Monday
Extend your Home by Livin' Outside...
Summertime is a time when we get outside to swim, bike ride, play 18 holes of golf... etc, but it's also about living outside...LITERALLY! Extending your decor onto your patio and yard will not only extend the space of your home, but will also give you a second dining, living, and even office area. So many times you will hear designers say bring the outside in and make your home smell and look like a summer breeze, but I like to do the opposite & bring the inside... out! Working on the laptop poolside, taking a nap in the hammock, grilling a fun summer recipe, and setting the table on the patio (paper plates of course!) not only is fun, but an easy clean up too! Here are a few pics and ideas that have inspired me...
For more inspirations check out my backyard bliss board on pinterest...
Thursday
Beautiful Chloe got her angel wings...
Wednesday
SunRail Update..!
Bring your appetite!
Monday
Market Statistics - Orlando Regional Realtor Association
Central Florida Real Estate News!
The average interest rate paid in Central Florida for June 2012 was 3.80%. The inventory is low and the competition is driving up the prices for a consecutive fifth month in a row! Homeowners are seeing multiple offers and 43% of the properties are selling at or above the asking price. Home sales are up 15% from January, 46% are sales, 28% are short sales, and 25% are foreclosures. The 2007 Debt Forgiveness Act expires at the end of the year, homeowners who want to sell their homes in Central Florida via a short sale and avoid tax consequences need to do so now, we specialize in short sales and have an in house Attorney that will provide you with legal assistance every step of the way!
Market Statistics - Orlando Regional Realtor Association
Children and Moving
When a family move becomes inevitable, it is important to involve your children in the process. Since moving can cause some concerns for children, like going to a new school, leaving friends, and unfamiliarity about the new neighborhood, things will go a lot easier if your children support your efforts to get your current home sold. It is important that children keep their toys and clothes put away, and teenagers understand about keeping their room in "showing" condition. Also, showing a family home is much more successful for the realtor if the family is away, therefore, the children will look forward to more family outings. Make an effort to include everyone in the discussions about the move and your children on house hunting trips. Taking a moment to listen to their opinions, concerns, and desires will help them to feel important and a part of the moving process. Get them excited about their new room and take this opportunity to incorporate some changes according to their age, new style, and latest trends.
New House, New School? Try This...
1. If possible, give your child three months' notice before an upcoming move, so that they have time to get used to the idea.
2. Explain the reasons for the relocation.
3. Familiarize your child with their new neighborhood ahead of time.
4. Emphasize the positive aspects of the move.
5. Contact the school your child will be attending and arrange a time to visit and tour the school before hand to get them confident about attending a new environment with new friends.
Contact a realtor who is comfortable with children and will be sensitive to their needs and concerns.
Tuesday
Before you jump into buying a condo, there's 10 questions you should know the answer to:
1. How much are the monthly condo fees and what does it go towards?
2. What are the specific rules of the condominium?
3. How much is in capital reserves and how much gets funded every year?
4. Any contemplated or pending special assessments?
5. How is the association managed: professionally or self?
6. Is there any legal stuff happening that the condominium is part of?
7. How many of the units are lived in by their actual owners?
8. What's the condominium fee delinquency rate?
9. Do you actually own certain common areas such as porches, decks, storage spaces and parking spaces, or are they use rights?
10. The master insurance policy, what does it cover?
Did you know that as a buyer…
You pay nothing for a REALTOR's ® services! REALTOR’s ® help recommend neighborhoods that would best suit your needs, provide you with comparable properties that have sold over the past three to six months, and help narrow your search criteria to save you time! As soon as new listings enter the market, we will notify you, so that you can get a jump on the buying competition! Also, when you find a property that you like, we will negotiate the best price for you, offer you professional assistance, and recommend reputable home inspectors and mortgage lenders as well.
Getting your financing in order has to be done before you start searching for your home. The seller wants to see your full pre-approval letter within the past 30 days upon putting in your offer. Due to our distressed economy even cash buyers have to present deposits in the amount of 10% of the loan!
Search and buy within your means and never under estimate your time horizon. The housing crisis has taught us that anything can happen and it’s better to buy without any expectation that the prices will continuously go up or that the housing market will be a good source of short term investment. So plan accordingly and choose an area that will fit your lifestyle for a longer period of time, as well as your budget.
