February 3, 2016 Posted by Matt

Try these two little tips to hit great bunker shots.  When you have a shot from the bunker, you want to get the ball up and out of the sand and have it float toward the hole.  One small adjustment that will help you hit your sand shots like the pros is to dig your front toe into the sand deeper than your back foot.  Also, lower your hands at address.  This will allow you to come into the ball on a shallow angle and slice through the sand under the ball.  Be sure that you accelerate and fire the club head through the sand under the ball.  Try these tips in practice and you sill start to hit great bunker shots.

January 31, 2016 Posted by Matt

Your lie will often dictate what shot you should hit.  If your ball is in the rough, look at your lie carefully to see what the ball will do when you hit it.  If the ball is down in the grass, you will not be able to strike the ball cleanly.  The ball will fly out of the rough with little or no spin and it will run a great deal when it lands.  If the ball is sitting up on top of the grass, you have a “flyer lie” and you need to be careful the ball does not sail over the green.  In this case, use a more lofted club and hover it behind the ball at address.  If the grain of the grass is with you, the ball will fly farther, but if it is against you , it will lose distance.

January 29, 2016 Posted by Matt

Do not worry if you hit a drive down the middle of the fairway and find yourself in a divot hole.  While it might seem like a bad break, the ball is definitely playable with a few small adjustments.  Play the ball back in your stance and lean the shaft forward so it points toward your belt buckle.  Hinge the club up steeply and then come down on the back of the ball with a good amount of force.  Let the club pass through after impact and hold your finish about waist high.  You might need to play the shot as if it were 5 to 10 yards longer and take a little more club.  The ball will fly low and you will have backspin that will allow it to stop on the green.  Practice your divot shots on the driving range, and you will find the shot is much easier than you originally thought.

January 28, 2016 Posted by Matt

Home sales nationwide rebounded according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) report released last week. Sales of existing homes rose by the largest increase ever recorded as they rebounded 14.7% over November’s numbers and now stand at 7.7% higher than a year ago. While this is great news for the housing market, let’s take a look at one of the main reasons why there was such a large increase in sales. As we explained last month, the implementation of the “Know Before You Owe” (TRID) initiative delayed some closings, pushing a portion of November’s would-be transactions to close in December.

“December’s rebound in sales is reason for cautious optimism that the work to prepare for ‘Know Before You Owe’ is paying off,” says NAR President Tom Salomone.

Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist, had this to say about the surge in December sales:

“While the carryover of November’s delayed transactions into December contributed greatly to the sharp increase, the overall pace taken together indicates sales these last two months maintained the healthy level of activity seen in most of 2015. Additionally, the prospect of higher mortgage rates in coming months and warm November and December weather allowed more homes to close before the end of the year.”

The most important realization to come out of the report is the fact that inventory of existing homes for sale dropped dramatically from a 5.1-month supply in November to the lowest figure since January 2005, at a 3.9-month supply. A normal market, where prices rise with inflation, is defined as having a 6-7-month supply of homes for sale. As you can see in the chart below, inventory levels in 2015 were at or below a 5.2-month supply for the entire year.

View Existing Home Sales Report

If inventory levels do not recover, this could be a challenge for sales moving forward as buyer demand remains strong and competition for the homes that are on the market continues to rise.

Bottom Line

If you are considering listing your home for sale in 2016, now is the time! With inventory levels at their lowest mark in over 10 years, listing your home for sale before the busy spring buying season will give you the most exposure to buyers and allow you to get the best price for your home.

Are you considering purchasing a home in paradise?  Call Matt to schedule a private tour of homes in Naples or Bonita Springs Florida.

