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Why Use Solar Water Heating?

October 19, 2017 Jerome Subtil Uncategorized No comments

“Winter is coming”… Yes, I’m a fan.. and with the winter coming, we will have to heat up our pools!!!
As a Real Estate Professional, I want to talk about what makes our homes better.
Heating your water with solar energy can be a rewarding venture in more ways than one. In general, there are several reasons to use solar energy: Energy Independence, Environmental Impact and Financial Benefits!!

Energy Independence. Using solar can reduce your dependence upon the utility, as well as the fossil fuel companies that supply it. Solar is as reliable as getting your energy from the utility, as well. As long as the sun is shining, you’ve got energy. Many folks with solar hot water only need to use the utility for backup, and sometimes not even that. Independence can be a very gratifying experience.

Environmental Impact. It is a fact that most of our energy comes from burning fossil fuels. This leads to a wide array of environmental problems, including human-caused climate change, acid rain, mountaintop removal for coal and tar sands, and health effects around power plants. The use of nuclear energy and its long-lived, poisonous byproducts is an important issue to many. But why risk the environment, when we can take advantage of the sun which falls freely on Earth, ready to be used for our own energy needs? With the slight exception of having to manufacture the equipment needed to capture the sun’s heat, there is no environmental impact from making solar energy at our homes.

Financial Benefits. When you choose to use solar to replace all or part of what you had been using the utility for, that comes with financial savings on your utility bill. Solar-electric, as popular as it is, does not have as high an energy and cash savings per amount spent as does solar water heating. It is easy to see 50% to 100% savings on your bill, helping systems to recoup the original investment in 5 years, and as little as 3 years. The time depends largely on your local solar resource and how much utility energy costs. As with other energy technologies, there are often financial incentives to make the initial investment even more attractive. For solar hot water they can include state and federal tax credits, and state, regional, and utility rebates.

A report published by the NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) and the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School’s Center for Sustainable Enterprise has revealed a high level of satisfaction among renewable energy system owners in the U.S. state. The desire to do the right thing has been affirmed by the ease in which solar Photo-Voltaic panel can be installed.

QUICK UPDATE OUR LOCAL MARKET: Our local market is still going strong!! Based on a recent study, there is only a 2% chance to have the housing market price go down in the next 2 years. Moreover, the predictions for 2017 are extremely positive for the First Time Home buyers.
Some of the major development projects out west are doing well: “7 Bridges”, the “Valencias”.. as well as some of the most luxurious building near the ocean such as “The Mandarin Oriental Residences” and “The Palmetto Promenade”. Go drive by and you will see things changing at a very rapid pace.

Jerome Subtil
561-667-4045
Signature International

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IMPACT WINDOWS: A Necessary Investment ?

October 18, 2017 Jerome Subtil Uncategorized No comments

IMPACT WINDOWS: A Necessary Investment ?

After IRMA, here is the question most people have been asking me as their real estate professional.Should I get Impact windows, Do I get my money back when I sell, Is it worth it…?
Here some fundamental info:

What if the three little pigs had chosen impact windows?
The best way to keep the wolf away from the windows is to choose strong, durable, proven impact windows to protect your home and your family.

Impact windows are designed to resist the penetration of flying debris during a storm, thereby protecting a home or commercial structure from wind infiltration and resulting damages. Once a structure is compromised, internal pressure builds up, leading to serious structural damage. The window must meet hurricane or wind-borne debris codes from an approved body such as Miami-Dade, Florida Building or the International Building Code.

Benefits: SECURITY, EASE UP THE HURRICANE PREPARATION (no more shutters to install and remove), LOWER ENERGY COSTS, LOWER INSURANCE COSTS, SOUND REDUCTION, HIGHER RESALE VALUE, UV RAY REDUCTION!!

