http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Palm_Beach_Gardens_FL-91378/The latest answers submitted by Marc Blasi to questions asked on Trulia Voicesen-ushttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/My_house_has_been_on_the_market_for_almost_months-57219Answer by Marc Blasi: So did it ever sell? BTW - charging to do a Broker's Open is ridiculous - don't ever fall for that! If the price is in line with the comps, and you're still not getting showings, there is something wrong with the advertising. Forget print/newspapers that's old school - you need to see that your home is all over the internet because THAT is what will work.Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:21:41 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/General_Area/Besides_Valencia_and_Frenchman_s_Reserve_what_oth-92526Answer by Marc Blasi: I would say that Mirasol would be your best bet.Tue, 5 May 2009 09:23:10 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/What_is_the_downside_to_PGA_national_compared_to_t-114260Answer by Marc Blasi: Two things come up - the age of the properties and the fact that it is not a fully gated community. Some of the subdivisions ARE gated however. Those would be the 'downsides'. On a more positive note, the cost of living there is much lower then in the surrounding communities and Membership is not required. However if you do want a golf membership, it is the lease expensive in the area and you get access to 5 courses - 4 on site and a fifth a few miles out west. Don't be confused by the previous answer! Unless you are staying at the hotel you can NOT play on any of the courses unless you have a membership. Trust me, I live there!Thu, 23 Apr 2009 06:45:50 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/removed-71792Answer by Marc Blasi: You've taken the art of the shameless plug to a new level! We're all online to promote ourselves and our businesses , but there ways you SHOULD do it and ways that you SHOULDN'T - this is a classic case of the latter. Stop begging for business.Mon, 8 Dec 2008 04:27:08 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Agent2Agent/Advertising_trends_Do_you_find_local_and_major_Ne-69048Answer by Marc Blasi: Hi Wayne- Print is a waste, plain and simple. The best think to do is blog and be all over the internet. It takes a little while to establish yourself - but the results are worth it!Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:29:07 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Agent2Agent/Foreclosures_presenting_unrealistic_goals_-63225Answer by Marc Blasi: I seem to be running into people who are confused about forclosures AND short sales. I can't blame them for wanting super deals, but they are so loaded with mis-information..... I just sit them down and explain the situation as best as possible, let them know what is available and go from there. We can thank the media for perpetuation the myth that absolutely everything can be had for 50% or lower!Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:00:03 PSThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/General_Area/Is_there_anyone_looking_to_rent_their_home_out_in_-59538Answer by Marc Blasi: Hi Jennifer- There is quite a bit available, depending on the specifics of course. Just give me a call and we'll get the process started.Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:47:17 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Shopping_and_Local_Amenities/How_are_the_shopping_and_local_amenities_in_this_c-2420Answer by Marc Blasi: Palm Beach Gardens is Nirvana for shoppers - in addition to the Gardens Mall, the Downtown center, the recently completed Loehman's Plaza and the Midtown area (still being completed), you've got so many upscale stores in such a small area - if you want something and can't find it here, I don't know what to tell you! Then you have the beaches, parks and all of the golf courses and the fact that you are just a quick trip from Worth Avenue - generally considered to be the Rodeo Drive of the South. Anything else?Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:03:55 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Market_Conditions/There_is_a_lot_of_talk_of_a_softening_real_estate_-2417Answer by Marc Blasi: We still have a Buyers' Market here- there is quite a large inventory of homes for sale but now that we're getting close to the busy season for the golf / country clubs, the number of showings and offers is increasing. The people that are still waiting for another dramatic drop in prices are going to be surprised if they don't act soon - I really think the worst is over. The average time on market is around 6 months - but I wouldn't put too much stock in that # - there are too many desparate agents that will take a listing even if it is grossly overpriced and those sit around for a loong time.Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:52:40 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Traffic_and_Public_Transportation/Are_there_any_major_traffic_problems_in_this_city_-2682Answer by Marc Blasi: Here's an update- whatever work was planned, or is going on, with I95, there still are slowdowns during the peak hours. But they are still relatively minor - just take the turnpike if you're worried! Luckily the expansion of PGA Blvd. is coming along quickly and it really hasn't caused any major problems.Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:35:36 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/How_much_below_list_price_should_a_first_offer_be_-8619Answer by Marc Blasi: There is no hard and fast rule - anyone that tries to reduce it to a mathematical formula is making a grave mistake! Your Agent will review the recent sales with you - you'll see what similar homes have sold for. It all comes down to: What do YOU think it's worth? In a case where you find a home that is EXACTLY what you want, you'd be smart to go a little higher to seal the deal.Tue, 16 Oct 2007 09:03:23 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/_Pine_Meadow_Dr_is_a_DUPLEX_NOT_a_single_Family-11248Answer by Marc Blasi: Hi Glen- It doesn't matter if it was a mistake or a misrepresentation - it's still a royal pain. The one I see most often is a 'Yes' for a pool when it's actually a community pool NOT a private one.Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:56:06 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/How_do_I_figure_out_what_home_I_can_afford_in_this-2677Answer by Marc Blasi: Hi Stephan- Before you go out to look for loans (unless you're lucky enough to be able to pay cash! ) you and your family need to go over your current income, assets and bills and decide what you are comfortable paying each month. DON'T allow yourself to be talked into a figure that you are not comfortable with.Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:27:14 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/cost_of_acres_of_land_-4920Answer by Marc Blasi: Hi Carol- I'd love to help you out, but you'll need to be a lot more specific - such as where exactly are you looking to pruchase?Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:21:34 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/I_need_Pro_Con_advice-10888Answer by Marc Blasi: Hi Paige- It's not the size and cerainly not the name of the company! I would check with several offices in the area that you'd like to work in. Talk to the AGENTS - get their opinions and ask them to compare / contrast what they were promissed vs what they actually got. The bigger companies do have that name recognition - but more often then not you will just be a small fish in a big pond and you will NOT get the training that is so important when you first start out. Whatever you choose.... Good luck with your career!Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:15:59 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/what_is_the_average_interest_rate_with_excellent_f-10586Answer by Marc Blasi: It's already been said several times - this is nowhere near enough info to give you an idea! Be careful - if anyone is willing to promise something to you based on the info you've provided..... RUN in the opposite direction!Tue, 9 Oct 2007 14:57:13 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Market_Conditions/hv_bought_a_new_townhome_in_boynton_renaissance_c-10512Answer by Marc Blasi: Well, this probably isn't the answer that you wanted BUT: In my opinion, things will be going up gradually over the next few years - however that is based on a gut feeling, for me to make it out to be more then that would be deceptive. Anyone that says that they know, FOR SURE, what is going to happen in the future should just predict the winning #'s for the next Lotto drawing and live happily ever after!Mon, 8 Oct 2007 14:01:15 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Market_Conditions/what_is_the_right_price_for_seasonal_rental_in_Jup-5928Answer by Marc Blasi: Hello Meri- The easiest way to check out the rental prices (and don't forget, you can always offer less!) is to do it on line - you can change your requirements at will and work on it whenever you'd like. Please check my new site: www.PalmBeachRealEstateandLoans.com and let me know if it was helpful.Mon, 8 Oct 2007 13:41:18 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Financing/Who_are_good_lenders_in_this_area_-2675Answer by Marc Blasi: Asking a qustion like this to a bunch of people in the business will usually result in a bunch of ME,ME, ME answers or referrals to friends! My suggestion would be to talk to your friends, family and co-workers to see whom they have had success with in the past. Whatever you do, apply with a few different Brokers, compare their customer service and costs and go from there.Mon, 8 Oct 2007 13:35:20 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Financing/How_do_I_find_the_best_deal_on_a_mortgage_-2676Answer by Marc Blasi: First - I would try to get recommendations from family, friends and co-workers - who have they used, who did they feel most comfortable with, etc. I would also suggest applying with several Brokers - compare the offers and see who you feel the most comfortable with - who answered all of your questions, who was the most open, that kind of thing. Regardless of the majority of the BS that you see in ads EVERY day, most Brokers will offer the same types of loans and have access to the same range of rates - what really separates the pack is the service the individual provides.Mon, 8 Oct 2007 13:15:48 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Why_do_realtors_want_me_to_apply_to_their_mortgage-8426Answer by Marc Blasi: They probably have no history with who you want to use and would be more confident with you using someone that they have a good track record with. All the other reasons have already been mentioned! In any case, if the Agent is over the line with pushing you toward any one person, it may be time to change Agents.Sat, 29 Sep 2007 08:30:29 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Financing/Is_National_Mortgage_Alliance_a_reputable_mortgage-9932Answer by Marc Blasi: I haven't heard of them, so I couldn't really tell you- BUT- you can always check with the state and the local Better Business Bureau to get some info. Being skeptical is a GOOD thing! When you're talking about what will probably be the biggest transaction in your life you should do as much research as possible.Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:44:35 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/If_I_am_selling_my_home_is_it_standard_for_me_to-9885Answer by Marc Blasi: I know that in Florida it is typical for the Seller to pay the comissions for both sides. As far as the Seller contributing to closing costs, it can happen but it certainly isn't 'standard'.Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:53:07 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/How_do_I_know_if_I_should_offer_more_or_less_than_-2679Answer by Marc Blasi: Hello Halley- Regardless of the type of property you're looking at, offer less! We are currently in a strong buyers' market - the buyer is in the driver's seat, not the seller. I'm not suggesting you go overboard with a severe low-ball offer, but you and the seller should be able to come to a mutually acceptable compromise. Your Agent should provide you with a list of what has recently sold in the specific area and a list of what is currently listed and for how much. Those #'s, combined with the condition of the home you are looking at, should help you make the right choice. Good Luck!Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:37:06 PDThttp://www.trulia.com/voices/Foreclosure/I_don_t_have_good_credit_but_I_have_a_job_can_I_bu-9913Answer by Marc Blasi: Hello Guillermo- You MIGHT be able to get financing, but if your credit is really as bad as you think it is, the terms would probably be horrible. I would suggest straightening up your credit situation first: paying down high balances, clearing up any discrepancies, etc. That will help your credit quite a bit - and give you time to save some money towards a bigger down payment. Good Luck with your new job!Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:17:57 PDT