You never thought they had much purpose did you? The snotty high school girls who sat in judgement of what was hot and what was not?  I have a great idea for a Realtor® campaign... "YOU don't have a Realtor?® " Ewww. "That is like, so totally last year". Do it yourself... Maybe it is time we encourage Snob-erobbery! That's right I said it.     Be a Snob. The lowly For Sale By Owner...is like wearing a used Prom Dress to the Prom. The FSBO is the bargain basement. Well, I guess if it was "really a good house" it would be with a Realtor®!  Sellers Disclosure-Nah don't have one, don't need none...Mold Addendum? "Nah never heard of it"... Contingency? "What's that for"? Convey? "What does that mean"? Inspection?  "What do ya want one of them fer?"  Appraisal " don't mean dittley". Yeah...ma... 01/22/2007

 Coming from NYC and growing up in the shadow of mass transportation, overcrowded schools, people herding onto subways like sardines, and traffic jams that took hours out of daily life...   A lot can be said for re-discovering the country. I came to realize that Urban living works for some people but not for others. If individuality is more your cup of Mocha Double Latte (coffee) than consider a radical change of lifestyle. For me it was discovering summer can last twelve months a year. It was about geography.Tired of sub freezing northern climate ? It is time to seek refuge in the endless summer season  Florida.  In addition to Marine Life, Sea World, Animal Kingdom, Gatorland, Universal Studios, Disneyland, Epcot, and MGM Studios..there is an abundance of local  places. Silver Spurs A... 01/18/2007

 We face these issues every day. Sellers with unrealistic expectations of what their house is worth. It defies  reason most of the time. You can prepare the Comparative Market Analysis to show a prospective seller what has sold in the last three to six months, what is currently for sale and what has been "market rejected" (expired, withdrawn) With the current inventory of homes at nearly an eleven month market, most Real Estate agents are not factoring in the cost of listing an overpriced home. There is a cost attached to every listing. Print ads, virtual tours, brochures, and time.   Some agents apply a "list it now then reduce it later" philosophy. They get the listing, at the seller's price,but fail to sell the home.   Sellers will interview several agents. Competition is heated. The... 01/12/2007

Saturday January 20th 2007 Osceola County Parks & Recreation Department will be sponsoring a special event for Seniors. Beginning at 8am and ending at 1pm seniors will  have the opportunity to participate. The event will be held in Bay Lake Ranch off Old Melbourne Hwy in St. Cloud, Florida. For information or to volunteer at the event please contact the Kissimmee/St. Cloud  Senior Games at 407-518-2504Florida Pines will be there cheering our seniors on..come by and have a cool glass of lemonade at our welcome booth! . 01/12/2007

                There has been a lot of talk on AR about newbies and blogging. Marc Blasi wrote on the number of new members to the Active Rain Community OK Newbies, Time to Get Active....... and something occured to us...the content of comments and the recent LACK of comments.        I will be the first to admit "Good post" does not deserve 25 points. As a matter of fact, I think they should deduct 50 points every time the ONLY comment is "Good post."                                                                                    Why is commenting so important? First of all as you begin the process of blogging and are sharing content, humour, experiences, advise with our community YOU have made an effort.                                        Secondly, commenting on a blog you have... 01/10/2007

$565,000 was approved by the St. Cloud City Council for the purchase of a little over one acre a combination of two lots on Lakeshore Boulevard and New York Avenues. With the city to pay closing costs. The city plans build an overflow parking lot to be used for the Lakefront Park Banquet facility which opened in 2006. The City Council unanimously approved the purchase.  Homeowners on the Lakefront came to the City Council meeting and waited well in the late hours (after midnight) to voice their concerns and objections to the City's Plan to purchase the lots. The Lakefront Improvement Project which redesigned the public areas include a Marina, Crabby Bills restaurant, and walking paths along Lake Toho. There are pavillions, and cook out ammenties as well. The spot is popular for locals, ... 01/09/2007

 The Road to finding the perfect House can sometimes be a long one. Agents will compile a list of houses to view based on the needs and wants their provide to them matching criteria of price, size, ammenties and location. A common phenonmenon from viewing too many homes is "house Morphing" a term which describes the brain combining floorplans from several homes customers have viewed into one giant house. Overwhelming the senses and confusing one house with another. Even with the aid of maps, detailed information sheets, and check lists with comments attached, it happens to almost everyone who has seen too many homes too close together.As an agent, an added value I provide to my clients is to set no more than four appointments on an outting. According to the National Association of Realt... 01/07/2007

