For more information about office space in the Napoli Center please contact David Bartley Sr. at 239-596-1181.

If you’re one of the many people dealing with Naples foreclosures, you will probably be moving to a smaller, more affordable place.  When it’s time to move you don’t want to leave the important things behind, but you may not have room for everything, either.  Here’s a checklist to help you get the important stuff taken care of within the last month:

1. Change of address – With the rate Naples foreclosures happen, you want to make sure your change of address is one of the first things you do.
2. Find a moving and packing company.
3. Clean out your safe deposit box and transfer it to the new area.
4. Get your family’s medical records, school records and other important papers.
5. Change your insurance policies for your home.
6. Get a fire resistant safe and put all records, cards, birth certificates, etc.  Make sure you have it with you during the actual move.
7. Pack less used items.
8. Arrange to have the utilities disconnected/changed over.
9. Plan your remaining meals so you can pack the nonperishable items you don’t need.
10. Make a list of everything you’re personally taking with you.
11. Walk through and decide what you really need to take.  Hold a garage sale or call a charity to get rid of the rest.
12. Let your friends and family members know where you’re going and how they can reach you.
13. Confirm arrangements with the moving and storage companies.
14. Check the yard and sheds for left over items.
15. Take apart any furniture or other items for packing.
16. Start a “survival box”, which includes anything you might need for overnight or for a few days.
17. Defrost the refrigerator and freezer.
18. Close bank accounts if needed.
19. Do a last walk through before leaving to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.  Be sure to look through the attic, basement, closets, etc. 
20. Drop off your keys with the bank or new owner.

Being one of the Naples foreclosures isn’t fun; it’s stressful and you’re more likely to forget things in this type of situation.  Make lists to keep track of what you’re doing and then use them!

When you’re ready to buy your next home, let me help you find one that fits your lifestyle, budget and needs.  Call me today at 239-596-1181 or email me at dave@bartleyrealty.com for more information.

These days, homes are going into foreclosure like never before. Many factors have contributed to this trend, and as a result, banks have numerous Naples foreclosures that need to be sold as quickly as possible. Explore a few reasons why buying foreclosures now could be a great opportunity.

1.      Price – Since there’s an over abundance of foreclosed homes that need to be sold, many are priced way below market value, which creates a good opportunity for real estate investors to buy.

2.      Quick sales – Sellers want to get Naples foreclosures off their hands as soon as possible and they tend to be extremely motivated sellers. Therefore, you could be the owner of a new home in record time.  Also, most bank owned deals, which were taking anywhere from 3 to 18 months, can now often be closed in less than 45 days.

3.      Easier to obtain loans – With the help of the stimulus plan, buyers of foreclosures are now finding it easier to get loans. 

4.      Less competition – Many times, foreclosures aren’t advertised like regular homes. Also, because of the sheer amount of foreclosures, many bank owned homes go unnoticed by most people.  This means you probably won’t have to compete heavily with other buyers for foreclosed properties.

Although times are still tough for some, if you’re a real estate investor, right now could be the ideal time to purchase Naples foreclosures. It may be a while before deals like these come around again, so take advantage of the rock-bottom home prices now before they’re gone.

Want to work with a real estate agent who can expertly guide you through the process of purchasing foreclosures?  Give me a call today at 239-596-1181 or email me at dave@bartleyrealty.com.

Buying Naples foreclosures can be an exciting task. And the thought of getting a great deal on a home can literally make you giddy. But before you get caught up in all the good things about buying a foreclosure, there are still many details to sort out before you get the keys to your dream home. 

When buying a foreclosure, you should:

1.  Get help

Purchasing a foreclosure requires a lot knowledge, skill and attention to detail. From real estate agents and home inspectors, to attorneys and investors, you’ll need the help of professionals to see you through the process. You will have your hands full, so seek out help ahead of time.

2.  Work fast

When it comes to getting Naples foreclosures, sometimes, your favorite property may also be someone else’s favorite. That’s why, as soon as you find the home, do your research so you can submit a knowledgeable bid on the property early on.

3.  Do your research

Research details about the property. Many surprises can pop up, so it’s important to spend the extra time finding out everything you can about the property, including whether or not the home has any liens on it. Although this can be a bit of a roadblock, you may be able to negotiate.

4.  Factor in risks

Lots of times, when buying foreclosures, the home is sold as is. It’s up to you to decide if you’re willing to renovate or update the home as needed. If so, just make sure you have enough money to cover any needed repairs or cosmetic work.

If you’re interested in getting a foreclosed property at a great price, give me a call today at 239-596-1181.  I specialize in guiding people through the foreclosure process, and I’m happy to answer all your questions.

