The results-driven Troy B. Love Sr., is an expert in the art of sales negotiation, but more importantly he describes himself as a good listener above all else – a quality that Century 21 Team Feltrim values extremely highly. Lover Sr., was raised according to the old-fashioned traditions of “listen more than you talk,” and lives by the mantra that “your word is your bond.” Alongside his deep knowledge of local markets including Windermere, Winter Park, Lake Mary, Lake Nona, Hunters Creek and Winter Garden, Love Sr. strives to develop relationships with his clients based on loyalty, honesty, integrity and 100% transparency, attributes which are critical for homeowners when undertaking what is in many cases, the most expensive financial transaction of their lives.

Also joining the team at Century 21 Team Feltrim this month is Sean Coyne, bringing extensive expertise in both new building projects and renovations of existing properties. Coyne, a native of Ireland, previously managed and owned his own construction company in his home country for more than 18 years, yet he has accumulated a wealth of knowledge regarding Florida’s real estate markets, particularly regarding the finer aspects that relate to overseas buyers, having been purchased property in the state as a foreigner himself. Among Coyne’s strengths, he cites his unique ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds as one of the qualities that will stand him in good stead as he embraces his new role at Century 21 Team Feltrim.

Finally, Century 21 Team Feltrim also welcomes new agent Kadie Webber into the fold. Born and raised in Casablanca, Morocco, Webber is fluent in four languages – English, Arabic, French and Spanish – having been educated in Casablanca, Germany and France. Webber’s background lies in marketing, and this, combined with her language skills, makes her a unique aspect for Century 21 Team Feltrim as one of the key players in attracting more overseas buyers into the region.

These appointments come at a crucial juncture for the company, which has seen extremely strong sales in the last month as the summer selling season kicks into gear. Just 12 days into the month of June, Century 21 Team Feltrim had already closed on over $1 million of real estate, including a single $500,000 sale of a 3,500 sq.ft. model home in Reunion Resort, Orlando, to a Mr. Wang of China.

Garret Kenny, CEO of Century 21 Team Feltrim, said of the deal that “[Mr. Wang] contracted the home sight unseen in May, flew in for the closing and was extremely happy with his purchase. The builder Citi Home has leased the property back for the next 12 months, and will now use it as their model.”

“Meanwhile, Mr. Wang was so happy that he ended up contracting with our company to purchase an additional seven lake front building lots at $50,000 each. Mr. Wang told me that Florida properties offered excellent value at present, and sees this appreciating in the coming months based on his own research,” added Kenny.

Mr. Wang’s assessment of the local market is somewhat in line with Century 21 Team Feltrim’s own projects. According to Kenny, whilst inventory remains at an all time low with less than three month’s supply, new builds are coming back very strong. The company has already contracted on new homes values in excess of $3 million dollars mid-way through June, which is a sure sign of strong growth in the central Florida market.

It doesn’t cost anything to join Poplar, and members are able to create profiles to promote their work experience, education and professional credentials. In addition they are able to connect with anyone on the Internet through interactive questions and answers. Members can also choose to receive e-mail alerts when new information is posted on green building topics and interests.

Rob Freeman, founder of Poplar said, “After releasing our Beta site at the Greenbuild Conference in San Francisco, it’s great to formally launch and start to roll out our LEED and green building education products and partnerships. We just getting started delivering the highest quality green building training available.”

Poplar offers a full LEED Green Associate training curriculum.  Members gain access to free practice tests for the LEED Green Associate and NAB CEP solar photovoltaic exams. Members also received other tools such as a comprehensive LEED Credential Maintenance Program guide. LEED professionals who are enrolled in the LEED credential maintenance can become contributors and are able to submit guest posts about green building or L EED that can be published in the Poplar News section. They can claim 3 LEED continuing education hours for each article published.

Poplar is in partnership with GreenStep Education to offer LEED AP exam preparation tools and access to the LEED Project Experience Program. This offers the professionals the opportunity to work on an LEED registered project from almost anywhere as it is 100% online, and it provides eligibility for the LEED AP exam. Alex Spilger, founder of GreenStep has years of experience overseeing high profile LEED certification projects for companies such as Skype, Twitter, Google, Oracle and AirBnB.

Anyone interested in learning more about Poplar, or in creating a member account can visit their website.

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Many websites out there that include these sharing features use a handful of platforms like AddThis or ShareThis, which provide not only a way for website viewers to share your content, but also a variety of great analytic and developer tools that enhance your website and  web marketing capabilities. And if you’re familiar with AddThis or Share This, or have seen these tools on your favorite real estate websites before, there usually always seems to be links to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and even Google+, which seems to slowly but surely gaining momentum. However, often times, there might able be an additional “Share” button that populates dozens of other, more obscure, social media sites that many of us [probably] don’t recognize.

