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Archive for August, 2010

Barias, Kissimmee FL

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

I feel so lucky to have met and had the opportunity to work with Vanessa Franz Barnes, a Licensed Realtor serving the Orlando/Kissimmee area in Florida.  In May 2010, my parents found themselves in a very difficult financial situation which required them to sell their home through a lender approved Short Sale.  Since I live in Miami and the property was located in Kissimmee, the challenge for me was going to be in finding a local competent real estate agent who would work efficiently to list and sell the property quickly.  I sent emails to several real estate agents in the Kissimmee/Orlando area asking if anyone would be interested in assisting me with the sale of my parent’s home.  Vanessa was the first to respond to my email.  I found Vanessa by sheer luck (or destiny) through a search on the Keller Williams Realty website.  I never actually met Vanessa in person.  Since I lived four hours away by car, it was a blessing for me the fact that we were able complete the entire transaction by telephone, email and regular mail.  Vanessa sold my parent’s home in record time.  The property was sold within 60 days from the date listed by Vanessa and at a price the bank approved.  Vanessa was remarkably professional and responsive throughout the entire process.  I would, without hesitation, recommend Vanessa to anyone with any real estate needs in Central Florida.  Vanessa is truly a gem.  It was refreshing and my honor to work with Vanessa.  Thank you.

Best regards,

HAFA – Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

HAFA – Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative – the idea is that if borrowers are eligible for the modification program BUT are unable to work out a plan to stay in their home, they – and their lenders – have a well mapped route for executing a short sale or a deed in lieu of foreclosure. The HAFA guidelines are voluntary, but major banks and servicers – including BOA , Chase, Wells Fargo and citmortgage – as well as dozens of smaller lenders are expected to participate.

To participate, a mortgage servicers must have opted into the government’s HAMP by the close of last year.

Which loans are Eligible?

HAFA provides short sale guidelines for loans NOT owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The following conditions must be met:

            The property is the borrowers principal residence

            The mortgage loan is a first lien mortgage originaltaed on or before Jan 1, 2009

            The mortgage is delinquents or default is reasonably foreseeable

            The current unpaid principal balance is equal to or less than $729,750

            The borrowers total monthly mortgage payment exceeds 31 percent of the borrowers gross income.

            Allows borrowers to receive pre-approved short sale terms before listing the property.

 www.floridarealtors.org/legalcenter/hottopics/upload/permissibleactivitiesrev092009.pdf

Regal Palms Resort, Davenport FL

Friday, August 13th, 2010

The Regal Palms Resort incorporates a 2.5 acre tropical pool complex with two heated pools, lazy river, waterfalls and waterslide. Additional recreational facilities include children’s play area, sunbathing terraces, beauty spas, barbeque areas and a poolside tiki bar, music and supervised children’s activities. Our selection of Regal Palms homes are all located with in a short walk of the Regal Palms pool and clubhouse and less than 1mile from the outstanding Highlands Reserve Golf Course & Club.

Regal Palms Townhomes

Regal Palms Clubhouse in Davenport

Regal Palms Clubhouse

Entrance Regal Palms

This unique resort features a combination of fully equipped and furnished 3 and 4-Bedroom Town Homes.

Community features include:

  • Spa and Fitness Center
  • Two Community pools with lazy river
  • Children’s splash pool
  • Indoor Restaurant
  • On-Site Management
  • Games Room
  • Sundry Shop
  • Business Center

Interested in purchasing a home at Regal Palms? Email us at Vanessa@simplyfloridarealestate.com to get a current inventory list and allow us to assist you in accomplishing your real estate dreams.

Regal Palms Swimming Pool

Regal Palms Game Room

Regal Palms Game Room

Regal Palms Playground

Windsor Palms Resort, Kissimmee FL

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Windsor Palms is a resort-style secure gated community and is ideally located just three miles from the Disney entrance, and has unrivaled

Gate Windsor Palms

Gate Windsor Palms

 resort facilities. So, whether you’re in Florida for the attractions or simply to relax, this the perfect location. Windsor Palms Resort is just one mile from the eating, shopping and services from highway 192.

