Investment and Vacation Real Estate - Orlando, Florida

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Would-be homebuyers are sitting on the sidelines now, and many are spending their time in rentals despite the housing bargains out there. It could be a great time to buy a house to rent.

• Vacancy rate: 7.9%
• Average rent: $871  

With rents that have risen only 0.2% in the last year, Orlando, Fla., really is the most magical place on Earth.

"That's not much to call home about if you're a landlord," Canalog says. "The condo-conversion boom that happened during the housing boom really went bust as well, and the condo flippers ended up being reluctant owners who, if they haven't been foreclosed upon, probably ended up renting the properties out."

That's nobody's idea of a dream vacation, and it's turned into a nightmare for Orlando. A place best known for trying to sell happiness is hurting just as much as Sin City's adult playground in the desert -- and, like Las Vegas, is bottoming out. Median existing-home prices have dropped 7.6% in the past year and from $209,000 to $120,000 since 2008. The city's 0.68% foreclosure rate still ranks among the country's top 50.

Tourism continues to bolster Orlando's business and has helped drop the unemployment rate from 11% a year ago to 9.9% today, but that's still above the national average. With that kind of instability, having rent that likely won't move too much can be a nice consolation. 

Source: Money.MSN.com

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If you have Orlando Vacation Property, you may consider renting it out occasionally to cover some of the expenses. However, if you get something wrong, you can set off alarms with the IRS – something you definitely don’t want to do. So, if you’re thinking about renting out your Orlando Vacation Property, here are a few things you need to know:

1. If you don’t feel like claiming rental income on your taxes, you can’t rent the vacation home out for more than fourteen days in a year. Instead, you treat it as a personal residence and just deduct your mortgage interest and property taxes.
   
2. If you want to be able to deduct your rental expenses, you can rent the home for more than fourteen days. However, if you do, you then step into the world of being a landlord. This also means you have to report the income gained from the rent. Once a landlord, you’ll have to keep track of how much you use the property for personal use and how often you rent it out, then figure the costs for each.
   
3. If you rent the home out for more than fourteen days, but live in it more often than you rent, it’s still your personal residence. As a personal residence, you can take out rental expenses that are less than, or equal to, your rental income. So, if your yearly rental income is $20,000, you can claim up to $20,000 of your rental expenses on your taxes, but you can’t deduct your losses.
   
4. If you rent the home more than you live in it, it’s a business. As a business, you can claim your expenses and, possibly, as much as $25,000 in losses per year.
   
5. The IRS uses the term “personal use”, but personal use is a somewhat broad term. The days of personal use that go towards the “10% more than renting” can include any day that you or family members are using the house. Personal use also includes the time that a family member is renting the home from you, you rent it out for less than it’s worth or you donate the use of the house.

If you decide to rent out your Orlando Vacation Property, make sure you do you research, talk to your real estate agent, accountant or attorney and have all your t’s crossed and i’s dotted. If you’re knowledgeable, that vacation home may just pay for itself!

If you’re looking for a great Orlando vacation home or rental property, we can help. Call us at 407-876-5771 for more information.

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Buying a home is one of the few occasions in which some form of negotiation is the rule rather than the exception. Just because it is the norm, however, does not mean that most people are good at it.

Here are a few tips to help you negotiate the best deal when buying your next Orlando home:

1. Know your bottom line. Determine your bottom line and stick to it. This sometimes means you have to be willing to walk away from a deal. It also means being realistic about what you’re asking from the seller. Many sellers are faced with the fact that their home may not be worth what they paid for it. This puts limits on the concessions a seller can offer.

2. Stay flexible. For example, what if the Orlando home you'd like to buy needs a new heating system. The seller is unwilling to replace the unit but is willing to put $3,000 toward your closing costs. The $3,000 you're saving in closing costs will cover the cost of a new heating system. If all you focus on is the seller replacing the heating system, you miss the chance to achieve your overall goal, which is purchasing a home without paying for a new heating system.

3. Find out how long the home has been for sale. If the home is newly listed, the seller is less likely to lower the price significantly or offer other concessions. However, if the home has been for sale for 12 months or longer, the homeowner is more motivated to sell, and you’re more likely to get a great deal.

