LOOKING FOR A HOME AND DON'T FEEL YOU HAVE MUCH MONEY?  TRY ST. CLOUD FLORIDA.  Your dollar seems to have greater value in St. Cloud, Florida. The entension of the Tax credit for first time home buyers will now extend to April 30, 2010. This means your dollar will go further if you are a first time home buyer.  Why rent when it is possible to purchase for less than you are paying now and still reap the tax advantages renters forego?  Former rental homes make great starter homes. St. Cloud, Florida is celebrating it centennial, way back in 1909 it was established as a City celebrating Small Town Living.  The homes in the downtown district are perfect starter homes, or vacation or rental properties. Close to shops, stores, banks, and restaurants. The tree lined streets which lead to east ... 11/09/2009

The allure of endless summer, amusement parks, and other attractions, seems to escalate sales as the weather cools down in other parts of the US, Canada, and Eastern Europe.  As a result buyers from abroad begin to consider possible buying homes in Florida as primary, secondary or vacation/investment properties. The popularity or the Orlando Area is increasing.  Over 50 Million  people visited Orlando in 2008.  Knowing how to get around and access to interactive maps is very important particularly for foreign tourists.  Here is an excellent site that will assist you Orlando Maps  ORLANDO IS  Bigger than you think.  In fact, it is  110.2 miles from end to end and side to side.  It is borders several other counties (of which there are 64 total in Florida) Osceola to the south, Polk to the... 11/07/2009

IS NOW REALLY THE BEST TIME TO BUY OR SELL?  Questions many would be buyers and sellers are struggling with. Unlike our northern and International counterparts fall and winter are excellent times of the year to buy or sell a home in Florida.  Typically over 2 Million visitors come to Florida during the holiday season, and many are looking at Real Estate while visiting here.  Property values are indeed attractive especially for second homes or vacation home buyers.   PROPERTY IS AN EXCELLENT HEDGE AGAINST INFLATION   Property investment is an excellent hedge against inflation.  The value of the dollar fluctuated not only in the global economy but in the domestic economy as well.  Over time, investing in Real Estate is a hedge against inflation.  Simply put, it will take more of today's d... 11/06/2009

The excitement of a house closing builds to a crescendo when the documents are signed, checks are dispersed and the keys are exchanged.  The last minute details have all been attended to and finally it is a done deal. Or is it? Most times agents think of the closing with finality. For the sellers it may well be, they too are venturing onto a new path.   For the buyers, it is a new beginning. It is after the closing for many when your help can be most appreciated and the extension services can begin.  In my area of St. Cloud Florida, there is a dire need for extension service providers and coordinators. In my last post, I wrote about expanding the extension services available to buyers and sellers. AGENTS SUCCUMBING TO THE SLUGGISH ECONOMY     After sale marketing is also important.     ... 11/03/2009

LOOKING FOR A HOME IN ST. CLOUD FLORIDA,  Osceola County's best kept residential secret is out of the bag.  Everyday I get inquiries from prospective home buyers searching the Internet looking for the best buys in Real Estate.  Occasionally I get emails from home owners looking to sell their homes.  The last four buyers I have assisted, purchased their properties sight unseen.  It is easier than one may think. HOW TO LOOK AT REAL ESTATE LONG DISTANCE    I Specialize in working with long distance buyers and sellers.  They have very special needs.  The ability to place someone in a home takes a great deal of effort, lots of quality photo and videos and a general overall knowledge of the Area. That is why they come to me. Technology is a wonderful thing. Did you know that 84% of the buyers... 11/03/2009

   WHAT IS YOUR HOUSE REALLY WORTH?                                    The down turn in the Real Estate market has left many home owners contemplating selling their homes in St. Cloud Florida and parts of Osceola County but wondering what the house may be worth in today's market.  One thing about Real Estate, it is always changing.  Over the past year, values have inched up.  Sales are being achieved and although still below what homes sold for at the peak of the market boom, the value has increased in year over year comparisons.   The price spike in 2006 was an anomaly. Using it as a standard would be an unfair comparison during the buying frenzy and times of hyper inflated home values. That does not stop some "experts" from doing it however.  There were very specific market conditions... 10/28/2009

BUYNG A HOME IN ST. CLOUD FLORIDA SIGHT UNSEEN is not as crazy as it sounds. In fact the last four buyers I have worked with have done it that way.  All with excellent results.  Servicing long distance buyers is a specialty of mine.  Real Estate may be local but Buyers are not.     WATERFRONT PROPERTY    Has special appeal to long distance buyers.     Water enthusiasts look for amenities such as docks, deep water canals, and access to one of the many pristine lakes which are found throughout the St. Cloud Florida area.     These buyers were delighted with their purchase in Majestic Oaks.  The home fit their overall needs as a vacation property.           HASSLE FREE SHOPPING During our initial consultation your needs and wants are carefully noted along with budget and financing needs.  ... 10/26/2009

