The site is http://zipskinny.com and you can search by city or even more easily by just entering a zip code.  I entered my Bradenton, Florida zip code and this is the first page of the info.  Note the tabs and the wealth of information provided.

If you are thinking of moving to Bradenton, Florida click here to see a zip code map of Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

(Copyright © 2008 By Dan Forbes, All Rights Reserved.)

Back in 2004-2005 our Bradenton real estate prices were were increasing 30-35% a year. People were actually complaining that Realtors were driving the prices UP.  Fast forward to 2008. Now that our prices have declined 30%, people are complaining that Realtors are driving the prices DOWN.

Does the Realtor Determine the Price?
Some consumers have the idea that it’s the Realtor that determines the price for which a home sells. As a professional Realtor, I know that idea is wrong. Realtor’s consult Sellers when a home is listed and recommend a price that it appears the market will bear. The Seller determines the price he/she wants to ask and the Realtor decides whether or not he/she will take the listing at that price.

Does the Seller Determine the Price?
I often have sellers say, “I’m not going to give my home away. I know it’s worth $350,000 and I won’t sell it for a dime less.” This type of rhetoric would have you believe that it’s the seller that determines the price for which a home sells. Again, as a professional Certified Residential Specialist, I know that idea is wrong. The Seller may WANT that price, but they may not GET it.

Does the Buyer Determine The Price
Buyers have said to me, “That home isn’t worth the $350,000 the seller is asking. I won’t pay a dime over $300,000. The buyer assumes he or she can determine the selling price. Once again, I know that idea is also wrong. The buyer may WANT to buy that home for $350,000, but he/she may not GET it.

So, who sets the selling price of a home? Is it the Realtor, the seller, or the buyer? Arguments could be offered regarding all three. But the truth is it’s the MARKET that sets the price.

What is MARKET VALUE?

Residential Appraisers Institute defines market value as…

“The most probable price which a property should bring a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller, each acting prudently, knowledgeably and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus. Implicit in this definition is the consummation of a sale as of a specified date and the passing of title from seller to buyer under conditions whereby: (1) buyer and seller are typically motivated: (2) both parties are well informed advised, and each acting in what he considers his own best interest: (3) a reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market: (4) payment is made in terms of cash in U. S. dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and (5) the price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions* by anyone associated with the sale.”

Investorwords.com defines market value as…

“The price that an interested but not desperate buyer would be willing to pay and an interested but not desperate seller would be willing to accept on the open market assuming a reasonable period of time for an agreement to arise.”

My job as a Realtor is to help buyers and sellers understand market value by providing competent research of our local market. I am good at what I do, but I don’t control the market, I only interpret it.
Someone once said, “The market may not be kind, but it is never wrong.”

In other words, your home is worth not what I think it is, nor what you think it is, but only what the market says it is.

My Realtor friend, Missy Caulk says this to Sellers when listing their home, “The seller sets the price of the home, but ultimately the buyer determines the value. My job is to supply you with the facts about what has sold recently and what is now for sale to help you make a decision.” That’s good advice.

(Copyright © 2008 By Dan Forbes, All Rights Reserved.)

Is this what life is really about? Having goals is certainly important and I believe everyone should have them.  But the real thrill in life isn’t in the accumulation of things, but in the process of living life itself to the fullest.  The master knows this secret.

The master knows that life isn’t one Superbowl game after the other.  In fact, the life of mastery is largely spent on the plateau.  The plateau is the place of boredom, repetition, and practice. It is where we develop skills and sharpen our tools.  It is the hard stuff that soon will propel us to the next level.

George Leonard in his book Mastery tells the story of Olympic gymnast Peter Vidmar who said,

“A lot people go for things only because a teacher…or their parents told them they should.  People who get into something for the money, the fame, or the medal can’t be effective.  When you discover your own desire, you’re not going to wait for other people to find solutions to your problems. You’re going to find your own. I set goals for myself, but underlying all the goals and the work was the fact that I enjoyed it. I thought gymnastics was fun. And I had no idea that I might someday be an Olympian”

* If you love what you do in life and find great joy in the daily routine of it, you are on the path of mastery.
* If you love who you are and find life exciting, fun, and challenging, you are on the path of mastery.

Learning to love the plateau is learning to love life itself.

Next week we’ll look at The Five Secrets of Mastery.

(This series is inspired by my reading journal of the book “Mastery: The Keys To Success And Long-Term Fulfillment” by George Leonard.)

If you want to join me on the path to mastery please subscribe to my blog and join me next Monday. 

said Hank Fishkind.  Hank is a Florida economist and his opinion is quite sought after.  Once a year he speaks to our local Chamber of Commerce, but this meeting was a Lakewood Ranch last Friday to a gathering of about 300 people.

Fishkind expects very slow growth in 2008.  Perhaps 1 to 2 percent at best. Yet, he predicted that our area has reached the bottom in terms of depreciating home prices and surplus inventory.  He expects the climb upward to begin soon.

Manatee and Sarasota counties are in favorable positions because of two nearby airports.  Namely, Tampa International and Sarasota - Bradenton International.  Also, the I-75 corridor runs down through both counties. And, then there’s the sunshine and the gulf beaches.