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January 27, 2016 Posted by Matt

If you want to make solid contact with the golf ball, first you need to find out where you are currently making contact.  To hit solid shots, you must strike the ball with the middle, or sweet spot of your golf club.  Buy a can of foot spray powder and spray the face of your driver.  Hit several drives as you would normally do, then check your club face.  You will see impressions of exactly where you hit the ball.  Shots hit near the toe will go weakly to the right, while those near the heel will tend to go low and left.  You may start to make corrections by standing closer or farther away from the ball, or adjusting your hand position up or down.  Keep using the spray to track your progress and see if you make solid contact on more shots.

January 27, 2016 Posted by Matt

Should I buy now or wait until next year?

Some Highlights:

• The Cost of Waiting to Buy is defined as the additional funds it would take to buy a home if prices & interest rates were to increase over a period of time.
• Freddie Mac predicts interest rates to rise to 4.8% by next year.
• CoreLogic predicts home prices to appreciate by 5.3% over the next 12 months.
• If you are ready and willing to buy your dream home, find out if you are able to!

Are you considering buying a home in Naples FL? Or maybe Bonita Springs?  Let me be your guide.

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January 26, 2016 Posted by Matt

Although the number of sales slowed down during the month of December, SWFL home prices continued to rise.  According to the latest reports by Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR), the overall median home price rose 12 percent from $289,000 to $325,000 when compared to the same time during the previous year.

Year-over-year, median home prices rose 14 percent from $270,000 to $308,000.  Prices saw double digit increases below the $300,000 price range rising 12 percent in 2015 versus 2014.  Prices increased in all 6 geographical locations that make up Collier County with the Imookalee and Ave Maria areas leading the way with a 42 percent increase.

Naples Beach, the most expensive area, saw a 15 percent increase in prices from $627,000 to $724,000.  Overall single family swfl home prices rose 11 percent and condos were up 14 percent.

Overall pending sales decreased 1 percent from 10,494 homes in 2014 to 10,371 homes in 2015.  Overall closed sales decreased 2 percent from 9,902 homes in 2014 to 9,746 homes in 2015.

Highlights for SWFL Home Prices in 2015:

• Pending sales for single-family homes in the $300,000 and below price category decreased 30 percent from 2,394 single-family homes in 2014 to 1,686 single-family homes in 2015.
• Closed sales for condominiums in the $300,000 to $500,000 price category increased 26 percent from 773 condominiums in 2014 to 972 condominiums in 2015.
• Overall median closed price increased 14 percent from $270,000 in 2014 to $308,000 in 2015.
• Overall inventory increased 2 percent from 4,351 in 2014 to 4,426 in 2015.
• Overall inventory in Central Naples (34104, 34105, 34116) decreased 37 percent from 853 homes in 2014 to 540 homes in 2015.
• There is a 5.42 months supply of inventory.
• Average days on market decreased 10 percent from 87 days in 2014 to 78 days in 2015.
• Average days on market for condominiums in the $2 million and above price category decreased 40 percent from 136 days in 2014 to 82 days in 2015.

View Annual Report

As we begin season with a strong outlook for the market in 2016, it is a great time to sell your home and trade up.  Or perhaps you’re looking to downsize.  Whichever situation your in, now is the ideal time to list your home.  Fore a FREE market analysis of your home, contact me at 239-370-0892.

Or, are you considering buying a home in Naples, FL?  Or maybe Bonita Springs? Interest rates are still slow and good deals are still to be had for homes and condos in our area.  Let me be your guide.

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January 25, 2016 Posted by Matt

Does temperature affect your golf game?  Yes!  The molecules in the air contract in the cold and expand in the heat.  For golfers, this means that the ball will travel farther on warm days and it will fly shorter on colder days.  Keep in mind the temperature throughout the round and changes that may affect your club selection.  A change of 10 degrees one way or the other may mean a difference of a half a club.  In other words, if you hit your nine iron 120 yards normally, it will only fly 115 yards on a cold day and 125 yards on a warm day.  So adjust your club selection to account for changes in temperature.

Another great reason to move to Naples, FL….golf balls fly further due to the warmer weather!

