Real estate blog entries tagged with osceola county by Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904 (St.Cloud Homes )

Home : Blogs : Allison Stewart : St.Cloud Homes Florida Real Estate Insights : Tag "osceola county"

osceola county: COMPARING APPLES TO ORANGES IN OSCEOLA COUNTY FLORIDA NEW HOUSING VERSUS SHORT SALE HOMES - 05/10/10 10:35 AM

COMPARING APPLES TO ORANGES IN OSCEOLA COUNTY FLORIDA-NEW HOUSING VERSUS SHORT SALE HOMES. The buzzwords of the decade have been foreclosures and short sales. Certainly there are no shortage of either. What works for some people does not work for others. Stuck in the middle are the Pre-Short Sale Home Owners (Known as Traditional Sales) frustrated by the market's inability to bounce back to previous unrealistic value and apprasiers adjusting downward the value of property based on recent comparables which of course include short sales and foreclosures. Seems like an endless cycle doesn't it?
Cash buyers have many choices. After spending … (2 comments)

osceola county: OSCEOLA COUNTY IS LITERALLY GIVING AWAY MONEY- WANT TO BUY A HOME?...YOU COULD QUALIFY - 04/30/10 01:40 AM

Osceola County Florida, is literally giving away money for housing. $8,000,000 worth. There is still some left!
"This funding will asssit the Citizens of Osceola County by providing Homeownership opportunities at a continual affordable market rate" according to the Osceola County Neighbor Stabilization Program guidelines.
Funding can only be used to assist in buying a primary residence. The units must be foreclosed and bank owned properties at the time of purchase.
The properties must be located within the County's Area of Greatest Need, which include areas of St. Cloud, Poinciana, BVL and Kissimmee.
The program authorized under Title III of … (0 comments)

osceola county: How Do Homes REALTORS® Live in Compare to the Ones They Sell? - 03/24/08 11:42 AM

Interesting question to ponder. Too often we get so busy with managing our businesses that perhaps we don't allow enought time to properly care for our own personal homes. Has this ever happened to you? The projects you have put off until you had more, had more money, or just had more ambition? Is the way your home looks affecting your business or adversely affecting your business?
Should we lead by example or procrastination? When working with buyers do they wonder what our house looks like? IS our house/home a reflection of who we are or what we are not?
Successful people live in very … (37 comments)

osceola county: 484 Reasons You CAN afford a Winter Home in Florida - 02/01/08 02:15 AM

I get asked all the time "Are Homes Really Affordable" in Osceola County, Florida. The resounding answer is YES! I am delighted to report that after a quick market survey I found for one customer 484 possible choices for a Winter Retreat all under $250,000. Upon a closer look of those; there were over 400 possible choices under $200,000. There was an adequate supply of smaller bungalow style homes even under $100,000!
What this means is for the first time in YEARS, it is once again possible to purchase a Winter Retreat in Central Florida. This is particularly true for Osceola … (3 comments)

osceola county: Perhaps now IS the best time to consult a local realtor and discuss How Much House you CAN afford! - 01/25/08 01:19 AM

The Fed has dropped the rate at which banks borrow money. What that means to you the consumer, is that mortgage rates will follow. The nagging question of when is the right time is more a matter of personal choice. Real Estates Markets are local. What we saw happen in Florida for example took awhile to migrate westward. So what is happening?
A quick look at the Market suggests that foreclosure may not be the best way to go. Often, the outstanding loan amount has pushed the asking prices( or defaulted loan amounts) too high. Many are in need of repairs. In … (8 comments)

osceola county: IS WHAT YOU SEE WHAT YOU GET? - 01/14/08 01:36 AM

It is true that many Realtors have left the business. The 80/20 rule suggests that 20 percent of the Realtors do 80 percent of the work. With declining renewals in most markets this can be a benefit. The ones actively working, have refined their communication skills. They are keeping in touch with their customers via telephone, email and face to face, even when there is nothing new to report. They are providing stastistics on recent market sales, and inventory levels, and keep the sellers abreast of market conditions after the contract has been signed. The signing of an agreement is when … (9 comments)

osceola county: Builder Closeout Means Added Value For Buyers - 01/14/08 12:21 AM