4. Work with a pro. No one is better at knowing what sellers want and how to negotiate great real estate deals than professional real estate agents. Unless you are an experienced, savvy negotiator, leave it to the pros.

Thinking of buying a Orlando home? We would be pleased to represent you in your next real estate purchase. You can reach us by phone at 407-876-5771.

The Internet has made researching real estate easy for anyone who knows how to surf online. Whether researching real estate to sell homes or to find for their next big investment, many property owners and home buyers think they’ll save a lot of money by doing all the work themselves.

However, statistics show that you’re more likely to sell your property quicker or find your dream house faster when you work with a professional Orlando real estate agent. Working with an agent provides you with an expanded housing database, years of property-purchasing knowledge and valuable contacts for everything from inspections to loans.

The trick is to find the right Orlando real estate agent to fit your needs. Here are 5 tips to help you find your perfect fit:

1. Knowledgeable – You’ll want to find an agent who is experienced and doesn’t always agree with you. If they’re constantly telling you yes, then they may not be working in your best interest.
2. Hard working – Agents who’ve been in the real estate business for decades could be burned out and new recruits might not be as skilled. Look for an agent who has experience in your neighborhood, loves the work and has the energy to get the job done.
3. Responsive – Communication is key, so you want to find an agent who gives you constant updates.
4. Objective – When it comes to your home, making decisions can become extremely personal. You want an agent who will keep a level head and help you ensure you’re not making emotional or irrational decisions.
5. Innovative – A resourceful real estate agent who is always looking for new ways to market your property or looking in new places to find you a house will help you achieve your goals quicker.

Don’t endure the frustration of marching through the real estate maze alone. With the right agent by your side, you’ll experience less stress, get what you want faster and save money in the long run.

If you’re looking for an experienced, energetic, resourceful Orlando real estate agent or just have a few questions, give us a call at 407-876-5771.

You know you need homeowner's insurance but what kind and how much? To help you figure this out, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about homeowner’s insurance.

How much homeowner’s insurance do you need?

Lenders require you to carry enough coverage to protect their investment, which means the amount of your loan. But the amount of your loan most likely isn’t enough to rebuild your home, if it was damaged. To be able to replace your home and its contents in case of a disaster, you probably want a policy that insures the replacement value of your Orlando home.

It’s a good idea to sit down periodically with your insurance agent to review your homeowner's policy. You want to determine if your coverage matches current construction costs and the replacement value of your Orlando home’s content.

What about coverage for earthquakes and floods?

Many homeowners assume coverage for all natural disasters is included in their insurance policy. Not true. In fact, the most important thing for you to know about flood and earthquake insurance is that it is not included in a basic homeowner’s insurance policy. Both require separate policies in order to get reimbursed for damage.

Let’s face it; most of the United States has the possibility of being affected by an earthquake. Unless you specifically purchase earthquake coverage, damage to your Orlando home caused by a quake is not covered. The same is true with flooding. You don't have to live next to a large body of water to sustain water damage from flooding. A small creek next to your home can cause just as much damage during a flash flood.

Do you need to shop around for insurance?

Fortunately, the Insurance Services Office (ISO) sets the standards for homeowner's policies so coverage doesn't change much from company to company, however, rates can vary greatly. That means it is worth your time and effort to shop around for the best prices before you buy your homeowner's policy.

If you’d like a referral to a professional homeowner’s insurance agent, give us a call today at 407-876-5771.

Low home prices combined with low interest rates makes this a great time to purchase Orlando real estate investment property. One of the most popular real estate investments is rental property. Investing in rental property can be profitable, if you pick properties that meet the following criteria:

1. Require minimal maintenance. Orlando real estate with newer appliances, smaller yards and that have been well-maintained, are typically easier and less expensive to continue to maintain.

2. Attract long-term, well-paying renters. Your goal is to get renters who will take good care of your Orlando real estate, stay a long time and pay on time. While lower-priced properties near colleges may be easy to rent, they typically attract students who tend to be loud, messy and short term renters. On the other hand, rental properties that are in the highest price range may attract renters who are in jobs that require them to move frequently or who will quickly purchase homes of their own.

