Orlando, FL

"Have Our Housing Prices Hit Bottom?" asks the Orlando Sentinel

07-03-09

David Welch: Real Estate Agent in Orlando, FL

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Office: (407) 629-6330 x399

Mobile: (407) 924-7670

Have our housing prices hit bottom? I say, barring any more intervention by the government we are at the bottom here in Orlando. I should have placed that caveat in my prior predictions that we were at the bottom. I still feel there are a lot of factors that would suggest that Orlando's current median price is well below where it should be. Possibly the most telling is the affordability index which is approaching 200. An affordability index of 100 means the median wage earner qualifies to purchase the median priced home. At 200 the median wage earner can affor to purchase two median priced homes. At this point though, I feel pretty confident that prices are at the bottom. Check out the link to the Orlando Sentinel article here: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-home-prices-bottom-070309,0,4016271.story

Our median price has been stuck around $130,000 for three months in a row, and sales in June will surpass the 2,100 mark. I have to go back and check my blogs from early in the year, but I believe I was hoping for sales north of 1,800 by June. The inventory of homes for sale is down around 21% since the beginning of the year, and we have seen year over year sales in creases every month for nine months in a row. If the banks would loosen up at all, we could probably close another 500 sales a month. We currently have a back log of over 7,100 pending sales. A lot of people keep pointing to the next wave of foreclosures, but I think the banks have finally wised up. They exacerbated the declining prices by flooding the market with foreclosures then slashing the prices when they received their bailout. Now they seem to be holding back in placing REO's on the market. We had about 2,000 active REO's at the beginning of the year, but that number is about half that now. They are coming on the market slightly slower than they are selling, driving up competition and stabilizing the prices.

Orlando Real Estate, David Welch Real Estate Optimist

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Great Central Florida real estate deals we sold during June 2009 - Orlando, Kissimmee, Longwood, Lake Mary

07-03-09

Rob Arnold, metro Orlando full service, investor friendly & foreclosure Realtor

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Office: (407) 389-7318

Mobile: (407) 375-4567
Secondary: (877) 389-7318

Wow! It's hard to believe that 2009 is halfway over already. June is behind us and it was yet another great month. Our office recorded 33 sales last month which makes it the best month so far this year. Lots of great deals changed hands last month so don't miss out on yours. First time buyers can get $8,000 in tax credit money if they buy before 12/1/2009.

167 Villa Di Este Terrace 410 Georgia Avenue 11812 Via Lucerna Circle

1. 501 Pine Bark Ct, Kissimmee, FL 34758. This Poinciana special was a 3/2/2 with a pool in great condition. It sold for a short sale in record time. 39 days from listing to contract and only 72 days total to get it approved by the short saling bank and closed. $85,000 - that's a great price for a decent sized pool home.

2. 167 Villa Di Este Terrace #205, Lake Mary, FL 32746. This one was something else. Upstairs condo, big unit 3/2/2 in perfect shape, bank owned foreclosure. I actually was on vacation last week when this offer came in. The buyer's agent was in a hurry in order to get the sales bonus and was able to get it closed in just 6 days to make the end of the month deadline. What a steal this was - at the top of the market this unit sold for over $400,000 - sold last week for $69,900.

3. 5507 Stull Avenue, Orlando, FL 32810. 3 bed/3 bath with a pool. Another short sale deal located just north of College Park. This one took a while to get closed, but patience and persistence paid off. And the important thing is that this SHORT SALE did close. $99,000.

4. 410 Georgia Avenue, Longwood, FL 32750. Another 3/2/2 block home. What a story we had on this short sale. We had this listing for nearly 10 months and I give a lot of credit for the listing agent for hanging in there and really working the deal. The property went to auction at the end of April, but the listing agent was still able to convince the bank to hold off recording the certificate of title (deed finalizing the foreclosure) while she worked the short sale. In June we were able to get the property sold to a new buyer for $139,000 and the bank vacated the foreclosure sale. Pretty cool !

