Jul 29, 2009
If you can’t afford a Florida theme park, try a state park instead.
There are 160 state parks in Florida for residents to choose from that offer many opportunities for visitors including museums, forts, gardens, lakes, rivers, crystal clear springs and white sandy beaches. Visitors can hike, bicycle, paddle, dive fish, swim, ride horseback and an abundance of wildlife.
You can find out more about Florida’s many state parks by visiting the information center.
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I want you to call, text or email me about a house, but please not while you are driving.
Colonel John Czernis,FHP Director says, “With all of the technology available to us today, it is easy to be tempted to make a quick phone call or to send a quick text to a friend, but driving requires the operator’s full attention and focus. Taking your eyes off the road for a moment to change a CD, dial a phone number or text a message can be disastrous.”
The Florida Highway Patrol will be working with the community and passing out literature in hopes of raising the awareness of safe driving practices.
Drivers who send text messages while driving and want help in stopping this distracting and dangerous habit might want to consider a new product I found while surfing for more information on this subject. Textecution™ claims to be an application that disables your phones ability to receive or send text messages once you are traveling faster than 10 mile per hour. As a disclaimer I have not personally tested this application or have any relationship with the company.
Please don’t stop emailing, calling or sending me texts asking about real estate, just pull over before you do.
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Jul 27, 2009
KB Home has offered to feed me tacos!
Besides I am sure some of you reading this might be interested in a new townhome in Kissimmee. This will give me the chance to preview them for you. Of course if you are in the market for a new townhome, you could go with me as my guest. Did I mention free tacos?
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Jul 26, 2009
6 out of 10 homebuyers in Kissimmee purchased a bank owned property
Sales of bank owned homes in the first 6 months of the year compared to the total number of sales for that month in Kissimmee are:
- January sold numbers included 159 bank owned out of 252 total sales - 63%
- February sold numbers included 159 banks owned out of 247 total sales - 64%
- March sold numbers included 243 bank owned out of 367 total sales - 66%
- April sold numbers included 241 bank owned out of 372 total sales - 64%
- May sold numbers included 263 bank owned out of 423 total sales - 62%
- June sold numbers included 275 bank owned out of 447 total sales - 61%
There are currently 375 bank owned property showing as having a pending contract and 263 properties showing as active.
NOTE: “Based on information from MFRMLS for the period (January 2009 through June 2009).”
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So what do banks know that traditional sellers do not?
Banks who own property often do not have written home disclosure forms
Mortgage fraud conviction could result in 170 years behind bars
170 years behind bars is a long time. As a matter of fact, 1 day behind bars is a long time. Don’t do the crime and you won’t have to worry about doing the time. According to reports mortgage fraud is still prevalent today. If it sounds to good to be true or if you have reason to believe someone is trying to get you to be a part of a fraudulent mortgage transaction, report them by calling the State fraud hotline. 1-866-9-NO-SCAM
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Jul 25, 2009
Florida minimum wage is now $7.25 per hour
The minimum wage in Florida increased on Friday, July 24th to $7.25 per hour. This is an .04 increase of the previous rate of $7.21.
Source
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List a home subject to short sale in Poinciana
Subject to short sale
Do you own a home in Poinciana that needs to be sold with a short sale contingency? I can help. My office covers the Poinciana market area and we have listed and sold a number of homes that had to be sold subject to a short sale contingency.So if you owe more that your Poinciana home is worth and you would like to list the home with a real estate company that knows how to handle short sales, contact me to speak with an agent.
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Condos at foreclosure prices
Right now in my Central Florida market area there are just over 4000 condos for sale. Of the 4000, 1700+ are listed as in foreclosure, pre-foreclosure, bank owned or short sale. Distressed properties are often listed at prices that are perceived as good value by home and condo shoppers. Of course each market area is unique to itself. If you are shopping for a Florida condo, contact me to receive information on condos in your desired location.
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Jul 23, 2009
Do you owe more on your home than it is worth?
I may have the answer to this problem. Many home owners are not aware that given the right set of circumstances, some lenders will agree to accept less money from the owner than is owed on the mortgage! As a matter of fact I am involved with helping homeowners and banks reach a favorable payoff situation on a daily basis and I may be able to help you too.
Each case is different so it is important that I look at your specific situation to help determine your best course of action. You can contact me for a no obligation consultation. I may be able to help you sell your home even though you owe more than it is worth.
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Jul 15, 2009
I am afraid of bears
My fear of bears started, oddly enough, while I waited to get a hair cut. The hairdresser provided magazines for customers to read and on that fateful day, I decided to read an outdoor magazine that had an article on humans being attached by bears. The article was graphic and included first hand accounts from those who had witnessed or experienced a bear attack. Reading it sent chills down my spine and from that day forward I have been afraid.
I felt the need to announce my fear for you because I just came across a news release from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussing Florida black bears. Yes, we have bears in Florida. No, I have never seen one. I have listed and sold property in Lake County where the owners of the property said they have seen bears roaming around. I made sure I never showed those properties alone and I always made a lot of noise whenever I had to visit the house alone thinking the noise would keep the bears away.
The news release told of a Lee County, Florida woman who encountered a bear while at work. The report says the bear bumped into her! Either instinctively or because she knew the proper actions to take when face to face with a bear, this woman was able to get away safely. According to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer if you meet up with a bear, you should; “Remain standing straight up; back up slowly; speak in a calm, assertive voice; do not run or play dead; and leave the bear a clear escape route.” Florida residents are also encouraged to; “remove or secure anything that might attract animals, such as garbage cans, pet food, birdseed, outdoor grills and compost bins’ in order to reduce the chances of meeting up with a bear.