3. Located in highly-populated, low-crime areas. Steer away from rural areas where there are fewer potential renters. Look for homes in neighborhoods that have low crime rates and good school districts. Neighborhoods near public transportation, grocery stores and shopping malls attract renters.

4. Zoned for renting. Always check to be sure the property you intend to lease is approved to be rented by local zoning or home owners’ associations.

5. Priced properly. Your purchase price must be low enough to allow you to set the rent within a range the local market will bear and that will earn a profit for you. Be sure to take into consideration every expense of owning, maintaining and renting this property, when considering if you can turn a profit and have a positive cash flow from the start.

Interested in buying a rental property? We can help. Give us a call today at 407-876-5771 for more information.

When you buy a Orlando real estate in a subdivision, co-op or planned unit development, you may be subject to a host of rules and regulations as established by the Homeowners’ Association (HOA) governing that development.

You’ve most likely heard of HOAs, but you may not know exactly how they operate and how they can impact you and your Orlando real estate. In this article, you’ll get information on some of the broader issues that you should be aware of when moving into a community governed by an HOA.

What is a Homeowners' Association?

It is a corporation formed by real estate developers to market, manage and sell homes and lots within a development.

Does the Orlando real estate developer retain control of the HOA forever? No. After a predetermined number of homes or lots are sold, the control is turned over, first, to a handpicked group of homeowners. Later in the process, elections are held once a year within the development to choose board members.

Can anyone be a board member?

As long as you’re a property owner in the development governed by the HOA, you can campaign for the position. Elections are held once a year. It is not a paid position; board members volunteer their time.

What is the primary function of the HOA?

The primary function of an HOA is to maintain the rules and restrictions that were put in place by the developers and to maintain the community’s common areas.

Common areas include streets, parking lots, parks or green areas, pools and buildings used by the owners like a clubhouse or fitness center. If your Orlando real estate is an attached condo unit, this would include the exterior of your unit as well.

Can I elect not to join the HOA?

No, HOA membership is written into the covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) when the development is formed. No matter how many times the property changes ownership, the HOA requirements remain with it.

You’re also required to pay HOA fees, which are used to maintain the common areas. If you do not stay current on the fees, the HOA can put an assessment lien on your Orlando real estate.

Before buying into a development with an HOA, read and understand the CC&Rs. Also, take the time to talk with some of the other homeowners in the development to find out how they feel about their HOA.

If you’re interested in buying Orlando real estate, with or without an HOA, we can help. Please give us a call at 407-876-5771.

When buying or selling your home, there are many long-term conditions you should take into consideration for future planning. Will you look back years from now and wish you had not sold? Will your new home be something that you’ll love long term?

In today’s chaotic Orlando real estate market, jumping from one home to another every few years may no longer be a financially viable option. When purchasing a home for the long term, here are a few questions you should ask yourself:

Questions for long-term Orlando real estate planning:

· Death in the family - If you’re a couple, what would happen if one of you passed away? Would the home you currently live in still work? That acre lot may not look as attractive, if you’re going to be the only one caring for it.

· The option of renting - If you want to move, but you can’t get the money you need out of your house to justify a sale, will it make a good rental property? Renting your home may be a great way to maintain some cash flow while still downsizing your living space during your retirement years.

· Location - If you’ve envisioned an activity-filled retirement, will your location allow you to fulfill that dream? Is there a college nearby to pursue that master’s degree you’ve always wanted … can you go to cooking school … what about volunteering at a community center?

· Flexibility of home - Have you considered how your home will be able to adapt to your changing needs? Maybe an upstairs master bedroom was attractive when you had children, but if you happen to face limited mobility, those stairs might put a kink in your lifestyle. Before purchasing, use a floor-planning tool to determine the types of spaces that are important to you.

Don’t put yourself in a situation where you’re forced to sell your home because it doesn’t fit your future lifestyle. Make sure you invest in a home where you can create life-long memories.

If you need help with your long-term Orlando real estate planning, please call us at 407-876-5771.

As a homeowner, one of the biggest traps you can fall into is over improving your Orlando home.

Turn on any home improvement channel, and they will show you all the latest and greatest in must haves for your Orlando home. What they don’t tell you is that even the best upgrades won’t guarantee an increase in your resale value. In fact, most remodel jobs only recoup 60% to 70% of their costs.

