Real Estate Blog 
Get Out Your Umbrella, There's a Foreclosure Storm Brewing
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 1:19pm. 31 Views, 0 Comments.
Our real estate market has been showing some life signs in recent months but the sun isn't shining brightly yet. There are dark clouds on the horizon that will likely mean more rough times ahead.
Many reports indicate that a large amount of foreclosures are about to flood the market and bring prices down again. For various reasons, many properties have not yet reached the foreclosure stage but will be soon. Mortgage services and courts across the country have been overwhelmed and slow to push through the foreclosure process. Meanwhile, many homeowners have fallen behind on their payments due to unemployment and other factors.
Though government aid programs have managed to slow the increase in mortgage debt, the numbers are still rising every month. As…
The Future Looking Brighter For Builders
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 at 8:46pm. 29 Views, 1 Comments.
It’s been a rough few years for home builders. With the decline of the economy in general and the explosion of the housing bubble in particular, the home building industry has been one of the hardest hit in the recession. But now, finally, things are starting to improve.
Builders across the country are reporting higher order rates, fewer cancellations and less write-downs than they’ve been experiencing in recent years. That means that one of the nation’s most struggling industries is finally starting to see profitability again.
Builder D.R. Horton Inc. reported that the company had a 45% increase in new home orders compared to last year. Their cancellation rate also dropped to 26%, as opposed to last year’s 38%. Similarly, Beazer Homes USA Inc. had a…
Don't Miss Out on Refinancing!
Thursday, January 7th, 2010 at 2:35pm. 48 Views, 1 Comments.
The Obama administration has been working to develop a comprehensive plan to stabilize our economy and help fix the problems at the heart of our slump. One of the most important programs is the Making Homes Affordable program, which is meant to help 7 to 9 million Americans have an easier time affording their homes.
One aspect of the program allows 4 to 5 million homeowners with loans owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae the opportunity to refinance those loans into something more affordable. The other part of the program commits $75 billion to help 3 to 4 million people avoid preventable foreclosures.
Have you tried to look into it? No? Well you're not alone. According some some estimates, less than 90,000 people have actually applied for…
If You're Looking To Buy A "Green" Home, Here's What To Ask
Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 2:20pm. 64 Views, 2 Comments.
Are you thinking of buying a new home and want to find one that is energy efficient and better for the environment? Going green with homes is a big trend right now, thanks to the lower energy costs and the smaller carbon footprint that goes with it. But if you want to find a good green home, you need to know what to ask.
What Is the Size?
Size does matter! The first and most obvious thing to find out about a new home is its size. The larger the house, the more energy it takes to run. Bigger rooms, higher ceilings, extra floorspace - though nice luxuries, they all contribute to higher energy costs. The U.S. Green Building Council keeps track of what is considered a "neutral sized" home, a home that most people need without extra unnecessary space. For a…
Want to Save on Energy Costs? Look to Your Laundry
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 at 12:47pm. 63 Views, 1 Comments.
Who doesn't want to save a little money? Cutting down on your energy use is a good - and fairly easy - way to start. And, bonus, it's good for the environment too!
For instance, did you know that your washer and dryer are two of the biggest energy hogs in your homes? Well, it's true. Saving energy with your washer and dryer is easy. First of all, the amount of energy you use (and possibly waste) is dependent on the age and model of your machines. Newer models are usually far more energy efficient than older ones and models with the Energy Star label are especially efficient. If you find yourself in need of a new washer or dryer, look for one with the Energy Star label.
But no matter how old your machines are, there are still ways to save energy and…
The Dangers of Christmas Tree Fires
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 at 1:50pm. 65 Views, 0 Comments.
A fire in your home can be absolutely devastating no matter when it happens, but it's particularly dangerous during the Holidays. Fire departments across the country report hundreds of cases each year where they are required to respond to a fire caused by a Christmas tree. They are not the most common cause of fire but they can be particularly dangerous - 1 out of every 18 reported Christmas tree fires has resulted in death.When decorating the tree this year, please be careful and follow these easy safety tips.
Buy a fresh tree
The first step starts the moment you go out looking for your tree. When selecting a live tree, take a look at the needles. If they are brown or if they snap in half easily, then the tree is dry. A healthy, fresh tree's needles…
21st Century Crime Watch!
Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 9:42am. 30 Views, 0 Comments.
Although Winter Park is known for its safe and peaceful neighborhoods, no city is crime-free, unfortunately. In an effort to help residents and visitors of Winter Park better protect themselves, the Winter Park Police Department has recently added a fantastic new resource to its website called Crime Mapping.
With Crime Mapping, users can view all criminal activity that has taken place during a specific time period or with a particular street location's area. Crimes can be filtered by degree of offense and detailed information can be view on every crime. The map shows all property crimes, person crimes, miscellaneous crimes and arrests - everything from homicides, robberies, battery, assault and sexual offenses to noise complaints and vandalism. Needless to…
Thinking of Investing in Real Estate?
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 12:42pm. 56 Views, 0 Comments.
There are two basic ways of investing in real estate - short term and long term. One of the most beautiful things about real estate is that the value is virtually guaranteed to always go up. Even with the huge hit that our economy took in the last couple years, if you average out the numbers you'd see that home values have continued to climb at a fairly steady rate since...well...since anyone started keeping track. That means that if you're willing to hold onto a property for the long-term, it is nearly guaranteed to be a good investment for you. Think about how much homes cost twenty years ago and how much one of those properties could sell for now.
Then there is short-term investing. A few years ago, short term real estate investing was a very…
It's Official!
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 at 11:06am. 53 Views, 1 Comments.
It's finally started happening. Statistics in 20 major US cities are showing that the sales prices of homes are starting to creep up again for the first time in nearly three years. It's a small but definitive change and an indication that we've likely hit the bottom of the housing market and we're on our way back up!
So what does this mean for you buyers out there? It means that if you've been holding out for a good deal and have been waiting for the best time to buy, that time was...well...two months ago, probably. But there will still be many, many deals out there as the market is slow to recover. Don't wait too long, though! We're on our way back up and you may miss the buying opportunity of a lifetime.
And what does it mean for sellers? It means…
The End Is Nigh! (The End of the Housing Slump, That Is)
Monday, August 24th, 2009 at 2:19pm. 61 Views, 0 Comments.
Look, up in the sky! Is it a bird? A plane? No it could be our rising real estate market!
Forgive the bad joke, but for those of you who have been waiting for the housing market to hit rock bottom before you look for a new home, that time may be now! Statistics are indicating that not only has the market finally started leveling out, but it even seems to be on the way back up!
For the fourth month in a row, home sales across the nation have gone up at a record rate. With such a large (but steadily shrinking) inventory on the market, prices continue to remain low - for now. Meanwhile, mortgage rates are at historic lows and the first-time home buyer's credit gives you an $8,000 tax credit that can be used on a down payment. Homes haven't been this…