|
Please Note:
Brett is currently on hiatus
from writing newspaper columns to accommodate the increasing
demand for his real estate
services.
Most of his columns listed
below contain useful information and concepts that do not change
from year to year.
|
Listed below are Brett's real estate
columns; the most recent first. They include:
- Real estate columns from the past
2 years based on real time data.
- Real estate columns going back 13 years that contain information still useful today.
- Human interest stories by and
about
Brett.
All Columns:
© Copyright 2003-2018 Sun Coast
Media Group, Inc. |
|
Published |
Title |
|
09/07/19 |
Should you
sell your home to Zillow? |
|
08/10/19 |
Consider
resale when building new home
Posted 08/10/19 |
|
06/14/19 |
I'm not going anywhere
|
|
06/02/19 |
Will Zillow
errors hinder sale? |
|
05/26/19 |
Couple clears lot
manually |
|
05/19/19 |
Must buyers
acknowledge HOA? |
|
05/12/19 |
Must you be age 55 to live in a 55+ community? |
|
05/05/19 |
Portability
can slash property taxes
|
|
10/28/19 |
How do I list
my double-lot home?
|
|
l0/21/19 |
How Dad kept
food on the table
|
|
04/14/19 |
Are your
drone photos against the law?
|
|
04/07/19 |
Why
does The Sun publish tax certificates? |
|
03/31/19 |
Should
condo complexes allow rentals |
|
03/24/19 |
Avoid costly home inspection defects.
|
|
03/17/19 |
What is my home's replacement cost? |
|
03/10/19 |
More seniors are aging in place.
|
|
02/24/19 |
Appraisal sabotages new construction
|
|
02/17/19 |
Where
do you get your data? |
|
02/10/19 |
Do sellers need a home inspection? |
|
02/03/19 |
Should I clear my lot? |
|
01/27/19 |
Mysterious
stick-homes dot hillside |
|
01/20/19 |
Who pays for
electrical panel?
|
|
01/13/19 |
Are
there easements on my property?
|
|
01/06/19 |
Who
are the out-of-state-buyers?
|
|
12/30/19 |
Pitfalls of the Median Sales Price |
|
12/23/18 |
Stories
behind the Christmas lights |
|
12/16/18 |
Home prices up 7.3% in 2018 |
|
12/09/18 |
Smart phone
tips for new Realtors |
|
12/02/18 |
Pros and cons of a crawl space
|
|
11/25/18 |
How valid are
deed restrctions |
|
11/18/18 |
What other readers say |
|
11/11/18 |
Use your
senses to detect leaky pipes |
|
11/04/18 |
Some favorite
money-saving tips |
|
10/28/18 |
The truth about FIRPTA |
|
10/21/18 |
Red tide's
impact on home prices |
|
10/14/18 |
That house is not for
sale |
|
10/07/18 |
Whats best? Deed or non-restricted? |
|
09/30/18 |
Don't lose your property to adverse possession |
|
09/23/18 |
Time your
move for tax portability |
|
09/16/18 |
Don't let them in
your home |
|
09/09/18 |
Can I build on a gopher tortoise lot?
|
|
09/02/18 |
What homes
have appreciated the most? |
|
08/26/18 |
Easy way to
search past editions |
|
08/19/18 |
Is my
home worth the median sales price? |
|
08/12/18 |
Shouldn't homes and lots increase proportionately? |
|
08/05/18 |
Airbnb defends right to rent homestead. |
|
07/29/18 |
How to locate
lots and boundaries |
|
07/22/18 |
What engine is
the Best? |
|
07/15/18 |
Is your
home at risk from rising seas? |
|
07/01/18 |
Should
I buy a spec home? |
|
06/24/18 |
January-May home values up 10 percent
|
|
06/17/18 |
Guess who's watching
you? |
|
06/10/18 |
Renting your
homestead? Be very careful! |
|
06/03/18 |
Prioritize renovations to maximize ROI
|
|
05/20/18 |
Correlation
does not imply Causation |
|
05/13/18 |
How do I correct my Zestimate?
|
|
05/06/18 |
Got deeded access? Prove It.
|
|
04/29/18 |
What is deeded beach access?
|
|
04/22/18 |
How to streamline the closing
|
|
04/15/18 |
This boom is different
|
|
04/08/18 |
Better to use same Realtor
|
|
04/01/18 |
Proposal could redefine hurricane season
|
|
03/25/18 |
Do sellers
need a home inspection?