Here are some tips to help you avoid over improving your home:

Assess the value of homes in your neighborhood.

Unless you plan on staying in your Orlando home forever, do some research on the home values in your neighborhood before you begin any home renovations. Ideally, you want to add improvements that increase the resale value of your home while staying within the average market price of homes in your neighborhood.

For example, if the homes in your area sell for an average of $250,000, with the highest priced home in the area going for $350,000, make home renovations that increase the value of your property to the average home price of $250,000 or less. You do not want to be the highest priced home in your neighborhood. And, the last thing you want to do is to put more money into your home than you can get back.

Pick the projects you want to tackle.

Start with home maintenance and repair projects like fixing the foundation, roofing, painting, carpeting and upgrading windows. If your home isn’t well cared for, it will show and potential buyers will move on to the next home for sale.

"Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes." Sound familiar? Excluding location and price, this is a true statement. Updating your kitchen and baths are excellent projects to tackle to increase the value of your home.

Refinish or replace rather than completely renovate.

You don’t have to do a complete kitchen or bath renovation. Minor improvements such as refinishing cabinets, replacing old hardware and adding new fixtures make a big difference in the appearance of baths and kitchens. And, you’ll conserve your financial outlay.

If you’re planning to renovate your home before putting it on the market, we can help you identify the projects that will increase your resale value or get your home sold faster. Give us a call today 407-876-5771.

The ongoing debate as to whether selling your Orlando real estate is better as a FSBO or with the help of a REALTOR® just got some new ammunition. The new survey supports past findings that using a REALTOR® is more beneficial to Orlando real estate sellers.

The survey, conducted by HomeGain.com, a leading online real estate resource that connects home buyers and sellers with real estate professionals, surveyed over 1,000 homeowners. Here’s what HomeGain’s survey found:

• 83% of homeowners surveyed said they used a REALTOR® to sell their home and 17% said they tried to sell their home on their own.
• 59% of homeowners that used a REALTOR® to sell their homes were successful vs. 39% of FSBO’s, reflecting a 50% higher closing rate for those home sellers using a REALTOR®.
• 81% percent of homeowners that used a REALTOR® to try and sell their homes said they would use a REALTOR® again for their real estate needs.
• 88% of homeowners who sold their homes using a REALTOR® said they would use a REALTOR® again.
• 71% of FSBOs who managed to sell their homes on their own said they would try and sell their home on their own again.
• 24% of FSBOs eventually enlisted the aid of a REALTOR® to help sell their homes.

If you’re ready to use the method most likely to get your Orlando real estate sold, give us a call today at 407-876-5771.

Marketing your Orlando home for sale can be tough enough in this economy without having other sources working against you. That’s why you should double-check your property’s public records. Large discrepancies between your property description and what’s listed as public record could be turning potential buyers away.

If the public property report for your house is not up to date, you could appear as if you’re inflating its qualities, such as the square footage or the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Don’t let something so simple hurt your property’s sale. Consider taking the following steps to ensure your home is being portrayed accurately.

1. Review your property’s public record. If it matches the information that you and your real estate agent have been promoting for your house, then you’re good to go. It won’t take long, and it will give you peace of mind.
2. Ensure that your house’s updates, renovations and additions are all included. Evaluate the report to determine if any updates have been made but not recorded. Was there an addition added without a building permit or a basement finished to include another bedroom? Every square foot counts!
3. Fix any discrepancies. Check with your county tax assessor about updating your public record; they’ll want an accurate report for tax purposes anyway. While this might take some time and effort, having an accurate description of your property could help you sell it faster and avoid more months of mortgage payments.

Not only could an inaccurate public record hurt your Orlando home for sale, it could also hurt your house’s value. Typically, real estate appraisers only consider square footage that they can verify through a building permit. If your records aren’t up to date, you may end up getting less than your property is worth.

If your Orlando home for sale has yet to sell and you’d like more information on how to check its public records, give us a call at 407-876-5771.

It’s the time of year we all dread… time for your 2010 tax filings. While I am not a Certified Public Accountant  (CPA) or even a plain old accountant, I do want to share with you some basic tax tips all Orlando home owners should consider before filing their taxes.

