Kissimmee 4th of July fireworks and fun

There will be fireworks, entertainment, live music and food at the Kissimmee Lakefront Park South this 4th of July from 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

The City of Kissimmee Parks and Recreation Department invites the public to attend a fireworks show that will be displayed above Big Lake Toho beginning at approximately 9:10 p.m.

More information

Disclosing and inspecting for defective Chinese drywall

The Florida Realtors website recently reported on a Miami family that was awarded $2.4 million because of having defective Chinese drywall installed in their home. Defective Chinese drywall can smell like sulfur and corrodes appliances, wiring and other metal. Research is ongoing to determine health hazards and risks of exposure to the drywall.

A potential home buyer concerned with buying a home which may have drywall problems should take the precautionary steps needed to reduce the possibility of discovering the bad drywall after closing. Selling homes in the Orlando-Kissimmee area require that the owner disclose the existence of Chinese drywall and a strong recommendation that the buyer obtain a full and complete home inspection that includes inspecting for defective Chinese drywall.

Seller disclosure

Buyer should ask the owner of the house that they are thinking of buying for a written property disclosure. The seller can alert the buyer of any mechanical, structural or related issues with the home including the existence of Chinese drywall.

In addition to a detailed seller property disclosure, both buyer and seller can complete the Chinese/Defective Drywall Addendum to Contract. This addendum asks the seller to indicate in writing any knowledge they have pertaining to Chinese Drywall in the home. Equally as important, the addendum makes it clear to the buyer that they have the right to conduct an inspection or risk assessment of the property for Chinese drywall prior to closing of the contract.

Disclosing and inspecting for defective Chinese drywall benefits all parties in the transaction. Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a home in the Central Florida area and would like more information on the home buying process.

If there is something about your real estate transaction that does not seem right, talk to an attorney.

The contracts that we use in Florida to sell real estate are legally binding documents. They were created to address the issues, concerns and requirements buyers and sellers should be aware of when buying or selling a home. As a result of repetition, practice and training, real estate agents should have a very good understanding of what is written in the contracts and can direct a buyer or seller to a specific addendum, clause or paragraph that might address their concerns or questions.

A buyer or seller should never rely on anyone other than an attorney for legal advice however. If you are not comfortable with or fully understand what you are agreeing to we strongly encourage you to talk to an attorney before proceeding. You should think twice before letting someone other than an attorney create special clauses or wording that are to be added to your contract.

I am quick to let buyers and sellers know that if there is something about your real estate transaction that does not seem right, talk to an attorney.

The Estates at Stevens Plantation Award Winning Saint Cloud Home

The Estates at Stevens Plantation. This award winning home has been professionally designed and appointed. Stevens Plantation is within minutes to Orlando. Located in Saint Cloud, this community prides itself on being progressive while not losing the small town feel.   The city and community is also near the Orlando International Airport, and the newly created Medical City at Lake Nona.

Virtual Tour

Home facts

• 5 bedroom 3 full & 2 half bath
• 4705 square feet living area
• Two Story
• 3 car garage
• Built in 2006

Interior features

• Formal living & dining areas
• Family room
• 12' ceilings, custom crown & base moldings
• Gourmet kitchen
• Master bedroom on 1st floor
• Theater room

The features that make this house a home

• Private garden area
• Sub-zero refrigerator
• WOLF gas range
• Zodiac counters
• Intercom system
• Master bedroom with custom ceiling, sitting area & two walk-ins
• Insulated spa/tub
• Special entertainment area
• Wet bar w/ fridge
• Travertine decking
• Raised hot-tub w/ fountain
• Fire-pit
• Outdoor kitchen

Please call Jerry or Laurie Kelley to arrange a private viewing of this home.  321-689-2146

What would a football dome do to Orange County property values?

The Orlando Sentinel has reported that Orange County Commissioner Bill Segal dreams of bringing a football dome to Orange County.

How do football domes and stadiums impact mean property values? I went to Google looking for information about the impact football stadium has on real estate values. I found two differing opinions from two major markets that were considering/are considering building a football stadium.

• According to a paper prepared by Social Science Electronic Publishing, Inc., “the average expected amenity effect of hosting the Cowboys in Arlington was not significantly different from zero.”
• A FAQ on the Los Angeles football stadium website addressing property values says, “Typically good locations garner higher land values.”

The dream of a local football stadium is a ways off from being a reality. What do you think? Do we need a professional football dome in Orlando, Orange County? What are the benefits? What are the negatives?

Florida Realtors is donating money for phone calling cards that the USO will distribute to U.S. active duty troops

Show our troops we care - donate today

Florida Realtors kicks off military phone card program

Orlando, Fla. – May XX, 2010 – “To us, home is where we prop our feet up after a rough day” says Wendell Davis, Florida Realtors® president. “If ‘home’ to our service sons and daughters is a short phone call, then we, as Florida Realtors, should help them find ‘home,’ just as we help Florida buyers find a home.”

To honor our troops, Florida Realtors is donating money for phone calling cards that the USO will distribute to U.S. active duty troops. The USO has set up a dedicated webpage for credit card donations.

“When your son is in Iraq or Afghanistan, he’s physically 7,000 miles away, but the distance is much, much farther emotionally,” says Patti Fitzgerald, Florida Realtors president elect. “Comfort is a single phone call home. That’s it – a single phone call.”

“I was able to talk to my wife and family from Afghanistan, thanks to the phone cards donated by patriotic individuals, such as Realtors,” says LCpl Joseph Fitzgerald, U.S. Marine Corps and son of Patti Fitzgerald, Florida Realtors president elect.

Program details

• The USO will customize the calling cards with Florida Realtors® logo, so every soldier knows who paid for the call.


• The USO receives and tracks all donations. Checks sent to Florida Realtors headquarters will be forwarded to the USO.