If you’re like me, perhaps you’ve always been curious about what some of these sites are and who exactly uses each one. Most of us waste enough time on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest as it is, so who really has the time to update even just a few more social media sites, let alone a few dozen?

In any case, the fact that this many social sites actually exist is still fascinating to me, so without further ado, here’s my list of 10 social media sites you likely don’t recognize or have never used:

Keek: The best way to describe Keek is that it’s basically like Twitter, but for video.  You’re all familiar with the word “tweet” and how it relates to a 140 character (or less) post or status update on your Twitter account, right? Well, “Keeks” are basically 36-second (or less) video status updates that you can upload from a webcam, computer, or smartphone.       

BizSugar: BizSuagr is basically the place to share all your content, blog posts, or videos about small business news, tips, tricks, and trades of the small business world. What makes BizSugar unique is that it allows users to share their content while simultaneously make new connections and network with other small business owners and professionals.

Squidoo: This user-generated website allows users to create their own web-pages, called lenses, for their specific areas of interest. Those pages can then be used to sell products or promote their business, charity, or organization. Page (lense) topics range from food, hobbies, and art to travel, music, and entertainment.

Kaboodle: The Kaboodle platform looks a lot like Pinterest, but instead of being able to post random photos of anything, Kaboodle is basically a social shopping website that allows users to post photos of itmes and products for sale. Shop or share anything from home décor products to books, clothing, or kitchenware using Kaboodle.com.

Newsvine: Based in Seattle, Newsvine gives users the ability to stream and publish articles for topics they’re interested in and comment on such articles right from their Newsvine account—as opposed to commenting on each specific news site that originally published the article.

Bebo: Launched in 2005, Bebo is just like your typical social networking website. Users can post blogs, photos, videos, music, and questionnaires—which other user can answer—and many find it to be very similar to Facebook.

Dudu: Looking for a way to communicate with internet users who speak different languages? If so, join Dudu.com—the multilingual social network with unique and state-of-the-art translation technology. Currently, English, Russian, and Arabic are supported by Dudu.com, but Turkish, Chinese, and some of the widely-used European languages should be added shortly.

Camyoo: Camyoo is described as a picture and video sharing site that’s specifically for all the photographers, videographers, and critics out there who love seeing new images and video people create. Upload all your videos and photos from your computer or even through your smartphone.

Blinklist: Have you ever come across a cool or useful webpage and then days later want to access it but can’t find it? There’s no denying it—this has happened to all of us. If you’d like an easy and effective way to avoid this problem again, check out Blinklist—a great way to share and save links for later. With BlinkList.com, save a copy of any webpage or link and access it from any computer in any place. Also share these links with friends in just one simple click.

Quora: Need an answer to a question? Join Quora. Ask any question and get real answers, from real people. Simply put, Quora is basically the Facebook for questions and answers.

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Analysts have long said that the millennials’ generation holds the key to any strong housing market recovery. As a result, housing industry experts have been keeping a careful eye on the preferences, attitudes and tastes of this generation. What they’ve learned is that younger generation’s tastes are quite different from their elders, reports the New York Times.

These sentiments were recently echoed by a survey conducted by the Urban Land Institutes’ Terwilliger Center for Housing. The study revealed that around 60% of millennials had a preference for a mix of housing types. In addition, they generally prefer to live in locations that offer more convenient access to shops, restaurants, transit and their place of work. Indeed, 75% of millennials indicated that they place a high value on “walkability,” which is in marked contrast to older generations who often prefer to drive. Out of the 63% of milennials who indicated they’re likely to move home in the next five years, 40% of them stated they’d choose multi-family housing.

“I do think their preferences are going to result in sustained change,” says Lynn Ross, the executive director of the ULI Terwilliger Center for Housing. “This group is so different from previous generations.”

However, the millennials still face huge obstacles before they can climb onto the housing ladder. Chief among their concerns was student loan debt, cited by 54% of those aged between 22 and 32 years old. Of these, an alarming 42% stated that their student debt was “overwhelming”.

“This generation has been through an incredibly difficult time, and I think it is ultimately going to operate very similarly to the generation that went through the Great Depression,” Ross says.

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Why Investors Love Memphis

Among the reasons that Memphis is considered the number one location in the U.S. to buy real estate is the fact that although a metropolitan area, the cost of living is a full 10% below the national average. Other advantages the people of Memphis enjoy are low property taxes and no state income tax. The result is more cash in the pockets of Memphis residences.

