Foreign investors still attracted to great real estate opportunities.

Now I have your attention, just what does Orlando Florida Real Estate have in common with New York’s Big Apple Real Estate?

Both have attracted foreign real estate investors.  This has helped pick up local real estate sales numbers despite a high foreclosure rate and huge inventories.

One Italian Real Estate Magnate J. Jonah Jameson has invested in one of New York cities first historic buildings the Flatiron, according to an article which will be published in this Friday’s Times Magazine by Jeff Israely.

Florida real estate too has seen an upswing of foreign investors as their currency is still strong against the dollar.  In Orlando we are seeing this in and around the short term rental resort communities.

The best part is what that $$ will buy in Orlando versus NY prices.  Like New York, Orlando offers its own brand of family entertainment and is still a sought after location for a second home. 

Check it out there are values to be found right now in the short term zoned areas close to shopping, resort parks, golf, and minutes to either coastline.

So what are you waiting for? Check out all the short term opportunities now.

Orlando homes for sale over $300,000 and a featured listing in Windermere Club on Butler Bay

Is this the view you would like?  There are so many choices available now in the Orlando Real Estate market. 

What is available for you if your price range is $300,000 or higher?

These are residential listings and not homes available in short term rental areas.  Each subdivision will have its own rules but be sure to check what is allowed.

Residential usually allows you to rent but the time frame must be at least 6-7 months or more depending on the community.

Find out more by requesting the Homeowners Documents ahead of the purchase to know for sure.

You can also

Check all homes for sale over $300,000 here or create your own search parameters by getting our VIP service from the search for homes button on top of this blog.

By the way if you want to read more about the view above it is for sale too!  Here are all the details of this gem on Butler Bay Ct. in Windermere Club or you can watch the video.

Enjoy and call us today if you want to take a look inside this home or any from the list.

Orlando Real Estate hot topic of pricing your home for sale.

Orlando Real Estate hot topic of pricing your home for sale.  What can you do if your home hasn’t sold?  Pricing is the most important element. 

If you have had lots of showings and not a single offer you will want to consider lowering your price 4-6%.  Painful but if you have had no offers after 30 days on the market this is step one.

Most often if properties were priced correctly in the first place they will attract attention with this simple solution.

If you home wasn’t priced correctly in the beginning you will need to take more drastic steps.  What can you do now?

Ok you may fall into the category of getting a few showings or calls but not any follow up interest.  You will need to take more drastic steps and lower your price 6-12% to attract buyers in this market.

If you are getting only a couple internet views and no one coming to look inside even after getting the flyer out of the box while driving by you will need to lower your price 12%.

With so many homes on the market and so many choices it is imperative to be competitively priced.

Search all homes for sale today in Orlando with so many choices and great rates check out what is available in your price range.  Sellers check out your competition.

Orlando Real Estate Market Values and Market snapshots

Orlando Real Estate Market Values in a declining market where do you stand?

We have been recieving alot of requests lately for market value. This is more important and timely considering the current market conditions.

A good place to start is with our market snapshot. This is way more than just a number but will show you on a map where your competition is, what has sold nearby, what are the most recent statistics around your home. It also gives you the days on the market and local neighborhood information.

Find out how you can get yours.

Just go to the snapshot box and enter your address. Wait a few minutes and an email will be sent to you with a link to all the information.

Now here is the important part. Play with the map and icons they will enlarge and give more information. Click on a green tab and you will see property details. Yours will show as a green triangle button, the solds are in red. Scroll down the list under the map for a list of the homes closest to yours.

You can also expand boxes for more information in different categories. Go ahead give it a try. I am going to add a link here to an example for you to try. If you are getting ready to sell this is a great first step to finding out what the snapshot looks like in your neighborhood.

Here is an example of a snapshot to review to give you an idea of what it covers.

If you have any problems just let us know we will be glad to help. You can also check out all homes for sale by becoming a vip member just use the search for homes button above.

Questions about adding on or buying up in the Orlando Real Estate Market

Considering the current market conditions in the Orlando Florida Real Estate Market this question is getting asked more and more.

Sellers that are considering this need to answer some of the following questions questions.

How much money do you want to spend and have saved to pay for the improvements?

Will I need a loan home improvement loan and if so what will the long term costs be?

How much equity do we have in the property right now?

Do I have the additional space required for the addition?

If we have to build up and add a second story will the foundation support it?

Be sure to ask what are the local zoning and building codes and what permits will I need?

Now comes the alternative question are there any properties for sale that would cost as much or less than that would satisfy my housing needs?

When you get the answers to these questions you will be better prepared to decide if selling your home or remodelling is the best approach.