Whether you’re looking for an investment property or a new home for your family, foreclosures are a popular way to find property at a good price. Finding and purchasing foreclosures can be a complicated process. You don’t want to go through this alone. A Naples real estate agent can be a great asset to you during this time. Just keep in mind these tips for working with a real estate agent to find foreclosures.

·         Be honest. Your real estate agent is a professional, and they should be treated as such. Explain to them during your first meeting that you are looking for foreclosures. Don’t lie about your financial situation. They need to know exactly what you’re looking for and exactly what you can afford. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time and theirs.

·         Know what you want. Telling your Naples real estate agent that you want to buy a foreclosure doesn’t give them enough information to help you. You need to give them specific information about the type of property you want to buy and what features you want inside. Prepare this list before you meet with your agent and listen to any suggestions they have.

·         Be flexible and responsible. Your real estate agent is there to help you, but they also have other clients and responsibilities. Rest assured that they want you to be happy, but they will not be able to devote all their time to you alone. Be flexible when you make appointments, be on time to all meetings, and expect the same treatment from your agent.

Want to get a good deal on a foreclosure?  I can help. Call me today at 239-596-1181 or email me at dave@bartleyrealty.com

If you’re looking at hard times, and have fallen behind on your Naples condo mortgage payments, you may already think it’s too late to save your home from foreclosure.  But rest assured, you can take steps to keep your home and stop the process. 

·        One of the most important things to do is keep the lines of communication open with your lender.  Most lenders would much rather avoid foreclosing on your Naples condo.  If you call your lender as soon as you miss a payment, you may be able to qualify for a forbearance, which could cancel the payment that you are unable to make.  You are unlikely to receive forbearance more than once, so make sure that you will be able to start making payments at the time the forbearance runs out.

·        Of course, the simplest way to avoid foreclosure is to pay the total amount owed, including all the attorney’s fees.  But, you probably wouldn’t be worried about foreclosure if you were able to do that.

·        If you are not able to make payments to get caught up, you still have one final option to keep your home.  In some cases, filing bankruptcy can stop the foreclosure process.  If your condo doesn’t have a lot of equity built up that could be used to pay off your debts, the courts may allow you to keep your home.  The past due and current mortgage payments are included in a payment plan designed to get you out of debt in three to five years.  The decision to file for bankruptcy protection should not be made without consulting with a lawyer

If the foreclosure process can’t be stopped, you still have the opportunity to keep your home.  You have until the actual day of the Trustee’s Sale of your Naples condo to pay up what you’re behind, or make arrangements to be caught up on your loan. 

After the sale, you enter a redemption period, during which you can get your home back if you’re able to satisfy the terms of your lender.  You will likely have at least 180 days before the redemption period expires.

Do you have other real estate related questions?  I’m happy to answer them for you.  Call me today at 239-596-1181 or email me at dave@bartleyrealty.com

KEYWORD: Naples condo

With all the talk of foreclosure in the news, it’s easy to get worried about the future of your Naples real estate.  The good news is that you have plenty of warning from your lender before they foreclose on the property.

Foreclosure is when the lender takes legal action to repossess your home if you default on the loan.  When you miss the first payment, your lender will call you to make arrangements to get your loan current.  It’s very important to talk to your lender at this point.  If you’re having trouble making the payment due to a temporary problem, your lender may offer you forbearance on your loan for a month or two.

If you miss a second payment, the lender will begin to call you more often demanding that you catch up on the loan payments.  You may begin receiving letters from the lender telling you to become current or they will take appropriate legal action. 

If you continue to fall behind on your mortgage, and aren’t able to make a third payment, you’ll receive a different kind of letter from your lender.  You will receive a Notice of Acceleration from the lender telling you to become current on your payments by a certain date, or the entire amount of the loan will become due and payable.  If you are unable to pay up, the lender will begin the foreclosure process on your Naples real estate.

Remember, a lender would rather work out a deal with you and avoid the whole foreclosure process altogether.  Keep in contact with your lender, and you may still be able to make a payment arrangement with them and stay out of foreclosure.

It can take from two to three months before the foreclosure is final and your Naples real estate is sold to the highest bidder.  You can pay the total amount owed up until the day of the sale and keep your home. 

If you have need more information about Naples foreclosures, call David Bartley at 239-596-1181.

KEYWORD: Naples real estate

No doubt you’ve heard about the soaring number of Naples foreclosures.  If you’re thinking that now would be a good time to jump on the Naples real estate bandwagon by purchasing a foreclosure, here are a few tips to help you find (and buy) your dream home.

Arrange for Financing

Know how much home you can afford so you can determine your price range.  You don’t want to waste any time looking at property that won’t fit your financial needs.  If you do, you might even miss the deal you’re looking for.  Many lenders will pre-qualify you.  The process doesn’t take long and you’ll be able to look at Naples foreclosures with confidence.