5. 11812 Via Lucerna Circle, Windermere, FL 34786. Bank owned foreclosure. Fabulous newer home 3/2/2 in coveted location. Just look at the photo above. What would something like that go for in Windermere? The bank dumped it for just $193,500.

If you are looking to buy or sell a property, please contact myself or one of the Realtors with our firm. Why deal with the rest when you can deal with the best? Our Realtors are experts in Central Florida foreclosures and investments.

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Rob Arnold - Your full service and investor friendly Realtor ® in Orlando and Central Florida.

ABR, CPL, CRB, CSP, GRI, Managing real estate broker, Notary Public

407-389-7318 / 1-877-389-7318 www.SDRhouses.com We Buy Houses Florida

We sell foreclosures, short sales, and bank owned REO properties throughout Central Florida. We sell and list Central Florida real estate and Orlando real estate. Free list of foreclosure and short sale houses available.

I also provide flat fee MLS listings, For Sale By Owner, and menu-based services in most parts of Central & South Florida, the Space Coast, and the Treasure Coast including Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Apopka, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Longwood, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Lake Mary, Sanford, Deltona, Debary, Deland, Mount Dora, Eustis, Clermont, Kissimmee, Winter Haven, Lakeland, Tampa, Sarasota, Bradenton, Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port Saint Lucie, Melbourne, Daytona Beach, Ocala, Gainesville, Palatka, Jacksonville, Volusia, Brevard, and more.

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Orlando Fl and choosing the right agent for your purchase or sale.

07-02-09

David Dorman

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Office: (321) 293-2240

Mobile: (407) 948-8295

Did you know that Orlando has over 8,500 registered REALTORS? How many are actually good?

It used to be that you could usually find a trusted advisor in a REALTOR, but with more and more inexperienced agents in the business, how does the consumer find the right agent? It's more than just experience. It's character and education for the most part. Many buyers and sellers "end up" with an agent instead of choosing them. I have been involved in numerous transactions where I have wondered how in the world did this buyer or seller end up with their agent. Truth be told, many buyers simply call off of a sign and work with the first agent that picks up the phone. That is amazing to me. The biggest purchase most of us will ever make, and we leave it to chance or luck of the draw! Just because an agent manages to get a listing, does not mean they are qualified to help you purchase a home. The dirty little secret about real estate is that agents learn as they go and rarely do agents come right out of their educational classes to get the license, knowing the in's and out's of real estate. Statistically, most of the complaints from buyers and sellers about agents, has to do with agents with 3 years or less experience. Don't be fooled by a company name either. Sadly, a new agent can join a major franchise and have access to the same marketing and promo materials to make them look like a 15 year vetran. That does not make them an equal agent anymore than me putting on scrubs and saying I am qualified for brain surgury. Do your homework! Ask for credentials. Ask for past clients recommendations or other referral sources. A good agent will have a list of people to talk to. A good agent will know their stats and be able to produce them. There is a lot of talk that goes on with agents, but a good agent will have the facts to back up their claims. I find the best way to get a good service person is to ask a person you trust for a referral. This not only helps you locate a person they have done business with, but it also makes that service person work extra hard to help you since they know you were a referral.

You should also look for an agent who takes the time to market their business. If they don't spend a dime on marketing, chances are they are either not able to afford it and are desperate for cash, or they don't care enough about their business to do so. A good agent will spend at least 10% of their income towards marketing. Having an agent that is desperate for cash is not a person you should have representing you. Let's think about that. If your agent is desperate for a sale, don't you think that puts them in a compromising position to get your sale pushed through? Do you think they would say just about anything to get the deal done? Look for an agent with a steady flow of business. It's the same concept as not going to the grocery store when you are hungry!