 Beautiful and elegant 4 bedroom 2.5 bath Victorian Style Home. Lovely inground pool, plenty of room for a horse, home office, balcony, Jenn Aire oven, 2 family rooms this  home is over 3700 sq ft!  Has a fireplace. A fine example of elegant  country living in Osceola County.Why do people want to come to St. Cloud or live in Osceola County?  There are still wide open spaces, good tax rates, and large lots available. Schools are rated well and student to teacher ratios are at state average of 22-1 or in some areas less. You can enjoy all the benefits of living in the country and the still be in close proximity to town which makes shopping, and dining enjoyable. Homes are available in a wide range of prices. Homes are available in a wode range of styles. From small to large, manufactured ... 12/29/2006

 What will be your next move?  As the year comes to a close, we are evaluating what the market has done, and what it may do in the next twelve months. We have seen some movement in "Work Force Housing" Huh? The new catch phrase for "Affordable Housing" without the stigma. Work Force housing are homes priced in the $200K range. Where average hard working people can qualify. This includes first time home buyers.  The market segment that was driven out in the panic buying of 2005. As the days on market increase many breeching the 200+ time frame, we have seen what I would call positive pricing adjustments in Central Florida. If I were to tell you I had a stock which would yield a 20% return you would jump on it right? Well If I were to tell you your house should yield a 20% return you woul... 12/17/2006

 Checking for a pulse. For months we have been blogging, and here in Florida checking the housing market for a pulse. Under 200K the beat was OK...Over 250K the beat was less regular.  With the holidays fast approaching, the health of our economy certainly impacts our abilities collectively to provide the kids, and adds a little more stress in how well we will provide for them.  I prepared mine for the worst just in case. They resorted to asking Santa for the item they wanted most. Heelies and a science set. Given the bombardment of toys ads, I thought that was a pretty reasonable request. They sure hope he got their letter. (wink)  I am sure as I write this...the "elves" are working on it.It will be a better Christmas than first expected. Have a closing tomorrow! And another on the 21s... 12/11/2006

 So many mixed messages. No wonder Buyers are confused. The latest news to break this morning is according to NAR (National Association of Realtors, and leading economists the housing market is headed for an upward trend mid 2007.  This may help ease the sluggish and in some parts stagnate market. Compounded with the drop in interest rates published today, the indicators suggest strongly that the housing market may be in for a much needed boost.  As many Realtors are stuck in the middle of the waiting game. Buyers have so many more options in available housing, many were waiting to see how low prices will go. If they are waiting to see the prices drop to below where they were say 2-4 years ago, those days it would appear are over. The adjustment is approximately 2/3 of the  way done. Wh... 12/11/2006

http://activerain.com/groupsWe have a new tool available on Active rain. Welcome all Florida Realtors-we'd love your input.Please join us for lively discussing on issues pertaining the Florida Market.Hope to see you there! 11/28/2006

 Colleen Kulikowski's blog on "Help My Crystal Ball is Cloudy" asks some interesting questions. Are we to try and predict which housing type will be hot?  Perhaps by taking a different view of the market, predicting which pins are hot and which ones are not is too risky. The huge amounts of reverse Condo conversions is an indicator that people do not want to pay high maintaince fees over the time of ownership. Same could be said for single family homes, mowing the grass, the house repairs are not for everyone either. Townhouses have sprung up like spring weeds everywhere in Osceola County. Young Professionals look at them, as a entry into home ownership. Possibility because they have more active lifestyles. What has changed since the 80's is the lack of AFFORDABLE HOUSING.  Remember tha... 11/27/2006

  It is all about staying a Step Ahead of the competition as Realtors, Stagers, and Loan Officers. Getting your "Foot in the Door" Building Relationships, Making Everyone Happy. Educating consumers, and getting results. Finding good locations (This little piggy went to Market, this little piggy stayed home, this little piggy commutes 40 minutes on I-4 in rush hour, and this little piggy's commute is none!) We Beat Feet assessing clients Needs, Wants, Lifestyle, Receational Activities,School Needs, and Work Needs. We assess their desires needs and ability to pay for Affordable Housing.       We bring Buyers and Sellers TogetherWe work with lenders so our client's deals don't end up...being blown away by bad credit! We are constantly looking for new business   We Are Realtors!When the dea... 11/25/2006

