The Lake Mary / Heathrow Florida Real Estate Blog

When we think of rain gutters do we generally feel we need them to suit a purpose or are they simply decorative to make the home look nice? Many of my clients ask me this very same question daily in the real estate business. The answer is : the purpose of a gutter and downspout system is to channel rainwater landing on the roof away from the foundation. If a house is surrounded by concrete patios, sidewalks or driveways sloping away from the foundation, a gutter system really isn’t necessary. If there is no hardscape surrounding the house to channel water away from the foundation then you may want to consider having them on your home.

Gutters may alwo be used for use for catching the water coming off a roof over a doorway and channel it so that rain falling on the roof doesn’t fall on your head as you enter or leave the house on those rainy days.

To enhance your homes beauty, gutters can provide some architectural interest to the eaves.

How much rain your region receives or the area around the foundation of the home would be a factor to determine if you need rain gutters or not. Otherwise, you can use them for cosmetic purposes to make the home look pleasing to the eye.

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The outlook for surging mortgage delinqunecies worsens in a market which has taken several crushing blows.

As the housing markets have deteriorated over the summer and a liquidity squeeze challenged credit markets, deleinquencies and defaults have jumped.  A forecast predicts that these numbers will climb even higher over the next six months.

In addition about $50 billion in adjustable rate mortgages are scheduled to reset this month, which will drive up interest rates fro many credit challenged borrowers. And despite efforts to increase awareness, it sure dosen’t appear like anyone is really prepared for what’s to come.

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Seminole County has two major construction projects planned for the next two years. One is the installation of new water lines from 46A to 46. The next project is is the widening of Orange Blvd, installation of the left turn lane northbound at Markham Road, installation of new 6 foot wide sidewalk on west side of Orange Boulevard. These projects are expected to happen in 2007 and 2008.

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If you happen to stroll down Lake Mary Blvd. you would have seen the breathtaking views of green pastures and statue like horses grazing in the wide open spaces. This is the tract of land also know as L & L Acres.

A developer, local to the area James Dicks, is requesting rezoning of the property which is located south of lake Mary Blvd and west of Panera Bread, to build 130 single family homes. The application goes to the board of County Commissioners on July 24th for approval. The entrance to the new development will be at the current first median break west of Heathrow Boulevard.

Enjoy the views while you can, because this beautiful tract of land will soon be filled with homes if approved by the County Commissioners.

Written by Karen Arbutine Re/Max Central

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The rezoning of attendance areas for Heathrow and Lake Mary Elementary School was approved by the School Board in March of 2007. the plan rezones all the areas east of 1-4 currently attending Heathrow Elementary to Lake Mary Elementary. The move will entail moving 284 students out of 1108 students. All students in heathrow are zoned to continue to attend Heathrow Elementary school, Markham Woods Middle School and Seminole High School. The new school zones will begin in 2008-2009.

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As a business person in my sales and management career in the past years I have always found my secret to success quite simple. It is a basic philosophy I have used in business through out the years which is quite simple. I put my clients best interests first! I treat my clients and give them advice as I would with a family member. Honesty, integrity and sincerity is how I treat all of my valued clients. When I take this approach everything else falls into place as it should.

A few associates in my business question my approach by saying ” You have to look out for yourself”. I disagree strongly and attribute taking care of my clients first to be my true passion in the real estate field. Simple gestures such as helping clients make their mortgage payments, lending them money for home repairs, giving them closing gifts, making myself available for their calls and returning them quickly are just a few examples where I manage to help my clients.

In a nutshell ” Always Do The Right Thing When Nobody Is Watching”. If you practice this business will continue to thrive under any circumstances.

Published by Karen Arbutine with Re/Max Central Realty

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The bubble in central Florida turned and as turning out to be just a balloon that is having the air let out of it slowly… there was not a burst bubble, but an easing of prices in most parts of the area…. the inventory of homes on the market has changed from about 5,000  a couple of years  ago to over 26,000 now…… buyers are more picky and do not feel so rushed about finding a home they will love to live in for the next 5-9 years.   In order for homes to sell they must be in move in condition and priced slightly below market value.

Where homes had multiple offers within a couple of day before, now they are sitting for more than  6 months  before they are

 Inventory is definately up substantially and homes, especially the high end are staying on the market for a long time.  Prices so far remain steady.  What has happened is that sellers have unrealistic expectations on what their home is worth.  We have been able to get people into homes by being creative.  For example, having the seller “buy down” the interest rate for the buyer.  A great product for this is the two-one buydown mortgage.  You effectively buy down the first year by 2% and the second year by 1%.  Cost the seller 2 1/2 points.  Bottom line is that those agents who work with creative loan officers are finding a way to make the deal work in the current environment.

Karen Arbutine

Re/Max Central Realty

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