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Set Your Home Apart, Orlando Florida Real Estate, The Borland Team,

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 21:33:49 -0500

When you list your home for sale, the objective is to get the most money in your pocket as possible. It seems intuitive that you would get the most money by paying the least money to get it sold. The reality, however, is that you get what you pay for.

Your listing options run the gamut from putting a "for sale by owner" sign in your front yard to signing with an agent who will list your home in the Multiple Listing Service and possibly on-line to choosing a Realtor who will market your home. Any of these approaches can get your home sold, but how quickly it sells and how much you ultimately receive for the sale of your home can vary widely.

I used to have an income tax preparer named John who had been doing taxes for individuals and businesses for many years. In other words, John had a lot of experience. Best of all, John was cheap, and I enjoyed the value I thought I was getting every year when he did my taxes, particularly since I have a fairly complicated tax situation with two businesses, employees, retirement accounts, etc.

One year I happened to take a tax planning seminar that gave a lot of advice in those areas. When I asked John about some strategies recommended at the seminar, he told me that those strategies really wouldn't save me any money in the long run. I decided I should get a second opinion on my overall tax situation, so I had my return processed by both John and a local accounting firm. John processed pretty much the same return he had done for me for years.

The accounting firm, however, had me bring in a lot more information than John ever had requested. I had several meetings with a CPA for my businesses, a tax attorney for my retirement accounts, and their respective assistants. Needless to say, when I got their bill I wasn't happy (they bill by the hour)..... until I saw the tax return they prepared for me. To my delight they found several areas where I was overpaying. They were able to save me so much money that all of a sudden their fee seemed reasonable.

At first I was upset with my old friend John. But then I realized that I pretty much got what I paid for. John was doing the best he could with his available resources and charged me accordingly. My new accounting firm, however, had a vast amount of resources and were able to really spend the time my situation demanded. In the end, yes, they cost me more to prepare my taxes, but they also saved me money.

I mention my tax experience because selling a home has many similarities to preparing a tax return. Marketing a home involves so much more than just picking a price and sticking a sign in the front yard. The more resources employed in marketing the home, the faster it will sell.

When a home sells faster the owner almost always gets a better price since the market has not had a chance to beat that price down. The owner does not get worn out after months of showings, nor is the owner paying interest, taxes, insurance, and utilities for this home month after month waiting for the sale.

So what is the difference between one real estate firm and another and what is the difference between one agent and another?

Do some research and interviews regarding the agents experience, resources, marketing plans, technical expertise, local community knowledge, and references from the Realtors that you interview.

Do not rely on just the name of a large well known brokerage, all agents are independant contractors, and sales volume, ability, resources, contacts, marketing skills and expertise will vary widely from agent to agent.

Its the agent that makes the difference...not necessarily the brokerage.

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

For more information on properties in the Orlando Area, call us.

Kevin and Stephanie Borland
Venture I Properties
675 Douglas Avenue
Altamonte Springs, Fl 32714
Phone: 386-848-4341
Cell: 386-848-4361
Fax: 386-232-7086
Email: theborlandteam@cfl.rr.com
Website: http://www.theborlandteam.com/

The Dangers of Pricing Your Home Too High

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:44:17 -0500

You probably have lots of emotion "built in" to your house. Maybe you fixed it up, or you raised your children there. Your home is your "special" place. However, when it's time to sell, don't let emotion play a roll in your pricing decision!

Many sellers don't understand that overpricing can actually result in your getting LESS for your house than if you had priced it correctly in the first place. Knowledgeable agents and buyers often won't bid on an overpriced home. By the time you "wise up" and reduce the price to where it should have been priced in the first place, many of your best prospects will have bought other houses. This decreases demand for your now properly priced home! The problem is exacerbated if you placed your home on the market in the spring, it sat on the market "overpriced" throughout the summer, and now that you've reduced your price, the market has slowed.

Also, consider that agents tend to steer buyers away from homes that have been in the Multiple Listing Service for long periods of time. Agents and buyers become suspicious that something is wrong with your property if it didn't sell relatively soon after it went on the market. It's important to price it right the day you put it on the market!

Also, consider what you could have done with the profits from the sale of your home if you had priced it right. Suppose you priced it right and sold relatively quickly, and invested that money in a rising stock or bond market. On the other hand, suppose you overpriced your home, and after several months, had to reduce it to where it should have been priced in the first place. Even worse, the house still isn't sold! You get the picture.

The Dangers of a Lack of Exposure

It's a fact that most real estate transactions occur between buyer's and seller's agents. Buyer's agents typically find properties for their clients through the Multiple Listing Service. Not being in the MLS makes it extremely difficult to get buyers through your door. If your home is not in the MLS, you're off the radar! Hire a good real estate agent, and get into the MLS!

Also, make sure your real estate agent uses aggressive marketing strategies to make sure your home sells. In a red-hot market, the MLS is probably the only exposure your home will need. However, if the market is anything less than red-hot, your agent will need to print flyers and introduce your home to other agents in his or her office, as well as other local sales offices. Also, exposure in home magazine ads, classified ads, and the Internet will help generate demand for your home. Make sure your agent uses a powerful marketing program!

The Dangers of not "packaging your home" for sale!

Curb appeal is everything! You can take two identical homes next door to each other, both for sale. The first home has a cluttered yard with tall grass and weeds. The shutters on the house are chipping. There are toys in the yard. When you open the screen door, it's half way off the hinges. The inside is fairly cluttered as well, and the wall could use a coat of paint. On the other hand, the owners of the home next door paid $300 for a landscaper to mow the lawn, trim the shrubs and clear the gutters. Inside, they added a fresh coat of paint and cleared up all the clutter. Again, the two homes are identical. Both owners paid the same amount for the same model. Guess which home is going to fetch more money?

Don't be lazy. A few days of labor and minimal investment can make the difference between your house sitting on the market and selling the day you put it on the market. Cosmetic appeal is essential!

Finally, don't negotiate foolishly!

Don't appear overly eager when you negotiate with buyers. If you appear too eager or too anxious to make a deal, buyers may become suspicious. Worse, they may lower the offer because they think you're desperate to sell your home. Stay cool! Also, don't appear too tough. A good deal can fall apart if buyers find you too rigid to work with.

You probably have a lot of emotion invested in the house, which can certainly get in the way of effective negotiations. The best thing you can do is let your real estate agent handle your negotiations. She or he is emotionally detached from the home and has strong negotiation skills.

If you Don't have a Realtor: Then get a recommended Realtor to market it for you. An Experienced Realtor who knows the neighborhood, is an invaluable asset, With the ever increasing complexities in marketing, Finding and qualitying buyers, helping them find, and obtaining a mortgage, dealing with title companies, closing documents, you will appreciate the guidance of a full service Realtor who will accompany you step by step to the closing.
View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/
For more information on properties in the Orlando Area, call us.

Kevin and Stephanie Borland
Venture I Properties
675 Douglas Avenue
Altamonte Springs, Fl 32714
Phone: 386-848-4341
Cell: 386-848-4361
Fax: 386-232-7086
Email: theborlandteam@cfl.rr.com
Website: http://www.theborlandteam.com/

Why Real Estate Listings Expire

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:14:21 -0500

The real estate market is far different than it was several years ago. Now, homes may linger on the market for months or years without a sale or even an offer. Nevertheless, some properties do sell quickly. Understanding why some sell and others do not is essential to helping your own home sell quickly in a buyer's market.

The first two reasons listings expire are condition and staging. High housing inventories and longer market times allow buyers to be more discriminating, so the home in the best condition and best presentation is more likely to sell first.

The third essential element in ensuring a successful sale is an effective marketing program. Previously we examined the difference between listing and marketing: listing is simply announcing that your home is for sale; marketing involves developing and implementing a strategy for attracting potential buyers to your home.

A listing may sell, eventually, even with very little marketing. In a buyer's market, however, without marketing the odds are it will not sell or will take a long time, which can be expensive in both holding costs and price erosion.

Proper marketing involves getting the word out and making sure your home is promoted differently than the average home for sale.

Getting the Word Out
It is essential that your home be listed and advertised in as many places as possible. The larger the potential buyer pool, the more likely that the "right" buyer will find your home. The five main outlets are the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), internet, print advertising, signage, and inter-office and outer-office networking.

Setting Your Home Apart
It's not enough to simply alert the buyers. Reaching the largest potential buyer pool possible increases the likelihood of finding the right buyer quickly. Your home must stand out from the rest. Here are several ways your agent can maximize your home's visibility:

MLS - Make sure the information is complete and accurate. This is not the area to take shortcuts. Photos should be taken by a professional to best showcase your home. Multiple photographs illustrating key features of your home and a virtual tour are a must.

