Key West

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Cheating on my Key West Hair Stylist

I have the best hair stylist.  She's not the best just because she's talented.  I like her.  I love her!  I have had 10 solid years of compliments on my hair to prove her value.  She's been there by my side through broken hearts and job changes.  We've sipped cocktails and been to baby showers.  I went to her baby's baby shower!  We have the same friends and I adore her, her daughter and her grand daughter. 

My stylist is STELLAR!  An old salon owner she worked with years ago let me come to a hair show with thousands of sylists in Orlando a few times.  I pretended to be the receptionist.  The smell of delicious hair products and 10 foot slick ads for hair products made me want everything that was there.  There were stages with incredible hair stylists cutting hair.  I raised my hand and volunteered to get a new do.  I bought $18 bottles of conditioner at cost.  I bought boxes of OPI nail polish at cost.  I got a $120 hair flat iron at cost.  It was SO exciting! 

My wonderful stylist didn't hate me... she still kept making me gorgeous...

My husband would cut his own hair if I let him.  I want him to have cool edgy hair so he goes to cool edgy hair guys.  This cool guy did such an incredible job with my husband that I let him do my hair.  It turned out beautiful.  I felt like a Victoria's Secret super model for the first 8 weeks.  I've gone to him a few times. 

The last time I got my hair done I went to a salon that my same smart chic client friend gets her hair done at.  Her hair is perfect.  That's not easy to achieve in Key West's 90% humidity and 90 degree weather.  I thought it must be her hair stylist that made her and her hair so pretty.  After I got my hair done I did not suddenly have perfect frizz-free hair.  My style was not suddenly super trendy.  WHY?  I don't get it!  My hair is anti-trendy.  It doesn't hold a cool style.  It always goes back to where it started.  It's thick and heavy.  Even when they thin it it's THICK.

Now I'm fixated on this male sylist that the same same pretty, fun. smart friend recommended.  I've seen him do his magic...  It's not the first time I've been unfaithful to my lovely hair sylist.  She has been there for me through thick and thin.  After the euphoria fades the itch for something new and cool comes back.  Later I go back to her and she gives me a new, dramatic, incredible sytle and I wonder why I ever went to anyone else. 

For 2 weeks I've been picking up the phone and hanging it up.  Yesteday I called Blown Away 2 times and got voice mail.  I called the salon again today.  MY stylist answered the phone.  They have caller ID.  I couldn't hang up.  I had to tell her I was calling to make an appointment with Hays.  She gave me an appointment on August 18th.  That's a long time from now.  I could hear her hurt on the other side of the phone.  I didn't know what to say to make it better because there was simply nothing I could say...  Will she take me back if Hays isn't everything my friend says he is? 

Maya Thomas
Realtor®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
MyRealPro@gmail.com
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

5 commentsMaya Thomas • August 11 2009 06:47PM

31079 Avenue E, Big Pine Key, FL 33042

31079 Avenue E, Big Pine Key, FL  33043
$325,000
3/2
Built in 2003
5,000 sf lot
Sands Subdivision
Asphalt Shingle Roof
Vinyl Siding

This lovingly cared for home was built to be lived in by local builder for his family. This home is perfect for get togethers with friends and family. Warm, inviting interior paint colors put you at ease. Chefs kitchen has plenty of space, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and a 'must have' bar. You won't miss a minute of the movie when you go to fill up the pop corn bowl and will never feel left out when you are cooking in this lovely kitchen that connects to the living room in one great room. 1,200 square foot 2003 home on a 5,000 square foot corner lot in beautiful Sands Subdivision is tranquil Big Pine Key. This pristine immaculate home should be on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens magazine! This clearly cherished and well cared for home does not come with a "honey do" list inside or out. Shipping, dining, bars and all the character and fun that Big Pine Key has to offer are a bike ride away from this pretty home.

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

31079 Avenue E Big Pine Key Florida 33043

2 commentsMaya Thomas • June 04 2009 09:35PM

Don't Get Scammed and Be a Good Samaritan

If you think you are being price gouged there is a hotline you can call to turn in the evil doer or cheater business.  Call the Attorney Generals hotline at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226).

It is illegal to raise the price of gas, ice, water or other needed hurricane supplies when a storm is approaching.  The best thing that you can do is be prepared so that you don't need to buy these items at the last minute.

Make a list of the items that you will need for hurricane season and go buy them.  Then make a hurricane evacuation plan.  Exchange phone numbers and addresses with family members.  Come up with a method to communicate effectively such as Facebook or MySpace.

Your pets may not be welcome everywhere so if you are going to be staying in a hotel make sure you start making calls early and find a hotel on each side of Florida and in 2 or 3 central locations that fit your budget and allow pets. 

Be sure to take a moment to think about the people who live on your block.  Are there elderly people or people with ailments or injuries that need help?  Stop by and ask them what you can do to help them prepare.  Share your emergency plan and encourage them to make a plan and let them know that you would be honored to help them if you are needed.  Be a Good Samaritan.  It's so important that we all help each other in times of need.

If you are taken advantage be sure to make a complaint.  If enough people stand up for themselves then things are going to change and people will be punished and the world will be a better place and it will all be because of you!  Be safe!

Maya Thomas
Realtor®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
MyRealPro@gmail.com
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

0 commentsMaya Thomas • May 30 2009 10:34PM

1707 Von Phister Street Key West Florida 33040

MLS 109444
Price $384,000
Address 1797 Von Phister Street, Key West, FL  33040
Bed rooms 3
Bath rooms 3
Sf Home 1,900
SF Lot 4,862
Pool yes
Built 2007

http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?SK=13&T=1673945 TO SEE the VIRTUAL TOUR! 3/2.5 BRAND NEW (built 2007). P-O-O-L! $30,000 of beautifully polished vanilla swirl 24 X 24 dense limestone Travertine stone floors, bay window, grand lv rm, 2 central a/c units, crown molding, LG Stainless steel appliances, oak cabinets, double convection ovens, Sile Stone counters kitchen and baths, Jacuzzi bath tubs, 10 X 20 concrete pool, breakfast room, formal dining room.  Low E double pane insulated break away energy efficient windows, Chandelier, oak staircase, laundry room on 2nd floor, extra outlets in every room, pre-wired internet, Hardi Board siding. $220 electric per month!

