Cheryl Lopes

Managing Your Money Is Not Difficult

Cheryl Lopes — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:13:00 GMT

Personal finance can be a tricky topic for many people, including Broward residents. No one wants to admit that they need to have a budget; it's tedious and time-consuming to figure the numbers and work everything out. Many people like to hire someone to help them do it, while others prefer to figure it out on their own.

Savings

Be prepared for unexpected expenses by putting money aside an emergency savings account. A really easy way of doing this is to schedule automatic savings deposits to be debited from each paycheck. This will afford you money for any unexpected expense such as mechanical repairs on your automobile, or home repairs. You will have the money you need to cover such issues if ever they come up.

The general rule for saving is to put 10% of your income into a savings account. Avoid linking your debit or credit card to this account, as it will be too tempting to spend it if you find something you can't seem to live without.

Your Estate

It's not a good idea to base a tax investment on current tax laws. Don't buy real property if you will be turning a profit on it while relying heavily on the current tax laws of your state. This is because tax laws are often subject to change and you may get caught with costs due to those changes. It would be a shame to find yourself paying back the money you had hoped to gain by paying it back in taxes.

The truth is that not all debt is bad debt. Think of good debts as investments such as real estate. Usually houses and commercial property will appreciate in value and the interest from the loans is tax deductible. Paying for college can also be good debt. Resist the temptation to borrow against your home or even your retirement fund to cover for your children’s tuition. Many student loans which have lower interest rates don't have to be paid back until after graduation.

There are so many great personal finance tips out there. You simply need to do a bit of research to find which ones to implement. Once you find the right ones, it is just a matter of crunching the numbers, making a budget, and sticking to it to get out ahead.

My name is Cheryl Lopes and I, along with my proven team of real estate professionals, want to be your biggest advocate and 'one-stop' resource provider for all real estate and related information. Let me show you how to experience the wonderfully powerful results of highly effective marketing today!

Why I Blog About Real Estate

Cheryl Lopes — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 23:21:00 GMT

The Internet has become virtually an open forum for those who want to read or write about real estate. You don't need to be a professional writer to have an article published. All you need is a platform to launch your thoughts and ideas. That platform is a website.

For years, writers have been experimenting with styles and formats as well as page design to entice readers to visit and bookmark their site. It has turned into a new method of interactive global communications.

Blogging has evolved into a business feature, especially for real estate professionals. The saying is “Content is king.” That's true; we count on the content of our blogs to attract readers, who then become subscribers or followers. I blog for the privilege and pleasure of open expression, with the intent of touching lives through the use of the printed page on subjects that pertain to real estate.

My hope is for you, the reader, to better understand the ins and outs of the world of real estate.

Dealing with a Low Offer

Cheryl Lopes — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:55:00 GMT

When selling your home bear in mind the fact that the offer process is not personal. A low ball offer on your home is not intended as an affront to you! Just as you are trying to get the most money out of your home, the buyers are trying to get the best deal. Don't reject a buyer from making a follow-up offer if the initial bid is too low.

There's a lot of competition in the real estate market today, so it will help to be patient when selling your home. You have to be realistic with your numbers, but don't sell because you feel pressured into a sale with a low offer. If the offer is too low, be patient and you'll eventually get the price you want.

If your home has been listed for sale for a protracted period, then you must get with your Realtor to adjust your marketing plan accordingly. There are a number of things a seller can do to adjust their marketing plan. You can always add an updated photo of the home featuring any new improvements you may have added, or you might spruce up the landscaping around the property. You can also offer a buyer bonus subject to minimum conditions and terms. The most aggressive adjustment a seller can make, however, is usually with the listing price of the home.

The months from August to October are the months which Florida typically is hit with the highest number of hurricanes. Remember, though, that Mother Nature isn't reading any calendars. Today’s buyers are specifically looking for deals especially during the off-season, and they will be more likely to tender a low offer during this period.

