Get your Lent on by taking the St. James Lenten Challenge!

We know that sometimes life and circumstance may make a challenge difficult or impossible to complete. That is why we will have each week’s challenges posted or emailed to you. If you can not do a particular days challenge just swap it out with another one from the week.
Copyright © 2015 St. James Catholic Cathedral - Orlando, FL


Week 1: February 18th – 21st:
Feb 18: Observing the rules of fasting and abstinence are already a challenge for some us. Today, take 5 minutes to pray that the Lord will help reveal His kindness through you during this year’s Lenten challenge.

Feb 19: “The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have” – Vince Lombardi
Make a donation, say a prayer or learn more about a charity you have never supported before.

Feb 20: Smile and say “Hello” to everyone you meet today (no exceptions).

Feb 21: “Where I live if someone gives you a hug it’s from the heart” – Steve Irwin
Hug someone you love randomly and for no reason.

Week 2: February 22nd – 28th:
Feb 22: Turn off all electronics and spend time with family or friends
Feb 23: Praise someone for their hard work

Feb 24: “I always prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so much trouble.” – Rudyard Kipling
Refrain from Gossip for the entire day

Feb 25: Pray for the victims of human trafficking

Feb 26: Bring a treat to your co-workers or friends at school

Feb 27: “Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not” – Samuel Johnson
Think of someone you do not like and say a prayer for them

Feb 28: Clean out a drawer (or four) and donate things you have not used in more than a year to charity

Get your Lent on with a fun challenge! Check it out Stjamesorlando.org Simply be kind, say hello, or offer a hug! God Bless...❤️

Move Inc. ready to take on Zillow-Trulia

The real estate portal space is heating up with Zillow and Trulia finalizing their merger Tuesday. The number of major competitors serving this market has been reduced to two big titans: Move Inc., which operates realtor.com, and Zillow-Trulia.

Following the Zillow-Trulia announcement, Move released a statement saying, "2015 will mark Zillow's year of the merge and realtor.com's year of the surge."

"My expectation is that the two of us will wage a spirited battle for the hearts and minds of consumers and the industry, and we will push each other to be better performers – more focused on the customer, quicker to innovate, more committed to adding value at every stage of the real estate cycle. In this way, everyone wins," said Move CEO Ryan O'Hara in an e-mail yesterday to Move employees.

Zillow finalized its acquisition of Trulia Inc. for $2.5 billion in a stock-for-stock transaction Tuesday. The acquisition forms Zillow Group Inc., which also houses New York-based StreetEasy and rental search brand HotPads.

However, the newly merged company faces increased competition now that realtor.com's operator has the force of News Corp behind it. This past November, the global media company, which operates real estate portals internationally and owns titles such as The Wall Street Journal and Barron's, completed its acquisition of Move Inc., effectively tying its name to the Realtor® brand.

"There is no digital replacement for the human touch," said Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman of News Corp, during the Real Estate Connect conference in New York in January. "No technology can meet all of someone's needs. It takes a real person. … We want the shortest distance between the American Dream and a family's reality to be realtor.com."

The acquisition has already proved a boon to Move's traffic. Entering 2015, Move Inc.'s web and mobile traffic jumped more than 30 percent. In January, Move reported an all-time high of 37 million unique visitors to realtor.com.

"Move/realtor.com is extremely well positioned to compete and thrive in this environment of industry consolidation and data-driven customers," O'Hara said in his e-mail to employees. "Competing in business typically involves trying to be better, cheaper, faster or different than your competition.

"How will we compete? By continuing to build the best web and mobile experiences for consumers, and the best and most valuable tools for brokers and agents, and by providing the market with the most comprehensive, most accurate, and most up-to-date listings in the U.S. I can also promise you we will quicken the pace of product innovation and apply more marketing muscle to our consumer and industry outreach."

Source: Realtor® Magazine Daily News

I am honored to be your digital replacement, a "real person" that cares!
Your friend & Realtor®,
Kris

Kris Julian | Realty Executives Seminole | 3899 W. Lake Mary Blvd. Suite 123 | Lake Mary, FL 32746 | 407-421-6187 | http://www.kris-julian.com |

Average U.S. rate on 30-year mortgage rises to 3.69%

Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose this week yet remained near historically low levels. Mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday the nationwide average for a 30-year mortgage jumped to 3.69 percent from 3.59 percent last week. The average rate is still at its lowest level since May 2013.

The rate for the 15-year loan, a popular choice for people who are refinancing, increased to 2.99 percent from 2.92 percent last week.