• Contact a tax expert. My motto is always, if in doubt, contact a tax expert. There’s no way around it; taxes are complicated. While some don’t want to spend their money on tax experts, I’ve found that they’ve saved me much more money than they’ve cost. And, the peace of mind they provide is priceless.
• Claim your Orlando home owner’s tax deduction, if you’re eligible. In 2002, a study was conducted that showed that 61% of eligible home owners did not claim their home owner’s tax deductions on their income taxes. That means that 61% of home owners who would have saved on their income taxes took the standard deduction and paid a higher tax bill that they needed to. Don’t miss any more tax savings by automatically taking the standard deduction. Consult a tax expert to find out how much you can save by taking advantage of your home owner’s tax breaks.
• Review your past returns. If you think you might have overpaid your taxes in the past, have a tax expert review your past returns and help you file an amended return to reclaim your money.
• Start paying back your 2008 first-time home buyer tax break. If you claimed the very first version of the first-time home buyers tax break on your 2008 tax returns, you must now start paying it back. The credit has to be repaid in 15 equal payments each tax-filing time, beginning with 2010 returns. The 2008 tax break wasn’t a true credit. Instead, it was an interest-free loan, and like all loans, it must be paid back.
• Claim subsequent home-buyer tax credits. If you qualified for and used the 2009 (which was extended to June, 2010) first-time home-buyer tax credit or home-owner tax credit, you had the option to claim the credit on your 2009 or 2010 taxes. If you waited to claim them, now’s the time to do so.

Even though the home-buyer tax credits are no longer available, this is an amazing time to buy a Orlando home. If you’d like to learn more about why now is a fabulous time to buy a home, or if you need help finding a home you love, we can help. Give us a call today at 407-876-5771.

Staying green while moving isn’t easy. In fact, moving expends a lot of energy. Think about the massive amount of gas those big trucks go through, the toxic cleaning products people use on both their old and new Orlando homes and all those cardboard boxes that are overflowing our landfills.

You might be thinking, “Hey, moving is stressful enough without having to worry about going green while moving.” I understand. But, if you’re conscientious about the earth, and want to go as green as you can while you move, here are a few suggestions for you:

1. Have a yard sale. Make money and reduce the amount of items you have to pack.
2. Invest in bins. Buy recycled plastic bins. They’re sturdy, stack together well and can be reused for years in a multitude of ways.
3. Reuse or recycle cardboard containers. Get cardboard boxes that someone else has used. Most moving companies have used boxes they’ll sell to you. Recycle your cardboard boxes by selling them back to places like U-Haul or giving them to a friend who is getting ready to move.
4. Use green packing materials. Use things you have to pack anyway like clothing, linens and towels to cushion objects or fill gaps in boxes. You can also purchase compostable packing materials, such as compostable packing peanuts. Or, use paper towels made from recycled paper, and after you unpack, reuse them to clean up messes. When you have to use non-green packing materials, don’t throw them away; save them for future use or give them away to people who are getting ready to move.
5. Secure with ZIP ties. Choose ZIP ties that are made from recycled plastic. Use them instead of tape to secure hoses, lids and doors and drawers on furniture.
6. Donate. Instead of throwing things away that you no longer want, donate them. Some thrift stores will even pick up donations at your house.
7. Dispose properly. Call the recycling centers in your city to find out how to properly dispose of anything you need to throw away. These days you can recycle paper, appliances, copiers, computers and phones.
8. Use green cleaning products. Green cleaning products can be found at most big retail stores these days. Use environmentally-friendly products to clean both Orlando homes (the one you’re moving out of and the one you’re moving into).

When it comes to the environment, every little change can make a big difference. With a little bit of knowledge, we can all help save the earth one small change at a time in our Orlando homes.

If you’re moving and need to buy or sell a home, we can help. Give us a call today at 407-876-5771.

As a society, it seems like we’ve gotten away from appreciating our Orlando homes for their emotional and sentimental worth. Instead, we focus solely on their monetary value.

An appraiser can estimate a Orlando home's monetary value, but to gain a true concept of your home’s worth, you must also take into consideration:

1. Pride of ownership. You don’t buy a pair of Prada shoes because you’re going to be able to resell them and make a profit. You buy them because they make you look good and feel good.

