I've Moved to Front Street | 4 Steps to Making Quality Decisions

BREAKING NEWS: sometimes in life you're faced with making decisions that can dramatically change your future on either side of the coin. Not that you're in a bad position where you are, but one that better aligns with your passion and personal vision for yourself. While I was in a great position with my Coldwell Banker family, on a great team, with a great company with timeless relationships being forged, I knew that my heart aligned a bit differently with some core interests. I've been very grateful to have some wonderful opportunities present themselves to me which are easy to graciously pass on because they don't  necessarily align with my core, personal vision and values. But this one came along and I had to consider it because it actually did. So I am pleased to announce that I've made the move to pursue my real estate career further, but from the commercial side and I'm doing it with Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group (www.frontstreet.net). I just wanted to publicly thank my wife, my trusted advisors, and definitely the Coldwell Banker family for their unconditional support in this tough decision. This  decision also prompted me to share some keys to making quality decisions and here they are:

1. Pray: I'm not sure who you worship, but I am a strong believer in my faith in God. I also acknowledge that there has to be a power higher than me that has divine insight and wisdom beyond my ability. Have a conversation with your higher power because he knows the thoughts and plans that are ahead of you and if you seek him first, you will find them.

2. Consult with Wise Counsel: In life, everyone should surround themselves with a personal board of directors. A group of individuals that you can call to help you analyze key life decisions and present different points of view based on what they know about you and their insight into your life, coupled with their life experiences and expertise. This mastermind group of people should consist of Pastors or other spiritual leaders, industry experts pertinent to your career field, life-long friends (with a grain of salt), and, most importantly, your spouse.  Your spouse is usually the one most intimately acquainted with you and also has some "skin in the game" when it comes to the outcome of your decisions.  They are gifts from God.. LISTEN TO THEM! And also, let me emphasize the word, "WISE" in wise counsel. Be careful in who you allow to speak into your life.

3. Research the Facts: Become an expert on all facts, figures and data relating to your decision -- both quantitative and qualitative. From this data, establish a list of pros and cons as it relates to both sides of the decision to be made.  This may also be applicable to establishing a SWOT Analysis -- an analysis of your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.  Your Strengths: things that you personally possess that would add value to a given entity; Your Weaknesses: the converse of your strengths; Opportunities: outside influences and potential future transactions that may take place that you can take advantage of given your strengths; Threats: outside influences and future transactions that may be hurdles and blockages to your success given your weaknesses.

4. Pray Again: Your faith in God should be the first and last voice in your journey.  Once you've initiated the process with prayer, and have done steps two and three, you should shut off the voices, silence the noise and listen for that still, small voice of wisdom.  Get into a place of silence whether it's an office, a quiet place in nature, a coffee shop, wherever it is that you can be in tuned with just you and your higher power and reach a place of peace with your decision.  Some would call this, "going with your gut."

Once your decision is made, do not waiver and go into a state of "paralysis by analysis." Be very quick and decisive in making the decision and corresponding plan of action. Do away with all reminders of the "way it was" and things that would remind you of the past.  It's very important that you are fully invested in the new decision and have laser focus on your action plans to experience swift success.

Buyers Market Ending? | Chris Doering Exclusive Interview

Throughout 2014, we've seen mortgage rates stay and have a cup of coffee around the low 4% range.  However, with the fed looking to raise mortgage rates in the near future, your cost to borrow funds for home purchases may be in jeopardy of rising.

A majority of economists have come to the consensus that the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage could reach 5% by mid-2015, The New York Times reports. On Friday, Freddie Mac reported the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 4.2 %. This is largely attributable to the Federal Reserve’s plan to withdraw from buying mortgage-backed securities. 

Economists suggest that while a 5% mortgage rate is still historically low, such an increase still has the potential of reducing buying power in a home purchase. For example: According to some estimates, a 1 percent increase in interest rates can raise a monthly mortgage payment on a typical home by more than $700 in pricier parts of the country. Of course that type of increase is very loosely applicable to the Gainesville market. 

But even in the case of rate hikes up to 7%, the analysis found that homes remain affordable overall. From 1985 to 2000, home owners’ housing costs—including the principal and interest on a median-priced home—accounted for 22% of a home owners’ median household income. However, for comparison, today’s households are spending about 15 % of their median income on a median-priced home.

For further details, check out this recent article from the NY Times:

When Mortgage Rates Rise

Mortgage rates have remained relatively low this year, and little changed, despite previous predictions of an inevitable rise. Borrowers, though, may be wondering how much longer this environment can last.

At this point, waiting for the rise in interest rates “is a little bit like ‘Waiting for Godot,’ ” said Stan Humphries, the chief economist for Zillow, an online real estate information service, referring jokingly to the Samuel Beckett play named for a character who never shows up. 

Mr. Humphries and other economists are now predicting that the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage will hit 5 percent by the middle of next year, partly as a result of the Federal Reserve’s planned withdrawal from buying mortgage-backed securities. Last week, the 30-year national average was 4.28 percent, according to HSH.com, a publisher of loan information.

