Debbie Irons

Opportunity for a Lake Advisory Board for Lake Hart / Lake Mary Jane

All Lake Hart & Lake Mary Jane lakefront property owners and have the chance to create a Lake Board to improve and conserve the quality of our lakes. The cost will only be $75 per year per lakefront parcel - and all the money is put into a fund that can ONLY be used for lake improvement projects and ONLY for Lake Hart & Lake Mary Jane. The money will be used for things such as educational newsletters to help lakefront owners understand how to better care for their lakefront and the land adjacent to it, better weed control, small restoration projects, and better stormwater management.

How did this come about? Last spring Orange County Utilities started plans to "skim" millions of gallons of water each day from Lake Hart & Lake Mary Jane. South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) would not agree to this since the water is needed for the restoration of the Everglades. Orange County decided to sue SFWMD over this matter even though our District 4 Commissioner Linda Stewart was strongly opposed lake skimming. Thanks to citizens across the county that spoke out against this - the county backed down from the suit but has asked SFWMD to look into alternative water sources for the county. SFWMD is holding monthly meetings as they create their official rules for water levels that are needed for the restoration. (So far - everything looks very good to keep the current seasonal levels as they are for our two lakes.) But homeowners on these lakes had no official say in the matter.

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written and permission to reprint by Suzanne Arnold, concerned citizen

Considering a Short Sale? Read This First!

You've heard the term all over the news, read about them in the papers, and now you have fallen behind on your mortgage payments. Is a short sale right for you? The question is not easily answered and it really depends on your specific circumstances. The following is some very important information I have learned through my year of experience in short sales. I am not a lawyer or a CPA and these professionals should be consulted before making a final decision.

What is a short sale? A short sale, AKA Pre-Foreclosure can be an option for a homeowner that is in financial distress. A short sale means a property sale where the lender has agreed to accept an amount that is less than what is owed on the property. The homeowner can have more than one mortgage, home equity, or certain liens although the more lenders that are involved, the more difficult the process usually becomes. The benefits of a short sale versus a foreclosure can be preserving your credit score compared to a foreclosure and since it is non-judicial as in a bankruptcy, you can protect your other assets.

The first step for a homeowner if they find themselves having problems keeping up with payments is to contact their lender(s). The lender may be able to work out an alternative payment plan to help the homeowner get back on their feet with a modification or forbearance. If a short sale appears to be the right avenue for you, prepare the following documentation as quickly as possible.

1. Financial Statement (basically a detailed 1003)

2. Hardship Explanation/Letter

3. Most recent checking and savings account statements (usually 2-6 months worth)

4. Proof of all income such as pay stubs, quarterly profit/loss statements, most recent tax return, social security, pension, alimony, and/or child support.

5. Any other documentation you feel is relevant.

It is important that you do not wait too long before contacting a real estate agent to get involved into the short sale process. You will need to be open and honest with the agent as it could make or break the success of the short sale. Being organized is the key. Do not forget to talk to your CPA about the tax implications for a short sale, especially if the property in question is not homestead property. Also, be aware that just because the lender has agreed to do the short sale does not automatically mean the debt will go just disappear. There should be specific language in the paperwork at closing that determines if the mortage and the note will be released and if the debt is forgiven. Make sure to consult an attorney and hire a real estate agent that has solid experience in short sale work. Have questions? Please feel free to call me at (407) 908-2890. Email me for full short sale checklists, excel spreadsheet finanical statement, and examples of hardship letters.

Why, why, why you ask? Moving over to a different real estate company is NEVER an easy decision. It means starting over..new business cards, new listing/sales paperwork, new managers/owners, new office, and changing over all listings. Not to mention you also take the risk of not getting paid your due commission for pending closings or upsetting past brokers that you may work with in the future. All successful agents go through the process of weighing pro vs. con of making the move. I have known some agents that get so frustrated with the interviews, that they just end up opening their own brokerage.

I thought about this option..a long long time. After meeting with Mark Eller, the owner of Amerivest Realty of Central Florida several times over the past year, I decided that in this time of my life, full of responsibilities, both business, charitable, and personal, opening a new brokerage was not the best answer. The time was right to move. Number one reason for the move with Amerivest, Mr. Eller himself. He is a real person, with tons of experience in the business and five years experience owning this company..in high times and in low times. He stays on top of the latest technologies, is open to change, and works for his agents. Which brings me to my second reason, opportunity for my business as well as for my clients. I see the vision of being able to grow my business, continue to build the www.KeepYourPet.net non-profit, and have a quality of life for my family. What more do I need?

Sure, it always looks rosy at the beginning of any "relationship". Then the honeymoon is over and things do not look so sweet. It happens. For now, I am 100% dedicated to make this the best move possible in this market and I feel invigorated. To other agents who might be looking for new options, ask me if Amerivest might be for you. For my clients, I can promise that being an Amerivest agent will only increase your internet traffic and overall visibility to the buying world. Yes, I truly believe the agent that you choose is MUCH more important than the company you choose; however, as the saying goes, when mamma is happy, everyone is happy [:)].

"Beyond Expectation" is the Amerivest of CFL tagline. Here's to reaching for that goal!

I came upon an excellent website this morning called Stimulus Watch which lays out in detail the program, the amount of money being spent, program type, job creation, and area of town. I found this website to be an excellent source of information and easy to read. Did you know the Church Street Communter Rail System is going to cost $2,800,000? Did you know they will be building a new relief school for Odyssey Middle School in the Vista Lakes Area? Have questions about the new Homebuyer Tax Credit that has been approved? Visit www.Floridataxcredit.com. Awesome information!

Are you thinking about moving to the Central Florida area or do you have clients that need to re-locate? Consider the Lake Nona, SE Orlando area near the new Medical City. The area is undergoing major construction to prepare for the Medical City which will include the UCF medical school, Nemours, Burnham Institute for Cancer Research, and a VA hospital. New schools, new parks, shopping and tons of jobs are all an important aspect to this community. Homes are now available starting at around $150,000 and go up to the $10,000,000 dollar range in the heart of Lake Nona. If you need an agent, make sure to call the community expert, and keep up with the latest community information at www.NarcoosseeNeighbors.com.