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Alafaya, FL Real Estate News

By John M. Acaron, CMI, MRSA, Master Mold Inspector & Chief Mold Assessor
(INDOOR MICROBIAL SPECIALIST)
ONE STOP SHOP: Comprehensive Home & Commercial inspections, IAQ (Mold) inspection and Mold Testing, 4 Point Insurance Inspection, Wind Mitigation, Roof Inspections, WDO/Termite inspections among others. For more information relative to my company and services please visit: HOMEINSPECTORUSA Our forte is the inspection of large homes, condominiums and commercial properties.  We are "TOTALLY UNBIASED" straight to the point home inspection company. We are a Orlando local "INDEPENDENT" professional Home Inspection and Mold Inspection Company  working "ONLY" for you and your best interest. We have only one objective in mind when performing a home inspection or a mold inspection: "to discover what is wrong with the property". We do "NOT" participate in any Orlando Real Estate Company Vendor's ...
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By Dan Haggerty
(RE/MAX RESULTS)
I would like to wish all AR Members a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year! So what one thing are you going to do in your Business in 2010 that will make a difference? As for me, I feel that Systems in my Business will be a big help this New Year. Feel Free to share your Ideas here. Happy New Year to You!
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By Dan Haggerty
(RE/MAX RESULTS)
  Some interesting facts for you to share at the Thanksgiving Gathering this year. Happy Thanksgiving. 1 .Congress did not declare Thanksgiving a National Holiday until 1941. 2. Turkeys can have Heart attacks. 3. Fossils show that turkeys were around ten million years ago. 4. About one-half of all Americans put the stuffing inside the turkey. 5. Ben Franklin wanted the Turkey to be the National Bird. 6. 20% of all cranberries eaten yearly are eaten on Thanksgiving Day. 7. The very First Thanksgiving lasted for 3 Days. 8. A scared turkey can run as fast as 20 MPH. 9. Turkeys have been known to fly for short distances at 55 MPH. 10. Wild Turkeys taste different than domesticated farm raised turkeys. 11. Turkeys can drown if they are left outside in a rain storm. Feel Free to add any thay ...
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By Dan Haggerty
(RE/MAX RESULTS)
  Yes Today is our annual office Thanksgiving Lunch. So Today, I thought I would write a blog about giving thanks. (If it's Turkey cooking instructions you wanted please read my prior post). This year more than ever if you: number one have a JOB,  Or at least a closing this month you have a lot to be Thankful for. It seems the last few days more than usual ive heard of this business closing or that person being out of work. Last Tuesday I was at a Large Commercial Event here in downtown Orlando.  After the event while walking to our car a couple were standing next to the building with a sign Please Help.   As I looked at the lady her eyes so red from crying the pain just hit me! They had old torn clothing on and looked like they hadn't eaten in a few days. As I watched the hundreds of p...
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By Dan Haggerty
(RE/MAX RESULTS)
  This is my 8th year of making Deep Fried Turkey. After preparing over 40 birds I can speak to you as an expert here. I truly have done it all from cooking my cell phone to spending over 800.00 to find out our yorkie has an allergy to peanut oil. Last Thursday I make a bird for our office party, all went extremely well.  From the prep to the actual cooking. And everyone enjoyed the taste. infact no leftovers here only bones. The following are a few pointers that I have learned over the years, mostly from trial and error I am happy to share with you.  1. Always fresh never frozen. ask your butcher or grocery store for a fresh bird the will go in the back and bring out one for you just ask! 2. Keep the weight tag from the package handy, to remind you of the birds exact weight. 3. Make no...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
Homeowners reluctant to sell because prices have fallen should do the math and realize that the market downturn could work in their favor."People are finding houses at prices they thought they'd never see again," I would like to point out that to potential sellers that if the house a buyer covets used to be $500,000 but its price has fallen 20 percent to $400,000, it is a deal, even if the buyer's own home also has lost 20 percent of its value.In general, the toughest will be for people who bought within the last three years, at the height of the market. But even for these homeowners, selling now may make sense as long as they can at least break even, or their trade up property is down more than their current property. (ie., that $500,000 home 3 years ago that may be now worth $400,000...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
Basic Information on the Stimulus PaymentsYou've heard about it. Now find out how to get yours.What is it? It's an economic stimulus payment that more than 130 million households will receive starting in May. It's not taxable, and it won't reduce your 2007 or 2008 refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2008 return.Are you eligible? The vast majority of people who file a 2007 income tax return qualify, and many who don't regularly file a tax return may qualify as well. You're eligible if you have a valid Social Security Number (SSN), can't be claimed as a dependent on a tax return and have either an income tax liability or "qualifying income" of at least $3,000. Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income and certain benefits from Social Security, Vetera...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
