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

Every wonder how you can bid on Foreclosure houses without bidding at the court room steps?

You have come to the right place. There will be a large auction coming to Central Florida April 13th. You can bid on nearly 100 homes in the Central Florida area. These homes can be previewd on April 5 and 6th from 1-3pm, but why wait til then?

These properties are on the market now and can be seen anytime with the assistant of a buyers agent. Want to make an offer before the rest of the bidding public has a chance? Pick up the phone and call me. I can help sort through the good investments from the the good priced homes (there is a difference).

If you would like to see a list of these properties contact me and I will email you a portfolio of these homes.

However if you are interested in the thrill of bidding I can still assist you. 

For information on buying or selling in Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County, new construction or Relocation services contact your Lake Mary Real Estate Agent Heather Joubran @ 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.

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

I know most first time home buyers have heard the rumors about tightening of the lending guidelines that no money down is gone, that if you go FHA you must have 3-5% down payment in addition to your closing costs. Well that is all true however there is a great program out there called Nehemiah. The good lenders, realtors and builders are using it every day to help first time home buyers purchase their first home and get around having to have excess funds for a down payment.

So what is this Nehemiah you ask? Glad you asked.

Nehemiah exists for one simple purpose: helping people become homeowners. The Nehemiah Program® provides gift funds for downpayment and closing costs to qualified buyers using any loan program that allows for downpayment assistance from a non-profit organization. Nehemiah has helped more than 250,000 individuals and families realize their dream of homeownership.

• Gift Funds up to 6% of the sales price to be applied to your downpayment and closing costs. This means you can buy a home with little or no cash of your own.
• No repayment of gift funds. That’s right, it is truly a gift.
• No geographical restrictions. Nehemiah gift funds can be used to purchase a home in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
• New or resale homes are eligible. You are not limited in your selection of a home. New home, resale home, condominium, duplex or townhomes are eligible.

If you have been thinking about purchasing your first home in Central Florida I can help. I have aligned myself with top lenders who know the ins and outs of this program and together we can help you realize your dream of owning real estate with little money upfront.

For information on buying or selling in Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County, new construction or Relocation services contact your Lake Mary Real Estate Agent Heather Joubran @ 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.

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

I recently read and article on what sellers are doing to get their homes sold. I know here in Central Florida we have in excess of a 34 month supply of resale homes, these numbers do not take into consideration new construction. So what have these frustrated home sellers resorted to doing? Home sellers are trying an array of techniques to sell their slow-moving homes.

Bob and Ricki Husick sold their suburban Pittsburgh home by offering to give back the buyer's purchase price upon their death. The Husicks also offered to throw in the couple's retirement home in Arizona if the buyers would agree to care for the Husicks in their old age.

In Colorado, J.J. Rodgers has launched an essay contest. So far, she has received more than 500 essays - accompanied by a $100 entry fee - explaining why the writer should win her four-bedroom home. Rodgers hopes to get a total of 2,000 entries or $200,000 in fees.

Here in Orlando a builder is raffling off his million dollar home. He is selling tickets for $100 and at the end of the raffle one luckily ticket holder will walk away with a new home.

Daniel Lasnick, a real-estate attorney in Stamford, Conn., recommends discussing deals involving quirky incentives with a real-estate lawyer. Depending on the incentive, a side agreement may be needed. Some people think the weird incentives are unlikely to have much impact. "People are offering all kinds of goofy things to get their houses sold, but what gets a house sold really is going to be based on price and price alone."

For information on buying or selling in Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County, new construction or Relocation services contact your Lake Mary Real Estate Agent Heather Joubran @ 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.

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

Just recently Forbes published the top ten cleanest cities in America. Of the 10 cities 4 of them were located right here in the Sunshine state of Florida.

Orlando ranked number 4 on the list, just behind Miami and Jacksonville.

I guess Orlando isnt just about Disney or Tourism, we care about our enviroment and can boost some of the cleanest air in the country. Orlando scores big on ozone and air pollution levels.

For information on buying or selling in Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County, new construction or Relocation services contact your Lake Mary Real Estate Agent Heather Joubran @ 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.

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

Orlando Home Buyer magazine has just come out with the top communities to purchase a home in 2008. These communities were selected on a variety of reasons. Ranging from Planning to amenities to Value and Quality. 

Best Boutique Community is Grande Oaks at Heathrow located in Lake Mary, FL.

A townhome community with a total of 314 units. Ranging in price from $290,000-$490,000.  Amenities include lake front clubhouse, pool, spa, fitness center, play park and walking trails. Why we like this community it's location in the prestigious Heathrow, Seminole county schools, heavy amenities, adjacency to employment and retail centers. Convenient to major roadways such as I-4 and 417.