  IT'S HERE!  We all know someone who has it. We heard the kid in the grocery store line hacking and coughing like a 20 year smoker but they are only 2. Stock up on the Lysol Y'all and by all means spray those door knobs!   Tis the Season, to be people pleasin, out on those showings house after house. How many are using a hand santizer? Not a bad idea to keep one in your car. We all used to make fum of the oes who were "germ a phobic" but the sad realty we have a flu epidemic in the works at least here in Florida.  Unfortunately, due to the influx of snow birds, travelers for the holidays, and tourism in general, we have more opportunity to come in contact with someone who has it.  The Influenza epidemic of 1918 took many lives (including my great-great Grandmother) So by all means it i... 11/24/2006

         Do Big Corporations Make you feel small and unable to compete?  Broker Byrant is a sole practioner and he has done quite well. So have so many others. While Corporations offer excellent training opportunities for newcomers to Real Estate, there are certain drawbacks as well.  Often new agents are recruited right out of school. Automailers go out, and suddenly days after passing your test you begin to get mail. You think to yourself "Wow" someone noticed I was top in my class" or "Wow, XYZ Corp. wants ME"  and you take the online personality test, or send back the reply mailer, or call the 800 number to schedule your interview.         You find out you are the best thing in Real Estate since they invented dirt! You will have your own business. They will teach you how to manage y... 11/22/2006

  The holidays have arrived!  And with them comes the usual influx of family and friends. The Real Estate Reality sets in... the house suddenly feels a lot smaller than it did before.  The kids are forced to give up their rooms and share them with your guests from out of town.  Your Living Room isn't quite big enough....  What you wouldn't give to have a little more room to spread out! Is it time to think about Moving to a larger Home?For over 30 years, the value of homes have appreciated at an average of 6.5% a year. Making home ownership a solid investment.  Home owners are often able to get valuable tax benefits and deductions on income tax. With so many fine homes for sale and prices adjusting to affordable levels, NOW is the best time to be making a wise investment in home ownershi... 11/21/2006

Search | Forums | Blogs | My Home | Logout    It is all about keeping your head above water. Many Realtors today are struggling, especially the new comers. Seasoned pros know it takes years to develop good skills, cultivate clients, develop a business plan, marketing strategy and it also takes money to finance your success in this business. It takes a supportive family as well.  By "sticking" together you will rise above the tide. It can be a challenge to manage family and work. Convincing the kids it will be worth it. These are my twins. YES, Twins or as I lovingly refer to them as the "buy one-get one free" deal of the century! Snorkling is a lot like selling Real Estate. You have to get your feet wet. You should not drift too far from the boat. You need to keep your eyes open and yo... 11/13/2006

  As Realtors our survival depends on our ability to navigate the unchartered waters of customer relationships and build confidence with our Kissimmee-St Cloud Florida Home buyers and sellers. This sometimes means taking the plunge and as in whitewater rafting paddling together as a team through the rapids.  When looking to buy or sell your Kissimmee St Cloud Florida Property you need an expert to guide you through the rapids.  We are a team- The buyer or seller and their Real Estate Professional must paddle together to achieve their objective. True you may get wet, but you will survive the rapids and come through the experience. For them buying or selling can be a scary undertaking. Particiularly in turbulent times. Do you throw in the towel and observe from the sidelines? No you trust... 11/12/2006

  Here in Osceola County, Florida we love our Vets.  St. Cloud was established as a retirement village for returning Civil War Veterans in the late 1800's.  Osceola County has a Veteran's Museum which is manned by troops of volunteers from every branch of the military. Every Veteran's Day there is a parade which usually rotates from Kissimmee to St. Cloud.  This year it was St. Cloud's turn. The Parade is a tradition richly entrenched in this town; due to its heritage as  a former Veteran's Retirement Community. I am told we have more Veteran's in Osceola County per capita (according to the Osceola Veterans Council & 2000 census) than any other town in Florida. Adding to those numbers are the Veterans from Desert Storm and Operation Freedom. While St. Cloud has now evolved with the addi... 11/11/2006