This article guest written by  Clare Trapasso contains insightful information about how the COVID situation may be different than the last real estate "crash." ​All of us have a mind-boggling range of challenges to deal with in these stressful and uncharted times of COVID-19. But for many home owners, sellers, and buyers, one concern rises to the top: Are we heading straight into another housing crash?

There is a lot of buzz across the airways about the upcoming "credit score changes." But, what does it all mean and how will it affect each of us? Given that credit scores directly impact real estate lending, I wanted to share a good article that gives you some of the highlights. 
​January 30, 20203:13 PM ET
Heard on All Things Considered

If you’re lucky enough to get down-payment help under the tree this year (or generous enough to give it), be sure you know the rules around gift funds. It’s not as simple as handing over a wad of cash with a note that says “Happy Holidays! Here’s a little something for your new house.”
Down payment gift funds must meet certain requirements or the gift giver and recipient face trouble down the road. From writing a gift letter to rules around repaying gift money, here are basic facts homebuyers and donors should know.

I remember my mother saying, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. iBuyer companies are getting a good deal of attention and interest because of the perceived ease and financial value as an option for selling your home. This was a great article written by Eric Lapin with Old Republic National Title Insurance Company that provides some great insights into the iBuying experience.

In Southwest Florida, furnished home purchases are much more common than in other parts of the US. This is due to the strong second home / vacation home market in the area. The thought of walking into a furnished home may seem ideal and easy, especially if you really like the furnishings. However, how to handle the furniture in the transaction is worth careful consideration.

Thanks to Hurricane Irma, we had some roof repair needs that we had to deal with. Our first round with the insurance company resulted in a denial to pay for our roof repairs because it didn't meet the 25% rule... however, we learned later that our roof tiles were no longer being produced and that the roof repairs needed were more than originally assumed... so we decided to try again with getting the insurance company to accept the claim and cover it. During this process, we came into contact with a number of roofing companies that were willing to take the lead on helping us. It was our first experience with having to consider the Assignment of Benefits, which led to some self-initiated research that I wanted to share with others.

Because most of the properties I have been the listing agent on sell quicker than competition and often for more, I have gotten the question quite a bit on why I think that is. Since the question has come up so frequently, I thought It was worth doing a post on this very topic that seems to have others scratching their heads.

When prospective home buyers start their search in Naples, they tend to have a lifestyle in their mind they would like to live... close to the beach, overlooking a golf course, country-club lifestyle, etc. For those that cherish the idea of being in the heart of the action with downtown living, there is a new option that will be available next year (2019). Check it out!