A home doesn’t have to be a house. It can also be a condominium. Condos can be townhouses, apartments, or even separate structures as long as you only own the space between the walls. For some people, single family homes may be too large or cost too much money. They can still enjoy the benefits of home ownership through a condo. How do you know if an Orlando condo is right for you?
Pros of Owning an Orlando Condo
• Maintenance. With a condominium, you are only responsible for the interior of your unit. You don’t have to mow the yard or paint the exterior. If you have a busy lifestyle or don’t have the ability or desire to maintain the outside of your property, a condo may be a good choice for you.
• Location. Many condos are built in popular areas surrounded by shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. Homes in these areas may be out of your price range, but you can still live there in a condo and have the same neighborhood amenities.
Cons of Owning an Orlando Condo
• Condo Fees. Most condominiums have monthly fees that go toward the maintenance of the property. These fees are in addition to your mortgage payment and can raise your monthly payment considerably.
• Condo Associations. Condominium owners serve on boards that decide how condo fees are spent. They may even decide to use fees for something you will never use.
Need more help deciding if a condo is right for you? Call us today at 407-876-5771. We are happy to help!
Monday, November 01, 2010
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
How to Set the Right Price for Orlando Properties
Setting the asking price for their Orlando homes for sale is one of the most important decisions homeowners have to make in the selling process. Why is it so important?
• You only get one chance to make a good first impression. With so many competing Orlando homes for sale, yours has to pop out immediately as a good value or buyers will move on, unlikely to return. You get one stab at your home's debut, and it's easy to blow it.
• Set the price too high and you could hurt your chances of selling your home. The amount of traffic a home gets in the first week on the market is about 5 times what it gets the following weeks. The traffic continues to decrease every week. You might say, “Well, I’ll just lower my price.” This hurts almost as much as it helps. It conveys to buyers (the few who are still considering your home) that your home was overpriced and may still be.
• Setting the price too low can be almost as harmful. Buyers who are looking in a specific price range may not consider your home because of the low price tag. They assume it will not fulfill their needs or worry that there’s something wrong with it.
How do you know what that magic number should be for your home? Here are 3 factors to take into consideration when setting your asking price:
1. Neighborhood sales prices: Recent closed sales in your immediate neighborhood offer the most pertinent data for predicting the sale price of your home. List prices of homes still on the market should be taken into consideration also, because they show the current pricing trend. A professional real estate agent will do all this research for you as part of their services.
2. Condition of your home: If your home has been better maintained, is more up to date and shows better than the other Orlando homes for sale, it will sell faster and for more money. Updates, even those as minor as having current paint colors, impact pricing. Updated kitchens and baths are especially important to buyers.
3. Appraisal value: As the seller, you can get an appraisal on your home before putting it on the market. You’ll have to pay for it, but it may be worth it to get access to this pricing tool.
Ready to sell your home? Let us do the research for you and help you set the best price to get your home sold. Call us today at 407-876-5771.
• You only get one chance to make a good first impression. With so many competing Orlando homes for sale, yours has to pop out immediately as a good value or buyers will move on, unlikely to return. You get one stab at your home's debut, and it's easy to blow it.
• Set the price too high and you could hurt your chances of selling your home. The amount of traffic a home gets in the first week on the market is about 5 times what it gets the following weeks. The traffic continues to decrease every week. You might say, “Well, I’ll just lower my price.” This hurts almost as much as it helps. It conveys to buyers (the few who are still considering your home) that your home was overpriced and may still be.
• Setting the price too low can be almost as harmful. Buyers who are looking in a specific price range may not consider your home because of the low price tag. They assume it will not fulfill their needs or worry that there’s something wrong with it.
How do you know what that magic number should be for your home? Here are 3 factors to take into consideration when setting your asking price:
1. Neighborhood sales prices: Recent closed sales in your immediate neighborhood offer the most pertinent data for predicting the sale price of your home. List prices of homes still on the market should be taken into consideration also, because they show the current pricing trend. A professional real estate agent will do all this research for you as part of their services.
2. Condition of your home: If your home has been better maintained, is more up to date and shows better than the other Orlando homes for sale, it will sell faster and for more money. Updates, even those as minor as having current paint colors, impact pricing. Updated kitchens and baths are especially important to buyers.
