Tegan DeClark

The decision taken by some of the country’s State Governments to make a gTLD application will put Australia’s capitals on par with some of the world’s most innovative cities including, London, Paris and Tokyo. On June 20th, 2011 The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced its intention to release generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) to established entities anywhere in the world. For a limited three month window, starting on January 12th, 2012, companies, cities and organisations can apply to operate their own gTLD registry, .sydney and .melbourne for example. In their press release ICANN said that “Internet address names will be able to end with almost any word in any language, offering organizations around the world the opportunity to market their brand, products, community or cause in new and innovative ways.” The introduction of this ne... (more)

First Time Home Buyers Find Lowest Interest Rates and Housing Prices in 8 Years

Distressed properties, such as foreclosures accounted for just over half of all transactions in March. Current average home prices in historically exclusive areas such as Southwest Florida are dramatically down, the average sale price of a single family home last month was $486,418 compared to $1,039,786 in February 2005 The government is giving a tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time homebuyers who purchase a home before December 1, 2009. To qualify, the buyer must not have owned a property in the three years prior to purchase. Long-term mortgage rates have hit record lows rec... (more)

South Florida Real Estate Sales Statistics for May 2009

Here are the statistics for last month in the Marco Island/Naples area MLS (MIAAOR) Currently there 2,615 properties on the market. Which is about 9.2% less than last month and 15% less than the same time last year. This includes: 806 Single Family Homes 445 Vacant Lots 1,256 Condominiums Of those single family homes, 133 (or 16%) are Foreclosures; short-sale or bank-owned. 180 new properties came on the market in May, 28% less than April 09. 106 properties went pending in May and 132, in April. A total of 131 properties closed in May, which was a 61% increase from last month. The ave... (more)

$8,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit Amended To Be Used As Downpayment

Once again, the ball has landed in the buyer’s court, with the implementation of the Florida Homebuyers opportunity Program.  A substantial win for all parties involved in pushing the program into reality. In Florida, the battered housing market can always use more positive news according to local real estate agents. “This new stimulus couldn’t come at a better time for buyers” says Marco Island real estate agent Bronwyn Jones.  “With the home-prices at an 8-year low and the excellent mortgage rates available, properties are more affordable now than ever. Buyers feel that this is... (more)

Housing Bargains Under $100K in Naples, Florida

Welcome to Naples, Florida.  World renowned for the high-class lifestyle, a winter retreat for celebrities and fortune 500 CEO’s.  Naples has some of the most exclusive addresses in the country.  Where extraordinary mansions set along a beach which was once voted by the travel channel as America’s best all-round beach.  Where the county for which Naples is located is rated as the highest income per-capita in Florida and the 20th highest in the country. You may wonder how on earth you could even vacation here, let along be a year-round resident. Can you live in paradise for far l... (more)