37.5 million Americans plan to move this year, are you going to be one of them?

According to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker, more Americans intend to find a new place to call home in 2014 – with 16 percent planning to move compared to 10 percent in 2012.

Among those looking to pull up stakes, buying has become more popular than renting, with more than 17 million people planning to purchase a house, condominium or co-op, versus 16 million who expect to rent their new residence.

Homebuyers might have to pay more to get what they want, however. Seller optimism is on pace to reach a four-year high, according to the researchers. The Tracker finds that 65 percent of potential home sellers are confident they will get their asking price, a 25 percent increase since 2010.

“All of the costs associated with moving can really add up, but more consumers are feeling confident that they can afford to put down new roots,” says David Rabkin, senior vice president of Consumer Lending Products for American Express. “With more people looking to purchase a home this year instead of rent, and with seller confidence on the rise, it will create an interesting push and pull as buyers and sellers negotiate.”

There appears to still be room for concessions. Of prospective sellers, 71 percent say they’re more willing to sweeten the deal – an increase from 60 percent in 2010.

So if you're a prospective buyer and are planning to move this year please visit my website at www.TourOfLuxuryHomes.com or at (407)-433-9699. I would love to help you find your dream home! 

Setting Goals~ Steps to Achieving!

Setting goals, in my opinion is a big part of being successful. I plan a day every year at the end of December to focus on my goals and business plan for the following year. This is also a day that I reflect on what goals I did not accomplish and determine how I need to accomplish that goal the next year. This habitual act allows me to visualize what strategies I need to use, and the steps I need to take in order to accomplish my goals for the following year! For example, I would like to plan a family trip to Hawaii this year. In order to accomplish this goal, I determine how many homes I need to sale in order to accomplish it! I also have a photo of the Hawaiian Islands on my goal board so I can visualize it!

1) My first step is to list everything that I want to accomplish in the new year. I then research through magazines or online sources for a visual representation of my goal. (I like visual things, it keeps the thought of what I want to reach stuck in my head). After this I begin a vision board by posting each picture on a big poster board. I place this board at my bed side and reflect on it every day when I wake up.

Example of my goal board! 

My Book! 

2) The second thing I do is create a business plan based on the goals I have listed. I figure out how many homes I will need to sell in order to reach the income goal I have set.  I figure out what marketing strategies work and which one’s don’t, and get rid of the marketing tools that are costing me money (with no return). I look at my business plan every quarter to see where I am at, and to see if I need to reevaluate any items I have listed.

With all this in mind, the power of positive thinking and putting action behind your thoughts, really does boost your motivation and increase your chances of reaching your goals. To learn more about setting goals, and to find out the third step in my goal setting, please consider purchasing my book…Works Hard, Plays Harder and you can too! Its available to purchase on Amazon, or you can contact me directly at (407)-433-9699 or at Dana@TourofLuxuryHomes.com to purchase a copy.

Great Ways to Market yourself and your Business

In this day in age, marketing yourself and your business is tricky. Finding out the right tactics that work can be somewhat of a guessing game. In my 17 Years of working in Real Estate I have found a few that seem to work pretty well! So here they are,


1. Social Media- Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and other sites are a great way to connect with customers. I have really learned to love social media and find it to be a great way for people to get to know you. When you are working with a customer you usually don't share personal information about yourself since you are working in a formal business situation. Social media allows for that barrier to be broken down and for you to really build a relationship with your customer.

2. Vehicle Wrapping & Branding- In 2002 I wrapped my first vehicle and I cant believe how much of a success it turned out to be. I have gotten numerous calls, Emails and walk-in's simply from someone seeing my vehicle in a parking lot or seeing it on the road ways. In 2013 I wrapped my second vehicle my 4-Door jeep and it has turned out to be another great success! This marketing tactic allows for your business to venture out of the normal perimeter and to really circulate to other parts of your area allowing for a broader clientele.

My newly wrapped 4-Door Jeep!

3. Partnering with a Charity or Organization- This happens to be one of my favorite marketing strategies due to the pure fact that I get to help people as well as market my business. I currently am associated with Two local charities and have found great joy in putting on events with them. Not only do you get to help the Charity or organization thrive through your business but you also get to make life long connections and in turn build a client database through that charity.

