Sun Rock » Real Estate Investing

So I was talking to this realtor…

Sun Rock Properties — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:52:00 +0000

about a property her client was interested in renting. She asked me what the comission was for leasing the property. I asked her what she meant and she was direct in saying, ‘how much do I get paid when my client signs a lease?’

I continued the questioning because I thought it would be interesting to hear the greed drip through the phone. She said usually the comission is ‘one half of first month’s rent’. Since we charge less for our own leasing fee, I had to tell her we do not have a commission to offer. That was the last I heard from her.

Now I don’t expect people to work for free, but some questions came to mind. What if this property was the absolute perfect one for her client? How much would that be worth? If a realtor located a property for a client, it was the ideal place, the client loved it and it improved the client’s life, wouldn’t they rave to all of their friends and family about the realtor?

The realtor might have received 10 referrals from that one prospect and maybe 10 more from each of the new referrals. Maybe 100 commissions were thrown away in a chase to get paid, rather than putting the client first.

At Sun Rock, we give before we get. The purpose of this blog is to give quality information to real estate investors. By doing this we have earned well-educated and informed clients for life. This is the difference between chasing a paycheck every month and building a successful business.

Not saying all realtors act like this, but anyone who does, Sun Rock Property Management does not want to do business with.

For quality property management in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, contact Sun Rock Property Management now.

Is Your Property Manager a Realtor?

What Happens in Florida, Will Happen Everywhere Else

Sun Rock Properties — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:44:35 +0000

Want to know what will happen in the U.S. Real Estate Market? Watch Florida.

Jim Cramer says Florida is the template for where the US housing market is headed.

Florida real estate lead the way during the boom and the bust, and will lead the way in a recovery. Look to Florida to find out what will happen next.

For pre-purchase investment consulting and expert property management, contact Sun Rock Property Management. We manage your investment in Bradenton, Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

If Mortgage Rates went up….

Sun Rock Properties — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 22:38:00 +0000

If mortgage rates went up, the dollar would be worth more. Money would be more expensive to borrow, therefore more scarce and valuable. You would have more purchasing power with the money you already have and earn a higher return on savings. Banks would have more money to lend, because they could entice customers with high CD, IRA and savings rates. The higher rates would curb inflation, causing the price of everything to go down, including real estate.

Higher mortgage rates will further depreciate America’s housing market. If you are selling a home for $100k and the average mortgage rate is 5%, the buyer’s payment on a 30 year fixed mortgage is $536 per month. If the mortgage rate went up to 8%, how much of an offer could the buyer make and still keep their monthly payment at $536?

Answer: $73k. Buyers in the market for your property can now only offer 73% of the price when rates were 3% lower. Your home just depreciated 27%.

Are we at the bottom? Not even close.

On April 1st Federal Reserve is not continuing its investment, which means that mortgage rates are about to increase. Experts believe home prices will drop 5 to 10 percent. – realestate.com

Rates have been kept artificially low for the past 9 years, creating a boom and then propping up a bust.

Perhaps rates should really be at 15-20% to make up for all the money that has been printed and spent.

Either rates will stay low and the whole thing will go into a death spiral or at some point market forces will push rates up. When that happens, expect your home to be worth less, and maybe the market bottom will be in sight.

For professional property management in Lakewood Ranch, FL, contact Sun Rock Property Management

Best Home Trader

Sun Rock Properties — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 15:54:00 +0000

One of Sun Rock Property Management’s more tech-savvy friends has recently launched a website to list your home for sale.

The idea of Best Home Trader is to get maximum exposure of your listing online at the best price. By posting your listing you can get to the top of search engines and reach potential buyers nationwide. Listings can be created with a lot of detail and the site is user-friendly.

Viewing current listings or posting your own can be done now at Best Home Trader.

Sun Rock Property Management offers focused, efficient property management with a personal commitment to our owners.

Bird Sells Cheap

Sun Rock Properties — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:35:36 +0000

The staff at Sun Rock Property Management believe there is always a good time to buy, as long as you buy right and have an exit strategy.

There is always opportunity in the real estate market, but in the current dynamic market it takes more savvy to create a profit.

From an investment standpoint, the biggest returns are no longer in higher priced homes which could leverage high appreciation. Wholesale, ‘cheap’ homes, improved and then ~~flipped~~ resold for a high percentage profit are the best way to create a gain.

A friend of Sun Rock, is currently specializing in wholesale properties throughout Pinnelas County, Florida. Blackbird homes is finding deals and getting investors into properties to produce cashflow or high percentage returns on investment.

Here is the link to view available listings with blackbird homes.

We manage your investment in Bradenton, Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, Florida, Sun Rock Property Management

The Effect of Record Foreclosures

Sun Rock Properties — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:45:00 +0000

When you have record numbers of foreclosures like the United States has had over the last few years, you get record numbers of renters.

