissue holders, too. There is a wide selection of stainless steel, wood or ceramic fixtures available at most stores. Paint A fresh coat of paint is a simple way to improve the overall lo... 01/14/2013

Experienced home sellers in Parkland & Coral Springs know that reaching a sales agreement with a potential buyer can be just the start of the negotiation process. There are often inspection issues to resolve, among other items. One particular negotiation point which can present difficulties for both buyers and sellers is when a home's appraised value falls short of its contracted sales price. Sometimes, this happens because the home's price was inflated. Other times, it's the result of a faulty appraisal. As a home seller, there are some common appraisal problems of which you should be aware. Here are some of them, and how to seek remedy so that the home sale process remains smooth. Inaccurate comparisons An appraiser will assign your home's value based on comparable properties and rece... 01/13/2013

Moving to a new home can be a difficult transition for everyone in the family, including the furry, four-legged members. Dogs and cats develop a strong bond with their environment so when they are relocated from their territory it can cause them stress. Here are some tips to ease your pets' transition to a new home : Keep Your Mood Calm Pets are very tuned-in to your emotions and will sense your mood. If you are stressed throughout the moving process, your cat or dog will pick up on this and it will make him anxious. Try to remain calm and give your pet plenty of attention and reassurance during the process of moving. Transporting Your Pet A few weeks before the move, introduce your pet to his pet carrier so that he becomes familiar with it. It will be much less scary for him to be tran... 01/11/2013

A simple way to save money is to improve your home's energy efficiency rating. For example, Parkland Florida home owners can save up to 9 percent per year on water heating costs simply by installing a water heater jacket. Water heater jackets are easy to install. Here's how you do it : First, before you go shopping, check whether your water heater is a gas model, or an electric one. Then, write down your water heater model number. Most water heater jackets list compatible water heater models on their respective packaging. Look for jackets with a value of "R-8". Then, as you start your project, be sure to turn the water heater off. Water heater jackets are pre-cut to make installation simple. Remove the outer packaging and separate the jacket's pre-cut pieces. There will likely be a top,... 01/08/2013

"Green" homes can be great for the environment and can save you money over time. For environmentally-conscious homeowners wanting to minimize their footprint and their energy bills, there are four areas upon which to focus. In-Home Energy-Efficiency According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as of December 2012, buildings account for 68 percent of the nation's total energy consumption. Green homes can reduce this figure via energy-efficient appliances; well-sealed, double-glazed windows; and good insulation. Alternative energy sources such as solar panels can also reduce energy use. Green Building Materials Building materials are determined to be "green" based on manufacturing, shipping, and reclamation procedures, and are composed of renewable resources. Reclaimed material... 01/08/2013

Cypress Trail in Parkland Florida- This Luxury Home is a Must See!Room Service! Home Staging recently had the honor of assisting in the preparation for sale of this luxury home in Cypress Trail in Parkland Florida. Parkland Florida in Broward County is known for its parks and community-focused plans and zoning.  When Parkland was incorporated in 1963, there were no stores or traffic lights.  Now with a population of just under 24,000 there are not only traffic lights but also 9 parks, 5 Shopping Centers, and 5 “A” rated schools within its city limits.   Cypress Trail in Parkland has 31 custom built homes, ¾ acre homes, tennis courts and a jogging trail  This home has a beautiful view of the spa-like pool area, wet bar, vaulted ceilings and much more. 6981 NW 70th StreetParkland, FL Luci... 01/04/2013

If you are in the market for a well-priced home with an exceptional view, then one of the bank owned homes for sale in Parkland, FL may be an ideal solution for you. This area boasts a city layout that is considered to be park-like in nature. As a resident of Parkland, you would have access to many scenic walking and hiking trails, lush green golf courses, and some of the best real estate Florida has to offer. If you are moving with your family, Parkland offers its residents an eclectic list of family oriented activities such as, horseback riding, exploring local farmers’ markets, Everglades Airboat Tours, movies in the park and Barkland, Parkland's newly opened two-acre dog park. This ideal community has something for every member of your household! In less than an hour's drive, reside... 01/03/2013

  You have to see Bill Sohl's newly listed home at 6641 NW 63RD Court, Parkland Florida 33067 in beautiful Pine Tree Estates,  www.ParklandFlHomesforSale.com. This stunning one story home built-in 2007 has every bell and whistle!  With approximately 6500 square feet under air, this triple split floor-plan feels much larger with its volume ceilings and wide halls. On 1.67 acres, this magnificent home includes 5 full bedrooms and 5 1/2 baths, game room/home theater/6th bedroom & excersice room. The attention to detail and upgrades make this home fantastic. Solidly built from concrete, block and stucco, with Dade County approved impact glass windows, doors & garage doors, making this home very safe & efficient.  The handsome gourmet kitchen with 42" maple glazed wood cabinets, fine granite... 01/01/2013

Parkland, FL homes for sale have much to offer potential homebuyers. Known as an upscale area with excellent schools and a strong aesthetic, making it a beautiful place to live, Parkland is very family-friendly, and there is a variety of home prices available. Although there are some family homes with three bedrooms available in the low 200k range, including mostly condominiums, townhomes and the occasional single family home. Buyers will find that family homes of three or more bedrooms in Parkland will generally start in the low 300k range, and go upwards from there. In fact, it is in the $500,000 to $600,000 range where a wide choice of homes surfaces, nearly all of which are located in prime areas and feature many amenities. Find them all on www.ParklandFlHomesForSale.com. Included i... 12/31/2012

The process of buying a foreclosed home is slightly different from the process of buying a non-foreclosure home. If you want to invest in Parkland or Coral Springs foreclosures, it is important to understand the different ways by which to purchase a foreclosed home. There are three main ways to buy a foreclosed home. Buying before the auction Some delinquent homeowners may want to sell their homes before facing an actual foreclosure.In this instance, the homeowner, in agreement with the lender, agrees to sell the home for less than the amount owed on the mortgage.This is called a short sale. Short sales are "pre-foreclosures", of sorts. By broadening your home search to include short sales, you can identify homes that may be sold at a discount. Buying at the auction Another way by which... 12/20/2012