Biggest Mistakes Made By Home Sellers

As the market cools off a bit, thanks to higher interest rates and rising prices, I thought it might help to visit some issues I have with houses I've shown and houses I've personally listed.  And what better and faster way to do that, than an infographic?!  These mistakes will kill a potential sale faster than having Justin Bieber as your neighbor.  Okay, that's a stretch, but you get the idea.  This is also the reason I encourage so many of my clients to go with new construction.  None of these problems exist with new construction. PLUS I rebate 1% back to you, the buyer.  

Wells Fargo Rolls Out a NEW Loan Program : Community Development Mortgage Program (CDMP)

The only loan type out there with NO down payment is a USDA loan.  The problem with those loans is:  you can't get a USDA loan in an urban or suburban area.  The next loan up from there requires a 3.5% down payment with a HUGE PMI (mortgage insurance) premium tacked on to it for the life of the loan, often adding $100+ to your monthly bill.  BUT now there is a new loan program out there being rolled out by Wells Fargo.  This is the email I just received from one of my preferred lenders and it reads:

Help more homebuyers achieve their home financing goals 
With our Community Development Mortgage Program 


The Wells Fargo Community Development Mortgage Program(CDMP) is designed to make homeownership more attainable for low-to-moderate income buyers. 

Homebuyers can benefit from: 

Down payment as little as 2% 
Lower out-of-pocket costs 
Allowable down payment and closing cost assistance 
Fixed-rate payment stabilty 
NO PMI 

Homebuyers may qualify at 80% or below Area Median Income limits with a single 42% debt-to-income ratio. 

Owner occupied only. 


Call or email me if you need any further information and I will put you in contact with the right people.  This is GREAT news for homebuyers with little or no $$$$- hurry before the home prices and interest rates go up again!

Flood Insurance Rates in Florida Set To Skyrocket

Thinking of buying a home in Florida?  Beware:  As of October 1st Flood insurance rates are going to be going up. WAY up. Be cautious before purchasing a home in a flood zone. Ask your Realtor if the home is in a flood plain. You (or THEY) can find out simply by looking at the tax records. 


The full article can be found here.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/fl-flood-insurance-rate-hike-20130924,0,6751438.story

The New App for the MLS in Florida is Here!

If you want the most comprehensive app out there for looking at homes online- these are the ones to use!
Did you know that Zillow, Trulia, Homefinder, RedFin, Realestate.com, Home.com and all the others are not   'real time' based.  Meaning that you may look on those sites, but the results are not up to date.  If you want up to the minute accurate results on your mobile device you should ONLY use the MLS app.  And if you are on the PC or laptop, you should be using Realtor.com.  That website is linked directly to the MLS and if a property goes into the 'Pending' status, it falls OFF the Realtor.com website.  Which means you won't be looking at a house online that is already gone. All of the other website (including my own) are designed to generate leads.  If it's run by an agent, then it's designed to generate leads that go directly to that agent.  If it's run by a large corporation, like Zillow or Trulia, then they harvest those leads and sell them back to real estate agents as a source of income.  Soooooo, if you just want information, and not a sales pitch, use the app below or Realtor.com ;-)  Enjoy!
OH- and if you want to earn 1% back on your purchase, just ask me how.  Click on my facebook page and see the details- no pressure and completely anonymous.

MLS App for Android Phones
MLS App for IPhones

Market Conditions for Orlando Florida homes- April 2013

Curious about the market here in Orlando?  Below is a snapshot of the current market conditions for Orlando pertaining to single family home, townhomes and condos.  Basically the inventory is steady, comparatively - from the last few months. Which means- the market is still on FIRE!  If you are not in the mood to deal with the fierce competition, then new construction is always a GREAT way around that.  Check out my other blog:  Florida New Construction Rebate Program   In addition, I rebate 1% back to you on ANY new construction in the state of Florida.  Ask me how!

