From CNNmoney.com
There's barely three months left before the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers ends - and it can take that long to close on your new home.
Aug 31, 2009
Aug 20, 2009
Aug 17, 2009
I Want a Deal
The best deals you’ll find today are bank-owned homes. Check out these listings available today, then check back every week for new bargain listings.
- bargain houses
- bargain townhouses
- bargain condos
- bargain houses
- bargain townhouses
- bargain condos
Aug 13, 2009
The Return of Multiple Offers
The multiple offers many sellers enjoyed in the 2005-2006 Orlando real estate boom are back, but only for select homes that show great. A great showing home is still a rare find; however, when they do pop on the market, there is a new trend growing as of this summer – multiple offers.
After two years of overpriced, poor condition homes on the market, this summer has had a sudden surge in multiple offers on homes that are priced right and show well.
Affordable homes priced below $200,000 are seeing the most interest. A $200,000 home purchased now at 5.25% (30 yr fixed) = $1,104 monthly payment. This is cheaper than renting a typical 2/2 rental home in east metro Orlando and why so many first-time buyers are jumping at the opportunity to buy.
This summer, I have seen homes in Avalon Park, Timber Isle and Sanctuary receive four to nine offers each! These were all bargain-priced bank foreclosures or short sale homes that showed very, very well and were in good condition. And multiple offers drive prices up…in fact, these homes ended up selling for $10,000 to $20,000 over list price.
After two years of overpriced, poor condition homes on the market, this summer has had a sudden surge in multiple offers on homes that are priced right and show well.
Affordable homes priced below $200,000 are seeing the most interest. A $200,000 home purchased now at 5.25% (30 yr fixed) = $1,104 monthly payment. This is cheaper than renting a typical 2/2 rental home in east metro Orlando and why so many first-time buyers are jumping at the opportunity to buy.
This summer, I have seen homes in Avalon Park, Timber Isle and Sanctuary receive four to nine offers each! These were all bargain-priced bank foreclosures or short sale homes that showed very, very well and were in good condition. And multiple offers drive prices up…in fact, these homes ended up selling for $10,000 to $20,000 over list price.
Aug 10, 2009
Rookie Home Buyer Mistakes
From wsj.com
Rushing to grab the tax credit and caught up in a bidding war over a distressed property, a first-time home buyer omits the basics.
Rushing to grab the tax credit and caught up in a bidding war over a distressed property, a first-time home buyer omits the basics.
Aug 6, 2009
Nab a First-Time Buyer
From wsj.com
A lived-in, maintained home is easier for buyers to imagine themselves living in than a vacant foreclosure. That has great appeal for someone buying a home for the first time, for practical and financial reasons.
A lived-in, maintained home is easier for buyers to imagine themselves living in than a vacant foreclosure. That has great appeal for someone buying a home for the first time, for practical and financial reasons.
Aug 3, 2009
Home Prices Vs Interest Rates
Price is the most important factor in buying a home, but keep in mind interest rates and how they will affect your monthly payment. Interest rates are historically low today, but no one can tell you what they will be tomorrow.
Considering waiting for home prices to drop further? Check this out:
- Buy today for $200,000 at 5.25% = $1,104 mo pymt
- Buy late 2009 for $180,000 at 6.25% = $1,108 mo pymt (30 yr fixed)
Aug 1, 2009
What I Like To See, Sellers
I understand why buyers today have such a hard time selecting a home. The majority of homes I show to prospective buyers blend in the crowd – there is nothing that sets them apart from any of the other hundreds of homes on the market in east metro Orlando.
As a realtor who views homes day in and day out, it’s a rare home that catches my eye. Let me share with you what I like:
Nobody Home I like when the house is empty a.k.a. “nobody’s home”. This is the only time a buyer will truly let their guard down and soak in your home. A typical showing lasts 15 to 20 minutes with the buyer walking aimlessly around your home taking in different angles and pathways. This simple activity will sell your home. When a seller chooses to remain at home, a buyer will spend maybe two minutes viewing your home and you’ve lost a shot at a buyer. Doesn’t matter if you’re on the front lawn, in the driveway or in the garage – as a seller, you need to make yourself scarce.
Light I like a home drenched with natural light. This means every window treatment open and every light on. This is a welcoming, warm greeting and just provides a good feeling all around. Everyone wants to feel at home, right? For evening showings, it’s even more important to turn on all exterior lighting. There’s nothing more welcoming than pulling up to a home with lights ablaze, window treatments open so you can see inside the home. It’s as if someone’s waiting up for us – it’s very welcoming and very appealing for buyers.
Spotlessly Clean I like a home to be spotlessly clean. There is nothing more exciting than a new home and imagining a new life there for your family. We all want to improve our lives and move forward and buying a new home is a major part of that. A spotlessly clean home sparks imagination and sets the stage for buyers to envision themselves in your home.
As a realtor who views homes day in and day out, it’s a rare home that catches my eye. Let me share with you what I like:
Nobody Home I like when the house is empty a.k.a. “nobody’s home”. This is the only time a buyer will truly let their guard down and soak in your home. A typical showing lasts 15 to 20 minutes with the buyer walking aimlessly around your home taking in different angles and pathways. This simple activity will sell your home. When a seller chooses to remain at home, a buyer will spend maybe two minutes viewing your home and you’ve lost a shot at a buyer. Doesn’t matter if you’re on the front lawn, in the driveway or in the garage – as a seller, you need to make yourself scarce.
Light I like a home drenched with natural light. This means every window treatment open and every light on. This is a welcoming, warm greeting and just provides a good feeling all around. Everyone wants to feel at home, right? For evening showings, it’s even more important to turn on all exterior lighting. There’s nothing more welcoming than pulling up to a home with lights ablaze, window treatments open so you can see inside the home. It’s as if someone’s waiting up for us – it’s very welcoming and very appealing for buyers.
Spotlessly Clean I like a home to be spotlessly clean. There is nothing more exciting than a new home and imagining a new life there for your family. We all want to improve our lives and move forward and buying a new home is a major part of that. A spotlessly clean home sparks imagination and sets the stage for buyers to envision themselves in your home.
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