Maximize Exposure - If you're in an area with overlapping MLS's, be sure your agent lists your home in both systems. Again, the more potential buyers who learn of your home, the more likely your home will sell quickly.

Internet - In most MLS's your home is on the internet as a service of the MLS. Steps can be taken in many of the national key websites to enhance the listing. More comments can be added, as well as photos, room counts, virtual tours etc. It's extra work and more expensive, but well worth it. You want to be sure your home makes the buyer's "short list" of homes to visit in person.

Print Advertising - Some would argue that print advertising is not that effective but personal experience has been the more we do the better the results. Many local "move up" buyers who are casually shopping will look at local homes magazines before sitting down to do a dedicated search. Frequently the print ad gets the buyer's attention, then they go to the internet for more information.

Signage - The bigger the better. Directional signs work well if allowed by town ordinance.

Networking - This is the "extra mile" that you need your agent to go. Networking involves a lot of extra work, but a busy agent is in contact all day long with other agents - both in their own office and in other agencies - who have buyers in various price ranges. Taking the time to make sure those agents know about your home expands the potential buyer pool even farther. As much as the internet has helped increase visibility, you still can't beat good old fashion person-to-person promotion.

Direct Mailings - Targeted mailings to your neighborhood can help. Your neighbors probably won't buy your home, but they might have a friend who would.

Open Houses - Although open houses are notoriously ineffective at producing a sale, a professionally-hosted open house will produce a direct buyer in about 1 of 50 open houses. Yours may be the 50th! Plus the more people who see your home, the more likely the right buyer will see it.

A Lead Capture System - Your agent should have an effective way of getting a prospective buyer's name and phone number. Brochure boxes are very convenient for buyers, but they provide no means for your agent to follow up with prospects. There are systems that can capture the buyer's name and phone number so your agent can check with the buyer to see if there is any interest.

Guaranteed Sale Program - The buyer who has a home to sell before they can buy yours is at a disadvantage unless your agent has a guaranteed sale program. This sort of program may encourage a buyer to choose your home over someone else's since it removes the hassle of a contingent offer.

The Choice is Yours
A great agent will do everything they can to market your home and get it sold quickly and for top dollar. When selecting an agent, don't make assumptions. You need an agent with a proven and consistent track record. Don't rely on the reputation of the agency as every agent is an independent contractor with their own level of experience and success. If you want the best working for you.

Then get a recommended Realtor to market it for you. An Experienced Realtor who knows the neighborhood, is an invaluable asset, With the ever increasing complexities in marketing, Finding and qualitying buyers, helping them find, and obtaining a mortgage, dealing with title companies, closing documents, you will appreciate the guidance of a full service Realtor who will accompany you step by step to the closing.

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

Top ways to boost your homes value before selling

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 19:56:58 -0500

Top Ways to Boost Your Homes Value

Selling your home is a major life event; buyers and agents will come and go on a regular basis. Getting top dollar for your home takes a little know-how and insight on the little things that just might "make or break" a sale. Listed below are a few things you can do to boost the value of your home; believe us-buyers and agents will notice these things!!

Get your home "white glove" clean; this may mean wiping down windowsills, baseboards, around the faucets and switch plates. This might seem like a painstaking task, however a spotless homes sells quicker than a dirty one. Hiring a housekeeper for a one time super-spot clean may make the difference between three months on the market and nine

Get rid of any lingering odors: pets, cigarettes, mildew and dampness. If we can smell it, we can't sell it.

Spruce up the yard; this is the point of first contact for all buyers. The first impression is always the strongest. Trim trees and shrubs, plant some flowers in empty flower beds, hang potted plants around the front door. The home should have an attractive and inviting feeling from the start.

De-clutter, de-clutter and de-clutter....the family knickknacks or antique figurines may play a huge part in you family history, however buyers want to imagine their stuff in your home. They want to see the structure, not your personal belongings. Organize the garage, clear out closets full of stuff; rent a small storage unit just for a short time. Buyers don't want to see how much stuff can fit into a home; they want a blank canvas to fill with their own personal clutter.

Remove outdated wallpaper and carpets; these are some of the biggest red flags for buyers. Use neutral colors such as beige or cream, these colors make a room look larger and will help the buyer imagine their stuff in the room. A buyer with blue couches does not want to walk into a room with bright yellow walls. Spend a little now, get a lot more later.

Clean tile grout and re-caulk bathroom fixtures. A fresh, crisp look is better than a worn look.

If the kitchen or bathroom is outdated, replace the faucets. A new, shiny sink head will attract more attention then an old worn one.

Paint the garage floor if there are old grease spots and cracks. This is very simple and rather inexpensive, and it adds to the clean, fresh look.

If all this seems like too much to handle, hire a home staging expert. The money you spend on a professional will come back ten fold when your house sells quicker than you imaged it would.

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

The Best Way To Sell Your House

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 19:15:08 -0500

Selling a house is a very complex procedure that takes lots of preparation, research, patience in order to do it the right way. The first thing every home owner who wants to sell a house is to see it no longer as a home but as a product which needs to be marketed in order to get a fair price from property buyers who are looking for a good house at the lowest price available.

The next thing to do is consider having a professional whole sale inspection so that all major flaws will be uncovered before they can cause troubles to potential clients. Also, by doing this it will prove that you are a responsible seller which will greatly improve the overall perspective of the house. After doing this it is advisable to literally prepare the house for the upcoming sale. In other words, what you need to do is stand back and look at the house objectively and think if you would buy such a house. Asking friends, relatives, neighbors what they think of the house is a wise thing to do as you will get an objective opinion about the house. All this because overlooking flaws can cost you money and nobody wants to lose money for no reason. Detecting flaws and repairing them will improve the value of the house.

Make sure your house is fresher, cleaner, better maintained so that it will stand out from the competition which will convince property buyers that if they purchase your home they will be making a wise decision. After you have done this, try removing all the "imprints" that you have made to the house. You should still keep a few photos of your family but don't exaggerate because if your house is full of personal pictures, property buyers can't envision themselves in the house so there are slim chances that they will buy it.

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

Quips and Quotes

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 18:35:34 -0500

Ability is what will get you to the top if the boss has no daughter.

Executive ability is a talent for deciding something quickly and getting someone else to do it.

The worst thing about accidents in the kitchen is that you usually have to eat them.

Most accidents are caused by motorist who drive in high while their mind is in neutral.

Drive carefully, Uncle Sam needs every taxpayer He can get.

If you think seatbelts are uncomfortable, you've never tried a stretcher.

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

Orlando Real Estate Prices are coming Down! See Sample Ads.

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:58:28 -0500

Florida Real Estate Prices are coming down. Ads in the June 24 Orlando Sentinel

EUSTIS -- 3/2 like new, appraises $95K. Sacrifice $74,900

DELTONA -- 3/2.5/1, 1524sf, $189k, as low as $3k down. 2-story, fenced

ORLANDO 5/2. SKI LAKE, POOL, 2050 sq ft, large great room. Updated kit & bath.$259.9K

CASSELBERRY -- New 2007 3/2 includes Large Lot, Great area, NO HOA $145K

4/2 w/pool short sale $235,900.00

2Br, $50K, 3Br, $55K. Owner finance, 10% down or lease option

Saturday June 23, 2007, 10:00am. Bid on this fabulous Visconti West 2/2 1,048 sq.ft condo. Opening bid $167,900. Developer selling same condo's at $203,000!

DEBARY / TRADERS COVE -- New 3/2 on St John's River, $199,990

ORLANDO -- 3 /2.5, on 3/4 acre lot, furnished. $89K/obo.

We have Bargains!

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

600 Northern Way, Winter Springs, Florida 32708

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 14:23:21 -0500

How to Buy a Home or Condominium

Many people dream of home ownership but it mandates homework, legwork and considerable effort on your part to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. Here's how to make your dream become a reality.