Windsor Palms homes range from comfortable condominiums and townhomes, to spacious 6-bedroom resort homes, so you’re sure to find accommodations to suit your Orlando vacation rental home needs. All Windsor Palms homes feature private pools, while most townhomes have a small pool. The Windsor Palms Resorts distinctive 7,500 sq. feet clubhouse features a huge community pool with sun deck and hot tub. Enjoy a variety of recreation options and exciting activities for all ages including a children’s playground, state-of-the-art fitness center, sand volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, a 58-seat movie theatre, video arcade and billiards.

Community features include: 

  • 7,500 sq. feet clubhouse
  • Community pool with sun deck and hot tub
  • Children’s playground
  • State-of-the-art fitness center
  • Sand volleyball
  • Basketball courts
  • Tennis courts
  • 58-seat movie theatre
  • Video arcade

 

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

Windsor Palms Clubhouse

Windsor Palms Clubhouse

Windsor Palms Fitness Center

Windsor Palms Fitness Center

Windsor Palms Pool

Windsor Palms Pool

Windsor Hills Sundry Shop

Windsor Hills Sundry Shop

 

Interested in purchasing a home at Windsor Palms? Email us at Vanessa@simplyfloridarealestate.com to get a current inventory list and allow us to assist you in accomplishing your real estate dreams.

Windermere Stats as of August 1, 2010

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

Windermere is located in Southwest Orlando and nestled between numerous large lakes that form the Butler Chain of Lakes. Windermere was established in 1889 and works hard to maintain that small town feel. For instance, many local streets are still dirt roads. Windermere has expanded to include newer subdivisions such as Lakes of Windermere, Keene’s Pointe, Summerport, and Glenmuir. Below is a snapshot of the current state of the market in Windermere.

As of  August 1, 2009 :
There are currently 467 HOMES for Sale listed in our MLS system ranging from $134,000 for a 3 bed/2 bath in Merrick Landing to $100 MILLION for a 13 bedroom/23 bathroom home in Reserve at Lake Butler Sound (WOW you should see the pictures of this one!!)

There are 52 active Condominiums/Towhomes for Sale in the MLS ranging from $89,000 for a 2 bed/2 bath in Lakeside to $207,000 for a 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom townhome in Lake Sawyer.

ACTIVE: HOMES 
467 Total: 120 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned  (making up 25% of the inventory). Average Sales Price = $1.56 Million and Median sales price = $770,000
ACTIVE: CONDOMINIUMS/TOWNHOMES  
52 Total: 35 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned  (making up 67% of the inventory). Average Sales Price = $142,149 and Median sales price = $139,500

 

PENDING: HOMES 
174 Total:  129 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned (making up 74% of the inventory). Average Pending Price = $574,497 and Median sales price = $377,500
PENDING: CONDOMINIUMS/TOWNHOMES  
46 Total: 38 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned  (making up 83% of the inventory). Average Pending Price = $127,101 and Median sales price = $122,500

SOLD: HOMES (last 30 DAYS)  
44 Total: 25 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned  (making up 57% of the inventory).  Average SOLD Price = $482,355 and Median SOLD price = $353,250
SOLD: CONDOMINIUMS/TOWNHOMES  
9 Total: 6 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned  (making up 66% of the inventory). Average SOLD Price = $139,355 and Median SOLD price = $126,000

If you would like a specific Market Analysis for your home, please click here http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?PUSX0IDCMAQH

We look forward to helping you realize your real estate dreams.

Hunters Creek Stats as of August 1, 2010

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Hunter’s Creek offers a combination of condominiums, townhomes and single family homes.  Here is a brief snapshot of the current state of the market:

As of  August 1, 2010 :
There are currently 211 HOMES for Sale listed in our MLS system ranging from $65,000 for a 3 bed/2 bath in Sky Lake to $539,900 for a 5 bedroom/4 bathroom home in Hunters Creek on Hunters Isle.

