Where can I buy Florida holiday ornaments?

Were you aware that you could purchase holiday ornaments that are unique to Florida? These ornaments are created as reminders of Florida's distinctive history, landscape and culture.

You can visit the Florida's History Shop to view this years ornaments.

You can also visit my free home search page to find a new home to display your new ornaments.


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Find money for the holidays. Unclaimed property.

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Find money for the holidays. Unclaimed property.

The holidays are upon us and everyone would like to have a little more money to buy those extra gifts and surprises for their friends and family. Where might you find extra money? Try the State of Florida Unclaimed Property website.

According to the State of Florida "The most common types of unclaimed property are dormant bank accounts,unclaimed insurance proceeds, stocks, dividends, uncashed checks, deposits, credit balances and refunds."

You can search to see if you have unclaimed property by visiting the Bureau of Unclaimed Property.

If you find you have lots of money and would like to purchase a home, you can search for a home here.


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I own a home I purchased before I was married, does my spouse have to sign the listing paperwork?

Q: I own a home I purchased before I was married, the home is a non-homestead property, does my spouse have to sign the listing paperwork?

A: No. Since the title to the property is vested in your name only and the property is NON-HOMESTEAD property you are the only one that needs to sign the listing paperwork.


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Where are the cheapest houses for sale?

Real estate prices in Florida are falling to levels we have not seen in years. First time home buyers and repeat buyers and investors are now able to buy homes at incredible prices.

Where are the cheapest houses for sale in Central Florida? The following is the active inventory list by county of homes priced under $100,000.

• Lake County which includes Eustis, Mt. Dora, Groveland, Clermont and Leesburg have 245 homes listed under $100,000.
• Orange County home to Orlando and Winter Park report 664 listings under $100,000.
• Osceola County includes Kissimmee and St. Cloud is showing 306 homes under $100K
• Seminole County with cities that include Altamonte Springs and Sanford are reporting 120 homes for sale under $100,000.

The facts are houses are being sold at the cheapest prices in some time. If you would like a list of homes in your area, contact me. You can conduct your own home search by using this home search page.

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When is the Orlando Christmas tree lighting ceremony?

The When is the Orlando Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held on December 2 at 5:00 p.m. at the City Hall Plaza.

You can view complete information about this annual event by visiting here.

If you would like to view homes for sale in the Orlando area, you can visit this free home search page.

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Builders are cutting prices to help the real estate market

The National Association of home Builders in a recent press release say that builders are doing what they can to help the real estate market get moving in a positive direction. Cutting prices along with offering incentives and reducing production are big steps towards recovery but the National Association of Home Builders acknowledge that more must be done and are calling on congress to help by:

• expanding the first-time home buyer tax credit
• government buy-down of mortgage interest rates

You can take advantage of the special incentives and reduced new home pricing by contacting me to receive a list of new homes available in your area. Or you can search from thousands of new homes that are currently listed for sale today.

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Will the winner of Florida's Powerball lottery buy a house?

The Florida Lottery will be offering the multi-state Powerball lottery game starting in January 2009.

Governor Christ Charlie Crist said; "I applaud the Florida Lottery for continuing its mission of maximizing sales for the state's education system - benefiting Florida students in all grade levels,"... "Joining Powerball will help ensure that the promise made to Floridians 22 years ago continues to be fulfilled."

Leave the luck for lottery games. If you don't want to leave your successful real estate transaction to luck contact me to buy or sell a home.


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Florida Attorney General offers suggestions to help consumers avoid holiday shopping stress, potential scams and overspending.

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum issued a news release this week that offers advise to Floridians. The Attorney General encourages consumers to plan ahead in or to avoid stress, potential scams and overspending this holiday season. His suggestions included:

• Read sale ads carefully. Some ads may say “quantities limited,” “no rain checks,” or “not available at all stores.” Call to make sure the item is available.
• Look for price-matching policies. Some merchants will match, or even beat, a competitor’s price.
• Ask about sales adjustments. If you buy an item that goes on sale the next week, can you get a credit or refund?