It's difficult to stay abreast on top of all of the latest tips and tricks coming out about selling real estate. Enlisting the help of a professional who is fine-tuned and keeps up to date on the market is a tremendous value, especially if you have a full-time job or career which demands a lot of your time.

The South Florida Real Estate Market is Thriving!

Cheryl Lopes — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:05:00 GMT

In December of 2010 Paul Owers from the Sun Sentinel wrote an article titled “Real estate market expected to hit bottom in 2012.” Well, here we are in the year 2012, taking a look back on 2011.

The South Florida real estate market has been buoyed by a surge in international buyers of South Florida properties; the majority being Hispanic speaking people wanting a piece of the American Dream at an affordable price. Below is a breakdown of the demographics as reported by the Miami Association of Realtors:

Top 10 markets for international buyers in Greater Miami, 2011

1. Venezuela: 15 percent

2. Brazil: 12 percent

3. Argentina: 11 percent

4. Canada: 10 percent

5. Colombia: 8 percent

6. Mexico, France: 5 percent

8. Italy, Spain: 4 percent

10. United Kingdom, Ecuador, Dominican Republic and Peru: 3 percent

As the nation’s ‘Ground Zero’ point for residential real estate sales to foreign buyers, South Florida remains high on the list of most desirable locations in which to own property worldwide. You can expect the level of interest to continue at a high level through the year 2012. This is from the National Association of Realtor’s Moe Veissi, the president of NAR. He said, “You have a unique opportunity for the next few years.’’

South Florida is the favorite global real estate market for many international buyers who are looking for an investment to make in the US. Global buyers currently make up about $82 billion of real estate transactions in the United States.

With such a favorable forecast backed by solid numbers on record with NAR, South Florida will be the dream quest for not only American buyers, but also the international buyer looking for quality real estate at an attainable price. If you want to continue to be in the know regarding South Florida real estate, stay tuned for updates in the future.

Issues Involved When Negotiating for Real Estate

Cheryl Lopes — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:43:00 GMT

It's helpful to learn as much as you can about buying real estate prior to the actual process. Negotiations will always take place in the process of coming to terms with a seller. Let's look at some of the issues involved when negotiating for real estate.

Identify all the issues on the table and set your expectations for each of them. Order you priorities when you begin negotiating. Your level of expectancy often will dictate your priorities. Remember that you can't expect to get everything you want out of the negotiation process; allow for flexibility on the lower priority issues.

If you're interested in negotiating for a better price, take note of how long the house has been on the market. Homes which have a long history of days on the market will generally have owners who have become more open to negotiation.

Offering a ridiculously low price can often insult and alienate the seller, so think twice before doing this. If you have fallen in love with a home and find yourself wanting it badly, take a step back and remember to negotiate wisely regardless of how you feel. Be prepared to walk away from a bad deal. Never negotiate with regard to how you feel about a property.

Beware of your own inexperience in negotiating the final price of a piece of real estate. Your ignorance could significantly reduce your profit margin. Look to your Realtor to negotiate on your behalf. They are experienced in the bid process and are better able to meet your financial goals.

The amount of knowledge and information available to buyers can be staggering. Getting this information organized and sorted out in a practical and useful manner can be made easy by delegating it to someone who is a professional in the field and has spent years studying and assimilating the information. The best preparation is finding a professional worthy of your trust.

Selling Your Home? Try These Tips!

Cheryl Lopes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:43:00 GMT

Florida home buyers today are different and considered more sophisticated than a few years before. They're looking for the best deals on the best property out there. As a seller, if you can't cater directly to this demanding market, your property will go stagnant. Try some of these great tips that you can use to sell YOUR house!

Small things make a difference. You should allow as much natural light into the home as possible during the day, and turn on the lights to further brighten the ambiance. And don't overlook light switches in your home! As unimportant as it may seem, old or dirty light switches will send a less than favorable signal about the condition of the home to the buyer. Buyers will look at the light switches. If you need to, invest a little to replace old light switches and give your home that added appeal.

