LOOK BACK TO THE FUTURE!

Life has been described as a path, a direction in which we travel over time - rather than a single event. Each of us gets to choose the direction our path will take us. By making those choices, we also clear the way to achieving the objectives we've set for ourselves.

When we fail to choose the path we will travel, that is also a choice. In that case, the path we travel becomes less distinct with more twists and turns than we would have liked. Each side path we encounter tempts us to change direction. Lacking any roadmap of objectives we might have chosen, we often end up somewhere - else.

Regardless of the quality of our choices, we can get a clear understanding of where we are likely to end up - just by turning around. By simply looking back at the path we have been following, much can be learned. For example, is the path behind us straight, or filled with curves and detours taken? Is it paved with solid, masterfully laid stepping-stones, or filled with muddy ruts that zig-zag around every obstacle?

Chances are that, as teenagers, most of our paths seemed to have had many twists and turns. As we matured and learned from our mistakes, however, it is also likely that we began improving the direction and quality of the path we traveled. The more attention we paid to the path, the more enjoyable the journey became.

Want life to be a most pleasant journey? Build your own roadmap - then start paving!

      Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you or anyone you feel comfortable introducing me to.

      Many people – from the media to your neighbor and probably to you – are asking, “How’s the market?” and “Has the real estate market stabilized?”

      Experience shows that it depends on where you live.  I would love to do some research for you and send you an email that will tell you what homes are for sale now, what homes have sold recently and how long homes are taking to sell in your neighborhood, so you can feel secure in the knowledge that you have the most accurate information.  This timely information will tell you right away how your market is right now.

      Just take out your cell phone, look up my number (754-204-0069), call me, and I’ll email the report to you.

 Michael Peron, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

Weichert Realtors, 754-204-0069

 P.S.  This information would be valuable to anyone you know who’s considering buying or selling a home, or just wants information specific to their area.  Be sure to give me a call so I can help them, as well.

     Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you or anyone you feel comfortable introducing me to.

       Many people – from the media to your neighbor and probably to you – are asking, “How’s the market?” and “Has the real estate market stabilized?”

      Experience shows that it depends on where you live.  I would love to do some research for you and send you an email that will tell you what homes are for sale now, what homes have sold recently and how long homes are taking to sell in your neighborhood, so you can feel secure in the knowledge that you have the most accurate information.  This timely information will tell you right away how your market is right now.

      Just take out your cell phone, look up my number (754-204-0069), call me, and I’ll email the report to you.

 Michael Peron, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

Weichert Realtors, 754-204-0069

 P.S.  This information would be valuable to anyone you know who’s considering buying or selling a home, or just wants information specific to their area.  Be sure to give me a call so I can help them, as well.

 Do you sometimes find yourself going on at length when just three little words will do?

 None of these phrases is right for every situation, but each of these phrases is right for some situation:

• I thank you.

• Please forgive me.

• I trust you.

• Let me help.

• I believe you.

• I forgive you.

• Yes, you’re right.

• I’m so sorry.

• Count on me.

• I understand you.

• Go for it.

• I love you.

 Ah, the power of three little words!

 Sincerely,

 Michael Peron
Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

 P.S.  Have you used these three little words lately?  Be sure to email me at Mike@MichaelPeron.com or call me at 754-204-0069 – I’d love to hear your story.

      Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you or anyone you feel comfortable introducing me to.

       It may or may not be a sign of these economic times, but according to experts, home robberies are on the rise.  Reading or hearing about these events on the news is almost a daily event, yet most of us think “That couldn’t happen to me,” and fail to take basic, preventive measures.

      I’ve prepared a free report, Protect Your Home From Burglars, that I’d like to send to you to help keep you, your family, and your home safe.  The report includes information about doors, windows and alarm systems, plus some general, common-sense tips.  If you’d like a copy of this report for yourself, family members and friends, just take out your cell phone, look up my number (754-204-0069), call me, and I’ll mail or email the report to you and anyone else you request.

Michael Peron, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

Weichert Realtors, 754-204-0069

P.S.  Renters are just as vulnerable to home robberies as homeowners.  Who’s the next renter you know who could benefit from this free report?  We can help them!  Be sure to give me a call so I can send this report to you to pass along.

 The staff at the coffee shop was having “one of those days.”  The espresso machine was malfunctioning; the bakery hadn’t delivered the bagels and sweet rolls; someone from the morning shift called in sick; and the crew from the previous evening failed to restock the cabinets with supplies.  And the line of people waiting to get their first cup of coffee for the day already snaked around the store.

 A woman at the back of the line began to complain loudly.  “What’s taking so long?  Are you growing the beans back there or what?  I don’t have all day!”

   “Yes, we’re running on empty this morning,” the manager said with a pleasant smile.  He motioned for the woman to come forward. “What can I get for you?”   