The news release also suggested shoppers shop locally and spend their money with merchants they know and trust. Additionally the news release covered how to protect yourself when purchasing holiday gift cards.

Be sure to review the helpful tips to holiday shoppers. If you are considering purchasing real estate this holiday season, Watson Realty has been a trusted name for over 40 years in Florida. You can visit this search for a home page or contact me to talk with a real estate professional.

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What time does Florida and Florida State play?

The Florida-Florida State football match up will be played tomorrow, Saturday November 29 at 3:30. The game will be shown on ABC.


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10 acres for sale in Osceola Florida

Osceola County Florida is home to cities that include Kissimmee and St. Cloud. Right now in Osceola there are 10 homes for sale listed with 10 acres of more. Additionally there are over 50 parcels of ground listed for sale that are 10 acres plus.

To find out more about these available properties, contact me or search for your home here.


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I know I can buy a list of foreclosures on the internet, is there a way to search the MLS for foreclosures?

I know I can buy a list of foreclosures on the internet, is there a way to search the MLS for foreclosures?

Yes. Most people interested in buying foreclosures should contact their local real estate agent before they purchase lists of foreclosures being offered online or in trade magazines. I can provide any qualified buyer with information and a list of available foreclosed homes in the area and price they are interested in. The MLS I have access to allows me to search for bank owned, in-foreclosure and pre-foreclosure listings.

If you would like to have me help you contact me today to get started. You can also take advantage of this home search tool to look for homes in your area.


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Can a buyer using FHA financing make an offer on a short sale or foreclosure?

Can a buyer using FHA financing make an offer on a short sale or foreclosure?

Yes, a buyer who is obtaining FHA financing can make offers on short sales or foreclosure property.

The problems the buyer might encounter could revolve around the FHA minimum required property standards. Minimum required property standards may result in items needing to be repaired or replaced in the home before the buyer will receive full loan approval. The short sale seller or REO lender may not be able or willing to make these repairs.

Make sure your buyer is aware that short sale and REO homes are often listed for sale in as is condition which could prevent the buyer from obtaining financing.

Contact me to discuss your real estate financing questions or use my new home search feature to find the right house for you.


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What is the best interior layout for a house?

What is the best interior layout for a house? This ultimately will be based on an individuals personal taste, likes and dislikes. One of the more popular interior layout designs ask for by buyers is a home with a split plan or split bedroom. A split plan places the master bedroom at the opposite end of the house from the remaining bedrooms.

There are over 30,000 split plan homes for sale in Central Florida right now. Contact me for more information or search for your home here.


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Once under contract can a seller decide not to sell their home?

I received a visitor to my blog who arrived here by typing the following question into Google looking for an answer.


"Once under contract can a seller decide not to sell their home?"

From an executed contract point of view a seller cannot simply decide not to sell. As long as all terms of the contract, attached addendum's and clauses have or are being met the seller is under contractual obligation to complete the sale. You should always seek legal advice if you have questions regarding your real estate transaction.


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Orlando area short sales real estate agents

The short sale process should not be handled by a real estate beginner. The very best Orlando short sales real estate agents are those who have received ongoing training, have a complete understanding of the process and have hands on experience closing short sales.

All of the above describe the short sale experts in my office. With many closed deals under their belt you will not find a more experienced dedicated group of Orlando area agents to help you with your short sale transaction.

Contact me or give me a call 407-304-0255.


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Magical thinking and Florida real estate

Magical thinking: The inaccurate belief that one's thoughts, words, or actions will cause or prevent a specific outcome that does not demonstrate a realistic relationship between cause and effect. (Dr. Ted Sarbin and Dr. Leissa Nelson of the Defense Personnel Security Research Center)

Magical thinking as it relates to Florida real estate include:

• Sellers who believe that it does not matter how high they price their home, buyers can always make an offer.
• Real estate agents who believe that someone will call them to buy or sell a house if they wait at their desks long enough, wishing real hard.
• Buyers who believe banks are going to respond quickly to their offers and counter those offers that are ridiculously low.
• Real estate agents who believe their fellow real estate agents will call them within 24 hours of showing their listing with helpful feedback.
• Sellers who believe their homes are worth the same as they were 2 years ago.
• Buyers who believe they can simply walk away from an executed contract without just reason and suffer no penalty.
• Real estate agents who believe that additional training and education is a waste of time.

