There have been many efforts to help homeowners this past year. Varying degrees of success have been reported among the numerous well intended programs. I applaud the success stories Of those that have been able to refinance, or have their loans modified in a meaningful and sustainable way. Unfortunately, not  everyone in that is in need of help has received it. Even worse, some that have received help are disappointed to find that the relief was only temporary. Click here to see an article from Reuters News with more information. There are a growing number of people on the brink of abandoning their homes, as they feel they will never catch up. Click here to see a story from Florida Realtors with sobering statistics. There are concerns that the Fed may soon stop buying mortgages at thei... 10/22/2009

While I read about first time buyer incentive on AR all the time, I did not have that happening to us. There is a reason for that. We are in a resort market, working primarily on the beachside, and dealing with condo-hotels or beachside condos. They are not primary residences, and the question of First Time Buyer benefit was mute. And then I received a call from Lev Levitan, a mortgage broker from Palm Coast, our neighbor city to the North. "Can you find something inexpensive for my client in Port Orange?" Of course. I got the number, called and had a conversation with a buyer, a real first time buyer. She wanted a condo or townhome, or a house in Port Orange, FL, and she could not go over $100K. Financing was a challenge, we had to arrange that Seller would agree to pay up to 6% of the... 10/18/2009

A growing number of economists have fresh concerns about the future of the mortgage industry, and the availability of home loans for future home buyers. Many question how many buyers will be left in the market when the $8000 tax credit expires. A New York Times article  supports the notion that banks will continue to tightly monitor all lending practices, and that it will continue to be difficult for Americans to borrow money. FHA Mortgages that have provided the financing for many home buyers in 2009 may see some changes in 2010. There is legislation being drafted to increase the required down payment from 3.5% to 5%, and would potentially take away the option for seller concessions for closing costs. The mere fact that such a proposal even exists, is cause for concern for many. This r... 10/13/2009

The most glaring misconception this past week is the loan modification reports of success from the Making Homes Affordable Program. While many homeowners are being given a temporary life line from this program, the root of the trouble is not being fully addressed. Most modifications involve a lowering of interest rates for a given time which helps homeowners now. Unfortunately, the interest that is unpaid is often put on top of the loan, very similar to the negative amortization loans that were so popular a few years ago. Does it truly help a homeowner if their loan balance goes up each month? An article on RealtyCheck details that only 5 homes in the program received principal reductions in the mortgage balance. What is worse? Unemployed homeowners that need help the most, are not elig... 10/13/2009

During the last week we have witnessed many claims of market stabilization, improvement in the housing industry, and the reaching of certain benchmarks in loan modifications. I am certainly a champion of positive news and would welcome a warm feeling of a strong economy as the holidays approach. That being said, I am concerned as to the legitimacy of some recent claims, and more importantly, their sustainability. What appears to be very clear to me is that anyone interested in buying or selling a home today has a great opportunity for a limited time. Interest rates are low, prices are low, and while many homes have sold recently, there is still a large selection. What is even more clear to me, is that a seller in this market should become very aggressive while these conditions exist. To... 10/13/2009

The Daytona Beach market has seen increase activity! The $8000 tax credit, low interest rates, and REO Sales have all played a role in the increase. Less obvious is the fact that many people that are not eligible for tax credits are buying into a very low point in the market. There are those that feel we have stabilized to some extent, and buyers are less hesitant to purchase. More importantly, sellers have come to realize that they will need to compete with distressed property if they want to sell. Some interesting reads that I wanted to share: Diana Olick at CNBC has some very interesting views on the Housing recovery in her Realty Check Column. Click here to see why she feels that the housing recovery is at a crossroad. Many of my customers considering a short sale of their home have... 10/01/2009

Foreclosures continue to rise since the lifting  of the government moratorium. The statistics from July are now released and national experts weigh in with some of their thoughts as reported on Bloomberg , as well as this article from the AP found on Yahoo Finance. It is a tough time to be UNDER WATER as a home owner. The government programs to help troubled homeowners have not helped nearly as many as previously hoped for. In addition, those attempting a short sale are faced with the reality that most sales take at least 4 months to close. There are always exceptions, but most buyers seeking the tax credit are being advised to avoid short sales 08/23/2009