A year ago, the average 30-year mortgage stood at 4.28 percent and the 15-year mortgage at 3.33 percent. Mortgage rates have remained low even though the Federal Reserve in October ended its monthly bond purchases, which were meant to hold down long-term rates.

Government data released last Friday showed a resurgent job market in January, signaling that the economy is finally regaining the kind of strength typical of a robust recovery. U.S. employers added 257,000 jobs last month, after 329,000 in December and a sizzling 423,000 jobs in November, the Labor Department reported. The November and December gains were much higher than the government had first estimated.

The job gains could boost the housing market, which has been recovering in the past few years from the recession but has struggled to maintain momentum.

To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country at the beginning of each week. The average doesn't include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.

The average fee for a 30-year mortgage was 0.6 point, down from 0.7 point last week. The fee for a 15-year mortgage was unchanged at 0.6 point.

The average rate on a five-year adjustable-rate mortgage jumped to 2.97 percent from 2.82 percent. The fee rose to 0.5 point from 0.4 point.

For a one-year ARM, the average rate increased to 2.42 percent from 2.39 percent. The fee remained at 0.4 point.

 Copyright © 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The best seasons to sell a home!

Spring is traditionally considered the best season to list a home, but it doesn't inch out the other seasons by much, according to a new analysis by the real estate brokerage Redfin.

Redfin's research team analyzed 7 million homes listed from 2010 through 2014 to gauge how important the season is in listing a home. It examined how many of the homes went under contract within 30 days and how often they sold for more than their list price.

Here's how the seasons stacked up:

• 39% of the homes listed in the spring (between March 21 and June 20) in the past five years went under contract within 30 days, and 15 percent sold for more than the list price.
• 38% of homes listed in the winter (Dec. 21 – March 20) sold within 30 days and 14 percent sold for more than the list price.
• 36% of homes listed in the summer (June 21 – Sept. 20) were under contract within 30 days and 12 percent sold above the list price.
• 34% of homes listed in the fall (Sept. 21 – Dec. 20) went under contract within 30 days and 11 percent sold at a premium.

Over the past five years prices have increased by an average of 3% month over month in the spring and ticked down by about 1% each month during the fall. To get the best of both worlds, sellers need be informed on both local buyer demand and recent sale prices in their neighborhoods before deciding when to list their homes and for what price. There doesn't appear to be a huge advantage or disadvantage to listing in any season, since the variance in prices is only by a few percentage points.

Source: "Should I Wait Until Spring to List My Home? Not Necessarily," Redfin Research Center (Feb. 5, 2015)

© Copyright 2015 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688

Selling your home? Call your REALTOR®

1. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.
2. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
3. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Your REALTOR®markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.
4. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The National Association of REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
5. Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.
6. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

I am honored to be your Realtor®,
Kris!

Realty Executives Seminole | 3899 W. Lake Mary Blvd. Suite 123 | Lake Mary, FL 32746 |
407-421-6187 | http://www.kris-julian.com

Dedicated Central Florida Realtor®

2014 Orlando housing market ends with price up, sales steady - Orlando Regional Realtor Association

2014 Orlando housing market ends with price up, sales steady - Orlando Regional Realtor Association

The return of the 3% downpayment

A growing number of lenders are reducing downpayment requirements so that borrowers can contribute 3% or less of a home's purchase price and still qualify for financing. In addition, some lenders have waived mortgage-related fees, and others are allowing downpayments from outside sources, such as the buyer's family. Most lenders target the new deals at buyers with stellar credit scores and steady income who have not been able to save enough for a substantial downpayment. Some types of low-downpayment mortgages have been around for a long while. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insures home loans with down payments as low as 3.5%, and it's lowering the annual mortgage-insurance premiums charged on new mortgages starting today. The lower-downpayment trend accelerated after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently lowered the minimum down payments they will accept from 3-5%, driven by a White House campaign to make homeownership more affordable to a wider group of Americans.

Source: MarketWatch (01/26/15) Andriotis, AnnaMaria © Copyright 2015 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688 

Please reach out for more info and assistance, I'm always happy to help. Thank you & have a beautiful day! Kris

Kris Julian | Realty Executives Seminole | 3899 W. Lake Mary Blvd. Suite 123 | Lake Mary, FL 32746 | 407-421-6187 | http://www.kris-julian.com | 

"I am honored to be your Real Estate Professional and appreciate your confidence in me to always help you and your family!"