3. Appraisal value: As the seller, you can get an appraisal on your home before putting it on the market. You’ll have to pay for it, but it may be worth it to get access to this pricing tool.
Ready to sell your home? Let us do the research for you and help you set the best price to get your home sold. Call us today at 407-876-5771.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Disney Golden Oak Resort - New Website
Disney's new Luxury Residential Resort Community
Golden Oak offers a truly unique opportunity to purchase a custom luxury home at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Golden Oak will consist of three types of single family homes - village homes, estate homes and grand estate homes priced between $1.5 and $8 million. At final build-out, Golden Oak is anticipated to include approximately 450 homes.
http://www.goldenoakresort.net/
Is Your Orlando Home for Sale a Victim of DIY Remodeling?
Has your Orlando home for sale been victimized by DIY remodeling projects? Did they not quite turn out like you thought they would? You aren’t alone; I’ve walked into houses with cabinets hanging at a slant and the owner proudly telling me they did it themselves.
Leave it to a pro.
Not everybody can be a remodeler. Not everybody is handy at everything. For instance, I can change the oil on my car, but I leave engine overhauls to the professionals. Why? Because that’s what they do, and they do it well.
Now, many people choose to do remodeling themselves because they think it’s cheaper – and it often is when done right. However, knowledge is power. It’d be cheaper for me to do my own engine overhaul, too, but I’ve never done it before and don’t know how. I’m not going to start learning on my own car, either.
Consider the quality.
If you’re considering a major remodeling project to add value to your Orlando home for sale, I strongly recommend hiring a professional remodeler. I especially recommend this if you don’t know anything about plumbing, wiring or building standards. Keep in mind that your house will have to pass inspection. If your remodeling project doesn’t stand up to building codes, it won’t pass inspection.
As well, when you remodel to add value in order to sell, quality is of utmost importance. The first DIY project you do very seldom ends up looking right, and – although you may be understandably proud of sloping countertops or unevenly stained molding because you did it yourself – it won’t help sell your home.
Start small.
If you’re remodeling and you plan to stay in your home, I strongly suggest – if you must DIY – that you start small. Here’s a hint: expanding your bathroom or kitchen isn’t considered a small project. A small project is like fixing a squeaky stairway or replacing a door.
DIY sites like This Old House and Do It Yourself make big projects look easy, I know. However, if you want to, say, strip your wooden kitchen cabinets, try starting with a piece of furniture. Go buy a cheap wooden chair from a flea market and see how it turns out first.
Whether you’re remodeling to get more value from your Orlando home for sale or just to make it a more comfortable space to live, I implore you – your home implores you – at least think about a professional. If you don’t know what you’re doing, your home may end up as just another victim of random DIY.
Are you good at remodeling and looking for a home with potential? We can help. Call us at 407-876-5771 for more information.
Leave it to a pro.
Not everybody can be a remodeler. Not everybody is handy at everything. For instance, I can change the oil on my car, but I leave engine overhauls to the professionals. Why? Because that’s what they do, and they do it well.
Now, many people choose to do remodeling themselves because they think it’s cheaper – and it often is when done right. However, knowledge is power. It’d be cheaper for me to do my own engine overhaul, too, but I’ve never done it before and don’t know how. I’m not going to start learning on my own car, either.
Consider the quality.
If you’re considering a major remodeling project to add value to your Orlando home for sale, I strongly recommend hiring a professional remodeler. I especially recommend this if you don’t know anything about plumbing, wiring or building standards. Keep in mind that your house will have to pass inspection. If your remodeling project doesn’t stand up to building codes, it won’t pass inspection.
As well, when you remodel to add value in order to sell, quality is of utmost importance. The first DIY project you do very seldom ends up looking right, and – although you may be understandably proud of sloping countertops or unevenly stained molding because you did it yourself – it won’t help sell your home.
Start small.
If you’re remodeling and you plan to stay in your home, I strongly suggest – if you must DIY – that you start small. Here’s a hint: expanding your bathroom or kitchen isn’t considered a small project. A small project is like fixing a squeaky stairway or replacing a door.