Tuscany Place Condominiums, Winter Springs Florida

600 Northern Way in Tuskawilla

Model Center: Kandis McBrian 407-973-4634

Tour: http://www.angiestours.com/tours/winter_springs

Steps

1. Strengthen your credit. Pay off credit cards and resolve any credit disputes or delinquencies. Your credit rating takes into account both how you use the credit you have available and whether your outstanding credit is too high for your income. Get Your Credit Report for Free so you can see what the lenders see on your credit history.
Use a mortgage calculator to determine how much house you can afford, and how much you'll likely be able to borrow. Get preapproved (not prequalified) to get the actual amount you can pay . Most lenders allow you to put up to 28 percent of your gross income or 36 percent of your net toward a house payment. Most homesellers will not accept offer from buyers who are only prequalified.
Be ready to hand over a substantial down payment. Most mortgages are based on the buyer putting down 10 to 20 percent of the purchase price. Putting down less up front often, but not always, requires you to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), which increases your monthly housing cost and is not tax deductible.
Always meet with a loan officer or mortgage broker before contacting a real estate agent. This way, you'll have a clearer idea of what you can truly afford considering your personal financial situation.
If this will be your first home, strongly consider attending a free first-time buyer's seminar before house shopping. Your loan officer might be able to recommend a seminar.
Calculate whether buying or renting makes more financial sense for you. If you are planning on moving in the foreseeable future, renting may be more cost effective. Also, in some very hot real estate markets you can rent a house or apartment at a lower payment than a mortgage for that same house.
Sign up for an MLS alert service to search on properties in your area so you can get a feeling for what is on the market in your price range.
Find a good real estate agent to represent you in the search and negotiation process. The real estate agent should be: amiable, open, interested, relaxed, confident, and qualified. Learn the agent's rates, methods, experience, and training. Ask for a referral from your loan officer.
Decide from the beginning that you will not "fall in love" with the house until after you close the contract. Otherwise, you will pay full price (or more) on the home and the real estate agent will be powerless to negotiate the price down. Be willing to walk away from any home; no home is so perfect that the seller can charge what one desires. If it comes down to it, you can always hire a builder to design and build your dream home.
Define the area you'd like to live in. Scout out what's available in the vicinity. Look at prices, home design, proximity to shopping, schools and other amenities. Read the town paper, if there is one, and chat with the locals.

Visit a few open houses to gauge what's on the market and see firsthand what you want, such as overall layout, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, kitchen amenities, and storage.
Go into exhaustive detail when describing what you want in a home: number of bathrooms and bedrooms, attached garage, land and anything else that may be important, like good light or a big enough yard for the kids.
Shop aggressively. Unless you're under the gun time-wise, look at as many homes as possible to get a sense of what's available. Don't rush into buying if you don't have to.
Look beyond the home to the neighborhood and the condition of nearby homes to make sure you aren't buying the only gem in sight. The area in which your home is located is sometimes a bigger consideration than the home itself, since it has a major impact on your home's resale value. Buying a fixer-upper in the right neighborhood can be a great investment, and being able to identify up-and-coming communities--where more people want to live--can lead you to a bargain property that will only appreciate in value.
Visit properties you're seriously interested in at various times of the day to check traffic and congestion, available parking, noise levels and general activities. What may seem like a peaceful neighborhood at lunch can become a loud shortcut during rush hour, and you'd never know it if you drove by only once.
Determine whether you need to sell your current home in order to afford a new one (see Related wikiHows). If so, any offer to buy that you make will be contingent on that sale. Contingent offers are more risky and less desirable for the seller, since the sale can't be completed until the buyer's house is sold. You may want to put your current house on the market first.
Include earnest money with your offer.--usually $1,000 to $5,000. Once you sign an offer, you are officially in escrow, which means you are committed to buy the house or lose your deposit, unless you do not get final mortgage approval. During escrow (typically 30 to 90 days), your lender arranges for purchase financing and finalizes your mortgage. This is also when all inspections must be completed.
Make sure final acceptance is predicated on a suitable home inspection. Request the following surveys and reports: inspection, pests, dry rot, radon, hazardous materials, landslides, flood plains, earthquake faults and crime statistics.
Close escrow. This final step in buying a home, usually conducted in a title office, involves signing documents related to the property and your mortgage arrangements. The packet of papers includes the deed, proving you now own the house, and the title, which shows that no one else has any claim to it or lien against it. If any issues remain, money may be set aside in escrow until they are resolved, which acts as an incentive for the seller to quickly remedy any problem areas in order to receive all that is owed.

Tips

Find out your credit rating early on to assess how strong your mortgage application is. The higher your FICO score, which ranges from 300 to 800, the better rate you'll qualify for. Go to MyFICO.com and for a fee request a report, or request a complete credit report from a major credit reporting agency and ask that your FICO score be revealed on it.
If you qualify, check out first-time buyers' programs, which often have much lower down payment requirements. These are offered by various states and local governments. You may also be able to access up to $10,000 from your 401(k) or Roth IRA without penalty. Ask your broker or employer's human resources department for specifics regarding borrowing against those assets.
Get a firm estimate of how much you can expect to pay in closing costs (charges that the lender levies connected to the purchase of the house). These take in various charges that generally run between 3 to 6 percent of the money you're borrowing. Credit unions often offer lower closing costs to their members.
Try not to fall in love with one particular property. It's great to find exactly what you need, but if you get your heart set on one home, you may end up paying more than it's worth because you're emotionally invested. The deal may also fall apart.
Realtors charge the seller a percentage, usually between 5% and 7% depending on your area, on the negotiated sales price, called a commission. The buyer's Realtor is customarily paid a percentage of the total commission paid by the seller at closing, which amounts to about half, or 2.5% to 3.5% while the seller's Realtor receives the other half of the commission. An individual Realtor's commission is split again with their company resulting in the actual gross commission to your Realtor being closer to 1.5% to 2% of the total. Most states require disclosure of agency (who represents whom) and buyers are wise to agree to work with a Realtor who will contractually represent the buyer's interest alone. Realtors make their living through referrals from satisfied clients and therefore it's not in your Realtor's best interest to fail to negotiate the best possible price and terms for the buyer.(Example: A house offered at $100,000 could mean $3000 to the buyer's Realtor and their company. If the Realtor negotiates a price of $95,000, it would mean a reduction in commission to the buyer's Realtor and their company of only $250, or $125 to $150 gross to the agent--not an amount a competent agent would consider worth never getting a referral from the client in the future.) Buyers should be aware that a buyer's Realtor can and will help the buyer seek out houses sold directly by the owner (through signs or various websites)and negotiate not only a fair price for the home but their own commission as well. Realtors make it their business to know alot about neighborhoods and home construction, costs of repair and remodeling and determining actual value of a property. Their vested interest is in having a satisfied client who will send them future business, not sharing as little information as possible to get a home sold and assuming that the doctrine of "buyer beware" is acceptable.
Whether you go with a realtor or not, ask the seller to agree to a home-inspection and make your contract contingent on completion of same. A seller who won't allow a home-inspection has something to hide -- walk away! A home inspection costs between $150 and $500, depending on the area, but it can prevent a $100,000 mistake. This is especially true with older homes, as you want to avoid financial landmines such as lead-paint, asbestos insulation and mold.
Use a real-estate lawyer to review closing documents and represent you at closing. Realtors are *not* lawyers, and are in most cases utterly unqualified in the area of real-estate law. Lawyers may charge $200-$400 for the few minutes they're actually there, but they're paid to look out for you.
If you are unsure about the price, have the home appraised by a local appraiser. Never buy the most expensive house in the neighborhood! When appraising a home, appraisers will look for "comparables" or "comps", homes in the area which have similar features, size, etc. If your home is more expensive than the comps, or the appraiser has to find comps in a different subdivision or more than 1/2 mile away, beware! Your bank may balk at financing the home, and you probably won't see your home appreciate in value very much. If you can, buy the least expensive home in a neighborhood -- as homes around you sell for more money than you paid, your home's value increases.
If you can't afford a 10%-20% downpayment on your home, but have good credit and steady income, a mortgage broker may assist you with a combination mortgage. In that, you're taking out a first mortgage up to 80% of the value of the home, and a second mortgage for the remaining amount. While the rate on the second mortgage will be slightly higher, the interest on it is tax-deductible and combined payments should still be lower than a first mortgage with PMI. If you're buying new, consider the Nehemiah Program to get assistance with your down-payment.

Direct, Direct, Direct, I'm Sick of Direct! Only Direct Action Can save the Industry!

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 13:06:19 -0500

I was reading through a stack of magazines the other day, you know the kind of stuff that finds its way into your mail box on a weekly basis. I was amazed at the number of ads and headlines using the word ...Direct.

Here are some examples;

Direct Deposit, Fence Direct, Factory Direct, direct import, Floors direct, Mortgages Direct, Direct TV, Appliance Direct, Direct Buy, Direct Cars, Direct Access and many more.

I was curious as to how many times the Google database referenced the word Direct, so I did a Google Search and came up with an astronomical figure of over 500 million.

It seems to me that everyone in the country including Realtors are guilty of participating in and the perpetuation of "Direct is better" scenario. It seems as if we are participating in our own demise.

Every time I turn around there is another FSBO sign up on the streets that I travel. A seller trying to eliminate the Realtor, and going direct to the buyer. Google's Database shows 14 million plus references to "Real Estate for Sale By Owner". All promoting that Direct is Better.