Dedicated Central Florida Realtor® 

Lower gas prices = Lower mortgage rates

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that the price of regular gasoline was $2.13 per gallon – its lowest point since a peak of $4 per gallon in May 2011. EIA estimates that the savings could amount to $550 per household in 2015. The drastic drop in oil prices could put downward pressure on mortgage rates. 

"Lower oil prices mean a lower inflation rate, which pushes down mortgage rates," economists note at the National Association of Realtors®' (NAR) Economists' Outlook blog. Indeed, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.66 percent last week – the lowest average in 20 months – according to Freddie Mac's weekly mortgage market survey. Taking into account the median home price of $205,300, a 0.75 percentage point drop in mortgage rates could yield a savings of about $1,000 annually, according to NAR researchers.

Source: "Recent Oil Trends and What They Mean for the Housing Recovery," National Association of REALTORS® Economists' Outlook Blog (Jan. 12, 2015)

© Copyright 2015 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688

FHA cut takes affect Jan. 26!

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on Friday spelled out details of its plan to lower mortgage insurance premiums, a day after President Barack Obama unveiled the effort to jump-start first-time home purchases.

For 30-year mortgages with less than a 5 percent downpayment, the mandatory annual mortgage insurance rate of 1.35 percent of the loan balance will be cut to 0.85 percent. For FHA-insured loans with more than a 5 percent downpayment, the previous 1.30 percent rate will be reduced to 0.80 percent.

But the reduced rates will not apply to borrowers with 15-year mortgages, according to a letter issued to mortgage lenders by the federal government. The insurance rates on that loan product, which range from 0.45 percent to 0.95 percent of the loan balance, remain the same.

The lower insurance rates on 30-year mortgages will take effect Jan. 26. The agency said it will temporarily allow FHA purchase loan and refinancing applications now in process and that have a case number but have not closed to be canceled. Then, borrowers can restart the process and get new case numbers assigned on or after Jan. 26.

Borrowers are encouraged to contact their lenders and explore their options!

Copyright © 2015 the Chicago Tribune, Mary Ellen Podmolik. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Real Estate Bills Mailed out to Florida Property Owners

The Tax Collector's Offices in Florida have recently mailed out the 2014 Real Estate Tax Bills to property owners. The bill is due for payment by 03/31/15 with discounts available for early payment. If owners have not received their bill they may download and pay their bill online by visiting the appropriate Tax Collector's website. Property tax is a locally assessed tax which is payable annually regardless of whether the property is rented or personally used. The tax is used to support local government services including education, roads, emergency services etc. 

Unpaid Real Estate Taxes become delinquent 04/01 of the year following the year of assessment. At this time, interest of 3% and an advertising charge is added to the tax amount due. If the taxes remain unpaid on or before 06/01 a tax certificate, or lien against the property, will be sold for the amount of the unpaid taxes, interest and costs. After two years, the tax certificate holder is eligible to file for a Tax Deed Application, which could result in the loss of the title to the property. 

If you have any questions contact your local Tax Collector's Office:
http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/property/taxcollectors.html

Freddie Mac's 2015 Forecast:

Mortgage rates: Interest rates will likely be on the rise next year. In recent weeks, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has dipped below 4 percent. But by next year, Freddie projects mortgage rates to average 4.6 percent and inch up to 5 percent by the end of the year.

Home prices: By the time 2014 wraps up, home appreciation will likely have slowed to 4.5 percent this year from 9.3 percent last year. Appreciation is expected to drop further to an average 3 percent in 2015. "Continued house-price appreciation and rising mortgage rates will dampen affordability for home buyers," according to Freddie economists. "Historically speaking, that's moving from 'very high' levels of affordability to 'high' levels of affordability."

Housing starts: Homebuilding is expected to ramp up in 2015, projected to rise by 20 percent from this year. That will likely help total home sales to climb by about 5 percent, reaching the best sales pace in eight years.

Single-family originations: Mortgage originations of single-family homes will likely slip by an additional 8 percent, which can be attributed to a steep drop in refinancing volume. Refinancings are expected to make up only 23 percent of originations in 2015; they had been making up more than half in recent years.

Multi-family mortgage originations: Mortgage originations for the multi-family sector have surged about 60 percent between 2011 and 2014. Increases are expected to continue in 2015, projected to rise about 14 percent.

Source: Freddie Mac

Tips to "Sell" your home!