When you are trying to sell your home, ask your realtor to teach you the proper way to stage the furniture and decorations. We're trained to know how to place everything in your home so that it looks as appealing as possible.

If you have had your home listed on the market for a while, consider updating the photos on your listing. Old photos can make your home seem dated and can deter potential buyers from looking at it further.

Selling your property doesn't have to be difficult. You just need to know how to approach the market, so that you can ultimately make a profit in a timely fashion.

Don't Take “No” For An Answer When It Comes to Your Credit!

Cheryl Lopes — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:36:00 GMT

It's almost the new year, and here's some good news: It is possible to repair your own credit. The primary thing you must recognize before setting out to do this on your own is what your financial status looks like. Knowing specific details about your debts will help you come up with a plan that you can make work. If you are thinking of buying a home in Broward County anytime in the not-to-distant future, now is the time to ensure your credit-worthiness!

Repairing your credit is important in order to obtain future credit and loans. A good way to repair your credit is to ensure that you pay all of your credit card bills on time. Even only paying the minimum will help to show potential credit lenders that you are credit worthy.

Be sure you review your credit report for errors, because mistakes are commonly found. So you should check all of the information you find in them. Should you find a mistake, write to the credit agency and advise them of the mistake within 28 days of the report. They are mandated by law to assist you in resolving any problem.

There are three national credit-reporting agencies that count: EQUIFAX, TransUnion and Experian. Keep in mind that different creditors often use different agencies when reviewing loan applications, and some may even use more than one. The information reported to the agencies may vary significantly, therefore take time to thoroughly review them all.

Once you have contacted the credit bureau agency and they have agreed to correct some of the errors from your file, be sure to request a written confirmation from them stating that they have agreed to review and correct the errors. It is a very good idea to keep a record and to document communications made with the bureau. This is for your protection.

You might consider consulting an expert if you do not understand why there are errors on your report. Don't wait to take action. It is your future buying power and ability at stake!

Now that you have looked into your financial situation and discovered what your plan will be, initiate your plan of attack. Repairing credit is not an intimidating task if you take it one step at a time and realize it will take patience and will-power.

Timing, The Market, and Motivation

Cheryl Lopes — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 21:07:00 GMT

There are so many things that you need to keep in mind when you are trying to sell your Broward County home. From the price to the decor, everything about your home matters. While it may seem like a lot, it can be simple if you follow a few rules.

When you are trying to sell your home, one of the most important aspects to consider is the timing. Pretend you have kids. You woudn't want them to have to switch schools midway through the academic year, so this might not be the best time to sell. If it's possible to delay until the school year is over, this will give you your best chance for successfully selling.

If your house has been on the market for a long time, it is a sure indicator for the need to adjust your marketing plan. This will often include the list price of the home. Compare the pricing of your home again with the other homes on the market with your Realtor^®. It might be less than you were hoping for, but selling the house for a realistic sum of money could end up saving you a lot of time and effort.

When determining the selling price of your home, you need to determine your motivation for selling the home and how urgent it is that you sell. The more urgent your need to sell, the greater the pressure will be on you to aggressively price your home. You may be facing a job transfer deadline or have an older person in the family who needs special accommodations in a home. Flexibility is a key element to a successful sale. How flexible are you?

Every seller wants a timely sale to happen. If your projected date to sell by doesn't happen, don't become discouraged. I know this is easier said than done. Often it simply requires making a few minor adjustments to your marketing plan.

Selling Your Home In Today’s Market?

Cheryl Lopes — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 01:14:00 GMT

If you're a Broward County home seller in today’s market, you no doubt are asking questions worthy of genuinely honest and direct answers. "What's the right listing price for a property in my community? How quickly can I expect to sell? What sort of things can I do to raise the value of my home?" Let's look more closely at the answers to some of these questions.

The Contract

If you have a roof that leaks, you should fix it before you put your house up for sale. Roof damage must be disclosed in the real estate contract. If you do not fix the damage, and it is disclosed in the contract, the buyer may insist that you replace the entire roof, which will end up costing you a lot more.

