South Florida Real Estate and...

Wellington Florida holds its' elections for Mayor and also for Counsel seat #2. 

There are 2 candidates running for Mayor. Our current Mayor Darrell Bowen is running against Carol Coleman.  

Study the issues and then choose the candidate you feel is going to best for Wellington Florida. 

The Realtor Association of the Palm Beaches holds screening panels on all the candidates. A committee of members put each candidate in a hot seat and drill them on issues that are important to our Government Affairs committee. Each of the candidates has been evaluated by this committee and then the endorsement of a candidate is based on how well they fit with the goals of the Realtor® Party. 

The Realtor® Party has this to say about the outcome of these panels: 

" an advocacy which is determined to protect private property rights, sensible and prudent government, fair property taxes, respect for the real estate industry and especially for Realtors®. Some of these candidates are popular or unpopular selections with our members for a variety of personal reasons. We respect that. But we urge our members to vote with their wallets in mind, remembering that your ability to earn a real estate livelihood in the current economy is pretty important" 

The Realtor Association of the Palm Beaches is endorsing our current Mayor Darrell Bowen for Mayor. Carol is a Wellington Equestrian. The issue with Carol is that she wants to take back the cuts we made to save money on  the parks. But how is she going to pay for that? We had those cuts so we could balance the budget. It is grand to want to provide more services but someone has to pay for it all and when we have to tighten our purse strings so do all forms of government. 

There are also 3 candidates running for Counsel seat #2. Anne Gerwig, Wismick St Jean and Ernie Zimmerman. 

Anne Gerwig is a mother and a businesswoman. Ernie Zimmerman is a veteran and retired law enforcement. Wismick is a Realtor®. 

The thing that bothered me the most when studying the candidates is that Anne and Ernie only spoke about themselves. Every sentence of their pitch to get your vote started with "I". Someone needs to school them in tuning in to the needs of others. Shouting your accolades is great and should be done but must be accomplished in a form of how that is a benefit to someone else. Wismick is very smart and is very concerned about issues here in Wellington. He also proposes lowering taxes. He is the only candidate to even bring that up. The other two say they don't want to raise taxes but don't talk about lowering them. What I like about Ernie is he wants a medical school to be built on the land so can generate tax revenue as well as fees instead of the community college which was going to get everything for close to free. 

Make sure you read up and understand what is important to you and then cast your vote tomorrow! 

To find your voting location go to the Wellington Village site. You can reach election information for wellington Florida by clicking here. 

To  view Wellington Florida Homes For Sale  Click here. We know Wellington Florida Real Estate and Short Sales and will help you get your home Sold if you need to Sell your home and help you buy your home in Palm Beach County Florida: Call us today.

Copyright © 2010 By Katerina Gasset, All Rights Reserved.*Wellington Florida Mayor Race- Don't Forget To Vote Tuesday March 9*

The Banksters are claiming that they are here to help release the burden of our overloaded and short of cash courts. The Banksters are saying that they are really here to help you. 

The Florida Bankers Association has drafted a 55 page bill called The Florida Consumer Protection and Homeowner Credit Rehabilitation Act- which you can read right here. 

Now, how many people here believe that the banks really have the homeowners best interests in mind? See how sneaky the name of this bill is? 

Joe Manausa of Tallahasse Real Estate wrote an article that sums up a lot of the lies and misconceptions of this bill. You can read: Does The Florida Bankers Association Think You're Stupid? Here. 

The banks are the ones that are NOT foreclosing on the homes here in Florida. Yes, the courts are backed up but that is not the reason that the banks are doing this. They claim that 37 other states already have non judicial foreclosures and so Florida should too. Well, let's see, Georgia has non judicial foreclosures and they are worse off than Florida is. They have blighted neighborhoods with lots of foreclosed homes that are NOT taken care of and not kept up yet the Banksters want you Florida residents to believe that these banks are going to somehow start taking care of your neighborhood???? PLEASE!!!!!

It gets worse. This bill is so toxic that the Banksters refuse to release the legislative sponsor of the bill. Hmmm, could it be that this person's political life will be over once revealed????? Do not give up your judicial rights! 

As agents- you think short sales are hard now? At least we can get judges to postpone foreclosures so we can get short sales done. We can get time. In non judicial states- the agents are fighting unrealistic time clocks!  Right now we can get short sales done to help homeowners. That is moving a market. But creating more shadow inventory is not. 

Even if you are making your mortgage payments on time you need to understand what this bill really says and what it is all about and it is NOT about helping you and your neighborhood. Put yourself in someone else's shoes. Let's just say that you lost your job. Then you went behind in your mortgage payments. But then in 3 months you get another job and can start catching up on your mortgage payments. In our JUDICIAL state; you can go before a judge and ask him to grant you the time to catch up on your payments. With this bill all you are going to get is a Deed In Lieu in the mail! WOW! What a gift from your bank that would be! 