While 5 percent is still low by historical standards, an increase of that size can reduce buying power more than borrowers may think. According to Zillow, a 1 percent rise in interest rates could raise monthly mortgage payments on a typical home next year by more than $700 in pricier parts of the country. Zillow compared the effect of a rate increase to 5.1 percent from 4.1 percent for a 30-year mortgage in 35 metropolitan areas. Figuring in the expected increases in home values over the next year, Zillow found that monthly payments would rise by as little as $65 in the St. Louis area and as much as $710 in the San Jose/Silicon Valley region.

In the New York metropolitan area, which includes Northern New Jersey,Long Island and Westchester, monthly payments would rise by about $200.

While a rise in rates of even 50 basis points can have a substantial effect on demand, Mr. Humphries noted that for the country as a whole, homes are still relatively affordable. From 1985 to 2000, paying the principal and interest on a median-priced home ate up about 22 percent of median household income, he said. Now, people are spending about 15 percent of median income for the median-priced home.

“So even when rates go to 7 percent, it will still be affordable” in most areas, Mr. Humphries said.

Los Angeles and the Bay Area are glaring exceptions, as home prices there are demanding 40 percent of household income.

A lack of inventory in mid- to lower-priced homes may pose more of a problem for first-time buyers. Research by Redfin, a national real estate brokerage, shows a sharp decline in home listings below $375,000 compared with 2011.

Looking at properties listed in July, Redfin found 28 percent fewer homes priced under $375,000 than in July 2011, and 50 percent fewer priced at $130,000 or less. Above $375,000, inventory was up by 16 percent.

In August, the number of listings over all declined by an unseasonably high 9 percent compared with July, signaling that it is unlikely “we are going to see a big push in affordable inventory anytime soon,” said Nela Richardson, Redfin’s chief economist.

On the plus side for buyers, the market could become less competitive. The National Association of Realtors reported on Monday that purchases by investors and all-cash buyers fell sharply in August.

“Many markets are not going to see the same multiple-bid environment that we saw even earlier this year,” Ms. Richardson said. “It will be easier to win the home of your dreams than it was a few months ago.”

First-time buyers need not feel rushed, she said, noting that low rates are likely to stay low “for a few more months. It’s O.K. to be patient and to look.”

Contact Jason Hurst Today!

A Quiet Battle Making Noise in Gainesville | New Home Valuation Tool Unleashed!

I wanted to touch on one of the hotter topics that is affecting our beloved Gainesville Community.  This topic has left a number of individuals, particularly on the eastern half of Alachua County, somewhat divided, and rightfully so.  There is a movement that is gaining traction, with support and opposition, that could shape the next 50 years of Alachua County's growth and development.  I recently have gotten involved in the discussions over this heated topic.  While I will not disclose my position on this topic through this medium, nor will I encourage you to choose either side of the discussion, I do think that it's only fitting for you to be "in the know" of what is at hand since it will affect you and your families for years to come.  The movement is called Envision Alachua and at the center of it's plan is huge landowner by the name of Plum Creek.

WHAT IS ENVISION ALACHUA?

When Alachua County government asked Plum Creek what its plans were for 65,000 acres of land in eastern Alachua County, the company responded with Envision Alachua—a community-based planning process that has spanned, to date, over three years and collected feedback from more than 1,700 area residents. A community vision of what could be achieved on these Plum Creek lands emerged from Envision Alachua. In December of 2013, to move forward on this vision, Plum Creek submitted the Envision Alachua Sector Plan (EASP) to local officials for review. The EASP includes a request to amend the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan to set aside an additional 29,325 acres—resulting in a total of more than 52,190 acres—for conservation, agriculture and open space. The EASP also provides the much needed land to support employment-oriented, mixed-use development (EOMU), which can accommodate 30,000 jobs in eastern Alachua County over the next 50 years.

WHO IS PLUM CREEK?
Plum Creek is one of the largest private landowners in the nation with approximately seven million acres of timberlands in the United States. Our core business is timber, and in Florida, we own 418,000 acres in 21 counties. Nearly 95,000 acres of those lands are permanently conserved. In Alachua County, Plum Creek is the largest private landowner with 65,000 acres, and about 24,000 acres are permanently conserved. Plum Creek believes giving back to our communities is not only responsible, but the right thing to do. Across the country and in Alachua County, the Plum Creek Foundation gives away thousands of dollars in grant funds to support nonprofit organizations that improve our citizens’ quality of life.

The Envision Alachua Goal for the Economy
To create economic development opportunities that support and enhance the innovation economy, provide job opportunities and services at all economic levels and ensure a robust and
sustainable economy.

• Accommodate 30,000 potential jobs over 50 years in eastern Alachua County, where the employment need is the greatest.
• Attract advanced manufacturing and agricultural related jobs, many of which require only a high school diploma or some specific training, overcoming jobs competition that residents face with college students.
• Assist to increase the tax base, and allow for the services and recreation opportunities close by that support a vibrant community.
• Enable Alachua County, the University of Florida and Santa Fe College and the region to compete in the state, national and global economies.