Best Established community is Lake Forest located in Sanford, FL

A single family community with 732 homes. Amenities include, clubhouse, junior Olympic pool, lighted tennis courts, boat docks, walking trails, white sand beaches and manned gated entry. Don't miss this opportunity to own one of the last remaining custom homesites in the highly desirable Seminole county. Homesite prices start at $199,9000 or resale homes start at $318,000. Parents will be pleased to know that Seminole High School, the school for which Lake Forest is zoned, was recently named "Best High School in Seminole County" by newsweek magazine.  Why we like this neighborhood established neighborhood, beautiful natural setting, heavy amenities, stunning lake views and top custom builders.

For information on buying or selling in Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County, new construction or Relocation services contact your Lake Mary Real Estate Agent Heather Joubran @ 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.

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

Once a haven for artists, writers and some of the most influential families in the country, Winter Park was promoted in the late 1800s as a refuge for "the cultured and wealthy." those early boosters would almost certainly be pleased to see how it all turned out.

Today, the city is home to 70 parks and nearly as many oak trees as residents. It's eight square miles encompass lovely old homes, an upscale shopping district, a prestigious liberal arts college, a plethora of galleries and museums. The heart of Winter Park is Park Ave, stretching 10 blocks and boasting more then 100 shops, from upscale to chains to one-of-a-kind boutiques. The weekly Farmers Market is not to be missing. With tons of vendors and the famous plant guy everyone of all ages is bound to find something.

Real estate in Winter Park ranges in price from: $50,000 - $6,850,000

For information on buying or selling in Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County, new construction or Relocation services contact your Lake Mary Real Estate Agent Heather Joubran @ 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.

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

Lake Mary is one of Central Florida's hottest growth areas, thanks in large part to the persistence of Jeno Paulucci, a self-made millionaire who made his fortunes selling frozen Chinese food and then frozen pizza.

The city today sits at the epicenter of Florida's Hightech Corridor, which follows I-4 from Tampa through to Daytona Beach. Along the route, government and industry have joined forces to attract leading-edge companies in such fields as telecommunications, medical technology and microelectronics.  Lake Mary started as an isolated railroad station known as Bents which closed in 1910. Lake Mary is home to top rated schools, miles of bike paths and bustling shops, restaurants and movie theaters.

Prices of real estate in this area range from:$89,000 - $7,500,000

For information on buying or selling in Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County, new construction or Relocation services contact your Lake Mary Real Estate Agent Heather Joubran @ 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.

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

I just wanted to let everyone know that the epsidoe that I taped back in September of My House is Worth What is finally airing on HGTV, Tuesday March 18th at a 11 pm. I also recently was selected to tape an episdoe of House Hunters this past weekend. I had a great time filming both shows and look forward to the airing. 

Here is a clip from a news special I did Christmas of 2006 about first time home buyers

For information on buying or selling in Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County, new construction or Relocation services contact your Lake Mary Real Estate Agent Heather Joubran @ 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.

I have successfully helped over 100+ families buy or sell real estate visit Central Florida Luxury Estates or My First Real Estate

I recently had a deal that is to close on Tuesday. On Friday I get a very tearful call from my buyer stating that the bank purchasing her loan is not giving the final go ahead. She is receiving down payment assistance in the tune of $72,000. The lender stated we can only allow $40,000 or else we wont sign off. Now i know others in this area have received up to $120,000 and it hasnt been an issue, so why is Wells Fargo now having an issue? So I get on the phone with my lender, not the buyers lender and ask for help. This family that I have been working with are the sweetest family ever and I completely love them, I was bound and determined to see them own their first home. So back to my lender. She immediately jumped into mode. She stated the other lender was not processing the paper work right and that was why the bank was kicking it out. She called up the buyers lender and walked her through the process to get this deal done. She held her hand the whole way through and has helped this deal make it one step closer to closing on Tuesday. To her I am forever grateful. This wasnt even her deal and is making now money from this deal, but she had meet with these buyers before and well believes in giving her clients and Realtors stellar customer service.

So anyone in the Orlando area looking for a great mortgage lender who cares more about the customers and the service that they receive versus her bottom line, please contact Doreen. Let her know how you found her.

Doreen Hargreaves
Fidelity Mortgage Services
Mortgage Loan Specialist
407-399-7352 Direct
407-786-9500 Ext 225
407-786-9501 Fax

Doreen knows her stuff and has a level of customer service not found in todays world!!