1707 Von Phister Street Key West Florida 33040

1707 Von Phister Street Key West Florida 33040

1707 Von Phister Street Key West Florida 33040

1707 Von Phister Street Key West Florida 33040

1707 Von Phister Street Key West Florida 33040

1707 Von Phister Street Key West Florida 33040

 

0 commentsMaya Thomas • May 30 2009 09:20PM

906 Southard Street, Key West, Florida, 33040, $1,795,000

MLS                  110390
Price                  $1,795,000
Bed/Bath           3/3
Square Feet       2,224
Lot Square Feet  4,596
Year Built           1943
Zoning                HHDR
Flood Zone          AE
Construction       Frame
Roof                 Hip / Gable
Roof Type          Metal
Floor                 Dade Co Pine
Interior Walls     Dade Co Pine
Ceiling              Dade Co Pine
Subdivision       Old Town Unlisted
Taxes,             $8,112, Year 2008
Pool                 In-ground
Central Air        3 Units
Off Street Parking Yes
Appliances Viking, Bosch, Kitchenaid
Area Old Town

SEE the Virtual Tour! http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?SK=13&T=1885118 2009 winner Old Island Restoration Foundation Tour of Homes, gas lamps, opulent turn of the century eyebrow home, Dade Co pine floors, ceiling, walls, Statuary Carrera marble slab countertops w/ Blanco sink, antique turn of the century push button light switches w/ dimmers, 6 burner Viking gas range w/ double ovens, dual refrigerators, ice machine, wine cooler, DW, WD, cherry wood cabinets. Carrera marble tile baths. Pre-wired wrap around covered porches. Heated pool, river rock waterfall, flagstone river rock deck, bamboo, Royal Cuban palms. Gated OSP with XL carport w/ storage. Rear storage bldgs. Sec. system, new 3 zone a/c system, zoned irrigation system.

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040 

 906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

1 commentMaya Thomas • May 30 2009 09:03PM

C 44 Tenth Avenue Key West Florida 33040

MLS 110638
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2
Square Feet 1274
Lot Square Feet 3570
Virtual Tour go to:  tiny.cc/C44Tenth 

SEE the VIRTUAL TOUR at www.tiny.cc/C44Tenth or click the link to Virtual Media! 2004 1,200 sf 3 bedroom 2 bath home. Large living room, roomy deck for grilling dinner, enjoying soft breezes and shimmering gold sunsets and close to Bernstein Park. Lemon yellow hardi board siding, lovely landscaping with avocado, papaya, banana, lemon and lime trees. This may be the prettiest street on the island. Huge master bath, 2 walk in closets. Inexpensive insurance. Easy to use accordian hurricane shutters. Ample storage in the attic. Attractive and easy to maintain p-rock driveway. Well maintained and neat as can be. Proof of funds or pre-approval letter rqd. to submit offer. Washer and dryer do not convey.

C 44 Tenth Avenue Stock Island Florida 33040

C 44 Tenth Avenue Stock Island Florida 33040

C 44 Tenth Avenue Stock Island Florida 33040

C 44 Tenth Avenue Stock Island Florida 33040

C 44 Tenth Avenue Stock Island Florida 33040

C 44 Tenth Avenue Stock Island Florida 33040

C 44 Tenth Avenue Stock Island Florida 33040

C 44 Tenth Avenue Stock Island Florida 33040C 44 Tenth Avenue Stock Island Florida 33040C 44 Tenth Avenue Stock Island Florida 33040

0 commentsMaya Thomas • May 26 2009 11:00PM

Judge Lee Haworth to the Rescue!

Judge Lee Haworth has seen a 600% increase in foreclosures in the 12th circuit court which covers Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.  500 families are having their homes taken away by foreclosure every month.  The 12th circuit court has the 2nd greatest number of foreclosure cases behind Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.

To slow the tsunami Judge Haworth made some changes in December that are just now beginning to sprout.  The new procedures require lenders to talk to homeowners and explore options to help them stay in their homes.  The judge is convinced that there are people abandoning their homes who can afford them.

Judge Haworth gave a 4 page memo to lenders outlining his plan to open communication and seek a solution to the flood of foreclosures.  Some lender law firms are on board and some aren't.  The law firms that are ignoring the Judge's memo are not getting a hearing date.

This ‘tough love' is designed to stabilize the Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties and stream line the foreclosure process.  All foreclosure filings are now electronic.  This increases efficiency and saves trees.

Maya Thomas
Realtor®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
MyRealPro@gmail.com
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

0 commentsMaya Thomas • May 06 2009 09:34AM

1.2 Trillion in Fed Money Could Push 30 Year Fixed Mortgages Under 5%

The Federal Reserve will buy 300 billion in bonds and 750 billion in mortgage backed securities by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to fund the liquidity.  The 1.2 trillion dollar surge available money will lower interest rates and credit card interest rates,  There has never in the history of our country been a better time to invest in real estate.  If you have reservations about buying now because you are worried about the price of real estate declining then you should read my article about EquityLock Financial.

