8 MAY 2019 · In this May 2019 edition of our real estate podcast, we discuss Flat Fee MLS. When it comes to the ways a homeowner can put their home on the market, there is now a new addition to the playing field…. Flat Fee MLS brokerage. But is this option for everyone looking to sell their home? And, if you choose to go with a Flat Fee MLS service instead of a Full Brokerage listing, what are the pros and the cons? In this episode of the Bortz Team Real Estate Podcast, we will discuss the pros and cons of a Flat Fee MLS listing. Did you know that on a Flat Fee MLS service you have to do everything yourself? You are only paying to be placed on the MLS, similar to running an ad. But what about the photos, the marketing, the syndication to other real estate portals, negotiations, home staging, contract preparation, etc? And … what if you get something wrong and open yourself up to a future lawsuit because of disclosure and other laws you may not know about? Sure, there are consumers out there who have gotten burned by bad real estate agents, or wasted a lot of time on the market with an agent who did absolutely nothing for their home. The key is to find the RIGHT agent to market your home. We did a podcast on that subject in 2018, you can listen here. Or on our website here. In the end, the question becomes are you really saving money when you do not have a listing agent to help you? Or are you leaving a lot of money on the table because you do not have the negotiation skills required to show a buyer why your home is worth the price you are asking? Marketing your home is the key to selling a home, NOT reduced commissions! This podcast touches on real life examples of problems we have encountered and seen in our business. And it's the very first podcast we have available in video format on our YouTube channel. So, if you prefer to watch and listen, head over to our channel here. Become a part of the conversation on this topic by letting us know your thoughts and experiences with a Flat Fee MLS Service ,or with your last or current agent in the comments section below. And, don't forget to check out other past episodes of the Bortz Real Estate Team podcast!

20 FEB 2019 · Final walkthrough..yeah! Closing day is finally here! Home buyers you have made it! After weeks or months of looking for that perfect home, making offers, negotiating, performing inspections and all that comes along with buying a home….its finally CLOSING DAY. The title company has scheduled your closing for tomorrow and your agent just called and said you have the right to do a "final walk though", and what time do you want to schedule it for. Typically, the final walk through is scheduled for the morning of closing, or about an hour prior to the closing time that day. However, you can do a final walk through the day before, or if the property is vacant, anytime before the closing date. When I first got my real estate license 19 years ago, I remember seeing agents literally just "walk through" the property with the buyer and leave. At the time, I thought there has to be more to it than this…..and there is! The final walkthough is your last time to see the property before you sign your life away and start legal ownership of this property. You want to make sure that you take that time to do some things that are necessary in order to uncover any potential issues before you head to the closing table. In this episode of the Bortz Real Estate Team Podcast, we go over some items that should definately be on your checklist. Remember, once you sign on the dotted line, pay your cash, or sign your loan documents, its too late to do anything about issues that arise. Final walkthrough is your last time to see the property before you move in. Some of the items we cover in this podcast include checking if those final repairs, if any, were made. Turn on all the lights. Make sure all light switches are operating as they were on the inspection report. You should also turn on all faucets. Check hot and cold side to make sure the hot water heater is working. Listen to the others and our stories from real life final walkthrough experiences in the podcast. Closing date is hectic, but make time to do it right because this is the biggest investment of most people's lives. And, there is nothing worse than buyers remorse when you did not take the time to do things properly when you had the chance. If you have had any horror stories during your final walkthrough, share it below in the comments with our readers. Or, if your real estate agent did something that you truly found to be helpful, we want to hear about that as well. Please be sure to subscribe to our podcasts and share to your friends and family online so we can keep bringing you the show.

