200,000 Buyers May Lose $8,000 Tax Credit

Nearly 200,000 homebuyers could lose out on the $8,000 tax credit because they can't get deals done by the Jun 30 deadline.

What did they do wrong? They tried to take advantage of the distressed properties flooding the market.

For example, many are trying to take advantage of short sales, buying from sellers who owe more on their mortgage than the home is worth. In these deals, the lender has to agree to forgive the remaining debt, and that can take time -- at least two to three months from the time an offer is made until lender approval. And that assumes a relatively clean deal, in which there's no second mortgage. If there are any complications, expect six months or more.

Read full story at CNNmoney.com

Don't Wait – Protect Your Home From Hurricanes Now

Now is the time to make sure your home is as hurricane-proof as possible. Once the weather reporters don their yellow slickers, it's usually too late to effectively protect against hurricane-force winds and deluging rains, said Scott McCurdy of Coastal Reconstruction, a general contractor who specializes in restoration from natural disasters.

Read full story at orlandosentinel.com

Fourth of July Celebrations

Sat, Jul 3 Altamonte Springs Cranes Roost Park 4pm to 11pm more info

Sat, Jul 3 Mount Dora Gilbert Park 5pm to 9pm 10am parade Donnelly below 7th Ave more info

Sun, Jul 4 Avalon Park Downtown Avalon Park 5pm to 9pm Fireworks 9pm more info

Sun, Jul 4 Celebration Celebration Town Ctr 5:30pm to 9:30pm Fireworks 9:30pm more info

Sun, Jul 4 Downtown Orlando Lake Eola Park 4pm to 10pm more info

Sun, Jul 4 Sanford Riverwalk Fireworks 9:15pm more info

Sun, Jul 4 St Cloud St Cloud Lakefront 12pm – 10pm Fireworks 9:30pm more info

Orange Co Property Tax Values Plummet

Orange Co Property Appraiser Bill Donegan delivered some sobering but not-so-surprising news to local governments May 26, declaring that his "best estimate" is that property values will drop by 12% countywide this year.

Lawsuit: Flippers Destroyed Our Neighborhood

A Florida couple is suing builder Hovnanian complaining that their townhome community, Firenze, is filled with “irreverent transients” who party loudly, park erratically and install unauthorized satellite dishes, the Palm Beach Post reports.

Jonathon and Brandy Miller of Boynton Beach filed a lawsuit in April in Palm Beach County blaming flippers, or buyers who plan to resell quickly for a profit for the neighborhood’s downfall. They want to be reimbursed for their purchase price and closing costs. They also want a jury to determine further damages.

Read full story at wsj.com

Four Ways To Avoid Getting Outbid

Q: I am a first-time buyer trying to buy a condo, but every time I put in an offer, someone else gets it instead. In some cases, I was muscled out by people who could pay cash. I can't afford to do that. Is there any other way I can win one of these bidding wars?