Just a note on perspective for some of the foreclosure news you are seeing. Is it rough out there? Well consider this, in a news article today (see below) there are apparently frightening numbers on forclosure rates - " U.S. Foreclosures Jump 57%" . Awful state of affairs - right? How about this headline for the same article - "99.8% of U.S. Households NOT in Forclosure" Amazing? Can't be true? Check the math. Use the numbers provided in the article - "More than 234,000 properties were in some stage of foreclosure, or one in every 538 U.S. households... ". Pull out your calculator and work out the percentage - .001859 or .1859% (1 divided by 538). Yep - that is LESS than two-tenths of one percent. Well that is the national number, you might say, but Florida is much worse. You are absol...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
"2008-the Best Year to Buy a Home in 35 Years!" In April of 1973, mortgage rates were about the same as they are today. Since that time, we have only had mortgage rates this low during 2001 and 2002, the height of the seller's markets where there was little inventory. In the last two major buyer's markets, one in the early 1980s and the other in the early 1990s, the rates were much higher. In 1978, interest rates were at 9.75 percent, en route to 18 to 21 percent in 1980. In the early 1990s, the rates were hovering in the 11 to 12 percent range. Thus, today's buyer's market, with exceptionally low mortgage rates plus a substantial supply of inventory, is the best time in decades to purchase.About the author: Jerry LaRose is an Orlando Area Residential Real Estate Expert, who can assist ...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
It's no secret... KITCHENS SELL HOUSES. The kitchen is one of the most, if not THE most, popular rooms in a home... at least for most people. When I take buyers out to look at homes, the first place they tend to focus on is the kitchen. The kitchen is a central part of every home and buyers want to feel like the kitchen will make them "feel good."If you're selling your home, I recommend placing great emphasis on your kitchen. While a newly-remodeled kitchen with tile floors, granite counters, cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances is sure to impress anyone, many sellers can't afford to remodel their kitchen just to sell a home. So, if you don't have that "chef's kitchen" then work with what you have. ANY kitchen can look great.Here are some tips that will help any kitchen show ...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
If you’re facing Foreclosure….. 1. Do not pay doctor bills or credit card debt ahead of the mortgage. Keep mortgage payments current as possible.2. Negotiate with your lender to restructure your mortgage. If the loan is guaranteed by a federal or state agency, the lender may be required to grant assistance, or provide other options, to avoid foreclosure.3. Sell the house before it goes into foreclosure. If your mortgage is higher than the home’s market value, you may be able to persuade the lender to allow you to sell it for less and forgive the rest of the debt. (this is called a short sale)If you’re about to lose your home, filing for bankruptcy can stop the foreclosure process and allow you more time to try to work out a plan to keep the home. Get legal advise from an attorney speci...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
Are you self-employed or a partner in a small professional practice? If so, you're probably very familiar with all the different challenges of running a business. Ultimately, you're responsible for attracting and retaining customers, providing them with quality services or products, getting paid for your work, and then paying your employees and vendors-all before ever paying yourself a penny.Then, from the remaining profits, the government wants their "fair share" of your success. Fortunately, with some knowledge and planning, you can take steps to minimize the taxes you end up paying. Here are five ways that self-employed individuals and Realtors® can cut their tax bill.1. Employ your childWhile you get to deduct the wages you pay to your son or daughter as a business expense, your ch...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
Top Ten Short Sale Questions AnsweredNumber 10I can't make my house payments, but I do have an ability to pay back all or part of the negative equity. Also, I want to preserve my credit score...is a short sale right for me?Probably, not. In cases where the seller can pay back all or part of the negative equity (usually to the 2nd lien holder), it makes sense for them to work out a repayment plan. The lender will then release the lien and allow the home to close. Number 9If I pay mortgage insurance and default on my loan, why wouldn't that cover the deficiency amount?The mortgage insurance is not there for your protection, just the mortgage lender's.Number 8Do I have to have my home "Approved" by the lender prior to offering it for sale as a short sale?No. Technically speaking there is n...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
Jerry LaRose | Keller Williams Classic Realty | jerry@jerrylarose.com | 407-580-7011 12873 Penshurst Ln., Windermere, FL FANTASTIC DEAL in highly sought after Windermere. Owner Re-Locating. Impressive kitchen - family room: 42" cherry cabinets w/ glass inserts, upg 3 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $289,900 Year Built 2004 Sq Footage 2,151 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors Unspecified Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $75 per month DESCRIPTION FANTASTIC DEAL in highly sought after Windermere. Owner Re-Locating. Impressive kitchen - family room: 42" cherry cabinets w/ glass inserts, upgraded GE profile appliances. Formal Living and Formal Dining Rooms . Family room opens to kitchen & family dining area and has access to rear covered porch. Bonus Room, O...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
I owe more than my home is worth. Am I eligible for short sale or is my only option foreclosure or bankruptcy?Always consult your lender as to what your options are. The options usually are: a short sale, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (basically an accelerated voluntary surrender), and foreclosure. The banks like to prevent foreclosure when at all possible. They've even been known to lower people's rates and/or payments because of all the new defaults in the past few years. Either way, your first stop should be to get information from you lender on what options they provide.Contact me for an assessment of your costs. We can go through the fees involved in selling your home. About the author: Jerry LaRose is an Orlando Area Residential Real Estate Expert, who can assist you with the purcha...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
If I pay mortgage insurance and default on my loan, why wouldn't that cover the deficiency amount?The mortgage insurance is not there for your protection, just the lender's. If you are paying PMI (private mortgage insurance) it is there to protect the lender in case you default on your loan. You can usually get the PMI removed after you have enough equity in the home. The lenders will not remove this for you. It is your responsibility to get this removed. Afterall, why do you want to be paying PMI if you don't have to. It doesn't protect you, it protects the lender.For more information on PMI, contact me. If you are a first time buyer, please contact me and we'll set up a buyers consultation to discuss buying a home. About the author: Jerry LaRose is an Orlando Area Residential Real Est...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
Found this new search engine. Is it the new search engine. I don't know, but I will say it's pretty cool. However, I am disappoint that it doesn't have my photo of my website when I do the search. I don't know why. Is it my website or is it managedQ? It's at least worth a look. enjoy! BY the way I think the name is terrible.http://beta1.managedq.com/ManagedQ: The Next Step In Search The field of Search is years behind where it should be, as it hasn't fundamentally changed in more than a decade. Results may have improved a bit, but people Search in literally the same way they did in 1995. Jerry LaRose is an Orlando Area Residential Real Estate Expert, who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida or any place in the country....
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
I've read recently that Google Spreadsheets as part of the Google Docs suite added several new features; better revisions comparison through color highlights, change notifications, and a Google spreadsheet gadgets directory.I thought what google has a spreadsheet and word processor free. So I check it out and yes they do and pretty cool. It's worth a look. Here it is.http://www.google.com/google-d-s/intl/en/tour1.html About the author: Jerry LaRose is an Orlando Area Residential Real Estate Expert, who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida or any place in the country. Jerry has created a team of professionals throughout Orlando and the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. Please visit ...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
The Median Sales Price for homes in the Orlando area as we all know has decreased significantly. Everyone is asking, where's the bottom. Well, I'll be the first to say that I see the bottom. I will go on record to say that we're almost there. I pulled this trend chart from Trulia and it represents the median sales price of homes. The most important lines are the black and purple. The black line is actual sales of the median priced home. Notice that this jumped out of proportion Jan.1 2004. If prices had not jumped due to supply and demand and had just progressed normally at a 3-5% increase, that average which is represented by the purple line would be approx. $205,000 today. However, the actual today is at $225,000. Therefore, I see the market still correcting another 10% and possibly ...
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By Jerry LaRose, Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park Fl. Realtor
(Keller Williams classic Realty)
Don't wait too long to buy a home in today's market? While today's market plays to your advantage as a buyer, with reduced housing costs and favorable interest rates, are you sitting by waiting? When the market turns, today's bargains will be yesterday's missed opportunities.While it is conceivable that home prices may drop further, it is likely that the decreased prices will be accompanied by increased financing costs due to rate cuts by the Fed. This means that any money saved on paying less for a house in a few months time will be offset by having to pay off your mortgage at a higher interest rate making "playing the waiting game" a waste of time (and very little fun).This rate increase isn't just speculation. Just a couple of weeks ago, in early February, the fixed mortgage rate jum...
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