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

Most of you that already live in the Lake Mary area have watched the construction along Markham Woods rd near the corner of Lake Mary Blvd. Some of us have even pulled over in awe of these Luxurious homes. Well your chance will soon be here to tour these homes or better yet if you are looking to purchase these homes are available and I can help you will additional information on each home available.

These homes feature amenties such as bowling alleys, resort style lagoon pools, butlers kitchens and luxury master suites. There will be 3 homes featured. Homes range from 10,000 to 17,000 sq ft and are priced up to $8.5 Million. Lake Club is a private enclave or large estate lots located across from Alaqua Lakes.  The 2008 street of dreams will take place April 26th-June 8th. Tickets will be $15 on weekends and $13 during the week.

For information on buying or selling in Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County real estate, new construction or Relocation services contact your Lake Mary Real Estate Agent  @ 407-810-6304 or hjoubran@remax.net  Seminole County consists of Lake Mary, Sanford, Heathrow, Longwood, Altamonte springs, Winter Springs, Oviedo. Orange County consists of Orlando, Downtown Orlando, Baldwin Park, Windermere, Apopka, Winter Park, Maitland, Disney, UCF, East Orlando, Lake Nona. I can help you with all your housing needs from Luxury Homes to First Time Home Buyers. services contact Heather Joubran, your

To learn more about Heather Joubran and her success helping families, visit her profile & CentralFloridaLuxuryEstates.com.

I have successfully helped over 100+ families buy or sell real estate.

On January 24, 2008 the city of Lake Mary had a grand opening of the all new Lake Mary Event Center. The event center is the center jewel in the all new downtown redevelopment. The center is an ideal location for business meetings, weddings, banquets and parties. The center is over 19,000 square feet and has stunning views of Crystal Lake. In addition to the large square footage of this facility there is an event lawn and ceremony site with abundant landscaping making it perfect for any outdoor functions. They also have catering services available. If you are interested in having a guided tour of the facility go to www.lakemaryeventscenter.com. I must say this is one of the most beautiful buildings and locations I have seen and it's in our own backyard here in Lake Mary, FL. Here is just another reason why real estate in Lake Mary, FL is sought after.

For information on buying or selling in Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County real estate, new construction or Relocation services contact your Lake Mary Real Estate Agent  @ 407-810-6304 or hjoubran@remax.net  Seminole County consists of Lake Mary, Sanford, Heathrow, Longwood, Altamonte springs, Winter Springs, Oviedo. Orange County consists of Orlando, Downtown Orlando, Baldwin Park, Windermere, Apopka, Winter Park, Maitland, Disney, UCF, East Orlando, Lake Nona. I can help you with all your housing needs from Luxury Homes to First Time Home Buyers. services contact Heather Joubran, your

To learn more about Heather Joubran and her success helping families, visit her profile & CentralFloridaLuxuryEstates.com.

I have successfully helped over 100+ families buy or sell real estate.

Are you looking for a luxury estate in the Lake Mary area? Are you looking for that amazing deal?

Look no further all of these properties are either in foreclosure or are bank owned.

These banks dont want to own these properties so here is your chance for a luxury home in Lake Mary, FL.

If you want more information on any of these homes please contact, Heather Joubran at 407-810-6304 or hjoubran@remax.net

Absolutely magnificent South Isle waterfront in Lake Forest. Custom built w/5BR & 4.5BA with 5,396 sq ft.

Beautiful landscaped setting for this charming 4/3 + Bonus, located in Heathrow. Just shy of 3,000 sq ft 

This elegant two-story home is located in the desirable East Camden section of Heathrow and offers 4,473 square feet of living space with 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and 2 half baths. The first floor master suite has a fireplace.

Fabulous custom built " Brentwood " home 4 bedrooms 3 baths, office/library plus bonus room on one level 3,500 sq ft located in Magnolia Plantation in Lake Mary, FL

5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Bathrooms over 3,900 sq ft. Appraised at one time for $1,150,000. Desirable Markham Woods area, this Magnolia Plantation home is ready go!

Former Irvin Construction model home 4 Bedrooms 3.5 Bathrooms over 4,100 sq ft located in Carisbrooke in Sanford, FL 

This custom built Signature home exudes elegance and sophistication, 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Bathrooms, 4,200 sq ft located in Alaqua Lakes in Lake Mary, FL 

Looking for bank owned or pre foreclosure homes? I service all of Central Florida and can provide you with a custom list of these houses. 

So you want to know what the real estate market looks like. Well the numbers are now available.

Inventory increases as sellers who waited out the holidays place their homes on the market

The multi-month decline in the number of homes available for purchase in the Orlando area reversed its trend in January, when 1,426 homes were added to the inventory. January historically sees an upward spike in inventory as a result of owners who hold out until after the holidays to put their homes on the market, explains the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.

The median sales price of a single-family home in the Orlando area in January 2008 dropped in one month by 1.22 percent ($2,750), from $225,000 in December 2007 to $222,250. The median sales price for January 2008 is 11.06 percent below that of January 2007 ($249,900).

The decrease in the median home price to $222,250 means that the area’s affordability index continues to improve – in January 2008 the index jumped again, to 104.9 percent. (An affordability index of 99 percent means that buyers earning the state-reported median income are 1 percent short of the income necessary to purchase a median-priced home. Conversely, an affordability index that is over 100 means that median-income earners make more than is necessary to qualify for a median-priced home.) Buyers who earn the reported median income of $51,392 can qualify to purchase one of 7,713 homes in Orange and Seminole counties currently listed in the local multiple listing service (MLS) for $233,140 or less.

The first time homebuyer affordability index climbed in January as well, to 74.6.

The number of sales in the Orlando area declined by 48.54 percent in January 2008 compared to January of last year (756 to 1,469), and the number of sales that took place in January 2008 also decreased over the number of sales that occurred in December 2007 (1,076). The number of homes under contract increased from December to January by more than 200.

Homes of all types spent an average of 120 days on the market before being sold in January 2008; the average home sold for 94.21 percent of its original asking price. In December those numbers were 113 and 92.75 percent, respectively.

The majority of single-family homes (142) that changed hands in January 2008 were sold for between $200,000 and $250,000. Another 85 homes sold in January for between $250,000 and $300,000. Two hundred sixteen homes sold for less than $200,000 in January, and 186 sold for more than $300,000. On the far ends of the scale, 18 homes were sold for $1 million or more while only four homes sold for less than $50,000.

Inventory

There are currently 25,724 homes available for purchase through the MLS. Inventory increased by 1,426 homes in January 2008, which means that 1,426 more homes entered the market than left the market. During the holidays, inventory had remained steady and even dropped by as much as 1,874 homes in one month (December). Compared to last year, the January 2008 inventory level (25,724) is 21.00 percent higher than it was in January 2007 (21,266).

The inventory level reflects a 34.03-month supply at the current pace of sales.

• Price: "Price solves everything. Price is always king. Price solves location problems. You can have a train running through the back yard and if the home is priced with that in mind, it will sell. (Im not so sure about that, not when buyers have thousands of homes to choose from)
• Entice Realtors with money: Increase Realtors' commission and offer selling bonuses. "So if you're going to be offering your listing to the Realtor population, you want to offer them something to get them to show your listing over the competition – and it's money.(Sad to say but true)
  
• Entice buyers with money: Help pay buyers closing costs "Most buyers today are struggling to get the down payment, to get another 3 to 6 percent for closing costs -- they don’t have it. So somebody has to pay for it in order to get it done. (Great incentive to offer)
  

• Avoid custom upgrades: Wine cellars and saunas might sound good for you, but not for others.
• Don't over-expand: It's not worth outdoing neighbors with additions unless you plan to stay put for a long time.
• Avoid changing a room's function: Keep kitchens as kitchens, and bathrooms as bathrooms. They were built that way for a reason.
• Don't neglect maintenance: Clean the gutters, trim shrubs, check for termites. Annual maintenance pays back when you sell.
• Have a home inspection: Having a home inspection and repairing those items upfront will mean no surprises to the buyer and most likely will help the home show better.

I find that most buyers today are looking for a home that they can move in without having to lift a finger to make any improvements. TV has brought us the designer dream homes, designing on a dime and trading houses. It’s a whole new world full of ideas for today’s homeowner. For the luxury buyer…there is always the hired help. For those of you who can’t afford hired help, here are some great suggestions for the weekend home repair warrior.

According to Cecilia Sherrard with RISMEDIA, the following are the top things you can finish over a weekend.

1. Replace Old Knobs and Door Handles. This is an easy, inexpensive way to dress up or change the look of doors, cabinets, and more. Many homes in the Cleveland Ohio area are older and have outdated hardware. These small changes can actually transform the look and style of your home. Whether you choose vintage glass, shiny metal or even rustic wood, installing these new knobs and handles can add to the value of your home, as well. Don’t overlook the hinges! If you can’t quite get to those now, but have a squeaky door, try spraying the hinges with a cooking spray like Pam. It works!

2. Install a Greenhouse Window. A beautiful addition to any room in the home, a greenhouse window will allow you to grow flowers, herbs and other plants even during the winter! Replacing a regular window with a greenhouse window adds dimension, light and display space while eliminating clutter. Available at home supply stores, they come with many options including granite finishes and glass shelves.

3. Paint, Paint, Paint! Painting can instantly change your home’s look and feel. Don’t limit your color change to just your walls - an updated color on furniture or cabinetry can really spice things up, as well. Play with new colors, patterns and techniques. Don’t be afraid of going bold; remember, if you don’t like the way the color looks, you can always paint over it! There’s a wall, trim or doorway in everyone’s home that could use some paint or freshening. Cheap and easy, get to work!