Qualified Buyer

You may have a bonafide buyer who is on the verge of making a buying decision. It is best to consult with your REALTOR^® in the event that a buyer is hesitant to sign a purchase contract. Many buyers will want to sleep on a decision before taking the plunge, and your REALTOR^® is a professional who knows the mindset of such a buyer.

Pets

Much as you may consider your pet a warm and welcome member of the family, not everyone may agree. So keep pets away from potential buyers, period! It is a good idea to sequester them in a kennel or anywhere away from buyers, but not at the expense of the buyer not seeing and experiencing a portion of the property.

Pick a Good REALTOR^®

Be selective in choosing your real estate agent, and do not hesitate to ask them questions. Any question related to the business is a legitimate question. You want and need a competent, patient and professional sales and marketing professional in your corner. Their knowledge and skills should be fine-tuned and honed for positive results, giving you confidence in their competence.

Recognize the Signs of a Bad Property

Cheryl Lopes — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:02:00 GMT

No one I have ever met wanted to buy a bad piece of property. Buying a bad piece of property eventually leads to too many problems and challenges to ownership. Knowing the signs and warnings to heed when looking at properties will help you to avoid making costly mistakes. If you see any of these signs, you might want to pass it and go on to the next property.

Faulty wiring...

A major concern for contractors and re-modelers is the electrical wiring in the home. Understand that faulty wiring is not always obvious, and if after inspecting a home you find faulty wiring you should run in the opposite direction. That is unless you are an electrical expert with experience in repairing faulty wiring...but even then, there are those properties which are said to be 'not for the fainthearted'. Faulty wiring will cost you money...lots of money. It is very expensive to install but even more expensive to repair.

Issues with the foundation...

Foundation problems can result in water damage in the basement or ground level living space. Settling can often occur after a number of years on a property. Poorly or improperly laid foundations can create a potential for cracks, breaks and even gaps to the seams in the walls, all leading to extremely expensive and costly repairs.

Plumbing problems...

Plumbing components, as well as whole systems, can fail. Remember that often these components and systems are located inside the walls and below the subflooring of the home, making for costly repairs.

Updating...

If the home needs a lot of updating, you may want to reconsider the potential cost of bringing it up to date. A home in need a lots of updating is often seen as undesirable and unattractive unless the home is historically valued.

Aesthetic issues aside, you can turn a rock into a gem, but if it will be too much work it may not be worth it. Keep all of these tips in mind when you are looking for a home.

The Right Way to Buy a Home

Cheryl Lopes — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:09:00 GMT

Homes are bought and sold every day, but unfortunately not all buyers are truly ready for the purchase. South Florida residents should want to be fully prepared before undertaking this huge responsibility.

A good starting point is to begin setting aside extra money. If you do this, you will not be disappointed by a lack of funds to cover some of the necessary costs in the purchase of a home. Most folks take the, “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there” approach. This can only create apprehension and stress for buyers…especially buyers who have fallen in love with a home they've already seen. Talk to a competent REALTOR^® who will counsel you on this issue.

Ask questions! Don’t be afraid or intimidated into silence when a question arises. Questions are really the answer to a lot of the issues involved in the buying process. A good REALTOR^® understands this and should welcome any question you have regarding the process.

Get pre-approved, not pre-qualified. In contrast to getting pre-qualified, getting pre-approved is the closest one can get to actually having the money to buy a home. Pre-qualification is simply crunching numbers to see if one has the potential to buy within a particular price range without verification of data. This type of home seeker is not attractive to a seller, as there is no veritable substance behind the buyer’s desire to buy.

Select the target areas for your search. Having a plan will involve the selection of the neighborhood or communities you would like to survey and evaluate. Stay within your price range when doing this. Pushing your target goal for the home which may be just beyond your price range can sometimes cause disappointment and frustration. Stay within your price range when casually looking, and don’t dream beyond your means. This means understanding what you can practically afford.