Maya Thomas

Realtor

Exit Realty Old Island Key West

1511 Truman Avenue

Key West, FL  33040

(305) 522-1398

www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com 

 

3 commentsMaya Thomas • March 20 2009 09:17AM

Top 5 Staging Mistakes To Avoid When Selling Your Home

Via Teresa Meyer-Home Staging Cincinnati-OH. Stage a Star: Home Stager Cincinnati (Stage a Star Staging & Consulting Services):


You've heard the saying "You never have a second chance to make a great first impression" right?  If you are selling your home or will be shortly, you need to take that little saying to heart.  I'm going to share with you my top staging mistakes to avoid and hope that you'll apply what you've read today and be on your way to a successful sale.

Staging Mistake #1: BAD MLS Photos

Did you know that over 85% of buyers are looking on the Internet first to find a house to buy? First Impressions start here folks!  How do your photos look?  I am amazed a lot of times when working with sellers that currently have their house on the market that they have not even bothered to take a look at their pictures online.  I think it didn't even occur to them that this is a critical marketing tool that pulls those buyers in.    GREAT PHOTOS are a must! Professional Photography makes all the difference in capturing buyers attention and getting them in the door.   Great photos capture ALL of the room, have good color and clarity and show interesting angles of each room.   I see bad photos all the time.  Blurry. Dark. Boring.  And the worst is when you can only see a small portion of the room. I don't know about you but I could care less what the sellers BED looks like...what about the room?   Potential buyers want to see everything in the room in one shot.   Do make sure you have at least 15 pictures advertising your house on the Internet/MLS.  Buyer's really want to see as much of the house as possible.


Staging Mistake #2:
 Disappointing Curb Appeal

Ever get fixed up on a blind date? Remember the anxiousness you felt as you anticipated meeting this person for the first time?  If your date went anything like mine, I was REALLY disappointed with my first impression of him and wasn't even sure I wanted to proceed with the date.   When selling your home, don't disappoint your buyer!  When they pull up to the front of your house, they carry with them their hopes and dreams that this home could be the one!  Shouldn't you do whatever you can to impress those buyers so they will want to come in for a closer look?    It's amazing how a green, freshly cut lawn, new mulch, shiny new fixtures and a fresh paint job on the front door can sing "Welcome Home" to your potential buyers.   Doing these basic items make all the difference!   And don't forget a new welcome mat and doorbell too.  Believe it or not, these are the 2 items that get overlooked all the time.


Staging Mistake #3:
 A Dirty, Cluttered House

Have you heard this one before? "The way you live in your house and the way you sell your house are two completely different things."  Sellers can throw up their hands and say, "But I have to still live here!"  so remember...you're house is not YOUR home anymore.  When you put it up for sale, it became a PRODUCT.  In order to sell a product, it has to be packaged beautifully so it sells!   Your buyers expect to see an immaculate house with no visible signs of dirt, dust and hair.  It's no different when you go on vacation and you've decided to stay at a very nice hotel. You expect that when you walk into your room that the bed is made to perfection, everything is sparkling clean and they've even left you a little something that says "Welcome", right?  What if you walked into the bathroom and you spotted hair in the sink and you couldn't tell if the towels were used or not?  If that were me, I'd be calling the front desk and demanding a new room!   Your buyers are really no different either.  Dazzle them with a sparkling clean and clutter free house to buy!  Clear away all your clutter so that the selling features in each room are highlighted and your house becomes the STAR, not the people that currently live there.


Staging Mistake #4
:  Making Your Buyers Feel Like A Guest

Ever walk into someone else's home and as you look around at their family photos and decor, it is apparent that this is "their" home.  Their personality is in every room and even if you squeezed your eyes shut and tried really hard to imagine living there, you just couldn't do it.   Trying to imagine your stuff over top of all of their stuff is just impossible to do.    This is how potential buyers feel when they walk into a home that is full of family photos and taste specfic decor. Those buyers immediately feel like a GUEST in your house and this is one mistake you don't want to make!   That is why it is so important to pack away your family photos and neutralize each room to appeal to a broad range of buyers.  That also includes your collections, religious items, personal awards and trophies, your family calendar and those fifty million magnets, invitations and "TO DO" lists from the refrigerator.  Don't forget your taste specfic decor as well.   You may LOVE your kitchen bright yellow because it goes so well with your sunflower collection but its got to be neutralized so buyers can SEE your kitchen with its 42" cabinets and corian countertops.  They need to be able to visualize themselves cooking and entertaining in there!  See what I mean?


Staging Mistake #5:
  Decor That Fails To Impress Your Buyers



I see this one a lot.  A homeowner has lived in their home for the past 15 years and the last time it was decorated was when they first moved in 1994. Lots of oak furniture and dried flower arrangements.  Dated decor, empty rooms and random furniture pieces scattered throughout can make any house no matter how nice the selling features feel TIRED, DATED and OLD.   Think about it this way. You know how it feels when you get your hair done?  Not just a trim but when you go all out and get a new hair color and a trendy haircut? When your hair designer is done, YOU look and feel like a million bucks, right?  You look YOUNGER and FRESH and everyone you see that day smiles and their eyes light up as they take in the NEW YOU!  

You know, you're house is really no different.  It is amazing what a few key decorative items can do for a room too.  You want your buyers to have that same reaction...their eyes lighting up as they view the room becoming more impressed as they tour your house.

One of the biggest misconceptions about staging your house is that you need tons of new furniture and decorative items to make your house look like a model home.  You can relax now when I tell you that it isn't true.  

If you are living in your home while it is for sale, working with what you have plus maybe a few new items with a minimum investment is all you need.   Consider working with a professional Stager that are experts at working with what you have using their creativity to re-purpose it and sometimes blending it with a few newer items. This gives older furniture and decor a fresh new look and feel.  I am always amazed at how a few key accessories can make all the difference in highlighting a selling feature and breathing new life into a room!   Slipcovers, new pillows that pop color, updated lamps, a rug or some inexpensive window panels might be all that is needed to turn unimpressive decor into a fabulous new room that your buyers will love and connect to!