DIY sites like This Old House and Do It Yourself make big projects look easy, I know. However, if you want to, say, strip your wooden kitchen cabinets, try starting with a piece of furniture. Go buy a cheap wooden chair from a flea market and see how it turns out first.
Whether you’re remodeling to get more value from your Orlando home for sale or just to make it a more comfortable space to live, I implore you – your home implores you – at least think about a professional. If you don’t know what you’re doing, your home may end up as just another victim of random DIY.
Are you good at remodeling and looking for a home with potential? We can help. Call us at 407-876-5771 for more information.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
What Future Buyers Are Looking For In Orlando Homes for Sale
Owners of Orlando homes for sale are wondering, “What are buyers looking for?” This is especially true if the home has been on the market for a while. Well, homeowners aren’t the only ones. Several companies, including Better Homes and Gardens and Avid Ratings, the exclusive research provider for the National Association of Home Builders, have researched this question.
So, what are buyers looking for in national and Orlando homes for sale? In a 2010 Avid Ratings homebuyer’s study, over 22,000 homeowners, who bought their homes in the past nine years, provide some clues. In short, the study says practicality beats out extras any day.
The days of formal dining rooms, oversized backyard patios and community clubhouses are gone. Swimming pools aren’t that big a deal, but neither are upstairs laundry rooms or home theaters. These extras have been replaced by practicalities such as:
• Children’s playground
• Walking paths
• Large kitchens (with island if possible)
• Home office or study
• Main-floor master bedroom
• Two-car garages
• Oversize showers with seating
As well, although buyers are willing to have less space, they’re big on “green” features such as high-efficiency windows, insulation and appliances.
The home survey by Better Homes and Gardens reveals much the same information. Homeowners and potential buyers pointed towards downsizing into smaller, greener homes. Again, high-efficiency appliances topped the interest levels, with a lean towards Energy Star appliances.
The home office is still a priority, although it doesn’t have to be dedicated space; many would be perfectly happy with a multi-purpose space, instead. The real key, however, is no wasted space, along with ample storage.
If you’re considering doing any amount of remodeling to excite potential buyers, the information contained in these surveys are priceless. If you’re one of the owners of Orlando homes for sale thinking your house is too small, it’s great news. If you thought you might upgrade to more energy-efficient appliances, you’re on the right track. Consider what you can do to make your home more “future buyer” friendly!
If you’d like to sell your home or are looking for a more energy-efficient home, we can help. Call us now at 407-876-5771 for more information.
So, what are buyers looking for in national and Orlando homes for sale? In a 2010 Avid Ratings homebuyer’s study, over 22,000 homeowners, who bought their homes in the past nine years, provide some clues. In short, the study says practicality beats out extras any day.
The days of formal dining rooms, oversized backyard patios and community clubhouses are gone. Swimming pools aren’t that big a deal, but neither are upstairs laundry rooms or home theaters. These extras have been replaced by practicalities such as:
• Children’s playground
• Walking paths
• Large kitchens (with island if possible)
• Home office or study
• Main-floor master bedroom
• Two-car garages
• Oversize showers with seating
As well, although buyers are willing to have less space, they’re big on “green” features such as high-efficiency windows, insulation and appliances.
The home survey by Better Homes and Gardens reveals much the same information. Homeowners and potential buyers pointed towards downsizing into smaller, greener homes. Again, high-efficiency appliances topped the interest levels, with a lean towards Energy Star appliances.
The home office is still a priority, although it doesn’t have to be dedicated space; many would be perfectly happy with a multi-purpose space, instead. The real key, however, is no wasted space, along with ample storage.
If you’re considering doing any amount of remodeling to excite potential buyers, the information contained in these surveys are priceless. If you’re one of the owners of Orlando homes for sale thinking your house is too small, it’s great news. If you thought you might upgrade to more energy-efficient appliances, you’re on the right track. Consider what you can do to make your home more “future buyer” friendly!
If you’d like to sell your home or are looking for a more energy-efficient home, we can help. Call us now at 407-876-5771 for more information.
Worried About Your Home for Sale in Orlando? Survey Reveals Possibilities
Many real estate aficionados worried that the ending of the homebuyer tax credits would mean an end to sales. However, a new real estate survey, conducted April, 2010, says homeowners with a home for sale in Orlando and throughout the nation have more chances to sell their homes.