4. Replace Builder Lighting or Outdated Fixtures with remote ceiling fans. Not only will it save energy and keep your air circulating, it will add appeal, value and enhance the beauty of a room and pull your entire decor together from the floor up. Ceiling fans today are modern, fun, classy and relatively easy to install. They come with directions and there’s help online. If you purchase one in a home improvement store the sales people will help you as well! Make sure you call on their advice and expertise, that’s what they’re there for!

5. Work on your closets and cabinets. Most homeowners have secrets hiding in their closets and cabinetry. The closet is the least looked at part of the home and there we tend to find cracking or peeling paint, old contact paper and clutter! How about taking a few hours and organize, adding new shelves, hooks or hardware and giving yourself more room by throwing out or donating some of the items you think one day you’ll use but haven’t in a decade!

6. Don’t forget your home’s air quality. Change your furnace filter! You can add a couple of dryer sheets to the new one to add a cheap and whole-house air freshener. Remove your vents and soak them in a hot bleach bath while you vacuum inside to remove dust and build up. Clean the hard to reach spots in your home that you don’t get to often. Behind entertainment centers, baseboards, behind heavy furniture and under beds. Removing dust in the home can make it smell better and create a healthier environment!

These fun projects are a great way to pass the time this winter, not to mention the way they’ll quickly improve the look and value of your home!

So if you are thinking about selling your home or condo in Lake Mary, Longwood, Sanford, Debary, Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Winter Park, Winter Springs, Downtown Orlando or Baldwin Park call Heather Joubran at 407-810-6304 or email me at hjoubran@remax.net Before listing your house I can help you decide what items will need to be repaired or suggest tips of what could help your home sell faster and avoid unnecessary headaches.

Are you facing a job transfer or looking to move to warmer weather or maybe it's to be closer to family? Whatever your reasons for moving to the Orlando area it's important to work with a Realtor, but not just any Realtor. You deserve to have an agent that has experience in Relocation and who has helped other families like yourself, relocate. When moving from the other side of the state or the other side of the country there is a lot more involved in your decision making, the help needed to get your family situated and the exact timing that is needed in the transaction of leaving your current home to closing on your new home.

One of the key features when relocating with Children are the schools. How good are they, how do they compare to where my child has come from, what programs do they offer and what do the parents who's children currently attend think of the school. I have worked for years in the Seminole County Public schools system, both at local schools and in the school board itself. I also have access to one of the best and most comprehensive sites for school related information, including parent, student and teacher reviews.  Moving can be stressful for some kids. I can provide you with a dvd on how to help your children adjust to a new move and a big move. 

Not sure your new job's salary will afford you the same lifestyle you are currently accustom too? Want to know if the recreational actives you like are available in this area, or want an insiders tips? I can help with all of your needs. I have served over 20 families in the past 2 years who relocated to the Central Florida area, most coming from out of state. Many of their testimonials are available for you or simply talk to them yourself.

So whether you are looking to move to Lake Mary, Heathrow, Sanford, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Winter Park, Winter Springs, Orlando, Baldwin Park, Lake Nona, Downtown Orlando and beyond I can assist you. 

TESTIMONIALS

Put forth courteous & professional assistance as well as long hours to accommodate our relocation. I would recommend Heather because of her devotion and helpfulness.
~ T. Smith, Heathrow

My wife and I relocated to Florida from Wisconsin in mid-February of this year for employment opportunities and this was a major decision for us. We were first contacted by Heather in early January to offer her assistance in finding a home in our relocation. Heather was very friendly and went out of her way through emails and phone calls to get to know us and understand exactly what we were looking for. My wife and I were both working fulltime and it was difficult to get in touch during work hours. Heather made it a point to be available outside of normal business hours to assist us. She worked diligently with us to get a thorough understanding of what type of home we wanted, what location would work best for us, and what we could afford. She found many properties for us to look at and sent us information through email. She worked with us to narrow down the properties we were interested in and made arrangements to visit prior to our house hunting trip.

Heather picked us up at the hotel we were staying at in Orlando and was prepared with a packet of information of all the properties we were going to visit that day. That day she took us around to all the properties and gave us a great feeling for the different towns and what they had to offer, knowledgeable on what there is to din in the area and was willing to share that with us. After a few days we found the property we loved, she took us to lunch and we wrote the contract. Upon returning to Wisconsin, Heather was in constant contact with us to answer any questions we had.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Heather for all the work she did to help us find our home, which is a very important part of moving to a new place. She helped take away some of the stresses making such a big move. She was excellent to work with and we couldn’t have asked for anything more. We will definitely recommend her to family and/or friends that may be looking to buy/sell properties in the future.
~ R. Eidemiller, Altamonte Springs

As a first time home buyer and relocating from Atlanta it was important to find a Realtor that would go the extra mile. Heather Joubran proved to be this agent. I greatly enjoyed working with Heather she had endless energy and personality and was always available to answer all my questions. Heathers greatest strengths are her knowledge of the Central Flordia area and the resale and new construction home market. Heather was there to do all the legwork for me and educated me every step of the way. I look forward to working with her again.
~ G. Degenhardt, Orlando