BAY LAKE RANCH- ST.CLOUD FLORIDA BAY LAKE RANCH IN ST.CLOUD FLORIDA IS ONE OF THE LAST FEW EQUESTRIAN ESTATE COMMUNITIES. Located on the east side of St. Cloud, Floridajust  forty minutes from Melbourne Beach to the east and Disney to the west, and thirty minutes from the Orlando International Airport is the  lovely estate community of Bay Lake Ranch.  Established in the 1981 the lots are large the homes are custom and the zoning includes horses.  This makes Bay Lake Ranch unique,  it is not uncommon to see horses romping or quietly grazing on estate grounds. It is a peaceful place, just minutes from the Narcoossee Road intersection and provides easy access to the Greenbelt (417) or head further north into Orlando, the Florida Turnpike (west) or I-95 to the east. Investing in land is a ... 10/25/2009

ST. CLOUD FLORIDA HOMES ARE SELLING and some of the deal may surprise you.  St. Cloud Florida is located in the heart of Osceola County.  Its geographical location sandwiched between Disney to the west and the beaches of Mebourne, Cocoa and Titusville to the east and north along with its easy access to the Orlando International airport, has been a sleeper for a long time.  This bedroom community formerly a retirement settlement for returning Civil War veterans,Spanish American War Veterans,  and later World War I & II veterans has evolved over its 100 year history.  From a  sugar cane plantation in 1900 to a tent city in 1900 to an architects delight St. Cloud has flourished in the shadow of Disney for a century. In 1909 , St. Cloud Florida became knwn as Soldier City and its streets do... 10/25/2009

  We all like to think that we strive to be our best. Some transactions are just more difficult than others.  Some will push you to the breaking point while others just seamlessly flow with speed and ease.  It is not the transaction which is taking on a life iof its own, it is the people involved in that transaction which will either break it, shape it, or mold it into its final form.   There are those that pose the problems, and those who seek the solutions.  There are so many potential problems one can encounter in the process and often we are pressed into service beyond our own estimations of what our true abilities really are.  RUNNING ON EMPTY When you are exhausted, stressed out, and overwhelmed from running the marathion to the closing table where does your inspiration come from ... 10/20/2009

ST.CLOUD FLORIDA'S HOME MARKET AND WEATHER ARE BOTH HOT.  The weather maybe cooling down in other parts of the United States and Europe, but here in St. Cloud, Florida not only is the weather at all time highs so are the home sales. Market Conditions in the St. Cloud Florida area are favorable. The number of sales are rising, and prices are still favorable for buyer looking to cash in on the current economic climate.  Increases in Eurpoean home buyers is up again as well. Buying long distance is not only possible, it is easy and more common than you may think. LONG DISTANCE BUYERS SELECTING THE RIGHT REALTOR® The majority of buyers I have been working with are Long Distance Buyers.  Why are they choosing to work with me?  It could be they found me on the Internet, it might be that they ... 10/12/2009

BUYING A HOUSE ISN'T EASY THESE DAYS neither is selling one.   Think the process is frustrating in the beginning stages, it can be a frenzy in the final stages before closing.  Lender financed loans certainly have their fair share of obstacles to overcome.  Like revised appraisal practices which have an impact on your ability to buy or sell. STRESS CAUSING FACTORS TIMING:       also called BEAT THE BANK                  Short sale properties have a drop dead date once the lender agrees to release their lien against the house and take less than is owed. These properties often are in the throws of foreclosure.] These drop dead closing dates and of late specific times (the money must be received by) can be very stressful to buyers who rely on wire transfers which can be delayed in processi... 10/10/2009

The time has arrived! Finally, Highland Homes has opened for business at Deer Creek in St. Cloud. This is the first community in the Orlando market for Highland Homes and the company is anticipating a warm welcome from its Orlando prospects. Highland Homes has had great response to this new community and the sales trailer is now in place. Saturday, September 19th at 10 a.m. the doors officially opened for business. Prices in the community will start in the $120’s and will include more than 20 floor plans to choose from. Homes will vary from 1200 square feet up to over 2600 square feet and offer one story and two story floor plans. The homes will all come with Wood cabinets, a stem wall foundation, R-30 insulation, 14-15 SEER AC, garage door openers, screen covered lanai’s per plan, and ... 10/05/2009