Well I hope this provided enough of an overview of the plan to pique your interest to learn more about the topic and delve further in to the details, pros and cons of the plan.  Either way, this discussion will affect generations of Alachua County citizens for years to come whether it happens or not… so GET INVOLVED!

*INVESTOR SPECIAL* New Millennium Home Available Now! - Tenant Occupied (Newberry, Florida)

CLICK THE VIDEO BELOW FOR A VIRTUAL VIEW OF THIS PROPERTY

28917 SW 30th Avenue, Newberry, FL 32669 

JUST LISTED!! Most likely, best suited for an investor, but can be made into a great home as well. Lease is flexible. Very cozy home on a 5 acre parcel of land. Built just before the turn of the millennium, this quaint, 3 BR, 2 Bath home is sure to impress. It includes a formal dining and living room, beautiful living annex, master bathroom with jacuzzi style tub and more! It has an A/C unit that is one-year old with energy efficient curtains installed. Outside come with a workshop with electricity, two carports for a regular car and an RV and/or boat. It is currently tenant occupied and the tenant can either stay to make it a rental or move to make this your new home!! (MLS# 355743)

Contact me for more information or to schedule a viewing.  When it comes to real estate, Think Hurst 1st!

My Personal Gainesville Restaurant Week | MUST EATS!

In honor of the Annual Gainesville Restaurant Week that has so graciously been put on each year by the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, I have decided to highlight my personal, favorite restaurants in the area.  Now, none of these are featured restaurants on this years official tour, but make no mistake about it, they are OFFICIAL IN TASTE and need to be frequented. My wife and I are self-proclaimed "foodies".  We are contacted by many in our circles and are considered  reliable and consultative specialists when it comes to food and restaurant recommendations.  I would venture to say that, between us, there isn't one restaurant door that has gone unopened in Gainesville and the surrounding areas so I have a pretty qualified opinion on most places.  We enjoy dating and family time in a good restaurant, mostly the ones that are least advertised and underground favorites. So whether you're looking for a date spot, a catered event, or a brief meeting location, these eating sanctuaries will be right up your alley!

Civilization
1511 NW 2nd Street
Nestled near the Duck Pond area of Gainesville, this quaint restaurant is ideal for quiet conversation, a

small little getaway, and, of course, a great meal.  Now, me being from the densely-populated, urban demographic of the Chicagoland area of Illinois, I have never come in contact with a buffalo, let alone ever tasted one.  But let it be known, Civilization has an undeniably great and hearty Water Buffalo burger.  I would liken it most closely to an Angus beef burger, but with a more robust and rich flavor.  It's sure to capture your taste buds and leave you full; especially on the king of buns, the kaiser roll.  This is just one of the many organic, international treats on their menu. And, for the health conscious, Civilization is greatly vegan-friendly.  Civilization is definitely a natural food lover's spot and a free-feeling ambiance to take advantage of in Gainesville.

The Top
30 N Main Street
This is, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Gainesville.  With me being a city boy, I am always on a

quest for venues, activities and restaurants that most closely resemble the food, culture and ambiance of "the big city" and, if only for a few hours, remind me of the urban, city culture.  THIS IS IT! Located right on Main street near the precise center of Gainesville (University and Main) it is always a bustling and tasty option.  But you may want to allow for a long wait time because it's always full… and well worth the wait.  If you go, and I highly recommend you do, you absolutely cannot leave with out at least ordering the corn nuggets.  I don't know how they make them, but they are similar to chicken nuggets but with a burst of seasoned cream corn, flavored just right to leave you wanting another bite each time.  You truly can't go wrong with anything on the menu, though.  A MUST EAT!

Southern Charm

• 1714 SE Hawthorne Road

What good is it to live in the South and not have a viable option for "good ol' home cookin'".  I, too, enjoy southern cooking, but my biggest hang ups, most times, are that the food is heavy, in most cases, unhealthy, and usually cooked with a bunch of grease.  This makes it hard to justify eating these meals regulary and preserving my sexy LOL!  However, Southern Charm, qualifies for the best of both worlds. Nestled in the heart of east Gainesville, with a decor of an upscale, blues shack, Southern Charm is the brainchild of the same people that brought you the tasty goodness of Reggae Shack.  There are a number of guilt-free and creative dishes that they have fused together with names and tastes that we have come to enjoy such as Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffles, Succotash, Okra, collard greens, apple turnovers and more!  I highly recommend the Shrimp and Waffles followed by the Apple turnovers with ice cream.

The Jones B-Side
203 SW 2nd Avenue
This upbeat, eclectic joint has moved it's home from it's East Gainesville location to one centered downtown in the party district of Gainesville. This is another new-aged, organic and naturally-raised food restaurant and it is DELICIOUS! And, for my personal taste, you can usually catch them playing some underground and old school hip-hop beats from A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Mos Def and the like. For someone like myself that just plain LOVES food, but needed to find a balance that I don't revert back to the 5'6", 200 pound frame of my former self, I have struggled to find delicious, gluten-free and/or organic alternatives to desserts that would rival my all-time favorite sweets.  But I have found some at The Jones. Let me recommend the vegan chocolate cake, the pecan bar, the chocolate chip brownie and the gluten-free chocolate chip pecan cookie.