18 JAN 2019 · Its time for the 2019 Market Update Podcast for the Dunnellon, Ocala & surrounding cities. With a new year comes changes to the local real estate market and in the first episode of our podcast this year, we will discuss the important changes and trends you need to know. In the first part of the show, we discuss the recent re-opening of the Rainbow Springs Golf & Country Club's clubhouse and the addition of the new amenities for the residents there and the Rainbow Springs POA. We also talk about our newest listing on the Withlacoochee River in Inglis, and invite you to take a trip over to our featured listings page and see some of the beautiful homes we represent. There are some very real changes to the buyer's perspective in purchasing homes in 2019 compared to 2018. Those changes range from waiting longer to make that purchasing decision, and visiting more homes, to being concerned about home affordability with the rising interest rates. From a seller's standpoint, we discuss real sales numbers from December 2018, and from this same period in January of 2018 compared to this month in 2019 and how that has decreased and what that means to sellers. Additionally, Chuck and I talk about home pricing, marketing, negotiating, and other factors that will help you to secure one of the FEW buyers among the increasing inventory for them to choose from. And, what about how to choose the RIGHT agent for your listing? Not all agents are alike, and believe it or not, if your agent is not doing the current marketing necessities we discuss, your chance of securing a buyer and selling your home will be significantly reduced! Another topic of discussing in this episode is why sellers are staying put! A big part of that is what is known as the "interest rate trap". That reduces the type of properties hitting the market. Be sure to listen if you are waiting on a particular type of home to hit the market! In the final section of the show we talk about what happens when a seller passes away during the real estate transaction. You may be surprised by the answers and what ONE thing impacts the resolution. The 2019 Market Update Podcast is just the beginning of one of 12 great shows we plan to bring you this year. As always we ask you to join in the discussion about anything you hear on the show in the comment sections below, or even on our Facebook page. Be sure to follow us, like and share our content; as well as subscribe to our podcast feed. And if there is something you would like to hear us discuss on a future podcast episode, please be sure to let us know by emailing us: therealbortztream@gmail.com

17 DEC 2018 · Home Inspection Prep is a must before you put your home on the market! This is our final podcast episode of 2018, and we want to wish every one a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! In this episode we will discuss what home sellers can do to prevent their sales contract from ending following the home inspection by a buyer. You would be surprised how many home sales fall apart following the home inspection because sellers failed to do a home inspection prep! Even though there are many reasons a home may fail to sell following a contract, we are focusing on just home inspections. We want to encourage you to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss another new episode. And please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BortzTeamRealEstateAgents for frequent updates on the local real estate market. We are also on Instagram @Bortzteam_Realtor. There are 2 different sales and purchase contracts used in the state of Florida for the transfer and sale of real estate. One is an "As-Is' and the other has a repair clause. We discuss the difference between both with our listeners. Further into the episode, we also tell you what precautions or steps you can take as a homeowner to get your home ready for the market BEFORE you ever list it. Did you know there are certain things that you pass by every day in and/or around your home, but never think about repairing? And did you know there was one step you can do on your own before the inspection or listing your property to address future or current problems? We also detail what items you should leave out for the inspector and home buyers during the home inspection. The 13 tips we discuss and share with our listeners in this podcast are real tips for today's world and home issues. We would like to ask you to join in the conversation and our blog by posting your thoughts on the podcast below in the comments section. And if you have a real estate topic you would like us to cover, or someone in the community you would like to suggest we interview, please comment on that as well. We are excited about the podcast for 2019 and we want to want to thank you for your support this year!    

14 NOV 2018 · Its been said that the three most important considerations in real estate are location, location and location. Having been a full-time Realtor for over 18 years, I can tell you that the location of a property is the single most important aspect when purchasing real estate. Sure, you need to find a home that will have everything you need in a home. But in this episode of our real estate podcast, we delve deeply into how living in an "undesirable" location will affect your property value. Where a home is located is the MOST important factor in it's valuation – now and in the future. We will begin by discussing the progress of the re-opening of the clubhouse for the Rainbow Springs Country Club and Rainbow Springs residents. We will then delve into the main topic of the show and discuss how location is the most important factor when choosing a home to buy. Residents of downtown Dunnellon in Marion county will see how a home located adjacent to or abutting U.S. 41 will impact their value. Its important for home owners to remember that their property is an investment and one you hope to build wealth over the years. Choosing a home in the wrong location will hinder that ability. We will give examples of desirable and undesirable home locations and a little quiz for our listeners. Toward the end of the show, we will enlighten our listeners as to why our marketing can help to overcome marketing challenges. We encourage you to reach out to us on social media or by phone or email if you are thinking of selling your home regardless of the location. You can see all our local and social media contact information here. Thank you for listening to our show, please do not forget to like it, subscribe and share it on your social media accounts. It helps us to continue to produce the show and give you great content!