Magical thinking has a hold on many of the participants related to Florida real estate. Only those who break free from that type of thinking will have the opportunity to succeed in this market.

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Maybe I Should Move To Florida

Maybe I Should Move To Florida is a post written on Michele Neylon :: Pensieri. The author mentions reading advertisements for homes for sale for a "few thousand dollars".

While those "few thousand dollar" may or may not be inhabitable, the fact remains that the declining home prices in Florida could have many people thinking it might be time to move here. REO and short sale properties are being offered for sale well under $100K and with interest rates low, bargain hunters are starting to pay attention.

If you think that you should move to Florida, here is a website to search for Florida homes or you could just contact me and I will search for you.


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The environmental dangers of moving firewood

I must admit I was not aware of the environmental dangers of moving firewood. Here is a short video that discusses the problem.





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Where can you find information about Florida schools?

The Florida Department of Education provides information about Florida schools including school grades and accountability reporting. If you are considering moving to a new home and schools are important you should independently verify school information by all means available including visiting the FDOE website.

The Florida Department of Education provides answers to the education system in Florida. To find Florida homes for sale you will want to visit my Florida home search page or contact me and I will search for homes for you.


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Buy a home with hardwood floors

Is it important that the next home you buy in Florida have hardwood floors? If so you may be please to learn that I can set up a specific search for you that only includes available homes for sale with hardwood floors.

Right now there are over 14,000 homes listed for sale with wood flooring. Contact me to receive the latest list of homes in your area and price range. If you would like to search for homes on your own prior to contacting me you can use this home search feature.

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In law suites offer advantages to home buyers

In law suites, attached apartments, or other living quarters that are available in addition to the main home offer some home buyers the perfect solution to living arrangement or budget issues. Florida has many of these types of properties for sale in a wide range of prices. Current inventory shows listings that are:

• in law suites - 1238 listings
• detached in law apartment - 1,031
• available rental apartment - 607 listings

There are many affordable homes that match every home buyers need. Contact me to start your home search or you can shop for your home by visiting this home search page.

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MFRMLS website appears to be down

I attempted to reach the MFRMLS site and found an error message, "Account for domain www.mfrmls.com has been suspended". From messages I receive when accessing the MLS it appears that MFRMLS is aware and are working on the problem.

For those trying to reach MFRMLS, here are the phone numbers I have:

Technical assistance: 407-218-8607
Toll free: 800-686-7451


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Hope for Homeowners program changes will help Florida residents

HUD recently announced changes to the Hope for Homeowners program which is designed to help distressed homeowners refinance their existing mortgages.

The new changes which can be found on the FHA press release, were created to help lower consumer cost and drive down the homeowners monthly mortgage obligation.

To qualify borrowers must show a long term ability to pay and the program is for owner occupants only.

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Realtors need to be sure the good real estate deals, really are.

Unfortunately it appears homes are being listed in the MLS at prices that may not be what the seller will actually accept.

My guess is the thought process of the listing real estate agent is by listing the home at a price is low enough the home will attract more buyers which increases the chance of receiving offers. Once offers start coming in the seller and agent no doubt are counting on multiple offers to compete against each other thereby raising the price the home sells for.

Recent information received from FAR should give those agents engaging in this type of listing manipulation pause for concern.

The FAR article asks the question:

Q: If a real estate licensee lists a property at a below market price he knows the seller probably won’t accept, is the licensee in violation of Florida real estate license law?

FAR’s General Counsel Randy Schwartz responds, "While a violation of the Florida real estate license law is a matter to be determined by the Florida Real Estate Commission, in my opinion, if a licensee lists a property for a price the licensee and the seller know is not acceptable, a case of misrepresentation and false advertisement can be made under Chapter 475.25(1)(c) Florida Statutes. It would not make any difference if the listing indicated that the selling price was subject to a third party lender or not; it is more a matter of advertising something that is known to not be acceptable."

