Have We Turned the Corner?
In the last newsletter we asked “Have We Hit the Bottom?” and the only concrete evidence was the “pending sales” figures. Well by mid-summer, all numbers showed improvement. The only statistics going down were the average sales price and the number of sales of the first half of 2009 compared with the first half of 2008. But compare the sales dollar volume, sales units, and average prices of the first quarter to the second quarter of 2009, and everything is up. Pending sales, as of 6/30/09, are up 80% from 6/30/08.

Sales comparison from the 2nd quarter 2008 compared to 2nd quarter 2009 show:

• Number of units closed up 18%
• Average Price of closed units down 22%
• Total sales volume down 8%

• Number of units closed up 80%
• Average price of closed units up 2%
• Total sales volume up 83%vf
• Reduction of listings and new listings

Social Networking
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Myspace, and on and on. The names run the alphabetical gamete from “Adultfriendfinder” (the name is enough description) with 33,000,000 members to Zoo.gr, a Greek network. By the way, another site, Alexa.com keeps statistics on these sites, but don’t ask me anything about them, I have to ask my son.

So how do they relate to business? How can they promote business? I am still trying to figure that out, but all the media gurus say this is the new wave of exposure. Reuters says one in five ads viewed are now online ads and the majority of those are on Facebook and Myspace. In fact, they say that these two sites make up 10% of all viewed ads; internet and other.

This means we must join the group, and we have, starting with multiple Facebook pages:

• Freewheeler Real Estate
• Freewheeler Vacation Rentals
• Freewheeler Construction

Realty World-Freewheeler the Upper Keys Sales Leader
In addition to being the company with the highest per agent production, Freewheeler is also the sales leader of the Upper Keys, closing over $10 million in sales above our closest competitor.

Freewheeler Construction Corp.
In today's real estate climate, we have a very unusual situation where you can purchase a home cheaper than you can build one. Add to that the difficulty of permitting and our current buyers are jumping on distressed properties and remodeling.

It's amazing what a new kitchen, bathroom, paving, painting, landscaping or a summer kitchen/pool combo can add to the value and livability of an older home. Another hot item is impact windows. You get rid of the old shutters and, at the same time, add a fresh look to your property. The hassle and expense of boarding up will compensate for the cost in a short time. 

Freewheeler Construction Corp. can give you suggestions and estimates to do any of these improvements. Give John El-Koury a call: 305- 664-5213. You will be very pleased with the result.

Vacation Rental News
We have just completed the renewal of Vacation Rental licenses for the Village of Islamorada and, of the 105 licenses, Freewheeler rents 55% of the licensed properties. In reviewing the types of properties receiving licenses, almost half are condominiums, with the balance being almost evenly divided between subdivision homes and estates.The Village Ordinance allows for 331 licenses and, in this second year of licensing, there were 59 fewer applications. Logically, this would seem that that licensed properties should have better occupancy if the Village is aggressive in pursuing unlicensed rental properties. The Village claims they are aggressive and we shall see.

As part of our expanded internet presence, we have recently added a “Luxury Homes” button to our Vacation Rental section of www.Freewheeler-Realty.com, giving us a wedding section and a luxury section. As we add large and/or very upscale properties, we feel we will attract the vacationers who may go elsewhere to Islamorada and Key Largo. The Monroe County Tourist Development Counsel has always targeted the higher income tourist and we felt that, in addition to our current large inventory of homes and condominiums, we should expand into the luxury market. All these homes will soon have virtual tours to help the interested vacationer get a real feel for the property. Pictured is one of these properties.

Annual Leasing Update
The only downside to being the most productive annual leasing agent in the Upper Keys is that you run out of homes to rent. With sales picking up, the number of owners crossing over to the rental market has slowed down. Tenants are looking so if you or anyone you know has a property sitting empty, give Amy Lindback a call at 305- 522-0711.

Quote of the Quarter
“You know you're getting old when you stoop to tie your shoelaces and wonder what else you could do while you're down there.”
- George Burns

Realty World-Freewheeler has Two Upper Keys Locations:

Forward this email to a friend | Unsubscribe from this list
Copyright © 2009 Realty World-Freewheeler  All rights reserved.