Everyone loves a bargain.Buyers who waited out the recent building boom are gaining added benefits from builders liquidating inventory homes. In addition to reducing prices, added upgrades are making inventory homes a desireable commodity. More and more buyers are exploring development close outs. While the supply of single family homes have reached record highs, many builders are seeking to develop in other areas leaving a small supply of finished turn key homes up for grabs. New construction appeals to a wide variety of buyers for a diversity of reasons. The primary one being the free upgrades and immediately occupancy.
Bristol Creek … (2 comments)

osceola county: REAL ESTATE RECAP OF 2007- A MATTER OF DOLLARS & SENSE - 12/28/07 10:49 PM

Most people are under the misconception that a foreclosure or short sale means purchasing power for pennies on the dollar which we know is not true. In the wake of jumbo loans, the foreclosures are not the steals they used to be. Mortgages amounts defaulted on were commonly in the hundred or several hundred thousand dollar range) In Grandma's day a foreclosure meant picking up a home far below the current Market Value. The amounts borrowed back then were minimal compared to the jumbo loans of today due in part to the fact that back then there was no 100%- 125% financing. They had actually … (6 comments)

osceola county: 2008 A DECIDING YEAR-GET IN THE GAME OR GET OUT? - 12/26/07 12:49 AM

2008 A year of decisions for many things. Florida Property Owners will decide if the Property Tax Reform Act will help them and they must decide if they can weather the storm of the Real Estate Market. For buyers, they will decide if now is the right time to buy. For Real Estate related professionals, many will have to decide if they can afford to continue in their profession. The Nation will decide who will lead this country.
2008 is also a leap year. Will buyers LEAP at the opportunities in Real Estate in the foreseeable future? Will sellers take a Leap of Faith that their … (12 comments)

osceola county: WIMPY ECONOMICS - DO YOU LIVE IN TOON- TOWN? - 12/17/07 11:59 PM

Remember this guy? He is "WIMPY". Wimpy's economic theory was simple. "I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a Hamburger today". Is he the mastermind behind local government spending? His economic theories are in practice in politics and local government everywhere.
In Florida local government spending is based on tax revenue not yet collected, to fund road construction for example, impact fees tripled. Property Taxes spiked rising over 30% from 2005 for homeowners and small business owners saw increases over a five year period amounting to 83%. The City Council voted on numerous projects, costing millions of dollars and relied on revenues from new communities and planned unit developments, which either failed to grow … (2 comments)

osceola county: DEAR SANTA FROM THE DOG - 11/29/07 12:51 AM

Renters love pets. Renters are humans who have not realized they can afford a great house with a yard for the same money they pay now. Especially in St. Cloud, Florida. The wonderful historic homes, have been renovated and have terrific yards for pets like me. Prices are the lowest they have been in years, which means the average renter can now afford living in St,. Cloud, Florida. They are terrific starter homes, close to Orlando, the Beaches, the Space Coast, and Disney. I often wonder why they haven't asked my Realtor about them.
My Realtor is very friendly, and knowledgable about what pets need … (3 comments)

osceola county: I LOVE THIS MARKET! - 11/26/07 06:58 AM

It has been years since the average person, with the average job, from an average family could afford an average house, anywhere in St. Cloud. Osceola County in Florida has experienced record setting growth over the past five years. St. Cloud went from being a sleepy little town in the shadow of Disney nestled along the 192 Corridor between Melbourne Florida to the east, and Disney to the west. Once word got out, that St. Cloud was affordable.... the boom hit. Suddenly, the sleepy little town, was a town under construction.
Fast forward three years. The builders are clearing out. The renters are … (8 comments)

osceola county: IF NO ONE IS BUYING WHY AM I OUT OF HOUSES? - 11/21/07 10:20 PM

Yep that's right...I am out of houses. Sold Out. What's in the inventory? Nada, zip, zilch, squat. I have had to turn down more upside properties in the last three months than I have been able to take. What is in short supply these days, are homes which were purchased before the market boom. Sure, we have a lot of inventory clearance deals on new houses being made. It is nearly impossible for a resale to compete with the builders who are packing up to leave town. The party for them is over. A sigh of relief as the last of … (7 comments)

