central florida realtor: Market Statistics for December 2007 - Year end wrap up
- 01/11/08 04:47 AM
The latest market statistics for Orange and Seminole County have been released by the Orlando Regional Realtor Association. You can see the stats at this link. The good news for December is that inventory decreased quite significantly to 24,298. Unfortunately it was not because properties sold, but because 3,157 listings expired and another 1,462 were withdrawn. It is very typical for lots of listings to expire on the December 31 as many people want to start the new year doing something different if the old thing was not working. Sold listings remained steady and very low for the 4th month in a row. December … (0 comments)
central florida realtor: Bank of America buying out Countrywide Home Loans
- 01/11/08 02:44 AM
This is big news, but not surprising. Bank of America purchased a bunch of preferred stock in Countrywide during the summer of 2007. Now they have worked out a deal to purchase the troubled lender for $4 billion. I do not know if this is good news or bad news for the housing and mortgage market, but it would definitely be better than Countrywide filing bankruptcy or something like that. There is a detailed article about this in USA Today. Bank of America is the nation's largest bank and Countrywide is the nation's largest mortgage lender. It should be an interesting combination. As I … (1 comments)
central florida realtor: New NAR designation obtained
- 01/07/08 08:27 AM
During some of the slow times that we had during 2007, I decided to fill in the gaps by taking some educational courses put out by the National Association of Realtors and obtain yet another designation. If you have not taken courses from NAR, you are definitely missing out. Their courses are on the same level as courses I took while in college. Very informative. I got my money's worth from them no doubt and have improved several of my business practices as a result. I am proud to announce that I am now designated by NAR as a Certfied Real Estate Brokerage … (3 comments)
central florida realtor: To get a license or not get a license, that is the question
- 01/05/08 04:19 AM
I have probably had at least a hundred people ask me whether or not they should get a real estate license in order to invest in real estate. There is no quick and easy answer to this question. The answer really depends on what you plan to do in your investment career. (Registered Trademark of NAR) A real estate license is typically for someone who wants to work with other people to help them buy, sell, or lease their real estate. That is what a traditional real estate licensee (the legal term in Florida is "sales associate") does. Most investors are not … (3 comments)
central florida realtor: Brand new home in Poinciana Florida -- OFF MARKET
- 01/03/08 09:06 AM
NO LONGER AVAILABLE, BUT WE HAVE OTHERS FOR SALE. 4 bed / 2.5 bath / 2-car garage, custom built block home. 1980 square feet (per builder), located in Poinciana in Osceola County. 239 Chadworth Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34758. MLS# o4820336. NEW CONSTRUCTION 2007. CUSTOM BUILT HOME. NEVER LIVED IN, ALL NEW STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, 17X17 CERAMIC TILE, BERBER CARPET IN THE BEDROOMS. A BEAUTIFUL HOME INSIDE AND OUT!! Priced to sell at $198,000. $3000 Realtor bonus (on top of 3% commission).
central florida realtor: Setting goals for the new year
- 01/02/08 07:14 AM
I have to admit I have never made a New Year's resolution, ever! However in my early 20's I learned how to set and achieve goals for myself. It certainly is not an easy task, but it is something I have found to be very worthwhile in order to accomplish far more than I ever thought I could. When I first decided to go full-time into real estate, I created a detailed plan with written goals. It took me over a year to accomplish this plan and hit all of my goals, but the great thing is that it all came together. That … (4 comments)
central florida realtor: My predictions for 2008
- 12/31/07 08:26 AM
I am going to give my stab at some predictions for what 2008 will bring. I am not a fortune teller, but I do know a friend of my cousin's next door neighbor who played one on TV once. Well here goes ...
