Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Fantasy Fest Report



Went to Fantasy Fest for the day on Saturday. It was a blast as usual. The people in various states of dress or undress all having a good time was worth the trip. It seemed more crowded this year especially when you got down close to the end of Duval St near Sloppy Joe's Bar. The weather was excellent not too hot and it didn't rain. All in all a good day. If you've never experienced it you should try it some time. I've been told its like Marti Gras but on a smaller scale.
If you went and want to let others know what you did or saw please respond with a comment.
Rob Skeel RealtorCentury 21 Prestige Realty Group
305-393-6300

Friday, October 26, 2007

Jumbo Mortgage Money Availability Improves 10/26/07

Things are looking up as the problems with the mortgage money situation are being resolved. This should help if your considering buying a home in the wonderful Florida Keys.

Jumbo rates down

A significant rise in jumbo loan rates resulting in a high number of postponed or cancelled sales was a particularly strong disruption to August home sales, according to NAR senior economist Lawrence Yun. On Aug. 15 the 30-year fixed jumbo mortgage rate hit 7.43 percent, according to data from Bankrate.com.But now those “temporary” mortgage problems may have subsided. As of today, Bankrate.com reports that the jumbo mortgage rate is down to 6.59 percent. “Mortgage problems were peaking back in August when many September closings were being negotiated, and that slowed sales notably in higher-priced areas that rely more on jumbo loans,” said Yun in a release. “The good news is that mortgage availability has markedly improved in recent weeks with interest rates on jumbo loans falling, and more people are applying for safer and conforming FHA mortgage products.

Rob Skeel

RealtorCentury 21 Prestige Realty Group

305-393-6300

www.RobSkeel.com

http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml

BLOG http://floridakeysrealestatebyrob.blogspot.com/
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Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Keys Happenings

The "Fantasy Fest Festival" began last Saturday and is now in full swing in Key West or Key Weird, whichever you prefer. This Saturday is the grand finale with the parade at 7PM up Duval Street. Its quite a sight. I'll be there to check it all out.

The fishing reports are good with Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Yellowtail being caught in plentiful numbers with an occasional Sailfish boated. There also has been some Swordfish success reported. The weather has been great with no storms to report.

The real estate market is sluggish but this is traditionally the slow season in the Keys for visitors and real estate sales. There has been total residential sales of $471,608,557 in the Keys through the first 9 months of this year.

Good news is that the company I work for Century 21 Prestige Realty is number One in the Keys with 17.74% of the market share.

I'm here to help you find the property your looking for so please contact me and I'll help you find what your seeking.

Rob Skeel Realtor Century 21 Prestige Realty Group

305-393-6300

www.RobSkeel.com

http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml

BLOG http://floridakeysrealestatebyrob.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Waterfront properties are selling in the Keys

An article in the Keys Sunday section of the Miami Herald indicates that there has been strong sales of waterfront homes between July 1 and Sept. 30Th. Another point made is that the overall inventory of homes for sale is declining.

Condos and non waterfront homes sales are still slow but it won't be long before the winter buying season begins which should start a resurgence of sales in these segments too.

If someone wants to own in the Keys, the time is right to start buying. The people waiting for the bottom should get down here and start buying before they may miss good opportunities.

If your not sure about what kind of property you want, why not tie a house hunting trip in with a nice vacation. The Upper Keys is located less than a two hour car ride from Ft. Lauderdale International and even closer to Miami. There is always something to do even during the slow season. Its nice and warm and the restaurants aren't crowded. The chart boat's aren't busy and you can make a deal to get out and catch some fish. The same holds true for the dive boats.

As always, I'm here to help you find the property your looking for so give me a call or send an e mail.

Rob Skeel RealtorCentury 21 Prestige Realty Group
305-393-6300
http://www.robskeel.com/
http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml
BLOG http://floridakeysrealestatebyrob.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Keys Update

There hasn't been any noticeable change in the real estate market in the Keys since my last posting and vehicle traffic has dropped off because it is our slow season.



The good news is there are plenty of fish out in the Ocean with excellent reports of Tuna, Maui Maui, Snapper from Islamorada to Key Largo and Sailfish starting to reappear. The weather is good so if your looking for something to do come on down.



If your interested in Festivals: Fantasy Fest in Key West starts around Oct 20th and ends with the big parade Oct 27th.The parade is really something to see. If you have an open mind its a lot of fun and the people watching is great.



If you need information on the Festival check the Key West web site for details. If you need help with real estate, please



305-393-6300



http://www.robskeel.com/



http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml



BLOG http://floridakeysrealestatebyrob.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Mortgage Market--HEALTHY

All the doom and gloom regarding sub prime mortgage by the Talking Heads is making folks think that they can't get a mortgage or will have difficulty obtaining one at a decent rate, if their considering buying a home. I've talked with a number of Mortgage Brokers and its not true, mortgages are available. There was an article in Sunday's Miami Herald and the one below, dispelling the myth.





MORTGAGE MARKET HEALTHY FOR MOST The widespread notion that the entire mortgage market is in crisis is just plain wrong, say lenders in various parts of the country. The majority of mortgage products have been unaffected by troubles in the sub prime segment. Interest rates for 30-year, fixed-rated loans remain in the low 6 percent range for people with reasonably good, though not necessarily perfect, credit records, according to Kenneth R. Harney, managing director of the National Real Estate Development Center and a syndicated columnist. While there is plenty of money to lend, Harney says underwriting standards are more strict than they were a year ago. Jumbo loans, for example, often require two appraisals – one by an appraiser selected by the lender and the other by one working for the investor. Similarly, FICO credit-score standards generally are higher than a year ago, stated-income mortgages with no verifications are hard to find and lenders are especially wary of excessive “layering of risk” – combining low downpayments with marginal credit scores and high debt-to-income ratios – in markets where prices are trending lower.Source: The Washington Post Writers Group, Kenneth R. Harney (09/29/2007)© Copyright 2007 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688


There is plenty of inventory in the Keys just waiting for the right buyer. If your considering a purchase, I can assist you!

Check out the links below

http://www.robskeel.com/



http://www.robskeel.com.preview.z57.com/homes_for_sale.shtml