Satchel's Pizza
1800 NE 23rd Avenue
Nestled on the Eastside of Gainesville, this iconic pizza restaurant resembles the home base of Scooby-Doo, Shaggy and their crew and it's by design.  The decor includes old 1960's games, paraphernalia, and even vehicles, in which you can dine, that resemble Scooby's mystery machine.  This theme and creative measures taken are what make Satchel's so unique and set apart from any other pizza place you will visit in the WORLD.  And it only helps that their jumbo pizzas with a wide array of toppings and flavors are mouth-watering and euphorically delicious… Come to think of it, I've often questioned whether their pizzas are baked with some other artifacts made popular in the 1960's era (please see Snoop Dogg.)  Two important things to be aware of when eating at this Gainesville Landmark: (1) allow for much wait time because it's always packed.. rightfully so, and (2) Be sure to bring cash! They're one of the few businesses that still operate on a cash basis in 2014.

The Hyppo
214 SE 2nd Avenue
I would have never thought you could find so much value in a popsicle.  But these aren't your everyday push-pops or Rocket pops.  The Hyppo is a boutique popsicle shop that prides themselves on an extremely unique offering of gourmet popsicles made with authentically real (not from concentrate either) ingredients.  They were birthed in St. Augustine, Florida and brought their coastal exclusivity and popularity to downtown Gainesville.  Their unique flavors such as Guava Hibiscus, Pineapple Cilantro, and Mango Habanero make this not just a great symphony of flavors, but an unparalleled experience… And they are DAAAAARN GOOD!!!  My favorite is the creamy, dreamy Key Lime Pie flavored pop.



Thank you so very much for you continued support.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions pertaining to this or any other real estate related topics at (352) 246-8706 or at jhurst@mmparrish.com.  You can also visit my website at www.jasonjhurst.com.  And remember, when it comes to real estate, THINK HURST 1ST!

Home Alone | 10 Ways to Protect Your Home While on Vacation

I know we all wish we had a blonde-haired, eight year old kid, with the intellect of a Harvard grad student to conveniently "forget" at home to protect the fort while we're on vacation; much like McCauley Culkin in the hit 90's movie, Home Alone.  But let's face it, though his antics made that one of our all-time favorite movies (well, at least one of mine anyway), it couldn't be further from a realistic tactic.  Home burglary while you're off on your summer and holiday vacations is a very real risk and you have to be prepared.  Here are 10 very practical ways to protect your home and valuable assets while you're enjoying your vacation time.

1. Ask a Friend to Help - commission a family member or close friend of the family to periodically stop by your house to patrol the inside of the house, the perimeter or even collect important mail, packages delivered in your absence, or bring the trashcans in/out for the neighborhood trash day. If you're going on a vacation to a point of interest that they've never been, you may even want to bribe them with a special gift from that point of interest upon your return. I typically find that bags of Garrett's Popcorn do the trick when I take trips home to Chicago.

2. Don't Broadcast Your Vacation Plans on Social Media - it's nice to share your life with others via social media, but your life shared with the wrong hands could spell trouble; particularly if you're broadcasting your vacation plans. Take pictures of your vacation and save them until you return before you create the album on social media to share with your friends. (Don't worry... I'm guilty of this one, too.)

3. Completely Unplug Appliances - utility companies and energy conservation organizations agree that even though your appliances may be completely turned off, they still use energy even if they're still plugged. However, you may want to reconsider unplugging the refrigerator. Otherwise, you may end up with some award-winning science fair projects upon your return.

4. Notify the Police - believe it or not, your neighborhood police men take interest in stopping potential theft in your particular home. Contact local law enforcement to put them on watch and they will periodically patrol yor neighborhood for suspicious activity... And let's hope they're not the Joe Pesci type as seen in the movie, Home Alone. 

5. Install Motion Activated/Timed Lights - consider installing lights that are triggered by motions within a certain proximity to your house, door, or the like. Or, you can install lights that are programmed to activate at a certain time. Both of these options will confuse a potential thief as to whether or not a home is inhabited, or it will at least make them think twice about their attempt to rob the place.

6. Leave a Light or Two on Inside - Leave a low beam light, or two, on such as a small lamp, oven light or ceiling fan light. This will also confuse a break in plot when it gets dark outside.  It may be a small expense on the GRU utility bill, but it's a small price to pay in comparison to replacing items stolen in the event of a break in. 

7. Pause Mail Delivery - Contact the USPS online or by dropping by your local branch and request that they hold your mail. You can provide them with the specific dates of your vacation and the mail will resume upon your return along with all the mail that was slated to be delievered while you were gone.

8. Remove your Hidden Spare Key - I know you usually leave a spare key under the mat, above the door frame, under an outdoor pot or other removable fixture outside. You may even leave it in the garage somewhere. However, none of these places are safe when you're out of town because experienced thieves know where your spare is too. Consider removing the spare key while you're gone.