Survey Group
• 1,000 American consumers
• Ages 25 – 64
• $35,000 + household income
Survey Results
• Over 90% of American consumers think the homebuyer tax credit program helped the real estate industry and first-time buyers.
• 65% actually looking for a home don’t consider the end of the tax credit program to be a factor in their own decisions.
• 46% expect area real estate prices to increase over the next year.
• 12% expect area real estate prices to decline over the next year.
• 79% expect to see an increase in prices over the next five years.
• 20% expect prices to rise significantly over the next five years.
• 75% of renters think renting isn’t as good a long-term choice as owning a home.
How you can Benefit
As the survey shows, there are still plenty of interested buyers out there. You just have to know where to find them.
Talk with your agent about which markets are hot in your area. For instance, have older individuals been buying in the area more than young families or vice versa? Maybe energy efficient homes have been selling better. Find out what your home for sale in Orlando has going for it that matches those hot markets.
Most importantly, don’t give up. Buyers are out there and consumer confidence is rising, which means nothing but good things for the real estate market and your home for sale in Orlando.
Want to work with an agent who can identify and target hot markets for your home? Call me today at 407-876-5771 for more information.
Survey Group
• 1,000 American consumers
• Ages 25 – 64
• $35,000 + household income
Survey Results
• Over 90% of American consumers think the homebuyer tax credit program helped the real estate industry and first-time buyers.
• 65% actually looking for a home don’t consider the end of the tax credit program to be a factor in their own decisions.
• 46% expect area real estate prices to increase over the next year.
• 12% expect area real estate prices to decline over the next year.
• 79% expect to see an increase in prices over the next five years.
• 20% expect prices to rise significantly over the next five years.
• 75% of renters think renting isn’t as good a long-term choice as owning a home.
How you can Benefit
As the survey shows, there are still plenty of interested buyers out there. You just have to know where to find them.
Talk with your agent about which markets are hot in your area. For instance, have older individuals been buying in the area more than young families or vice versa? Maybe energy efficient homes have been selling better. Find out what your home for sale in Orlando has going for it that matches those hot markets.
Most importantly, don’t give up. Buyers are out there and consumer confidence is rising, which means nothing but good things for the real estate market and your home for sale in Orlando.
Want to work with an agent who can identify and target hot markets for your home? Call me today at 407-876-5771 for more information.
Friday, May 07, 2010
New Orlando Home Construction Scheduling Delays
Creating a home for your family, from the ground up, can be an exciting experience. But with the numerous steps involved in building an Orlando home, and the sometimes unexpected setbacks that can plague new construction, it can also be a stressful experience.
Knowing what potential setbacks lurk ahead can help you come up with a realistic schedule for the building of your Orlando home. Having a good idea of what can go wrong and preparing for the possibility of a setback will help lower your stress and make the process go much smoother.
Following are some of the setbacks commonly experienced in new construction:
• Weather: Depending on the stage of the home building process you’re in, rain can cause a work stoppage. If you’re building your home during a time of year when there’s typically a lot of rainfall, you’ll probably have setbacks, especially if you’re just starting the building process during this time.
• Building permits: If numerous permits are required before building can begin, there may be a delay. Permits can involve a lot of paperwork and time. Also, agencies which issue permits may not move as quickly as builders and homeowners would prefer.
• Reworks: Most people building a home visit the building site frequently to keep an eye on work in progress and make sure that what they’ve asked for is being done. Even when you take this precaution, there are times when things will be done incorrectly. This will slow down work because the incorrect item will need to be removed, reordered (in most cases) and then reinstalled.
These are just a few of the things which can get an Orlando home building schedule out of whack.
To take some of the pressure off you, hire a professional real estate agent who has experience working with new construction. An agent can keep tabs on the building progress and make sure the work schedule stays as close to the original timeline as possible and follows the new home construction checklist.
If you’re interested in having a new home built, we can guide you through the process and make sure you get exactly what you want. Give us a call before you go builder or home hunting at 407-876-5771.
Knowing what potential setbacks lurk ahead can help you come up with a realistic schedule for the building of your Orlando home. Having a good idea of what can go wrong and preparing for the possibility of a setback will help lower your stress and make the process go much smoother.
