What? You thought it was Orlando?  Yeah, most people think that way, but if you are coming to visit Walt Disney World where would you probably stay? Kissimmee!  Are you visiting Orlando but want to stay in a vacation home, where do you find the most conviniently located vacation rentals? More than likely, Kissimmee!

It is true, Orlando is where people say that they are coming when they visit Walt Disney World theme parks, Sea World, and Universal Studios.  Also it is more famous as a location worldwide, however more and more families are choosing to stay in the Kissimmee area as they find that staying in a vacation home not only makes it more relaxed and convenient for their families, but it is also priced very competitive when compared to hotel rooms in Orlando.

Are you coming to visit Disney World and looking for a place to stay? Check out My Orlando Holiday Homes website

If you have never visited Celebration then you must do so next time you are in the area. 

The town itself is an amazing sight.  Homes have been built to look and feel like any town from the 1930s.  Homes are placed very close to each other to encourage the owners to know their neighbors.

Most of the homes include a front porch and to keep the illusion have the garage on the back (there were no garages back then). 

There are no traffic lights only stop signs, be very carefull when driving there as the speed limits are strictly enforced.

Here is a glance at the beautiful and unique town of Celebration Florida.

For more information about Celebration, Fl you can contact me. I will be more than happy to help you find a home to fit your needs.

As everyone is claiming in most parts of the country we have what is considered a buyer's market. In a buyer's market there are more sellers than buyers giving buyers the upper hand when negotiating the purchase of a home. Many buyers or potential buyers are trying to decide whether this is the best time to buy or wait for a stronger market.

First time buyers, is this the best time or the worst time for you to buy?  Let's see:

• Do you have a stable job, one where you have been for at least 1 or 2 years? 
  
• Do you have money saved to be used for the down payment and closing costs involved in the transaction? 
  
• Can you afford the monthly payment, including taxes, insurance, and HOA?
  
• Do you have good credit, or at least enough to qualify you for a mortgage?

If you can not qualify for a mortgage then it would make no difference to you if this is a buyer's market or not.  Finding out if you can afford a home is the main factor for you to decide whether this is the best time for you to buy or not.

Buying a house is the biggest investment you will probably do in your life, however it should not be treated the same way as if you were buying a car or investing in the stock market. So, how to decide if I am ready to buy a home.  Let's see:

• Pride of ownership is a term used in real estate to indicate that a home have been kept in better than good condition. Having a great garden, clean and uncluttered garage, upgraded counters in kitchen and bathroom, a green thick lawn, are a few of the things that would indicate that there is pride of ownership.  Do you want to know what it feels like to have pride of ownership?
  
• Have you been renting for a long time, in the same place or the same area, and do you see yourself staying in your next home for at least 4 or 5 years?
  
• You are tired of paying rent because it feels like a waste of money or do not want to pay your landlord's mortgage anymore, and it is close to what you would pay in motgage including taxes and insurance?
• Your job situation is stable and you see yourself making more money in the future
  
• "I can make the mortgage payments without worrying about how am I going to pay all my other financial obligations," would be an accurate statement for you to say.

These are just a few of the reasons why some people want to buy a house, your reason might be different.  Whatever your reason is, what it should not be is how much your home will appreciate in the next couple of years (or at least it should not be the main reason).  Think about it this way, if you buy or rent either way you will have to make a monthly payment, how that money is going to be spent is entirely up to you.  It can go towards buying your own home or paying your next rent.

If you are ready to take the next step then you must start by calling your local Realtor who will help you find a lender and your new home.

If you liked this article don't forget to rate it, thanks!

Carmen Rivero
La Rosa Realty
Ph: 407-319-1537
www.mykissimmeehome.com
Search the MLS for Kissimmee, Davenport, Celebration, and Reunion Listings

Because of the media attention I believe most everyone is familiar with the fact that houses in foreclosure process are now in higher numbers than a few years ago. 

Florida is counted among the 3 states with more foreclosures procedures in the country. When this fact might discourage new buyers, there are many others who see this as an opportunity to finally be able to buy a home or start investing in real estate. 

As a Real Estate agent that is featured in RealtyTrac, I have been contacted many times by buyers and future investors, sometimes even other Realtors, inquiring about buying a foreclosure, or a bank owned home.

Here is some of the most frequently asked question I have heard:

Q: Can I really buy a house that is worth $300,000 for $135,000 like it says in the newspaper, website, or the judgement?

A: The answer is usually NO, more than likely that home may fit one of these scenarios:

1. Home has more than one mortgage and $135,000 might be the second mortgage. The main or primary mortgage has to be paid first or at least together.
2. If the owner is not paying the mortgage, guess what? He might also stopped paying HOA, taxes, assessments, etc.
3. That lien might not be mortgage related: maybe they installed a pool and forgot to pay the contractor
4. The owner might have the house listed already at a much higher price but still competitive price for the market.  Let's say he listed for $210,00 a house that is worth $300,000, 30% under market value. (still a good deal if you qualify or have the money)
5. If that is truly the only mortgage, then he might still negotiate to have his mortgage refinanced or any other kind of agreement with the bank to keep his home.