|
|
03/18/18 |
Why don't
Realtors turn out the lights? |
|
03/11/18 |
It's too late once
roof leaks |
|
03/04/18 |
How to get
free elevation certificate
|
|
02/25/18 |
Save big bucks on home insurance |
|
02/11/18 |
These are questions for a CPA |
|
02/04/18 |
Test your real
estate math skills |
|
01/28/18 |
Find the right home for your dog
|
|
01/21/18 |
Use home to protect assets
|
|
01/14/18 |
Is it okay to sell home sight unseen?
|
|
01/07/18: |
Where to find your home's work history
|
|
01/01/18: |
Brett's predictions for 2018
|
|
12/31/17: |
Pre-Approval is a buyers best friend
|
|
12/24/17: |
What day owns midnight?
|
|
12/17/17: |
Whats the
return on home improvements? |
|
12/03/17 |
Where not to plant
trees |
|
11/18/17 |
Seller
lease-backs a useful too |
|
10/21/17 |
Will
hurricane IRMA hurt my home value |
|
10/14/17 |
How to shop for a
vacant lot |
|
09/23/17 |
How to know if you
lost power (after a hurricane) |
|
09/16/17 |
Tips and
observations from Irma |
|
09/02/17 |
How
much will seawall increase property tax? |
|
08/19/17 |
Will this affect my ability to sell? |
|
08/05/17 |
New listing features a formal sinning room |
|
07/22/17 |
When should I sell my
home? |
|
07/08/17 |
Is title insurance a
scam? |
|
06/24/17 |
Uncover the
history of a home |
|
06/11/17 |
Can I
combine and homestead 2 properties? |
|
05/27/17 |
Is the home in an
X-Flood Zone? |
|
05/13/17 |
Why use local lenders? |
|
04/29/17 |
When were hurricanes implemented (Reprint from 05/04/14) |
|
04/15/17 |
Listen to
the experts in real estate |
|
04/01/17 |
Bedspread derails
$335,000 sale Posted 04/08/17 |
|
03/18/17 |
Do you have
buyers for my home? Posted 04/08/17 |
|
02/18/17 |
Premium
screening worth the price. Posted
04/08/17 |
|
02/04/17 |
Why homes have red
lights Posted 04/08/17 |
|
01/29/17 |
Some
Rotonda Questions Answered
(published in some editions as
"Discover little-known facts about Rotonda West) |
|
01/21/17 |
Tips for aspiring
Realtors |
|
01/07/17 |
How to
find anything in Charlotte County |
|
12/24/16 |
Home value
is a mix of art and science |
|
12/10/16 |
Will artic blast
heat up sales? |
|
11/26/16 |
Can I reset
home value to lower taxes?
How rate
hikes affect buyers. |
|
11/14/16 |
What can you do
with a drone? |
|
10/29/16 |
Now's a good time
to downsize |
|
10/15/16 |
Should seller allow storage prior to closing? |
|
09/03/16 |
Early bird buyer
gets the home |
|
08/20/16 |
As-Is
contracts are a double-edged sword |
|
08/06/16 |
Seller credit-backs cost more than meet the eye |
|
07/23/16 |
The
advantages of verbal communications |
|
07/09/16 |
Did we miss the
boat on buying? |
|
06/25/16 |
Why not talk
about condominiums? |
|
06/16/16 |
Boca Grande prices soar 52 percent in one year |
|
05/28/16 |
Property taxes
confuse sellers |
|
05/14/16 |
Did I list my home
too low? |
|
04/30/16 |
Do cash buyers get a
discount? |
|
04/17/16 |
Should I fire my
Realtor |
|
04/02/16 |
Wire transfers hijacked |
|
03/05/16 |
Leveraging
home ownership into wealth |
|
02/20/16 |
Schedule
vendors long before closing |
|
01/24/16 |
The timeless
essence of West Charlotte County |
|
01/23/16 |
Are new home sales driving up statistics? |
|
01/23/16 |
Photo: Red shouldered hawk |
|
01/09/16 |
Is that really a river? |
|
12/12/15 |
Why is the
local home inventory so low? |
|
11/28/15 |
Is that a logical
conclusion? |
|
11/14/15 |
Are 4 bedrooms worth more than 3? |
|
10/31/15 |
Home, wind,
and four point inspections |
|
10/17/15 |