If you are interested in finding legitimate good real estate deals, contact me or search for homes on this web page.

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What is the effective date of a real estate contract?

The effective date is the date on which the last party signed or initialed and delivered the final offer or counteroffer.

Contact me if you would like assistance with selling or buying real estate or search for real estate in your area here.


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First time home buyer, this market is for you!

During the Central Florida real estate boom-years the first time home buyer quite often found themselves out in the cold unable to purchase a home because of the unparalleled rising home prices. Purchasing a home during the boom was a luxury for those who already owned a home that could be sold for huge profits or for those in the business to flip houses.

Well, guess what? They are baaaack! Home prices throughout Central Florida have fallen back to levels where first time home buyers can now jump into the home ownership game. The Central Florida market would include Lake, Osceola, Orange, Seminole and West Volusia Counties and they now offer the following to first time home buyers:

• 706 homes for sale in Central Florida are 3 bedroom, 2 bath homes and are priced at $100,000 or less
• 2,242 homes for sale in Central Florida are 3 bedroom, 2 bath homes are priced between $101,000 and $150,000

This is a huge opportunity for those who have never owned a home, to buy a quality affordable home in their area at prices that have not been seen for years. Reports suggest that median income levels in Central Florida are more than enough to purchase a median priced home.

The time is now to invest in your first home. Contact me to start the process or take advantage of my free home search tool to view homes for sale in your area.

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People are turning to Florida Realtors

Increase activity during the 3rd quarter was cause for 2008 FAR President Chuck Bonfiglio to comment that "people are turning to Florida Realtors more than ever". President Bonfiglio cited the following reasons for his comment:

• Realtor's professional expertise
• Knowledge
• Friendly guidance

All of the above according to the FAR President helps the seller and buyer in making the "complex process of buying or selling their home go more easily and smoothly.”

If you are interested in buying or selling a home and would like to use the services of a Florida Realtor, contact me.

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PROPOPOLY™ real estate blogs

Canadians are interested in Florida real estate

The majority of visitors to Florida real estate view are from the United States. After the U.S. the second highest number of visitors live in Canada. The top ten places where Canadians that visit live are:

1. Toronto
2. Montreal
3. Vancouver
4. Etobicoke
5. Ottawa
6. St John's
7. London
8. Mount Pearl
9. Richmond Hill
10. Oshawa

Regardless of where you live you can search for homes or contact me and I will search for homes for you.

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- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

Real estate investors should take note

This week one of my agents sold 5 homes to a real estate investor who evidently has been paying attention to what is going on in Central Florida. All 5 homes that this investor purchased were listed below $100,000.

With bank owned and short sales driving down real estate values, investors have a great opportunity to jump back into the real estate market and acquire property and prices not seen for years. Real deals can be found throughout Central Florida including the following counties with the number of homes currently for sale priced under $100,000. :

• Osceola County - 647
• Polk - 1458
• Seminole - 452
• Orange - 1990
• Lake - 515
• Volusia 488

If you are interested in picking up several homes to add to your real estate investment portfolio, contact me and provide me with the area you are interested in and I will provide you with a list of available homes.

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If you do not understand ask an expert or specialist prior to buying or selling a home

We encourage all buyers and sellers to verify facts and representations that are of importance to them prior to buying or selling a home or property. You should consult the appropriate professional for advice if you are uncertain or unclear about any part of the transaction. Advice you should seek includes:

• Legal advice
• Interpretation of contract or addendum's
• Researching of laws that effect the property
• Title issues
• Foreign Investor reporting requirements
• Tax information
• Condition of the property

A savvy buyer or seller will seek out specialized advice and not rely strictly on their agent or other parties involved in the transaction . If you would like more information about the steps to buying or selling a home, contact me.