Of course, I will say that if your house is vacant or you have empty rooms because you never got around to buying that dining or living room set, you will want to consider options like renting furniture.  Most professional Stagers carry beautiful furnishings you can rent and will work with your budget.



Stage For A Successful Sale

Selling your home and getting it ready can be a pretty overwhelming task that is stressful to say the least. Did you know that working with a professional Home Stager can take that stress away and let you focus on the other important things about your move like finding YOUR dream home?  They can create a staging plan for you that is unique to your property. You can have complete confidence in knowing that you will not be making any major staging mistakes with a Stager on your team while you sell your home!

Happy Staging!

0 commentsMaya Thomas • March 20 2009 08:49AM

Homes and Great Deals Lost By Slow Moving Buyers!

This is from the incredible Sannon LeFavre in Naples.  It's such a useful article that I got Shannon's permission to re-blog it. 

THANKS SHANNON!

Via Shannon Lefevre Naples, Florida CRS (John R. Wood REALTORS Inc.):

It's hard to believe it's possible to miss out on a Naples property you have your eye on in a real estate market that barely seems to be moving but it is in fact happening.  The last couple of days I've heard a few stories about how a slow moving buyer has missed out on a fabulous opportunity and has been left with a feeling of serious rage and disgust for just about anyone else but themselves for missing out.  My how the allegations can fly.

Let me tell you a secret...that old cliche, "you snooze, you lose"  still means something even in the slowest of markets! 

Here are a few tips you can use to prevent from being one of the select few who are running around Naples Florida inwardly thinking, shoulda, coulda, woulda and outwardly spewing: I got screwed.

1.  Once you've identified a great  "deal" that fits your personal needs...do something. Consider whether the property is that great of deal.  If it is, guess what...it's high season.  Chances are it will probably sell this season so you need to be prepared to do something fast (yes, even in this market).

2.  Doing something and doing something smart are not the same thing.  If you want the property.  GO GET IT.  That means have your Realtor write up a real honest to goodness contract with all of the specified terms and conditions that are acceptable to you, sign it and have it presented.  Verbal offers, napkin offers, partial email offers and smoke signals are rarely if ever taken seriously over real paper contracts should you find yourself in a competing position....even if the terms are what you consider better. 

3.  Fooling around with terms will probably help you lose the property.  A few of us around here use the term "intelligent offer".  For example, if you come in at a ridiculous price expecting the seller to negotiate respectfully, you're probably going to get your feelings hurt when they do one of two things.  The seller may choose to respond back with a counter that is equally unintelligent or they may choose to not respond at all.  Despite our encouragement to get them to do something amicable sometimes these sellers have seen and heard enough from people just like you...who came in before you and they simply don't have the strength or stomach to respond better.  Offer a fair price...something you can explain on paper INTELLIGENTLY and chances are you'll get an intelligent response and even a response that will result in an effective contract.

4.  Just because it's listed for a certain price doesn't mean it's going to sell for a certain price.If you're one of those people who have kept your eye on a property only to see it sell and then only to be sickened more after finding out what it sold for...shame on you.  Just teasin...but seriously,  get on the horn and ask your Realtor to do a little research for you.  Some sellers...not all sellers...but some are in fact negotiating.  There in fact have been times when sellers have turned down offers, contemplate for a week or two and gone back to those original buyers and said, "ya know...we've thought about it...and we'd like to take you're offer". You'd be amazed at how many times those deals don't work out for various reasons but every once in awhile they do.  It's kind of like the lottery, you can't win if you don't play.  I want to follow this up with a word of caution though...be prepared to pull the trigger if you should be so fortunate for this to happen to you. Don't expect this to work if your original offer was really stupid...for lack of a better word.  It really only works for those lower but still intelligent offers.

5.  So you're paying cash...that's great!  So are alot of other people. For some crazy reason many people coming down here to purchase seem to think they're the only cash buyers in town and that term alone will win them the deal of their dreams with little respect to the other terms on the contract.  We average about 50% cash and 50% loans in our market and for our more prestigious locations it's probably closer to 85% cash, 15% loans or higher.  I can't remember the last time I was able to refer a lender.  Many people end up doing a loan throughout the escrow period but few are concerned about qualifying and if at worst case scenario are prepared to pay cash anyway.  This term should not be considered your only "ace in the hole" here.  It's actually quite common. 

6.  If you're hearing there's alot of traffic on a property, it might be true.  Oh, I wish I could say that it's always true but we know there are some agents who are anxious to see a deal.  I've learned that after I ask, "how has your traffic been", and I'm told that a property has been really active, to ask more probing questions to see if they can confirm their answers.  I might follow up with, "Great!  How many offers have you seen"? or,  "is that open house traffic or real showing traffic"?  I also might say, "what's the most common feedback you've heard so far".  You can learn alot with additional probing questions and of course, if you know the people you're talking to, that certainly helps.  We have a great deal of straight shooting Realtors around here and we have a few agents who like to stretch the facts a little.  A great Realtor will usually be able to determine quickly who they're dealing with.

7.  The last tip I can give you today isn't really a tip at all but more like a check.  If by chance you do lose that deal of the decade...it simply wasn't meant to be.  Not that I'm too much of the "If you love something let it free" kind of person but a few times I've seen people really turmoil over missing out on a property only to find a better house or a better deal or sometimes both in a pretty short time frame later.  Give it your best shot and if you still miss it, you'll get one.  Keep at it!  Naples is well worth it anyway!

Best Regards,

Your Naples Smart Girl!