 “I want a large coffee with steamed milk – to go,” barked the woman.

   “No problem,” said the manager.  He looked past the woman to the other customers waiting in line and offered them a reassuring wink.  In a matter of moments he made the woman’s coffee, took her money, and sent her on her way with a “Have a nice day.”

 The other customers stood silently.  Some had confused looks on their faces, others were bristling.

 Then the manager made an announcement that put a smile on the face of every remaining customer:  “Folks, I’m really sorry for the inconvenience this morning.  Because you’ve been so patient, your coffee is on the house.”

 Sometimes it’s OK not to be the squeaky wheel! 

Sincerely, 

Michael Peron
Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

 P.S.  Do you have a favorite expression?  Please email me at Mike@MichaelPeron.com or call me at 754-204-0069.

      Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you or anyone you feel comfortable introducing me to.

       Buying or selling a home is the biggest financial step that most people will ever take.  And because it’s a step they take just a few times in a lifetime, most don’t have an opportunity to become experts.  That’s why we’re offering our free report, The 10 Dumbest Mistakes Smart People Make When Buying or Selling a Home – and How to Avoid Them:  to help people you care about make informed decisions and have a better buying/selling experience.

       The next time you’re in a conversation with a friend, family member or neighbor and they mention they’re thinking of buying or selling, would you stop, take out your cell phone, look up my number (754-204-0069) and call me immediately?  I’ll send you my free report so you can give it to them.

Michael Peron, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

Weichert Realtors, 754-204-0069

 P.S.  This free report is perfect for people who have just started talking about buying or selling, even if they’re not moving for several months.

THROW AWAY THE BAND-AIDS!

What do Scotch Tape, Post-It Notes, and paper clips have in common? Each apparently has a different function, is made of a different material, and serves its own purpose. Oh sure, you can say they're all office supplies - and you'd be right - but look a little deeper for their common purpose.

Scotch Tape pieces are placed along the edges and on the ends of holiday gifts - for a short period of time. Post-It Notes are stuck to documents suggesting that a signature is needed, or some action be taken. Once the action is complete, the note is discarded. Paper clips hold two or more things together for a few hours or days, and are then returned to the desk drawer.

Figured it out yet? They are all just a temporary "fix" - a momentary solution to a temporary need. They are used in "reaction" to a short-term need. They are also similar to our daily personal lives. When feelings are hurt and the tears come, we automatically reach for a Kleenex. We might, on the other hand, have taken time to determine the source of those feelings and concentrated on resolving a difference before tears were necessary.

When our children misbehave, we react with a 15-minute (or 3-day) "time-out." We might have avoided that temporary fix by listening to their concerns and teaching appropriate behavior before the fact. Then, there are all the excuses we make, used like Band-Aids, to temporarily cover the flaws in our own behavior. Wouldn't a more permanent solution like performing to expectations, learning from past experience, or practicing excellence be more appropriate?

Yes, we live in a very fast-paced world. Quick solutions are the order of the day, yet we must eventually realize that we continually seem to need a fresh supply of Scotch Tape, Kleenex, or paper clips. By taking more time to look ahead, it is possible to eliminate many of the situations that require those one-minute Band-Aids. Avoid future "boo-boos." Search for, learn, and practice a more permanent and proactive life. That's right - "No more tears!"

ENJOY PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP!

Remember the day you made the decision to go to college? What about the day you decided to buy that sporty red car? Surely you remember the day you decided you would get married. What about your present career path? Did you purposely decide it's what you want to do? Do you remember making a conscious decision to have three children?

Some decisions are relatively simple. You decide to buy a TV, go to the store, write a check - and it's yours. You own it! Other decisions are also easy to make, i.e. the red sports car, but carry a higher price. The decision comes quickly, but entails both a down payment and a commitment to make payments on time for several years. Again, you make the decision to buy and the car is yours - you own it!

At some point in life come decisions that shouldn't have been made, but were, as well as those you should have withheld. In high school, a day of classes skipped may have resulted in grades lower than acceptable to your choice of colleges. Later, a poor choice of friends may have resulted in a blemish on your "permanent" record. As an adult, poor decision-making not only may reduce the quality of your life, but of those you love.

Regardless, each decision made is yours to keep - you own it! You also own the responsibilities created by the decision, i.e. following a healthy lifestyle to stay trim, working two jobs to keep your commitment to the mortgage company, giving up poorly chosen friends and activities to provide your children with a happy, nurturing home life.

Every decision made can turn positive or negative, depending on the actions taken once the decision has been made. Either way - making the decision is followed by ownership of the results. Does "pride of ownership" appeal to you? Buy it, own it, love it!

