Allison Stewart BROKER/ASSOC/REALTOR ®St. Cloud Florida

The allure of endless summer, amusement parks, and other attractions, seems to escalate sales as the weather cools down in other parts of the US, Canada, and Eastern Europe. As a result buyers from abroad begin to consider possible buying homes in Florida as primary, secondary or vacation/investment properties.

The popularity or the Orlando Area is increasing. Over 50 Million people visited Orlando in 2008. Knowing how to get around and access to interactive maps is very important particularly for foreign tourists. Here is an excellent site that will assist you Orlando Maps

ORLANDO IS Bigger than you think. In fact, it is 110.2 miles from end to end and side to side. It is borders several other counties (of which there are 64 total in Florida) Osceola to the south, Polk to the Southwest, Orange which is located in and Volusia to the North.

Important Facts about Orlando

SEARCHING FOR YOUR FLORIDA HOME

BUYING A HOME IN FLORIDA IS EASY EVEN IF YOU ARE FROM ABROAD.

You do not need to be a US citizen to own property in America.

You DO need to be at least 18 years of age.

DECIDING WHERE YOU WANT TO LIVE

Kissimmee Offers many recreational activities as well as points of interest. Homes in various price ranges as well as short term rental opportunities.

St. CLOUD, Florida

Is a bedroom room community to Orlando and Disney. Nestled between I-95 to the east, I-4 to the west and The Florida Turnpike. About 30 minutes from Orlando International Airport, historic St. Cloud is celebrating 100 years as a City celebrating Small Town Living.

As a local area expert, I often get calls from people looking to relocate to Florida who may not fully understand how large the Orlando area is.

In order to best service them, I have provided some helpful links in this post to better familiarize out of area buyers.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER

1) USE OF THE INTERNET -Begin your search with exploring as many sites as you can to get familiar with an area.

2) SELECTING A REALTOR

Google will be very helpful in narrowing down your choices

3) CALL REALTORS

Communication is the cornerstone of our business.

4) HAVE A WORKING BUDGET

Know how much you can and are willing to spend

5) Verification of Funds

Due to recent changes int he mortgage lending practices verification letters are often required.

6) CASH BUYERS

Proof of availability of funds will be asked for in most cases.

Once you have narrowed the possible places you may want to live, you REALTORS will be very helpful by providing you with information. Showings should be scheduled in advance, however narrowing down the possible homes you are most interested in will streamline the process and be less confusing.

ANY QUESTIONS? FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME

IS NOW REALLY THE BEST TIME TO BUY OR SELL? Questions many would be buyers and sellers are struggling with.

Unlike our northern and International counterparts fall and winter are excellent times of the year to buy or sell a home in Florida. Typically over 2 Million visitors come to Florida during the holiday season, and many are looking at Real Estate while visiting here. Property values are indeed attractive especially for second homes or vacation home buyers.

PROPERTY IS AN EXCELLENT HEDGE AGAINST INFLATION

Property investment is an excellent hedge against inflation. The value of the dollar fluctuated not only in the global economy but in the domestic economy as well. Over time, investing in Real Estate is a hedge against inflation. Simply put, it will take more of today's dollar to buy the same property in the future.

It has been said that inflation doubles every ten years. Homes purchased ten years have maintained equity over those that were purchased 5 years ago. Which is why those people who held onto their properties purchased prior to the boom in the Real Estate market may still have equity left.

Looking at the Real Estate Market of St. Cloud Florida, there are homes currently available for sale for under $40,000. That is about the price of a luxury car.

If you purchased a luxury car the rate of depreciation would cost you more than 50% over a 5 year period.

Compared to purchasing a winter home, or rental property which is likely to gain a 50% appreciation during that same time period.

HOMES IN ST.CLOUD FLORIDA ARE VERY AFFORDABLE!

PLANNING AHEAD TO RETIRE

BUYING A HOME NOW IN THE DEPRESSED MARKET WILL YIELD A BETTER RATE OF RETURN THAN MOST STOCKS AND BONDS. If I told you that there was a stock paying a 20% rate of return, you would be all over it right? Well in Real Estate if you are looking for a 20% rate of return on your investment, you should be all over the smaller rental homes available in St. Cloud Florida.

CONVERSELY SELLING A HOME NOW MEANS YOUR TAX BENEFIT IS PORTABLE

If you are a seller wondering if now is the right time to sell- the answer may surprise you.

Contact me for a free evaluation and I will be happy to review your options.

The excitement of a house closing builds to a crescendo when the documents are signed, checks are dispersed and the keys are exchanged. The last minute details have all been attended to and finally it is a done deal. Or is it?

Most times agents think of the closing with finality. For the sellers it may well be, they too are venturing onto a new path. For the buyers, it is a new beginning. It is after the closing for many when your help can be most appreciated and the extension services can begin. In my area of St. Cloud Florida, there is a dire need for extension service providers and coordinators.

In my last post, I wrote about expanding the extension services available to buyers and sellers.

AGENTS SUCCUMBING TO THE SLUGGISH ECONOMY

After sale marketing is also important. One of the first things I noticed when the economy slowed down was the absence of "Just Sold" postcards in the mail.

Also the absence of "SOLD" signs on the homes which had just changed hands. Asking the new owner for permission to leave your sold sign up is two fold. It introduces them to the neighbors and it gets the word out that you did a good job.

St. Cloud, Florida is a city celebrating small town living. As such introducing newcomers to local businesses and business owners with a welcome packet is a valuable tool.