FSBO services are sprouting up everywhere you look.

Discount Brokerages are also contributing to the Full service Realtors demise, with their sometimes misleading ads, promoting the sale of any home for a flat fee of $2495.00 proclaiming that "We do Everything". Proclaiming to the world how much of your commission money they gave away. It does not take any talent to give money away!

They are making this a Wh-res industry, telling the world that you don't deserve your commission of $30,000.00 on the sale of a $500,000.00 home that you have worked your bunns off to sell.

Then I ran across a PR announcement , proclaiming the virtues of their new Direct Real Estate Matchmaking service. And they are doing a Great job of Diminishing the Realtors Value.

It seems that the value of the Realtors Services are being downplayed, diminished, and denigrated on every turn. That sellers will only use a full service Realtor as a last resort to get their property marketed, sold and closed.

The typical attitude on the street today is that the Realtor is Lazy, and overpaid for their service, that they do nothing but put up a sign, do the MLS, and sit back and collect their fat commission checks. Which we know is untrue but as a group do very little if anything to counter that prevailing attitude.

It's time to fight back...to educate the public of the value of the full service, Hard Working, Full Time Realtor.

I set up a "NEW GROUP" "RECOMMENDED REALTORS" last week to provide a distinct platform to the 35587 Realtors that are members of Active Rain, a place where each of you can promote each other to the world via the search engines. To post Testimonials about deserving Realtors. As of today there are only 5 members in this group. Thats pathetic! Looks like the industry is going "self Service" and Discount for sure.

Maybe you are apathetic, lazy and don't care where your industry is heading, Maybe you are just too busy, existing in your own small world and don't want to put forth the effort to preserve your honourable industry.

I Know a lot of local full service Brokers that are having to lower their commissions to 3-4% just to compete.

Looks like most Real Estate Agents will be selling homes and only making $1200.00 per sale if the trend continues, and the trend will continue. There will always be people willing to give their services away.

Many of you probably don't remember the Full Service Gas Station. I do, I built and owned the first self service gas station in Alabama many years ago and now where are the full service Gas Stations. They don't Exist except in very few places.

Looks like the Real Estate Industry is heading in the same direction!

Listen to your nose, It may be trying to tell you something, The Borland Team

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 10:33:16 -0500

Have you ever taken a Home listing with Pet Odors, Musty Mildew Smells, Smoker Smell, but were afraid to discuss it with your seller for fear of offending them? Maybe not get the listing.

I am sure that some of you may have. So what do you do? My neighbor gave me the answer!

This type of Home may be hard to sell without having your seller install Expensive new carpet, cleaning the furniture, drapes to try and get rid of the smell.

Most sellers will go to the local store and buy products to mask over these smells Unfortunately, most of these products are chemical based and will only cover up the problem and not really eliminate it. This is annoying because you will think that you had gotten rid of the smells, but then after a couple days or weeks the scent is back, with the addition of a faint chemical smell.

Since I am a smoker and smoke in my home, it had accumulated a smoker smell. One of my neighbors mentioned it to me one day when she was over to visit, telling me that it bothered her and that I should do something about it.

She told me about a product that she owned to purify the air in her home that she was sensitive to pet odors, pest control chemicals, smoke, dust, etc. When she got back home she phoned me the product information and I immediately ordered the same Ozone Odor eliminating unit she had.

It came in and I hooked it up and have used it ever since, my home is now odor free and she loves visiting us again.

If you run across this problem you may want to suggest buying a unit to your seller, it is much cheaper than installing new carpet, which will not completely eliminate the problem anyway as the smells have permeated the furniture, drapes throughout the home.

If they won't spring for one, then buy one for your home and loan it to them for a few days. it will make the home smells disapear and you will sell the home much faster.

I am including this product link in case any of you need it.

http://www.quantumpureaire.com./ located in Warwick Rhode Island.

The Borland Team

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

Orlando Florida Real Estate, The Borland Team, Community Tours, Realtors buy statues of St. Joseph

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 22:10:17 -0500

Patron saint of home selling? Religious gift shop reports many Realtors buy statues of St. Joseph

In this soft market it may seem more a job for St. Jude - patron saint of lost causes - but many home sellers are turning to another sacred figure for divine help. "Oh, they're very popular," said Dennis Maurice, speaking of the 600 statues of St. Joseph he sells each year. "We sell them mainly to home sellers and Realtors and we sell a lot of them."

Especially now, said Maurice, owner of the Glad Tidings religious book and gift shop in Pleasanton.

"You can see the trends by how many people come in here and buy one," said Maurice, who sells a St. Joseph 'home sellers' kit for $7.99. "You can tell if it's a buyer's market or seller's. You can tell when the market slows, like now."

Nationally, tens of thousands of the statues are sold each year to hopeful home sellers.

Tradition has it that if you bury a statue of the patron saint of carpentry and workers on the property to be sold, good old St. Joe will help get you that offer. Divine intervention may come in handy in this market. The National Association of Realtors said the U.S. median price for a single-family home was $220,900 in April, down 0.8 percent from last year.

In the East Bay, May home sales slid

18.7 percent from 2006 although prices are strong, according to DataQuick Information Systems.

"I think part of it is people believe in it, and part of it is the market, which is kind of down right now," said Ela Patel, an agent with Realty World Executive Homes in San Ramon. "People are looking for a little extra help. It's a matter of faith, I guess."

Patel is listed on the Web site http://www.stjosephstatue.com/ as an agent "that believes" and said she has sold a couple of houses after burying a St. Joseph figure in the ground. She currently has a statue buried under her own lawn as she tries to sell her house.

The most common legend involving St. Joseph and real estate is that it started 500 years ago in Europe when an order of nuns, needing more land for a convent, buried a St. Joseph medal and later got the needed land.

Today, Catholics and non-Catholics alike buy the St. Joseph statue kits. Some kits also include burial bags, prayer cards, and instructions on how to bury the statue, such as upside down and facing the property you want to sell.

Phil Cates, owner of the Modesto-based site StJosephStatue.com, sells his "Underground Real Estate Agent Kit" for $9.95. It includes a four-inch statue. An eight-incher is $4 more.

Cates began selling the bigger model when someone called wanting a larger statue because he was selling a multi-million-dollar home.

"He said he needed the extra help," Cates said.

Cates was turned onto the statue belief when friends were selling their Concord home. The house was on the market with no offers for nearly a year until the owners were told to bury the statue. After a mixup - a statue of St. Christopher briefly called the couple's lawn home - St. Joseph's plastic likeness was put in the ground and the house sold in a week.

"I'm thinking, 'this is the most bizarre thing I've ever heard in my life,'" said Cates, a mortgage broker, who then bought 100 statues to give to real estate agent friends.

"They took them from me like they were gold," he remembers. "I knew then there was a market for them."

He says he now sells tens of thousands each year. California provides about 20 percent of his business.

"In California, there are plenty of people looking for a miracle," he said with a laugh.

Melanie Jerdon was trying to sell her Crockett house in January and wasn't necessarily looking for a miracle. But when her aunt told her she had sold her Portland home in three days after burying a St. Joseph figurine, after it had gone unsold the previous three months, she couldn't refuse.

"I figured what the heck," she said.

After about three months on the market, the house sold.

Those that have been around the statue custom aren't surprised.

"You just have to have faith," Maurice said. "I'll tell you one thing, I've never had someone buy a statue and come back later and say they were disappointed."

And if it all just seems a bit too blasphemous to those selling their home, Rev. Paolo Oggiono of the Pious Union of St. Joseph for the Suffering and Dying in Grass Lake, Mich., said he doesn't see it that way. His church's contact information is even included in one St. Joseph kit - in case someone's feeling a bit generous after selling their house.

"The church doesn't approve or disapprove," said Oggiono, who once buried a medal of St. Joseph on a mission in the Philippines for land for a clinic and got the spot. "It's an old custom where people ask for St. Joseph's intervention. Joseph was a provider, and people are asking for help providing.

"People ask saints for help all the time," Oggiono said.

The Borland Team

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

We have Bargains!

Kevin and Stephanie Borland
Venture I Properties
675 Douglas Avenue
Altamonte Springs, Fl 32714
Phone: 386-848-4341
Cell: 386-848-4361
Fax: 386-232-7086
Email: theborlandteam@cfl.rr.com
Website: http://www.theborlandteam.com/

Recommended Realtor

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:58:26 -0500

This group is set up for members to recommend their favorite Realtors. I have noticed on Google several times recently inquirys from buyers looking for a Realtor recommendation from anyone that would answer.