1. The Florida real estate market will finally bottom out and then remain quite flat through the end of the year. 2. Mortgage interest rates will stay at or below the mid-6's through the November elections. After the election all bets are off. 3. Conservative but aggressive investors who buy real estate during 2008 will make a fortune in years to come. I plan on … (7 comments)
central florida realtor: Flip this house – Post # 4
- 12/29/07 07:39 AM
We are well into the rehab now and actually a little ahead of schedule. Our crew has been working nearly every day except for Christmas, so we have gotten a lot done. We had our regular plumber come out and make sure the house was free from leaks (bank REO houses have often been vacant for 6 to 12 months, so you never quite know what to expect). Things are coming along. The demolition work always makes the house look bad, but soon we will be putting it all back together. ---- I have learned to always put up no trespassing … (3 comments)
central florida realtor: Investor mentoring and counseling services
- 12/28/07 12:59 AM
One of the many services I offer to investors is mentoring and counseling. I will be happy to sit down with you for a free initial consultation to discuss what you are looking to accomplish and ideas on how to get there. If you like what you hear, we can work to design a specific game plan for you to get there. I can help you find the deals, or if you have a potential deal and need help, I can walk you through the process from beginning to end. Fees can be based either by the hour or by the deal depending on … (3 comments)
central florida realtor: Property tax hearing update
- 12/27/07 01:18 AM
I just wanted to post a quick update about my Seminole County property tax hearing in mid-November. This is a link to my previous post. I never received a written notice from the county, so I finally called over to the clerk's office. They tell me that the assessed value was upheld by the special magistrate, so I won't be getting any further reductions on this property's value. I don't plan on appealing it, because I don't feel like spending my time and energy on the remote chance of winning an appeal. I feel that the hearing was fair, but I believe … (3 comments)
central florida realtor: Merry Christmas to all !
- 12/24/07 05:58 AM
I am not afraid to say it. I don't get all this "Happy Holidays" nonsense. Is anyone actually offended by Christmas? Has Christmas become a politically incorrect holiday? I sure hope not because life is way too short to get offended over something that silly. It seems kind of weird, but I seriously can't recall one person this year whether in a store or just while I am out and about that said the phrase "Merry Christmas" to me. All have said "Happy Holidays" or "Have a good holiday." But I digress ... So to everyone I know including all my … (10 comments)
central florida realtor: Flip this house - Post #3
- 12/22/07 09:21 AM
A few people have emailed me wanting more information about the numbers on this deal. I was meaning to post them yesterday, but the post ran a little long. I did a quick MLS search for the actives and solds in the last 4 months within 1 mile of this property. Here is what I came up with. Solds range from a low of 160K to a high of 187K. Actives range from a low of 169K to a high of 229K. We will probably end up listing it for sale at around 170K or so. Price is the main thing that is selling … (2 comments)
central florida realtor: Flip this house - Post # 2
- 12/21/07 03:23 AM
Well we closed on the house yesterday. The house is a 3 bed / 2 bath / 2-car garage block house in the Northwesterly Pine Hills area. (For those not in Orlando, Pine Hills is an infamous area of town often tagged as "Crime Hills" but the area covers nearly 20 square miles - some parts are war zones while other parts are actually nice.) This subdivision is a decent 1980s (and late 70s) working class neighborhood. This house was listed in the MLS in November as bank-owned for $149,000. Another investor actually called me about this one. He had just closed on it for $85,000 … (4 comments)
central florida realtor: Properties available in Central Florida
- 12/20/07 02:56 AM
Here are our featured properties for sale this week. Some are full service listings and some are flat fee MLS listings. Please call us for a private showing or to make an offer. -----
1. 1010 Winderley Place #133, Maitland, FL 32751. 3 bed/2.5 bath/1-car garage 2-story townhouse. Great location close to Maitland Center and easy access to Interstate-4. Walking distance to restaurants, offices, and RDV Sportsplex. Shows beautifully. Gated community with lake access. Bring your ski boat. Best price in the area. MLS# o4808403. -- OFF THE MARKET -----
2. 862 Kensington Drive, Orlando, FL 32808. 3 bed/1 bath block house. Ready for you … (0 comments)
central florida realtor: Flip this house - Or the art of being a rehabber - Post #1
- 12/18/07 12:25 PM
Hopefully in the next few days I will be purchasing a Central Florida house that I intend to buy, fix up, and then put back on the market and re-sell to an owner-occupant buyer. I haven't done much of this in the last 18 months because of poor market conditions, but now that in my opinion the market is close to bottoming out I plan on getting back into it. As I have stated in several previous blogs, good deals abound right now. Investors need to be taking advantage of this time and not sitting on the sidelines watching and waiting. I am … (11 comments)
My thoughts on the real estate industry, real estate investing, rental properties, mortgages, listing houses in the MLS, government and legislative issues affecting real estate brokers and investors. Serving metro Orlando & most of Florida.
Rob Arnold - ABR, CPL, CRB, GRI, PHP - Managing real estate broker, Notary Public
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational, entertainment, and yes blatant advertising purposes. Read it at your own risk and enjoyment :-) It is not meant to be construed as legal or financial advice. These are my personal views and opinions only. Regarding any properties advertised on this blog site - all information is deemed reliable but is not warranted nor guaranteed - price, terms, and availability are subject to change without notice.
THIS PROPERTY IS RENTED OUT, BUT WE HAVE OTHERS. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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