The most amount of people in history have been losing their homes to foreclosure, when this happens the person:

A. Doesn’t have a place to live

B. Has bad credit

C. Can’t qualify for another mortgage

So where do these people go? Some may have to move in with family, but the majority will be looking for a place to rent.

This means that there are currently a record number of people that are interested in renting a property. This is good news for our property management company, since it makes finding tenants very easy.

In some recent cases, we have had people bidding up properties over the advertised rental price. Once properties are rented, we continue to get tons of phone calls and emails of people trying to find a place or see if we have anything similar.

Owners who can capitalize on this opportunity can increase their cashflow and limit vacancies on their properties.

For expert property management in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, contact Sun Rock Property Management.

Rent vs. Buy 2010

Sun Rock Properties — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:29:00 +0000

The rent vs. buy calculator was traditionally used by realtors and mortgage lenders as a way to show you the benefits of homeownership. These include building equity, getting a tax write-off and appreciation of the property.

These numbers always skew in favor of purchasing a home instead of renting, which is what they want you to do anyway. Buying a home and paying it off in 30 years does make sense financially, but who really does that anymore?

To make an intelligent decision in times like these, you have to go outside the numbers.

Will I live in the property for 30 years?

What is the total cost of ownership of the property?

What if I get transferred or move?

What if I can’t find a tenant or a tenant doesn’t pay?

What if I lose my job?

What if property doesn’t appreciate for the next 15 years?

What repairs/renovations will I have to do?

What if my taxes, insurance and homeowners’ dues increase?

Ask yourself a few of these questions and see if renting might be the right choice for you, right now.

Sun Rock Property Management is a full-service property management company in Florida, with a portfolio of properties from Apollo Beach to Sarasota, Florida.

MiraBay – Property Management Perspective

Sun Rock Properties — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:08:21 +0000

Imagine having your morning coffee on your lanai watching dolphins jump above the water. If that is how you imagine your mornings, look no further than MiraBay.

Located on Tampa Bay in Apollo Beach, MiraBay is the dream for anyone who wants to enjoy the luxury of living in Tampa’s all-inclusive waterfront community.

At MiraBay, you are more than a resident, you are living the coastal resort-style community dream. MiraBay offers its’ citizens more than 35 active resident clubs. If you prefer, you can visit the MiraBay spa and join friends for brunch at The Galley Café, a waterfront restaurant.

For the active lifestyle MiraBay offers tennis lessons,swimming in the distinctive bridged pool, or exercising with top-of-the-line equipment in the fitness center.

Residents have access to water on the freshwater lagoon, saltwater canals or Tampa Bay itself. Every holiday season, MiraBay hosts its annual “MiraBay Mariners’ Club Lighted Boat Parade.” The event takes place as a spectacle of festive lights in the MiraBay Lagoon. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday’s tropical style with the whole family.

For the prospective investor, there are a variety of residential properties to choose from. MiraBay offers townhomes, coach homes as well as a variety of single family homes. It is best to contact a property manager for pre-purchase consulting and specific rental rates.

For expert property management in MiraBay, contact Sun Rock Property Management.

As Home Prices Decline, it is a Great Time to Invest in a Rental Property

Sun Rock Properties — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:55:59 +0000

In Manatee County home and condominium re-sales rose in October. However, there’s still a debate about the housing market recovery.

According to the Florida Association of Realtors, sales of existing single-family homes in the Sarasota-Bradenton market rose nearly 50 percent in October compared to the same month a year ago. Sales of previously-owned condos also escalated.

Bargain-hunters and first-time homebuyers seeking the federal tax-credit deadline pushed the sales spike. This led to a decrease in the median sales price from a year ago.

Whether you are looking to purchase a condo on the 10th-hole in River Strand or a beautiful home in the Lakewood Ranch Country Club, prices are right for an investment in a rental property.

Contact Sun Rock Property Management for all your investment rental property management needs.

Lakewood Ranch – Property Management Perspective

Sun Rock Properties — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:42:00 +0000

East of I-75, in the 34202 zip code, is the master-planned community of Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch offers a variety of different properties and amenities to suit any lifestyle.

The neighborhoods of Greenbrook, Summerfield, The Lake Club, Lakewood Ranch Country Club and Riverwalk are connected by the trademark of Lakewood Ranch, miles and miles of nature trails. For active residents, Lakewood Ranch offers several outdoor activities including golf, tennis, polo and cricket.

Other community features include parks with picnic areas, children’s sports fields, lakes, conservation areas and impressive landscaping.

Lakewood Ranch is very desirable. It is located in close proximity to shopping, entertainment and dining. Inside of the Lakewood Ranch community lies the Town Center offering a variety of shops and restaurants, Publix, YMCA, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and Lakewood Ranch High School.

For the prospective investor, there are a variety of residential properties to choose from. It is best to contact a property manager for pre-purchase consulting and specific rental rates.

For expert property management in Lakewood Ranch, contact Sun Rock Property Management.