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Why overpricing your home will not work

By now you would think real estate agents and homeowners would understand why it is useless to overprice a home in today's market. Looking at the listing inventory it is clear that not everyone fully understands why overpricing their home will not work. The obvious reasons include:

• Buyers are not going to be fooled. Buyers have huge resources they can use to help them determine which homes are good values and which homes are not. No amount of incentives or real estate agent bonuses are going to motivate a buyer in today's market to buy a home that is still overpriced even with the offered incentives. A savvy home buyer has most likely seen enough listings in person that when they are shown a home that is obviously overpriced, they will recognize it as so instantly.
• Competition is healthy and in the case of an overpriced home, the competition is going to make your chances of selling very unhealthy and highly unlikely. Bank owned, short sale and truly motivated sellers are going to grab up any and all qualified home buyers long before a buyer loses their mind and pays way to much for your house. Properly priced homes understand that "waiting for the right buyer" has been replaced with buyers "waiting for the right house".
• You get one chance to make a first impression and if the first impression a buyer has of your home is that it is overpriced, you may never be able to impress that buyer again even if you become serious about selling and start lowering your asking price.

The bottom line right now is the best home, aggressively priced is going to attract buyers and those homes that are overpriced are only going to attract frustration and disappointment. If you would like help in determining the value of your home, contact me.

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Altamonte Springs city job postings

If you are interested in obtaining a job for the City of Altamonte Springs you can view available jobs on this city job page.


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Orlando Christmas

In a recent press release, Orbitz lists Orlando as the second most popular destination during the Christmas holiday and vacation time.

While you are here contact me to search for a home for the holidays!


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Thousands of homes in the Orlando area priced under the median home price

Reports released by ORRA indicate that the median sales price in and around the Orlando area during October was $178,000. Right now there are nearly 15,000 homes listed for sale listed at or below the reported median home price.

Contact me to receive a list of homes in the price range and location that you are interested in.


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- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

Home sales increase in Osceola County. Kissimmee, St. Cloud

The Orlando Regional Realtor Association reports today that home sales in Osceola County which is home to Kissimmee and St. Cloud increased over 47% compared to the same time last year.

Competitive home prices are inviting buyers back into the market. If you are looking to buy a home in Kissimmee, St. Cloud or anywhere in Osceola County or Central Florida, take advantage of this free home search feature.


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- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

What cities are interested in Florida real estate?

Over the last 30 days Florida real estate view has received visitors from 100's of cities according to my latest Google Analytics stats. Is the buyer of your home or property among those visitors? It is possible, may of these visitors have emailed asking about available property in the Central Florida market place. Many others I am sure are taking advantage of my free home search feature which allows them to search the very latest listings without having to register.

The top cities visiting this blog over the past 30 days include:

1. Deland
2. Orlando
3. Winter Park
4. Buffalo
5. Miami
6. Deltona
7. Daytona Beach
8. New York
9. Port Orange
10. Kissimmee

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New website, Florida Housing Help created to connect Floridians with housing assistance

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has created a new Florida website to assist citizens with finding federal housing assistance. The new website can be found here. The site will be a one stop source for housing information to help Floridians including those struggling to make their mortgage payments, first time homebuyer information, veteran and community information.

Most of what is on the site can also be found within the posts of this blog. You can search for Florida homes from this blog.


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How do I apply for a Seminole County Florida job?

Are you interested in finding a job or position with Seminole County Florida? Seminole County's Human Resource Department has a website where you can view available jobs and find out how to apply.

You can visit the Seminole County job site here.


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- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

The British are coming... to buy bargain Florida holiday homes

Overseas buyer's can take advantage of the holiday home bargains mentioned in this online real estate news piece or they can search for home here to find over 7000 bank owned holiday home bargains.


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How can my attending BloodhoundBlog Unchained in Orlando help you buy or sell Florida real estate?

This past Friday I attended the BloodhoundBlog Unchained real estate training, real estate marketing and real estate technology event held in Orlando. The event was organized by Greg Swan of Bloodhoundblog and Brian Brady, America's #1 Mortgage Broker. I had a choice of attending the National Association of Realtor convention being held in Orlando at the same time or this event and I believe I made the right choice. Anytime you can come away from a workshop or training that you pay to attend and not only feel like you got your money's worth but would have gladly paid more, that has to be a good thing, right?