• Everyone is encouraged to donate – not just Realtors.

• Deadline for donations: Aug. 15, 2010.

Florida Realtors has dedicated a website page for the initiative. It includes downloadable fliers with donation information about the program and how to donate by check; downloadable cards that can be handed out; and a link to the USO’s Florida Realtors credit card donation page: http://www.floridarealtors.org/supportourtroops.
 
Florida Realtors®, formerly known as the Florida Association of Realtors®, serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 115,000 members in 67 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.

If you are looking for a job, how about a career instead?

As stated in one article, the recession may be over, but the job market recovery is lagging way behind. Let’s not go into what they say about the future job market. Instead, what is something positive that is happening?

Watson Realty Corp. announced that the closed volume for the month of April 2010 was up $29,386,657.00. In addition the number of transactions was up 39%.

So, what do the job market and the increased volume of real estate have to do with each other? Well, if you are out of a job at the present time, how about considering being an independent contractor for a real estate company – Watson Realty?

My career path did not begin in real estate; however, I wish that I would have taken the time to have been educated with a real estate background earlier in life. It is never too late for real estate. There will always be someone looking for a place to live, whether renting or buying. And, there will always be someone moving, whether for relocating with a job or increasing/decreasing the size of the family.

There are real estate schools all around, so how do you choose the one to attend? Convenience is sometimes a factor. With Watson Realty having so many locations in the Central Florida area, there is certainly going to be a chance of having a class located near where you work or where you live. In regards to what will be taught, all real estate schools are receiving their information from state guidelines. So, you can be rest assured that this shouldn’t be part of your dilemma. Money could be a factor, and what better price than $99? The class is $99 plus the book is $70 – all under $170 to be educated in real estate.

It’s a great time to Choose Watson and Get More! It’s a great time to have a career in real estate!

- Ellen Thunell
                                                                                                                                       

If you think you do not need a home inspection, think again.

There is no legitimate reason I can think of to waive having a home inspection when purchasing a house. The cost of the inspection prior to closing could save you thousands of dollars you might otherwise have to pay out for unseen damage or problems that need repaired or replaced. Why would a buyer take a chance and buy a home that has not been inspected?

Bad advice

Someone has told the buyer that there is no need for an inspection.

It could be the jack-of-all-trades family member/friend trying to save the purchaser a few hundred dollars. Armed with just enough knowledge to be dangerous, they will take a quick look around the house and offer their seal of approval without doing a thorough inspection.

Perhaps it is the real estate agent who is giving the bad advice. Shame on any real estate agent who would tell a home buyer there is no need for a home inspection. Buyers should ignore this wrong advice and hire an inspector anyway. The buyer should also pick up the phone and call the agent’s broker and let them know that their agent suggested you not have an inspection.

It is a new/renovated home

Buyers might be lured into a false sense of security and decide against having an inspection when purchasing a new home or a home that has been recently renovated by the seller. There is no doubt that we have some of the very best home builders here in Central Florida. The quality of the homes being built is second to none. But even the Central Florida builders understand the importance of a buyer having their homes inspected prior to closing. The same is true of homes that have been renovated. Just because the seller says repairs or renovations have been made to the home recently does not eliminate the need for an inspection.

The bottom line is if you are buying a home, have it inspected. In our office if a buyer chooses to not have a home inspection they are going to have to sign a waiver acknowledging that this is their decision. The waiver has language that makes it clear that we, as a real estate company, do not encourage this course of action.

5 things you should know if you have not bought a house in the past few years.

If you have not bought a home since the early 2000s you will need to be brought up to speed on what has changed, what to watch out for and what you need to consider before buying a house during 2010.

1. Prices are low. I mean real low. The median home prices of homes in the Orlando area are at an 8 year low. How low will they go? Where are the best deals?

2.  Financing guidelines have tightened. This is especially true of ARM and interest only loans. What financing is best suited for you? What can you expect to pay in closing cost and/or down payment?

3.  Low list prices are resulting in an increase in the number of homes selling. The Orlando real estate association is reporting a 32% increase in home sales so far in 2010 compared to the same time period in 2009. Will this increase result in higher sale prices?

4.  REO. REO or real estate owned is a huge component of today’s real estate market.  Properties that banks have foreclosed on are having a huge impact on the increase of sales currently being experienced. What is involved with purchasing a bank owned REO property?

5.  Short sales. Sellers who are upside down on their mortgage and are facing a distressed situation are asking their lender to accept less than is owed on the house in order for the owner to avoid foreclosure. Short sale prices are competitive with bank owned listings but the time it takes to negotiate and close these types of transaction are a real concern to potential buyers. Is buying a short sale a smart move?

I have only listed 5 things you should be aware of if it has been awhile since you bought a home. To discuss any of the 5 listed in detail or to find out what else you should know about buying a home, call me at 407-304-0255.

Mercedes Homes Offers Spacious Affordable Living in Stevens Plantation

Mark Shields, Marianao Arguello and Carmen Dombrowski visited our office recently and provided us with information on Verandah Lakes at Stevens Plantation in St. Cloud. Builders will often stop by during our weekly meeting in order to make sure we have the latest information about their new homes and communities so that we can pass this on to our customers.

Mercedes is building homes in Stevens Plantation from 1519 square feet up to 3875 square feet. Prices range from $139,990 - $279,990. There are closing cost incentives and options for you to choose from.

Options Include

• Covered Porch
• Extended garage
• Raised top bar kitchen
• Utility deluxe cabinets
• Study
• Laundry tub
• 3 car garage
• Double vanity
• French doors
• Sun room
• Kitchen Island

The community is conveniently located to all the best of Central Florida. Of course prices are subject to change so if you would like to view one of these new homes, give me a call and I will arrange for a personal tour for you.