4. Personal Websites- Yes, this is pretty much a given but people constantly over look this simple marketing tactic thinking that something else will work better. With my website TourofLuxuryHomes.com I have found it to be the key to my entire business, Generating Leads and giving out helpful information to buyers and sellers. It also, just like social media, allows for your customers to know a little more about you then what they meet in person and can provide answers to may questions that the customer might have. The trick to a successful website is quality information and pictures and templates that are attractive!

Snap-Shot of my website!

Hopefully these few tactics will help you accomplish your marketing goals!

What is a non-warrantable condo?

Non Warrantable Condos are not eligible to be sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac because they DO NOT fit into one of the following three classes:

CLASS I

1. Developers control of the homeowners association has been turned over to the condo owners
2. Project is not subject to additional phasing or add-ons which have not yet been completed
3. All common elements and amenities must be fully installed, completed and in operation
4. 70% of all units in the entire development must have been sold and or legally obligated to close
5. 70% of all units in the entire development must have been sold to owner occupants

CLASS II

1. Recent or current condominium conversions (from apartments)
2. Homeowners association has been controlled by the unit owners (other than the developer) for less than two years
3. Project is not subject to phasing or add-ons which have not yet been completed
4. All common elements and amenities are fully installed, completed and in operation
5. 70% of the units in the entire development must have been sold and/or legally obligated to close
6. 70% of the units in the entire development must have been sold to owner occupants
7. No more than 15% of the current unit owners are more than one month delinquent in payment of homeowners dues or assessments

CLASS III

1. Homeowners Association has been controlled by unit owners (other than developer) for at least one year
2. Project is not subject to phasing or add-ons
3. All common amenities are fully installed, completed, and in operation
4. 90% of the units have been sold (owner-occupancy of at least 60%)

A CONDO QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE MANAGEMENT TO DETERMINE PROJECT ELIGIBILITY

Because FNMA would not purchase mortgages secured by non-warrantable condominiums, many banks consider these condos to be more risky, and thus increase the interest rate accordingly.

Depending on the loan program you select, be prepared to have a down payment on the home. Most lenders will only offer low Loan-to-Value financing on non-warrantable condos.

Why You Should Always Like Your Own Facebook Post!

Here is some great advice for Facebook business page users...

http://www.ricksdailytips.com/why-you-should-always-like-your-own-facebook-posts/

Motivational Monday!

Heres my inspiration of the day! Happy Monday everyone!

Reunion West ~ The Ridge at Reunion

The time is here...Now taking priority position reservations for The Ridge at Reunion! 
Don't miss out...5 days left! $1,000 fully refundable deposit will get you in PRIORITY POSITION to pick out your lot before the second release!

Contact me at 407-433-9699 or email Dana@TourofLuxuryHomes.com to request wiring instructions or details on The Ridge at Reunion! 

Welcome!

Welcome to the Dana Hall-Bradley Group blog! To let you know a little bit about me, I was born and raised in Lakeland. I was raised in a Rodeo & Deer Hunting family, and that's all I ever knew when I was younger (now that's country)! I rode horses from the time I could walk! I have a love for horses & hunting, but my career landed me in Disney's town of Celebration, where I now own a real estate office in the heart of downtown Celebration! I worked as an assisant for several years before becoming a full time real estate agent. In 2008, I purchased the Century 21 franchise from the broker I was working for, and a downtown Celebration office location, along with a property management company. After taking the company to the #1 position in Central Florida for Century 21, during the most challenging real estate market in decades, I sold the franchise & now own an independent brokerage in downtown Celebration, Celebration Real Estate Group! If you visit our downtown Celebration location, you will meet several of my family members. I do own and operate a family owned business and would not have it any other way! I have been blessed with a wonderful husband who overlooks the day to day operations at our office, along with my brother and nieces!

I was very fortunate and blessed to be able to raise my son, Garrett, in the town of Celebration where he attended the K-8 School. He is now 18 and is attending Southeastern University in Lakeland where he will be playing football in the 2014 season. I thank God every day that he was recruited by a school so close to home! Go Fire!

I love to travel, concerts, beaches, fitness & health, and anything country! I am also an author, and wrote the book Works Hard Plays Harder...and you can too! If you get a moment, please pick up a copy from www.amazon.com or www.workshardplaysharder.com. It's a humorous real estate business book with a Southern Twist!

Thanks for stopping by ~ and I hope you enjoy my blog!xoxo

My Family

Our Bulldog Child