0 commentsMaya Thomas • March 19 2009 04:46PM

Bank of America Will Pay $35 Million Dollar Settlement

A class action law suit was filed against Bank of America for creating over draft situations with customers by debit card charges and deposits in a manner that encouraged over draft fees.  The class action suit is Closson vs Bank of America.  The plaintiff's were awarded $35 million dollars.

On the heels of the Bank of America news The Consumer Overdraft Protection Fair Practices Act H.R.1456 just passed.  Banks are no longer permitted to automatically enroll customers in fee based over draft protection.  Americans have paid $17.5 billion in overdraft fees.  If you paid Bank of America an overdraft fee between 2000 and 2007 you may be eligible to receive $78.

Maya Thomas
REALTOR®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com
MyRealPro@gmail.com

 

1 commentMaya Thomas • March 18 2009 10:58PM

If You Bought Your Home More Than 5 Years Ago Citizens Insurance May Raise Your Premium

As if it weren't bad enough that we've already been through this.  I bought during the bubble and saw my insurance nearly doubled every year for the first 3 years.  That was back when I had a HORRENDOUS insurance agent and Citizens was trying to make everyone go bankrupt or force them into foreclosure.  Back before we all knew exactly what a short sale what and what to do with it.  I'm happy as peach pie with my current agent Sue Cherrybon with Johnson's Insurance on Big Pine Key.

If only I was a buyer today!  That's what everyone will be saying 5 years from now.  People will cry, "I could I have NOT known prices would go back up!?"

There are 1,066,304 Citizens insurance policies in effect.  If everyone paid $1,000 per policy that would be $1,066,304,000.  That is a billion dollars.  In Monroe County I don't think anyone pays less than $2,500 a policy.  There are people paying $17,000 annual policies.

Fair Insurance Rates for Monroe County (FIRM) fought hard to reduce insurance premiums in Monroe County.  Heather Carruthers and Teri Johnston are amazing women.  They keep us informed.

The state run Citizens Insurance is feeling needy and underpaid again.  This could cause a few more people into short sale or foreclosure.  Citizens is claiming that Wilma losses are the cause.  Citizens refused to pay on my hurricane damages and dozens of people I know.  What has happened to premiums homeowners paid for the multiple decades with virtually no big payouts in Monroe County?  Where did those billions go.  Uh O, I probably shouldn't have asked that question.

Citizens wants to adjust the replacement values on homes.  The amount my home was insured for doubled the 2nd year and then went up at a good clip every year after that.  I had my builder give me a replacement estimate and my value was far less than I had been paying for during the last 4 years.  If you bought your home more than 5 years ago you may need to get a replacement value appraisal if you think you are being over charge for insurance to dispute the bill. You could consider talking to a builder in your area and paying them for an hour of their time to write you an estimate for your insurance agent.

Maya Thomas
REALTOR®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com
MyRealPro@gmail.com

 

0 commentsMaya Thomas • March 18 2009 10:27PM

Homeowners Guide to Saving Time in Short Sales and then Making it to the Closing Table

It's easy to get wound up and in a big hurry when a homeowner needs our help.  We can't be any good to any of our clients if we don't have a system and a schedule to manage our day.  The phone rings all day.  The computer work piles up quick.  The daily To Do list needs attention!  Get the new listings in the MLS, change the status on the deals that went under contract or fell out of contract, get the buyer to the bank, web site updates and new listings, checking and returning emails, contacting new clients, fielding calls from new clients, making brochures and listing packages and printing listing agreements, writing contracts and delivering contracts, checking the HUD for tomorrows closing, sending the title commitment to the listing agent for our buyer.  Our days are slammed start to finish.

We take the best care of all of our clients by having good systems in place.  When a homeowner calls and has decided to let go of a house that is killing them and giving them sleepless nights the first reaction for many of us is to drop everything and run out the door.

When you call a Realtor® this is an example of what you can expect to hear.

"Hello Michelle! 

There will be a few papers you'll need to gather before we meet.  Do you have a pen handy or would you prefer that I e-mail you the 5 things?"

The Realtor® will then go step by step on the phone over the short list:   "We'll need...

•    A Hardship Letter

•    2 pay stubs from each borrower

•    2 months bank statements, all pages, for every borrower

•    2 years of W2's for all of the people on the mortgage

•    An authorization letter so that their lender can talk to me. 

When you have all the papers ready call your Realtor®. 

She'll say, "Hi Michelle, That was fast.  I thought it would take you a day or two!"

I ask whether the morning or afternoon is usually easier for you to meet for an appointment and if you know where my office is.  Then we'll make an appointment to meet.

It could take 90 days or 9 months to get to the closing table.  Depending upon the situation you may decide to move out of the home, stay in the home and make the payments or stay in the home and not make the payments.  I'll ask what you intend to do and answer your questions.  I'll recommend that you talk to an attorney and an accountant and explain the over all idea of what will happen in the process so you understand.

Be prepared to set some money aside if you have a 2nd mortgage.  Many 1st mortgages ask for money too.  The lender will call it a "cash contribution" and may attempt to refuse to close the transaction if you won't kick in some cash.  The cash can come from you, the buyer, a family member or a combination.  This will depend upon your circumstances and your ability.  We'll talk about what's going on in your life that brought you to this spot.

If you are considering a short sale call a Realtor® and find out what your options are.  The longer you wait the fewer options you will have and the less likely that the Realtor will be able to help you.  After you take that first step you'll feel so light and free like the world has been lifted off of your shoulders.

Maya Thomas
REALTOR®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com
MyRealPro@gmail.com

1 commentMaya Thomas • March 18 2009 09:28PM

How a First Time Home Buyer Can Have Their Cake and Eat It Too - File an Extension or File and Amend

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 gives single first time home buyers who make less than $75,000 and married first time home buyers who make less than $150,000 a tax credit of 10% of the value of a new home purchase up to $8,000.  If you buy a home for $80,000 or more you get the full $8,000 credit.  If you are married, but file separately you share the credit 50-50.