Following are some of the setbacks commonly experienced in new construction:
• Weather: Depending on the stage of the home building process you’re in, rain can cause a work stoppage. If you’re building your home during a time of year when there’s typically a lot of rainfall, you’ll probably have setbacks, especially if you’re just starting the building process during this time.
• Building permits: If numerous permits are required before building can begin, there may be a delay. Permits can involve a lot of paperwork and time. Also, agencies which issue permits may not move as quickly as builders and homeowners would prefer.
• Reworks: Most people building a home visit the building site frequently to keep an eye on work in progress and make sure that what they’ve asked for is being done. Even when you take this precaution, there are times when things will be done incorrectly. This will slow down work because the incorrect item will need to be removed, reordered (in most cases) and then reinstalled.
These are just a few of the things which can get an Orlando home building schedule out of whack.
To take some of the pressure off you, hire a professional real estate agent who has experience working with new construction. An agent can keep tabs on the building progress and make sure the work schedule stays as close to the original timeline as possible and follows the new home construction checklist.
If you’re interested in having a new home built, we can guide you through the process and make sure you get exactly what you want. Give us a call before you go builder or home hunting at 407-876-5771.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
New Orlando Website of Interest - Orlando Search .net
Orlando Search
OrlandoSearch.net
Orlando Search gives you instant access to all homes listed in the Orlando real estate market. Search MLS Orlando by City, Price, County & Zip Code
OrlandoSearch.net
Orlando Search gives you instant access to all homes listed in the Orlando real estate market. Search MLS Orlando by City, Price, County & Zip Code
Orlando Homes for Sale - New Orlando Real Estate Search Website
Orlando Homes for Sale
Orlando Homes for Sale - Search all Orlando and area homes for sale. Thousands of Orlando real estate listings to view and enjoy via a simple FREE Orlando MLS search tool.
New website of interest - Windsor Hills
Windsor Hills Resort is an unparalleled gated Orlando vacation resort community consisting of private pool homes, townhouses and condos. Boasting a 10,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, double lagoon style pools, movie theater, game rooms, sundries shop and much much more.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Website of Interest - Buena Vista Development Services
Buena Vista Development Services
The BVD Services Team excels in the following areas - business development, real estate marketing, business inovation, (SEO) search engine optimization, (SEM) search engine marketing, (SNM) social network marketing, business lead generation, lead conversion and internet marketing.
Buena Vista Development services can hand deliver new prospects with our affordable internet marketing lead generation programs, designed to optimize the sales, marketing efficiency and ROI for any size business. The internet is easily scaled to provide the maximum leverage required for todays competitive business climate. Discover how to get your fair share of qualified leads, extensive internet exposure and ongoing new business growth for your chosen target market.
First Impression May Be Your Last When Selling Orlando Real Estate
When people meet you for the first time, their first impression is usually a lasting one. You also never get a second chance to make that first impression when you’re selling your Orlando real estate. You need to present your home at its very best all the time.
Here are 3 things you can do to make a great first impression:
1. Clean up the yard: A messy yard is a distraction. It can be time consuming to keep up with general yard work, but it’s worth the effort. Overgrown shrubs, limp lawns, and general disarray can turn off a potential buyer. If you have to hire someone to come in and give your yard a quick pick me up, it’s worth the money.
2. Get Rid of Items You Don't Need: Be very strict about this and get rid of all but the bare necessities. You don't have to throw or give everything away. Find a storage unit and put the things in there you will be taking with you to your new home but do not need immediate access to for now.
3. Fix Up the Little Things: Little things count. If you have a leaky faucet, a broken tile in the floor or a crack on the wall, now is the time to fix it. Little flaws like this make potential buyers worry that there are bigger problems waiting to be found.
Selling Orlando real estate is a lot of work. You can get it sold faster, easier and for the most money when you take the time to make a great first impression.
If you have any questions about what you can do to make your home sell faster, we can help. Call us today at 407-876-5771.
Here are 3 things you can do to make a great first impression:
1. Clean up the yard: A messy yard is a distraction. It can be time consuming to keep up with general yard work, but it’s worth the effort. Overgrown shrubs, limp lawns, and general disarray can turn off a potential buyer. If you have to hire someone to come in and give your yard a quick pick me up, it’s worth the money.