So can my attending this event help with your needs of buying or selling a home? Absolutely! There was so much great information that when implemented or altered to fit the Central Florida market, my buyers and sellers will benefit as well. I'll explain as I recap the highlights.

1. Greg Swann opened the session talking about Greeks and philosophy. I will not profess to following every point Greg made; I did take from this portion of the event that success and successful people do not follow the masses. Greg pointed out that 2.0 really means that the Internet is participatory. Buyers and sellers are online and as professionals we need to participate in their discussions.
2. Brian Brady followed up with great information about social media marketing. He offered tips about using Facebook, Linked In and other social media outlets that, when used properly, we can provide valuable information to the buying/selling user.
3. Sherry Chris, CEO of Better Homes and Gardens provided an interesting look at a large real estate firm's efforts to launch the rebirth of their brand online. Sherry acknowledge the importance of the online community as it relates to the new buyer and selling consumer.
4. Teri Lussier helped clarify, for me, the social part of social media. Se explained in great detail how we should be involved in area online communities, including blogging and community forums. Taking the time to build social media relationships will provide opportunities to answer and provide information to buyers and sellers about the buying/selling process and the area and community we live. She also provided a couple of sites that she strongly encouraged that we join and become an active part of.
5. Kelley Koehler talked about adwords. I will admit prior to this session I was pretty much clueless to how adwords work. Kelley's presentation was easy to follow and informative. Along with adword information, she also provided great tips for our websites and blogs which I am eager start.
6. Mitch Ribak Wow, my fellow Floridian Broker was full of great information. His company is flourishing in our current market based in part by his following the practices that he discussed with us. A strong Internet presence, a consistent follow up program, a great attitude, lead converting, lead generation and making sure your marketing efforts are targeting the right people.
7. John Rowles introduced his IDX solution. It appears to be a very comprehensive system and I am sure it will generate leads for those who take advantage of it.
8. Sean Purcell discussed the Bloodhound Way and it was apparent the Bloodhound Way involves thinking about your marketing instead of just doing whatever the next guy before you has or is doing. I enjoyed his thought provoking question about why do we plaster the front view of our listing on our marketing pieces when most likely the person reading the piece is right in front of the house and can see the front. Wouldn't it be better to have a thumbnail picture of the front and larger pictures of the other rooms in the house?
9. Eric Blackwell was the last presenter but certainly not the least in information. Eric provided hands-on useful information about SEO and the real estate website. Eric was kind enough to spend the better part of his lunch break discussing SEO and what matters not only in the eyes of Google but also the customer.

So much useful information. I met several great people from around the country and hopefully will have the opportunity to talk and meet with these folks again in the near future. Re-reading my notes I see terms like "win the niches", "send marketing prospecting to area that are moving to your area", "make sure landing pages allows visitors an ability to search for homes", "timely, on subject and written by an authority" and "Forced registration works".

Of course what I posted here is just an overview of the session, the good stuff I am keeping to myself and will use for the benefit of my customers and agents. : )

I would encourage every real estate professional who has an opportunity to attend a Bloodhound Unchained event to do so. Your career and customers will thank you.

Related Florida real estate views:

Our market plan includes advertising your home to international real estate buyers

Open houses don't work.

I am not going to give my home away!

- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

Is it a buyer real estate market in Central Florida?

Is it a buyer real estate market in Central Florida? Of course it is. Buyers now have;

• thousands of listings to choose from.
• the lowest real estate prices in years.
• favorable interest rates.
• motivated sellers to deal with.
• tax advantages never before available.

Central Florida real estate is a buyer market to those buyers who want or need to purchase a home. Contact me to find out if the market is specifically right for you to buy.

Related Florida real estate views:

Were you satisfied the last time you bought a house?

7500 tax credit Florida available to homebuyers

Watson Mortgage has money to loan

- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

FREE rabies vaccine - Orlando Orange County

Orange County Animal Services announces a Pet Amnesty Day on Saturday, November 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Goldenrod Park.