The first time home buyer credit is retroactive to a purchases beginning January 1, 2009.  You can choose to take the credit on your 2008 or your 2009 taxes. 

You can get up to $8,000 back from the IRS even if you haven't paid any taxes because it's a tax credit based upon the price you pay for a home.

"The new credit can get money in the pockets of first-time homebuyers quickly," said IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman. "For people who recently purchased a home or are considering buying in the next few months, there are several different ways that they can get this tax credit even if they've already filed their tax return."

File an Extension
If you are House Hunting Don't File Your Taxes Yet!  Don't let your money sit in limbo with the IRS until March or April 2009 when you can get it back right away.  If you are house hunting and haven't found the perfect one there is no need to worry.  If you haven't filed your taxes you can choose to file a 6 month extension so that you can take the credit in 2008. want to take the credit in 2008 you'll need to file an extension.  You can file your taxes electronically whether you do them now or you file for an extension.  If you direct deposit you can have your money in less than 2 weeks.

File and then Amend
There is no reason to wait until 2009 for your $8,000 tax credit.  You can file your taxes now, get your tax return and use the money as a down payment to buy a home.  You file a 1040X to amend your taxes.  Then you amend your 2008 tax return so you can get the $8,000 tax credit in 2008.  File your taxes just like you normally do.  Turbo tax is easy.  H&R Block Tax Cut is more complicated.

Maya Thomas
Realtor®
Exit Realty Old Island Key West
1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040
(305) 522-1398
www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com
MyRealPro@gmail.com

0 commentsMaya Thomas • March 18 2009 08:22PM

Seaside Resort Condominium, 55 Boca Chica Road, Geiger Key, Florida 33040

Seaside Resort Condominium is a lovely private community 10 miles from Key West that feels more like a fishing village.  The quiet, idyllic setting has rows and rows of neat and clean modular homes and mobile homes nestled on the Atlantic Ocean.  There is a meanering canal that flows through the property.  When you drive around every person you see waves and has a big smile on their face.  Nearly everyone is on a bike although there are a few golf carts.  They have a pancake breakfast once a week, an art group, a bible study group and boats everywhere!  There are 199 lots and 2 common area laundry areas.  It's a lovely community with a guard gate to screen your visitors.  There are 17 properties available as of March 17, 2009 ranging in price from $140,000 to $550,000.  There are ocean front lots in the mid-$200's!  You have got to see what a nice community this is.

55 Boca Chica Road, Geiger Key, Florida 33040

55 Boca Chica Road, Geiger Key, Florida 33040

55 Boca Chica Road, Geiger Key, Florida 33040 

55 Boca Chica Road, Geiger Key, Florida 33040

55 Boca Chica Road, Geiger Key, Florida 33040

55 Boca Chica Road, Geiger Key, Florida 33040

55 Boca Chica Road, Geiger Key, Florida 33040

Maya Thomas, Realtor
Exit Realty Old Island Key West

1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040

(305) 5221398

www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

MyRealPro@gmail.com

0 commentsMaya Thomas • March 17 2009 07:57PM

906 Southard Street, Key West, Florida, 33040, $1,895,000

906 Southard Street, Key West, FL  33040
MLS #110390
$1,895,000
3 bedrooms, 3 baths
2,224 square feet
4,596 square foot lot

Grand turn of the century eyebrow home with original detail and every amenity you would expect in Historic Old Town Key West. Chefs dream kitchen has 2 built in refrigeraters, built in ice macinne, wine cooler, 48 viking gas range and cherry cabinets. Thick carrera marble slab countertops. Master suite features huge closets and extensive storage. Floor to ceiling tile in baths. Wrap around covered porches in back yard over look the heated pool and river rock waterfall. Flagstone decking and professional landscaping create a peaceful oasis. Gated off street parking with carport fits 2+ large vehicles. Seperate laundry/storage room off kitchen/family room area. Seperate rear storage building which is rare in Key West.

 906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040

906 Southard Street Key West Florida 33040


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Maya Thomas
Exit Realty Old Island Key West

1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040

(305) 5221398

www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

MyRealPro@gmail.com

1 commentMaya Thomas • March 17 2009 07:36PM

Naked Super Hero Ready For Action at a Moments Notice

Have you seen Watchmen?  Do NOT bring the kids to this one.  It's an inside out alternative story about outlawed super heros and vigilantes.  One of the super heros, the Comedian, gets murdered so Rorscharch (yeah, just like Rorscharch ink blots) sets out on a mission as a super cop vigilante to make the world right, find the killer and punish the evil do-er.  Roscharch gets the name from his face mask that changes shapes depending upon his state of anger.  Roscharch is able to get the rest of the super heros involved in his good vs evil quest.

I didn't pay close enough attention in my literature class to know if there is only 1 protagonist or if there can be more than one.  If there can be more than 1 then Mr. Rorschach is the main protagonist, and Mr. Manhattan is also one.

Mr. Manhattan an 'other than human' scientist that's been changed by a terrible accident into a blue glow stick subatomic super power who is able to change his size and has many forms of unimaginable strength.  Mr. Manhattan walks around naked throughout the movie.  Actually, he's naked the WHOLE time except for a few scenes in a suit.  There's even one scene where he is naked sitting Indian-style floating above the ground on Mars.  Yes, the plant Mars.  It's a unique story line.  There a scenes of people doing things that you should not watch with 150 other people.  And between some of the crazy stuff was some exciting super hero action fighter stuff. 

Maya Thomas
Exit Realty Old Island Key West

1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040

(305) 5221398

www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

MyRealPro@gmail.com

1 commentMaya Thomas • March 17 2009 07:11PM

How Should You Dress For Your Loan Application?