Manatee County was actually the second best Metro-market for all of Florida in December, as far as number of home sales.  We are seeing the surplus of inventory dropping and home prices stabilizing.  It does appear to be a great buying opportunity.

Want to know more about our Bradenton Florida real estate market?  Please pick up the phone and give me a call.

(Copyright © 2008 By Dan Forbes, All Rights Reserved.)

By all appearances it seems that our society is waging a war against mastery. We live in the day of the “quick fix” and instant gratification.  Want a new wardrobe? Simply grab the credit card and you instantly have it. Need to lose weight, take this pill and lose fat while you sleep. Want to live the life of luxury? All you need to do is buy a lotto ticket. Have a headache? Take this pill for “fast relief.”

In fact, an ad for one state’s lottery showed a man laughing at people buying savings bonds while insisting the only way for an ordinary person to become a millionaire was to win the lottery.

The Path of Mastery 

In what are you striving for mastery? Is it your business? Is it your relationships? Is it your inner self? Hopefully, you haven’t succumbed to the idea that you can achieve mastery in the next 15 minutes. You do understand that mastery requires patience, dedicated effort, and the willingness to apply yourself for the long haul.

The path of mastery is no quick fix. Those who strive to be the best of the best choose it anyway. The rewards of mastery are worth it.

Next week we’ll look at Learning to Love the Plateau.

(This series is inspired by my reading journal of the book “Mastery: The Keys To Success And Long-Term Fulfillment” by George Leonard.)

(Copyright © 2008 By Dan Forbes, All Rights Reserved.)

My website The-Short-Sale-Expert.com has a wealth of information for the consumer.  I invite you to check it out.

If you are a Manatee County Florida homeowner facing foreclosure you need to know the timeline for a Florida foreclosure. The shortest amount of time for the foreclosure process is about 90-120 days.  The longest is many, many months.  Here’s what happens.

1. The Borrower falls behind in their mortgage payments and starts receiving calls from the lender demanding payment.  This may go on for 3-6 months, or longer.

2. The lender hires an attorney to start the foreclosure process. 

3. The lender may order a “drive by” broker price opinion to see what condition the house is in and what it may be worth.

4. A “lis pendens” is filed. The words actually mean “litigation pending.”  The homeowner is served with the foreclosure lawsuit.

5. The Borrower has 20 days to file an answer to the lawsuit. If they do not file an answer, it goes forward like an “uncontested” foreclosure and is fast-tracked.  It is always best to involve an attorney at this point.

6. A hearing date is set and unless there is good reason to stop the foreclosure a Final Judgment is issued and the sale date is set.  This is typically about 30 days after the final judgment.

7. The public auction is held at the Manatee County courthouse steps.

8. The winning bidder is given a certificate of sale.  This is like a receipt, but does not constitute actual ownership.

9. Providing the sale is not disputed, in about 10-12 days a “certificate of title” is issued to the new owner.

10. If someone is still living in the house the judge will grant a writ of possession and the sheriff will serve notice to the occupants that they must move out within 24 hours.  If they don’t move out all of the belongings may be set out to the curb.

You may also want to read: The Florida Foreclosure Time Line

Foreclosure procedures differ state to state.  You should check out the foreclosure for your own state. Also, nothing herein should be considered legal advice and homeowners are advised to consult with a competent attorney for all legal advice.

(Copyright © 2008 By Dan Forbes, All Rights Reserved.)

The Dabbler

The Dabbler is the kind of person who makes a great start but follows up with a weak finish. The Dabbler approaches each new career, new project, or new relationship with great enthusiasm.  He or she loves the getting ready part and the newness of starting something fresh.

The Dabbler loves starting a new job, getting a new office, and talking about how great the opportunities are. Then he/she hits a plateau.  Maybe this job isn’t so great after all. Maybe it’s time to start looking for something different again.

The Obsessive

The Obsessive certainly has a goal of becoming the best of the best.  She is focused on results and puts in long hard hours to get everything just right. She goes to all the seminars and courses.  She reads all the books and listens to all the CD’s.

There is much progress at first.  Then she hits the plateau.  Unwilling to accept it, she redoubles her efforts and pushes herself almost to exhaustion. She refuses to accept the advice of others who encourage her to be more balanced. She tempted to take short cuts and her work suffers even more.

Progress comes in spurts, followed by steep declines, until it all falls apart. When that happens, the Obsessive is hurt along with family, friends, and colleagues.

The Hacker

The Hacker is cut from a different cloth altogether.  After a mediocre start, he is willing to stay on the plateau forever.  He really isn’t trying to become the best. He never goes to seminars or training courses, never reads the right books, and skips the important meetings that are essential to growing his business or relationships.

He does just enough to get by and follows the path of least resistance.  He just can’t figure out why success doesn’t come his way.  He feels short-changed. The path to mastery is just too much work.  He would much rather just goof off with fellow hackers.

Keep in mind that it is possible to be a Dabbler in relationships and a Master at work. You can be a Hacker at golf and a Master at your profession -or vice versa.  However, more often than not one of these descriptions will be the dominant characteristic in your life.