  A home foreclosure is very damaging.  It is hard on people both emotionally and financially.  For many people there is a very good alternative to giving their home up through foreclosure.  This alternative is called "Short Sale".  A "Short Sale" is a process where the home owner sells their home and then they are able to negotiate with their lender to take a deficiency pay off on their mortgage.  Not only can a "Short Sale" allow the home owner to remain in their home during the time of negotiation, but a "Short Sale" can also allow the home owner to have a much less devastating impact on their credit.  Today, most lenders would prefer that the homeowner goes through a "Short Sale" rather than losing their home to foreclosure.

  The process begins by the homeowner first determining whether they qualify for a "Short Sale". The South Florida Home Solution Team helps many homeowners with this process.  Once we determine if the homeowner qualifies for a "Short Sale", we then put the home on the market for sale. Once we have a sale then we begin the process of negotiating with the lender on the "Short Sale".  There are only a few Real Estate agents in or area with the experience to help homeowners with the "Short Sale" process.  We are experts at "Short Sales", so if there is anyone you know who is facing foreclosure, have them contact us.  We just may be able to save them from a horrible situation.  They can contact us directly or visit our website at

 www.ForeclosureRecoveryTeam.com

YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS!

Walk into a totally dark room. What do you see? "Absolutely nothing," you say. Now, turn on the light. Where did the darkness go? Really - where is it now? Hopefully you will agree that darkness cannot exist in the face of light.

During a lifetime, we experience many types of "darkness." It may appear in the form of discouragement, fear, hopelessness, grief, ignorance, or poverty. Yet, in every case, there is a "light" in which such darkness cannot exist.

Fear, for example, cannot exist in the face of courage. Education denies ignorance any chance of survival. Grief disappears in the presence of peace-of-mind. Discouragement ceases when hope prevails. Wealth denies poverty its chance.

No matter what form darkness takes, it cannot exist when faced with its opposite. That also means we have the ability to send darkness on its way at any point in time. No matter how overwhelming the darkness appears, it is our thoughts and our minds that ultimately control the outcome. How powerful is that?

In the words of several favorite authors: "Think you can, think you can't, either way you're right." "Your life is what your thoughts make of it." "We are what we think about all day long." Finally, in the words of Tom Bodett, from one of his Motel 6 commercials: "We'll leave the light on for you!"

 “When the tax credit runs out, inventory will go up and interest rates will
Go up. Prices will go down again. We have a long way to go until we have
A healthy real estate market.” 

 In their forecast, they cited several reasons why things will remain challenging in 2010:

 * Mortgage interest rates will move into the 6 percent range.

 * The record high unemployment rate will continue forward

 * Negative equity will drive many home owners from their homes

 * Expiration of the tax credits

 * Difficulty buyers and investors have finding new financing for their
Home purchases

 * Large number of Alt-A and negative amortization loans that will
Begin resetting starting July 2010.

 For many of us in real estate, we want to be positive about a rebound in our market.
However, the economic factors influencing sales and home prices point to an “ugly”
Year. We cannot simply try to hold on for a few more months. Instead, we need to
Build our businesses and marketing campaigns around the spike in foreclosures.

http://www.renegademillionaireblog.com/4000000-foreclosures-in-2010.html

 For prospective buyers who are on the fence about making a home purchase, the next few months represent a countdown of sorts as huge tax credits are about to expire. Here are important details for you to know:

Tax Credit for First-Time Home buyers
First-time home buyers may be eligible for the tax credit. The credit is 10% of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000. Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.

Tax Credit for Current Homeowners
The tax credit program now gives those who already own a residence some additional reasons to move to a new home. This incentive comes in the form of a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years. Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.

What Are the New Deadlines?
In order to qualify for the credit, all contracts need to be in effect no later than April 30, 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2010. Those in the military do have some special extensions on the time lines available.

What's So Great About a "Tax Credit"?
The benefit of a tax credit is that it's a dollar-for-dollar benefit, rather than a "tax deduction", or reduction in a tax liability that would only save you $1,000 to $1,500 when all was said and done. So, if a first-time home buyer who qualified for the entire benefit were to owe $8,000 in income taxes and would qualify for a tax credit of $8,000, she would owe nothing.

Better still, the tax credit is refundable, which means the homebuyer can receive a check for the credit if he or she has little or no income tax liability. For example, if a first-time homebuyer is eligible for a tax credit of $8,000 but is liable for $4,000 in income tax, she can still receive a check for the remaining $4,000!

Higher Income Caps
The amount of income someone can earn and qualify for the full amount of the credit has been increased. Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, single filers who earn $145,000 and above are ineligible. Joint filers who earn up to $225,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, joint filers who earn $245,000 and above are ineligible.

Maximum Purchase Price
Qualifying buyers may purchase a property with a maximum sales price of $800,000.