Great article that's too good to read once and forget about it!  I'm re-blogging you!  

Via America's #1 Mortgage Broker/858-777-9751:

Apparently, looks matter when you’re seeking a loan.  From a Rice University study:

People who are perceived to be trustworthy are more likely to have a higher credit score and pay lower interest rates on loans, and are less likely to default, according to the study by Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Even when hard facts such as credit scores are available, people rely on an assessment of trustworthiness to decide whether to make a loan.

dudeI’ll admit that I am not immune to this bias.  Much of my business is local and I “pre-judge” the intent if not the credit worthiness on the effort put forth.  Let me give you an example.  Two (different)  people made appointments, the day after Thanksgiving, 2008, to go through a pre-qualification.  Both needed counseling about how to pay down debt and improve their credit scores so that they could buy a home.

The first, an accomplished young man, arrived in like he was headed to the beach; shorts, T-shirt and flip-flops.  While this is the “standard uniform” of a San Diegan on his day off, his documentation reflected his cavalier dress.  We met for 45 minutes, outlined what he could do to prepare for home ownership, and concluded the meeting with a promise to “touch base” after the first of the year.  His dress, behavior, and attitude was “What can you for for me?” I didn’t take his inquiry seriously.

The second, an equally accomplished young lady, came to the appointment dressed to do business.  Her dress, while casual, reflected her solemnity and determination.  She read my article about how to prepare documentation, opened up a notebook, and took copious notes.  Within 30 minutes, we developed a detailed budget and a plan businessto pay down debt while saving for a down payment.  She requested three follow-up phone calls to gauge her progress towards her goal.  Her dress, behavior, and attitude is “How can you help me to help myself?”.  Obviously, she got me to “buy in” to her.

How might a borrower do this online? Borrowers would do well to understand that a loan originator is “interviewing” you as much as you are “interviewing” them.  I have been persuaded to take on difficult, time-consuming, loan transactions because I felt a sense of mutual respect from my discourse with the borrower.  Borrowers who referenced an online profile, where I could see their picture and resume, received 2-3 times the attention as those who didn’t.

Sounds unfair, doesn’t it? The Zillow Mortgage Marketplace would seemingly eliminate such subjectivity and democratize a borrower’s chances for the best loan terms.  I won’t argue against its efficacy for the “pristine” borrower.  Pristine, however, is becoming subjective as valuations decline rapidly.  Your “numbers” might not be enough to attract the most talented mortgage consultants in the country but… your picture might help.  From the aforementioned Rice University study:

“There is an array of information that you can get out of the pictures,” Duarte said, adding that Prosper.com borrowers use photographs ranging from family portraits to snapshots of their pets.

“The pictures are revealing something about the behaviour of these people that is not taken into account in the credit score model,” Duarte said.

To make sure that the evaluators’ prejudices did not skew the results, the researchers controlled for race, age, gender, obesity, attractiveness and education, as well as financial factors like employment status, income and homeownership.

Understanding what determines trustworthiness may be relevant to the current economic crisis and be the key in restoring trust in the markets, Duarte said.

Trust.   It’s the cornerstone to a healthy banking system. If “old skool” is now vogue,  pay heed to your grandfather’s advice; wear a tie to your loan applcation.  Online, a profile picture is your tie.

If your face is trustworthy, why hide it?

1 commentMaya Thomas • March 16 2009 10:21PM

How to Help Your Kids Get Rich - Tell Them To Study More and Work Less

Why of O why did I work 60 hours a week when I was 12 years old for a dollar an hour? I want you to know I was way under market rate. I was going for market share. I was a discount babysitter offering luxury babysitting services. My core client was a family that worked nights with 4 kids.  If only someone had told me to study more and work less I'd be rich! 

I would go to school, come home and sit at my sewing table and do my homework then go over to the house. The parents slept all day since they worked nights. All of the kids were under 5 years old. I started by washing the dishes and starting dinner. Then I cleaned up the living room. Next came dinner, bath time and reading stories. I slept on the couch and went home at 7 am. I took a shower, got my sister up, walked her to school and then did it all over again. That was my full time job.

How in the world I got the job as a 12 year old I’ll never know. They must have been really desperate and cash strapped. My supplemental income was my weekend gigs. I walked 2 sets of twins, Nora and Nathan and Kim and Lisa, in their baby carriages. I watched kids while their parents went to the grocery store or when they went out on dates. In between jobs I sold lemonade at puppet shows in my back yard, washed cars mowed lawns and cleaned houses. If only my mom had told me to study more and work less.

I worked through grammar school, middle school and high school. I was housekeeper at a resort, a resort pool towel girl, a waitress, an activities concierge, I sold t-shirts in a gift shop. I saved money during high school working for around 6 bucks an hour. One summer I was a secretary at a title insurance company which led to me getting my real estate license. Another summer I worked 3 jobs.

I graduated from Florida State University, Magna Cum Laude, with a degree in Communication owing more than I paid for new BMW I bought in 2007. All these years later all I can think of when I see a kid in high school is how much easier their lives can be than mine was.

There are ways to make college affordable. With so many scholarships, grants and loans it’s hard to believe, and sad, that 2 million kids who have the desire, talent, ability and the grades to go to college won’t be able to go because they don’t have the money to achieve their American Dream.

We can make a difference if we all make a promise to ourselves to start a conversation about college with every kid we make eye contact with between the ages of 10 and 17 years old.

Most kids will have a plan that they are eager to tell you about. It’s a great conversation starter, will boost the kids self esteem and help you get to know them better. It will be fun! For the kids who pause and look away you can show kindness and the qualities of a leader by gently letting them know that they matter and that our country needs someone just like them. Everyone has unique Tinkerbelle dust that they can sprinkle around them to make the world a better place. Let them know that no matter what their background is they can go to college if they will do a little research on the internet. You can give them these links.