If you are selling a home, make sure your agent has experience. It's great that you have a friend in the business or a family member that just got their license, but make sure they are qualified (see above) and know the process. Once you hire them, make them show you your listing and the marketing. Don't just take their word for it. I hate to say it, but many agents will lie through their teeth about what they are actually doing, just to get a listing. Make sure they are a good negotiator. A difference of a a percent or two may not sound like much but when you are selling a home, you want to get every dollar you can out of the home. Make sure your agents spends money to market your home. Ask them how much they spend. A good agent will know. They will also have systems to market properly. Take it a step further and ask if they are a certified agent. Have they had a background check? Sounds simple, but most consumers don't verify who they are working with. It's important.

The bottom line is simple. Take your time and make good choices. Do your research. Google your agent and see where they rank. Ask for references. Don't make an emotional decision and once you do hire the agent, make sure they do what they said they would do. If they don't, fire them. By the way, a good agent will rarely ask you for a cancellation fee if you cancel the contract. There are exceptions, but if your agent wants to charge you a 1% cancellation fee, you should be wary and ask why. I don't know many jobs where you can get away with getting paid for not doing your job!

If you want to find a CERTIFIED agent to help you buy or sell, go to www.parentrelocationcouncil.org. These agents are all certified and background checked. PRC is building a network of quality agents across the nation. They can't buy their way in, they have to pass inspection! The agents are reviewed after each transaction as well and if they don't perform, they are out of the organization.

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What's a wind inspection and why should I get one?

07-01-09

Heather the Realtor. Orlando & Lake Mary First Time Home Buyers & Luxury Homes

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Office: (407) 810-6304

Mobile: (407) 810-6304

I have often asked this questions myself. During one of my last home inspection that I accompanied my buyer on the home inspector gave me the run down on what a wind inspection entails and how it can save you some money on your home owners insurance policy.

The reason you get a discount is because back in 2002 Florida came out with a ruling that stated insurers had to give discounts or credits for properties that reduce damage and loss in hurricanes and windstorms. Make sense to me.

So what does a wind inspection include and how do you get one? It's an inspection of the following 8 items:

1. Roof Covering

2. Roof Deck Attachment

3. Roof to Wall Attachment

4. Roof Geometry

5. Gable End Bracing

6. Wall Construction Type

7. Secondary Water Barrier

8. Door and Window Protection

All you have to do is add a wind inspection or your next home inspection and save upwards of $300+ a year on your home owners insurance.

Looking to buy a home in the Orlando area? Call or Text Heather Joubran at 407-810-6304 or follow me on twitter at LakeMaryRealtor or email me at Heather@HeathertheRealtor.com Your Buyer's Agent Specialist

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Orlando, FL, 32806 - For Sale By Owner

07-01-09

Jane Kosheleva

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Orlando, FL - for sale by owner at Fizber.com

Price: $710,000

FIZBER.com ID 11646247

Single Family with 3 bed, 3.5 bath, in 1243 Wald Road Orlando, FL, 32806

http://www.fizber.com/11646247/

1243 Wald Road - For Sale By Owner

Property Details:

Type:	Single Family
Address:	1243 Wald Road, Orlando, FL, 32806
Sq footage:	3554.0
Floors:	n/a
Bathrooms:	3.5
Bedrooms:	3
Year built:	1980

View full property details and seller's contacts.

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Homes for Sale by Owner.

Description:

Southern Oaks--one of Orlando's outstanding, close-in neighborhoods. With exceptional attention to detail, this home offers spacious rooms, 9’10” and cathedral ceilings with crown molding, as well as beautiful built-in cabinetry and wainscoting in the formal living and dining rooms. Beautiful kitchen has large breakfast room, granite countertops, 42 inch cabinets, deep stainless steel sink, and stainless gas stove; powder room with granite countertop; laundry room. Three bedrooms, in main house include, 20’ x 14’ master bedroom with bay window and French doors just steps away from screened pool; his and hers master bath suite with marble vanities, floors and large whirlpool tub. Brick fireplace in family room, gorgeous brick paved sunroom with glass doors to pool, garden areas, and summer kitchen, as well as detached fourth room with full bath and closet that offers so many options! Pool cabana, studio, office, guests, extra family space! Air conditioning was replaced in 2009 and the the architectural shingle roof was new in 2005.