http://www.naplesnews.com/news/news/columnists/chris-griffith/?partner=RSSNaples Daily News Stories: Chris Griffithen-usnews/columnists/chris-griffithhttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/may/16/chris-griffith-im-thinking-getting-real-estate-lic/?partner=RSSSo I’m up at the dog park trying to burn some energy off of “hell on four legs” and one of the regular dog park attendees strikes up a conversation with me and says, “I’m thinking of getting a real estate license so I can sell my house.” chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 16 May 2012 19:34:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-309029-734639news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: ‘I’m thinking of getting a real estate license so I can sell my house’Naples Daily Newschris-griffith-im-thinking-getting-real-estate-licurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-309029-734639Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/may/09/chris-griffith-expect-get-bucked-horse-first-time/?partner=RSSThere’s never been a better time to buy a home…unless the buyer is financing the purchase. It’s not because it is difficult to finance real estate or that the banks aren’t lending, it’s because the entry level real estate market is chock full of cash buyers and the super affordable inventory is gone. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 09 May 2012 19:26:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-308537-734632news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Expect to get bucked off the horse at the first time home buyer rodeoNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-expect-get-bucked-horse-first-timeurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-308537-734632Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/may/02/chris-griffith-get-comparative-market-analysis-neg/?partner=RSSChances are you probably had a CMA, a comparative market analysis, when you listed your real estate for sale. If you didn’t, you should have. What many home sellers do not realize is that there probably should be more than one CMA over the life of a home’s listing period. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 02 May 2012 17:31:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-307906-734625news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Get a comparative market analysis before negotiating sale priceNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-get-comparative-market-analysis-negurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-307906-734625Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/apr/25/chris-griffith-selling-real-estate--season-worth-h/?partner=RSSThere’s no doubt we have a seasonal resident population in Southwest Florida. The other day, I pulled up to an intersection on a busy street and there were no cars coming, either direction. It had been months of bumper to bumper traffic on that street and it was quite a surprise to see nothing but a dashed yellow line. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:08:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-307304-734618news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Is selling real estate off-season worth the hassleNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-selling-real-estate--season-worth-hurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-307304-734618Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/apr/18/chris-griffith-truth-about-projected-10-percent-va/?partner=RSSDid you know that the second Tuesday of every month, all of the real estate agents of Southwest Florida show up at a secret location, one minute before midnight, to formulate a plan to manipulate the entire real estate industry? Well, neither did I. Apparently, I didn’t get the invitation. Yes, that was sarcasm. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:20:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-306675-734611news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: The truth about the projected 10 percent value increaseNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-truth-about-projected-10-percent-vaurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-306675-734611Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/apr/04/chris-griffith-negotiating-x-factor-real-estate/?partner=RSSThe last ditch grasp … “as long as they pay closing costs.” It never fails, sooner or later there is a negotiation for real estate volleying back and forth and one party will agree with the condition of “as long as they pay closing costs.” chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:41:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-305398-734597news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Negotiating the “X factor” in real estateNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-negotiating-x-factor-real-estateurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-305398-734597Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/mar/28/chris-griffith-what-happens-your-offer-after-you-s/?partner=RSSWhat happens to an offer after signing it? It’s a fair question to ask of whomever is helping you write the offer, whether it’s your attorney or your real estate agent. If your attorney is involved they’re generally concerned with making sure you’re legally protected. They’ll also track specific time frames after the contract is executed and advise you of action items required on your part that involve inspections, applying for mortgages, etc. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:20:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-304699-734590news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: What happens to your offer after you sign it?Naples Daily Newschris-griffith-what-happens-your-offer-after-you-surn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-304699-734590Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/mar/21/chris-griffith-buyers-remorse-going-happen-dont-dr/?partner=RSSSometimes it’s just the quiet, the way too quiet that is the first sign. Calls aren’t being returned or some type of required, follow up documentation isn’t being produced in a timely fashion. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:15:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-304007-734583news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Buyer’s remorse is going to happen, but don’t drag it out foreverNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-buyers-remorse-going-happen-dont-drurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-304007-734583Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/mar/14/chris-griffith-youll-never-know-unless-you-ask/?partner=RSSIt doesn’t matter what side of the transaction you’re on, sooner or later the question, “What can we ask for,” is going to come up. It’s the nature of the game, human nature even, to question, to negotiate or renegotiate as a real estate transaction evolves from initial offer to a closed sale. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 14 Mar 2012 19:40:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-303294-734576news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: You’ll never know unless you askNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-youll-never-know-unless-you-askurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-303294-734576Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/feb/29/chris-griffith-timing-real-estate-market-almost-wi/?partner=RSSWhen buyers of real estate began cautiously moving back into the Southwest Florida real estate market when there was plentiful inventory at rock bottom prices, there were skeptics questioning whether it was the right time to buy. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:23:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-301943-734562news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Timing the real estate market is almost like winning the lotteryNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-timing-real-estate-market-almost-wiurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-301943-734562Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/feb/22/chris-griffith-homeowners-real-estate-market-hopin/?partner=RSSMost of the time I fire up my email at dark o’clock and get to work over coffee. Besides the usual emails related to ongoing transactions, every few days I get an email from a client, either past or present, who has found an article in one publication or another that’s rattled their chain. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-301217-734555news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Homeowners, real estate market hoping for that Kumbaya momentNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-homeowners-real-estate-market-hopinurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-301217-734555Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/feb/15/chris-griffith-elect-be-part-solution-not-problem/?partner=RSSMy phone rang a few days ago and it was a friend of mine calling to let me know that she had resigned from the homeowner association board. It takes a special kind of person to participate on an association board to begin with. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:58:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-300664-734548news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Elect to be part of the solution, not the problemNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-elect-be-part-solution-not-problemurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-300664-734548Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/feb/08/chris-griffith-selling-real-estate-dearly-departed/?partner=RSSThe only thing certain in life is death and taxes … and probably how emotionally taxing death is when liquidating real estate. Selling real estate is stressful enough for some folks without compounding it with the emotional burden of liquidating the remaining assets of someone dear or even your own assets after losing a spouse and choosing to move on. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:38:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-299902-734541news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Selling real estate of the dearly departedNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-selling-real-estate-dearly-departedurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-299902-734541Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/feb/01/chris-griffith-full-disclosure-and-paper-cuts/?partner=RSSAbout a decade ago I faxed (fax machines were once bleeding edge) a contract to a prospective real estate purchaser. She worked in the Pennsylvania school system and gave me a number at work to fax it to. A few hours later she called and said, I had no idea it would be that many pages. Why are there so many pages? At the time it was a mere 12 or 13 pages, total. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:17:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-299234-734534news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Full disclosure and paper cutsNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-full-disclosure-and-paper-cutsurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-299234-734534Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/jan/25/chris-griffith-quit-claim-refis-and-mortgage-quest/?partner=RSSA couple of great mortgage questions have come in over the last few weeks… chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:48:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-298540-734527news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Quit claim refis and mortgage questionsNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-quit-claim-refis-and-mortgage-questurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-298540-734527Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/jan/18/chris-griffith-twinkle-lights-and-hurricane-tape/?partner=RSSThere isn’t a more magical time of the year than Christmas, uh, “the holidays.” A good portion of the masses deck their halls and don their lights with gay apparel as early as, well, before Thanksgiving now. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:57:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-297854-734520news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Twinkle lights and hurricane tapeNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-twinkle-lights-and-hurricane-tapeurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-297854-734520Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/jan/11/chris-griffith-selling-your-soul-real-estate-data/?partner=RSSMaybe you’re curious about what your home is worth or you’re a serious buyer prowling the web for the latest new listings or price reductions in the area you want to buy a home in, but sooner or later, a pop up window will ask for more information. Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, getting free information online is probably one of the newest exercises in tolerance. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:21:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-297286-734513news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Selling your soul for real estate dataNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-selling-your-soul-real-estate-dataurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-297286-734513Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/jan/04/chris-griffith-truth-advertising-not-always-so-tru/?partner=RSSIt’s a no brainer that pictures sell real estate, especially in the digital age. What is surprising is that there are still so many homes skating by or even floundering in the real estate market without proper or, at the very least, a weak representation of its unique characteristics, whether they’re good or bad … and there are still some of them out there with “issues.” chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:06:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-296653-734506news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Truth in advertising not always so trueNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-truth-advertising-not-always-so-truurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-296653-734506Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/dec/14/chris-griffith-create-community-paying-it-forward/?partner=RSSOn the west side of tumbleweed peppered, middle-of-nowhere, Texas, I drove past a cyclist pulling a wagon with a sign on it that read in part, cycling for cancer. I wondered who in his life he had lost to the beast or what compelled him to make the commitment to cross the country, let alone this vast state. Heck, crossing the county, for that matter, would be a daunting task for most of our sofa-riding nation. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:39:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-295025-734485news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Create community by paying it forwardNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-create-community-paying-it-forwardurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-295025-734485Change0Usablehttp://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/dec/07/chris-griffith-regret-sounds-screeching-tires/?partner=RSSSometimes buyers back out. There you are, minding your own beeswax. You’ve tended your real estate, preparing it for sale the way a dutiful seller should, shining it sparkling clean, pricing it right, listing it for sale and before you know it, an offer comes in. chris@LifeInBonitaSprings.com (CHRIS GRIFFITH)Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:54:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-294283-734478news/columnists/chris-griffithCHRIS GRIFFITHNaples, FLChris Griffith: Regret sounds like screeching tiresNaples Daily Newschris-griffith-regret-sounds-screeching-tiresurn:publicid:www.naplesnews.com:news-Story-294283-734478Change0Usable