I think those are great suggestions and will be sure to make sure my 6’4” frame is standing straight up if I ever meet a bear, provided I have not passed out.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission News Release
Florida real estate agents promote the healthy homes call to action as part of our business
As real estate agents we continually do our part in support of helping current and future homeowners maintain a healthy home. We strongly encourage buyers to conduct a number of professional inspections that might reveal problems with the home. These inspections can include, water testing, septic testing, mold inspections, Chinese drywall inspections, radon inspections, electrical inspections and pest inspections. These inspection reports often reveal issues that need repaired or remedied before the buyer closes on the transaction.
Additionally agents will encourage buyers and sellers to sign up for a home warranty plan. Having home warranty coverage on your home when selling or immediately after buying can provide a peace of mind that should a major issue develop that impact the homes condition, the owner will be able to quickly have the issue resolved at a minimal cost.
I support the government’s initiative to promote healthy housing. It is something that the agents and I do daily as part of our careers. If you are buying a home and want information on the inspection or home warranty process, contact me.
Jul 13, 2009
How do Florida residents file a housing discrimination complaint?
There are several methods you can use to file a complaint including sending a letter to the following address.
Atlanta Regional Office of FHEO
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Five Points Plaza
40 Marietta Street, 16th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-2806
The letter needs to include your name and address, the name and address of the person or persons you have a complaint against, the property address you were trying to rent/buy, when the issue happened and a description of what happened.
There is also a number you can call, 800-669-9777 or you can visit HUD’s website and file the complaint online. Discrimination is illegal and should be reported.
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HUD has announced that it is offering $4 million in grant money
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Jul 12, 2009
Closing cost and down payment assistance for Florida home buyers with the help of the Government
While details are still sketchy, what is known is that local housing coordinator of the local counties will be responsible for the process.
Time is of the essence here as the ability to receive the tax credit will end on November 30th. I would encourage anyone who would like to find out if they qualify for this upfront Government down payment of closing cost assistance to contact me quickly for a one on one consultation.
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Jul 10, 2009
Owning a library card important during these economic times
According to ALA President Jim Rettig, “Library staff report a surge in use of library computers and Internet access to find work, apply for jobs online, type resumes and cover letters, open e-mail accounts and further their education in a competitive labor market." News Release
Here is a link to Florida libraries. NBC News reports on the increased use of our nation’s libraries in this video.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
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We have the Kissimmee real estate market covered!
I am confident that anyone looking for Kissimmee real estate and clicks thru to either website, will find all of the information they could possibly want!
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Jul 9, 2009
Florida residents can take advantage of NOKR, Next of Kin Registry
One of the links on MyFlorida.com is NOKR which is a non profit website where anyone can register themselves and the person that they want notified in case of an emergency. This free emergency contact system is designed to help local and state authorities should you or your family member become injured, missing, or deceased. The registration page allows those who are homeless to list homeless as the address in order to complete registration. The video is from a Detroit news station discussing the benefits of NOKR for law enforcement and emergency personnel.
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Jul 8, 2009
Online tool helps you build an environmentally friendly yard
This tool allows you to play around with and learn how to make your yard more environmentally friendly by using Florida friendly plants that require less irrigation and fertilizer.
This interactive tool allows you to drag and drop planting beds into the virtual yard. Once you have the planting beds in place the site offers suggestions on the best plants for this area of the yard. You are provided a list of suggested plants that you might want to consider. After you are through you will be able to see images of what the yard will look like with your changes.
To view this tool visit Floridayards.org.
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Jul 5, 2009
Luxury condo Orlando
Luxury condo Orlando
Persons interested in a luxury Orlando condo have several options. Condo communities include Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Sanctuary Downtown, Vizcaya, Eola South, Star Tower and Park Lake Towers. Asking prices range from $1.5 to 3.7 million.
If I restructure my mortgage will I be required to report the debt as income?
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Are you involved in mortgage foreclosure? Task force would like you to complete a borrower survey.
There are 37 questions listed on this survey for borrowers. There is also a separate survey for lenders/mortgage holders and one for attorneys. You can visit the Florida State Courts website to take the survey.
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Jul 2, 2009
Is it a fixture or personal property?
However there are times when a buyer and seller disagree on what is a fixture and what is personal property. The best solution is to make sure the contract between the buyer and seller specifically mentions items to be included or excluded from the sale of the home. As a real estate agent I can assist you with making sure the contract contains all the information and details important to you.
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Jul 1, 2009
Orlando foreclosure help
Orlando agencies listed on HUD’s site as of 7-1-2009:
- Acorn Housing - 407-254-5974
- CCCS - 800-741-7040
- H.A.N.D.S. Inc. - 407-447-5686
- Metropolitan Orlando Urban League - 407-841-7654 X-334
- Reliable Business Solutions Inc. - 407-482-2908
Don't make a common home buying mistake that could cost you thousands!
I cannot think of a good reason to forgo a home inspection. As a real estate agent I certainly would not allow my parents buy a home without having the home inspected. Reasons buyers have decided not to have a home inspection have included time constraints, the cost of the inspection or someone they trusted gave them wrong advice. None of these reasons are valid. Taking the time, spending the money and ignoring bad advice now could prevent you from spending hours and thousands of dollars dealing with problems that could have been discovered and avoided.
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