I am inviting everyone to participate and make this a power house group.

The key to our business is referrals and recommendations.

Deland Florida, Lake Front Country Manor Home, Orlando, Florida, Real Estate for Sale, Carol Evans, Photos, Home Photos,

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 21:37:16 -0500

Carolyn Evans Presents:

A COUNTRY MANOR HOME ON LAKE Elegant home & spectacular 2+ acres on Lake Beresford & St. Johns River.Two master suites, A+ kitchen w/ granite, family room with fireplace, 50' screen porch & 3 decks & balconies. Designed for Riverfront living & VIEWS! Boathouse & dock.VERY Special! This house is located in the most beautiful area of the St. Johns River. The property is special from the moment you drive through the iron gates and down the winding paver drive. The entire property-is fenced & the lawn and landscaping is beautiful with sprinklers from both the lake and a well. There is an entertainment deck that runs along the Lake and leads to the boathouse with lift. Deep water for the largest boats & seaplanes and just down from-the Lake Beresford Yacht Club.This property is high and dry. The house has between 3824 & 4242 sq.ft. and boasts generous room sizes, a terrific floorplan and is elegant in feel yet designed for lake-front living. Super kitchen with top of the line cabinets & granite counters and back-splash. Downstairs there are formal living, dining, family room with fireplace which flows to large casual dining and kitchen. A master suite with jacuzzi bath on first floor also. This master and kitchen & family rooms open-out to 50' screened porch and lake. Upstairs are 2 bedrooms, offfice and second master suite. This suite has huge windows looking out to the Lake and his & hers bath & dressing areas. Off this master is the office which would make a great exercise room or nursery. Upstairs balcony,too. Sound perfect? It is. Call me fo a Tour today.

Location: Deland, FL

Subdivision: Hontoon

Price: $1,399,000
MLS ID #: V4606593

4 beds, 3 baths, 1 half-baths
3824 Sq. Ft. , 2.02 Acres

Residential Property, Waterfront
Built in 1986

Call me about this property or any other

in the Orlando/Volousia County Area

Carolyn Evans
Phone
(800) 330-1763
Fax
(386) 668-9633
Office
(407) 774-9400 x51
Home
(407) 740-6573
Evenings
(386) 668-5673
Evenings
(800) 330-1763

Website: http://www.carolynevans.com/
Contact Me

Venture I Properties, Inc.
675 Douglas Ave
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

600 Northern Way, Orlando, Florida,32708, Real Estate for Sale, Photo Tour, The Borland Team, Photos, Home Photos, Tuscany Place

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:10:37 -0500

The Borland Team Presents:

Tuscany Place

600 Northern Way

Winter Springs, Florida 32708

If where you live is important, then Tuscany Place is where you need to be. R and K Construction is proud to offer newly built, feature rich Town Homes for those buyers seeking the best construction has to offer in quality building within one of the most prestigious, sought after locales in Central Florida.

Tuscany Place is truly one of a kind due to both its convenient location and family friendly surroundings. Not only is Tuscany Place one of the last Gated Communities within Tuscawilla, a well established Orlando Community, it is convenient to major shopping, restaurants and roadways.

Each unit has been specially designed with you, the owner, in mind, and you are sure to be impressed with the layout of your new unit. Tuscany Place may be the best kept secret in Orlando.

The Borland Team

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

For information on any Home or Property

Get on our search List....We have Bargains!

Kevin and Stephanie Borland
Venture I Properties
675 Douglas Avenue
Altamonte Springs, Fl 32714
Phone: 386-848-4341
Cell: 386-848-4361
Fax: 386-232-7086
Email: theborlandteam@cfl.rr.com
Website: http://www.theborlandteam.com/

Best Buyers Real Estate Market Ahead, Says New Report, Orlando Real Estate, Bargain Prices, The Borland Team, Community Tour,

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:32:21 -0500

Best Buyers Real Estate Market Ahead, Says New Report

RISMEDIA, June 19, 2007-The next 12 months will be the best time to invest in the U.S. housing market, according to a new report by Housing Predictor. The sub-prime loan melt down has produced a near record level of foreclosures, providing the highest number of lower priced homes in many years in a majority of the nation's real estate markets.

Housing prices in three out of four markets have fallen. Some markets located in California, Florida and Nevada have seen closing prices drop from their peak as much as 40%. Many markets are still suffering the after affects of the national real estate slowdown. Economists say it will take another 18 months for the markets in many states to recover with higher sales volumes.

Housing Predictor forecasts more than 250 local housing markets futures in all 50 U.S. states. Eighteen states markets are appreciating, including Texas and New Mexico, which are the strongest appreciating states in the nation. Pending sales of homes in Albuquerque, New Mexico, selected as Housing Predictor's top appreciating market in 2007 are rising.

The over supply of inventory is making a significant impact on markets in California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Nevada among others. Investors are flocking to many markets in these states to make purchases of foreclosures or negotiate lower prices in the conventional re-sale market. The Worst 25 housing markets selected by Housing Predictor is where consumers can get some of the best deals in today's market place.

Starts on the construction of new homes have declined as builders reduce inventories and prices to compensate for the market place throughout most of the nation. Housing Predictor forecasts that more than two million homes will be foreclosed in the U.S. in the next two and a half years, which will account for the highest number of foreclosures since the U.S. Savings and Loan Fraud scandal in the 1980's.

However, the majority of long time real estate investors have historically made higher profits on real estate investments purchasing property when the markets saw declines, according to the Housing Predictor Investment survey, which is available on the Web site.

Higher interest rates and widespread mortgage fraud slowed the majority of the nation's booming real estate markets, but the increasing number of new investors in real estate are beginning to show that the markets are bouncing back in many areas.

For more information, visit http://www.housingpredictor.com/.

For all you buyers who are sitting on the sidelines wondering when to buy your new home, HEED MY CALL, THE TIME IS NOW! HOME PRICES ARE FALLING DRAMATICALLY IN SOME AREAS. Builders of new homes are dumping their inventory, making deep cuts in pricing and offering special promotions, Sellers are getting anxious, and need to sell, many have moved and are making double payments, Foreclosures are readily available, interest rates are still at reasonable rates.

Gasoline, energy prices, Groceries and rent are going up. THE PRICE OF HOUSING IS FALLING AND NEARING THE BOTTOM. Trends predict the housing rebound will start in early 2008. This is your window of opportunity. The Fed is tightening up on mortgage lenders which will make it tougher to obtain a mortgage.

CALL YOUR FAVORITE REALTOR TODAY AND HAVE A LIST OF HOMES E-MAILED TO YOU RIGHT AWAY. GET BACK IN THE MARKET WHILE THIS SMALL WINDOW IS AVAILABLE. HOME PRICING IS ALREADY GOING UP IN CERTAIN AREAS of the Country. The best buyers real estate market is just ahead.

The Borland Team

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

For information on any Home or Property

The party's last call, Orlando, Florida, Real Estate for Sale, The Borland Team,

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 23:33:37 -0500

The market isn't hearing the party's last call

By LOREN STEFFY

Somebody should tell the market the party's winding down.

It stands at the end of the bar, ordering round after round, unaware that the bartender is washing up for the night.

The Standard & Poor's 500 Index has risen almost 11 percent during the past three months, even as signs have mounted that inflation and interest rates are rising and growth is slowing.

The steady clink, clink, clink of the rising 10-year Treasury bill during the past month is the first tip-off that closing time is nigh.

The benchmark 10-year note closed at 5.17 on Friday after hitting a five-year high of 5.33 earlier in the week. It's up from 4.7 percent a month ago. Analysts are predicting that rates, which have climbed almost 100 basis points since February, will continue to rise.

Because the note is an indicator of mortgage rates, the increase is bad news for homebuyers with adjustable rate mortgages, especially those with the hefty increases built into some subprime notes. Refinancing isn't going to be cheap.

Lenders, squeezed by the subprime fallout, already have been tightening loan terms. The national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage is now almost 6.75 percent, according to Freddie Mac, the country's biggest buyer of mortgages. It started the year just below 6.2 percent.

For the past three years, low rates and easy-to-get mortgages created quite the economic hootenanny. Homebuyers weren't the only partyers, though. Companies basked in cheap credit, which goosed corporate profit and enabled some of the biggest buyouts in history, from Kinder Morgan to TXU.

The rise in T-bills was just one sign that things were settling down. Last week, the Labor Department released a report showing manufacturing costs rose more than expected.

Growth, too, is slowing. The economy grew less than 2 percent in the first quarter, its slowest in four years, and economists surveyed by Bloomberg News predict an expansion for all of 2007 of just 2.1 percent, the slowest in five years.