2. Security and stability. Your home provides a roof over your head that’s in your control. You can decorate it how you want. You don’t have to worry about a landlord selling the property or asking you to move out. In the “olden days” (or should I say “golden days”), we called our homes our castles because, as owners, we felt like the kings and queens of our Orlando homes. You can still feel that way! Claim your castle and crown yourself king or queen today.

3. A safe haven. After a tough day at work or a day of disappointments, where’s the first place you think of going? Home! As Dorothy says, “There’s no place like home.”

4. A place to make memories. Your son’s tree house and daughter’s playhouse. The markings on the wall that tracked your children’s growth. The porch swing where you start and end every anniversary celebration.

5. A neighborhood full of friends. In the event of an emergency, your neighbors are your first line of defense. They’re also the simplest, best and least expensive form of security. Additionally, they may have the exact tool you need for a project; the extra pair of hands you need to complete a project or children to become playmates with yours. Neighbors also give you that much needed in-person, up-close social network.

Even if your home’s economic value has dropped, you continue to benefit from its emotional values of community, stability, security and success.

Thinking of buying a home? We can help you evaluate the emotional and monetary worth of homes and find a home that fits your values and lifestyle. Give us a call today at 407-876-5771.

For some frustrated sellers, the answer to “Why isn’t my home selling?” is “It’s the agent’s fault!” If your immediate instinct is to drop your Orlando real estate agent for a new one, you might want to take a deep breath and consider the following:

1. Do you think agents are like lottery tickets? Going through Orlando real estate agents as fast as scratch-off lottery tickets isn’t going to get your home sold faster. In fact, it usually slows down the process.
2. Is your home priced correctly? That’s probably the number one difference between homes that sell fast and homes that sit on the market. A poorly priced home could be your agent’s fault. Then again, you could be partially to blame. Did you insist on a specific price even though your agent strongly recommended a lower price? Did you refuse to lower the price when your agent suggested lowering it? If you’re inflexible about price, switching agents will not help.
3. Did you make the home improvements recommended by your agent? If your agent suggested you paint, clean carpets, reduce clutter or complete any other inexpensive, easy-to-accomplish task, and you didn’t do it, you’re greatly reducing your opportunity to get your home sold. You chose to work with your agent because he is a knowledgeable professional. Take his advice and get those home improvement tasks done now.
4. Has your listing agreement expired? If your listing contract has expired, this is the perfect time to consider switching agents. Go back to the start, identify 3 new agents and interview the agents. If you find one that fits your needs better than your current agent, let your agent know you won’t be renewing your contract.
5. Did your agent market your home? If your agent has not done all the marketing he promised, point this out and ask him when he’ll get the marketing in place. Follow up to be sure it’s done on time and professionally. If he still doesn’t market your home like he said he would, it may be time to switch agents.
6. Are you being impatient? If you made all the home improvements recommended by your agent, your home is properly priced, and all marketing tasks are completed, you may just need to have a little patience. This is a slow real estate market. That means your home isn’t going to sell overnight. Ask your agent the average number of days it takes a home to sell in your area, then wait that length of time before thinking about changing agents.

Don’t replace your agent just because you don’t know what else to do. You’ll be wasting time and effort. Instead, work with your agent to determine what else can be done to get your home sold.

If you decide to search for a new Orlando real estate agent, I’d be honored if you’d allow me to interview for the job. Call us at 407-876-5771 to schedule an interview.

You know it’s a buyer’s market. But you really need to sell your home now. Here are 6 tips to get Orlando homes sold even in today’s real estate market:

1. Price your home competitively from the start. Ask your agent to find out what similar homes in your neighborhood sold for in the last 6 months. Don’t bother looking at pricing prior to that. And don’t base your decision on listing prices. A lot of homeowners price their Orlando homes high to start with but end up drastically reducing the price in order to get them sold.
2. Offer incentives. There are a lot of similar properties on the market, so in addition to competitively pricing your home, you should consider including incentives. You could offer a home warranty, to pay part of the closing costs or to leave the big screen television that fits perfectly over your fireplace.
3. Pick the right agent. Look for local agents who are listing, marketing, and selling in your neighborhood even though the market is slow. Interview several of them and ask what price they recommend and how they’ll market your property.
4. Get your home in tip-top shape. You cannot afford to let anything slip through the cracks… literally. If you have cracks in your driveway, walls or foundation, get them fixed before you put your home up for sale. Make your home shine.
5. Be flexible on the deposit. In a slow market, you may need to settle for a smaller deposit than you’d typically require. If the buyer is pre-approved for a loan and no other offers are on the table, reducing the deposit may convince the buyer to make an offer.
6. Negotiate. Buyers can and will be demanding in today’s real estate market. Prepare yourself for some tough negotiating. Make sure you’re working with an agent who excels at negotiating, and then let her do her job.

