Reality of Realty

2011-09-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

View our new Video and let us know what you think. And remember to visit our website www.TracyStormsRealtor.com Thank you for viewing

The Team that "Sells the 4 Corners of UF"

2011-09-19T20:28:00.000-07:00

Blog Blah Blog Blah Blog Blah

2010-02-10T21:55:00.001-08:00

Click on the link to read my Blog, Reality of Realty. Be sure to view the Video where you will see a Fox News segment on the best places to live in a recession are College Towns especially GAINESVILLE FLORIDA!!!

I specialize in the UF Student Condo market and would be happy to send you listings or information on what our amazing town can offer you. Contact me anytime at 352.275.9552

in reference to: http://www.tracystormsrealtor.com/ (view on Google Sidewiki)

2010-02-06T00:07:00.001-08:00

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5 THINGS EVERY REALTOR SHOULD DO TO BE SUCCESSFUL ON FACEBOOK

2010-02-04T06:39:00.001-08:00

5 THINGS EVERY REALTOR SHOULD DO TO BE SUCCESSFUL ON FACEBOOK

1. Post good content daily. This is the #1 one thing that I see agents NOT doing. They spend time calling or emailing clients, but they drop the ball on their Facebook page. You should be posting 2-3 times a day. A good formula for Realtors on Facebook is: 2 parts personal and 1 part business.Corcoran does a great job of this – they post interesting real estate and market data but also sprinkle in really cool and unique links to New York city, little known facts, places to eat, etc.

2. Have a plan and stick to it. Make a list of the top 10 sites you like to visit – include news sites ( NY Times, etc), recreational sites (gardening, travel, etc), and of course your website or blog. Visit this list daily. This makes it very easy for you to link to interesting stories and post good and relevant content daily.

3. Do it yourself. As a Realtor you can’t hire out someone to manage your Facebook account for you. You have to make time – every morning and every evening to manage your account. You can however hire someone to enhance your page and make custom tabs with HTML.

4. Comment on what others post. This is KEY! It is not all about YOU! Take 5 minutes out of your Facebook time each day to comment on what some of your friends or fans have said.

5. Be engaging. Ask questions, post photos, be a part of the conversation. Remember Facebook is like the ultimate dinner party. At a dinner party you wouldn’t sit in the corner and not talk to anyone right? Nor would you JUST talk about real estate.

Here are some great examples of Realtors doing many of the right things on Facebook:

Todd Shealy

T Ben Phillips

Tracy Storms

New Home Trends

2010-02-04T04:19:00.001-08:00

As part of a general trend towards more affordable homes that fit well in the budget, the AIA saw more requests for simpler home exteriors, AND green features.

Front Porches

The number of front or side porches requested increased by 53%. Front porches have been one of our top requested items over the past year as well. There's a focus on simpler living, with a bigger emphasis on time spent at home and building relationships with friends, family, and neighbors.

One Story Homes

Even though one story homes are a little more expensive to build (more roof and foundation, among other factors), one story homes continue to grow in demand. The AIA saw a 24% increase in number of one story homes requested. Our clients often like to see a second story bonus room or bedroom for extra space for guests. One story homes are more accessible and easier on aging knees.

Simpler Detailing on Exterior

There was a 15% increase in requests for simpler detailing. This can be a fairly easy way to cut some cost from the building process, while maintaining square footage (and adding that front porch!)

Contemporary Home Styles

Contemporary home styles are making a come back (think the 70s). Clean, crisp lines, lots of angular windows, and an austere appearance is becoming more appealing. We've done more design work lately for contemporary styles - it's harder to find floor plans with just the right look, but the number of "ready to build" floor plans has started to increase.

Designing Your New Lifestyle
Above all, it's your new home. The place where you'll come home every night, invite your friends, play, do homework, and LIVE.
Gather ideas, then talk to your builder about how to best fit those ideas inside your budget. Want to get started?

More new home design ideas:
Top Decorating Trends and Ideas for Your New Home - Dining Room
Kitchen Islands - New Home Trends and Ideas
Top Trends in New Homes | Smaller, Cozier, and More Cost Effective!
Top 10 Master Bathroom Trends - Ideas You're Going to Love!
Top 9 New Home Features in '09 - What To Look For! Raleigh NC Home Builders Top Tips
"Green" Countertop Options | Green Kitchen Countertops in Your New Home

Nothing Short About a Short Sale

2010-01-15T10:34:00.000-08:00

Prior to a home going into foreclosure. Usually the lender on that property will allow the seller to do a "Short Sale"
A short sale sale when a homeowner's mortgage balance is greater than the current market value in today's marketplace. The lender is usually willing to take less than the balance owed.