Follow up question: 

Q: Are you saying that is not a good deal to buy a home in Foreclosure?

A: No, I am not saying it is not a good deal to buy foreclosure homes.  Some homes might be bought up to 30% under market value (expect these to be fixer uppers). However it is not guaranteed that all foreclosure homes are the best deal in the market. Sometimes depending on the circumstances some sellers might be willing to negotiate even before the foreclosure starts in order to save their credit, and depending on how much equity they have this might be even better deals than the ones that are going to the process.

Q: How do I find these homes ? I have already asked my Realtor and he/she says that foreclosures are too difficult to find and not worth my time.

A: While most people think that in order to buy a home in foreclosure you have to purchase it at auction and at the courthouse steps, now most homes are already listed with a local agent and available for anyone that qualifies to be purchased, at least that is true for my market area.   If you are interested in buying foreclosure homes as an investment or as your primary residence then I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the whole process and to find out if this is the right way for you to purchase your next home. There are reasons why a foreclosure home might not be for you:

• You are looking to buy something too specific ( 5 bedroom, pool, fireplace, next to abc school, etc)
• you are not looking to buy a fixer upper or a home that needs all appliances because they were taken by the previous owner(not always, but many times this is the case)
• You have to purchase within a period of time, because in order to get a "great deal" patience and preparation is the key.

If you are looking for more information about foreclosure information in the areas of Celebration, Kissimmee, Davenport, Clermont, and Reunion; let me know and I would be more than happy to help you.

Carmen Rivero
La Rosa Realty
Ph: 407-319-1537
Kissimmee Real Estate

Looking for a vacation home near Disney World; with a pool, a spa, game room, and the peace and quiet of a country setting?  Then you are looking for a vacation home in Davenport, FL.

The area of Davenport Fl, which is closest to Walt Disney World, is part of what is also known as the Four Corners area. The Four Corners area is where all 4 cities that surround Disney, Clermont, Orlando, Davenport, and Kissimmee, meet.  Out of these 4 areas, Davenport is the one where you can find the most vacation homes communities, brand new, resale, or preconstruction.

In Davenport Fl there is a vacation home for everyone, from gated communities, golf communities, or very luxurious homes there is a perfect vacation home and community to fit your needs.

You can expect prices to range from $200s for a 3/2 with a pool to 600s for a 6/4 with a pool, spa, and either a backyard view of the golf course or in a gated community.

Most vacation homes communities in Davenport are located off hwy 27 with easy access to I-4 and hwy 192 / Irlo Bronson Hwy.  Some are also located off Ronald Reagan Pkwy close to Reunion and Champions Gate.

This area is still being developed and more shopping and convenience stores as well as restaurants are being added every year.  Some of the stores available at this time are:

• Applebees
• Kumo Japanese restaurant
• Wahington Mutual Bank
• Quizno's
• Subway
• Kokopel's Bistro
• Publix Supermarket
• Walmart
• And more...

Here are some of the communities that are zoned short term rental where you can buy a vacation home:

• Calabay Parc
• Tuscan Hills
• Legacy Park
• Polo South Park
• Highlands Reserve
• Hampton Estates

For more information about purchasing a home in Davenport Florida you can contact me by emailor ph: 407-319-1537.

Information provided by:
Carmen Rivero
La Rosa Realty, LLC
Ph: 407-319-1537
Fax: 321-559-1096
www.mykissimmeehome.com

If you are looking to purchase a vacation home that could be used as a short term rental near Disney you have a wide variety of communities to choose from.  Before you choose a community you must choose the city and county in which you want to purchase.  If you want to be as close as possible to Disney then you would want to buy in Kissimmee (Osceola County). 

Most vacation homes in Kissimmee are about 3 to 5 miles to the entrance of Disney theme parks, in comparison with Davenport (Polk County) and Clermont (Lake County) which are about 8 to 15 miles away.  The decision on where to buy will depend on how much you can afford, prices are mostly based on location and the amenities of the community.  In addition to proximity to Disney World theme parks, here is a list of other things to consider before purchasing a vacation home:

1. How many homes in the community are rentals and how many are permanent residents?  The higher the percentage of vacation homes the better for marketing purposes, once people knows the area they will ask to stay in that particular community.
2. Is there a Home Owners Association (HOA)?  How much are the dues and what do they include?  It may vary what is included usually if you are purchasing a condo it includes the insurance for the exterior, but might also include cable, phone, water, etc.  Most single family residence HOA dues only include common areas and amenities, however there are a few that do include basic cable, internet, and landscaping. Townhouses do not usually include insurance for the exterior as a condo, it is very important to find out exactly what is included and how much it is.
3. What are the amenities offered by the community?  Does it have a community pool, tennis courts, and playground?  Is it a golf community?
4. Does it have easy access to grocery stores and shopping centers?  Where are the main roads?
5. Is it a gated community? If the community is not gated, does the home have a security system?

These are just a few of the questions to keep in mind when deciding on which area or community to purchase. The best way to find this information is consulting with a real estate agent that works the area and specializes in vacation homes.  If you are thinking of buying a vacation home rental or a second home near Disney give me a call at 407-319-1537 or email me for more information on this subject.