But wait, there is MORE!!!! 

Please read this entire post because there is much more for you to learn here. This is SO important! 

Do you really think this bill is about helping the consumer as the title of the bill eludes to? Please quote me one time where the banksters did something for you. Everything they claim to want this bill to do the banks can already do except they must go through the courts to do it. The carrot they are dangling is a release of deficiency with a Deed in Lieu. But don't grab your carrot so fast. 

As Joe points out in his post- the banksters really want to be able to control their ability to foreclose. There are underlying sneaky tactics that they are going to be able to pursue. Even if you plan to live in your home for 30 years and you always make your mortgage payment on time, this bill stands to effect you.

Because even if you do pay on time every month, pay your taxes, pay your HOA, pay your insurance but the market value in your house drops- there is a very sneaky piece of fine print in your mortgage that states that the bank can require you to make up the difference in the loss of value. Most banks don't try that one here in Florida because guess what!!! The judges are not very thrilled about things like this and you could fight this in court. What if the difference in the market for your home was $20,000 or $60,000. Could you pay that to the bank at their request right now? You see, a judge knows that and you can have your day in court over this issue. Sounds to me like a sneaky way for the banks to raise capital quickly or else foreclose on you. 

What the banks really want is the ability to foreclose on any property that they desire to do so to. 

And there is still more! 

The Bankers Association did not stop with this bill in the House but they also created another bill for the Senate, one that is broader and just another way to gain control. 

This one is called: The Nonjudicial Foreclosure Act For Nonhomestead Properties. 

Another sneaky way to get in one door that the Banksters are hoping on. This bill is like getting the homesteaded homeowners to attach those that come here for vacations providing income to our state or those with second homes or even those who do live here but are investors. Take away their rights to go to court, sounds like a plan to most people but again, you must read beneath the title. You have to read these bills. If you give them an inch they will take a mile. 

There is a section in this bill that says that the banks will also be able to use nonjudicial proceedings for "abandoned" properties. Well, Nestor and I are constantly going to listings we have where the banks have changed the locks even when the homeowners are still living there and the banks claim they thought the house was "abandoned". This is another snow job in a state where it is not supposed to snow. Don't let them kid you. 

Now, this bill has a sponsor that has put his name out in the open on it. We are calling out to our friends in Bradenton Florida to put pressure on your Senator! 

This bill is being sponsored by Sentor Michael S "Mike" Bennett- District 21- Republican. I don't know if he was planning on running for the Senate again as we do have term limits in Florida. Nevertheless, contact him ASAP to let him know this is not good for your property rights. 

Here is the Flyer that you can print out that you can sign and please send in to your elected members of the Florida Legislature. You can also go directly to: http://www.PigsAss.org to get a link to pass along to all of your friends, neighbors and people at work. If you are a Realtor® please go to your RPAC at your boards and get them on the side of the homeowners and property rights which is what the essence of NAR is supposed to be about. 

Stop These Bills Now. Protect Your Right To Judicial Procedures- This is being called the Trojan Horse Bill. Please reblog. Please pass along to all Florida Residents now. Don't forget, don't delay, do it now. 

Live The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams!

Bring your boaters, your dreamers, your water enthusiasts to this fabulous direct waterfront South Florida Condo on the Intracoastal and they will make it their own.

When we arrived at this secluded and tucked away dream spot on Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach Florida the views took our breath away. The first thing we noticed is that with this direct Florida waterfront location is there will never be anyone or anything that can obstruct the breathtaking views from outside on the patios or inside from the great room.

This is a boaters' paradise with passage to the ocean inlet. There are no bridges along the 1 mile waterway to the inlet. Go slowly along this waterway passageway because there are Manatees in thewaters here. In fact, Manatees swim right outside of your front door right at your seawall. We have included some photos the owner took of a mommy manatee playing with her baby. Amazing! Close enough to be up close and personal with one of Florida's wonders, the docile and gentle Manatee! Water and nature enthusiasts will be in heaven with the abundance of wildlife in and out of these waters.

But of course even those of us who love serenity and peaceful brilliant night skies filled with stars and a moon so close you think you can reach out and touch it still like to go out on the town once in a while. Geographically speaking; the location is convenient and close to anything you need. You are just 6 miles from an International Airport, 3 miles from all the downtown action with great restaurants and night clubs, street concerts and shopping. 3 miles from the famous Worth Avenue in Palm Beach second only to Rodeo Drive in CA. One of the top rated hospitals is less than 1 mile from your front door steps.