If you see yourself in one of these descriptions you are beginning to understand why you are NOT on the path to mastery. Understanding this is the first step to doing something about it.

Next week we’ll look at The War Against Mastery.

(This series is inspired by my reading journal of the book “Mastery: The Keys To Success And Long-Term Fulfillment” by George Leonard.)

(Copyright © 2008 By Dan Forbes, All Rights Reserved.)

Dan Forbes, PL is a licensed Broker-Associate and Certified Residential Specialist. He leads the Forbes Advantage Team at RE/MAX Gulfstream Realty’s Lakewood Ranch Office in Bradenton, Florida.To learn more about buying a home or selling a home in the Bradenton - Sarasota Florida Real Estate market please visit Dan on the web at  BradentonFloridaRealEstate.com ;   TheRealEstateZoo.com ;    The-Short-Sale-Expert.com ; and   BradentonRealEstateClub.com  Call Dan Forbes today: 941-713-5760 or toll free at 800-756-3068.

If MASTERY is your goal then please read this series of posts.  You may want to go back and read post #1: How To Achieve Success In Every Area of Your Life

What is Mastery? 

Today, let’s talk about…What is Mastery? It is not a goal or a destination, but rather a process, or a journey.  It takes time, yet is available to anyone who is willing to get on the path and stay on it.

The journey towards mastery begins when you decide to learn any new skill.  For example, a Realtor may decide to master working expired listings. There are certain skills to master. How do you find expireds? How do you market to expireds? What words will you use? What scripts? What objections must you learn to over come? How do you become the best?

Learning to Appreciate the Plateau

Learning any new skill involves brief spurts of progress, each of which is followed by a slight decline to a plateau somewhat higher than that which preceded it. George Leonard in his book, Mastery, calls it the “mastery curve.” It looks like this.

To stay on the path to mastery you must be willing to spend most of your time on the plateau. You must be willing to keep praticing, keep moving, keep working, even when you seem to be getting nowhere. You accept that you must practice primarily for the sake of practice itself.

Too often we become frustrated while on the plateau. Our job is to learn to appreciate the plateau and in fact, enjoy it just as much as we do the upward surges.

Leonard writes, “Genius, no matter how bright, will come to naught or swiftly burn out if you don’t choose the master’s journey.  This journey will take you along a path that is both ardous and exhilarating.  It will bring you unexpected heartaches and unexpected rewards, andyou will never reach a final destination. (It would be a paltry skill indeed that could be finally, completey mastered.) You’ll probably end up learning as much about yourself as about the skill you’re pursuing.”

If you want to join me on the path to mastery please subscribe to my blog and join me next Monday as we meet three characters –the Dabbler, the Obsessive, and the Hacker.

(This series is inspired by my reading journal of the book “Mastery: The Keys To Success And Long-Term Fulfillment” by George Leonard.)

Please contact me, Dan Forbes, or call 941-713-5760 (toll free 800-756-3068) if you have any questions about our Bradenton Florida Real Estate market. Please visit BradentonFloridaRealEstate.com; The-Short-Sale-Expert.com

However we are not out of the woods yet.  Economist Hank Fishkind predicts the number of homes for sale in Manatee County won’t return to normal until the middle of 2009, when the market is expected to finally hit bottom.

The Total Market Overview Reports below show by price range:

* Current number of active listings
* Number of expired listings for the month
* Total Number of Pending Listings
* Number of closed sales for the month
* Absorption Rate
* Average List Price and Average Sale Price
* Average Days on Market
* Market Trend: Improving or Not
* Compared to 6 months ago
* Compared to 1 year ago

Dec 2007 Residential

Dec 2007 Condo

Please contact me, Dan Forbes, or call 941-713-5760 if you have any questions about our Bradenton Florida Real Estate market. Please visit BradentonFloridaRealEstate.com; The-Short-Sale-Expert.com

Yesterday I had breakfast with my wife, my daughter, and two of my grandchildren.  The youngest turns one year old soon and has recently learned to walk. The other is a darling, active four-year-old who walks and runs quite well, of course.

It’s interesting to watch a child learn to walk. That amazing first step is thrilling for them.  They fall down, they crawl, they try again, they fall down again, they crawl, and they try again.  And so it goes until finally, they walk and run quite well.

All significant learning in our life is like this: brief spurts of progress separated by periods during which you seemed to be getting nowhere.

Anything you are good at today, be it running, singing, selling, operating a business, managing a household, being a great wife or husband, followed the same journey.  At first it was difficult, but through learning and practice you mastered it.  This is the journey of mastery.

If you want to improve your life, or your business, or your relationships, this “Mastery Monday” series will help. You will learn to master anything you choose and achieve success in every area of your life.

This series is inspired by my reading journal of the book “Mastery: The Keys To Success And Long-Term Fulfillment” by George Leonard.

Please subscribe to this blog (see right) and/or come back again next Monday as we learn, What Is Mastery?

Please contact me, Dan Forbes, or call 941-713-5760 if you have any questions about our Bradenton Florida Real Estate market. Please visit BradentonFloridaRealEstate.com; The-Short-Sale-Expert.com