2. Get Rid of Items You Don't Need: Be very strict about this and get rid of all but the bare necessities. You don't have to throw or give everything away. Find a storage unit and put the things in there you will be taking with you to your new home but do not need immediate access to for now.
3. Fix Up the Little Things: Little things count. If you have a leaky faucet, a broken tile in the floor or a crack on the wall, now is the time to fix it. Little flaws like this make potential buyers worry that there are bigger problems waiting to be found.
Selling Orlando real estate is a lot of work. You can get it sold faster, easier and for the most money when you take the time to make a great first impression.
If you have any questions about what you can do to make your home sell faster, we can help. Call us today at 407-876-5771.
Photos Can Help or Hurt Orlando Vacation Homes for Sale
“Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” – Arthur Brisbane
One photograph can have a bigger impression on an individual than an entire essay. With the number of potential buyers searching for Orlando vacation homes for sale online, vivid photographs have sprouted everywhere. In fact, good photography can make that slight difference between having your home passed over and selling it.
If you’re considering adding your home to the online list of Orlando vacation homes for sale, you need to think about photos – and those photos need to be good. Just like the home itself, the photos need to stand out from the crowd. Here are a few tips:
Talk to your agent about what’s “hot” right now. Obviously, your strongest selling points are what buyers are looking for now. Two years ago, buyers were looking for fewer square feet, stepping away from the McMansions. Last year, it was decks and patios. This year, it could be your beautiful, 2-acre backyard with the play set. If you have a selling point, capitalize on it with fantastic photography.
Use the most favorable lighting. High noon sunlight is harsh and often highlights exterior problems that even you may not have noticed. When taking exterior pictures, choose lighting that draws attention to the positives. For instance, one of the most beautiful real estate images I’ve ever seen was a home with all the lights on. The sun was almost completely down and served to accentuate the beauty of the home.
Take as many pictures as you need to get the perfect shot. A shot that’s slightly twisted to the side may not seem like something to throw away, but it can distort the appealing lines of a home. Because photos are two dimensional and flat, even the slightest left or right slant can make the home look like it’s looming, falling in or disproportionate.
The ability to use photos to show off your home on the Internet has been a huge boon for those with Orlando vacation homes for sale. However, a poor photo can do more damage that having no photos at all. If you can’t seem to take a picture without the image blurring, slanting or looking distorted, hire a real estate agent who can get the job done for you.
Looking for an Orlando real estate agent who knows how to showcase your home in pictures? Give us a call today at 407-876-5771.
One photograph can have a bigger impression on an individual than an entire essay. With the number of potential buyers searching for Orlando vacation homes for sale online, vivid photographs have sprouted everywhere. In fact, good photography can make that slight difference between having your home passed over and selling it.
If you’re considering adding your home to the online list of Orlando vacation homes for sale, you need to think about photos – and those photos need to be good. Just like the home itself, the photos need to stand out from the crowd. Here are a few tips:
Talk to your agent about what’s “hot” right now. Obviously, your strongest selling points are what buyers are looking for now. Two years ago, buyers were looking for fewer square feet, stepping away from the McMansions. Last year, it was decks and patios. This year, it could be your beautiful, 2-acre backyard with the play set. If you have a selling point, capitalize on it with fantastic photography.
Use the most favorable lighting. High noon sunlight is harsh and often highlights exterior problems that even you may not have noticed. When taking exterior pictures, choose lighting that draws attention to the positives. For instance, one of the most beautiful real estate images I’ve ever seen was a home with all the lights on. The sun was almost completely down and served to accentuate the beauty of the home.
Take as many pictures as you need to get the perfect shot. A shot that’s slightly twisted to the side may not seem like something to throw away, but it can distort the appealing lines of a home. Because photos are two dimensional and flat, even the slightest left or right slant can make the home look like it’s looming, falling in or disproportionate.
The ability to use photos to show off your home on the Internet has been a huge boon for those with Orlando vacation homes for sale. However, a poor photo can do more damage that having no photos at all. If you can’t seem to take a picture without the image blurring, slanting or looking distorted, hire a real estate agent who can get the job done for you.
Looking for an Orlando real estate agent who knows how to showcase your home in pictures? Give us a call today at 407-876-5771.
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