Want to work with a local agent who is an expert negotiator and knows how to get Orlando homes sold in this buyer’s market? Give us a call today at 407-876-5771.

Now is a great time to get into the investment real estate market. Not only does investment property give you a real tangible asset for your portfolio, you can also get Orlando real estate investments at great prices right now.

Here are four ways to make money from Orlando real estate investments that you might want to consider.

• Rental properties. Not everyone enjoys owning rental property, but it is one of the most profitable ways to make money from real estate. Rental properties give you a constant residual income that lasts as long as you keep the property.
• Flipping. While the house flipping craze of the 80s and 90s cooled down with the current mortgage and housing crunch, for serious investors who take the time to know what they are doing, it is still a viable means of making money in real estate. This is typically a shorter term method of real estate investing.
• Rehabbing. Buying a house to live in while you fix it up and resell it is similar to flipping, except that most rehabbers take longer to renovate the home, and use it as their primary residence while doing the work. There are three reasons this is a more comfortable way to flip Orlando real estate investments. First, you have a place to live and don't have to pay a mortgage on another property. Second, you don't have to feel as pressured to sell in a short period of time the way you do a flip. Third, you may receive all the homeowner benefits like tax breaks and no capital gain tax.
• Subdivide. This form of investment requires a little advance preparation and investigation. When you discover a sizeable piece of land at a good price, find out if it is zoned so you can subdivide it. If it is, you can profitably sell off individual parcels to those who want to build on it.

If you would like more information on ways to invest in real estate that makes sense for you, we can help. Contact us at 407-876-5771.

Considering selling a home 'by owner' has been a fairly consistent desire in the Orlando real estate market over the past few decades. Everyone wants to save a buck and some think they can save a lot of money by selling their homes by themselves. But would you really save money by doing it yourself?

To start off with it should be said that there are indeed people who can sell their homes for sale by owner (FSBO), and even save a few dollars doing it. Those are the people who have five important skills:

1. They know how to market and advertise their Orlando real estate both online and offline without spending a fortune.
2. They are excellent sales people.
3. They know how to pre-qualify buyers to be sure they’re actually able to afford the home.
4. They’re great at negotiating.
5. They know how to execute real estate contracts and all the other associated legal work necessary to sell a home.

Additionally, they need to have plenty of time to:

• Market and advertise their home. A lot of time can be spent writing ads, creating flyers, taking photos, and loading everything to a wide variety of real estate websites.
• Show their home to potential buyers at times that are best for the buyer.
• Negotiate with buyers.
• Execute the real estate contract.

If you do not have those five skills or the extra time needed to perform all the necessary tasks, selling your Orlando real estate by owner probably isn’t a good idea for you.

Instead, you can hire a real estate agent to do it all for you. A professional real estate agent is more than just someone who puts their name on a sign on your front lawn.

• They are the person who is your first line of defense when it comes to dealing with buyers. They know how to be sure the person coming to look at your house really has the qualifications to actually make a purchase, not just some Sunday shopper.
• They also have the marketing know-how and the advertising power of a real estate company behind them.
• They have vast connections and relationships with professionals such as home inspectors, title offices and mortgage companies. They work with these people many times a month year in and year out.
• They’re skilled negotiators.
• They understand what legal work has to be done and how to keep it on track.

Obviously, a professional real estate agent saves you time, but they also save you money. Statistics show that homes sell for more money when sold by an agent, especially in today’s real estate market. How can that be? People who buy a FSBO know you’re saving money on commission and expect you to pass those savings on to them.

If you’d like more information on how a real estate agent can help save you time and money by selling your home, give us a call today at 407-876-5771.