   South Daytona Real Estate Blog. Information and Reports by Lisa Hill, "THE SMART CHOICE!" For South Daytona real estate sellers: I believe you'll appreciate this information, which will help you determine the value of your house, townhouse, duplex, or condo, based on this years' total sales-to-date, compared to previous years' sales for the same time frame. This can help you determine your asking price. (Data is from Jan 1 to July 1) For South Daytona real estate buyers: I believe you'll appreciate this information, which will help you determine the value of your next potential home, and how much to offer and/or invest, whether it's a house, townhouse, duplex or condo. The following chart contains data from the Daytona Beach REALTOR® Association, and shows the total sales-to-date fo... 07/20/2009

Recently remodeled brick home with 3 bedrooms/2 baths, new kitchen and appliances, new flooring, crown molding, fireplace, large eat in kitchen with 8X13 dinette area and a 11x19 enclosed Florida room.      Over 1 1/2 acres with two large work sheds w/electric.          Behind the home you can separate into 3 seperate parcels. Mature fruit trees and lush landscaping located in a private setting at end of cul de sac in the heart of South Daytona. Centrally located close to shopping and schools.   Susan Southerland Luta Century 21 Sundance Realty (386) 547-1600.    To view all MLS listings visit my website www.sellingdaytonabeach.com     04/21/2009

South Daytona Real Estate Blog. Information and Reports by Lisa Hill, "THE SMART CHOICE!" This post is for the 1st quarter real estate listings and sales report for South Daytona, which is on the south side of the city of Port Orange. A few days ago I wrote a blog post about the 1st quarter real estate report for Port Orange FL. Thankfully, the Port Orange real estate market is continuing to improve. But before we get into the details of the South Daytona 1st quarter real estate report for 2009, you may want to compare this report with last years' 3rd Quarter South Daytona Listings vs Sales Report, and the 2008 annual real estate listings vs sales report for all of Volusia County. When comparing real estate values for Port Orange and South Daytona, you'll find that South Daytona real e... 04/06/2009

According to New-Jouranl correspondent TAYLOR ASHLEY, SOUTH DAYTONA residnetsw may soon be allowed to use golf carts to drive around the city. "By this time next year, unless something comes up, we'll have golf carts on the street," City Manager Joe Yarbrough told council members Tuesday night. A consulting firm hired by the city conducted the study, and based on their recomendations the council members decides to move forward with this proposal to allow golf carts. Golf carts are eco-friendly electric slow moving vehicles, that are less noisier and cleaner than gas powered vehicles. They need to be recharged regularly, and can go about 30 miles before recharging, making them ideal for running errands. If all goes as planned, South Daytona will have then to petition the county for permi... 03/05/2009

South Daytona Real Estate. Houses, condos and reports by Lisa C. Hill, "THE SMART CHOICE!" If you'd like to buy or sell real estate in the Daytona Beach area, you may be interested in South Daytona. The city of South Daytona butts up to the south side of the Daytona Beach boundary, and the north side of the Port Orange border. So far, for the real estate listings and sales data for the 3rd quarter of 2008, for East Volusia County, I've covered... The total for the county, at Volusia County Real Estate Report; 3rd quarter 2008, listings vs sales. Ormond Beach Real Estate, 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report. Daytona Beach Real Estate, 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report. New Smyrna Beach Real Estate 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report. Port Orange Real Estate 3rd Quarter Listings vs ... 12/18/2008

Daytona Beach Real Estate. Houses, Condos and Reports by Lisa Hill, "THE SMART CHOICE!" Do you think you'd like to live in Daytona Beach Florida, but don't know what to expect? Well, I've written a billion (OK, that may be a slight exaggeration.) blog posts about Daytona Beach real estate. But I haven't said much about South Daytona, which is such a beautiful city, right next door to Daytona Beach! Well, a few days ago, during the course of one of my typical real estate days: show houses, go to condo project office, run errands, eat, etc., (I had to type "eat". Now I'm hungry!) ... I decided to stop by the Riverfront Veterans Memorial Park in South Daytona to call a few clients and enjoy the view while doing so. That's one of the perks of being a real estate agent. I can work from wher... 03/17/2008