osceola county: Buyers Are Like Bassetts - 11/20/07 12:27 AM

You don't have to be a bassett hound to sniff out a good deal in Osceola County, Florida these days. Great deals are everywhere. But like this Bassett, most buyers are laying and waiting for the bushes to stir a little before investigating what their money can and does buy. In doing so, they are missing opportunities. It is like trying to find a Bassett Puppy at the pound. Chances are you'll miss the one that may show up. Bassetts are in demand, simply because there are so few of them to be had.
Sure, there are tons of dogs out there. … (1 comments)

osceola county: WHO'S WHO ARE YOU IN? - 11/06/07 11:06 PM

Well, it's official. I have been nominated for Who's Who in Real Estate. Not to be confused with the infamous "Whoo Woo" (created by Sally Cheeseman) perhaps it was my "incredible good looks" nope, (Broker Bryants got that one all sewn up) Hmmm. It must have been my amazing sense of humor, my quick wit, charm, or personality. I doubt it. (Did I mention my pension for sarcasm?) Guess not.
How will being in "Who's Who" benefit me? Well, it can be used as an impressive sales tool. Just as your ranking on ActiveRain can help you impress customers. We are afterall a community … (14 comments)

osceola county: WHO IS PULLING THE STRINGS BANKS OR BUYERS? - 11/05/07 09:23 AM

Florida Real Estate is prime for picking. Foreign Investors are looking long and hard at the largest selection of inventory in recent history and have choice properties available. Are the banks or the buyers pulling the strings? The latest market information, would indicate that it is the buyers now making the banks dance and may indeed be pulling the purse strings. Only recently has this been possible. As inventory swelled and the market reached its saturation point, the record number of foreclosures nationwide have added a little more driftwood to a sea of debris. Abandoned properties.
Up until recently, the banks … (0 comments)

osceola county: Housing Following The Law Of Physics - 10/25/07 02:04 AM

It is simple physics folks. No need to panic. Since the 1880 Real Estate has been tracked and charted. While it is true, that the American Economy heavily weights it economic health on the well being of the Real Estate Market, and experts are now suggesting that the next growth cycle will be delayed until 2009. It is not a question of whether the Real Estate merket WILL recover it is now only a question of WHEN.
The HISTORY OF HOME VALUE IS VERY REVEALING
Source: "irrational Exuberance" 2nd edition By Robert J. Shiller
According to Robert J. Shiller, Yale economist who created this … (5 comments)

osceola county: Benefits to Home Owners In Osceola County Florida - 10/22/07 05:03 AM

Home Ownership- The American dream. Many would-be homeowners are sitting on the side lines waiting to see what the market will do. The best deals will pass them by, not because they cannot afford it, because they were not aware of some of the programs being offered to Low Income, and Moderate Income Homeowners.
In addition to the added benefits of tax credits for owning your own home, assistance is available in Osceola County, Florida. Homeowners who are eligible may recieve a one time grant to help pay for property taxes or homeowners insurance. There are guidelines for income and household … (1 comments)

osceola county: Distressed Properties And A Diamond in The Ruff? - 10/14/07 12:10 AM

Turbulent times, market conditions, and changes of circumstance are all factors in Real Estate. Too often we fail to venture outside of our comfort zones, break our routines or change our patterns. But it is those changes, which can alter the course of our destiny or that of someone else.
I went to check on a customer's house. Too many unanswered voice-mails had me a bit concerned. The signs I had placed at the house, were now gone. The grass was long and uncut, and there was a eerie feeling when I pulled into the driveway. As I approached the back … (18 comments)

osceola county: The Most Important Tool You Will Ever Use. - 09/25/07 10:42 PM

What is the single most important tool in your tool box? I will give you a hint. It is not a widget. It is an instrument. It can be used anywhere at any time. It is not expensive. It does not require batteries. It can be used by anyone. It can save your career. Give up?
Are you taking notes? You should be! Taking notes during every contact with a customer is the single most important thing you can do to mitigate risk. This simple risk reduction technique. The changing Real Estate market brings with it, a plethora of new problems. Transactions can be a little more … (28 comments)

Related Links: