Maitland Florida neighborhoods

Here is a list of neighborhoods in Maitland.

Maitland is located near Orlando between Winter Park and Altamonte Springs.

Related Florida real estate views:

Watson Realty in Maitland Florida

You are welcome to stop in

Have you received a post card or mailing from a Realtor?


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Apopka Florida

Apopka stalls vote on town center proposal after request for more land - Orlando Sentinel

City to buy 13 acres for town center - Orlando Sentinel

Apopka Real Estate - www.gregstaker.com

Altamonte Springs Mayor announces balanced budget

In the November/December City newsletter, Mayor Russel Hauck announced that Altamonte Springs has a balanced budget for the ensuing year.

Mayor Hauck stated in his letter:


"One of the most important tasks your City Commission undertakes is the passage of
the annual budget, which sets the stage for all of the City’s operations for the
ensuing year. This year’s budget has been set at $79.8 million. The budget is balanced; that is,
estimated revenues and other sources equal or exceed anticipated expenses and
determined by the Seminole County Property Appraiser and the City tax rate
being determined by your City government."

The newsletter contained a detailed explanation of revenue sources for the City.

Here is the newsletter in it's entirety.

If you need a Altamonte Springs real estate agent, give us a call.

Related Florida real estate views:

Seminole County real estate

Find a home to rent in Altamonte Springs

Altamonte Springs Florida real estate


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Available rentals in Orlando and Central Florida

We can assist anyone who is not ready to buy but would rather rent a home or condo in the Central Florida real estate market which includes the cities of,

Apopka, Maitland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, Sanford, Deland, Deltona, Clermont, Groveland, Celebration, Kissimmee and Saint Cloud.

Visit our Central Florida rental page to see what is available.


Related Florida real estate views:

Are you qualified to buy a home but would rather wait?

Making a move to Florida? Who should you call?

Orlando’s Orange County leads the way with rentals in Central Florida


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Deland residents given a chance to be heard

Deland city leaders will be holding several meeting in January. As the press release states:

"Through a series of scheduled meetings, the City is seeking to engage residents in a process of establishing priorities for services and programs and providing direction for City officials as they plan for the coming year."


"Residents can attend any of a series of scheduled meetings where City staff will provide information, answer questions and ask participants to help us identify the program and service priorities for our City government."

The Deland meeting locations are:


1-17 @ 7 p.m., Stetson Baptist Church, 1025 W. Minnesota Ave.
1-24 @ 7 p.m., Museum of Florida Art, 600 N. Woodland Blvd.
1-28 @ 7 p.m., Spring Hill - Back to Basics, 918 S. Adelle Ave.
1-30 @ 7 p.m., Club at Victoria Gardens, 1001 Garden Club Drive
1-31 @ 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 115 E. Howry Ave.

The complete press release can be located here.


Related Florida real estate news:

Deland houses for sale

Volusia County schools receive good grades

Upcoming Section 8 information meeting for landlords


- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Windermere and Orange county battle over Isleworth

From the Orlando Sentinel:

Orange County and Windermere are at war over Isleworth, or more
specifically, the taxes its residents pay on nearly $800 million worth of
property in the mega-upscale neighborhood....(read complete article)

Windermere Florida homes for sale $5,000,000 plus

Windermere Florida is located in Orange County southwest of Orlando. Windermere is home to a collection of the very best luxury estates in Central Florida.

Here is a sample of Windermere luxury homes listed within the past 60 days.

If you would like to see what else is available in Windermere visit our Windermere Florida real estate page.

Home builders expect real estate recovery to begin in the second half of 2008

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) during their year end teleconference has stated they expect 2008 to be the beginning of the housing recovery.

“I think the best bet is that 2008 is the year we will be looking at the bottom for various components of the housing market,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders.

The NAHB believe the work of Congress and the Administration will help with the recovery.

For the complete press release you can visit the Home Builders news release.

我與您一起圓您的夢想 Orlando Florida

This is my first attempt at video.

Orlando condo conversions turning back into rentals

Do you remember the condo conversion craze? According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel found here, these units are now turning back into rentals. From condo conversion to condo rentalreversion.

If you are looking for a rental in Central Florida, condo or not, view this rental page for more information.


Related Florida real estate views:

Are you qualified to buy a home but would rather wait?

Orlando’s Orange County leads the way with rentals in Central Florida


- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Orlando homes for the holidays!

December has always been about family, friends and that special holiday time. For some Orlando home owners it is also about selling their home.

Here are the latest homes for sale in Orlando that were listed by Watson Realty in December.

Church property for sale in Volusia County

Here is a link of church property for sale in Volusia County Florida.