 The structure of the building is solid concrete inside and out with impact glass windows and solid roofing that withstands high winds along with at least a 9 foot concrete sea wall.  Living on the water does not have to be expensive either! The HOA fees which include your wind and flood insurance are only $300 per month! WOW! Luxury living at a frugal price! The utilities are low also. The sellers' highest bill was like $250 and lows are $60 and $70 per month. Of course, that is their bill, yours will be up to you.

As we walked around the outside of the building we enjoyed full views of the intracoastal where ever our feet landed! There are two porch style patios that have their own personal touches. From one you can watch the yachts and action along the water and from the other porch/patio you can nap in quiet serenity on a hammock. Later in the evening we were greeted by a commercial fisherman who generously shared his catch of the day with us. This is the life, we shouted! And all this can be yours for a great price!

Inside the home we were greeted with Travertine Marble floors with Roman Cuts and oversized impact windows overlooking the expansive intracoastal water views. No curtains needed here! There are motorized blinds to block out the most amazing sunrises- although we would have no clue why you would want to do that! The sunrises are an amazing sight to behold here and all yours to treasure!

The nautical theme runs throughout the home along with top quality finishes that you just have to see to believe and appreciate. There is no way we can explain in words about all the details that make this the perfect nautical themed dream home for only $749,777.

Call today to schedule your private tour of your next south Florida waterfront home. Enjoy the movie below: 

To  view Florida Waterfront Properties- Click here. We know Palm Beach County Waterfront Homes and Condos- and will help you get your home Sold if you need to Sell your home and help you buy your home in Palm Beach County Florida: Call us today.

Copyright © 2010 By Katerina Gasset, All Rights Reserved.*Live The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams In South Florida! 4806 N Flagler Drive #2 West Palm Beach Fl 33407*

CitiMortgage rolled out a new program for delinquent homeowners and homeowners who are in foreclosure in Florida. CitiMortgage says:

"Give us the keys and we will let you stay for six months for free." 

Before you jump on this so called deal here are some facts about Florida Foreclosures followed by our Real estate agent take on this.

Is there really an advantage to you, the homeowner in this offer from CitiMortgage? According to most attorneys we have spoken with, their answer is not really. 

Once you are served a summons and complaint which would be in this instance CitiMortgage filing a law suit complaint against you as the homeowner- you have 20 days in which to respond to the complaint. If you hire an attorney or go to the legal aid society if you can not afford an attorney- they will file a defense or a counter complaint in court. 

At that point, there will have to be a hearing scheduled. Most of the time here in the state of Florida- you will be able to have your foreclosure postponed for much longer than 6 months.

We know people who have not made a mortgage payment in over 24 months and are still living in their homes. 

Take that in consideration before jumping on CitiMortgage's offer. They make it sound very good but they are not in business to protect you or to help you. They are in the business to cut their losses and what is in the best interest of their company and their shareholders, although the latter is questionable at best. 

Turning in your keys is called a "Deed In Lieu of Foreclosure".

Remember too, there are rules that must be adhered to even in Deed In Lieu and unless CitiMortgage is also going to change the rules you may not even qualify for the Turn in the Keys program. 

If you have a second loan on your property or a HELOC on your property, your second lender has to be taken care of before a Deed in Lieu can be processed. If you don't have the money to pay your mortgage payment you most likely don't have money to pay your second note off either. 

Also, if you do a Deed in Lieu- the mark on your credit report is the same as a foreclosure. 

A Deed in Lieu is nothing more than giving up your rights to a judicial foreclosure. It is a foreclosure without going to court. 

There is most often a much better way to deal with your foreclosure filing and that is to do a SHORT SALE. 

First, let me say to CitiMortgage that we as agents have had a solution to your foreclosure problem for years now and it is called a SHORT SALE!

All you have to do is relieve the homeowners of a deficiency and release the lien and give clear title to a new purchaser thereby circumventing you having to own yet another property.

Why can you not give the same deal to a SHORT SALE as you are offering to a DEED IN LIEU?

Therein lies the mystery.  

This gets us to thinking, why is it that you want to own all these properties? Is there something you are not telling us? 

There are qualified short sale Realtors® in the state of Florida who are ready to help you solve the foreclosure problem you are complaining about. 

CitiMortgage's CEO of CitiMortgage- Sanjiv Das says: "We're committed to finding every solution possible to help families facing foreclosure. Not every homeowner has the financial stability to remain in their home." No S&%# Sherlock! 

THEN CITIMORTGAGE: Embrace the SHORT SALE! It will save your shareholders money. You won't have to keep holding on to Phantom Inventory. You won't have to be a landlord. It will help home values. It will stabilize neighborhoods. It will help the economy. But then again, is there something here that we don't see? 

In Florida CitiMortgage has over 12 % of their loans in a 90 days or more delinquent status. Nationwide that number is 6%. 42% of all the loan modifications that CitiMortgage approved in Florida are now 60 days one year after their loan modification was approved. 