Date: Saturday, November 8th, 2008
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Goldenrod Park (4863 N Goldenrod Rd. Winter Park, FL 32792)

For more information about this event, please call (407) 836-3111 or visit their website at www.ocnetpets.com


Related Florida real estate views:

The house cat only rings twice

Buy a home near a dog park

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


- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

How about the flamingo? Osprey may become new Florida state bird.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Department of Education conducted a vote of Florida's 4th - 8th graders to select a new state bird.

The osprey beat the snowy egret, great egret, brown pelican and black skimmer for most votes. The bill will be introduced to the 2009 Legislative Session. Students and interested parties can follow the process here, http://www.vote4bird.org/.

The state bird now is the mockingbird.

Related Florida real estate views:

Top selling vanity or specialty Florida license plate

How do I apply for the additional homestead exemption?

Search for jobs with the Florida State Government


- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

Leaking pipes? Florida residents may qualify for free plumbing.

A class action lawsuit enables Florida residents to a free plumbing replacement if they have leaking PB pipe.

PB pipe (polybutylene) was used during the 1980s and early 1990s in home construction. Leaks found by January 31, 2009 qualify and residents have until May 1, 2009 to file a claim.

Homeowners with PB pipe can call CPRC at 1-800-392-7591 or visit www.pbpipe.com for information about filing a claim and to access claim forms.


Related Florida real estate views:

Why do I need a Permit?

The condition of the rental property is important.

Buy a home that is less than 10 years old


- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

Were you satisfied the last time you bought a house?

Customer service is about making sure the customer is treated the way that they wish to be treated. When buying a house it is important to us that the customer is satisfied with the service we have provided. We strive to make sure the customer:

• Has been adequately qualified to reduce the disappointment of not obtaining a loan.
• Has seen the best selection of homes matching the customers criteria including price and features.
• Was kept informed every step of the way during the transaction.
• We make sure our selling customers understand the direction of the market as it relates to their home.
• Has received feedback from agents and buyers who have showed their home.
• We are available when they are ready to view homes or list their home or request an open house.

Customer service is why we feel we continue to be successful in Florida selling real estate. If you were not satisfied the last time you bought a house, contact me and I will strive to provide you the customer service you desire.

Related Florida real estate views:

What is the most important question to ask a real estate agent?

What do consumers want to know prior to relocating?

Is customer service improving as the market weakens?

- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

Buy a home that is less than 10 years old

If you are interested in buying a home a newer home or a home less than 10 years old then you will be happy to learn that the Central Florida real estate market offers a huge selection of homes for you to choose from.

Right now over 44% of the homes listed in a 5 county area were listed as being built between 1999 and 2008.

To find the right home for you that is less than 10 years old you can visit this home search page or you can contact me and I will search for you.

Related Florida real estate views:

Orlando home builders top 10 lists

Cost for construction climbing for Florida builders

J.D. Power announces top 3 Orlando Builders


- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

Homes for sale with high speed Internet

Homes for sale with high speed Internet can be found in several Central Florida cities including Apopka, Sanford, St. Cloud, Kissimmee, Orlando, Ocoee, Winter Garden and Deland.

Of course these are not the only cities offering homes for sale with high speed Internet. If you would like I can find you a home in the area you are interested in with this feature. Contact me to get started.


Related Florida real estate views:

Florida receives grant to assist with computer and Internet access

Luxury condos for sale in Florida

Homes for sale with gourmet kitchens – Orlando Florida


- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

Walk in closet in master bedroom

What are the extra features of a home with a walk-in closet in master bedroom? Walk in closet features include:

• his and her walk in closets
• walk in closet with dressing area
• walk in closets with drawers
• custom designed walk in closets

You can visit my home search feature to find the home with walk in closets in your area and price range or contact me and I will do the searching for you.

Related Florida real estate views:

Find 6 bedroom homes in Orlando

Besides bedrooms, baths and kitchens, what other rooms would you like in your home?

Where can you find a really big home in Central Florida?

- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

Home air conditioner is common with homes for sale

Does every home in Florida have an air conditioner? Of course not but a very large percentage of them do.