12 OCT 2018 · Yesterday was the most devastating hurricane we have seen here in Florida in decades. Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Panhandle area of our state and the residents there need our help with supplies and our donations. In this episode of our podcast, we discuss our personal experience with Hurricane Andrew, Wilma and others when we lived in South Florida. Additionally, we provide some of the legitimate places you can provide your help for the victims of the hurricane. Here is the link to a website with the organizations we mentioned and their contact information. In the next segment we share our interview with Joann from the Dunnellon Thrift Shop. She shared their amazing story of how they began and the help they provide to the community. Joann also shared how they select the organizations and people they offer financial charity help to. They have amazing volunteers and their longevity is superb! Their address is 20359 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Dunnellon, FL 34431 and their phone number is 352-465-7018. We also discuss the recent opening of the first Publix in the Dunnellon, Florida area in the Rainbow Square Shopping Center on US 41. Two Publix employees and some local residents shared their thoughts on the new store. We had a lot of fun and meeting members of our community was wonderful! You can take a look at the city's planning and documents for the store here. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast feed so you automatically get notified for each new episode. And if there is something in the community that you know will be taking place, please leave it in our comments section below. Or, you can send us an email with the information. Enjoy the new episode and don't forget to follow Us on Facebook- @Bortzteamrealestateagents.        

25 SEP 2018 · HOA and property values have been a topic of discussion since they came on the scene and have lasted when so many naysayers thought they would not. In this podcast episode, we will discuss that often debated subjec. There are highlights about our newest feature for local residents:  The "House of the Month! If you look at our website under the House of the Month tab, you will find the homes chosen thus far. We highlight and showcase homeowners who go the extra mile to maintain their property by keeping it beautiful. You can read about it more on our website and even email us suggestions of a home you think should be featured. Following that discussion we will go into the main discussion about HOA and property values. If you live in the Dunnellon, Florida area, then you know that recently there was a vote to increase the HOA fee in the Rainbow Springs Country Club area. Additionally, it involved the Property Owners Association in the Rainbow Springs area and there were a lot of people for and against it. Homeowners were told the added amenities would increase their home values. The increase of the HOA fees was from $118 annually to approximately $230 annually. We will detail some of the added amenities in the podcast. We also delve into some of the pros and cons of living in an HOA. And, we will also cover statistics of HOA's since the 1970s to now. I even share a personal story of my own experience living in an HOA. Having a well maintained community is a plus for everyone, whether you live inside that particular subdivision or not. Remember, a primary goal is to build wealth with home ownership. How that plays into living in an HOA versus a non HOA neighborhood will also be discussed in this episode of our podcast. We would love to hear your personal experience if you live or have lived in an HOA in our comments below. And remember, to play "nice".  This is a forum for discussion not abuse.    

5 SEP 2018 · Check out the local happenings and events for September 2018 in Dunnellon, Gainesville, and Ocala. There is so much to offer for all ages. If you are a horse lover, check out the H.I.T.S event this month. And for wrestling fans the WWE visits Gainesville for Summerslam! There's something for everyone no matter your interest. We also discuss a local charity, and the hosts share a little bit more about their background.

