Investment and Vacation Real Estate - Orlando, Florida

Real estate investments are still going strong and will probably continue to be a popular method of financial gain into the future. Real estate is solid. It is a tangible product that is attractive to both beginning investors and experienced pros. The most important part of getting started in Orlando real estate investing is knowing what you're getting into and what to watch out for. Here are 4 top tips from real estate investment professionals:

Understand the Realities

Real estate investment, like any form of investment, is risky. Do not use money you cannot afford to lose. Careful study, understanding the market, and practice help alleviate a lot of the risks but things happen in the best of situations so don’t play with what you can't afford to lose.

Research is a Constant

Research in real estate investment isn't something you do once. Research is constant. It is a daily part of your efforts and should always be at the forefront of your mind. From changing banking methods to market changes, researching and learning must be ongoing to be a successful Orlando real estate investor.

Know the Property

Research isn't limited to financing and the real estate market. You need to thoroughly investigate each property before you buy. Fill out an investment worksheet to see if all the costs associated with the purchase will allow a satisfying profit.

Learn About Personal Protection

Taking risks with the money you have set aside for investment is one thing. Taking risks with your family's savings, property, and other assets is another. Consider starting an LLC. You can choose from a single LLC to cover all of your real estate holdings, or having a separate LLC for each property purchased.

Learning the tricks of the top real estate investors allows you to profit from the experience of those who have gone before you. If you would like more expert advice on Orlando real estate investments, give us a call today at 407-876-5771.

ORLANDO, Fla. – July 23, 2009 – Florida’s existing home sales rose in June – the 10th consecutive month that sales activity showed gains in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). Statewide sales in June also increased over the previous month’s sales level in both the existing home and existing condominium markets. And, for the second month in a row, the statewide median sales price for existing homes was higher than the previous month’s statewide median.

Existing home sales rose 28 percent last month with a total of 15,850 homes sold statewide compared to 12,339 homes sold in June 2008, according to FAR. Statewide existing home sales in June increased 13.8 percent over May’s statewide activity.

Florida Realtors also reported a 39 percent rise in statewide sales of existing condos in June; existing condo sales last month rose 8.3 percent over the total units sold in May.

Sixteen of Florida's metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased existing-home sales in June and 14 MSAs also showed gains in condo sales. A majority of the state’s MSAs have reported increased sales for the past year (12 consecutive months). complete story

Source: Florida Association of Realtors

Call me old-fashioned, but I still believe in that whole supply and demand thing; that’s why I’m slightly obsessed with the inventory of existing homes floating around the nation’s local MLS’s and more importantly those not floating around the MLS’s. I’m talking about the inventory of foreclosed properties that banks are holding onto, refusing to unleash onto the sales market.

“Out of more than 4 million homes currently owned by lenders, actively in foreclosure, or seriously delinquent, roughly 1 million are captured in the NAR’s [National Association of Realtors] inventory data and listed as “distressed inventory” in MLS,” note Paul Puryear and Buck Horne of Raymond James in a new report.

Think about that.

Granted, some of those properties will get loan modifications, but a lot more will not, and that means that at some point all those properties will hit an already bloated market and put even further pressure on already-falling home prices.

The report’s authors add, “Based on our analysis of the most recent mortgage delinquency trends (through March), current data shows signs of further deterioration, not stabilization.” complete story

Source: CNBC.com - Diana Olick

Stop Foreclosure & Save Your Credit SELL your Home - Short Sale

Orlando Investment Property - Orlando Vacation Property

Even with all the homes up for sale, some people just have to have new construction. It’s clean, it’s new and nobody else has lived in it. Understandable, but a word to the wise. If you go for a newly constructed home, bring your Orlando real estate agent.

Why? Isn’t there a site agent on hand to help you? Well, yes… and no. Here are a few good reasons why a personal agent, or buyer’s agent, is a good idea:

Conflict of Interests - While the builder has an agent on site, that agent is not working in your best interests. Consider, if the site agent got a better deal for you (which takes money out of the builder’s hands), would they still have a job? No. However, your own agent is there to make sure you get a good deal. End of story.

Being Informed - A builder’s agent doesn’t have to tell you about the negatives of a deal. They’ll push the positives and even sometimes use high-pressure tactics to get you to sign the contract. Having your own Orlando real estate agent is having a professional you know is on your side. It’s knowing the drawbacks of the transaction as well as the positives.

Contacts - Agents get around; they go everywhere. As a result, they tend to gather a lot of professional contacts and information. If you’re choosing a builder with a bad reputation, your agent might have heard about it. Your agent will have contacts to good home inspectors to go through the house when it’s finished. Your agent will know if the builder’s lender is reputable, and if not, your agent will be able to recommend a highly regarded lender to you. In short, your Orlando real estate agent is a rolodex of home buying and selling resources.

If you’re looking at new construction and need a personal real estate agent, we can help. Call us today at 407-876-5771 for more information.