Jason A. Kapit, Esq. never rests.  Always tweaking the model, always building on success and continuously striving to better the team’s ability to serve our most precious commodity, our clients!  To that end, we welcome Jen Keller.  Born in Miami, raised in North Miami Beach and Miami Beach, Jen is a South Florida native through and through.  She is married to Jonathan, a prominent Workers Comp attorney, for 15 years and has 3 children. They currently reside in Weston, FL where they are very active in the community and charity organizations.

Education

Jen is a graduate of the University of Maryland (Go Terps!) with degrees in Health Science and Psychology.

Work Experience and How It Relates To You

Jen worked at Mt. Sinai hospital for 10 years as the Infertility Program Coordinator. She has helped hundreds of couples become proud parents! Following her career, she worked in Event Planning for a large corporation handling special events for high-profile clients.  She has planned events for celebrities gracing every cover.  How are the two jobs related and more importantly, how can her experience help you? Quite simply, Jen has a keen ability to help people during their most important moments, parenthood, wedding, etc.  She understands the importance of communication, detail and most importantly RESULTS.  This was such a natural fit, it was only a matter of time before this collaboration ensued.

Focus and Concentration in Real Estate

Through Jen’s social network and myriad of contacts, she will focus exclusively in the luxury home segment of Parkland and Weston’s premier communities. When asked about the latest addition to his team, Kapit commented, “I have no doubt she will quickly become a force in Broward County’s residential real estate market.  Look at her resume … years of dealing with high end clientele, serious attention to detail, amazing confidence and a keen ability to always make people feel comfortable at their most vulnerable.  Its a recipe for success, especially in this industry.”

The Team Approach

Jen is part of Jason Kapit’s Team (RealEstateOnTap) at EWM Christies International, operating East & West with offices in Las Olas and Weston Town Center.  He concentrates his efforts on high-end residential properties and luxury communities.  “We have been able to establish an extraordinary resume marketing luxury real estate.  The Team combines experience and knowledge of the South Florida market, selling over $30,000,000 in 2011 and representing 5 of the 9 highest sales throughout Cooper City, Parkland and Southwest Ranches, FL.”

Visit us at www.realestateontap.com and bookmark our site.  You may not be ready to buy or sell now, but we are here when you need us!

It was only a matter of time before a Buyer might recognize just how spectacular “Villa Positano” was.  Sitting in the quiet and private cul-de-sac of the “Grand Estates” section of PGCC, the 10,000+ square foot home has one of the prettiest views imaginable overlooking pool, golf, scenic bridge and lake. Everything about the home was carefully thought out and ultimately, it attracted the likes of an astute Buyer.

“The truth of the matter was that there were multiple bidders and someone had to win.  Landmark Custom Homes has been building quality homes in South Florida for decades, and with this sale, makes a dramatic segueway into Parkland Golf & Country Club’s luxury community.  Of course there were challenges, but that has been an understatement in the world of real estate.  At the end of the day, this will be the catalyst for even more extravagant homes to be built within the subdivision.  Although (laughs), none will ever replicate this stunning view.  The old mantra LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION couldn’t ring truer.”

Jason A. Kapit, Esq. is an agent with EWM Christies International and has single-handedly sold 3 of the 6 most expensive properties in Parkland, FL in 2011.  For more information about how he can assist you in the sale of your luxury home, contact him at 954.650.4443 or via email.

In convincing fashion and looking like the Dolphins of old, week 13 had Dolphins fans saying “what if” based on their play today.  Looking unstoppable on both sides of the ball as well as special teams, the Miami Dolphins beat up on the Oakland Raiders 34-14 on a special day at Sun Life Stadium.

Jim Mandich, the former Dolphins tight end and local radio personality, died in April due to complications from bile duct cancer. And today, the Dolphins added him to their Honor Roll, which rings the upper deck of Sun Life Stadium. Mandich’s name took its place alongside former teammate Bill Stanfill.

When you have the likes of Don Shula, past Dolphin Hall of Famers and the Mandich Family highlighting your halftime show, it’s a pretty tough act to follow.  Today’s performance made everyone proud and reminded us what a great club we were, are and can ultimately be again.

You Can’t Argue With Solid Numbers

These numbers are very telling about our market share in the luxury residential space of South Florida’s real estate market.  Our ability to reach buyers WORLDWIDE through ingenious online and print media marketing has propelled us to the top of the list.  We are the most sought after real estate firm to assist luxury homeowners in the marketing, negotiation and ultimate sale of their residences.

For more information on how I can help, please contact me directly at 954.650.4443 or via email.

Jason A. Kapit, Esq. sets record in Parkland Golf & CC for 2011.

7240 Lemon Grass Drive, a spectacular “Almeria” model has just sold for $1,375,000.  The 5 bedroom home, just under 6,000 sq. ft. had phenomenal pool, lake and golf course views and ultimately sold on August 15th, 2011 after garnering multiple offers.  If you would like to learn more about the services we provide, call anytime (954.650.4443) or email to discuss listing your home for sale.

Adam Granger is a Home Mortgage Consultant with HomeServices Lending, LLC., an Affiliate of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.  He is a frequent commentator at RealEstateOnTap and can be reached at 954-306-7218 or by emailing him here.