PROJECT: WINDOWS REPLACEMENT
Job Cost: $10,000
Estimated Resale Value: $7,200
Cost Recouped: 72%
Value Vs. 2012: UP

FREE ESTIMATE OF YOUR HOME, ANY QUESTION… Call or Email!!!
CHECK MY PERSONAL WEBSITE: www.jeromesubtilrealestate.com
LIKE MY FB PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/jeromesubtilrealestate/

There are three main options for impact windows: Aluminum, Vinyl and Wood. But how do these products compare and contrast with each other?

Material	Pros	Cons
Aluminum	Stronger. Weather resistant. Light weight. Aesthetically pleasing. Low maintenance. Recyclable.	Needs to be painted.
Vinyl	Excellent insulator. High energy performance. Low maintenance. Low cost.	Recyclability is still being fully researched.
Wood	Excellent insulator. High energy performance. Recyclable.	Rots and warps. High maintenance.

Impact Window Glass Options:
Laminated: Two sheets of glass bonded together with a plastic film.
Insulated Laminated: An additional pane of glass is added to a laminated unit with hermetically sealed air space in between. Commonly used in colder climates where the temperature difference is greater than 50 degrees between inside and outside during the winter.

Whether building a new home or taking on a remodeling project, windows are a key element of every home. If the structure is located in a hurricane-prone area, impact windows are the best option to ensure safety and protection.
Between costs and savings, you will most likely get more money out of your initial investment.

GO CHECK MY PERSONAL WEBSITE: www.jeromesubtilrealestate.com
LIKE MY FB PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/jeromesubtilrealestate/

QUICK UPDATE ON OUR MARKET: Boca Raton’s parks district will buy the Ocean Breeze golf course and turn it into the “Boca National Golf Club” for $24 million. The existing Boca municipal Golf Course property near the Turnpike and Glades will be changed to a residential use. Lennar and GL Homes are bidding for the land. The city of Boca has picked up about half of the debris created by IRMA. Long-term mortgage rates ticked up slightly this week as the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 3.85 percent.

Jerome Subtil
561-667-4045
Signature International Realty

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Stock Market VS Real Estate Investment

June 19, 2017 Jerome Subtil Uncategorized No comments

What’s the Best Investment to Retire ?

Stock Market (SM): There are multiple ways to save for retirement. The Stock Market is a very popular way to do so, however it does have a few issues. One of them is actually crucial: how long you will live compare to how much money you will save… Are you sure you will not run out of money????
It’s a guessing game based on the Evolution of the market and the Extra Medical Expenses due to age. There is also an Impossibility to retire early (not enough contributions).
So why is it so Hard?
– The Fees can go from 1% to 3% of your investment… so you won’t see the full return of your investment.
– Most of Retirement Plans don’t take in consideration the Inflation. 2 millions today won’t buy the same thing in 20 years!!The Other Option, and to me a much better option, is the “Rental Properties”:
1- Build over the years a portfolio of 10 to 15 rental properties around the $100,000 each. It will give you a $5000 to $7000 a month of cash flow without worrying about the evolution of the Stock Market.
2- Through time, that Monthly Income will increase because the rent will follow the inflation.
3- If you need to get a big amount of money, you can always sell some of them.
4- If the stock market crashes, you will definitely lose some of your retirement plan money but, in Real Estate, unless you sell the property, it will just be paper money.

Strategy to Invest in Rental Properties: Have at least $20,000 to $50,000 in cash and Buy below Market Value. From there, you will be able to make money in good or in bad financial times and you will be able to pay for your retirement regardless of the inflation.

GO CHECK MY PERSONAL WEBSITE: www.jeromesubtilrealestate.com
LIKE MY FB PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/jeromesubtilrealestate/QUICK UPDATE OUR LOCAL MARKET: The previsions for 2017 were very positive and so far it has not disappointed. However, many experts feel that the properties are listed too high and that properties stay longer on the market. Also, “People are staying in their homes longer rather than selling and trading up,” says David Blitzer, managing director of S&P Dow Jones’ index committee.”If mortgage rates, currently near 4 percent, rise further, this could further deter more people from selling and keep pressure on inventories and prices.”
Regarding Boca, The Mandarin Oriental Residences are getting built right now. Check it out: https://therealdeal.com/miami/2017/05/22/penn-florida-unveils-3-5m-sales-center-for-mandarin-oriental-residences-in-boca/ .

