The Lake Mary / Heathrow Florida Real Estate Blog

I am sure you have read the news reports regarding the falling stock market, dwindling economy and the ecomomic downturn affecting the nation’s housing market. The real estate market is now turned in favor of the buyer.  It is the perfect time for homebuyers who have been waiting to buy or build a home to save thousands of dollars on the home investment.

As of March 2008 there are 27,380 homes listed for sale in Central Florida region according to the Orlando Regional Relator Association.  With a large amount of inventory flooding the market buyers may negotiate a much lower price on the home they want and have a vast amount of selection.

Orlando is ranked one of the top cities in the country for bargain house hunters according to Forbes magazine. 

Dont miss out on the golden opportunity now to buy or build the home of your dreams!

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“As a volunteer for Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida, I ask you to consider donating to support Labs that have been abandoned, or in medical need. To donate click: http://www.active.com/donate/labrescue/VickyDrown

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Buy land?  You bet, now is the time to buy before herds of overseas investors buy.  Land offers protection against a bigger market downturn.  There are bargains out there now in real estate.  Overseas investors with U.S. dollars burning holes in their pockets will buy to diversify their portfolios away from U.S. Treasury bonds and to protect their holdings from any futher decline in the dollar. 

You can find some great bargains on land in the U.S. stock market as well as with local real estate agents who specialize in the arena.  Land also offers some downside protection in case stocks as a whole head further south.  Buy now, before these assets ahead of the herd of overseas investors that will discover this asset class, once the panic passes in the meltdown in the U.S. market for mortgage backed debt.

An increasing number of overseas investors are joining the global search for alternatives to dollar denominated investments, looking for real estate in Hong Kong and U.S ; Australian dollars; gold and silver and other commodities.  Overseas investors will realize that U.S. real estate is a great hedge against what they fear most, inflation in the United States.  As you know, an asset such as land goes up in value when inflation soars.

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It is sad but so very true, more homeowners today are facing foreclosure on their homes. It is happening to good people more and more each day. One of the primary problems contributing to the issues is; if you purchased a home in 2005 or 2006, chances are you owe more on our home than what it is worth today. After several months trying to attract a buyer, the typical seller falls behind paymnets and the forclosure process begins.

There is a much better solution to the problem which is a much better option. It is refered to as a “short sale”. This is the process where a negotiated settlement is made between the lender that holds the mortgage and the seller for a third party buyer usually facilitated by a professional such as a realtor or attorney. Many mortgage companies would rather sell the property for less than what is owed to them rather than going through the entire foreclosure process. Basically, it is a win win situation for both parties.

The mortgage company wins since they avoid the expense of the forclosure process. The seller wins because they avoid the negative stigma on their credit and they can continue to live in the home until the short sale process is complete. The buyers get a home at a great price.

There is no extra fees for the service to provide a short sale through a real estate agent. If you or someone you know is facing a forclosure, talk to a realtor perhaps about the details of your case.

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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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1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want from me. Do not break my spirit with your temper, though I will always forgive you. Your patience will teach me more effectively.

3. Please have me spayed or neutered.

4. Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for your kindness than mine. Don’t be angry with me for long, and don’t lock me up as punishment. After all, you have your job, your friends, your entertainment. I have only you.

5. Speak to me often. Even if I do not understand your words, I understand your voice when it is speaking to me. Your voice is the sweetest sound I ever hear, as you must know by my enthusiasm whenever I hear your footsteps.

6. Take me in when it is cold and wet. I am a domestic animal and am no longer accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask for little more than your gentle hands petting me. Keep my bowl filled with water. Feed me good food so that I may stay well, to romp and play and do you bidding. By yourside, I stand ready, willing and able to share my life with you, for that is what I live for. I will never forget how well you have treated me.

7. Do not hit me. Remember, I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food. I have been out in the sun too long, or my heart may be getting weak.

9. Take care of me when I get old. For you will grow old, too.

10. When I am old, or when I no longer enjoy good health, please do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having fun. Just see to it that my trusting life is taken gently. And be with me on that difficult journey when it is time to say goodbye. Never say, “I can ‘t bear to watch.” Everything is easier for me when you are there. I will leave this earth knowing with my last breath that my fate was always safest in your hand. I love you.

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Here is a list of upgrades that you can make to your home that won’t break the bank but will add great value. If you focus your resources in the right areas, these little changes can make a huge difference in the way your home looks — to yourself and potential buyers.

1. Begin with the the front of the house. This is first place that you, your guest and potential buyers see. Keep the front painted and pay special attention to the door. The door handle is the first thing that potential buyers touch on your house. Consider adding a shinny door handle to your front door.

2. Dress up the front porch. Again the front of the home is one of the first places that potential buyers are going to see. By placing two large planters on either side of the front door, with a profusion of healthy plants. When you choose the plants, look for foliage colors and blooms that complement each other. Include tall plants, to give the arrangement height and shape; ground covers, to spill out of the pot and down the sides to soften the edges, and an abundance of medium-sized plants to fill in between the two and give a lush look.

3. Add a fresh coat of interior paint. One of the biggest changes you can make to a room is to change the wall color.

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Preparing your home for an appraisal is a big deal in the life of every mortgage seeker. Getting a mortgage or getting your home refinanced means not just a lot of formalities, but also a visit from an appraiser. It’s the task of a real estate appraiser to judge the market value of your home. If your house passes the test, you should manage to get a decent amount as your mortgage or refinance loan. If your house does not manage to pass, your hopes of getting sufficient amount of money may be lost.

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