As a real estate agent I can’t help notice that houses are 50% off right now. Of course I think that now is a great time to buy a house in your kid’s college town and have the roommates cover the mortgage. Not everyone can take advantage of this opportunity, but everyone is looking ways to save money since tuition costs have increased 40% since 2004. Finding ways to make college affordable is top priority.

We all want our kids to achieve the American Dream. It would also be nice if the United States can stay a super power because we’ll have the best educated people in the world. We need our kids to go to college.

83 billion dollars of tax money will be invested in financial aid. It’s one of the most important things that HELP is doing. HELP is the committee that is in charge of Health, Education, Labor and Pensions that Senator Edward Kennedy sits on that oversees programs like No Child Left Behind, educational funding and trying to solve important education issues our country is facing. To find ways to make college affordable go to http://www.college.gov/wps/portal

There are better ways to afford college than child labor.
1. Saving money
2. Scholarships
3. Grants
4. Loans
5. Work Study

Save Money. Benjamin Franklin said, "A penny saved is a penny earned." The best way to save money is take AP (advanced placement) classes in high school so you earn college credits free. You can graduate from high school 2 years ahead of kids your age and use the 2 years of tuition money to invest in an advanced degree. Another good way to save money is to go to a local junior college. Going to college in your home state is also a big money saver. Many students don’t want to live at home and go to a local junior college to save money. Consider taking classes locally during the summer break to get ahead and save money.

For more money saving ideas click here https://studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/pay_for_college/cost_35.html

Scholarships. These are gifts based on different criteria. Scholarships can be merit based or need based. Scholarships can come from individuals, employers, charity groups, schools, companies, churches and church affiliated organizations, professional associations, social organizations. To find scholarships go to

https://studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/scholarship/v3browse.asp

Grants. Grants are usually need based. This is the United States Department of Education web site where you search for grants

http://www.ed.gov/fund/grants-apply.html?src=rt

Pell Grants. These are need based. Pell grants just jumped $691 to $5,350 and a $150 increase has been approved for 2009.

ACG. (Academic Competitiveness Grant). To qualify you must have taken AP (advanced placement) classes in high school and be a freshman or sophomore in college.

FSEOG Grant. (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant). Need based grant.

SMART Grant. (Science and Mathematics Assistance to Retain Talent). You must major in science, mathematics, technology, engineering, foreign language. 3.0 GPA minium.

TEACH Grant. (Teacher Education Assistance for Higher Education). For future teachers who are willing to work in low-income schools.

Work Study. Part time jobs on campus.

Student Loans. Loans that you pay back after graduation.

Tuition Tax Credits. This credit just jumped $700 to $2,500. Go to http://www.irs.gov to learn about the Hope and Lifetime Learning Credit. Look for IRS publication 970 Tax Benefits for Higher Education.

I hope you will take a few minutes to make a difference in a kids life.

Maya Thomas
Exit Realty Old Island Key West

1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040

(305) 5221398

www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

MyRealPro@gmail.com

1 commentMaya Thomas • March 15 2009 05:21PM

How to Get the Kids Grades up to A’s and B’s by the End of the Semester with 4 Hours of your Time

With a 15 year old, 13 year old and 11 year old we think about college everyday.  We were lucky for a long time when the kids were all getting A’s and B’s all by themselves.  I took it for granted.  Then one day the grades went bad like sour milk.  What in the world happened?  I thought the kids were just blessed with natural intelligence.  Did they just have easy teachers for the last few years?

This is how I fixed things…

First, I sold them on not having to work while they are in school, getting to join sports teams and clubs.  We talked about how fun traveling to football games and wrestling games would be.  And how many friends they would make if they knew all the kids in your classes and all the kids on their teams and the kids who volunteer for other organizations.  The extra time with some of the kids doing the same things would make their friendships stronger and that would make being at school more fun.  It would also give them more friends to do things with when they weren’t in school.

Then I sold them on how fun it would be to be in college with their own house and a bunch of friends living with them.  We talked about sports and fraternities.  We talked about dates and parties.

Then I gave them an exercise…

I handed each one a newspaper.  They were instructed to find a job that they could get hired to do if they dropped out of school or didn’t go to college.

Then I handed each kid a paper, a pen and a piece of paper.  They calculated how much money they would make every week with the newspaper job.

Then they looked for an apartment to rent.  They subtracted the cost of rent from their income.

Then they turned to the car section.  They picked out cars.  I printed an amortization schedule for them.  We estimated the cost of insurance.  They decided they couldn’t afford the cards.  We looked up on line the cost of a bus pass and then looked at the bus schedule.

Then they wrote grocery lists.  We went to the grocery store and they brought a piece of paper and wrote down the price of everything they wanted to buy.

The final project was to calculate how many hours they would have to work at minimum wage each week to survive. 

I asked each one how they would take a pretty girl on a date.  I had them calculate the cost of their date ideas.  I asked them if they thought the girls would want to ride the bus to their date.

I asked them where they would go on vacation. 

We then looked up houses and calculated the cost.  They realized that they would not have a car or a house and all they would do is work.

I explained to them that if they got straight A’s that they would be able to college.  I showed them on line the different programs to help them.  I explained scholarships to them and grants.

Then I asked, “Would you rather live in a cool house with a bunch of fun friends, go to fun parties and on dates with pretty fun girls or live the other life?”

By the end of the semester they both had all A’s and B’s and their attitudes improved too!

 Maya Thomas
Exit Realty Old Island Key West

1511 Truman Avenue
Key West, FL  33040

(305) 5221398

www.ShowcasePortfolioProperties.com

MyRealPro@gmail.com

1 commentMaya Thomas • March 15 2009 01:12PM