Real Estate-Looking at the big picture
|
|
10/03/15 |
Condo Buying Tips
|
|
09/19/15 |
Be ready for home
inspection |
|
09/05/15 |
A guide to Florida Living
|
|
08/22/15 |
Builders cope with labor shortage
|
|
08/08/15 |
Six common real
estate myths |
|
07/11/15 |
Does tax
exemption survive death? |
|
06/27/15 |
Before you list your
home |
|
05/30/15 |
Prefirm homes and
mansions |
|
05/16/15 |
What to know
about tax certificates |
|
05/02/15 |
Here come the drones |
|
04/18/15 |
Flood insurance alert |
|
04/04/15 |
Severe
penalities for property tax evasion |
|
03/21/15 |
Where to search
for homes online. |
|
03/07/15 |
Is debt-forgiveness
taxable? |
|
02/21/15 |
Where to find
down payment help |
|
02/07/15 |
Can I stay in my home after closing? |
|
01/24/15 |
How oil prices
affect real estate |
|
01/10/15 |
Flood and
homeowners insurance update. |
|
12/27/14 |
Homeowners
profit from leverage |
|
11/15/14 |
Is time on market a
red flag? |
|
11/01/14 |
Difference
between a Realtor and agent |
|
10/18/14 |
Preparing
listing photos and showings |
|
10/04/14 |
Is there a
real estate app for this? |
|
09/20/14 |
How much do Realtors
make? |
|
09/06/14 |
How much does
a swimming pool cost? |
|
08/23/14 |
Portability reduced property tax by $13,000. |
|
08/09/14 |
Overcoming low
home appraisals. |
|
07/27/14 |
Realtors experiences
hot demand, short supply |
|
07/26/14 |
When the
mortgage lenders says "No" |
|
07/14/14 |
Id, dog, luggage
problems to follow
(How to board a plane with no ID) |
|
07/12/14 |
How accurate is Zillow? |
|
06/28/14 |
How to correct Zillow
information |
|
06/14/14 |
I just bought a
home- What Now? |
|
05/31/14 |
The great
two-minute fix Fixation |
|
05/17/14 |
Tips for Aspiring
Realtors |
|
05/03/14 |
When were
hurricane codes impletemented? |
|
04/19/14 |
Lot prices
have doubled in 2 years |
|
04/05/14 |
Why
do monthly prices deviate so much? |
|
03/22/14 |
The
changing plane of real estate photography |
|
03/08/14 |
A darker
side to flood insurance reform |
|
02/22/14 |
Real Estate - The
big picture |
|
02/08/14 |
Using drones
for real estate photos |
|
01/25/14 |
Will this
trick the property appraiser? |
|
01/11/14 |
Who enforces deed
restrictions? |
|
01/01/14 |
Sunny home forecast -
Special Year End Report |
|
12/14/13 |
The night before New
Years |
|
11/16/13 |
How do I select a
Realtor? |
|
11/02/13 |
Tips for viewing homes |
|
10/19/13 |
Home
prices continue to surge - 3rd Quarter 2013 by zip code |
|
10/05/13 |
How to avoid potholes |
|
09/21/13 |
Appraisal surprises, entitlements, and redistribution |
|
09/07/13 |
Real
Estate - entitlements and redistribution |
|
08/24/13 |
Act fast to cut
property taxes |
|
08/10/13 |
The buying
frenzy and flood insurance |
|
07/27/13 |
Are waterfront
homes driving up prices? |
|
07/13/13 |
Prices up sharply in 2nd quarter
2013 |
|
07/27/13 |
Are
waterfront homes driving prices up? |
|
06/29/13 |
Are you in
forclosure? Read this. |
|
06/15/13 |
Can I lock
in today's interest rates? |
|
06/01/13 |
Understanding
home inspections |
|
05/18/13 |
What not to ask
your Realtor |
|
05/04/13 |
Discover the
personality of your street. (The 20113 Charlotte County Street
Report) |
|
04/16/13 |
Should I
pay cash or finance my home? |
|
04/12/13 |
Median home prices
up - By zip code - Special Report to the Sun |
|
04/06/14 |
Be your own
real estate detective |
|
04/01/13 |
Proposal to redefine hurricane season |
|
03/23/13 |
Top 5 real estate myths |
|