9. Have Lawn Freshly Cut and Hedges Clipped - I'm sure you have a regularly scheduled time for lawn and shrub maitnenance. However, you'll want to make sure you cut your grass and manicure that greenery just before you leave (or schedule your maintenance crew to pay a visit while you're away.) Uncut grass and shrubs are dead giveaways for thieves to signal that no one is home. Or, it can be a dead giveaway of a lazy homeowner as well.

10. Invest in a Good Alarm System - a good alarm system will trigger cops and neighbors in the event of a break in. There are several reasonably-priced services that charge a monthly monitoring fee and also provide monitoring options via your phone through an app. I, personally, use ADT and have been very satisfied with their services. Feel free to contact me if you need me to refer you to a good rep in town.





Thank you so very much for you continued support.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions pertaining to real estate at (352) 246-8706 or at jhurst@mmparrish.com.  You can also visit my website at www.jasonjhurst.com.  And remember, when it comes to real estate, THINK HURST 1ST!

The City of Gainesville | #5, Should Have Been #1 to Me

For those that know me, you can vouch for the fact that I am VERY proud of my Chicagoland heritage.  Though most of my city's sports team - for which I am a devout fan of all of them - have not given me much to cheer for lately (except in hockey.. GO BLACKHAWKS!), I am still proud to call the Land of Lincoln my home.  This is largely why I made up my mind that my stay in Gainesville, Florida was going to be short-lived when I first moved here in 2006. Eight years, a marriage, great church, and one son later, I have placed roots in the great city of Gainesville, Florida.  These 8 years as a citizen roughly equate to 25% of my life and it doesn't seem that I will be moving anywhere any time soon. So, it's safe to say, I'm a "Gainesvillian!"

A recent report released by Movoto Real Estate listed our great city of Gainesville, Florida as the #5 best place to live in the entire state of florida - trailing only Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Winter Park, and Pompano Beach.  These were the reasons cited for their determination of placing Gainesville at #5:

• Low unemployment rate (7.9%)
• Low cost of living
• Low average commute time (20 minutes)
• Beautiful average summer temperature (79 degrees)…. not sure how they came up with that one
• (No surprise here) The University of Florida offering a college town vibe sparking music venues, bars, art festivals, and local improv groups.

However, having lived here for the past 8 years and deeply exploring Gainesville to make the most out of my experience living here, I have a very different view of the city which would qualify it for a #1 ranking as the, hands down, best place to live in Florida. Here are the points of my case:

• Thanks to the University of Florida, we have one of the most decorated and richest sporting and scholastic traditions in all of the world - winning multiple national championships across multiple sports, as well as graduating multiple thought leaders and merit scholars into major contributors to society.  On top of that, the university has a long-standing position as one of the top 10 largest universities in the US.

• Gainesville's State Parks are some of the most beautiful, organic, natural wonders that you will ever experience (Devil's Milhopper, Dudley Farm, Gainesville-Hawthorne Bike Trail, Payne's Prairie, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, and San Felasco Hammock.)  Not only can you come face-to-face with bull gators and bison, but you can
  
  also enter the breath-taking depths of the earth and experience one of the world's largest sinkholes.  

• Let's say, for some reason, you just can't assimilate to the culture of Gainesville and just need to get away.  Well, you'd be happy to know that Gainesville is within a 2-hour drive of some of the best and most active cities, attractions, and beaches that the state has to offer, including Daytona Beach, Orlando, Cedar Key, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Amelia Island and more!

• Now, as a Chicagoan, I am intimately acquainted with one of the nation's most eaten delicacies: pizza!  Since I come from one of the pizza capitols of the world, I have earned my stripes to offer a qualified opinion on this matter.  With that being said, Satchel's Pizza, on the east side of Gainesville is, hand's down, one of the best pizza places in the nation -- You have to experience it.. and their atmosphere is an experience in itself. 

• The natural springs of Alachua county are some of the most awe-inspiring and fun venues in all of the country.  Located just north of Gainesville on the Sante Fe River, Ginnie Springs offers tubing, cave diving, kayaking and more.  And you can also encounter one of the most gently-large, endangered species up close - the manatee.
  
   
• We have a real "Miracle on 34th Street"! Coming from an urban scene where graffiti and other expressive wall art is frowned upon, Gainesville can boast that we encourage this form of
  
  expression.  The 34th street graffiti wall is an attraction and staple of the community, offering any citizen, or friend of the city, an opportunity to express themselves at any given time.

I can seriously go on about Gainesville, Florida - the town where I met my wife, the town where my son was born, and the town that I have grown to love and call myself a proud citizen of, but there seriously aren't enough characters nor enough time for me to write it all… and retain your attention at that.  So just take my word for it… Any outsider can spend a few days here: speaking with locals, frequenting a few spots here and there, but to truly know Gainesville, Florida, is to love it! And that's why it gets a #1 ranking all day long from me.  :)

Contact me if you have further questions or need anymore information.  I also love to hear your feedback if this information has been helpful to you.  Peace and increase!!

When it comes to Real Estate, Think Hurst First!

