Florida is Set to help with Down Payments! The state is looking to help with the Down Payments assistance. Which helps you with the purchase of your First Home. How much better can this get. So now instead of having to wait for the tax credit, you can use it as a Down Payment. So with an FHA loan on a $250,000 you need 3.5%, that means you need $8750. So if you get the $8,000 then you are looking at bringing $750.00, plus your closing cost. So what the government is trying to do, is lend you the $8,000. You still file it on your tax return for next year. Then when you get the return you payback the state. So you are not using your out of pocket money. Makes sense to me. This article is out of the Sun-Sentinel. “Here in Florida, rather than qualified buyers waiting to get the tax credit ... 06/30/2009

I want to take this time to Thank everyone here. All your emails and your tweets and a few voice mail messages. I am blessed to have such great realtionships. Thank you Midori for your special post and everyone who commented. The surgery went well. I am in pain, but recovering well. I just got back home and the Dr said I must stay in bed for the next week. So since I will be in bed, I will catch up on some blogging that I have missed from being busy. Funny thing, while drugged up at the hospital in pain I was talking with one of the staff in my room about Real Estate and managed to get a buyer client. Now talk about PASSION for REAL ESTATE. From the bottom of my heart!! Jeannette Neerpat 9000 Sheridan Street Pembroke Pines, Fl 33024 www.Neerpat.com Would you like a Free Market Analysis?... 06/26/2009

So I was reading the paper today and came across an article that Broward County Property Appraisers are going to business that owe in back taxes. The county is looking to collect around $8 million in back taxes. FORT LAUDERDALE - Tax collectors hit the streets Wednesday in a sweep of hundreds of business -- demanding they pay delinquent bills or have their equipment and furnishings sold at auction. Customers were exercising at a downtown Fort Lauderdale gym when collection agents posted a lien for $9,900 in back taxes on its doors in the morning. Workers at a Quizno's sandwich shop on nearby Las Olas Boulevard were preparing for the midday rush when the agents arrived there moments later to tape a lien for $3,400 to its front door. Broward County hopes to collect up to $8 million in pas... 06/24/2009

So have you heard?? ReBarCamp is coming to Miami. This is the first time ever its been here and I am so excited about it!!! I have not been able to make it to any of the other BarCamps due to having young children. What makes me so happy is I will be able to see all my ActiveRain friends there!! Oh to go through the list of people I will be so happy to finally meet there. Its like we have this family that has grown from blogging. Never in a million years did I ever think the day I started blogging here would I have thought of the friendships I have gained. So I look forward to Sept 14 and see all of you there!!! I'm ready, are you??     Jeannette Neerpat 9000 Sheridan Street Pembroke Pines, Fl 33024 www.Neerpat.com Would you like a Free Market Analysis? Visit www.Neerpat.com or call 954... 06/15/2009

Come join us for this seminar: Date: June 19, 2009 Time: 9:30 am-Noon Where: SBBOR Education Room 2nd Floor 701 Promenade Drive, Pembroke Pines, 33026 Cost: $5 WCR members, $10 Non and "At The Door" RSVP: By June 17, 2009 vhanson@coralfcu.org Jeannette Neerpat9000 Sheridan StreetPembroke Pines, Fl 33024www.Neerpat.com Would you like a Free Market Analysis? Visit www.Neerpat.com or call 954-993-4104.   06/12/2009

OK  I know that many of you think that as a REALTOR, we shouldn't have a job on the side. Let me ask you this? Does having a job make me less of a REALTOR? My answer to you would be ABSOLUTELY NOT! First let me explain.... I have a job, had this job when I got into Real Estate and plan on keeping way after business picks up. I enjoy the job I have and I enjoy Real Estate. But having a job doesn't make me less of a REALTOR to my customers, and quite frankly, my customers know I work. I tell them up front, but I also tell them they can always reach me even if I am at work. None of my deals and I mean none gets neglected. I keep all my files with me and make my calls when I need to make them. I keep on top of them as if I was in the office or at home. If a customer calls me and leaves a me... 06/10/2009

We found a Turtle in front of my house the other day. We got a tank for it and we named him Prince Comit. The kids are so happy about it, they won't leave him alone. I am happy to see it. It is a baby turtle and they will be able to watch him grow. So here is a short clip of the kids putting the turtle in his new HOME (tank). 06/09/2009