I’m very honored by this award!! Just wanted to share that with you!!

September 14, 2016 Jerome Subtil Uncategorized No comments

BUYING vs RENTING???

August 8, 2016 Katapult Marketing Uncategorized No comments

The economy is constantly moving and the right answer to this question is THE ANSWER OF THE MOMENT. It is based on the CURRENT economy and real estate market.

As you probably know, the Mortgage Interest Rate has hit a new low at 3.44% for the fixed 30 years! For a 15 years Mortgage, it’s even better at 2.69%!!
And for you that want to buy a big property with little cash down, the 30 years Jumbo (over $417,000 loan) has a rate at 4.20%.

Those numbers can speak even louder if you compare them to 10 years ago: 6.68% for 30 years fixed (July 2006)

THE RATES ARE ON YOUR SIDE TO BUY!!

What about the Rental Market?
On a national level, it’s cheaper to own a home than it is to rent one in 42 states, with renting more affordable in only eight states and the District of Columbia.
Florida is actually in the top 20 of the states where it’s better to own.

Here is THE BIG NUMBER: $398 a month!!!
Over a year, an owner can save $4,776 compare to a tenant. These numbers include property taxes too.

That could gives you some great ideas for a beautiful destination.. 😉

Right now, purchasing looks like the best option:
Cash Deals will help you negotiating the best deal possible and it will reduce your closing costs by a lot.
Financing over 30 years will gives you the comfort to pay very little interest and will allow you to afford a nicer and bigger home!!

PS: If you live in Hawaii, you should definitely rent. The difference between renting and owning is estimated at $515 a month. Ouchhhhh if you are an owner…

QUICK UPDATE OUR LOCAL MARKET: The Kolter Group is finishing the first batch of three-story town-homes in a new gated development in Boca Raton.The 30 units at Moderne Boca will be ready by late August, and the developer hopes to have 15 to 20 contracts in place by then. Kolter plans to start sales of the remaining 45 units in the fall, with the entire project due to be complete by the end of 2017.The two- and three-bedroom town-homes range from 2,128 to 2,794 square feet, and prices range from $589,000 to $849,000. The community, which will include a swimming pool and fitness center, is at Spanish River Boulevard and Military Trail.”It’s within 5 miles of just an unbelievable amount of amenities – restaurants, shopping, the beach and Mizner Park.
Also, The Ocean Breeze Golf Club, a 27-hole course at 5801 NW Second Ave., is now closed (July 1st) and is under contract to be sold to a subsidiary of home-building giant Lennar Corp. Lennar is planning to build homes across the entire property.

Changing Economy, New Regulations and New Options!!!!

August 8, 2016 Katapult Marketing Uncategorized No comments

Here is something that comes up very often with my customers… The mandatory 20% down payment!!! It is still anchored in the people minds. HOWEVER, it is not a requirement anymore. Banks are now offering many options for buyers. The 3% down-payment is getting more and more accessible to buyers.. as well as only 8 to 12% depending on the customers…

FHA used to be the way to get a loan with little down-payment. NO MORE!
Banks are now offering their own “low down-payment” mortgages to appeal to home shoppers struggling to save enough to buy a home. For instance, Wells Fargo made headlines when it debuted its 3 percent down payment loan very recently.

JPMorgan Chase also announced its new option. It’s called the “Standard Agency 97%” program, a 3 percent down payment loan geared for first-time home buyers and requires a FICO score of 680. Chase also has a loan program called “DreaMaker Mortgage,” whichoffers a 5 percent down payment – 3 percent of which can come from the borrower as well as flexible funding options for closing costs and reduced mortgage insurance requirements.

Other banks have recently announced their low down payment offerings. Earlier this year, Bank of America began offering a 3 percent down payment loan, with a minimum of 660 credit score, that did not involve the Federal Housing Administration and does not require mortgage insurance.

