Heather the Realtor - Orlando Area's Top Real Estate News

Im not being politically incorrect ok maybe I am, but oh screw it. Sometimes we are all a little uptight. Anyways I wanted to tell everyone thank you for being special to me. Thank you for bestowing your wisdom, trials and tribulations. You have helped me and other fellow realtors become better at what we do. I look forward to an amazing 2008 and growing in my profession and helping others grow too.

Merry Christmas and Happy News Years to all, here is a prosperous year! 

So today I received a call from a mortgage company trying to get me to sign up and receive their lender approved leads. I considered it for a long while thinking ok it's not bad receive 30 leads in my area that have loan approval for $750 a month. Then I read the fine print a little more and decided that it wasnt worth it that, that $750 a month could be spent somewhere else.

So if you had an extra $750 a month to spend on your business whether it's for marketing, internet, etc.. How and where would you spend it? What do you think would bring you the greatest ROI? 

I swear I should go away more often. More business comes out of the woodwork during that time. Anyways I am visiting my father for the Holidays and well good ole dad started a new family a few years back so I ahve a 3 year old sister. 24 years between us, yes I said 24, but I love her to death. She is the cutest thing ever and looks like my twin when I was that age except that she has curly hair.  It's fun to watch the world through a little kids eyes. And while she just turned 3, 3 months ago I swear she is a genius. She loves these sausage things and they are 2 for a $1.00 or $.50 a piece and she knows this. She runs to my dad this morning and he and I are running out the door and says "Dad wait, I need you to get 3 sausages, one for you, sister and me. Here is 6 quarters." I cracked up laughing then realized this little 3 year old figured out that if it takes 2 quarters to buy 1 and you want to buy 2 more you needed 6 quarters. I was shocked. So yes I am touting on my genius little sister.

Anyways it's amazing to watch the world through a childs eyes, take a moment step back and watch the world through a childs eyes. You might gain a new appreciation for something, realize how much you take for granted or just simply enjoy yourself for that brief moment.

I am currently in Michigan in visit family for the Holiday season. I woke up this morning to about 6" of snow on the ground and a blizzard warning. We are expecting about up to 15". I will say though one wonderful thing about Michigan is they can handle getting hit by all this snow. It's amazing machine the way the salt trucks and snow plows work. But to help everyone understand whats going on here is a video clip.

Ok couldnt get the video to post. But if you want to follow the Michigan Blizzard and see what is going on up here come check out Michigan Weather.

So everyone up here in Michigan tired of this weather, come visit me in Florida and let me help you purchase that perfect vacation home in Orlando or maybe it's time to just relocate to the beautiful city of Lake Mary.

Walt Disney may have begun the theme park revolution at Disneyland in southern California but the Florida resort that bears his name has helped the Orlando area become the world's theme park headquarters. With nine major parks and a slew of hotels, waterparks, restaurants and other diversions, the Central Florida region has changed the very notion of what it means to take a vacation.

Why Invest in Orlando?

• The Orlando region is rapidly becoming one of the tech centers in the world
• The Orlando region added more than 44,000 jobs last year and ranks 15th in the nation among the 100 largest labor markets with at least 240,000 non-farm jobs
• A new market study by Boston based research firm Torto Wheaton predicts the Orlando region to have the 3rd fastest job creation in the US for the next 5 years
• The population in Orlando has increased 51% since 1990 with no sign of letting up

What type of property should I buy and where is the best location?

This depends on what you want from your investment and how you plan to use it. Are you after investment income or capital growth through appreciation? Are you looking for a holiday or a seasonal second home? Do you want an income by renting the property? Renting can produce enough income to cover all of the outgoings including the mortgage. For the ideal solution to your particular property needs we'll draw up your own personal property profile so that you can decide which suits you best.

Should I arrange finance for the purchase or should I buy cash?

In most cases it is better to have finance on the property. By finding a deposit of only 20% means you can keep the majority of your investments in place still earning you money. The interest on the loan is tax deductible against your income. In the case of a rented investment property the income generated can finance the purchase.

If I buy a property for rental income how many weeks must I rent to achieve a break even and what are "guaranteed rentals"?

The location, cost and type of property will have major effects on the income achievable for weekly 'short term' rentals. Very careful costing analysis must be calculated before you purchase a property for this purpose. In good rental areas the optimum property will need to be let for around 35 weeks to break even. Many people make the mistake of buying based on the promise of a "guaranteed rental income" this is a mistake for two reasons. It is an unlawful "inducement" in Florida to promise a guaranteed return on a Real Estate transaction. And, if you cannot afford to buy without achieving the minimum income guaranteed you could seriously restrict your current standard of living.

I have heard that some areas have restrictions on rentals and periods of rental occupancy, is this true?

Yes, rental restrictions and deed restrictions are rules that are specific to individual areas and developments. We can give you the correct information you need on specific areas, builders and developments to make sure that your required property usage is allowed within your chosen location. This information must be seen in writing before any contracts are signed.