Being a REALTOR and being a mom can get hecked at times. Inpsections, buyers, sellers. You know how things can go and being a mom is my number one priority. So there are times that as you may know from previous blog post, that I take my kids along. This particular day was no exception, but this time I decided to take my Flip camera with me to share a day with you. I had an inspection to go to and took the boys along. Hope you enjoy A Day as a REALTOR mom!   Jeannette Neerpat9000 Sheridan StreetPembroke Pines, Fl 33024www.Neerpat.com Would you like a Free Market Analysis? Visit www.Neerpat.com or call 954-993-4104. 06/01/2009

You are ready to buy your First Home, you found your Realtor not you want to know the next step? Getting your Pre – Approval letter. Here is some information on Pre – Approvals. Know the steps you need to take, know what you are getting into before hand. You don’t want to take any risks after you bought your First Home..... Signing on the Dotted Line What is it? “Pre-approval” means you have met with a loan officer, your credit files have been reviewed and the loan officer believes you can readily qualify for a given loan amount with one or more specific mortgage programs. Based on this information, the lender will provide a pre approval letter, which shows your borrowing power. You can visit as many lenders as you like and get several pre-approvals, but keep in mind that each one carri... 05/19/2009

So you know you are ready to buy your first house. But now you don’t know which way to go. Who do you work with? Do you get a Mortgage broker first and how do I find one?   Most people have friends who know a REALTOR or who have worked with one. My first advice is to ask your friends and family members to help you with that one. Its better to go with someone you know has worked with a friend, better references that way. If you don’t know of anyone that does, Internet search is your next option. Find someone local to the area you are looking at. Not every agent works all areas. Someone from Miami may not know the Coral Springs neighborhood or stats, and vise versa. Does the agent specialize in working with First Time Homebuyers? Interview a few and see which one you click with. Things r... 05/19/2009

OK you know its pretty bad when another REALTOR says to you after they call for showing instructions and I quote "Thank you for answering the phone!" You see I got a call yesterday for showing instructions on one of my Rental listings in Hollywood. I was on the other line but asked that they would hold while I answered the call. Very pleasant lady on the other end wanting to get more info and lockbox combo. I gave her all the info and told her good luck and thanks for showing. Her reply to me was thanks for answering the phone. Why do so many agents not answer their phone. Do they not want to get the house sold or rented? How many sellers or landlords are not getting the proper service they need? I know I am preaching to the choir on this one, but come on people get with the program. AN... 05/16/2009

Don't forget tommorrow is the Health and Hurricane Expo at the Tamarac Community Center. Hurricane season is right around the corner and you want to be prepared. Plus this year the city combined the two expos into one. Everything under one roof. Take advantage of FREE Health Screenings including:  hearing,  blood pressure,  osteoporosis, cholesterol*,  glucose*, and more! Chair massages will also be offered, and mammograms will be offered for only $58. Other health related topics will include: mental health, nutrition, diabetes, and more. In addition, vendors and informational speakers will be on hand demonstrating the latest hurricane products and providing the information you need to "Prepare and Be Aware!" for this year's hurricane season. Be sure to bring the family, there will be e... 05/15/2009

Looks like there are several schools that will be changing there time schedules. As a parent with a child in Elementary school I believe in knowing ahead of time. So I wanted to get this info to you before the start of the new school year. I know we haven't finished this one yet, but you can never be too prepared!!   Heads up, students and parents: 15 Broward schools are changing their start and end times for the 2009-10 school year. In addition, two new elementary schools opening in August are setting their schedules for the first time. The School Board must approve the schedules on Tuesday, but they are unlikely to tinker with the times. One of the new elementary schools is located on the corner of Commerical Blvd and Pine Island Road. It still doesn't have a name yet. The schools aff... 05/15/2009

If you have questions here are some answers. There are many people who still do not understand how the credit works. These answers were listed on the FAR website and it has great explainations. · The deduction is worth 10 percent of a home's value up to $8,000, which means all homes worth more than $80,000 could qualify for the maximum amount.   · There is an income limit to qualify. A married couples' modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) should be under $150,000 and single filers' MAGI should be less than $75,000.   · Partial tax credits may be available for married couples with MAGI incomes over $150,000 but under $170,000, and single filers with incomes over $75,000 but under $95,000.   · If married couples file separately, they can both claim 5 percent of the home purchase ($4,000 ... 05/15/2009

