For months now I have been saying on my radio show that here in the Orlando area we have reached the bottom and even the first small signs of a turn in the market are beginning to show. Last month I posted a similar blog to this one. And as each month's data is released, it seems that my words were indeed prophetic.
I have also talking about timing the market - the only real way to see where bottom WAS is to look back and identify it with those great 20/20 hindsight glasses.
Well this month's data was released today and it showed that inventory has fallen again - and not only that, but it is now below June of 2007 by almost 1500 homes.
New listings are down another 1500 from June of 2007 and homes under contract are up by 629. Closed sales are also up by 96 on May of this year which in turn were up on April. Closed sales are now at their highest since August of 2007.
So let's look at this. Less inventory, more homes under contract, more homes closed, month on month as well as year on year decreases and increases in important areas - and a continuing trend. If you are a buyer who has been trying to time this market then MOVE NOW! The University of Florida tells us that 300,000 people will move to the State in 2008 and they all have to live somewhere. That figure is down 100,000 from its peak, but is still hugely significant.
Gas could certainly cause some problems in the housing recovery, but right now I am finding prices are firming up with sellers less inclined to give away the farm.
Housing is now cheap. Money is at historic lows. Now is the time to move if you have been waiting for bottom.
For more information on Central Florida real estate and of course homes for sale in Windermere, Fl, Orlando and of course Dr Phillips Real Estate, then give me - Simon Conway - a call on 407 876 8200. I answer my own phone!
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(Copyright © 2008 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)
Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net
I'm very proud to welcome Orlando's newest company - Staging and Design Solutions - owned and operated by my wife - Fay Conway.
And now a message from Fay!
"I have lived in Central Florida my entire life. I have decorated empty homes from scratch for people who live out of State or even out of the country. As an interior designer, I have uniquely combined my expertise in decorating and as an ASP to provide a dynamic approach to the needs of the Seller.
Client satisfaction is always my first priority, and I understand the emotional stressors that go along with preparing your home for sale. My goal is to SHOWCASE your home's best, unique features and make it stand out from the rest of the market which will give your home the advantage over the competition. I am dedicated to providing quality services with integrity, honesty, and creativity to my clients.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so lets make it a great one! Staging will take your home from "For Sale" to "Sold" . My goal is to have Buyers want to move in - not move on!"
You can check out Fay's new website at www.FayConway.com
Right now Fay is offering $100 gift certificates for Realtors to give to their clients. Call Fay today on 407 485 4272 for all the details!
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(Copyright © 2008 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)
Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net
There will be another Amendment dealing with Property Taxes on the Florida Ballot in November - Amendment 5 seeks to remove school funding from property tax and have it replaced with an increase in State Sales Tax. 60% approval is required if the Amendment is to become law in Florida.
So what does this mean for you?
Well accoriding to the Florida Association of Realtors, quite a lot! 
1. Amendment 5 is a property tax cut for everyone. This Amendment will abolish the state's Required Local Effort (RLE) property tax levy for school boards in 2010. Depending on where the property is located, that cut equals 25‐40 percent of the total property tax bill. The RLE, also called the amount required by state law, located under the school board portion would be done away with. Those are legitimate property tax savings.
2. Schools will still be funded in Florida - and held harmless - under Amendment 5. This is simply a different and fairer way of funding our school system. Due to language in the Amendment, the Florida Legislature will be required to fund schools to the same number as next year, adjusted forward. That means schools will still receive between $10‐11 billion in funding in 2010, while property owners get a $10‐11 billion property tax cut.
3. Amendment 5 is a fairer way to fund our public school system. Compared to renters, property owners pay a disproportionate share for our schools. Also, property owners that pay for private school must also pay this tax for public schools. In addition, Amendment 5 continues to allow local school boards to levy discretionary millage.
4. The Legislature will have a number of options for funding schools in the future. Amendment 5 allows for budget cuts in other areas of the state budget; the repeal of sales tax exemptions (except for basic exemptions such as food, rent, heating fuel, medicine and health care); an increase of up to 1 cent of the statewide sales tax rate (currently 6%); or other taxes and revenues (such as the cigarette tax) at the discretion of the Legislature.
5. Raising the sales tax in Florida does not necessarily disproportionally affect the poor and needy. First, many of the items that lower‐income people buy are exempt from the sales tax, and are not eligible for repeal by the Legislature. These include unprepared food, rent, heating fuel, medicine, electricity and health care services.
6. Florida's property tax is a wealth tax. When a Floridian owns a piece of property, even when the mortgage is paid off, the government can come and seize it, or force a tax lien, on the property if taxes owed are not paid at any time. In difficult economic times, many people are cutting back on purchases, resulting in decreased sales tax revenues for the state. Switching from a wealth tax to a consumption tax (sales tax) will put many Floridians ahead by making their property more valuable (because of less taxation) and allow property owners to control more of the tax money they pay (through a sales tax).