January 23, 2016 Posted by Matt

Just Listed – Stonebridge Condo

1635 Winding Oaks Way #201 – $399,000

Location Location Location! Best priced CORNER UNIT in Braeburn! Second floor coach home with golf course views and southern rear exposure. TURNKEY FURNISHED and move in ready, just bring your clubs and flip flops. 3 beds 2 baths and almost 2200 sq ft under air, recent AC system, light and bright, wide open floor plan, soaring ceilings main living area, tray ceiling in the master, dual walk-in closets, attached garage, formal dining, laundry room, huge screened lanai and very tastefully done. Stonebridge is located in North Naples, 3 miles to the beach and 5 minutes from exquisite dining and shopping. Stonebridge is a bundled golf course community designed by Gordon Lewis, 18 holes of challenging golf, newly remodeled club house, 5 tennis courts, fitness center, pool and spa and offers both fine and casual dining from an extensive menu. One of the very top bundled clubs in Naples! More property details…

Stonebridge Country Club is a private golf community located in Naples, FL.  Membership for the club is bundled with your home purchase.  The golf course was redesigned by Gordon Lewis in 2010.  It is fairly narrow with more than 41 acres of water hazards.  Click her to view scorecard.  The clubhouse which was renovated in 2014 has a wide variety of dining options from casual dining to fine dining.

There are 799 bundled units within the development.  There is a variety of single family homes, condos and coach homes to choose from.

Are you considering purchasing a home in Stonebridge Country Club?  Call Matt to schedule a private showing of this Stonebridge condo or other properties in this community.

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January 23, 2016 Posted by Matt

Whether you are buying or selling a home, it can be quite an adventurous journey. You need an experienced Real Estate Professional to lead you to your ultimate goal. In this world of instant gratification and internet searches, many sellers think that they can For Sale by Owner or FSBO. The 5 Reasons You NEED a Real Estate Professional in your corner haven’t changed, but have rather been strengthened due to the projections of higher mortgage interest rates & home prices as the market continues to recover.

1. What do you do with all this paperwork?

Each state has different regulations regarding the contracts required for a successful sale, and these regulations are constantly changing. A true Real Estate Professional is an expert in their market and can guide you through the stacks of paperwork necessary to make your dream a reality.

2. Ok, so you found your dream house, now what?

According to the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association, there are over 230 possible actions that need to take place during every successful real estate transaction. Don’t you want someone who has been there before, who knows what these actions are to make sure that you acquire your dream.

3. Are you a good negotiator?

So maybe you’re not convinced that you need an agent to sell your home. However, after looking at the list of parties that you need to be prepared to negotiate with, you’ll realize the value in selecting a Real Estate Professional. From the buyer (who wants the best deal possible), to the home inspection companies, to the appraiser, there are at least 11 different people that you will have to be knowledgeable with and answer to, during the process.

4. What is the home you’re buying/selling really worth?

It is important for your home to be priced correctly from the start to attract the right buyers and shorten the time that it’s on the market. You need someone who is not emotionally connected to your home to give you the truth as to your home’s value. According to the National Association of REALTORS, “the typical FSBO home sold for $210,000 compared to $245,000 among agent-assisted home sales.” Get the most out of your transaction by hiring a professional.

5. Do you know what’s really going on in the market?

There is so much information out there on the news and the internet about home sales, prices, mortgage rates; how do you know what’s going on specifically in your area? Who do you turn to in order to competitively price your home correctly at the beginning of the selling process? How do you know what to offer on your dream home without paying too much, or offending the seller with a low-ball offer? Dave Ramsey, the financial guru advises:

“When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman.”

Hiring an agent who has their finger on the pulse of the market will make your buying/selling experience an educated one. You need someone who is going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.

Bottom Line

You wouldn’t replace the engine in your car without a trusted mechanic. Why would you make one of your most important financial decisions of your life without hiring a Real Estate Professional?

About Matt Klinowski
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