Visit my friend's new site if you are just looking for a location of a church to attend in Deland, Deltona or Orange city.

Vacation homes for sale in Central Florida

Here is a small list of available homes suitable for those who love to visit Central Florida.

Visit our vacation home page to find more properties.

Orlando Realtor needing food assistance

From the Associated Press:

In Florida, a real estate agent who said she was having a tough time making it this year sought assistance from a food bank for herself and her children. Read the full story.


Related Florida real estate views:

Real estate agents being fined for run down REO property

Homebuyers and sellers in Florida may have fewer Realtors to choose from

Is your Realtor still in business?


- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Will you be able to sell your home in 2008?

Many home owners who decided to sell their Florida home in 2007 were met with frustration, uncertainty and in the majority of cases, no success. Even those who are persistent and have kept their home on the market through the year are finding the For Sale sign is gathering cob webs faster than they are collecting potential buyers.

Can a home owner expect more of the same in the first part of 2008? It will depend on their personal situation.

An amazing fact overlooked when considering the Seminole and Orange County real estate market in 2007 is that 20% of the homes (2923 out of 14,294) that sold in 2007 received an offer within *30 days of being placed on the market.

So what gives? What secrets do these agents and home owners know that a home owner in 2008 should know?

The fact of the matter is, there are no secrets to be revealed. In order to have an opportunity to sell your home in 2008 as quickly as those sellers did in 2007 requires a personal decision on the part of the home owner, and real estate agent, to present the very best home available. How can you make sure your home is the very best home available in your area in 2008?

Correct pricing – Make sure your home is listed at a price that makes it impossible for a buyer to find a home similar to yours for less money. Monitor your price weekly, keep an eye on the latest sales in your area; the latest homes put up for sale; and those homes that failed to sell.

Staging and enhancement – Clean it, move it, get rid of it, fix it or replace it. Whatever “it” is, if it can keep your home from showing its very best, do something about it.

Hire a top marketing real estate professional - Follow their expert guidance. This is not your grandmother’s real estate business anymore. Today we also have the Internet as a marketing tool. Make sure the real estate professional you hire is equally comfortable with how to market your home to online buyers as well as marketing your home to those buyers who may be looking in the Sunday morning paper.

That pretty well sums it up. These have proven to be the core 3 decisions a seller makes that will determine if their home sells or not. Those sellers who make sure they have the very best marketing coupled with their home being priced according to condition, location and improvement should be able to confidently expect it to sell in 2008.



* As reported in the Mid Florida MLS ADOM statistics

Pet friendly condos for sale

Here is a sample of pet friendly condos for sale in and around the Orlando area.

Holiday gifts for home owners.

Is there a new home owner in your family or circle of friends? Here are a few practical and fun suggestions for the perfect new home owner gift.

Welcome mats. I liked the one that reads “come back when you have a warrant.”

Doorbells. From dragonflies to Tibetan bowl doorbell chime.

Pink flamingos. Is it really a home if there is not a pink flamingo in the yard?

Tire swings. Hand crafted. Take a look at these recycled tire swings.

Mailbox. A huge selection if mailboxes to choose from

Happy Holidays!

Affordable housing in the Orlando area

We have several 3 bedroom, 2 bath homes for sale in and around the Orlando area priced at or below the $235k median price as reported by the Orlando Realtor Association.

Here is a list of affordable homes for sale in the Orlando area.

Is the media to blame for the current real estate market?

National Association of Realtors, Lawrence Yun, in presentations Wednesday to Kansas City area real estate agents, said the media’s biggest mistake was too much reporting on nationwide real estate trends.

Foreclosure market update for Orlando area

In Seminole and Orange there are as of December 20th, 269 homes listed for sale described as being in foreclosure. This is approximately 1.3% of the total listings for the 2 counties.

There have been 75 homes in these 2 counties that have sold this year out of 14,281 reported sales or 0.525% of the total sales have been homes described as being in foreclosure.

Sold numbers are expected to increase as the in foreclosure inventory increases. There has been a 72% increase of homes coming on the market listed as being in foreclosure from September to November as compared to 19% total increase of listings during the same period.

Now an easier way to apply for a home loan in Orlando

I have added a page that will allow you to view all the resources available through Watson Mortgage. You can use the financing calculators or go right to the loan application. My hope is that you will find it useful and convenient to shop for a home and financing from the comfort of your home.

Housing starts decline

Nationwide housing starts declined 3.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.19 million units in November as home builders wisely continued to put the brakes on new-home production, according to newly released data from the U.S. Commerce Department.


Related Florida real estate views:

Buyer's demand for new homes remain low during peak season

Home builders continue to slow housing production.