16 AUG 2018 · Whether you list with an agent or decide to go the For Sale by Owner (FSBO) route, home sellers need to know how to price your home to sell! Inventory across many states are at an all-time low; and with that many home sellers are asking above and beyond true market value for their homes.  Though this may seem like a good decision, it is not a wise one. In our working relationships with countless sellers over almost 2 decades, we have had the opportunity whether on a listing appointment or in speaking with a FSBO to ask them how they came up with the price they are asking for their home. Here are the top 5 reasons we have heard: I know what I paid for it and I added the cost of all the improvements and upgrades I have made. The neighbor down the street is listed for "X" and my house is in better than theirs. I don't have to sell, I am waiting for a cash buyer to pay me what I want, or I won't sell. I don't have to sell, but if someone gives me what I am asking, I will sell it If you had to rebuild this house, you couldn't build it for what I am asking. Though these reasons may appear to have some logic to them, they are really more rational than reality.  We will discuss each of the reasons and why they are not valid reasons for arriving at a realistic price for your home. Reason #1 – What you paid for your home has nothing to do with what its worth on the market today.  Real estate is cyclical and every month sales comparables change and then is reflected in the housing market valuation for your particular area and subdivision. Sure there are certain improvements that homeowners can make to your property that will add value at resale.  We posted  the top improvements here on a prior blogpost. Even with that being said, you do not get "dollar for dollar" cost for the improvement.  For example, if you pay $30,000 to add a pool or new addition, it will not increase the market value by $30,000. When it comes to determining "market value" there are generally 3 methods: * Sales Comparison * Cost Approach * Income Approach Reason #2 – Each home is unique as to the square footage, floor plan, amenities, upgrades, renovations, condition, etc.  So even though your neighbor received a certain sale price, your home may not be able to achieve the same valuation or it may be worth more. Reason 3 – We hear this one mostly from For Sale by Owners.  Unfortunately, people with the kind of cash it takes to buy homes in the 21st century did not get rich by throwing their money away.  Most cash buyers are astute investors, life long savers, etc. and they do their research and know the market. The odds of getting someone to overpay for your property are slim to none….unless you have a truly unique property that someone just really wants and feels they can't recreate elsewhere in that area.  But those buyers will typically build not purchase a resale. Reason #4– This statement always perplexes us.  If you are not serious about selling, why are you "testing" the market.  This is a bad idea especially if you use Zillow or Trulia where they keep a record of how long you have been on the market for the public to see. Buyers start to think something is wrong with your home after they see it listed for too long.  They can see other homes in your area selling, while yours is still sitting on the market and the negative perception about the property will come into play. Subsequently you will have to reduce your price and do what we Realtors call, "Chasing the market down".   The more time you spend on the market, the less you will likely receive for your home! Reason #5 – When appraisers come out for the lend...

9 AUG 2018 · This episode tackles a big question for homeowners.  Listen to the How to choose a Realtor Podcast and find out information many future home sellers overlook when choosing an agent to sell what is typically their largest asset. Don't make the mistake of having your home sit on the market because you missed this episode! Do you know how many real estate agents there are just in your local real estate board?  There are a lot more than you can probably even guess. With so many agent to choose from, consumers are left to comb through hundreds of agents on Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia and other website just to pick one.  Learn how to use these sites in your quest to find the right Realtor for your family! Of course there are other options such as referrals from friends, sign recognition, etc., that most people use; but that should not be the only criteria you use when it comes time to choose a real estate agent that right for your needs. When we ask our customers what methods they have used to select a Realtor, the top 3 answers are always the same: *  Signs in their neighborhood *  Friend of family referral *  Brokerage recognition Let's talk about the pros and the cons of all three of these methods and shed some light into others that we know should be at the forefront and the top of any list! Signs in your neighborhood by a particular Realtor can be a valid reason, but it should not be the only reason.  Remember, having signs does not necessarily mean that agent is proactive, aggressive or selling off their inventory.  And many times that agent is carrying far more listings than they can realistically service. There are plenty of agents who specialize in selling a community with their buyers. So, don't overlook an agent simply because you have never seen his/her/their sign in your subdivision. As for referrals. Who doesn't like those?  After all, they are the lifeblood of any business where sales are involved, and very much a part of our real estate business.  We love referrals, but we don't take them for granted that simply because someone refers us a customer, they will automatically decide to utilize our services.  And neither should you. Listen to the podcast to find out reasons why! And lastly, brokerage recognition is another reason home sellers use when deciding on a Realtor to sell their home.  There are many big names companies/brokerages out there, and I have worked for big and small brokerages.  Don't overlook the "boutique" real estate brokers.  They have some of the best talent in a small package.  Their agents tend to be more driven and more attention to detail focused in our opinion, and customers we have worked with over the years. Share our thoughts about the podcast and your real estate agent experiences in the comments below.  And if you have any questions, or suggestions for an upcoming episode of the podcast, let us know by contacting us or giving us a call at 352-405-1663 or 352-405-1551.  Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast feed and our blog posts! Also visit our brokerage's website to learn more about our company.