The Finished Product- KB Homes Vineyards at Windermere

Okay, so I love to look at new construction.  It's a weakness of mine.  And I think the most favorite thing about new construction for me is the trending decorative touches.  Professional decorators come in and stage each home with the latest and greatest ideas, colors, furnishings and finishes, with no concern for budgets.  So I thought it would be a neat idea to document it in photos and bring it to YOU.  I will also tell you my observations, along with what I like and what I don't like.  Of course, it's just my opinion, but I see hundreds of homes in a year, so I'm thinking my opinion might be good for something.    ;-)  Enjoy!  OH- and don't forget to look at my page on facebook:  New Construction in Orlando.  Thanks!

 The main entrance at the Vineyards.  It's not gated, but is very attractive.

One of three model homes.  The brick paver drive is standard.  This is a 53'  lot.

This is the master bedroom.  I love this color scheme: Gray, yellows, silvers and blacks.

 This is the loft area and hallway up stairs.  The loft is large and spacious.  Notice the 'stripes' painted on the wall.  This is a new trend I've been seeing.

This particular builder enjoys adding 'niches' around windows.  It fits well in this room, but in some areas it's distracting.  

 This is another secondary room.  Furniture placement in this room is difficult with the odd shaped corner area.  

This is a rear loading garage model.  OH- and I love that you have a mail box at each house in this community.

 This is the rear elevation.

 This model has a formal living and dining room decorated in grays and blues.  I love the different shapes and elements that the decorator used. 

 Round tables are in for dinettes. And dark wood with dark granite are still the norm.

 Okay, new doors and new handles.  Still brushed nickel tones, but the round handle and 3 panel design are different.  

 This is the formal dining room.  Notice the mirror on the wall- it creates an optical illusion by make the room look bigger- almost like it's a doorway. 

 Master bathroom.  All glass enclosures are the new hot thing.  And the oblong glass tile around the tub and shower are new, too.

 Love Love Love this tile in the bathroom, but some of my friends think that it has a commercial look to it. 

KB's Vineyards- the most affordable new construction in Windermere

The newest development in Windermere by KB Homes has so many nice surprises, starting with the starting price point.  You can get a NEW single family home with a Windermere address for under $250,000, PLUS they are allowing you to customize your interior, which is unusual in this price bracket.  KB Homes has pulled models from their Mabel and Summerport communities to try and appeal to the masses.  There are homes with front loading and rear loading garages, plus did I mention this community comes with lawn care maintenance included in the monthly maintenance fee?!  Some of the other little features I really like are the unusual niches inside the home and the double pane windows.  Below you will find the preliminary pricing sheets.  It's my understanding that these prices will be increasing very soon after opening.  I've also attached the models available and their elevations.  I will be posting photos of the finished product in my next blog. And don't forget if you are interested in any of these homes or any other new construction communities, I would love to help you! And like always- I will rebate 1% of the purchase price of the home back to you at closing!    See the details of the rebate here:
https://www.facebook.com/NewConstructionInOrlando

The entrance to the subdivision.

NEW REASONS TO VISIT DOWNTOWN ORLANDO!

Mayor Buddy Dyer has commissioned the new  project:  See Art Orlando.  Designed as a public sculpture community project, it aims to enhance the aesthetic experience and cultural image of Downtown Orlando through the installation of iconic works of art throughout the city.

The great thing about this project is that See Art Orlando is a non-profit organization comprised of community leaders who represent a cross section of arts organizations, including United Arts, Downtown Arts District, Orange County Cultural Arts Advisory Board, City Arts Factory and Florida Theatrical Association.  PLUS~ Each installation will be underwritten by corporate sponsors and maintained by the City of Orlando without utilizing taxpayer dollars.  Fabulous idea.  

Many medium sized cities, such as Charlotte, have similar projects that draw tourists and citizens, alike, to experience these cultural pieces in an urban setting.  In Orlando, the common misnomer about our great city is that we have no culture- that all we have is "The Mouse".  So hopefully this will help put us on the cultural road map.  Looking forward to seeing these great works!  Below is a map of where the pieces will be placed.