There are 57 Condominiums/Townhomes for Sale in the MLS ranging from $41,900 for a 2 bed/2 bath in Whisper Lakes to $226,000 for a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom condo-hotel at Audubon Villas

ACTIVE: HOMES 
211 Total: 126 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned (making up 60% of the inventory). Average Sales Price = $195,982 and Median sales price = $179,000
ACTIVE: CONDOMINIUMS/TOWNHOMES  
57 Total: 41 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned  (making up 72% of the inventory). Average Sales price = $92,676 and Median Sales Price = $69,950

PENDING: HOMES 
168 Total: 154 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned  (making up 92% of the inventory).  Average Pending Price = $148,865 and Median pending price = $139,900
PENDING: CONDOMINIUMS/TOWNHOMES  
90 Total: 80 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned  (making up 88% of the inventory). Average Pending price = $68,425 and Median Sales Price = $62,500

SOLD: HOMES (last 30 DAYS)  
42 Total: 27 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned  (making up 64% of the inventory). Average SOLD Price = $163,512 and Median SOLD price = $154,950
SOLD: CONDOMINIUMS/TOWNHOMES  
29 Total: 24 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned  (making up 83% of the inventory). Average SOLD Price = $69,321 and Median SOLD price = $65,000

If you would like a specific Market Analysis for your home, please click here http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?PUSX0IDCMAQH

Celebration Stats as of August 1, 2010

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Celebration offers a combination of condominiums, townhomes and single family homes.  Here is a brief snapshot of the current state of the market here in Celebration.

As of August 1, 2010

There are currently 118 HOMES for Sale listed in our MLS system ranging from $224,900 for a 3 bed/2 bath in North Village to $4.5 Million for a 6 bedroom/7 bathroom home in North Village/Acadia’s

There are 108 Condominiums/Townhomes for Sale in the MLS ranging from $79,900 for a 1 bed/1 bath in Siena to $675,605 for a 5 bedroom/4.5 bathroom townhome on Mulberry in downtown Celebration.

ACTIVE: HOMES 
118 Total: 22 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned (making up 18% of the inventory). Average Sales Price = $837K and Median Price – $550K
ACTIVE: CONDOMINIUMS/TOWNHOMES  
108 Total: 36 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned  (making up 33% of the inventory). Average Sales Price = $242,156

PENDING: HOMES 
40 Total: 25 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned (making up 63% of the inventory).  Average pending price = $544K and Median pending price = $399K
PENDING: CONDOMINIUMS/TOWNHOMES  
52: Total: 42 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned  (making up 80% of the inventory). Average pending price = $176,355

SOLD: HOMES (last 30 DAYS)  
6 Total: 2 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned (making up 33% of the inventory). Average SOLD Price = $939,750

SOLD: CONDOMINIUMS/TOWNHOMES  
11 Total: 6 are pre-foreclosure/short sales/bank-owned  (making up 54% of the inventory). Average SOLD Price = $170,182

If you would like a specific Market Analysis for your home, please contact us directly.

We look forward to helping you realize your real estate dreams!

IRS offers info on tax credits

Sunday, August 1st, 2010

U.S. taxes can be offset by a number of real estate-related credits and deductions, and the IRS offers information on each.

Florida compiled a list of educational documents for the real estate industry to share with homebuyers and sellers.

Energy Incentives for Individuals: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=206875,00.html

Seven Facts about the Non-business Energy Property Credit: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=214979,00.html

First-Time Homebuyer Credit: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html

Seven Important Facts about Claiming the First-Time Homebuyer Credit: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=202222,00.html

Five Tips About the First-Time Homebuyer Credit Documentation Requirements: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=219518,00.html

Ten Important Facts about the Extended First-Time Homebuyer Credit: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=215827,00.html

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