The last call came with inflation numbers released Friday morning. The market loved them because the "core" rate for May rose a mere 0.1 percent from April, which was less than most economists forecast. But compared with a year earlier, the consumer prices rose 2.2 percent, which is slightly above the 1 percent to 2 percent comfort zone of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

The core numbers have been helped by declining prices for homes, cars and clothing.

But core inflation is one of those "let's assume"games economists love to play. It strips out the cost of food and energy.

For those of us who aren't economists, who simply pay our bills every month and try to make ends meet, those two numbers are a growing concern.

Both have been rising. They are the two-headed monster of our oil addiction, gnawing away at our checkbooks.

Gasoline prices, of course, are well into their seasonal march. In May, pump prices rose 14 percent from April, according to the American Automobile Association. In recent weeks, they've eased from a national average of $3.23 high on May 24 to $3.03 on Friday.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that overall energy prices, including electricity, have risen 71 percent on an annualized basis during the three months that ended in May.

We haven't seen a jump like that since hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast.

Energy rose more than any other item in the Consumer Price Index during the year that ended in May, the BLS reported.

Food, meanwhile, is rising, too, because more corn is being used to produce ethanol, the magic elixir that, with enough government subsidies, is supposed to solve our energy woes.

Corn, along with its derivatives such as sweeteners, is among the most pervasive ingredient in the American diet. It's in soft drinks, it's in dog food, it's in breakfast cereal, salad dressing and cans of baked beans.

It's fed to steers and pigs and chickens and cows, which drives up the price of meat, eggs and milk.

Ethanol may not be doing much to quench our thirst for oil, but it's giving us quite a hangover at the supermarket checkout.

If you factor in the higher costs for food and energy, inflation rose 2.7 percent.

Economists don't care about that number, and neither does the market. The Dow continues its sprint toward 14,000. It closed Friday at 13,639.48.

Those of us who actually buy things are reaching for our wallets and finding ourselves a little short. But at the end of the bar, the market parties on.

For all you buyers that are sitting on the sidelines writhing in indecision as to whether to purchase that new home, heed my call. I have lived a long time and I know when to buy Real Estate. It is time for you to call your favorite Realtor and get back into the Home Search Mode.

The housing market is IN A SLIDE, prices are coming down, Builders and some sellers are in Crisis and need to sell. Interest Rates are still reasonable. All trends point to a recovery in 2008 and a turn toward higher prices. This is the time to buy.

Look around you. Gas prices are high, groceries going through the ceiling, BUT HOUSING IS COMING DOWN!

SO CALL YOUR REALTOR AND GET LOOKING NOW...THERE ARE BARGAINS TO BE HAD!

The Borland Team

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

For information on any Home or Property

It's Buying time again! Orlando, Florida, Real Estate for Sale, The Borland Team,

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:51:23 -0500

Home Builder Confidence Falls to 16 Year Low

The NHAB released its Housing Market Index measure of home builder confidence today, which showed that confidence among builders has fallen to a 16-year low:

With a reading of 28, the HMI now is at the lowest level in its current cycle and has reached the lowest point since February 1991.

"Builders continue to report serious impacts of tighter lending standards on current home sales as well as cancellations, and they continue to trim prices and offer a variety of nonprice incentives to work down sizeable inventory positions," said NAHB President Brian Catalde, a home builder from El Segundo, California.

The NAHB has become increasingly bearish on housing in the last two months, saying in May it expected a housing recovery "late in the year." Now? Even more bullish - no recover until 2008, and a prediction of housing's drag on the overall economy:

"It's clear that the crisis in the subprime sector has prompted tighter lending standards in much of the mortgage market, and interest rates on prime-quality home mortgages have moved up considerably during the past month along with long-term Treasury rates," added NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders. "Home sales most likely will erode somewhat further in the months ahead and improvements in housing starts probably will not be recorded until early next year. As a result, we expect housing to exert a drag on economic growth during the balance of 2007."

It's Crying time for the builders and sellers that have to sell! But it's BUYING TIME for all the buyers who want to get out of the crowded apartment, first time home buyers who did not buy at the top of the sellers market. As anyone can see from the graph above the market is projected to bottom out toward the end of 2007 and start the rebound in 2008. It's time to call your favorite Realtor and get on their search list. There are bargains to be had for sure. MAKE THAT OFFER!

The Borland Team

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

For information on any Home or Property

Orlando, Florida, Real Estate for Sale, Photo Tour, The Borland Team, Photos, Home Photos, Developers to forge ahead with Orlando condo project

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 00:09:27 -0500

Developers to forge ahead with Orlando condo project

Braving a cooling real estate market and volatile construction costs, developers of the 24-story Monarch condominium tower in downtown Orlando said Thursday they will launch sales in September with an eye toward starting construction as quickly as possible.

"The faster we can stick a shovel in the ground, the better off we'll be," said David Reed, president of the Reed Cos. of Altamonte Springs and a partner in the project.

The Monarch would rise from a site on Liberty Avenue between Jackson and South streets. A downtown exit ramp for the State Road 408 expressway connects to South Street almost directly across from the tower site.

The developers bought the property last year and cleared away a church there in November.

Since then, Reed said, the partners have been analyzing construction costs and the state of the local condo market, which is showing signs of easing from the past year's torrid sales pace.

"We'll be looking for 15 percent down payments and hard contracts" from buyers, Reed said.

The developers are also getting firm bids from contractors for the tower's construction. "Costs have been rising, but we see some stabilization," he said.

If the sales campaign is successful, Reed projects a 24-month construction schedule, with a possible opening in early 2009.

The tower's 179 condos would range in size from one-bedroom models to two-story penthouses. Prices will start in the high $300,000s but range upward to more than $2 million, Reed said.

A sales center is going up on the site now, the developer said. Coldwell Banker The Condo Store will handle marketing and sales.

The development company, Jaymor-Reed Development Inc., includes Reed as well as William Myers and Fab Lucchese, both of the Jaymor Group, a Canadian real estate company.

Reed said he connected with Myers and Lucchese in 1999 when they did the 250-unit second phase of Golf Terrace Apartments in Winter Springs. Since then, the three have been partners in student-housing developments in Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee and Raleigh, N.C., and have built a luxury condo high-rise on Hutchinson Island in South Florida.

During the frenzied real estate market of recent years, 29 condo towers with a combined 7,000 to 8,000 units have been announced for locations in downtown Orlando. Most of the projects have been postponed, however, because of the softening market and because of fast-rising construction costs.

The Borland Team

View our Orlando City Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

Kevin and Stephanie Borland
Venture I Properties
675 Douglas Avenue
Altamonte Springs, Fl 32714
Phone: 386-848-4341
Cell: 386-848-4361
Fax: 386-232-7086
Email: theborlandteam@cfl.rr.com
Website: http://www.theborlandteam.com/

Orlando, Florida, Real Estate for Sale, Photo Tour, The Borland Team, Photos, Home Photos,Go Orlando

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 23:02:31 -0500

Relocating to Orlando this Summer?

The Multi-Attraction Pass that allows
you to do MORE for less!
One Card, One Low Price - Two weeks to use it!*

Kids Eat Free Card

Included with the
Go Orlando Card

Visit any of 50 Orlando restaurants, present the Kids Eat Free Card to your server when ordering your meal, and receive a FREE kid's meal! (With the purchase of each adult meal or entrée.) Valued at over $350 in savings.

GO ORLANDO: The roster of attractions available on Florida's Go Orlando Card, which lets visitors explore the area's top attractions while saving money over walk-up prices, has been expanded and now includes the Shuttle Launch Experience at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, Silver Springs Nature Park, and Historic Bok Sanctuary. The Go Orlando Card, which starts at $59 (U.S.) for a one-day adult card, is available at http://www.goorlandocard.com/. A free dinner theatre show is included when you buy a three-, five- or seven-day card.

Admission to over 50 of the best attractions, activities, and tours are included with your Go Orlando Card. Do as much as you like each day for one low, affordable price. Tailor your own custom itineraries, allowing each person to do what is most fun for them. And with unlimited flexibility, you can change your plans on the fly.

Maximize Savings. Maximize Fun!
There's so much to choose from:

Interactive Experiences: Kennedy Space Center, Daytona USA, Gatorland

Fun Attractions: Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, Fun Spot Action Park, Splash Island Water Park

I-Drive Activities: Ripley's Believe it or Not, WonderWorks, Titanic the Experience, Haunted Grimm House

Choice Miami Attractions: Seaquarium, Parrot Jungle Island, Miami Duck Tours, Island Queen Cruise

BONUS on 3, 5 and 7-day Cards: Your choice of Arabian Nights Dinner Theater, Pirate's Dinner Adventure or The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show

Plus: Hawaiian Rumble Golf, Train Land, Silver Springs Nature Park, Airboat rides and over 30 more great attractions.