If you are looking to purchase a vacation home here in Orlando, FL  Heather Joubran is professionally qualified so no matter what you are looking for she can help. It may well be that you do not see what exactly what you want on Central Florida Luxury Estates but Heather Joubran acting as your personal "Buyers Broker" will tailor her service to your requirements and help you find the perfect property. She offers continuity and consistency and can give testimonials from past and present clients who have been delighted with her services.

If you are in Lake Mary, FL tomorrow dont forget to check out the Lake Mary Farmers Market.

But Santa is coming to visit Lake Mary neighborhoods. They pass out treats of candy as they pass, much to the delight of the children who line the route. Here is a run down of the neighborhoods Santa will be visiting tomorrow.

As a reminder, here are the stops for tomorrow, both morning and afternoon.

December 15 - Morning Schedule (9:00 AM)

Ridge Road, Channel Dr, W. Frederick, E Floyd, Abbott, Byron, First, Alma, Grandbend, Lake Mary Ave, Wilbur, W Crystal Lake, Lakeview, Seminole Ave, S. Fifth St, Washington, S. Fourth, Van Buren, S. Third, High St, Greenleaf, Lake St, Palmetto.
MISTY OAKS: Oak Leaf Cr. SUN: Sun Oaks Ct.
CRYSTAL LAKE ESTATES: Estates Cr.

December 15 - Afternoon Schedule (1:00 PM)

Evansdale, Pine Tree, Willow, Magnolia, Shady Oaks Cr, Clermont, Broadmoor, Cardinal Oaks. LAKE MARY LANDINGS: Canyon Stone Circle, Stonechase Lane, Featherstone Lane.
LAKE MARY WOODS: Lake Rd, Pugh, Sprucewood, Webster.
WOLDUNN: Woldunn Circle, Morning Dove, Main Road, Calico Road, Wagon Wheel Way.
MEADOWBROOKE: Leslie Lane.
COUNTRY DOWNS: North Rd, Keenland Pike.
WOODFIELD ESTATES: Silkwood, Pinewood.
CARDINAL OAKS ESTATES: Jennifer Court, Monica Court.
EAGLE CREEK: Eagle Creek Circle, Humphrey Road.
EAGLE CROSSING: Bald Eagle Run, Eaglet Way.

So I consider my self a packing guru, ok maybe not that good but I manage to fit stuff into small places and pack a suit case. So if you are traveling this holiday season take a look at some of these tips.

Rule #1  Always roll your close, dont fold. By rolling you dont crease your clothes and you can squeeze in much more

Rule #2  If packing shoes, stuff things inside, belts, underwear, makeup bags, etc

Rule #3  Make sure to put your baggie of liquid goodies on the outside pocket of your suitcase, easy access

Rule #4 Here is the big one if you are going away for more then a week, dont check your suit case. A) I hate getting to the airport early to check luggage, I hate having to wait for it when I get to my destination. That is if it arrives.

So UPS and DHL are wonderful companies pack up those extra closes you wont need for the first 3 days and ship them to your desination. Whether its a hotel or aunt janes it will get there. Ship it a couple days before you leave and it will be there waiting for you. You insure the package so if they do lose it you can get your money and get new items, good luck trying to do that with the airlines. But biggest thing 98% of the time your package will get there safely, you didnt have to wait in line to check luggage, you didnt have to lug it around and you didnt have to wait for it to get off the plane.

This wont be you......

Here's to a stress free Holiday Traveling Season. My box went out today to my fathers and I will be there tonight.  

The best way to “play it safe” is to actually buy a home. Here’s why: studies show that

owning a home is the best way to build household wealth. The sooner a person owns a

home, the faster they begin to build up equity and wealth.

When you buy a home, you are also purchasing price stability, knowing that you will pay the

same monthly payment for the life of your 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage.

Now consider the current rental market. While home prices have been moderating, rents

continue to rise. Where is the economic security in not knowing how much your rent will

increase in the next three years? You don’t receive any tax benefits from paying rent, nor do

you accumulate any price appreciation, as you would if you owned a home of your own.

All of the economic fundamentals show that this is a good time to buy a home. And continuing

strength in rental demand signals that there is upward pressure on rental apartments. The

real risk isn’t in buying a home, it’s continuing to rent.

Seminole County is the smallest county in the State of Florida yet one of the wealthiest per capita. Seminole County is 298 SQ Miles. Between 2000-2006 the population has expanded by 11.4%. Most people travel approximately 27 minutes to work and the median household income is $50,842.

Seminole County is comprised of Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Winter Springs, Oviedo and Casselberry.

My home for the past 17+ years has been the wonderful town of Lake Mary. The past 10 years have been a rapid and huge expansion for this city. The city counselors for this area have had great concern as to how their bedroom community was developed and the types of businesses that were allowed into the area. With this concern they have helped keep Lake Mary as one of the most sought after location to live. Lake mary is now the epicenter of Florida's High Tech Corridor. Many leading edge companies have made Lake Mary their home. 

Besides a bustling economy, lake mary is lined with miles of nature trails, lakes, top rated schools and luxurious real estate, besides Lake Mary was ranked #4 in the countries top places to live.

So when you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Lake Mary or Seminole County make one call to Heather Joubran