As your REALTOR® I know that a "well-polished" house appeals to more buyers and will sell faster! Here are a few key things to consider:

 

Expense- simply "Value for Value"

Exterior and Curb appeal- Leaves "First impressions" and "Last Impressions"

Preparing the Interior- "Clean & De-clutter"

In preparing your home for the market, spend as little money as possible. Buyers will be impressed by a brand new roof, but they aren't likely to give you enough extra money to pay for it. Making minor and inexpensive "polishes" and "touch-ups" to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets, a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, or adding some fresh flowers can eliminate a lengthy listing. As your REALTOR®, who is familiar with buyers' expectations in your neighborhood, I can advise you specifically on what improvements need to be made. I know it is difficult to keeping a home ready to show as well as to accommodate daily showings, so I will guide you through a "Quick Sale"!

 

Tips to enhance your home’s exterior and curb appeal:

-Keep the lawn edged, cut, and most importantly watered regularly.

-Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees.

-Check the foundation and seal & paint any cracks. 

-Clean and align gutters.

-Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.

-Repair and repaint loose siding.

-Keep your garage door closed, but tidy because buyers will take a peak!

-Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door.

-Add a pot of fresh annuals near your front entrance as well as a fresh welcome mat!

Tips to enhance your home’s interior appeal:

-The most important thing is to do a thorough cleaning and remove clutter. Keep your home smelling fresh, vacuumed, & mopped, as well as counters and mirrors wiped down. Hiring a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere. (Dirty dishes, laundry, or trash exposed during any showings is a BIG turnoff)

-Remove clutter from the kitchen counters, drawers, & all of your closets. (Be aware buyers will open and look everywhere.)

-Since you're anticipating a move anyhow, holding a garage sale or packing up a few personal items at this point is a great idea. Buyers want to see themselves living there, so keep the home as spacious as possible! 

-Repair any cracks, holes, or damage to the walls & repaint them with a neutral shade of paint and the same neutral scheme can be applied to carpets if necessary. 

-Always repair issues with the A/C, plumbing, appliances, pool pumps, etc... for better resale value. Buyers do not want to start off with problems or repairs. 

-Freshen up the bathrooms by removing personal items to a zipped bag under the sink, repair dripping faucets or shower heads, & keep it clean from mildew or soap scum. 

-The most important room in the home is the kitchen so spruce it up... This is always where everyone will come together to discuss the homes appeal so keep it "sparkling"!

 

Lastly.... Always if possible make it a pleasant showing for every viewing by adding a candle, lighting, and soft music. This will make every buyer feel invited and right at HOME...!

"I will guide you every step of the way and assist you in making this a quick and easy sale, by taking excellent pictures, giving you exposed advertising, and bringing buyers in right away. So let's begin... by making your home Charming & Get it SOLD"!

 

Your committed and trusted REALTOR®,

 

Kris Julian, Realtor® | Realty Executives Seminole | 3899 W. Lake Mary Blvd. Suite 123 | Lake Mary, FL 32746 | 407-421-6187 | http://www.listinglakemary.com

   

This Gorgeous 4 Bedroom, 2 1/2 Bath, Office, Loft, Pool Home is located in the Beautiful Lake Mary! This MUST SEE home has New A/C, New Paint (inside & out), New Carpet, New Wood Flooring, & More!! An Open Floor Plan that is Move In Ready & Great for Entertaining... Kitchen/Great Room Combo right off the Patio! Pool complete with a Salt System, New Pebble Tech, and Sweeper! Split plan with the Master Suite down stairs with a huge walk in closet and garden tub. Upstairs has Three Bedrooms, Bathroom, Office, & Bonus Loft perfect for Kids Game room! Large separate inside laundry (not in garage entry), guest bathroom downstairs, with a Formal living and Dining room area. Pre-wired with Vivint Security system, water softener, ceiling fans, stainless steel appliances, 42" cabinets, window treatments, mature landscape, & fenced yard! Great location in Lake Mary with 417, I-4, shopping, restaurants, Sun Rail, and zoned for A+ schools!
Priced to SELL....$250,000.00 A MUST SEE!

It is always my pleasure to assist you, Kris!

Kris Julian, Realtor® | Realty Executives Seminole | 3899 W. Lake Mary Blvd. Suite 123 | Lake Mary, FL 32746 | 407-421-6187 | http://www.kris-julian.com

Starting tomorrow, "No sales tax" on Hurricane supplies, so stock up!

Prepare for the beginning of another Atlantic hurricane season.... Florida's retailers are gearing up for the sales tax holiday on hurricane preparedness items that begins May 31 and ends June 8.