It's the perfect way to save time, save money and eliminate hassles on your Orlando vacation!

You just carry one, easy-to-use pocket sized card, available in 1, 2, 3, 5 & 7 day increments. Take up to 2 weeks to use your days! Starting at just $59 ($49 for kids 12 & under). Quickly and easily choose the card that is right for you. See how other cardholders have saved by viewing our Most Popular Itineraries.

The tremendous value of your Go Orlando Card doesn't end with your included attractions. You can save big with exclusive deals and special offers on great shopping and dining , as well as special pricing on premium tours and attractions. Plus you get your own personal full-color guidebook including maps, points of interest and more to plan your trip.

People ask us "What's the catch? How can you offer all this at such an affordable price?"

There is no catch. The Go Orlando Card is brought to you by Smart Destinations. Because we bring a very large number of visitors to each of our attraction partners, we are able to get great pricing on each admission and pass the savings on to you. Smart Destinations has delivered great experiences to over 150,000 people with Go Cards.

New attractions and discounts have been added!

We are pleased to announce that new attractions and discounts have been added to the Go Orlando Card! Below you will find a complete list of these exciting additions that are available to you. Enjoy your trip!

Go Orlando Card - a smarter way to explore.

*Your Go Orlando^TM Card is activated the first time you use it. Then take up to two weeks to use the days you have purchased.

A variety of topics, fully explained:

How to estimate net proceeds
How to determine a selling price
Curb appeal essentials
Preparing the home's interior
Marketing the home
What to do when buyers visit
And more!

Well-researched and well-written, this guide covers the most frequently-asked-

about topics that buyers want to know:

Financial self-assessment
Shopping for a home
The home appraisal
The home inspection
Different types of mortgages
All about credit reports
The closing / settlement process
And more!

A variety of topics, fully explained:

An explanation of credit as it pertains to mortgages
How to maintain a good credit score
The different types of mortgage loans
An explanation of RESPA rights
All about FICO
The importance of PMI
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The Borland Team

808 Largo Court, Apopka Florida, 32703, Real Estate for Sale, Home For Sale, The Borland Team, Realtors,Community Tours, Photo Tour,

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 16:28:49 -0500

The Borland Team Presents: Apopka Florida

In 1882 the City of Apopka was incorporated. The City limits were measured one mile in all directions from the Masonic Lodge. The "Lodge" is still in its original location on Main Street (US 441) and is the oldest lodge room in continuous use in the State of Florida.

In 1912 ferns became the industry for Apopka and soon Apopka developed the name of "Fern City". More tropical plants were introduced to the growers in the area. This influx of foliage took over the fern industry and the City became known as "The Indoor Foliage Capital of the World".

The City of Apopka is located 12 miles Northwest of Orlando and encompasses an area slightly larger than 30 square miles and a population of more than 31,000 citizens.

The Borland Team Presents:

808 LARGO CT, APOPKA Florida 32703

List Price: $230,000

Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 2 SqFt Heated: 1,514 Year Built: 1980

Spacious 4 bedroom 2 bath home. Large screened porch, fenced yard, mature landscaping. Move-in condition. Side entry garage. Jacuzzi on back patio. This the Seminole County part of Apopka.Sellers offering warranty. Outstanding opportunity to own a home in one of Seminole County's top school districts. All of the features you would expct to find in a more expensive home -- cozy fireplace, cathedral ceilings, fans throughout, extensive use of ceramic tile, security system.

The Borland Team

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

For more information on this or any other properties please contact:

Kevin and Stephanie Borland
Venture I Properties
675 Douglas Avenue
Altamonte Springs, Fl 32714
Phone: 386-848-4341
Cell: 386-848-4361
Fax: 386-232-7086
Email: theborlandteam@cfl.rr.com
Website: http://www.theborlandteam.com/

1194 Vineland Place, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, Real Estate for Sale, Orlando Real Estate, The Borland Team, Realtors, City Tour, Photo Tour,

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 14:56:25 -0500

The Borland Team Presents: Lake Mary, Florida 32746

The City of Lake Mary takes pride in its strong sense of community and its commitment to high standards of quality living. That's part of the reason Lake Mary is one of the fastest growing areas in Central Florida!

We are located near Interstate 4, along the fast growing high tech business center near Heathrow. The City offers well planned residential communities, excellent schools, prominent businesses, and a variety of shopping. It's a friendly place to live and work and few places are more attractive.

The crime rate is one of the lowest in Florida thanks to our pro-active, community based police department. Our fire department is skilled in rapid response and emergency rescue. Our parks and recreation facilities are beautifully maintained. Lake Mary has all the conveniences of Orlando without the traffic!

The Borland Team Presents 1194 VINELAND PL, Lake Mary, Florida 32746

2 Bedrooms, 1 full baths and 1 half baths

Sq Ft Heated: 1,095 Built: 2001

$199,000.00

CHASE TOWNHOMES

(LAKE BELAIR)

The Borland Team

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

Kevin and Stephanie Borland
Venture I Properties
675 Douglas Avenue
Altamonte Springs, Fl 32714
Phone: 386-848-4341
Cell: 386-848-4361
Fax: 386-232-7086
Email: theborlandteam@cfl.rr.com
Website: http://www.theborlandteam.com/

280 Englenook Drive, Debary Florida, 32725, Real Estate for Sale, Community Tour, City Tour, Photo Tour, The Borland Team,

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 13:52:28 -0500

The Borland Team Presents: Debary

Nestled among thousands of oak trees, mocking birds, and gentle people lies the community of DeBary. The City of DeBary is the gateway to southwestern Volusia County, with direct access to I-4 and U.S. Highway 17-92. Located on the northern shore of the beautiful St. Johns River, DeBary has been incorporated since December 1993. It serves as a corridor between Orlando, Sanford, and Daytona Beach. The population is 18,620 within an area of 25 square miles.

The Mayor and City Council are exceptionally business friendly and actively encourage new businesses to locate in DeBary. To further stimulate the local business climate, the City Council has established an Opportunity Fund to entice new industry.

DeBary enjoys the lowest ad valorem tax rate (3.00) in Volusia County. The City contracts for public works, police, fire, growth management, and other services, which keeps costs low while providing a high level of service. As an experiment in innovative government, DeBary is an ideal candidate to serve as a model to other communities.

The City's Economic Development Advisory Committee has completed an analysis of the City's economic development assets and has created a marketing strategy to attract new industrial employers. DeBary has employed multi-use classifications in its zoning and has built flexibility into the City's Comprehensive Plan to allow economic development to occur within the U.S. Highway 17-92 corridor as the market dictates.

DeBary offers a diversity of lifestyles, which include upscale country clubs and championship golf courses, rural acreage with horses, and riverside homes. Environmentally-sensitive areas and agricultural areas of the City are separated from low-to-medium density residential areas by a power plant, community park, and a subdivision of one-acre homesites with a rural/residential zoning classification. A new elementary school opened in 1996 with older children attending school in an adjacent town.

Presenting Debary Florida

DeBary is an activist community with citizens serving on a wide variety of volunteer boards and committees. The City administers a Neighborhood Watch Program, and a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). These activities are closely coordinated with the County of Volusia's emergency management team and the local police and fire departments.

DeBary has 12 parks, which vary from small playgrounds and baseball parks to a large 208-acre park. Gemini Springs Park is named for its free-flowing twin springs, with full recreational activities such as canoeing, horseback riding, and picnic areas. The newest park in the City is Memorial Park, a 2.5-acre site located at the corner of Dirksen Drive and Buena Vista Street. It is a passive park, which includes picnic pavillions, an F-15 airplane, and a 9-ton anchor from the USS Langley. Rob Sullivan Community Park is the largest sports park and is named for a former Council Member who was instrumental in the early development of the City's park system. DeBary Parks and Recreation Department has a Youth Soccer League, a Summer Recreation Program for ages 6 to 11, and a Social each Monday for the 50+ Crowd..

DeBary Hall Historic Site is the restored winter home of Samuel Frederick deBary, the first settler in this region. Built in 1871, the 8,000 sq. ft. Italianate architectural style mansion is open to the public with winning exhibits, multimedia programs, and docent-led tours. DeBary Hall Historic Site has been on the National Register since 1972.

A community that emphasizes quality of life and quality of services, DeBary stands out in terms of distinctive character, charm, and resources. It is the ultimate in small-town living with friendly citizens, sunny climate, and an open-door City Council. A town that is progressive, yet has retained its unique southern charm. DeBary's distinctive qualities motivate people and businesses to VISIT DeBary, to WORK in DeBary, and to LIVE in DeBary.

