David Welch

You are running out of time to vote for www.RealEstateOptimist.com. Tomorrow is the deadline to choose David Welch's Orlando Real Estate Blog as the top real estate blog in Orlando. Google already says David Welch has the top two blogs for Orlando real estate. Check for yourself, just google "Orlando real estate," and see who has the top two spots. This is organic not paid results. Thank you for your vote.

Orlando Real Estate, David Welch Real Estate Optimist, As Seen on HGTV's House Hunters

Reuters reported that housing starts fell over 10% in October compared to the rate being built in September. At least a part of that was caused by a huge drop in multi-family. These types of project are up and down, and with commercial real estate on its heels right now it does not surprise me that these projects are so volatile right now. The single family side of the equation has to be evaluated in the context of everything that is going on. The first time home buyer tax credit was quickly approaching expiration, and I believe earlier in October there was sentiment that it might not be extended. Although talk of extending the credit has been around since July and August, what seemed like a sure thing ran into some challenges. First, the deficit for last fiscal year came in at a whopping $1.4 trillion. Second, there was not a lot of evidence that the tax credit was creating a turnaround as much as helping to stabilize the housing market. Third, news broke in October, I believe, that there were 100,000 suspected fraud cases related to the existing credit.

I believe that this growing sentiment that the credit might be extended guided some buyers toward resales. Even when it became apparent the credit would be extended and expanded there were rumors out there that if you contracted before December 1st, you would not qualify for the new credit. This type of misinformation, could have also had the effect of buyers putting off decisions to contract for a new home if they were hoping to take advantage of the new tax credit provisions. Maybe I am completely off base with my analysis of this situation, but here in Orlando we saw tremendous sales in October with more than 2,200 sales closed last month and nearly 4,000 contracts (not offers, contracts) written in Ocotober. I believe that was the most contract written so far this year. I continue to say if banks will start making decisions on short sales, REO's and getting loans closed we will get through this faster and healthier. Orlando continues to post around 9,000 pending sales, while our active inventory remains around 16,000.

Orlando Real Estate, David Welch Real Estate Optimist, As Seen on HGTV's House Hunters

I titled my blog Real Estate Optimist for a couple of reasons. First, the obvious one is that I sell real estate. I became convinced that I wanted to have a career in real estate in graduate school at Rollins College. In one of my Investments classes we discussed a study the University of Chicago conducted analyzing all types of investments along what is called the efficient frontier. The efficient frontier is a curve that defines the optimum portfolio return for a given level of risk. The only investment found to be in every efficient portfolio was...wait for it...wait for it...real estate. They did not just include the typical stocks and bonds type of investments either. Commodities, art, wine, coins and stamps and other types of investments were included in this study that went back to the stock market crash of 1929. It made intuitive sense to me since, owning your home provides a sense of security and safety from market factors.

But why Optimist and not Realist? Let's face RealEstateRealist.com would be a great play on words, but I have seen time and time again on my customer surveys that my enthusiasm is what attracted people to me. Believe me, I get down in the dumps too, it's easy to be a pessimist. When was the last time you picked up the newspaper and read good news. OK, if you are a UCF Knights fan like myself, the Orlando Sentinel has had lots of great articles about UCF's first ever win over a top 25 ranked team. Our men's basketball beat UMass in their season opener, and our women's soccer made the NCAA's ranked in the top 20. So there has been a lot of great news for UCF athletics this weekend. I have been a fan since 1982 when I started at UCF. I have traveled to Troy, and sat through pouring rain in 27 degree weather, and Georgia Southern, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia, Georgia Tech and a couple of trips to Florida. There was not so much good news back then, but I was optimistic.

Real estate has been a reliable investment in the past, and it is again now that the market has stabilized. If you don't believe me, what about all those investors buying up foreclosures?

Orlando Real Estate, David Welch Real Estate Optimist, As Seen on House Hunters

Well my world premier video aired last night on HGTV's House Hunters, and friends from all over the country watched with me. I want to send a big thank you out to Doug and Lisa, the buyers, because if it was not for them I would not have had the opportunity. I would also like to thank the crew and producers who managed to keep me from looking too goofy. I didn't even look that fat - yeah! If you did not get to see last night's show, it will be on several more times over the next couple of months. You can check the HGTV website for other dates and times.

Today, it is back to reality. I have a walk-through this morning, closing this afternoon, contract extension, a buyer's CMA, and an offer to follow up on. If it was only as easy as it is on tv. Show three houses, pick one and move in. For more on buying and selling real estate, check out my homepage www.davidwelch.com. I have a number of tools right on the main page for buyers and sellers. Right at the very top of the page you can search for Orlando area real estate. This is a new tool I have just added to give you a complete listing search of our area. Sellers, I also have tools right on the front page for valuing your home as well as several pages devoted to helping you with marketing tips. Let me know how I can help you with all your real estate needs.

Orlando Real Estate, David Welch Real Estate Optimist

Which house will the choose? I cannot say, because I am sworn to secrecy. Watch HGTV's House Hunters tonight at 9:00pm (check your local listings outside Orlando) to find out which home Lisa and Doug will pick. I would love feedback from everyone on my performance as "the Realtor". I am not only a Realtor in real life, but after tonight I can say that I play one on tv too.

I am also pleased to say that my blog is getting a lot of attention. One of my posts has been quoted by the Colorado Springs Business Journal; I have had my posts quoted in the Orlando Sentinel; and I am now a featured blogger at Realtor.com - the number one real estate website in the world. Go to Talk.Realtor.com, and look for me on the right side of the screen. My posts are regularly featured, and I have also been asked to answer questions on Ask A Realtor. My blog is also in the running as one of the top blogs in Orlando. Please vote for me by clicking on the Orlando Sentinel.

I sell real estate here in Orlando too, so tune in tonight then give me a call tomorrow and we will talk about your real estate needs.

Orlando Real Estate, David Welch Real Estate Optimist