Who’s To Blame?

Recent article on CNN Money talks about this issue. Now is it not bad enough that the housing market has the issues it has with value and foreclosures that it has to deal with people trying to manipulate the system? I ask you? Please I want to hear how other people feel about the situation where there are people who are coming in buying a home in a short sale and flipping it for significant profits! Is it the banks fault or is it greed from the investor who is a straw buyer, buying and flipping the property? Per Freddie Mac 13% of all home sales are short sales! So tell me what you think!

Adam Granger is a Home Mortgage Consultant with HomeServices Lending, LLC., an Affiliate of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.  He is a frequent commentator at RealEstateOnTap and can be reached at 954-306-7218 or by emailing him here.

Why is this happening?  The answer is fairly simple … two reasons … first, it is the summer and summer is the time people tend to make new home purchases!  The second is more interesting and the oooohhhh wow piece to the puzzle … shadow inventory.  Now what does that mean?  The banks are just not putting all the homes that they have for sale up for sale!  This way, prices go up and the banks inventory potentially will have a value.  And this will not stop for a while, not until the housing market becomes more stable.  And this time frame varies from professional to professional … some say two years some say as long as five years … whatever you believe it seems like we have a ways to go!

Adam Granger is a Home Mortgage Consultant with HomeServices Lending, LLC., an Affiliate of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.  He can be reached at 954-306-7218 or by emailing him here.

CPSC and HUD Issue Updated Remediation Protocol for Homes with Problem Drywall

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are issuing an updated remediation protocol (pdf) for homes with problem drywall. A study (pdf) conducted on behalf of CPSC by Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, finds no evidence of a safety hazard to home electrical systems. Sandia simulated long-term exposure of wiring and other electrical components to hydrogen sulfide gas, which is associated with problem drywall.

Based on this study, CPSC and HUD staff, representing the Interagency Task Force on Problem Drywall, are no longer recommending the removal of all electrical wiring in homes with problem drywall. This change in the government’s protocol may reduce the cost of remediation for many homes.

After simulating more than 40 years of corrosive conditions that could exist in problem drywall homes, Sandia staff did not observe any acute or long-term electrical safety events, such as smoking or fire. Corrosion and blackening of the exposed electrical components did occur and was observed to be consistent with the characteristic corrosion reported to CPSC by thousands of consumers. Based on this study, it is the belief of the staffs of CPSC, HUD and Sandia that long-term exposure of wiring and other electrical components to hydrogen sulfide gases does not indicate a safety hazard to a home’s electrical systems.

With these changes, the remediation guidance for homes with problem drywall calls for the replacement of all:

• problem drywall;
• fire safety alarm devices, including smoke and carbon monoxide alarms;
• electrical distribution components, including receptacles, switches and circuit breakers; and
• gas service piping and fire suppression sprinkler systems.

CPSC and HUD staffs are also issuing an updated identification guidance (pdf), which broadens the range of installation years of affected homes to include homes where drywall was installed as late as 2009. Importantly, the drywall installed in 2009 had been previously imported during the years 2006-2007 and does not represent any new importation of problem drywall.

The staffs of CPSC and HUD believe that following the updated identification and remediation protocols (pdf) will enable homeowners to correctly identify homes containing problem drywall and comprehensively remediate those homes to address any potential health and safety issues associated with the problem drywall.

CPSC is in the final stages of completing its scientific investigation into problem drywall. For additional findings from the Interagency Drywall Task Force’s investigation, visit www.DrywallResponse.gov

—The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov

HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov

Jason A. Kapit, Esq. acts as listing agent for many home seller’s trying to sell property with defective drywall.  This new protocol will markedly improve the value of these homes as remediation costs lessen.  Proper protocol will be far less invasive and the result will be an uptrend in these particular home values (whose prices have dwindled to unprecedented levels).  If you have any questions about buying or selling these types of homes, please contact us here.

There are ratings for everything and banks are no exception.  We have seen unprecedented issues over the past 5 years as it relates to the unwinding of banks and the sheer unwillingness to lend at any cost due to theories of unknown risk.  So why publish quarterly ratings of community banks on a real estate site?

How This May Affect You

Suppose you have a mortgage with a local bank.  And suppose you are contemplating a sale of your home, a short sale at that.  Do you think a bank with limited resources or with dwindling assets is going to help facilitate the sale?  Not a chance.  Even if they want to, their by-laws and board members would prohibit it, even if it made financial sense.  Banks consist of many moving parts and their financial health will mean everything to you if in fact you need them to make a decision concerning a waiver of deficiency, etc.

Banking Relationships

Now is not the time to bank by geographic convenience or based upon a few local perks that the neighborhood bank may provide.  Strength, sustainability and a record that shows an ability to weather crisis is what you want in your financial institution.  Do your homework.  You work hard enough for your money.  Banks are doing no one any favors with the paltry interest they are paying on deposits.  The least they can do is assure you that your money is safe and that your situation is something that will be safeguarded and protected.

If you have any questions or comments about short sales and the recent trends, feel free to leave a comment below or contact me.