Memphis didn’t get caught up in the escalated run up in real estate prices leading to the equally rapid decline in prices that almost everywhere else experienced beginning in 2008. While Memphis did experience a slight decline in house values, it was nothing compared to the 30%+ average that happened nationally. Instead, Memphis has enjoyed a steady appreciation in residential real estate prices. The average three-bedroom house has increased in value 24.6% over the past five years.

Investors typically look for real estate markets that have either high appreciation in house values for resale or high cash flow from rentals. What’s amazing is Memphis offers both with steady appreciation and $50,000 to $60,000 houses renting for more than $1,000 a month.

Steady Market Although Inventory Declines

Normally, when the number of listings decline, property values increase. This is another abnormality in the Memphis market. Over the past year, there has been a 14.5% decline in the number of houses for sale in Memphis as investors snatch up the best bargains. Today, Memphis prices are beginning a strong upward trend but not as fast as you would expect in this exceptional market. Overall, the Memphis market is among the steadiest in the nation.

What is occurring in the Memphis market is the days from initial listing to completed sale are declining. Days on market has dropped 4% in the past month and 14% over the past year. Across the country, now is a once in a life chance to invest in real estate at the ultimate low in the market. And the best place to invest is Memphis.

If you’re looking for great deals, you’ll find great deals. If you’re willing to settle for mediocre deals, you’ll find mediocre deals. If you’re looking for excuses not to invest, there are plenty of those. If you’re serious about investing, you need to look seriously at what Memphis is offering.

About the author: Brian Kline has been investing in real estate for more than 30 years and writing about real estate investing for seven years.

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Dallas was hit hard in 2007, 2008, and 2009 by the real estate “bubble burst” or market reductions. By 2009, over just over 30% of homeowners in Dallas were dealing with negative equity (meaning these homeowners owed more on their mortgages than their homes were worth). In 2013, the market reflects a much more stable economy with only 7-8% of homes struggling with negative equity. Thankfully, this figure has continued to dwindle since 2009.

While 2012 showed a steep increase in sales and market values from previous years, 2013 seems to be a more moderate, or at least a more even, year; thereby proving that the market is stabilizing. This serves to reassure potential home buyers that their investments will be protected and worthwhile. Rather than waiting for a foreclosure or sending in dramatically reduced-priced offers, more buyers are striking on fairly-priced homes in good neighborhoods. Sellers can expect to get fair market values for the homes they would once have to reduce in price severely to sell. For Dallas sellers, this is relieving news.

According to market reports, home listings have experienced a spike in number since this time last year, but buyers appear to be purchasing at the same. This means there are more homes on the market, which gives buyers a slight advantage. What is also evident in this year’s numbers are fewer foreclosures. The reduction in bank-owned properties may actually be skewing the numbers to look like an influx of listed homes, so this is not necessarily a dramatic increase.

With steady sales overall, stabilized and growing market values, and buyer/seller confidence up, the Dallas market appears to be enjoying a comfortable period of growth. Summer 2013 will be a great market to buy homes, especially for first-time buyers. The market will only continue to grow and investments should be safe.

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Why Memphis is the Place to Invest Today

Memphis has more than it’s share of major corporations, including International Paper, FedEx, AutoZone, First Horizon, St. Jude Hospital, and others. Memphis is also home the University of Tennessee medical and dental schools. All of these and more added up to a stable rental market.

In addition to being an air cargo hub for Fedex, Memphis is the third largest railroad hub in the country, which Warren Buffet recently saw fit to invest in. The Memphis River Port is the second largest inland port on the Mississippi River, connecting Memphis to 25,000 miles of interconnected inland waterways. Memphis is a mega distribution hub with eight federal highways, three interstate highways, and seven state highways making trucking to the rest of the country easy from the railroads, waterways, and air cargo hubs.
Memphis is ranked number one for property appreciation by Moody’s Case Schiller Index. Moody’s projects houses in Memphis will appreciate 18.8% over the next four years.

Pick Your Neighborhood Carefully

As it happens in any major city, there are “war zone” neighborhoods in Memphis. Places where you can buy houses for a few thousand dollars. Don’t do it! These neighborhoods are almost impossible to keep in rentable shape. Gangs and drug dealers take them over when they are vacant. Even when they are occupied, graffiti is sprayed on the walls. Also, these are in neighborhoods where few people can afford to rent. Those that can want out of the hood. Just save yourself the frustration by avoiding investing in these neighborhoods.

Also, stay away from high-end investment houses. These don’t have the troubles of the war zone houses but they are harder to lease at profitable rents. These houses start at around the $90,000 range and go up to the millions.

Where you will maximize your profits and minimize your risks are houses that appeal to middle-income working class people. In Memphis, prices for these houses generally range between $40,000 to $80,000. Your investment will cost less and your return on investment will be the greatest.