So what adds the most value, meets your personal needs and how much work is involved in each choice?  If you want to move up in the Orlando Real Estate market give us a call or check out the listings online to see what works for you.

Orlando Florida Real Estate guide to home improvents to get your home sold

Most homeowners ask what can I do that will add value to my home and make it stand out in this Orlando Florida Real Estate Market?  What value does it add?

That said over the years we have found that upgrades to kitchens and bathrooms bring the best return.  Now if your carpets are worn and flooring also needs updating this would come in a close third.

So just what is involved in improving your property.  Once you know what you would like to do consider each of the following to be sure it is done professionally.

Zoning and building permits, fixer upper loans, hiring a contractor, insurance and just where to begin to get the job done right.

Before you get started you may enjoy watching remodel tv which gives some great remodeling examples and ideas in regularily updated videos.

Just look at granite countertops which can be anywhere from 35-50+ per linear ft. a great kitchen upgrade and very popular.  Comes in all styles and colors but once you know what you want be sure to hire a contractor that gets the correct permits.

This is crucial because when selling a home an informed buyer will know to ask for proof of permits to avoid future penalty fines.  This applies to plumbing, electrical and fire so be sure to get it done right upfront.

A reliable contractor will know what local law requires as concerns building codes. 

You can control the condition even if the market values seem out of control.  The condition may be just the reason your property sells versus the competition.

So check out Remodeling Magazine or Pillar to Post two excellent resources that will show you where to get the most bang for the buck.  One of their examples was the remodel of a bathroom gave a 81% return to the owner.

If you would like a personal review before you list your home call us today we will be happy to point you in the right direction.

Orlando Florida Real Estate Foreclosures

Orlando Florida Real Estate and Florida Real Estate across the state as you have heard on the news is experiencing a high volume of foreclosures.  One of these types of foreclosures are hud owned homes. 

A hud home is one that is owned by the US dept. of Housing and Urban Development.  The key is to find one that is eligible for FHA insurance.  If you find this type of property there may be the possibility to make an offer with as little as $100 down.  If not the downpayments may be anywhere from 5-20% of the bid price not to exceed $2000 and not less than $500.

So where do we find these homes.

Properties are listed about evey 2 weeks at foreclosurefreesearch.com this site shows about 100 new options every two weeks.  Currently as of today just in Orlando there were 1057 properties listed at the site.

There is also a new feature at this site for preforeclosures.  You must use a real estate agent to bid on these properties and there are also special forms that need to be used.  Time frames for bidding are also stated.

Most important to remember a foreclosure  is sold as is no warranties or structural or mechanical warranties.  So Buyer beware get your own inspections for sure. 

By the way if you are an investor you will be required to put 10% down.  It is important to note that you really need to have cash to purchase these properties and getting financing is next to impossible.

Also there is a difference between judicial and non judicial foreclosures.  In a judicial the lein holder request the sale for the unpaid balance of the loan, in non judicial the sale is in the mortgage or deed of trust, in which case be sure to know if title insurance can be given.

You can read a book on this process and guides as this process is not as easy as it seems.

I recommend The Smart Money Guide to Bargain Homes How to Find and Buy Foreclosures by James Wiedemer or Real Estate Investing from A-Z by William Pivar both available on Amazon.com

There are also VA forecloseures availabe from the Dept. of Veteran Affairs these are homes the VA has guarantees to  Veterans that are in default.  Owner occupiers of this kind of propety may qualify for downpayments as low as 2%.

If you are interested in checking out specific neighborhoods in and around Orlando Florida call us we check each subdivision to see what is available.  It is important to note that a foreclosure may not always be a great deal as condition and location still are factors in any real estate transaction.

Isleworth Market Report Orlando Florida Real Estate March 2008

Isleworth Homes Market Report

Isleworth Three Bedroom Single Family Homes

There are currently 10 single family homes active on the market

• 2 three baths three half baths
• 4 three bath and three.one half bath
• 3 three and three and a half baths
• 1 three bath and four half baths

Square Footage ranges from 2856 to 4277

Prices range from $1,600,000 to $3,300,000

Days on Market range from 137 to 663

Average days on Market is 359
 

9 are in escrow at this time

• 2 accepting backup offers
• 1 pending

Average days on the market 10

Average Pending Price:  $561,685

Isleworth  Four Bedroom Single Family Homes

There are currently 13 single family homes active on the market 

Square Footage ranges from 3776 to 7467

Prices range from $1,500,000 to $6,000,000

Days on Market range from 12 to 576

Average days on Market is 182

Isleworth Five Bedroom Single Family Homes

There are currently 17 single family homes active on the market

• 1 Three bath and one half bath
• 2  Four bath and two half baths
• 1 Five bath
• 5 Five bath and one half bath
• 2 Five bath and two half baths
• 1 Five bath and 4 half baths
• 2 Six bath and one half bath
• 1 Six bath and three half baths
• 1 Seven bath and two half baths
• 1 Eight bath and one half bath

