Dec 11 2008
I would like to extend a warm thank you to all of my clients and friends that attended the 2008 Client Cocktail Party. It was a blast! Thanks again for helping to make this a successful year. I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday and a very happy new year!
Dec 09 2008
Despite a questionable economy Karen Arbutine broke Seminole County’s highest closed recorded sale. She represented the buyer and negotiated the record-breaking deal in this high profile sale.
The home is amongst the 2008 Street of Dreams Luxury Home Showcase in Lake Mary / Longwood, Florida located just off Markham Woods Road and sold for $8.1 million. The gorgeous lake front home in Lake Club was named the Chateau D’Usse and came complete with lazy river, Nintendo Wii room, theater, 5 beds, 5 baths and 11,026 square feet of luxury living.
Even in the current economy real estate is selling. Karen Arbutine has positioned herself in the current real estate market to bring buyers and sellers together and to get deals closed.
If you are interested in buying or selling real estate and would like to schedule a private consultation on the value of your home or to discuss an investing strategy call Karen Arbutine directly at 888-727-7778.
Dec 04 2008
More than 1 million people are employed in the metro Orlando area which includes more than 200,000 Hispanic workers. The service industry represents 40% of all employment. Two of the largest employers are the Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando. Health care and retail stores are also major employers within the services sector. Several corporate headquarters are located throughout the region. They include Siemens Westinghouse, American Automobile Association, Dixon Ticonderoga, Darden Restaurants, Hilton and Tupperware International.
Among the notable hi-tech employers are Oracle Corporation, Lockheed Martin and Cirent Semiconductor.
Dec 04 2008
The government has created a monetary incentive, a tax credit for first-time home buyers as a tool to stimulate the housing market. The tax credit will be 10% of the purchase price of a home, up to a maximum of $7,500. If the home costs more than $75,000, first-time home buyers (anyone who has not owned a home in the last 3 years) will receive the full $7,500 tax credit. There are income limits to qualify for this incentive.
Dec 04 2008
It is a great time to buy now and here are a few good reasons:
Large Selection of Homes. The number of homes for sale is at a 15 year high. There are many to choose from in every price range to suite your lifestyle.
Low Interest Rates. Mortgage rates are at a historical low for buyers who qualify.
Reduced Prices. Buyers who earn the median income of $51,500 can qualify to purchase one of the more than 8,500 homes in Orange and Seminole Counties.
Negotiate. Today the sell price vs. the list price ratio is about 93 percent. You can make them an offer they can’t refuse.
No Bidding Wars. Homes are realistically priced to sell. When you find the perfect home, act on it and don’t miss out on it.
Homestead Portability. Florida homeowners that have accumulated Save Our Homnes (SHO) benefits are now allowed to transfer this savings to a new home residence.
Tax Exemption Increase. The Amendment One exemption increased from $25,000 to $50,000 which lowers the taxable value of your primary residence.
$7500 Federal Tax Credit. First-time home buyers have a significant financial incentive to explore the opportunities available in today’s housing market.
Dec 04 2008
A recent survey found that of 3,000 homes governed by Homeowners Associations (HOAs) 66% of the homeowners were dissatisfied with the HOA restrictions. Here are a few helpful tips you can take to improve your interactions:
Attend monthly HOA board meetings. If you have any concerns, these meetings are a good forum for addressing them. If you can not attend, write your concerns and mail them to the board.
Consider running for a board position. Volunteer to head up a committee and become a member.
Pay close attention to what is going on, attend monthly meetings, and vote whenever you are given the opportunity.
Know the HOA rules and regulations and discuss the HOA rules with your Realtor before making an offer on a property.
Dec 04 2008
Remington College of Nursing is coming to Rinehart Ridge IV at 660 Century Point in Lake Mary. Rinehart Ridge IV is a 70,400 sq. ft. office building. Remington College of Nursing has leased 19,200 sq. ft. of the space.
Dec 04 2008
Orlando is ranked No. 14 nationwide and ranked No. 2 state wide as the fastest growing metro areas.
The rankings are based on population growth, private-sector employment growth, per capita income growth and gross metro product growth which measures the value of all goods and services produced in the area.
Nationwide, Las Vegas was ranked No. 1 and Cape Coral/Ft.Myers was ranked No. 1 within the state of Florida.
Dec 04 2008
According to a study, Florida’s business climate is the fourth-best in the nation. The impressive ranking is due to a strong labor market, low operating costs and a pro-business climate.
Florida was tied for fourth with the state of Tennessee. Texas, North Carolina and Georgia was ranked in the top 3.
Dec 04 2008
Lake Nona Science and Technology Park is the site for University of Central Florida’s Health Sciences Campus - the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences. The college is expected to draw the best students throughout Florida and the United States. Eventually, the school will produce about 120 new doctors each year.
In addition to the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, The College of Medicine will include a medical library. The medical college will have a significant economic impact on Central Florida and fulfilling the area’s need to develop more quality physicians.
The campus is located on a 50-acre site that is south of Lake Nona Boulevard Gateway interchange on SR 417.