The Florida Retail Federation encourages residents to visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management for resources to help prepare for hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. 

In 2004, a catastrophic series of four hurricanes caused losses of more than $25 billion in Florida, and in 2005 another series of hurricanes caused nearly $11 billion in losses, according to estimates from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. 

The 2014 holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 8.

Items included in the Sales Tax Holiday:

Portable self-powered light sources selling for $20 or less

Portable self-powered radio, two-way radio or weather band radio selling for $50 or less

Tarps or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $50 or less

Self-contained first-aid kits selling for $30 or less

Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits selling for $50 or less

Gas or diesel fuel tanks selling for $25 or less

Battery packages: AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, selling for $30 or less

Nonelectric food storage coolers selling for $30 or less

Portable generators used to preserve food or provide light or communications selling for $750 or less

Reusable ice selling for $10 or less

Top 10 hurricane mistakes Homeowners most often fail to do according to the National Hurricane Survival Initiative.

Understand the threat

Evacuate

Leave in time

Protect the home

Organize important papers

Inventory valuables

Ensure adequate insurance

Make provisions

Know safety protocols

Provide for Fido and Fluffy

© 2014 Florida Realtors®

It only takes one to make landfall, so please get prepared! 

Thanks! Have a beautiful day, Kris 

Kris Julian, Realtor® | Realty Executives Seminole | 3899 W. Lake Mary Blvd. Suite 123 | Lake Mary, FL 32746 | 407-421-6187 |http://www.kris-julian.com 

"I appreciate you trusting me to not only finding the perfect home for you, but extending that trust to care for all of your friends and family as well!"  

New Listing!

Immaculate 3 bedroom, 2 bath w/ Den with tons of Upgrades!! This "Beautiful" open floor plan home features custom "Tigerwood" flooring, built in entertainment center with a 52" TV, blinds, upgraded lighting, ceiling fans, ceramic tile, custom mirrors in entry and bath, & more! A beautiful "White" kitchen complete with "Gorgeous" granite counter-tops, "Whirlpool" appliances, "Brand New" disposal, closet pantry, & breakfast bar. Master suite has an "Open" walk-in shower, separate garden tub, walk in closet, & ceramic tile. Extended covered and screened lanai with a "Hot Springs" Hot/Tub Spa that is "Negotiable"! Looking over a Beautiful landscaped yard & Fountain view surrounded by a privacy fence. This Gorgeous home is located in a quaint "Gated" community! Great location with access to I-4, 417, restaurants, shopping, A+ schools, and more! Traditional sale and truly a MUST SEE!!

It is always my pleasure to assist you, Kris!

Kris Julian, Realtor® | Realty Executives Seminole | 3899 W. Lake Mary Blvd. Suite 123 | Lake Mary, FL 32746 | 407-421-6187 | http://www.kris-julian.com

Bankrate.com offers some great tips to homebuyers!

• Be prepared to document your finances. Buyers should be ready for a stringent review by lenders underwriting mortgages thanks to new mortgage regulations that took effect in January, particularly in proving borrowers’ ability to repay their loans. To prepare for the inevitable, borrowers should be prepared to show bank statements, tax returns, W-2s, investment accounts and documentation of any other assets they own. Also, they should be prepared to explain any large deposits to their accounts – even a $500 check from a family member during the holidays. If they can’t prove where the money came from, it has the potential to delay closing.

• Lock in a rate soon. Mortgage rates are expected to rise in 2014 as the Federal Reserve winds down its $85 billion per month bond-buying stimulus program. A rate lock is usually good for 30, 45 or 60 days, although the time period can vary among lenders.

• Shop around. Buyers may have the upper hand in 2014. Lenders have lost a large amount of their refinance business this year as rising rates encourage fewer homeowners to refinance. That means they are turning their attention to homebuyers and may be more willing to compete for their business. Homebuyers will want to shop around for more than just the best interest rate on the loan, however – look at points and closing costs as well.

• Pay careful attention to credit. The best mortgage rates often go to borrowers with credit scores of 720 or higher, Bankrate reports. While those with a credit score of 680 can still probably qualify for a loan, they may end up paying higher rates or higher closing costs.

• Watch your spending. Make sure your buyers aren’t tempted to go outfit their new home by buying furniture – on credit – before closing. Lenders carefully scrutinize debt obligations, such as credit cards and student loans. Borrowers are advised to keep their monthly debt obligations, including mortgage and property taxes, to below 43 percent of their income.