If you like this post you might also be interested in:

If you are coming to Orlando, chances are you will be staying in Kissimmee!
Buying a Vacation home next to Disney? Here is what you need to know 
Emerald Island Resort - Vacation Homes and Townhouses
Management companies for Short Term rental homes: What they do for you!

El sábado 18 de agosto de 2007 se celebrara la feria de la familia durante la cual habrá exhibiciones, charlas, y música.  Este evento tomara lugar en el Osceola Heritage Park.

Entre las personalidades que se presentaran estarán el cantante Elvis Crespos, la presentadora Ana Maria Polo de caso cerrado, el astrólogo Edward'o y otros.  Este evento es gratis y patrocinado por la emisora Telemundo.  La Feria de la Familia empieza a las 10:00 am y termina a las 6:00 pm.

Compass Bay is a brand new community of vacation homes townhouses being built by KB Homes.  Compass Bay is located off 192 and Poinciana Blvd, a few minutes from Walt Disney World theme parks Universal Studios Orlando and Sea World. 

At compass Bay you can choose from 2 different Collections. The Harvest collection consist of 3bed/2.5bath to 4bed/3bath townhouses with a 1car garage. Homes range from 1704 to 1904 sq ft.  The Village collection 3bed/3bath to 3bed/2.5bath townhouses, some with a bedroom/office and full bathroom downstairs. It has 4 floorplans from 1315 to 1592 sq ft.

All homes come with the following standard fearures:

• Ceramic tile throughout the living areas (living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom)
• All appliances:
  side by side refrigerator
  free standing range
  built in microwave
  washer and dryer in laundry room
  multicycle dishwasher
• Corian countertop & 42" Oak cabinets in the kitchen
• Emergency lightning and fire extinguishers per code

Contact me for more information about Compass Bay or any other vacation home community / short term rental.

Carmen Rivero, Kissimmee real estate agent
La Rosa Realty
Ph: 407-319-1537
Kissimmee real estate information

Reunion, Golfer's Paradise or Vacation homes? Definitely both! 

Reunion Resort & Club is located off I-4 and Ronald Reagan's Pkwy just a few miles from Walt Disney World theme parks and easy access to Universal Studios Orlando and Sea World Orlando.  Reunion Resort has been zoned short term rental allowing you to place your home in the Resort rental management program.  Reunion Resort offers you the best family amenities in town, including:

• A multi-level waterpark with lazy river, splash factory, water slides, water jets and more
• Biking and jogging trails through the community
• Kids Crew Camp for kids 4-12 where they can enjoy programmed activities with the Activities Staff (volleyball, movies, arts and crafts and more)
• Stable, horseback riding
• Restaurant and lounge
• Complimentary Resort tram

The other side of Reunion? Three signature Golf courses: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tom Watson.  Each 18 holes golf course has been designed from the perspective of this three extraordinary players.  Legacy, by Arnold Palmer offers gently rolling fairways and water features in a parkland setting.  Tradition by Jack Nicklaus, will incorporate Reunions ranchland and try your skills at the game.  Independence by Tom Watson offers a links-type experience by having strategically placed bunkers on some of the holes.

Whether you come for a vacation, a second home, or to have a great golf experience Reunion Resort is the home for you and your family.  When you purchase a home in Reunion you are not just purchasing a home but a lifestyle.

For more information about Reunion you can contact me at Ph: 407-319-1537

Carmen Rivero, Kissimmee Real Estate Agent
La Rosa Realty
215 Celebration Place, Suite 500
Celebration FL 34747

 The Villas at Seven Dwarfs Lane is a townhouse community zoned for short term rental located off 192 and near Lake Buena Vista.  Ideally located about 5 miles from the entrance to Walt Disney World theme parks and easy access to I-4 makes The Villas at Seven Dwarfs Lane a great place to purchase a vacation home rental or a second home.

At The Villas at Seven Dwarfs Lane you will enjoy amenities like:

• Oversized Community Pool
• Large Clubhouse with Kitchen and TV center
• Business center with computer access
• Fitness center
• Carwash

The Villas at Seven Dwarfs Lane was built in 2005 and includes 2 floorplans, 3bed/2.5 bath and 4bed/3.5 bath.  All the units include the furniture and appliances, as well as the linen and all the equipment necessary to run a vacation home rental.  Some master bedrooms include a Jacuzzi for you or your renters to relax after a long day at the theme parks.  Right accross the street there is a shopping plaza the includes a SuperTarget, Marshall's, Wendy's, Sam,s Club, Dollar store, Sonic's, Starbucks, and others.  Convenient, but private is what makes The Villas at Seven Dwarfs Lane one of the area's top spot to enjoy your holidays.  Staying at a gated community like The Villas at Seven Dwarfs Lane will make your family vacation a more enjoyable experience.

Would you like more information about The Villas at Seven Dwarfs Lane or any other townhouse community or vacation home area?  Contact me and I will be more than happy to help you find your piece of paradise under the Florida sun.

Carmen Rivero, Kissimmee Real Estate Agent
La Rosa Realty, LLC
215 Celebration Place, suite 500
Celebration FL 34747
Ph: 407-319-1537