The process of buying a home has become slightly more complex in the past year. Granted there are still some straight forward transactions out there. Those are the ones which offer the most appeal and you are able to negotiate directly without long waits and bureaucratic red tape.   Presenting a good clean offer, that is likely to be accepted is a relatively easy process. But who's advice is good advice?  Your Realtor®, your banker? Your significant other? Your family or friends?  Or a combination of all of them-each with pen in hand making "corrections" along the way or after the fact? "NO HOUSE FOR YOU"  A while back a gentleman was attempting to purchase a rather large home for a rather low price.  There were not many that fit his special spacial needs and his budget.  After a long d... 10/05/2009

IT HAS BEEN SAID, THAT HINDSIGHT IS 20/20.  What is obsure in the present, becomes clear in the past. How many people will regret in the future the opportunities they missed in the present?    We can all recall stories of relatives who purchased their homes for ridiculous amounts of money.  The $14,000 bi-level on Long Island for example they bought back in 1971.  We sat in utter and complete amazement envious at the time, knowing those opportunities were indeed retrospective.  Or are they? Yes, we live in tumultous times.  There is a great deal of uncertainty amidst the promise of change. There are record high job losses, and cause for trepidation among consumers fearful their paychecks could abruptly stop leaving them listless.  But, there are a greater number of people who recognize ... 10/04/2009

As you are aware there have been recent changes made in Real Estate Appraisal practices which are having disasterous consequences and supressing the recovery of the housing market particularly here in Florida.   Appraisers who are now assigned from a pool and are usually from out of the area, have been making aggregious errors in the estimation of  property values.  SUPPRESSING VALUE AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY        They are suppressing the value of property in Central Florida, which is not only a disservice to consumers who are the key to the housing market recovery; but are, under the new guidelines, not allowed to consult with local area REALTORS® (who are State Licensed) and in the case of Real Estate Brokers, knowlegable area experts.    As a result of this rather limited pool of "pre-... 10/02/2009

WHEN SERVICE BUSINESSES CUT BACK DO THEY REALLY THINK NO ONE NOTICES?  When was the last time you or your significant other went to a salon?  Nail salons have gained huge popularity for a variety of reasons, including immigration eligibility by meeting the criteria of the E2 VISA requirements interestingly enough. PUTTING YOUR FINGER ON THE PROBLEM        However, once establishing a regular clientele, most salon owners resort to cost costing devices and the quality of service seems to diminish.   The owners wrongly  feel no one will notice. But regular customers really do.   Little things like the foam toe separators they suddenly replace with rolled up paper. The lack of electric filing with the drummels to soaking for extended periods of time or using plastic tip nails to pry off exi... 09/30/2009

A Four  point Inspection is sometimes required by Insurance Companies for the purpose of issuing a Home Owners Insurance Policy.  A certified inspector will visit the home, and examine the crawl space, electrical system, plumbing, and roofing.  They will put their findings into a written report including photographs.  Recently one of my customers was asked to have a four point inspection performed on a house he is attempting to purchase.  A lovely vintage home, with large wrap around porch located on a tree lined street situated on a corner lot.  The Inspector came, took pictures and issued a written report.   Crawl Space- is serviceable.                                             Plumbing is serviceable. Electrical is serviceable. Roof- serviceable, and estimated to have 5-7 years of ... 09/25/2009

FAMILIES TODAY COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES   TAKING A LOOK AT  St.Cloud Florida, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year, one sees an eclectic diversity of houses.  There are still  fine historic homes dating as far back as 1900 in St. Cloud, Florida which have been upgraded over time as well as the new housing which was built during the boom years 2006-2007.  A reflection of how American families have changed and how their needs have evolved over time as well. From the very small bungalow style homes which replaced the tents supplied in 1900's by the Seminole Land Investment Company, in Washington DC, to today's sleekly designed modern homes you will find them all here in St. Cloud, Florida. St. Cloud, Florida is nestled along the shores of East Lake Tohopekaliga- a Semin... 09/23/2009

They say timing is everything. A short sale closing in 7 days?  Impossible.  No, it happened.  Through divine intervention, serious trust , perspiration, determination and a case of really good timing.  It all came together. We had been in listing limbo (the gray area) called pending for almost 12 weeks. It wasn't a house my buyer loved, but it was a good investment.  Checking the change of status on MLS daily is a good habit to develop.  Seven days ago, a listing changed status as many do everyday.  With the foreclosure clock tickling in what seemed to be accelerated speed, the nervous seller thought all hope was lost along with her beloved home.  The buyers who had it under contract, would not make the closing deadline.  The listing agent relisted the house and needed a cash buyer NOV... 09/17/2009