Aventura & Sunny Isles Beach Luxury Real Estate

The lists are endless. Age, phone number, address, grade in school, price, rank, time, and so on. How many? How much? Not enough? Languages vary from country to country and region to region all over the world but the universal language even with different forms of measure is still the same base. Numbers. They dictate our lives and can be positive or negative factors in how we view everything. Within every facet of existence numbers have high and low values representing good and bad – the worlds of medicine, education, business, law, and simple markings of time. In the world of Real Estate we are all too well aware of numbers affecting price, mortgage interest rates, values, and the inventory available. “Are we asking too much and how soon will we sell?” “How low will they take and how much should we offer?” Sellers want the high price, Buyers want the low price. This is an age old scenario the only thing that changes is the position on the scale. A deal is made when they both agree regardless of the high end or the low end on that scale. It sounds so simple. Right now there seems to be so much more for sale than there are people willing to buy. We can thank the rising prices all over the rest of the economy for that. But for those who are selling and the Buyers who are looking deals can and are being made. Asking prices are based on a combination of what Sellers feel they should ask, what they want, and what they feel the market will take. It is up to the Buyers to respond to those prices with offers that will determine where the homes can be sold and bought. Many have taken advantage of the lower asking prices as interest rates are still low but starting to go up. This is the time to strongly consider what is out there and realize it IS the time to buy. Let’s get the dialogue going and the numbers will speak for themselves. Let us help you.

If you are aware of the economy today you know about the real estate slow down. If you are buying or selling a home you are concerned about all your options. If real estate brokering is your livelihood you are working harder than ever before to make half the deals in twice the time. But still life is good. You have to sit back and savor all the celebrations in your life and those around you. Those are the balances that keep us all sane in this crazy economic world. Life moves on and before you know it you are marking milestones in your life that long ago seemed so far away. First wedding anniversaries, one year old children, ten year high school reunions, and twenty years in your present home. We can all identify with many of these marks of time and so many more. Koslovsky Realty has been in business for close to thirty years. with the great fortune of wonderful agents and loyal employees who we prefer to refer to as our friends and family. Martin came to our office in 1988 as a licensed broker. He moved into a contract processing position, and now comes into the office a couple of hours a day entering listings, keeping updated with expired properties, and filling in wherever and whenever needed. He comes to our weekly meetings on a regular basis and for me on a personal note adds a sense of purpose and endurance in life. Celebrating a special birthday this coming August, (keeping in mind that all birthdays are special) I look at him with the same sense of awe that I did my grandmother who lived a quality life until 100. This week Martin and his wife will celebrate sixty years of marriage. WOW!! How wonderful, how unique, how special. If there is a secret to life they know it. Martin and Roz: Happy Anniversary and may you continue to enjoy many more years together with love and good health. The milestones in our lives are what fill our days, our years, our heads and our hearts. Hopefully more good ones than not, they are what move our lives along. The real estate market will continue to pick up and great deals will be made. We are here for you. Wishing all the Dads out there a Happy Father’s Day especially to my husband, Sid. Your children are sure to celebrate having you in their lives.

FORECLOSURE-A very scary word. No one wants to deal with it or even believe it can be happening to you. However, for some it is a reality and you cannot stick your head in the sand and pretend it will just go away. Take charge and do the best you can to deal with a crappy situation. Some homeowner tips that I hope you will find helpful: First and foremost DO NOT ignore the problem. Contact your lender, the bank, as soon as you realize you have a problem. Be honest as the bank does not want your house. Some banks have options to help you get through a difficult time. Absolutely open and respond to ALL mail and any correspondence from you lender. They will help you understand all your options or you can go to the Internet at www.hud.gov/foreclosure/index.cfm You will need to get outside advice from a trusting attorney and/or a HUD-approved housing counselor in your area. You can call 1-800-569-4287. There is also the Homeownership Preservation Foundation Hot-line at 1-800-995-HOPE. There you will get a personal consultation. Whatever you do try to avoid these foreclosure prevention companies out there. You also have to be very much aware of all the foreclosure scams. There are many lenders out there who prey on people who are in financial distress. They know how to reach out to those who just are at their wits end. Promising everything and delivering nothing. Be careful of “bargain loans,” “foreclosure solutions,” and those promises to “cure your default” or “repair your credit.” These are empty leads to get you to sign up. You will be in such a vulnerable state you may want to believe anything is possible. Make sure you DO NOT sign any documents that you don’t understand. There is no crime in asking for explanations from your trusting friend the attorney. If you sign a deed, you are in fact selling your home. If you have moved past these steps and believe you might have been taken as a victim of predatory lending you can call the Anti-Predatory Lending Hot-line at 786-331-5348. Foreclosure is not just about the money. It is a very emotional predicament that can cripple you. Remember to put it in perspective and grab hold of the situation. Put yourself in charge. Long before the situation arises consider selling even at a loss to just get out. But if it has escalated beyond that at this point, be proactive and move forward. Foreclosure can effect your health and your well being. Deal with the facts at hand and stay focused.