Welcome the Millennials! | Your Old Methods of Marketing Suck!

It first started with the "Baby Boomers".  They were a generation of people born in the post world war II era, roughly between the years of 1946-1964.  They were a people group who grew older and began to completely dominate and influence a culture - from fashion decisions, to political views, to purchasing decisions, to marketing messaging.  However, recently, this Baby Boomer generation has begun to retire, pass away and, put quite simply, have decreased in population and influence.  Then, there was "Generation X", which didn't have much of an identity……. and quite frankly, I can't define them either so lets move on.  Enter: "Generation Y", or  more affectionately known as, "The Millennials." This generation, much like the Baby Boomers, has become the most dominant portion of our population and they are expanding.  And, like the Baby Boomers, they are changing the way we dress, the way we market, our political and cultural views and, most importantly, the way we communicate.  As it pertains to real estate, they have even become the largest group of home buyers.  So, in case you haven't gotten the memo, your old methods of marketing to them and communicating with them, most likely, SUCK!  It's the equivalent to being The Flintstones living amongst the Jetsons. And, newsflash, it's "not so easy, a caveman can do it."  So if you're not partaking in this huge paradigm shift, then you're on your way to losing… especially in the real estate market.  So let's define this people group, shall we?

The Pew Research Center released a report in March of 2014 which defines The Millennials as a generation that is disconnected from "the institution", has a strong sense of community and are extremely socially aware.  Most reports concur that they encompass individuals born between the years of 1981 and 2000 (ironically, I am considered a "Millennial"… I don't know, I found that interesting.)  They are also referred to as "Generation Me" because of the strong sense of entitlement and narcissim (But, that's so not me though.. just thought I'd clear that up.)

The NAR (National Association of Realtors) released a very intriguing report about the impact of The Millennials on the homeownership market and here's what they found:

•Largest share of home buyers at 31% and smallest share of home sellers at 12%

• 76% are first-time buyers
• Buying primarily for desire to own a home
• 19% live in urban areas—largest share amongst the generations
• Biggest neighborhood influencers: quality of neighborhood and convenience to job
• Commuting costs are very important to 37% of Gen Y buyers
• Plan to live in home 10 years
• 74% say biggest benefit from an agent is helping them understand the process
• 20% had a difficult time saving for a downpayment à among them 56% said student loan debt delayed saving
• 17% had to stall home sale because their home was worth less than their mortgage
• Most likely to think their home is a good financial investment: 87%  

So now, the next question is: if they represent the largest opportunity for the housing market, what are the best ways to reach and communicate with the Millennials?  Newsflash: Your Old Methods Won't Work Anymore!! Here are a few key avenues of communication that you will have to implement and master in order to stand out with The Millennials:

1. You must make your marketing and content dissemination "Mobile Device Friendly":  Just from 2012-2013, web content access via mobile devices went from 18% to 27% and it is growing rapidly!  And because we live in a rapid, "microwave" society, if your content can not be easily accessed and read on these devices, you will be quickly ostracized and blacklisted by this sect of people.


2. They are beginning to prefer Instant Messaging and Texting to Phone Calls: According to the Pew Research Center, some 83% of American adults own cell phones and three-quarters of them (73%) send and receive text messages. When asked how they prefer to be contacted on their cell phone, research found that 31% said they preferred texts to talking on the phone, while 53% said they preferred a voice call to a text message. Another 14% said the contact method they prefer depends on the situation.  And, as texting becomes progressively easier, expect it to continue it's rapid growth trend among Millennials.

3. Use the Convenience of File Sharing: Bloated servers and crowded inboxes are issues that have infected all organizations. Infocentric Research recently deemed searching for files through the wastelands of old documents to be the biggest time waster. File sharing platforms are one of the first significant technological achievements developed by The Millenials, with many being launched at the beginning of last decade. Consider using these platforms for sharing large files: We Transfer and SendSpace.  And for online files storage, these are generally accepted medium: Google Drive and DropBox. All of these medium are generally free, but may incur fees depending on huge sizes.

4. Must have a strong, multi-platform Social Media presence: We've all seen the ridiculous statistics about the billions of people on the Big 3 social medium: Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.  However, there are some other medium that are growing astronomically to be considered major players such as Pinterest, Instagram, Linked-in and Google Plus.  Consider social media presence as a huge cocktail party where you can meet anyone you want to know and communicate with them at anytime.  How cool would it be to go to hundreds of networking events and build relationships with key buyers and influencers on a daily basis?….. wait for it….. wait for it.... THIS IS IT!!! Whether you think it's dumb or not, you need be here and you need to interact with the people regularly. It's a prime opportunity to brand yourself, frequently touch your market, and most importantly, listen to your customers.  And if your challenge is the consistency of posting and having a presence on all of these medium, no sweat!! There are some great multi-platform sharing apps that will allow you to not only share content across multiple platforms, but they also allow you to auto-schedule your posts for the optimal times of viewing by readers on that medium!  Try these: HootSuite, EveryPost, Buffer, and Feedly.