Do not opt to buy equity with your labor. Unless you are a construction or remodel expert, it is not advisable to buy a money pit (a home which requires extensive repairs and possibly remodeling).

Do not expect to find perfection. Most buyers eventually trade features and amenities as compensating factors for the wants they gave up in their selection of the right home. If you have ever made a home purchase you know what I am talking about.

Simple Techniques To Relieve Stress

Cheryl Lopes — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:24:00 GMT

Stress affects all of us in one form or another on a daily basis. There is the stress which comes from having too much work, raising the kids, having commitments and time constraints. The holidays – which are officially getting underway – are a huge source of stress for nearly everyone.

When experiencing an overload of stress, it is a good idea to simply stop and take a step back to calm and collect yourself. Try the following ideas proven to relieve stress:

A massage is a genuinely enjoyable way to relieve stress. It is a healthy natural remedy for stress relief. It loosens the muscles, stimulates circulation which in turn helps get much needed oxygen to your vital internal organs. Nothing beats a good ‘ole massage.

How about just lying back and relaxing while taking in some easy listening music. This will help soothe the nerves and relax your whole body. It will also aid in getting in a power-nap, if that’s what you want or need at the time.

Deep breathing exercises are a proven method for combating stress, and even hypertension. The optimum breathing rate for most individuals is between six and eight breaths a minute. This will take some time and practice for you to train your body to do naturally. Learn to take air in through your stomach while breathing. This is exactly how an infant breathes. Infants do not get stressed out…that is, until we teach them how!

Then there is aroma therapy, designed to soothe and relax your whole body. Certain scents and aromas are extremely pleasing and non-stimulating, as well as soothing.

Laughter is always good medicine. Take in a funny movie and laugh for a couple hours. Interesting to note that many famous comedians lived a long relatively stress-free life. Consider celebrities such as Bob Hope, George Burns, Charlie Chaplin, Mickey Rooney (still kicking) and Red Skeleton. They all lived a good long life and they were all comedians who loved a good laugh.

In order to enjoy your life to the fullest, you must insure you do not become enveloped by stress. Don't let life slip away from you. Try these simple stress-relief techniques and make sure you take time to relax to enjoy life more.

How to Improve Your Residence And Keep More of Your Money

Cheryl Lopes — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:41:00 GMT

As a Pembroke Pines resident, you may want to create home improvement projects which will add to your home’s value and market value. These might include features such as a deck, fireplace, or maybe even a brand new office or den for your home.

Hiring a contractor can sometimes result in outrageous costs. Doing the work yourself will definitely save you money. The challenge is, how will you do it? Follow these simple tips to help get you on track to a more beautiful home, and a healthier pocketbook.

Begin with…

Which home improvements would you like to make?
Identify those improvements you definitely can afford, and at the same time add value to your home. An example might be front yard landscaping to add that proverbial curb appeal to your residence. Landscaping is one of those home improvements which allows you the greatest amount of choices in terms of grade and quality without breaking your wallet while still adding value to your home. Next…
Find quality materials that will suit and fit your budget.
If you are patient and willing to learn from bonafide bargain hunters, the Web and magazines are genuinely great sources to tap into for finding these bargains.
Ensure that you have enough support to get the job done.
Don’t be timid when it comes to enlisting or asking for help. The average person has a talent/skills pool deep enough to find the right kind of help and assistance.
Safety first!
When taking on a project, you can expect to be utilizing power equipment at some point or other during the project. Keep safety a prime concern.
Will you need to permit the project?
Check with your local officials for these requirements. Some communities will be more sensitive than others when it comes to compliance to building codes and regulations. So stay in compliance by asking the right questions to the right people. You do not want to face penalties or be required to tear down a project you have put a significant amount of effort, time, money and materials into!

Home improvement is a rewarding investment of your personal time. Doing it yourself can save you the headaches and costs involved in dealing with contractors.

My name is Cheryl Lopes and I, along with my proven team of real estate professionals, want to be your biggest advocate and 'one-stop' resource provider for all real estate and related information. Let me show you how to experience the wonderfully powerful results of highly effective marketing today!