03/09/13 |
How many lots should
I buy? |
|
02/23/13 |
Should I switch
Realtors? |
|
02/09/13 |
The corrleation of
home value to age |
|
01/26/13 |
How big is my house? |
|
01/12/13 |
Should I sell my
home As-Is |
|
12/29/12 |
The History of our
building booms |
|
12/15/12 |
Tell your
Realtor about your lifestyle |
|
12/01/12 |
Snowbird
update: Prices trend up sharply |
|
11/17/12 |
Real estate math 101 |
|
11/08/12 |
How to send
documents at light speed |
|
10/20/12 |
Should I fill in my swimming pool? |
|
10/06/12 |
Eligibility expanded for BP oil Claims |
|
09/22/12 |
Why do homes
sell above list price? |
|
08/25/12 |
Real estate scams and fake cashiers checks |
|
07/28/12 |
Surviving
Realtors see more business |
|
07/14/12 |
Scanners,
backups, and appraisers |
|
06/30/12 |
Cash deals and
wind mitigation |
|
06/16/12 |
From smart
meters to smart gadgets |
|
06/02/12 |
What to know
about flood insurance |
|
05/27/12 |
Insurance crisis could halt real estate sales |
|
05/19/12 |
Real Estate's
hottest zip codes. |
|
05/05/12 |
Are happy days here
again? |
|
04/26/12 |
The truth about garage
sales - an alternative to garage sales. |
|
04/08/12 |
Scrub jay plan a huge
win for everyone |
|
03/24/12 |
The
advantages of Quicken and Turbo Tax |
|
03/11/12 |
Sell
your home with a virtual boat tour. |
|
02/25/12 |
From appraisals to wasp
spray |
|
02/11/12 |
Did our
real estate market hit bottom? |
|
01/28/12 |
Effects of
Property Tax Reform |
|
01/14/11 |
Deadline
coming for distressed sale tax break |
|
12/31/11 |
Kickoff for
the real estate season. |
|
12/18/11 |
How much is your
house worth? |
|
12/04/11 |
Charlotte's
largest employers, highest paying jobs |
|
11/19/11 |
Bold
plan offers quick fix for foreclosures, economy, jobs |
|
11/05/11 |
Foreclosure victims may be due compensation |
|
09/24/11 |
Why most
builders don't build green homes |
|
08/27/11 |
Property Apprasier's web site a data gold mine |
|
08/13/11 |
Magic of QR Codes |
|
07/30/11 |
Rust
colored paints hides well-water stains |
|
07/02/11 |
Bankruptcy vs. short sale and foreclosure |
|
06/18/11 |
The Unique Mystique of Rotonda West |
|
06/04/11 |
Streamline Business with Electronic Signatures |
|
05/07/11 |
Red light cameras - What's
next? |
|
05/21/11 |
Cost of Green Homes Coming Down |
|
04/29/11 |
Majority of Home Sales Occur Off-Season |
|
02/26/11 |
Vacant Lots a Good Investment, But do your Homework. |
|
02/20/11 |
Wildlife photographer takes risks to get the right shot |
|
02/12/11 |
The Impact of Rising Mortgage Rates on Buyers and Sellers |
|
01/29/11 |
A Strategy for Locking in Low Home Prices |
|
01/15/11 |
Understanding our Local Real Estate Market |
|
11/20/10 |
Why are Real Estate Headlines so Confusing? |
|
11/16/10 |
Local Builder Bucks the Trend |
|
09/01/10 |
Fix me or let me
go - Ode to Odie
 |
|
06/23/10 |
One on
one with the Legends of Rock and Roll |
|
06/22/10 |
Coral snakes love hot
dogs. |
|
06/10/10 |
Hurricane
proof your precious data |
|
06/03/09 |
Being
a Dad Means Being a Sports Fan |
|
04/04/09 |
Hate Filling Out Forms? - Get This - Brett Slattery business column |
|
02/25/09 |
Real
Estate - The Best of Both Worlds |
|
06/28/07 |
The Two Minute Fix - Fixation |
|
06/14/07 |
How to Monitor the World |
|
05/10 07 |
What months
are Hot for Real Estate |
|
04/02/07 |
Property Tax Secrets |
|
03/08/07 |
How Dad Kept Food on the Table |
|
09/19//05 |
Evacuating Rotonda |
|
03/09/05 |
Potholes - How to get them fixed. |