There are currently approx 200 single-family homes listed as Short Sales in Alachua County, ranging in price from $40,000 up to $600,000.00+
What does that mean to a buyer. That if they have the time they will get a phenomenal deal in most cases. I have personally closed more than 10 Short Sales last year and have approval on 3 more to close within the next 2-6 weeks. I am here to attest, that if you do not have the right person handling the transaction, it can and probably will be a Realtor's nightmare.
I highly recommend Nicole Rappaport with Gibraltar Title. She has personally closed over 175+ short sales in 2009. Her experience and expertise in this specific type of transaction is truly second to none. * SEE FOOT NOTE FOR CONTACT INFORMATION
Another way to make the process run smoother is to
Find a Realtor that has experience with Short Sales and the process.
Make sure that you have an experienced and knowledgeable closing agent handle the file, line of communication and submission of documents to the seller's lender. There are some Realtors that are trying to process and negotiate Short Sales. We are experts in the sale of Real Estate, not closing agents. There is a lot more than submitting documents to the lender that goes into the Final Approval of a Short Sale.
I try and submit a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) with my written offers. This will in some ways speed up the process. Especially when the BPO (Broker's Price Opinion) comes in. If the lender receives a very low BPO they tend to order another, which can take up to 3 and all the while the buyer and seller are just waiting. If that BPO and CMA are within the same range, chances are the 2nd BPO will not be ordered and the process moves on.

And finally, make sure that the buyer is pre-approved and or has the verifiable funds ready and available to close. Submit this with the offer.
If you follow these few tips, you will go from dreading to looking forward to Short Sales!

*Nicole can be reached at 352-377-1855 or Nicole@emmergroup.com or you can contact her by clicking on the either link http://www.emmergroup.com/gibraltar/ or link from my website http://www.tracystormsrealtor.com/Focus__Friends/page_2320219.html

Specializing in ALL UF Condos, Gainesville Florida's Premier Condo Realtor, UF Campus View Condos, UF Condominiums for sale, UF Condos, Condos Near UF and Surrounding areas

2010-01-11T16:50:00.000-08:00

WALK TO UF.....WALK HOME AND RELAX......At every phase of the Campus View projects, you are as close to the University of Florida, Shands and downtown as possible without actually living on campus. Located on SW 9th Road in Gainesville, Fl. This popular area and its several developments provide students and professionals alike with all the luxury and convenience you could ask for. Campus View stands out from the other condos because of its lush landscaping and appealing architectural details. It sets a new standard in luxury campus living. There are six phases to Campus View and each are unique and unlike any other UF condo living. All Phases were built by Svein H. Dyrkolbotn, Builder/Developer and owner of Viking Construction

Campus View Phase I was built in 2004. Phase II 2005. Phase III 2006. Campus View North 2007. Phase I-III and Campus View North are all 3BR 3BA units just under 1400 s/f. These are the ONLY condos within walking distance to The University of Florida. Campus View South are the ONLY 2BR 2BA units on the south side of campus. And with the addition of Campus View Place a mixture of 2 and 3 BR units that are currently the only luxury apartments in the area.

REMAINING UNITS REDUCED $195,000.00 ONLY A FEW REMAINING! CALL TRACY STORMS 352.275.9552 FOR DETAILS!

The Real Estate Market is alive and well in Gainesville, Florida

2009-09-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

Why should you consider buying a home or condo now, in Gainesville, Florida? Why not buy now! Our market is unique in comparison to most in the state of Florida. Why? We have a few things that no other markets can have. And that is the University of Florida, Shands at UF, and 3 major medical centers. UF, Shands, North Florida Medical Center and the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center create more than 40,000 incoming and outgoing residence in the Alachua county area each and every year. That alone has been a major factor in the reason are market has not seen the major decline in the Real Estate market. Seller's also realize, that the prices of homes in 2004 through 2007 are not the realities of the market today. There truly are only 2 reasons that a property will not sell. ONLY 2! It's overpriced and underexposed. Once you get that insync, it will sell.
Between the great deals out there and the $8000.00 first time home buyer incentive, if not now then when? In order to receive the incentive, a buyer must close on the property by November 30, 2009. If you think credit may be holding you back, call me. I work with local lenders who are lending with as little as 3.5% down, and seller pays closing costs. On a home that is $200,000 thats just $7000.00 and you own your own home.
Contact me today, for more information and I can help you with programs that even offer down payment assistance. Tracy Storms, Realtor with Focus Real Estate Group 352-275-9552. Visit my website at www.TracyStormsRealtor.com