At 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008, tourists and local NASCAR fans will be seated and ready for the start of the Daytona 500. I just found out that NASCAR is celebrating 50 years this year! And if you can't be here in person, you can go to the web site and follow the race, lap by lap. Now for those of you who are not NASCAR fans, or just don't want to watch the 500, perhaps you'd like to make my afternoon go by a little bit faster by stopping by my open house at 1678 Louisiana Road in South Daytona. It's just one block south of Beville Road. If you're not familiar with this area, Beville Road is I-4 So if you're coming from Orland, just stay on I-4 until it changes to Beville Road, then turn right on Golfview, just before you get to U.S.1 (aka Ridgewood Ave.) From Golfview, turn right o... 02/16/2008

As I continue to provide you with updates on real estate in 2007 for the Daytona Beach area, in post number 7, (this post) we'll cover South Daytona. South Daytona is located to the immediate south of Daytona Beach, but does not extend to the beachside/peninsula. However, South Daytona does have some exquisite luxury homes on the Intracoastal Waterway and the U.S.1 corridor in that area is under completely redevelopment. Commercial buildings are eligible for government grants to freshen up the city. Some other added bonuses are the riverfront parks, plenty of sidewalks, more affordable homes than you'll found in Port Orange, Ormond Beach or any of the beachside areas, and slightly lower property taxes.To read my other posts in this real estate 2007 year-in-review series, start with the ... 01/20/2008

This post will finalize my reports for real estate listings and sales for the Daytona Beach area in the month of October. (My next excursion of this nature will be in the beginning of January, with the data for each city, for the entire year.) This final October post is for the city of South Daytona. If you're not familiar with the layout of the cities in East Volusia County, view this map of the Daytona Beach area. As a  sales comparison, read my post with the real estate sales and listing data for Daytona Beach.(I have posts covering the other cities in this area as well.)On November 17, 2007 there were 159 active residential listings in the Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in South Daytona. Here is the breakdown for the types of residential p... 11/24/2007

Big Mike was awesome last night! Wish you all were there! We enjoyed some real good biker blues, man can that man play a mean guitar!       When we met in April of this year, I was so busy running around the Bikes and Blues with Mickey Jones event for St. Judes Children's Hospital, I didn't get a chance to really listen to Mike play.I also forgot how tall he is! I look like I am the size of a 10 yr old child next to him!  His lady Emilie is here with him, it was so good to see both of them, I got huge hugs the minute I got there. We were also treated to Emilie's beautiful voice as well. She did a little rock, a little blues (The lady can sing the blues!) a little Hound Dog too!                       Everyone there really enjoyed the music. I saw two couples dancing, I bet everyone was t... 10/19/2007

 Well come on down to Martini's Chophouse And check out my buddy Big Mike Griffin!  He will be playing his brand of Biker Blues as only Big Mike knows how to do from 7PM-11PM Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 18, 19 & 20th   In case you haven't heard, Big Mike has recently wrote and stared in the documentary, Iron City Blues  Iron City Blues recently won Best Documentary, 2007 Appalachian Film Festival and The Real Vibe Audience Award, 2007 Memphis International Film Festival. Come down toMARTINI'S CHOPHOUSE And meetBIG MIKE GRIFFINBlues Musician andDocumentary Film StarOn The Iron City Deck This Biketober Fest!   Martini's Chophouse is located at 1815 South Ridgewood inSouth DaytonaFormally Chops Iron City You can get a preview of Big Mike's music at his Myspace Page, stop by and ... 10/09/2007

Big Mike Griffin March 2nd - 11th singing his Biker Blues. Admission is Free! Also appearing is Jodi The Fire Dancer, she'll be there March 2nd  and 3rd from 6pm til 7pmBoss Hoss Cycles will also be there having a party every night and some of the Good Ole Boys are getting together with their Indians to party on March 9th! A good time shall be had by all, come on down and join Rock On Productions, Budweiser and Land Shark along with Chops Restaurant.Chops Iron City is located at 1821 South Ridgewood Ave. South Daytona 03/02/2007