About the author: Brian Kline has been investing in real estate for more than 30 years and writing about real estate investing for seven years.

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This gives investors another option when trying to fund the deal in order to sell to an end buyer. Transactional funding has become increasingly popular amongst real estate investors since title companies decided to “stop” allowing transactions that were not independent of each other.

Jarad at Foreclosure University commented on this saying, “At one time, title companies would allow investors to use their end buyer’s money to fund the transaction with the seller. That’s not the case anymore. They want each transaction to stand on it’s own independently.”

These stricter title standards forced investors to get their own independent funding to fund the transaction with them and the seller. The majority of investors require transactional funding because it allows them to accomplish what they need at a low cost. There are many benefits to transactional funding, one of which is that there is no need to provide employment verification or to worry about credit because it’s irrelevant. It also allows investors to leverage someone else, enabling them to do multiple deals on time. Transactional funding is only used for back-to-back closings and shouldn’t be confused with other kinds of funding.

Jarad went on to say, “Most of the deals we fund are short sales, reo’s and wholesale deals and in all cases we have end buyers lined up ready to fund their part.”
Another benefit to this type of transactional funding is that Foreclosure University offers actual proof of funds letters that are required for the banks. In addition Foreclosure University has created a video to enable investors to more fully understand how the process works and what they can expect from transactional funding.

Anyone interested on finding out more information on how transactional funding or proof of funds can work for them should visit ForeclosureUniversity.com.

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James Paffrath, co-owner of RealtyPin.com said, “We knew that those record-low mortgage rates weren’t going to stick around forever, and now it looks like those big bargain days could be over. While 4% isn’t terribly high – at least, compared to what rates have been in decades past – it seems like a mountain to people today.”

During May mortgage rates began to go up and the team at RealtyPin.com thinks this may only be the beginning. Officials at the Federal Reserve are due to meet on June 18th to decide whether or not quantitive easing should be curtailed. This is the program that buys $40 billion mortgage bonds each month to keep rate low. If quantitive easing does end then rates could rise even higher. Applications for refinancing saw the most substantial falls, dropping by 15%. This meant they hit their lowest point in more than a year.

Paffrath went on to explain, “Refinancers are the biggest bargain-hunters. Since refinancing is all about saving money, refinancers run for the hills when they see rates go up even a little bit. So, in their minds, to see rates go up for an entire month is very disheartening.”

In spite of this the team at RealtyPin is at pains to point out that increasing mortgage rates aren’t all bad. “While homebuyers would love to get the best deal, higher rates mean that our overall economy is getting better.” said Paffrath, “We say mortgage rates are the ‘temperature’ of the economy. The higher they go, the better the country is doing as a whole. The key though, is to see rates that are low enough to drive homebuyer demand – while also rising a bit, to indicate more economic recovery. It is a fine line.”

RealtyPin.com provides housing market news and analysis.

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One of Detroit’s gravest barriers is the pervasiveness of foreclosure, with some estimating that only half (50%) of Detroit residents are paying their property taxes. This has left the city missing about $250 million in property taxes, leaving the local and state government in greater peril.

At this point, Detroit has about 4,500 foreclosed homes available for purchase – this leaves well over 1,000 homes that should have been foreclosed, but the overwhelmed city cannot keep up with the demands of its failing system. Many of the homes are occupied by squatters or former owners, leaving the city with quite a complicated problem.

The positive side of this complex issue is that potential homeowners in Southeastern Michigan have an incredible opportunity to own a house for cheap – really cheap. It is not uncommon to see homes listed between $10,000 and $25,000. Some of those homes are still in great condition, and would make great homes with just a little time and money.

Detroit’s foreclosures are unique in their frequency and, in some areas, their dilapidation. Buyers need to be very well informed as to what the home repairs and remodeling will entail, and what the limits to their budget and abilities will be. Buyers should pay special attention to structural security (looking for cracks or rotting beams), roofing, and plumbing. For homes that have been long-abandoned, potential buyers need to proceed with caution. Even if the property has already been purchased, buyers should invest in a good inspection, and they should follow the inspector’s advice.

With the right owners, foreclosed homes can become beautiful and safe again. It also seems that Detroit is making its way back to a stable city with the help of passionate people who want to save the city.

As Detroit re-images itself, with an influx of young entrepreneurs and artists working to revamp and save the city, more and more people want to live in Detroit. If this recent trend keeps itself alive, Detroit properties may begin to regain value and entice more buyers. For families who want to live in the area, investing in a foreclosed home is a great long-term plan. Detroit seems to be on the upswing, and these homes deserve saving.

Detroit has many other challenges and barriers as a city, a region, and a community, but it remains to be seen what will happen with the many foreclosed homes and vacant properties of Detroit.