How To Negotiate a Great Deal in Real Estate as a Buyer

Cheryl Lopes — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:28:00 GMT

The late night “As Seen On TV” zero-down gurus seem to be heavy on theory, but light on practice. Their social proofs are often staged and gilded for a convincing presentation. This most likely is not how South Florida homeowners came to own their present home.

In this post I will discuss three of the more important conditions needed for a terrific deal to come about.

Motivation can make what would normally be a difficult circumstance to resolve (huge gap between buyer and seller; more than just the price) a piece of cake to bring to a mutually agreed upon set of conditions or terms. What may be difficult at first is uncovering a seller's motivation. Personal and private issues are often sensitive matters, and may appear to be a source of embarrassment and shame for them to disclose. However, some personal and private matters are truly difficult to cover up, such as a divorce. There are personal reasons that may be difficult to uncover. For this, the proper questions are the answer.

Asking a seller his or her reason for selling will usually elicit a reason that sounds plausible. There is more often than not a real (and undisclosed) reason behind the one offered. A trained and experienced REALTOR® will know how to deal with this situation.

Timing...Sellers don't normally put a home up for sale with the expectation of it remaining on the market for a protracted period of time. They typically want a quick sale at full price. Given the conditions of today's market, sellers generally have acclimated to the expectation of a longer listing period.

Offering a close of sale to coincide with seller expectations on the timing will greatly assist in making a great deal possible and thereby justifying a concession in return.

Everything is negotiable. Be creative when negotiating. Nothing is sacred when it comes to benefits for seller and buyer. Think outside of the box, and never rule out any possibility no matter how unlikely it may be you can get an agreement. You may be surprised by the things the other side might be willing to negotiate on to achieve an acceptable offer.

My name is Cheryl Lopes and I, along with my proven team of real estate professionals, want to be your biggest advocate and 'one-stop' resource provider for all real estate and related information. Let me show you how to experience the wonderfully powerful results of highly effective marketing today!

Do “Baby Boomers” Have Buying Power and Clout?

Cheryl Lopes — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:19:00 GMT

Baby Boomers are those people who were born during the Post World War II boom years, and grew up between the years 1946 and 1964. Some Baby Boomers have settled in the south Florida region.

Are you a Baby Boomer? If so, then you have many or most of the following characteristics:

No bias or regard for race…
Inherited parents’ financial portfolio…
Inherited parents’ real estate…
You know the following celebrity names: Red Skeleton, George Burns, Errol Flynn, Tyrone Power, Giselle McKenzie, Eddie Fisher, etc.

You are ‘Empty Nesters’-- your kids are all grown and out of the home…
You have a handle on your finances and have learned to manage your money over the years…
You are in the mid to upper-level income strata of American society…
You own a business or are a second tier and higher business manager or executive…
You are a Vietnam War veteran…
Your favorite sitcom was “I Love Lucy”…
You remember “Woodstock”…maybe you were there!

These are just a few of the characteristics which help to define and identify the Baby Boomer. The people of this generation were the first to live under the threat of nuclear annihilation. This resulted in their quest for, and interest in, world peace and nuclear disarmament.

The Boomers are in their final years of entry into their retirement years—the last year being 2012 as a beginning to retirement. They have buying power and clout. The Baby Boomer demographic will be the donor participant in the largest transfer of wealth ever in history as it passes on its assets to the next generation.

Yes, Baby Boomers have money, clout and buying power. They have purchased and sold several homes, and also changed careers on average of three times during their lifetime. Considering the history of this specific generation, it is and has thus far been, the most affluent generation ever to live in history. Kudos to all of you Baby Boomers! Kudos!

My name is Cheryl Lopes and I, along with my proven team of real estate professionals, want to be your biggest advocate and 'one-stop' resource provider for all real estate and related information. Let me show you how to experience the wonderfully powerful results of highly effective marketing today!