I compared homes that are listed for sale in the MID Florida MLS and then looked at those homes for sale that are listed as having air conditioning and found that out of the 85206 properties for sale, 73727 or over 86% are listed as having an air conditioner.

Home owners understand the importance of having an air conditioner during the warm summer days in Florida. Contact me to find the perfect air conditioned home for you.


Related Florida real estate views:

Is your real estate agent showing you all the wrong homes?

How to find the perfect home.

Interior layout features of the home you are buying


- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

Connect the dots with a real estate referral

The facts are a large percent of the real estate business that we are involved with is business that is referred to us by our past customers and clients. Who you know is one of the single most important factors in connecting the dots between listing a home and buying a home.

Right now you know of someone who could really appreciate and take advantage of the $7500 first time home buyer tax credit. You know of someone who is upside down on their home mortgage and might benefit from understanding the short sale process. You probably know of someone who is moving to Florida, from Florida or even someone who is moving across town in your home town anywhere in the USA.

We appreciate each and every referral you provide us. No referral is too small over ignored. Please help us connect the dots between buyers and sellers and refer everyone you know who may be buying or selling real estate. Contact me.

Related Florida real estate views:

Where do real estate customers come from?

Watson Realty Corp. Earns Achievement Award

Watson Realty nominated for referral award


- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

Is your real estate agent showing you all the wrong homes?

Are you getting frustrated with your real estate agent and your your home search? Are you viewing all the wrong homes? Does it seem like the agent is not pre-qualifying the homes they are showing you? Have they ignored your instructions and specified criteria including those that deal with the size of the home, the price of the home, the age of the home or the construction of the home?

Sometimes it may seem your agent is more interested in showing you only the homes they or their company have listed with little regard to what you want. In some cases the agent may refuse to show you bank owned or short sale homes simply because the agent does not enjoy working with those types of transactions, even though some of those home might be just right for you.

Don't view another wrong home! Make sure your agent understands that you expect them to pre-qualify the homes they intend to show you making sure they match your interests.

Provide me with your specific home criteria and the features you desire and I will show you the right homes until you find one you wish to buy. Contact me today!


Related Florida real estate views:

Ask your real estate agent for references

Where can you find a 1 bedroom home?

Ask the seller to pay closing cost


- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

Ask your real estate agent for references

Having a real estate agent assist you with buying or selling a home is a sound decision. You can increase the soundness of your decision by asking the agents you are interviewing to provide you with a list of references from past customers. The questions you may want to ask of the references provided include:

• How would you rate your overall house buying/selling experience?
• Did your agent make sure you understood and were comfortable with the process?
• Was the agent easy to contact during the transaction?
• Did they adequately explain the paperwork and contracts?
• Were they courteous and professional throughout?
• Would you recommend them to your family or friends?

If the real estate agent you are considering using cannot provide references upon request you should be cautious in selecting them to help you with one of the largest financial investments you will make in your lifetime.

If you are interested in purchasing a home, contact me. References are available.

Related Florida real estate views:

Has your real estate agent disappeared?

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

Finding the right home is like finding a needle in a needle stack

- Greg Staker 407-304-0255

Top selling vanity or specialty Florida license plate

A license plate designed to promote home ownership in Florida is enjoying brisks sales this year according to the Florida Association of Realtors. The hope is that this plate becomes the top selling specialty plate sold in Florida. What is the competition? Here is the top 10 list of vanity/specialty plates sold in Florida during 2007.

1. University of Florida
2. Protect the Panther
3. Protect Wild Dolphins
4. Helping Sea Turtles Survive
5. Florida State University
6. Save the Manatee
7. Protect Our Reefs
8. U.S. Marine Corps
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Choose Life

The specialty license plate you select will match your personality just like the home you buy. To see a list of top 10 homes matching your desired criteria, contact me today.

Related Florida real estate views:

In Florida the law is move over if you see flashing lights.

Worried about gas prices? Buy a house close to everything.

How do I apply for the additional homestead exemption?

- Greg Staker 407-304-0255