7. In January 2008, Florida voters approved an amendment the capped assessments on nonhomestead property - commercial, vacation and second homes and agricultural land - at 10 percent. Amendment 5 would lower the cap to 5 percent. The effect of a 5 percent cap is more likely to be seen in the near future, whereas the 10 percent cap would only offer relief to people in a hyper‐real estate market. Also, the 5 percent cap is permanent - while the 10 percent cap was only for 10 years and would need to be renewed by the voters.
8. While it may seem that renters will pay more in taxes in the long run, it's possible that even they will save under Amendment 5. First, it will lower the cost of property and make them more likely to be able to afford a home of their own. But even for long‐term renters, it's likely that because of the 5 percent assessment cap offered in the Amendment, they'll see fewer rent increases due to more steady property taxes for their landlords.
9. Florida's sales tax system is compromised with over $23 billion in loopholes, and the legitimacy of these exemptions should be reviewed. Amendment 5 will require the Legislature to determine if exemptions for ostrich feed, luxury skyboxes and others are appropriate.
10. Other revenue options could include raising the tax on cigarettes (which cause a disproportionate share of Medicare and Medicaid costs to Florida) and a tax on Internet purchases (which could generate $3 billion in revenue to the state
So there you have it - we are gearing up for another property tax fight here in Florida and I have a feeling it is not going to be pretty. The Florida Association is preparing to spend another $1m in support of this amendment so plenty of advertising is to come!
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(Copyright © 2008 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)
Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net
I guess like a lot of kids, I didn't really appreciate my dad when I was a kid. He worked very hard and I basically didn't see him until I was already in bed on weeknights and Saturdays. Sunday - his only day off - he was tired and my memory tells me that I didn't get to spend much time with him.
But I know that wasn't the case. I remember when he used to come to kiss me goodnight he did something that would be regarded as very un-PC these days. He'd have his cigarette with him and he'd move it in circles in my darkened room making lots of pretty patterns.
I remember he was a comedian. He always made everyone laugh. He reminded me a lot of a guy called Eric Morecombe - probably the funniest comedian of his generation.
I remember when we went for day trips down to the southern British coast - we couldn't afford a real vacation, but those day trips were special. I remember when he took me to work with him sometimes. I remember when we went out and bought lunch and ate it together in his office. The choice was a "mini" or a "maxi" - basically a 6" or 12" sub" - on french bread. They were very special moments for me.
He taught me how to love - by loving my mum till the very moment she died. He did things that looking back, no ordinary dad would have done for her. He was devoted.
He taught me what work meant. He worked incredibly hard and never complained about it. He taught me to be self-reliant - the birthplace of my hatred for all things "welfare". And he taught me to be a great parent. Always believing in me and my abilities and making sure everyone knew how proud he was of me.
I only hope that when my kids look back they will think similar things of me that I do of my dad.
In later life he married again and it was good to see him find some new happiness before he passed. My mum would have been extremely pleased with his choice.
So there you have it. To those of you with mums and dads, cherish every moment. You never know how long you have and you won't know what you had until it's gone.
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. Have a great day.
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(Copyright © 2008 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)
Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net
Tune in to Simon on The Home Team Radio Show at am1520 WHIM. The show airs in Central Florida at 3pm Eastern and is also available worldwide at www.1520whim.com
We have a service here in Florida, supplied by the Florida Association of Realtors. It gives daily news (although often late) and sometimes business tips.
For the second time in as many days I read one which made me very uncomfortable. Today's is all about how you should end notes of congratulations to people who may have expressed an interest in using your services or who may have used them in the past.
Nothing wrong with that - IF YOU ACTUALLY CARE! You see the people who get those notes from me are my friends. They know they are genuine and that I mean every word. If you think I'm going to follow the suggestions contained in what appears below, then you are wrong.
CONGRATULATION MARKETING
Besides being a nice thing to do, writing a congratulatory note to someone after a major life event is also a subtle reminder that you're available to assist them should their new situation require different housing. Choosing the right words for a congratulations note can increase the impact of the message, according to Judith Cronin, founder of Cronin & Company, an online resource specializing in cards for businesses and business-personal relationships. Here are her suggestions:
Source: Cronin & Co. (06/10/08)
© Copyright 2008 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD
This is a public post because I think it is important that the public can say the ways in which businesses try to manipulate them. I think my favorite one has to be "Tell the person how happy, proud or impressed you are." or "If possible, mention something about the person's abilities and achievements" - Doesn't seem to matter if it's true, but make sure you tell them.
If you are looking for REAL representation in Central Florida, then look no further. Call Simon Conway right now on 407 876 8200. I answer my own phone and I won't try and convince you that I'm your best friend.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Copyright © 2008 By Simon L Conway All Rights Reserved.)
Please give me a call if you have questions about the Central Florida real estate market. You can reach me on 407 876 8200. Also visit my web site at www.simonconway.net or www.move2orlando.net
Tune in to Simon on The Simon Conway Radio Experience on am1520 WHIM. The show airs in Central Florida at 4pm Eastern and is also available worldwide at http://www.1520whim.com/
I am successful because I genuinely believe that exceptional customer service is an absolute right for people who are entrusting what is often the biggest financial outlay they will ever make - to me.
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