Home builders expect real estate recovery to begin in the second half of 2008

Orlando fixer upper homes for sale

Maybe you are a fan of the seemingly hundreds of TV shows about flipping homes for fun and profit or just a handy man or woman who would like to save a few dollars and buy a home that is in need of work that you are capable of doing. Whatever the reason, I have now added a page to my site that showcases fixer upper homes for sale in Orlando.

Even with the current market conditions, you should be able to find a good deal from the lists that will be updated regularly.

Realtors lost in denial

denial: a defense mechanism that denies painful thoughts


Here are my favorite responses from agents who have homes on the market for several months that have not received a price adjustment.

"It is the lowest priced home in the neighborhood."

Yes, an it will be the lowest priced expired listing in the neighborhood too. Lowest price means nothing in today's market.

"The agents who showed the home say it is priced right."

Agent feedback means nothing. What did the buyer say? If buyers say it is priced right, it would be sold.

"They need to get this much out of it."

Guess what, they probably are not going to sell it then. A seller's need to sell at price not justified by the market has no impact on a buyer making an offer.

"It is priced right but the yard is to small or it has no garage or an airport is being built next door, or the carpet needs cleaned."

Always something that just keeps the house from selling. You can bag up all of those reasons and simply say, it is priced to high. If it had a garage or a yard or a pool or..or...or... then it would be worth what you are asking. But it doesn't so guess what? Priced to high.

Home builder confidence remain unchanged

A report released by the National Association of Home Builders indicates that the majority of builder's confidence levels have not changed over the past several months.

Home builders do believe that recent action taken by Congress and the Administration are a "step in the right direction".

Related Florida real estate views:

Builders say tax credit will boost sales.

Buyer's demand for new homes remain low during peak season

Home builders continue to slow housing production.

- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Watson Realty enjoys sales success in Windermere

Sharon Alters of Watson Realty's Orlando office successfully sold her Windermere listing in less than 3 months. The Windermere home sold for $574,000 on December 6th and only spent 71 days on the market from start to finish.

With the Orlando areas average days on the market quickly approaching 4 months, to have such a quick sale is a reflection on Watson Realty and Sharon's marketing efforts and understanding of the current market conditions.

The 5 bedroom home 4 bath home built in 2003 has over 3000 square feet.

Volusia County has been approved for $1 million for hurricane home fortification

Homesteaded homes with an insured value of $300,000 or less may qualify for funds to fortify their homes from hurricane damage.

The program was created by the Florida Legislature in 2006 to provide free wind inspections and grants to homeowners.

To find out if your home qualifies you can visit the Volusia County government website for more information.


Related Florida real estate views:

Kissimmee - Hurricane Preparation Expo

If a hurricane results in flooding, is your home protected?

Roof replacement changes in Florida


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

How Does a Realtor Professional Benefit the Community?”

That is the topic of the essay high school seniors can write to have a chance to win scholarship money from the Florida Association of Realtors.

For more information you can find the press release here.


Related Florida real estate views:

Is customer service improving as the market weakens?

Watson Realty Corp. Earns Achievement Award

Landschoot Earns RELO Direct® Service Award


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Trying to stay in Google for real estate related terms

The above should be sung to the tune of " lions, tigers and bears, oh my!"

It has been a bad week for my main website. Last Sunday I felt like I needed to redirect a domain name to my main domain. Of course this is something I have never done, knew little about but hey, what could it hurt, right?

Well almost 1 week later, here is the damage. I have lost all real estate keyword positions previously held before last Sunday. I spent at least a day listed on Google for the only term I can find that links to my site, my name, with that ugly "run screaming for your life away from this site" warning just below my site's description. OK, it may not have read exactly like that but it sure felt like it when I read it.

I am not even sure the malware warning was due to my redirect. I have my site hosted with a hosting company and there are reports circulating indicating malware problems. A call to my hosting company and a 45 minute conversation with a nice enough fella who stated confidently that there was no malicious code on my site left me with few answers to my problem.

Then just like that, ok, I did submit for a Google review, but still, just like that the warning label was gone by the next morning. Not so lucky as of now about my keywords, however. They are still in disappeared land.

OK, venting now over.

Actually I feel like I handled this with remarkable calm. I still received a few good leads this week. Yahoo seems to love my site lately.

So what does this all have to do with Florida real estate and Watson Realty and Orlando real estate which is what this blog is suppose to be about?

Well, until I can figure out what went wrong, Google customers for the most part are missing the chance to visit one of the very best real estate sites to search for Orlando and surrounding area homes.

All is not lost, you can still get there from here.

