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

After all these years Lake Mary High school is getting a pool. Why didn't they have a pool when I went there hmmm? The school board had delayed building the pool on fears of funding being cut, but now has the green light. The super intendent Bill Vogel is still against the pool but the board voted it in. It's a $2 million pool that is to be used by the school and the public. It's suppose to help spur the economy.

Not sure how that is going to spur things. Look at a majority of the homes in the immediate area of the school, they have their own pool. The only true benefit will be to the school, who in my opinion does not need it. See since the schools inception they have used the Lake Mary YMCA pool who is literally a few feet from the school. The YMCA in the past 5 years recently renovated their facilities. Other then the school saying they have a pool I dont see a huge benefit.

The booster club vows to contribute $100,000 towards the building of the pool and $50,000 a year in maintenance. They money could go for much better things. Now I wont lie that booster club at Lake Mary High School can raise some money even back in the day when I went. The city of Lake Mary will be kicking in $240,000. I think if they truly wanted to boost the economy by putting in a pool the city should have built it for $240,000 on city property.

That's just my 2 cents. I love Lake Mary and my alma matter of Lake Mary High School but I think this is one decision that wasnt in the best interest of the students.
 

You have heard it on the media, Home prices slashed! Purchase a $500,000 for $250,000. It's all over the media, spinning this hype that banks are just letting these homes go for pennies. The media is doing their job well, to spin hype and create commotion however their job is not selling real estate.

I am out there on the streets with clients viewing these homes and making offers, talking with other agents, banks and listing short sales myself. People listen to the Real Estate Professionals when they tell you asking the bank to take $30,000 of a price plus asking for $10,000 in closing costs assistance isnt going to fly. See the home original was purchased for $350,000 it went through the short sale process with no success. The bank took the home over, but first with some added costs to procure the property and now to maintain it. The appraisal comes back and says the home is worth $225,000 in todays market.

Well I guess the media has it right you just got a home for $125,000 off the inflated price. The home has been on the market for a few months and the bank wants to move the property so they have now priced the home below market value to $200,000 via some price reductions. You come in and think great I can offer $165,000 plus pay all my closing costs of $10,000 meaning you are really offering the bank $155,000. Think about it logically. If they just went a head and lowered the price $55,000 dont you think they would have a feeding frenzy? The bank wants to recoup as much of their already $150,000 lose as they can. While the bank is not in the business of owning real estate, they sure as heck arent in the business of welfare either.

When an agent tells you their honest opinions on what will work for you and what wont, listen. This is what they do as a profession,  they are on the streets day in and day out with others like yourself. This may be your first contract and deal in real estate or your 10th, but I guarantee your agent has written and negotiated way more contracts then you, if not time to get a new Realtor. 

Don't get me wrong some crazy deals happen on bank owned homes but most of those homes buyers dont want to deal with because they are in shambles, so those deals are left to the investors. With a bank owned property you are still getting a heck of a deal at least 10-15% below market value.

If you are in the market to purchase a home in the Orlando area, contact your Mentor of Real Estate, Heather Joubran.

I hope that you continue to come back to my blog or click to subscribe to my RSS feed

For information on buying, selling, or auctions in Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County, new construction, bank owned, short sale and foreclosure properties and Relocation services contact your Lake Mary Real Estate Agent Heather Joubran @ 407-810-6304 or hjoubran@remax.net.

There is no doubt it's a buyers market. Inventory levels have never been better, coupled with the best interest rates in years and you have the perfect synergy effect for home buyers. However, buyers beware just because you have the perfect conditions does not entitle you to unrealistic expectations. While this market gives you the opportunity to buy a house, it does not mean you get the Tasmajal on a Clampett budget (pre hitting oil).

While you might be able to afford more home, do you really need it? Will you use all those extra rooms? Do you have time to handle the landscaping and mowing or do you need to hire a lawn company and add more expense to your monthly budget? Majority of my business is helping guide first time home buyers through the process of purchasing a home and more importantly helping them figure out the important aspects of their lives and ensure their homes fits their needs.

One of my favorite sayings I tell people is "you cant change the lot, location or the layout" (ok with major renovations this can change). So dont always look at the cosmetics of the home, but rather does the location work for you, is it where you want to be? What about the lot? Lastly, does that layout give you goose bumps? Do you see yourself hosting a girls brunch on Sunday or having the guys over to watch the big game?

My job as an educator and as a licensed contractor is to help you see past those ugly cabinets and shag carpet that our grandparents had and turn it into a chic living space. Most my buyers often say but I barely have money for a down payment how could I possibly renovate a home? No problem when you work with an agent who has a passion for her profession. There are numerous different loan programs out there that can help make those renovation projects possible and you wont have two mortgage or payments.

If you are ready to purchase a home in the Orlando area and want an agent who is sought after for her knowledge by HGTV and will guide and educate you through the purchasing process call Heather the Realtor today at 407 810 6304 or email me at hjoubran@earthlink.net or better yet go to my First Time Home Buyers website and if you catch me online IM me.

A new addition has arrived in our household on January 2, 2009. A boy, 7 lbs, full of energy, long legs, a nub tail and endless love. You heard right a nub tail. On Friday my boyfriend and I went to the Orange County Animal Services to adopt a cat as my Christmas present. He is a great 8 month old what looks like a manx but I will get verification tomorrow when he makes his first visit to the vet. I have chosen the Downtown Orlando Pet Hospital after visiting their site. They even make house calls.

After a few days of observation we came up with the regal name of Hamilton, like Alexander Hamilton. Plus we paid just shy of $50 for him so it just seemed fitting. He has his quirks, but is the most loving cat I have ever had. He also has legs like a jack rabbit the longest I have ever seen on a cat. I feel good too know we are giving him a palace he can call his own, that he is no longer on the streets, stuck in a cage and has a family to call his own. As we speak he is sprawled across my lap with his arm on me, passed out.

The shelters and human society were flooded with people this holiday season and the Sanford shelter actually did not have any cats available. I was tickled to hear that, but just hope people dont regret their present decisions and return the pets. I look forward to working with my new business partner Hamilton in 2009.