Contact me if you have further questions or need anymore information.  I also love to hear your feedback if this information has been helpful to you.  Peace and increase!!

When it comes to Real Estate, Think Hurst First!

Pitfalls to Selling Your Home | Top Reasons Why Your House Won't Sell

In today's market, every step is crucial.  One wrong move can be the difference between making money from your home, losing money on your home or not even selling it at all… and the latter two options would SUCK!!… Trust me I've been there.  But this doesn't have to be for you.  There is a great deal of appreciation in home prices taking place across Alachua County and here are some  helpful tips on pitfalls to avoid in selling yours!!!

PITFALLS TO AVOID IN SELLING YOUR HOME

1) INEFFECTIVELY PRICING YOUR HOME FOR SALE

This can be a very difficult task for some.  Home prices, like the stock market, change frequently and regularly.  On one hand, you can price it too high: trying to be overly ambitious with visions of "making it rain" in your head and price yourself out of the market.  Or, you can price it at a discount to deep to where you don't realize your full profit potential.  A good real estate agent can help you with this process and also put together a CMA (comparative market analysis) which can aid you with pricing your home effectively.  Real estate agents live in the world of buying and selling homes all day, every day.. TRUST THEM!! Besides, they don't get paid until you do :)

2) HE WHO MARKETS BEST, SELLS THE HOUSE

"If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?"… "If a house is for sale and there's no one there to see it, will it sell?".  Well you can debate the first question all you want, but i'm here to tell you that the answer to the second question is an emphatic, "NO!!!" Marketing a house effectively is as essential to selling a home as any other of these steps.  And, with the invent of so many social media tools, you have the opportunity to bring the world to your doorstep.  After all, you never know who is moving to your area… and in Gainesville, that changes every year (See the University of Florida.)  Make sure your agent takes as many pictures as allowed by law! Pictures truly do say a thousand words and will paint a picture of your home to those who are searching.  Either your agent or you should invest in purchasing or renting a high resolution camera which can take hi-def pics of your palace… Even if you can not afford one, you'd be surprised at the great resolution you can get in pictures taken from your phone or tablet these days.  But if you're going to do this, make sure your home is IMMACULATELY clean and all fixtures are up-to-date with their repairs…. just sayin'.

3) DON'T LEAVE YOUR HOUSE BUSTED AND DISGUSTED

Have you ever looked at somebody's teeth or clothes in a dirty or tattered condition and immediately "judged that book by it's cover?" .. Not even knowing that the person behind those imperfections could be a Phd, a millionaire, or even an angel in disguise.  We all know this is wrong, but it's human nature to develop a perception at first glance.  And whether right or wrong, their perception is their reality.  This is what potential homebuyers will do with your home as well.  If there are broken fixtures, dirty carpets or junky rooms, prospective buyers will, generally, automatically assume that the sellers do not/have not taken care of the home and the buyer's mind will wonder, "what else is wrong with the house that I can not see if they can't take care of what I can see??" Fix up and tidy up before you consider listing and, DEFINITELY, before taking pics.

4) TREAT YOUR BUYERS RIGHT!

Your buyer must be able to feel at home! In other words, they must be able to "make themselves at home" and have a vision of themselves living in your house.  Soft music, snacks, appropriate lighting: these are some subtle touches that can appeal to the senses of prospective buyers in wanting your home versus another.  And please, do not follow the buyers around as they peruse the home… as a matter of fact, stay out while they're there.  The buyers will become uncomfortable and may think you have something to hide… and it's just darn creepy. So, DON'T DO IT!  Give them some space to assess for themselves and wait for feedback from your agent.

Above all, BE PATIENT.  Not every home will sell overnight.  And sorry to burst your bubble, but most homes may take months to sell.  Keep calm! As long as you take heed to this advice and not fall into these pitfalls, you will be just fine and your house will sell in due time!

Contact me if you have further questions or need anymore information.  I also love to hear your feedback if this information has been helpful to you.  Peace and increase!!

What You Don't Know Can Hurt You | Get into a New Home Sooner, Rather Than Later!

There's an age-old adage that states that, "people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge." At first glance, the connotation of that statement suggests that negative things can happen to you if you're not aware.  However, suppose having a lack of knowledge could also detract you from taking advantage of opportunities before you. This is the angle by which I want to set up shop for this week's blog post.  

The real estate market in Alachua county has gradually recovered from its 2008 recessionary levels and, based on recent figures released by the Florida Realtors Association, we are poised for an even bigger recovery.  According to the February 2014 report that they released, examining year-over-year performance from February 2013 to February 2014, there are some strong indicators of a continued recovery. Here they are:

• New Listings: up 3.9%
• Median Sales Price: up 6.6%
• Average Sales Price: up 7.4%
• Median Days on the Market: down 28.9%
• Average Percent of Original List Price Received: up 1% to 90%

These are very promising figures for our local real estate market especially considering that a harsh winter (by Florida standards at least) hampered a lot of peoples' efforts.  Up until now, you may have been asking why buy or sale your home… So now, I'm asking WHY NOT?!  Oh, and just for a little extra sauce on your spaghetti, rates are still at historic lows; but as a word of warning, there has been much speculation that the economy is recovering and those rates will begin creeping back up in the near future.