Square Footage ranges from 4417 to 10,699

Prices range from $1,7969,000 to $7,475,000

Days on Market range from 50 to 879

Average days on Market is 306

Isleworth Six Bedroom Single Family Homes

There are currently 2 single family homes active on the market

• 1 Five bath and one half bath
• 1 Seven bath and one half bath

Square Footage ranges from 4606 to 7201

Prices range from $2,500,000 to $4,325,000

Days on Market range from 194 to 606

Average days on Market is 400

Isleworth Seven Bedroom Single Family Homes

There are currently 1 single family homes active on the market

• 1 Eight bedroom and 2 half baths

Square Footage ranges from 8708

Prices range from $5,900,000

Days on Market range from 94

Average days on Market is 94 

• 2 are pending  

Average days on the market 367 

Average Pending Price:  $5,000,000

Thinking of selling your home like a market snapshot specific to your property go to this location and select seller.

Isleworth homes for sale from 1 to 3 Million

Isleworth homes for sale from 3 to 5 Million

If you would like a free copy of Getting the Best Deal When Selling Your Home select the contact us tab above this blog post.

Teri Isner

Orlando Real Estate Agent

Keller Wiliams at the Lakes / Celebration

504 Celebration Ave.

Celebration Florida 34747

407-467-5155

Orlando Florida Real Estate 

IRS Tax Deductions from your Mortgage

As tax time is upon us and with all the talk about recession, politics and the housing market, most people are not focused on the fact that we are only ten days from tax day.

So if you are a procrastinator as is the American-way, remember to plan for some of your Mortgage and Real Estate related tax deductions to save some money this year.

Here are a few places to save:

1) Discount Points – Lender Discount Points are seen by the IRS as pre-paid interest charges. 

2) Pre-paid Interest – your closing statement shows prepaid interest depending on how many days you will be in the property in the month you close.  

3) Pro-rated Property Tax any property tax you pay at the closing table is deductible

4) Origination Points – Broker fees or Points are also considered pre-paid interest.

5) PMI/MIP – Mortgage Insurance on a loan that is over 80% Loan to Value (LTV) is deductible

Where to consult your Accountant for sure:

6) HELOC / Equity Line – interest on your 2nd Mortgage or Home Equity Line of Credit may be deductible. 

7) Second Home – this is a grey area.  Your accountant knows the rules on deducting mortgage interest on 2nd home mortgages.

8) Depreciation – Investment properties only!!  !

My Professional Advice:

You have your closing package from when you closed your property neatly filed away, right? (nudge nudge)

Get it out and take it with you when you visit your tax preparation specialist or CPA.  Make sure to have your Accountant review your closing statement and IRS Form 1098 that you will receive from your lender in the mail.

Your accountant will then make sure you get credit for all your deductions.

To get the full article, follow this link -o-> Florida Mortgage | IRS Tax Savings on your HUD-1

More Florida Real Estate Industry News You Can Use from
David A. Podgursky, MBA
TheMortgageGoToGuy!!
Your Source for Residential and Commercial
Mortgage Loans in Florida

Homes for sale in Windermere Club Florida

Windermere Club Three Bedroom Single Family Homes

 There are currently 1 single family homes active on the market

• 3  baths and three half baths

 Square Footage ranges from 1456 to 3688

Prices range from $299,000 to $2,200,000

Days on Market range from 41 to 285

Average days on Market is 140

Windermere Club Four Bedroom Single Family Homes

There are currently 5 single family homes active on the market

• 4 three bath homes
• 1 three bath and one half bath

Square Footage ranges from 2835 to 3936

Prices range from $699,000 to $834,500

Days on Market range from 5 to 49

Average days on Market is 30

 Windermere Club Five Bedroom Single Family Homes

There are currently 3 single family homes active on the market

• 1 Three Bath
• 1 Three bath and one half bath
• 1 Four bath and one half bath

Square Footage ranges from 3321 to 4573

Prices range from $749,000 to $915,000

Days on Market range from 53 to 451

Average days on Market is 243

Thinking of selling your home like a market snapshot specific to your property go to this location and select seller.

If you would like a free copy of Getting the Best Deal When Selling Your Home select the contact us tab above this blog post.  You can check all active listings in mls too!

Teri Isner

Orlando Real Estate Agent

Keller Wiliams at the Lakes / Celebration

504 Celebration Ave.

Celebration Florida 34747

407-467-5155

Orlando Florida Real Estate 

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