Don't get too sucked in by appearances and waive inspections. Buyers should keep in mind that many sellers will try to present their homes in the best possible light. If the house has been staged don’t forget that all that stuff is going when the sellers leaves. However, if the inspector does find some minor issues remember it may be worth it to fix it yourself and save some money on the purchase price. Look on the bright side this also allows you to incorporate some of your own style into your new home!
Have questions prepared for the sellers and the agents. Be prepared to ask questions about how old the roof is, the cooling and heating system, the hot water heater, and how old the windows are. Ask what the cost of the utilities and the homeowner’s insurance generally is. If there's been recent renovation work then the buyers should find out about the building permits and if all of the contractors and sub-contractors have been paid in full. If there's a pool, buyers should ask if the seller has a permit from the city.
If you're buying a condo, know the rules and read your disclosures! Getting financed for a Condo has become more difficult. Lenders generally want the units to be at least 50 percent owner-occupied. The common features are a huge bonus, you get swimming pools, tennis courts, and recreational centers, but the disadvantages are the restrictions, the attached neighbors, and the monthly maintenance fees.
Use our experience and knowledge to make your home search easier. We've been through this many times before, so we completely understand how stressful it can be to buy a home. We'll be there to take care of the details, offer advice, and recommend other professionals in the industry. Remember this is an important decision and it is our job as REALTOR’s ® to educate you and offer our assistance to make this a pleasurable experience!
Saturday
The biannual rankings are in!
Looking to move to Lake Mary, FL? Great News...!! The biannual rankings are in and CNN/Money Magazine continues to rank Lake Mary as the #1 small town in Florida in which to live. Why? Despite many challenges related to the economy to include a declining real estate market, Lake Mary has never lost its focus of promoting a sense of community where people can live, work and play in a safe and friendly environment...that's part of the reason Lake Mary is still one of the fastest growing areas in Central Florida. Located approximately 18 miles north of Orlando just off Interstate 4, the City continues to be a choice location for high tech businesses, many of which spend considerable time and money searching for the right place. Among other things Lake Mary is known for its well planned residential communities, excellent schools, prominent businesses including outstanding restaurants, and a variety of shopping opportunities.
The crime rate in Lake Mary is one of the lowest in Florida thanks to our pro-active, community based Police Department. On the fire side, we have a skilled Fire Department ready to deal with any emergency including rapid response and rescue. Our Parks and Recreation facilities are not only beautifully maintained, but offer something for everyone. The bottom line is that Lake Mary has all the conveniences of Orlando without the traffic!
Thursday
The Orlando market was hit hard when the bubble collapsed. Builders overbuilt, investors over speculated, foreclosures were rampant - nothing really new there. The start of 2012 has been good to Orlando, though - with prices up nearly 13% over last year - and that trend should continue.
The real beauty of the Orlando real estate market, is that thanks to Walt Disney World - and all the various other theme parks - the area is the #1 tourist destination in the United States. For investors, that means - assuming you buy a property in a decent location - there are two potential tenant streams (vacationers and long term renters). Here are some more market facts for Orlando:
Inventory is down 31% according to the Orlando Association of Realtors
Prices are up nearly 13% according to the Orlando Association of Realtors
over 51 million tourists visited Orlando in 2010, up 10.5% from 2009
The Orlando real estate market has a lot to offer investors, and the market should have a great year as the economy continues to rebound.
The real estate market is turning the corner - especially in Florida - and it's time for investors to get back on the bus. I know it is scary to think about investing in markets like Florida which fell so far only a few years back. Just remember, the only reason these incredible opportunities exist today is because the market severely over-corrected. Investing at the pre-collapse pricing down in these Florida real estate markets didn't make sense - today it does.
Saturday
Kris-Julian Realtor Realty Executives Lake Mary, FL property search
Kris-Julian Realtor Realty Executives Lake Mary, FL property search
Check out what's behind all the gated communities in the Beautiful Lake Mary, Florida!
Check out what's behind all the gated communities in the Beautiful Lake Mary, Florida!
Thursday
Kids Wish Network: More than just granting wishes!
Kids Wish Network: More than just granting wishes!: Please help me spread the word about this great children's charity!
Wednesday
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