  Take advantage of FREE Health Screenings including:  hearing,  blood pressure,  osteoporosis, cholesterol*,  glucose*, and more! Chair massages will also be offered, and mammograms will be offered for only $58. Other health related topics will include: mental health, nutrition, diabetes, and more. In addition, vendors and informational speakers will be on hand demonstrating the latest hurricane products and providing the information you need to "Prepare and Be Aware!" for this year's hurricane season. Be sure to bring the family, there will be entertainment, face painting and balloons for the kids, giveaways, light refreshments, free health bars, and much, much more! Join us on...     Tamarac Health & Hurricane Expo 2009   Join the City of TamaracSaturday, May 16, 20099:30 am - 1:00 p... 05/12/2009

I am watching The TodayShow and one of the places they are at the Statue of Liberty. As many of you know that she has been closed since 9/11. But it seems that she will be opening up again. Please tell me this is true. I remember going there on school trips. I have been back to NY several times and wanted to take the kids there. But you were not able to climb up to the crown. Well as it is now announced the Statues Crown will now be open as of July 4. What a day to choose the same day she has in her hands. How amazing is that?!?! I am so happy to hear this. And I will be there at the end of July and will be making a speacial trip to see her! Yeah She is open again! Selling Houses and Creating Homes! Jeannette Neerpat9000 Sheridan StreetPembroke Pines, Fl 33024www.Neerpat.com Would you l... 05/07/2009

OK I am so excited I can't contain myself!! My favorite person in the world is getting married!!! MY DAD!!!! He is getting married on June 6 in Las Vegas!!! He met this lady and it was love at first site, REALLY!! He met here this past Christmas. When he came home it was like a new man. I asked him what was up with him. He said I met someone, as who looked at me to see what kind of expression I was going to give him. He was like a little school boy! I said OK, tell me about her. And he was going on and on. She came down one weekend and I got to meet her. She really only speaks spanish, but we got to talk since of course I speak spanish, but my husband doesn't. She understands some english, so they got to talk a little. She then came back down for my son's birthday. She bought him a cake... 05/07/2009

This made laugh last night. As many of you know I have 3 kids. I usually have one in tow with me. Buyers know Anthony very well. Going to the grocery store, I usually have all 3. Dropping off my daughter at school as well all 3 with me. The teachers all know them as well. Well last night I had a PTA meeting last night and as well there was a book fair going on. I went by myself, I got the kids ready and dressed for bed and left them with Dad. Grabbed my stuff and out the door I went. I was browsing through the book fair and picked up some books for my daughter, I was stopped by one of the teachers I see in the morning drop off. She said where are the kiddos, Ha there are at home with dad. I have the PTA meeting tonight so I left them at home. I'm at the check out to pay for the books an... 05/07/2009

TAMARAC Property Case Address Price Bed/Bath List Date Bid Deadline Priority 095-038066 4048 LAKESIDE DRTAMARAC, FL 33319 $52,800 Price Reduced Best offer will be considered 2/ 1 05/01/09 05/05/09 Owner Occupant(Investors bid on 2009-05-06) View Map   View Property Details Property Case Address Price Bed/Bath List Date Bid Deadline Priority 095-044714 4165 LAKESIDE DRTAMARAC, FL 33319 $22,000 2/1 04/24/09 Daily All Bidders View Map   View Property Details Property Case Address Price Bed/Bath List Date Bid Deadline Priority 095-036860 4056 LAKESIDE DRTAMARAC, FL 33319 $28,000 2/ 1 04/24/09 Daily All Bidders View Map   View Property Details Property Case Address Price Bed/Bath List Date Bid Deadline Priority 095-037886 4068 LAKESIDE DRTAMARAC, FL 33319 $33,600 Price Reduced Best offer wil... 05/05/2009

OK the other day you read my rant on not being able to find my buyers a house. We went back and forth and all over Coral Springs, then to Plantation and then ended up back in Coral Springs to a house I showed them a day before and recorded for them a week prior. I had tried to figure out what was it that I couldn't find. I read all the signs they were giving and pulling up homes that I thought that suited them perfectly. When we came across this one in Coral Springs I thought this is it. But at the time they still didn't feel it. After another day and a half we went back to that house. We sat in the backyard near the pool. The house was vacant so this was easy to do. There was a patio set. The wife kicked off her shoes and sat by the pool and said this is it! I pulled out the contract a... 05/01/2009