Stay tuned.


Related Florida real estate views:

I went searching for a bank and found a Neopet

Orlando housing

What is Google trying to say?


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Huge jump in bank owned real estate sales in Orlando for 2007

2007 is setting a torrid pace in foreclosed or bank owned property selling over 2006 numbers. You can view Recent statistics of bank owned sales in Orlando on my Orlando real estate site.


Related Florida real estate views:

Banks that are selling houses in Deltona

What Central Florida city has the most foreclosed homes for sale?

Bank owned homes for sale in St. Cloud


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

You are welcome to stop in

This is a photo of our lobby. Notice how light, bright and inviting it is? Feel free to stop in and discuss your Orlando real estate needs. 2035 Howell Branch Road in Maitland. Buyers and sellers welcome.

Related Florida real estate views:

I am now the Broker/Manager of Watson Realty's Kissimmee office

Watson Realty

Watson Realty Corp. opens new office in Central Florida

- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Orlando real estate market report

The end of the year continues down the well-worn path we have experienced now for some 24 months. Recent reports indicate 33 homes have closed from December 1st – 5th as compared to 115 homes during the same period last year. This calculates to a 71% drop in sales in Orlando alone. At the current rate of homes coming on and leaving the market, the Orlando area should have nearly 30 months of inventory.

30 months of homes on the market would seem daunting were it not for the fact that the majority of these homes are not really priced to sell. The vast majority of the sellers and Realtors are not being realistic on their pricing. The real work for buyers and their Realtors is to weed through the thousands of homes unrealistically over priced to find those few homes that are priced correctly and truly marketable.

2008 will most likely be more of the same. The correcting market will continue to make news and leave many perplexed to the final outcome. Now is the time for buyers and sellers to view the current conditions as it only relates to them personally. It will always be a perfect real estate market to an individual buyer and an individual seller who meet, negotiate fairly and agree to mutually beneficial terms. Those types of transactions are still happening throughout Florida and will continue regardless of how the overall market performs.

Related Florida real estate views:

Orlando home sellers: giving in, selling or losing their home?

I would not buy a house in Florida.

Real estate agents would be wise to pick short sales over long sales.

- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Stetson University's blog receives makover

Stetson University located in Deland Florida announced the makeover of the Stetson blog. The student controlled blog offers an inside look at campus life and informs prospective students about what life at Stetson is like.

Related Florida real estate views:

University of Florida predicts Florida residents will keep their money in their wallet

Close to UCF, Full Sail - Orlando home

Volusia County schools receive good grades


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Orlando ranked as the 24th most walkable city

According to a MSNBC quoting a report by Brookings Institution, Orlando is the 24th best walkable city in the U.S. The top 30 cities by rank are:

1. Washington

2. Boston

3. San Francisco

4. Denver

5. Portland, Ore.

6. Seattle

7. Chicago

8. Miami

9. Pittsburgh

10. New York

11. San Diego

12. Los Angeles

13. Philadelphia

14. Atlanta

15. Baltimore

16. St. Louis

17. Minneapolis

18. Detroit

19. Columbus, Ohio

20. Las Vegas

21. Houston

22. San Antonio

23. Kansas City, Mo.

24. Orlando, Fla.

25. Dallas

26. Phoenix

27. Sacramento, Calif.

28. Cincinnati

29. Cleveland

30. Tampa, Fla.

Related Florida real estate views:

You may be able to walk across the US faster than you can sell your Orlando area home.

Florida State Parks offer free admission on July 13th

Baby Boomers love to grill


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Have you received a post card or mailing from a Realtor?

If it is a Watson Realty Maitland/Orlando agent who sent the card, chances are good it's journey started here.

Direct mail is an important feature of an agents marketing plan. A professionally created card that announces a new listing, or a new sale or provides information about the neighborhood or market conditions is often times the tool that connects our agents to consumers who are thinking of buying or selling their home.

We believe in the benefits of a direct mail campaign and strive to provide our agents with the tools that they need to accomplish their marketing goals. From our office alone, we average over 14,000 pieces of bulk mail monthly. Our agents love this free business tool we provide them and our sellers love the exposure.

Related Florida real estate views:

Does your agent have enough money to advertise your home?

Free report on why your home did not sell.

Positioning ourselves for real estate success in the years ahead

- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Do you own rental property in Deltona?

Here is important information from Deltona's official newsletter that may apply to you.

YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THAT IN MARCH
the City Commission passed a rental
property ordinance designed to make sure
that renters are adhering to the same
beautification standards as other residents,
and to assure that their living
conditions are healthy and safe. The ordinance requires
annual registration of all residential rental properties
located within the City, except rental
properties with on-site owners or management.
A $30 annual fee per property
is due at the time of registration. The key to
monitoring rental propertiesis for City staff to have a local agent
or point of contact for each. The ordinance
requires each owner or agent to register
with the Department of Finance andInternal Services, naming a
local point of contact.
Residents with questions about the residential
rental program regulations should call the Business Tax
Office, (386) 878-8564
or (386) 878-8563.

Related Florida real estate views:

The condition of the rental property is important.

Are you qualified to buy a home but would rather wait?

Orlando’s Orange County leads the way with rentals in Central Florida


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Orlando Christmas Parade

The Orlando Christmas Parade will take place on December 15th. If you can’t make it in person, Local TV on WRDQ TV 27 will air the parade on Saturday, December 22nd,
from 8:00 – 9:00 pm. It will air on National TV on Superstation WGN on Sunday, December 23rd, from 9:00 – 10:00 pm.

Related Florida real estate views:

Downtown Orlando will be getting festive this year.

Florida real estate and the Santa connection

Ground Hog day tornado Deland Florida

- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Need to get a car tag or title in Volusia County?

Then you will love this. Volusia County has a web cam installed so you can monitor the long lines from home before leaving. They even can tell you approximately how long you will be waiting in line:

The average line at the tag office moves at a rate of one person every one
and a half to two minutes.

The cam shows title and tag offices throughout Volusia County including Deland and Orange City.


Related Florida real estate views:

Deland houses for sale

Volusia County schools receive good grades

New homes planned for Deland


- Greg Staker Watson Realty Corp. 407-304-0255

Who is moving to Florida?

According to a report published by Fishkind & Associates, Inc., the following are the top 10 States and Countries where Florida migrants originate from. This list is from 2000-2006.

Domestic Migration

1. New York
2. New Jersey
3. Illinois
4. Ohio
5. Pennsylvania
6. Georgia
7. Michigan
8. California
9. Massachusetts
10. Virginia

Overseas

1. Venezuela
2. Puerto Rico
3. Haiti
4. Argentina
5. Brazil
6. Mexico
7. United Kingdom
8. Chile
9. Canada
10. Germany


Related Florida real estate views:

Orlando international visitors

Watson Realty Corp. meets with International Broker

International relocation


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Win a car and help the SPCA in Orlando/Central Florida

Here is a chance to help homeless pets and maybe win a car. The details can be found on the Orlando/Central Florida Humane Society page.

Visit my my site for information on finding a pet friendly home.

Related Florida real estate views:

I went searching for a bank and found a Neopet

Buy a home near a dog park

What to look for when buying a pet friendly home in Orlando

- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

FHA expected to help thousands avoid foreclosure

The government expects to assist thousands of homeowners avoid foreclosure by proving them the ability to refinance their sub prime loans HUD’s new mortgage product.

The latest news release from HUD explains how the FHASecure program will help homeowners who have made their payments on time prior to the increase of their interest rate, to refinance into an FHA program.

Give us a call to find out if this program will benefit you.


Related Florida real estate views:

HUD is coming to a theater near you

Florida attorneys offering free help to homeowners facing foreclosure

Mr. Postman look and see if there is a letter from FHA for me.


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Poor underwriting help fuel subprime mortgage mess

In a news release from the Mortgage Bankers Association, poor underwriting practices contributed to the increase in defaults and foreclosures of loans originated in 2006 and 2007.

A report by Fitch Ratings made several observations regarding the current mortgage situation the country is facing.

In addition to the inherent risk of these products, evidence is mounting that in
many instances these risks were not controlled through sound underwriting practices.

Moreover, in the absence of effective underwriting, products such as “no
money down” and “stated income” mortgages appear to have
become vehicles for misrepresentation or fraud by participants
throughout the origination process.

Fitch believes that much of the poor underwriting and fraud associated
with the increases in affordability products was masked by the ability
of the borrower to refinance or quickly re-sell the property prior to the
loan defaulting, due to rapidly rising home prices.

Homeowners who have very little or nothing invested in their homes would seem more likely to walk away when times are tough.

The effort should be in finding those honest hard working homeowners who wish to keep their homes and helping them find solutions to avoid default and foreclosure.


Related Florida real estate views:

Mortgage fraud in Florida

Impact of foreclosure on families

Florida vs Countrywide. Lawsuit filed.


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Foreclosures affect property management

The increase of foreclosures impacts tenants and rental property.

Related Florida real estate views:

More people sharing living arrangements suggest University of Florida

Bill introduced to help with foreclosure and low-income housing

The condition of the rental property is important.


- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255