Now, I'm sure you're probably saying to yourself, "Jason, I get it… the market is favorable, rates are low, it all sounds compelling, but who on God's green earth will be able to qualify me for a mortgage given my situation?"  Well, I'm glad you asked!!  I have taken the liberty of compiling some very locally-specific, potentially credit-friendly, mortgage loan programs that may insight hope and reinvigorate your goals and dreams of owning or refinancing your home!! Here they are:

USDA LOAN PROGRAM

What is This?
A USDA home loan comes from the USDA loan program, also known as the USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program.  It is a mortgage loan offered to rural property owners by the United States Department of Agriculture.

What are the Benefits?

Applicants for home loans may have an income of up to 115% of the median income for the area. Families must be without adequate housing, but be able to afford the mortgage payments, including taxes and insurance. In addition, applicants must have reasonable credit histories. Additionally, the property must be located within the USDA Home Loan "footprint."

Who is Eligible?

1. To be eligible, you must be purchasing a property in a rural area as defined by the USDA.
2. The home or property that you are looking to purchase must be "owner-occupied"; investment properties are not eligible for USDA loans.
3. USDA Loans require 2% of the purchase price in up front funding fee, and a monthly mortgage insurance premium based on .40% of balance annually. The annual premium is divided by 12 to arrive at the premium charge per month.

THE SHIP PROGRAM

What is this?

Florida Housing administers the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program (SHIP), which provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership and multifamily housing. The program was designed to serve very low, low, and moderate income families.

What are the Benefits?

SHIP dollars may be used to fund emergency repairs, new construction, rehabilitation, down payment and closing cost assistance, impact fees, construction and gap financing, mortgage buy-downs, acquisition of property for affordable housing, matching dollars for federal housing grants and programs, and homeownership counseling.

Who is Eligible?

SHIP funds are distributed on an entitlement basis to all 67 counties and 53 Community Development Block Grant entitlement cities in Florida. The minimum allocation is $350,000 and the maximum allocation is over $8.8 million. In order to participate, local governments must establish a local housing assistance program by ordinance; develop a local housing assistance plan and housing incentive strategy; amend land development regulations or establish local policies to implement the incentive strategies; form partnerships and combine resources in order to reduce housing costs; and ensure that rent or mortgage payments within the targeted areas do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income limits, unless authorized by the mortgage lender. Click here for a full SHIP Program Checklist

VA LOAN PROGRAM

What is This?

The VA loan was designed to offer long-term financing to eligible American veterans or their surviving spouses (provided they do not remarry). The basic intention of the VA direct home loan program is to supply home financing to eligible veterans in areas where private financing is not generally available and to help veterans purchase properties with no down payment. 

What are the Benefits?

The VA loan allows veterans 103.3 percent financing without private mortgage insurance or a 20 per cent second mortgage and up to $6,000 for energy efficient improvements. A VA funding fee of 0 to 3.3% of the loan amount is paid to the VA; this fee may also be financed. In a purchase, veterans may borrow up to 103.3% of the sales price or reasonable value of the home, whichever is less.

Who is Eligible?

The Veteran Loan program is designed for Veteran's who meet the minimum number of days of completed service. The program does allow for benefits to Surviving Spouses.

The VA does not have a minimum credit score used for pre-qualifying for a mortgage loan, however, most Lenders require a minimum credit score of at least 620.

A Veteran who has used their entitlement to previously purchase a home, may have entitlement left to purchase another one. If you previously purchased a home using your VA Benefits then you might still have some of that “Entitlement” available to you for the purchase a new home! For a full list of VA Loan eligibility requirements, click here.

FHA LOAN PROGRAM

What is This?

This is a US Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance backed mortgage loan which is provided by a FHA-approved lender. FHA insured loans are a type of federal assistance and have historically allowed lower income Americans to borrow money for the purchase of a home that they would not otherwise be able to afford. 

What are the Benefits?

FHA primarily serves people who cannot afford a conventional down payment or otherwise do not qualify for PMI.

Who is Eligible?

1.  The potential lender assesses the prospective home buyer for risk. FHA loans for buyers who don't meet a minimum 640 FICO score may be subject to higher mortgage rates, but can very likely still qualify.

2. The FHA makes provisions for home buyers who have recovered from "economic events". Via the Back To Work - Extenuating Circumstances program, the FHA reduces its standard, mandatory three-year application waiting period for buyers with a history of foreclosure, short sale or deed-in-lieu; and two-year application waiting period after a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The Back To Work program lasts through September 30, 2016.

So archive this post, book mark it, copy and paste it to a word doc, whatever you have to do because this is valuable stuff! And, other than the conventional mortgage loans, you may be able to take advantage of one of these unique programs NOW!!  I have built a network of individuals who can help you get started with one of these programs and get on the road to homeownership so e-mail me with your questions and  I'll get you hooked up with the right person. Until next time, when it comes to Real Estate…. Think Hurst First!!