Conclusion: For loans below the “JUMBO” amount of $417,000 , Banks have now created several options. They have taken all the complexity of the home mortgage lending process and made it easy for consumers.

QUICK UPDATE ON THE MARKET: The Atlantic hurricane season is underway with two named storms already in the books, are you ready for it?
Despite the positive rebound of the financial market over the past few months, our real estate market activity didn’t show a major increase of activity. On a yearly basis, from April 2015, we see a 3.8% increase on the average sale price and a 7% shorter time on the market.

Foreclosure: Great Deal or Bad Investment?

August 8, 2016 Katapult Marketing Uncategorized No comments

Let’s talk about things that could help you, customers, in the idea of chasing a foreclosed property…

Myth #1: The notion that a bank (or any other lender) must sell a foreclosed home for the same amount it cost in order to gain possession of the home and, therefore, cannot make a profit is totally false. If the foreclosing lender is the successful bidder on the foreclosure home at auction, it will take possession of the foreclosure home. When this happens, all the rules change. The lender, now the legal owner, can do anything it wants with the home, including sell the foreclosure home for any amount it desires.

Myth #2: When purchasing foreclosure homes, home-buyers are often concerned about the quality issued by the mortgage lender. A common belief is that there may be liens or judgments clouding the title of the foreclosure home. False!! The mortgage lender, typically the senior lien holder, wipes out all junior lien holders or judgments against the foreclosure home in the process.

Tip: If the mortgage lender doesn’t bid for the foreclosure home at auction, you probably shouldn’t bid on the home either. This may be due to excessive superior liens, such as IRS or tax liens. Lenders—banks in particular- are driven to make money, not to lose it.

3 disadvantages to buying a bank foreclosure: A lender that moves at a slow pace; A lender selling the property “as is” with no cooperation in making repairs to the home or allowances; And the rare but possible problem of evicting a tenant or homeowner from the foreclosure home.

Bottom Line: Your goal as a real estate investor is to realize a tidy profit. You can buy a foreclosure home at a 15-20% discount and earn a 35-40% return. As a home-buyer, you should buy a foreclosure home below market value with a low down payment, low interest rate and reduced closing costs.
Real estate investors must deduct all expenses associated with buying, repairing, borrowing, holding and closing on the foreclosure home again from the price they think they can get. Home-buyers should negotiate around the four discount factors: price, down payment, interest rate and closing costs. The bank, being a lender, can negotiate all these items.

An REO investor should have no problems achieving a 10-20% discount from the market value of comparable homes. Savings of 25-35% are harder to find. Savings of 40-60% are possible, but are getting rarer!!

Update on the Market: The fallout from a fragile economy may send REOs (bank-owned properties) and short sales back on the rise in the coming months.”With stocks plummeting last week and the global economic impact on our domestic economy and housing markets still unknown, distressed sales continue to be a critical market indicator,” according to Clear Capital’s latest report. Nationally, distressed saturation (the percentage of REOs and short sales to all sales) rose by 0.7 percent in August on a quarterly basis, increasing from 15.4 percent to 16.1 percent. The distressed saturation is near pre-2008 rates, and a rise into winter could send distressed rates much higher, according to Clear Capital.

Jerome Subtil
561-667-4045
Signature International

JEROME@signatureflorida.com

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Jerome Subtil Real Estate

7431 W. Atlantic Avenue, Suite 49

Delray Beach, FL 33446

BUYING A PROPERTY ON THE OCEAN: A DREAM THAT CAN TURN INTO A NIGHTMARE IF YOU DON’T PAY ATTENTION…

August 8, 2016 Katapult Marketing Uncategorized No comments

SIMPLE THINGS TO PROTECT YOUR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT & LIFESTYLE:

Walk on the beach, beautiful sunsets and sunrises are a great reward that come with location.
However, maintenance and insurance are keys to keep your property pristine!!!

Buyers have a due diligence of performing all research regarding history of the home, seasonal performance history and local environment requirements prior to buy. Performing a long term property inspection protocol and knowing your storm preparation measures will prevent you from costly repairs.