We will go into further detail about the follies and idiocies of the loan modification programs and how those are set up for failure from the onset. 

This post does NOT constitute legal advise. You should seek the legal advice of a qualified attorney who works in the foreclosure field. We are not attorneys and we don't play them on TV either. This post is informational only. 

Avoid Foreclosure! Call Nestor and Katerina Gasset for Short Sale Information Today- 561-753-0135 or learn more at Short-Sales-Florida.com.

Wellington Florida- Benik Baseball Camps- Get Your Little Leaguer Ready!

Our little one has started his first season of Little League. He is seven years old. Our son loves all kinds of sports. When he was six months old we started him in Mommy and Me Gymnastics classes. He went to CATS Gymnastics for over 6 years. He attends CHAA- Christian Homeschool Athletics Association weekly sessions where he learns all the sports.

Nestor signed him up for the Wellington Little League and he is now officiallly practising and learning the game of baseball. The new Wellington Florida Softball Fields look fantastic! There is a video down below of the baseball camp and fields. 

On President's Day Nestor brought him to Benik Baseball Camp for their 1-Day Hitting Clinic. Here is a photo of our son with the coach: 

Camp Director B J Benik was chosen twice in the Major League Amateur Draft; in 2000 by the New York Mets and in 2001 by the Chicago Cubs. Benik was a high school star pitcher and short stop in New Jersey. He still hold the record for total innings pitched, games started and 3rd in all-time strikeouts for Seton Hall University. He started teaching camps throughout Palm Beach County in 2002.

Our son had so much fun at the Benik Baseball camp and is ready to participate in the spring and summer camps also.

Call Benik Baseball camps 561- 715-5540 to get your schedule of the upcoming camps. B J Benik has a very good website with a lot of video tutorials. Check out Benik Baseball Camp here. You can upload your own baseball photos and videos. You don't have to live in Wellington to get the most out of the website. The Benik Baseball website also features an area where you can upload your baseball games to get analyzed.  

To  view Florida Short Sales- Click here. We know Palm Beach County Short Sales and Port St Lucie Florida Short Sales and will help you get your home Sold if you need to Sell your home and help you buy your home in Palm Beach County Florida: Call us today.

Copyright © 2010 By Katerina Gasset, All Rights Reserved.*Wellington Florida- Benik Baseball Camps-Get Your Little League Player Ready!* 

Wellington Florida Real Estate News- Wellington Votes No To Proposal to charge a registration fee for single-family home rentals.

Tuesday night, the Village of Wellington Council unanimously voted no to the suggested proposal. No one from the public was there to comment but some people did send in comment cards. Also, the Realtor Association Of The Palm Beaches was opposed to this proposed regulation as it would put an undue burden on homeowners.

There is a fee that is charged to landlords who own multi-family units. The Village staff are the ones that proposed this new registration.

Even with the fees collected the Village of Wellington would still have to spend another $87,000 a year in administrative fees so in a time when the village is looking to save money this was really not another expense to take on. The mayor of Wellington, Darell Bowen said that it makes more sense to take care of the isolated cases where the renters are not taking care of the property. He also said that most homeowners who end up renting out their single family home are not investor landlords who own multiple homes.

There are about 3,700 non-homesteaded single family homes in Wellington Village. The proposed registration fee would have applied to about 1,400 of those homes.

We as active Realtors® in our Wellington community are glad this did not pass. We are interested in the property owners having private property rights. Our local Realtor® board is very active in community and local politics that affect home ownership, property rights and other real estate related issues. 

To  view Florida Short Sales- Click here. We know Palm Beach County Short Sales and Port St Lucie Florida Short Sales and will help you get your home Sold if you need to Sell your home and help you buy your home in Palm Beach County Florida: Call us today.

Copyright © 2010 By Katerina Gasset, All Rights Reserved.*Wellington Florida Real Estate News- Wellington Village Votes No!* 

We just closed on another Palm Beach County short sale and What Our Clients Have To Say! 

 This listing was in downtown West Palm Beach in a condo development right on the Intracoastal waterways in South Florida.

Here is what the sellers say about Palm Beach County short sale agents, Nestor Gasset and Katerina Gasset: 

Our experience with International Properties and Investments, Inc was superb! Katerina, Nestor, and Milet are very professional, knowledgeable and helpful, and having them represent our property was a pleasant undertaking during a stressful time. We needed to “Short Sale” our property and they helped us through the entire process. They found the buyer and dealt with the bank in a timely matter. We would highly recommend them.

Thank you,

Gus and Tracy Torres

Avoid Foreclosure! Call Nestor and Katerina Gasset for Short Sale Information Today- 561-753-0135 or learn more at Short-Sales-Florida.com.