Too often Realtors overlook the necessity in helping people acclimate to a new area.

THE SINGLE BEST RESOURCE IS FREE

The St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce has a wonderful Guide of St. Cloud, Florida which provides information about local businesses. It also highlights events and activities available to businessness owners and residents. It is free and available in many locations throughout St. Cloud, Florida

Thinking of Relocating To the St. Cloud Florida area? I will be happy to help you!

JUST DROP ME AN EMAIL

LOOKING FOR A HOME IN ST. CLOUD FLORIDA, Osceola County's best kept residential secret is out of the bag. Everyday I get inquiries from prospective home buyers searching the Internet looking for the best buys in Real Estate. Occasionally I get emails from home owners looking to sell their homes. The last four buyers I have assisted, purchased their properties sight unseen. It is easier than one may think.

HOW TO LOOK AT REAL ESTATE LONG DISTANCE

I Specialize in working with long distance buyers and sellers. They have very special needs. The ability to place someone in a home takes a great deal of effort, lots of quality photo and videos and a general overall knowledge of the Area. That is why they come to me.

Technology is a wonderful thing. Did you know that 84% of the buyers today use the Internet?

Rapid response. Communication is above all else our greatest tool. Rapid response is important when dealing with prospective buyers and sellers, yet so often agents are difficult to get in touch with or are unavailable when you call.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS

The time difference for many International buyers puts them at a disadvantage. However, understanding their special needs and working on "their time" most of the International buyers I have worked with are so impressed I will keep their business hours. Looking for a Home In the St. Cloud Florida area? Ask me.

RELOCATION

Do you have southern heart? Is the south calling you? Perhaps it is time to consider making that all im portant purchase in St. Cloud Florida. Prices have never been better.

Just drop me a line, let me know what type pf home you are looking for and I will happy to assist you.

WHAT IS YOUR HOUSE REALLY WORTH?

The down turn in the Real Estate market has left many home owners contemplating selling their homes in St. Cloud Florida and parts of Osceola County but wondering what the house may be worth in today's market. One thing about Real Estate, it is always changing. Over the past year, values have inched up. Sales are being achieved and although still below what homes sold for at the peak of the market boom, the value has increased in year over year comparisons.

The price spike in 2006 was an anomaly. Using it as a standard would be an unfair comparison during the buying frenzy and times of hyper inflated home values. That does not stop some "experts" from doing it however. There were very specific market conditions in place at that time which lead to the so called bubble. What created it was a shortage of available homes, in St.Cloud, Florida driving the price up. As builders rushed into production thorought Osceola County in Florida the number of available homes swelled and prices skyrocketed during a feeding frenzy of home buying until it eventually and predictably collapsed under the weight of over pricing.

In 2007 the market stalled completely. No one was buying. Interest rates and adjustable rate mortgages began to reset. putting pressure on home owners, compounded with rising Property taxes, Insurance premiums, and resetting mortgages the financial burden for some became an untenable situation and subsequently they were unable to continue to make payments. The epicdemic spread feverishly as home values continued to plummet and the buyer pool all but vanished.

In 2008 the number of foreclosures continued to rise- the economy overall was in decline and the values of overpriced property continued their downward spiral. As banks seized property on defaulted mortgages, the amount of inventory they held began to dwell and toxic loans had to be liquidated. Many of the homes banks foreclosed on were in dire need of repair. The banks found themselves in the position f the home owners they had foreclosed on who tried to sell prior to the foreclosure. As a result, they lowered prices to achieve sales.

2009 Prices continued to plummet and banks reduced inventory home prices even further to achieve sales. Resetting the value in St. Cloud, Florida back to pre-boom levels. In the 1990's homes averages in the mid $30-50,000 today there are bank owned properties still in that range and they are selling but there are also higher priced achieving sales int he St. Cloud area. Home buyers, foreign buyers and second home buyers are returning to St. Cloud, Florida and coming back into the Real Estate market with the initial thought of snagging a distressed property as an investment opportunity but have been discouraged with some of the properties, combined with long delays in short sale negotiations and poor condition of the foreclosed homes and the allure of a "bargain" quickly faded when many are in need of extensive and costly repairs. Repairs the lenders will not make. These "As-Is" properties come with no guarantee or warrantee. While some only needed paint and carpeting many needed much more such as entire kitchens or bathrooms making them ineligible for FHA/VA financing and appraisals affecting conventional loans will not validate asking or offering prices.

The shift in consumer demand transformed from "bargains" to better quality homes needing less work to restore and priced fairly. Homes sales rose approximately six percent month over month for the past five consecutive months. Consumers responded competing for prime properties with multiple offers.

The drawback retarding another spike in homes sales comes from recent changes in appraisal practices and tighter lending requirements. Appraisers now must conform to the Home Valuation Code of Conduct and as a result of a limited number of out of area appraisers prices are not escalating as they may have previously to the changes in appraisal practices.

Methodology does not exclude distress sales from the available comparable properties as a result, the overall evaluation of price can be reduced. If you had your home appraised a year ago- it is no longer a valid proof of what it is worth as value is affected to a great extent by recent sales. Over improvements rarely factor in to what the home may be worth in today's market essentially eliminating recapture value of the investment. (Even foreclosures have granite counter tops for example)

The best way to determine if now is the right time to consider selling your home and what your home is currently worth is to consult a local Real Estate professional or have a current appraisal performed. Appraisals range from $200-$350 dollars.

How does your home stack up?