Get a List of Naples Foreclosures.

Most banks and other lenders have a list of their properties that are in foreclosure.  Some government agencies and mortgage brokers have access to current foreclosure lists.  Your number one best resource for foreclosures is your Naples real estate agent who is able to guide you to the properties that best fit your needs as well as show you the properties.

Research Your Favorites

Narrow down the list of foreclosures to your favorites.  Then, investigate the properties and the areas they’re in because the neighborhood has an impact on the value.  In addition, carefully assess the foreclosed properties for damage and calculate the cost of the repairs.  After you’ve done the math, pick the house that suits your needs.  If you don’t want to do all the assessments and make all these decisions on your own, work with a professional Naples real estate agent who can guide you through this process.

It’s Time to Make a Bid

Okay, you’ve found the foreclosed property you want to buy.  What should you do now?  It’s time to put in a bid on the property.  If you aren’t comfortable negotiating (or if you aren’t good at it), let your Naples real estate agent place your bid and negotiate the deal for you.

Ready to get a great deal on Naples foreclosures?  Call me today at 239-596-1181 or email me at dave@bartleyrealty.com.

KEYWORD: Naples foreclosures, Naples real estate

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Whether you’re looking for your next family home or an investment property, a foreclosure can be a great way to find a bargain. However, not all foreclosures are the same. Before you jump into a foreclosure, make yourself a smart buyer who knows a thing or two about Naples foreclosures.

1.      Smart buyers know that that foreclosed properties are not automatically bargains. Banks want to make as much money as possible on their foreclosures. While you can sometimes find great deals, you are more likely to purchase a foreclosure for at or near market value. Look for Naples homes that are reasonably priced, not just those that are sold as cheaply as possible.

2.      Smart buyers know that not all foreclosures are the same. Foreclosures fall into one of three groups. A pre-foreclosure happens when a homeowner stops paying their mortgage. Auction foreclosures and listed foreclosures occur after the bank has taken back complete ownership of the home. Assess your lifestyle and financial situation and choose the type of foreclosure that is best for you.

3.      Smart buyers know that bargain foreclosures are not always what they seem. Rest assured, there’s a reason if a bank sells a foreclosure far below market value. These properties are often in need of significant repairs. Vacant homes are likely to have been vandalized, especially if they’ve been on the market for months. Sometimes homeowners facing foreclosure damage the home before they move. Include the cost of repairs with the asking price to determine if you can afford the home.

4.      Smart buyers know that buying a foreclosure takes time. Buying a foreclosure is not a quick process, especially if the homeowner is still living in the home. The bank has to file documents with the local court and requires the buyer to complete stacks of paperwork that protects the bank. Know how long you can wait before moving in and give yourself plenty of time.

If you’re looking for a new home, a foreclosure might be the right home for you. I can help you find Naples foreclosures that are right for you. Call me today at 239-596-1181 or email me at Dave@bartleyrealty.com

KEYWORD: Naples foreclosures

If you’ve considered selling your home in a slow real estate market you may wonder if you can get a fair price for your home. Fortunately, you don’t have to be afraid of the rising foreclosure rate. Smart sellers know how to compete with foreclosures when selling their Naples home.

1.      Smart sellers ask for what their home is worth. You need to set your asking price based on the market value of your Naples home. The bank wants to get as much money as possible for their properties. Their asking price for foreclosures is as close as possible to the current market value of the home.

2.      Smart sellers make sure their home is in its best possible condition.  Before your home goes on the market, touch up paint, replant the garden, and service appliances.  If a foreclosed home is selling for significantly less than other homes in the area, it is usually because the home needs major repairs.

3.      Smart sellers give information to their potential buyers.  Tell potential buyers about home improvements and repairs, renovations, and the condition of major appliances. Don’t keep information from your buyer. Foreclosures are sold “as is” which means the bank is not making any guarantees about the property’s condition. Furthermore, lenders are exempt from disclosure laws so they aren’t required to tell buyers about any major problems with the home.

4.      Smart sellers do what they can to expedite the closing. You should make the selling process as easy as possible for your buyer. Buying a foreclosure is a complicated process that can take weeks or months to complete. Most buyers simply cannot wait that long and deal with the extra paperwork involved.

5.      Smart sellers know they may need to adjust the price.   If your home stays on the market while others sell, you may need to adjust your asking price or offer something extra, like a home warranty, to the buyer. The real estate market is constantly fluctuating, and it is possible for your home’s market value to decrease while it is on the market.

Don’t let competing foreclosures keep you from selling your home. Let me help you sell your Naples home for top dollar. Call me today at 239-596-1181 or email me at Dave@Bartleyrealty.com.

KEYWORD: Naples homes