The Borland Team Presents:

280 Englenook Drive, Debary, Florida 32725

List Price: $294,900

Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 2/0 SqFt Heated: 2,096 Year Built: 1998

BRIGHT.LIGHT,OPEN FLOOR PLAN. 4th BED IS SET UP AS DEN.FORMALS, LOADS OF CERAMIC TILE,NEW CARPETING & VOLUME CEILINGS, VERY NICE EAT-IN KITCHEN WITH BREAKFAST BAR OPEN TO THE FAMILY RM. SCREENED POOL, LANAI & PRIVACY FENCE ARE PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING! THE FLOOPLAN IS VERY NICE WITH HIGH CEILINGS AND A TERRIFIC FLOW.THE 4TH BEDROOM HAS A WIDE OPENING & WOULD BE GREAT FOR KIDS HOMEWORK/COMPUTER ROOM. THE FAMILY ROOM OPENS TO THE COVERED LANAI & SCREENED POOL. A WOOD FENCE PROVIDES PRIVACY. tHIS HOUSE IS LOCATED IN THE RESERVES AT DEBARY & IS VERY CONVENIENT TO I-4 & ALL SHOPPING.

Virtual Tour: www.vrguild.net/c/stnd.pl?Q=0703202133086889

The Borland Team

View Orlando Community Tour: For Fun things to do. http://www.angiestours.com/tours/Orlando_Florida/

693 Cloverleaf Blvd, Debary, Florida 32,725, Orlando, Florida, Debary Florida, Real Estate for Sale, Community Tour, Photo Tour, City Tour, The Borland Team,

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 11:57:58 -0500

About Debary

The Borland Team Presents:

693 Cloverleaf Blvd, Debary, Florida 32725

$240,000.00

3 Bedrooms, 2 full baths

Sq Ft Heated: 1,815

Garage/Carport: 2 Car Garage

The Borland Team

Orlando, Florida, Real Estate for Sale, Photo Tour, The Borland Team, Photos, Home Photos, Would A Seller or Buyer Select You? ‘Top Ten Things to Look for in a Realtor'

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 10:47:34 -0500

Real Estate Expert Connie De Groot Offers ‘Top Ten Things to Look for in a Realtor'

‘The People's Realtor' offers her top picks for maximizing success.

Los Angeles, CA June 7, 2007 -- Realtor Connie De Groot with the prestigious real estate agency Coldwell Banker in Beverly Hills (http://www.conniedegroot.com/), the firm's number one office in the world, has just released her list of the ‘Top Ten Things to Look for in a Realtor.' Ms. De Groot, distinguished for being within the top two percentile of all Coldwell Banker agents internationally, is known for serving the best interests of her clientele. She knows that the purchase or sale of a home is one of the biggest investments and challenges in the lives of many. Ms. De Groot aims to demystify and simplify the process and below offers her top ten picks for maximizing your success with a Realtor.

1. Select a Realtor That is a Full Time/Full Service Agent

‘Full Service' means that this person is fully dedicated to working in this profession and servicing his/her clients whenever they are in need.
They will be experienced with the many challenges of buying and selling and best prepared to resolve problems during negotiations, inspections as well as general home concerns that occur after purchase.

2. Select a Realtor That Has Passion, Enthusiasm and Dedication for Their Profession and Clients

A Realtor with passion and dedication for their job will be the one that goes the extra mile to get you the best results.

3. Select Someone Who Knows Your Market of Interest

Your Realtor's knowledge is key and can save, even make, you money. Get someone that really knows your marketplace.
Select a Realtor with a recent successful record behind them, preferably one with success in your neighborhood.

4. Select a Realtor Who is Creative and Can Devise Unique Problem Solving Strategies

Look for someone that can create offers to purchase a property with terms and conditions that excite a seller and work well for the buyer.
Look for someone that has good problem solving techniques. There are always conflicts, surprises and changes during an escrow that require calm, knowledge and experience to keep things going.

5. Select an Agent That is Knowledgeable and up to Date with Those Technologies That Affect or Benefit the Industry

Select a professional that is savvy with the "new toys" and current technologies that enable a Realtor to better perform. If one is not current with these advances, it is likely that they will be slower to obtain information and communicate it to a buyer or seller. This could cost the client in the end.

6. Select a Realtor That Has a Team Ready to Assist

It is hard to find a good handyman but an experienced Realtor will have one they have worked with on many occasions that has proven themselves to be honest, reliable and affordable. They will also have inspectors to address nearly every homeowner's concern.
Before remodeling, ask your Realtor to recommend a good interior designer. Sometimes a consultation is all that one needs to save money and get great ideas.

7. Select a Realtor That Has an Assistant or Person with Whom You May Speak to Whenever the Realtor is Unavailable

Many Realtors have people that handle their clients while away however many clients feel uncomfortable speaking to someone unfamiliar with their transaction.
Select a Realtor that has a permanent assistant, preferably with a license. This person will know the daily details pertaining to your home transaction and will most certainly know you.

8. Select a Realtor That is Respected and Liked by Other Realtors

When an agent is liked, other agents try to make a deal work because they enjoy working with people they trust and have good rapport with. This is a definite advantage to the client whether they are a buyer or seller.

9. Ask To Speak To Some Of The Realtor's Past And Present Clients And Ask To See Mls Reports Detailing Homes Sold In Your Area

If the agent sold a home, it should have their name on the MLS Agent Detail Report including the price at which the home sold. Be sure to check it out.

10. Select Someone Whom You Trust and Feel Comfortable Having Assist You

It is imperative to select a Realtor that understands you. One that you respect and feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and concerns with. There needs to be a level of trust or the client will not experience the full benefits of having an experienced and knowledgeable Realtor.

To hear more and/or arrange for Ms. De Groot to provide additional commentary on the real estate industry and the concerns of buyers and sellers, please contact:

About Connie De Groot
Connie De Groot is a Realtor with the prestigious real estate agency Coldwell Banker in Beverly Hills, the firm's number one office in the world. Connie's expertise, drive and commitment to her craft and customers have earned her the distinction of being within the top two percentile of all Coldwell Banker agents internationally. Connie is also the star of the Fine Living Television Network program Real Estate Confidential (see Connie this Sunday, June 10 on Fine Living Television's Real Estate Confidential) and is frequently called upon by the national media for expert commentary and advice on trends and news in the real estate market.

Dubbed the ‘People's Realtor' for her staunch support of individual buyers and sellers, Connie is a fierce advocate for educating homeowners on the intricacies of the market, what they can and should expect from their Realtor and how homeowners can best position their home for sale at the maximum price in the most expeditious manner.

Connie De Groot is the new face of real estate in the 21st Century: a Realtor on the side of the people.

For additional information on Connie De Groot please visit her online at http://www.conniedegroot.com/.

The Borland Team

San Antonio, Texas, Real Estate for Sale, Judi Morgan, Community Tour, Large Photo Tour, Questions answer why real estate license laws should be repealed

Charles Pennington (Real Estate Previews) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:32:39 -0500

Questions answer why real estate license laws should be repealed

Jun. 15, 2007 10:00 AM

Greg Swann -The Arizona Republic

The idea of repealing real estate licensing laws continues to percolate in my e-mail. I think I can make understanding this issue easier. Give a look to these questions. If you answer them honestly, you will understand why the real estate licensing laws should be repealed - even though they won't be.

· In the absence of real estate licensing laws, are consumers more likely or less likely to investigate the education, qualifications and experience of prospective agents?

• In the presence of real estate licensing laws, are new licensees more likely or less likely to equate their status as licensed real estate agents with better-educated, more-qualified, more-experienced agents?

· Taking account that they make profits when they perform their functions well and suffer liabilities when they fail, do free-market oversight entities seem more likely or less likely to assure consumer protection than government bureaucracies?

· The same question on a more practical level: When buying electrical equipment, if you could have government regulation or oversight by the Underwriters Laboratories, but not both, which would you choose?

· In the presence of real estate licensing laws, are free-market oversight entities focusing on real estate transactions more likely or less likely to come into existence?

· In the presence of real estate licensing laws, are alternative business models - radically different from traditional real estate brokerages, but offering consumers more choice and possibly substantial cash savings - more likely or less likely to come into existence?

· In the presence of real estate licensing laws, are traditional real estate brokers more likely or less likely to try to outlaw alternative business models offering real estate brokerage services to consumers for reduced or even no compensation?

· Is there any consumer interest that would not be better served by repealing the real estate licensing laws. I don't think there is any other way to address this issue.