It's also important to note another upcoming deadline as the Federal Reserve winds down a program that has been keeping home loan rates artificially low. The fact is that the lowest rates of 2009 were driven down to their attractive levels because of the Fed's Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) purchase program, which the Fed once again emphasized in its January 27, 2010 Rate and Policy Statement will end on March 31, 2010. As the Fed's program winds down and ends, rates could rise over time since MBS will have less support from the Fed.

If you have any questions regarding the tax credit, pick up the phone and call me. I'm here to help you take advantage of one of the greatest opportunities home buyers may ever have.  

HAFA Guidlines Get Report Now Below:

www.ForeclosureRecoveryTeam.com

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in November, fell 16.0 percent to 96.0 from an upwardly revised 114.3 in October, but is 15.5 percent higher than November 2008 when it was 83.1.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said a drop was expected. “It will be at least early spring before we see notable gains in sales activity as home buyers respond to the recently extended and expanded tax credit,” he said. “The fact that pending home sales are comfortably above year-ago levels shows the market has gained sufficient momentum on its own. We expect another surge in the spring as more home buyers take advantage of affordable housing conditions before the tax credit expires.”

Let’s take a look at the Miami real estate sales statistics for December compared to December 2008 to see how the market is looking in South Florida: 

Single Family Homes Sales in Miami

The Miami market is representative of the South Florida market as a whole when comparing December 2009 to December 2008. 

The number of single family homes sold in 2009 decreased by 4.3 percent compared to 2008. The number of new homes on the market decreased by 30.2 percent. The average sales price declined by 3.9 percent to $235,041, while the year-to-date average sales price declined 29.7 percent to $211,707. 

Condo/Coop/Townhouse/Villa Sales in Miami

December 2009 market statistics for condo/townhouses etc. in Miami showed an increase in sales with sold listings up by 48.7 percent compared to 2008. New listings decreased by 7.8 percent. The average sales price decreased by 5.3 percent to $176,281 and the year-to-date sales price dropped 32.7 percent to $175.041.

If you want to learn more about South Florida real estate, please contact us at 754-204-0069 or visit www.SouthFloridaHomeSolutions.com

To begin searching for South Florida homes, please use our complimentary MLS  search. www.SearchBrowardMLS.net  

Statistics provided by the Realtor Association of Miami-Dade County and are deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

   I hope you and yours are enjoying this holiday season! I wanted to check-in and see how you’re doing as we make the transition to the New Year. I’m finding many of my friends and colleagues are organizing their finances to avoid starting the year with financial worry. We could all use a fresh start when reevaluating our financial security in today’s market!

To do my part, I wanted to reach out to see if you or someone you know might be able to use my assistance.

I received training in handling distressed properties to help my community find answers in their time of need, and to keep my friends and neighbors as far as possible from the looming thought of foreclosure. That’s why I’ve created a website to provide answers and assistance, even a free report on a homeowner’s first steps when facing an upside-down mortgage and possible foreclosure:

http://www.ForeclosureRecoveryTeam.com

If you or someone you know is upside-down on the mortgage, you need to know what to do next. The power to change your financial path, and protect your family’s future, is in your hands.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me. It would be great to hear from you again.

Sincerely yours,

Michael Peron

At http://www.ForeclosureRecoveryTeam.com I’ve prepared a free report to lay out the first steps you should take when upside-down on a mortgage and unsure of what to do next! You will learn the advantages and disadvantages to all your options, while putting together an efficient outline of how to take advantage of whichever one you choose.

I sincerely hope you will take advantage of this information and feel free to pass it along to anyone you know in need. Getting the right information is the key to getting back on track.

Please, contact me any time with your questions or concerns. I’m here to assist you.

Michael Peron

Foreclosure Recovery Team

754-204-0069

THINK YOU CAN?

Regardless of your age, you were probably introduced as a child to a wonderful book entitled "The Little Engine That Could." If you will recall, it was the story of a small red locomotive personality who believed it was possible to pull a very heavy load uphill - a task that was shunned by other larger locomotives. The little engine huffed and puffed up the hill, all the while repeating the mantra, "I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!"

It was a cute story that contained a very powerful message about persistence and the ability to overcome adversity. Now there's a sequel entitled "I Knew I Could!" A quick ten-minute read, it clearly outlines our ability to make our own choices in life. Using illustrations of train tracks and those cute little locomotives, you are easily led to the understanding that we choose the life "tracks" upon which we travel.

The book suggests that before picking one of those tracks, we should determine the direction it might take us, and the destination we might reach by so choosing. Sounds like real life, doesn't it? How many times, and in how many ways, must we be taught this lesson? If we fail to make our choices wisely, we have consciously made the choice to live at the mercy of happenstance - as did Alice in the following excerpt from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland":

"Cheshire-Puss...," said Alice, "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. "I don't much care where -" said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat. "... so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation. "Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

Life - it's your choice. Toot! Toot