Source: “10 Mortgage Tips for 2014,” Bankrate.com (February 2014)

© Copyright 2014 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688

Spring Forward!

It's that time of year again where we Spring Forward...! Time to enjoy some extra daylight after work by getting outside for a bike ride, walking in the park, grilling, swimming, or taking care of some much needed landscaping... Obviously, my favorite time of year because I could go on and on...!! 

Remember, it is also time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. The best advice is to have a smoke alarm outside of each sleeping area. Purchase long-life smoke alarms with lithium-powered batteries or change regular batteries twice a year and smoke alarms should be changed every 10 years. 

Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m. clocks will “spring forward” one hour. Sunrise is at 7:42am and Sunset is at 7:30pm so enjoy the day... 

The Countdown begins for Spring in 12 days on March 20, 2014! A great time to sell or buy a home. If you have any questions or are looking for some advice I'm always here for ya! 

Kris julian

407-421-6187

Krisjulian@att.net

Boomerang Buyers making Moves to return to Home Ownership

Now that the worst of the foreclosure crisis is in the rearview mirror, former home owners who lost their homes to a short sale or foreclosure are re-entering the housing market.
They've spent the last few years rebuilding their credit — and they're ready to buy again.

"We're about three years past the peak of the foreclosures, and that's about the time when most people would qualify for another loan," says Daren Blomquist, spokesman for RealtyTrac. "The market really needs boomerang buyers to maintain the current recovery."

Some boomerang buyers heading back to the housing market may find they have to make down payments of at least 20 percent to qualify for a loan, but others are finding opportunities to put down as little as 3.5 percent or 5 percent.

The wait times for qualifying for a loan can vary depending on the former home owners' circumstances. Typically, the wait times following a short sale or foreclosure are as follows:
• Seven-year wait for home owners with a previous foreclosure before they can qualify for a new mortgage through mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. If the foreclosure was included in a bankruptcy, the borrower has to wait only four years.
• Two-year wait for home owners who underwent a short sale before they're eligible for another Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loan.
• Three-year wait for home owners seeking a Federal Housing Administration loan after a foreclosure or short sale. Some home owners who underwent a foreclosure because of at least a 20 percent cut in their pay may be able to qualify for a new mortgage after just a year through FHA's Back to Work program.


Mel Eidlen
Central Florida Title, LLC
142 W Lakeview Ave,
Suite 2020
Lake Mary, FL 32746
(407)330-7878 office
(407)330-7868 fax
(407)416-7009 cell
mel@centralfloridatitle.com
www.CentralFloridaTitle.com

An article from the "Sanford Herold"!

Seminole High School Baseball making a Difference

SANFORD — The Seminole High School Baseball team has been hard at work giving back to the community and making a difference in society. In the last year the program has given over 300 hours of service to the local community. Just last week, the team had participated in the 6th annual Chili Cook-Off at Alive after 5 to help raise money for the Chris Elliott Fund as part of an awareness effort and a way to make a difference in brain cancer. The event helped raised $4,700 and the pot of chili the Fighting Seminoles entered in the cook-off and placed 3rd. "This is a very special group of young men," stated Seminole Head Coach Justin Frost. “After winning a gift card the team decided to give it back so it can be auctioned off to help raise more money for the event. Lessons like this are far more important than the game of baseball. This is more about the game of life and our goal is to help mold these student athletes into becoming good young men.” Every varsity home game this season will be an "appreciation night" honoring the local community groups that really go above and beyond to make a difference in our community every day.


* Monday, February 3 _ Seminole High School Faculty & Staff Night.

* Friday, February 7 _ Seminole County Sheriff Department Night.

* Wednesday, February 12 _ Sanford Airport Fire Rescue and Police Night.

* Friday, February 14 _ City of Sanford Fire Department Night.

* Tuesday, February 18 _ Seminole County Night.

* Tuesday, February 25 _ City of Sanford Night.

* Tuesday, March 4 _ United States Armed Forces Night.

* Monday, March 24 _ Seminole County Fire Department Night.

* Friday, March 28 _ City of Sanford Police Department Night.

All varsity games start at 7 p.m.

Come out and support the community and the Fighting Seminoles.

Read more: Sanford Herald - Seminole High School baseball making a difference

Looking for a Rental by UCF!

4 Bedroom, 2 & 1/2 Bath, Pool, Tiki Bar, and more...!

Call me for details today!
Kris Julian
407-421-6187
krisjulian@att.net