Flood Insurance: Always get coverage for Property and Contents. You should know about the restrictions and limitations of your contract.

Seasonal Erosion: News on beach erosion causing loss of coastal homes are occurring increasingly those days. Ask for the property lines in relation to the beach: “Who owns what”. Find out with owner, your realtor, and the local building department about the erosion around your property.

Tidal and Storm Surge Damage: Ocean is a force of incredible strength and can make critical damages to the foundations. Consult with a licensed contractor or registered structure engineer. A complete inspection is necessary before investing your money in a property on the water.

Quick update on the Local Market: Florida’s housing market continued its positive track in March with more closed sales, higher median prices, increased pending sales and new listings, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors. Closed sales of existing single-family homes statewide totaled 24,811 last month, up 24.6 percent in a year-to-year comparison. March marked the 40th consecutive month that statewide median sales prices for both single-family homes and townhouse-condo properties rose year-over-year.

Jerome Subtil
561-667-4045
Signature International Realty

JEROME@signatureflorida.com

Facebook

Our mailing address is:

Jerome Subtil Real Estate

7431 W. Atlantic Avenue, Suite 49

Delray Beach, FL 33446

Looking for a Great Real Estate Agent can be difficult….

August 8, 2016 Katapult Marketing Uncategorized No comments

Keys to a Successful Real Estate Experience:

First of all, make sure your agent has a valid license by the State. Best would be that he/she is also a member of the Realtor National and Local Associations. They require higher Ethic and Knowledge.

Your agent needs to be in touch with New Technologies. Having a website is very important. But more important is that you want your agent to be comfortable doing things online and on his cellphone: MLS, Forms, Marketing, Texts … If you are selling your house, a good marketing strategy is the most important thing; way beyond just putting your house on the internet.

Personal Relationship with your agent is essential because trust and confidence will come a little easier. A referral from a friend or a family member is always a good lead in the search of an agent; much more than an internet connection.

Choose an agent that demonstrate he/she is involved in your project. It’s a Team Work. His/her dedication to find you the best house/rental possible, his/her motivation to sell your house at the best price… One major criteria to determine if you have the right agent is his/her availability. If it’s difficult to get in touch with him/her, it is definitely not right. By the same token, keeping you updated on what he/she does for you is fundamental. As much as you choose your agent, your agent has to choose you.

Quick update on the Local Market:
The retreat of investors from South Florida’s housing market has left room for traditional home-buyers, but jacked-up prices, lack of inventory under $300,000 and lofty lending standards are still barriers to the American Dream of Home-Ownership.
The high single-family home prices are driving some Palm Beach County buyers to town-homes and condominiums, which had a median sale price of $130,000 in January.
Since prices are higher, it has made it more challenging for first-time buyers. We’re back to $320,000 for the average house.

Jerome Subtil
Signature International

JEROME@signatureflorida.com

561-667-4045

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My Blog

Why Use Solar Water Heating?

IMPACT WINDOWS: A Necessary Investment ?

IMPACT WINDOWS: A Necessary Investment ?

Stock Market VS Real Estate Investment

What’s the Best Investment to Retire ?

I’m very honored by this award!! Just wanted to share that with you!!

BUYING vs RENTING???

The economy is constantly moving and the right answer to this question is THE ANSWER OF THE MOMENT. It is based on the CURRENT economy and real estate market.

Changing Economy, New Regulations and New Options!!!!

Foreclosure: Great Deal or Bad Investment?

Let’s talk about things that could help you, customers, in the idea of chasing a foreclosed property…

BUYING A PROPERTY ON THE OCEAN: A DREAM THAT CAN TURN INTO A NIGHTMARE IF YOU DON’T PAY ATTENTION…

SIMPLE THINGS TO PROTECT YOUR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT & LIFESTYLE:

Looking for a Great Real Estate Agent can be difficult….

Keys to a Successful Real Estate Experience:

About Jerome Subtil

I'm Jerome Subtil