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

I recently helped a customer of mine pick up 2 bank owned properties in the Orlando area. These are his first investment properties and with my help as a Realtor and General Contractor he decided to take the plunge.

The first one is a great house in Northwest Orlando. The home was in a generally really good condition, however the previous owner decided the bathrooms and kitchen were two nice to leave behind. This great home is over 1500 sq ft, 3 generously sized bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, screened in pool and 1/4 acre yard. The A/C units are only a few years old and the bones in great condition according to the inspector. I found this gem and negotiated an amazing deal for him. 

This week he will be installing new bathrooms and kitchen (with all stainless steel appliance) as well as having the house overhauled with new flooring, fresh paint inside, pool & patio cleaning, new light fixtures installed and landscaping. The property should be ready in a few weeks for purchase.

 

For more information on this property or to purchase orlando investment property please send me an email at Heather@HeatherTheRealtor.com

 

 

I specialize in working with First Time Home Buyers and have heard this line time and time again. I love the house, everything is perfect, but "I just purchased a new_____ (bed, table, couch) and it wont fit in the _________ (bedroom, dining room, living room)" You fill in the blanks, but either way you fill it in, it's still the same sad excuse. 

Part of my job as a buyers agent for First time home buyers is to help educate you and help you see past the little hurdles that often times hinders buyers from purchasing the right home. Your furniture is not part of the buying process. Stick to your needs and wants list. I understand you recently purchased a new oversize couch and that you are proud and happy of this purchase because it's your first real piece of furniture. It's not a couch that was given to you by a friend or relative that has seen many bad nights in your dorm or apartment. 

There are certain things that can be changed in life, flooring, paint, furniture, boyfriends/girlfriends, all can be easily changed. However the lot that a home sits on, the location of the neighborhood and the overall layout of the home are not readily changeable. These items should be first priority to fit your needs list. Remember this is a place that you are going to rest your head for the next few years and in my opinion your plan should be for at least 5 years. 

So if your plan is a 5 year one do you think that couch you purchased will still be with you in 5 years or will you change your mind? Will you then be disappointed by your home purchase based around an easily disposable piece of furniture?  My suggestion leave your furniture out of the decision making process. If your furniture wont work, surf your way over to craigslist and make a little extra cash.Don’t go furniture shopping the day after you move in.  Upgrade it later on once you have lived in the home for a little time.  You can have empty rooms for a while, no one is going to yell at you. Save up until you can afford what you actually want instead of buying furniture just to fill a room. In the end you will be much happier with your decision and calling your house a home. 


***TIP: Buyer's Agent is an agent that represents the buyer in the transaction, looking out for your best interest. Buyer's Agents are FREE to use. We get paid by the seller's and dont get paid until you have successful purchased your first home. Make sure to always have a buyers agent. ***


Looking for a Buyer's Agent to help you purchase your first home around the Orlando area? Contact me today to implement my 5 step process to purchasing your first home.

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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 Orlando & Lake Mary Real Estate Agent Heather Joubran @ 407-810-6304 or Heather@HeatherTheRealtor.com.

Orlando Bank Owned Home For Sale Near the Airport! Bank is installing a brand new kitchen and bathroom in this charming house. Perfect starter home or would make a great investment property with positive ROI. For more information on this property please read below or contact me at Heather@HeatherTheRealtor.com

What? You heard me right, there will be ice skating in Downtown Orlando at Lake Eola. I couldnt be more excited. I figured skated when I was younger for 4 years and I live on Lake Eola. I will spend the 9 days that the ice rink will be set up on the ice. 

What could be better spending a beautiful Florida day on an outdoor ice rink. I hope to see you there. 

 

The rink will be located at Lake Eola on the International Bridge next to the Farmer's Market location at the corner of Central Blvd. and Osceola Avenue. Tickets are $7 with a $3 skate rental.

Schedule
December 11 - Sunday, December 20, 2009 
Weekdays: 12pm-8pm 
Weekends: 10am-10pm 

 

 

This blog is part of a monthly series about the foreclosure market in the Orlando area. My goal is to keep area home owners and buyers educated on how the REO market is recovering or if it is and what deals are out there for both First Time Home Buyers and Investors. Click the link to see Orlando's October Foreclosure Numbers.

 

 

Area Number of Homes

Florida 56,052 Bank Owned Homes in the State of Florida

Orange Co 4,727 Bank Owned Homes in Orange County

Seminole Co 790    Bank Owned Homes in Seminole County

 

 

These numbers are said to be accurate as of 11/28/09 12:08 pm

 

 

Phew it's been a year of hard work and dedication to not only myself but to my clients and my business. Through that hard work and dedication I have been able to achieve RE/MAX's coveted Platinum Club Status.

I wasnt sure if I would be able to do it but with 40 days left in the year, it's official! I want to give a big Thank You to all my customers who continue to refer me to their friends and family and who allowed me to help them with their biggest and most special financial purchase in one's life.

It's been an honor working with and building relationships with each and everyone of you and I look forward to many more great years to come!

 

My grandmother always said when the streets run red with blood buy buy buy! Now is the time people, a down market is a great time to purchase, the sad part is most people do it backwards and jump on the band wagon when things are good and get into bad situations. Take advantage of this down market and invest in your future, plus for most of you Uncle Sam is giving out FREE money.

 

 

This month we have had the pleasure of helping many buyers purchase their first home to investment properties. As an reo listing agent I have the insider tips and tricks it takes to get my buyers deals accepted on bank owned homes in the Orlando area. Let's take a look at the amazing deals this past month that my buyers have had the opportunity in purchasing. Values represent homes in their current condition.

 

Address Purchase Price List Price Appraised Value

Beechdale Ct  $50,000 $67,500 $85,000

  Sugar Bend Dr    $18,000 $30,000

Belhaven Dr $200,000 $200,000 $222,000

S Old Mill Dr $130,000 $135,000 $137,000

Cunningham Dr $38,000 $39,000 $46,750

 

 

If you are ready to purchase your first home or investment property allow Heather Joubran and her team at Heather The Realtor show you how they cannot not only get you the best deal on a bank owned home, but get that deal accepted. We have a long list of REO/ Bank Owned Properties in our own inventory for quick purchase too!

 

 

 

As a first time home buyer there are generally many stresses that come along with purchasing that first home, almost like planning a wedding. You want everything to be perfect, you want the whole thing to be beautifully orchestrated and when it's not just right, when one little thing goes slightly in the wrong direction first time home buyers tend to freak out and go into panic mode.

With the right Buyer's Agent in your corner this shouldnt be the issue. The Realtor is there to help asses your fears and the situation and disseminate the problem. A good agent often times wont even let you know the hurdles or problems that occurred just like a good wedding planner. 

 

So here are some tips from working with hundreds of first time home buyers like yourself that might help calm your fears or anxiety.

1. Take a deep breath and step back for a second. There will most likely be a few events that arise in the process of purchasing your first time home that feel like major hurdles or road blocks. Remember when you have a good agent that is what they get paid to do is take care of those speed bumps and get you towards your finish line. So take a deep breath, now if your agent sucks completely freak out and RUN! (just kidding)

2. If you are unsure about a step in the home buying process or just want affirmation on purchasing your Orlando home ASK dont be afraid to speak up and say I dont understand or could you affirm something has been done, when will or should this take place. Sometimes even the best of agents can forget to mention something or often get caught up in their day to day Real Estate lingo and might say something you dont quite understand.

Remember no two deals are alike but your Orlando Buyers Agent has the training and knowledge to get you through your hurdles and on your way to home ownership. So it's important to not just choose any agent. It's important to interview the agent make sure you guys are going to mess and even throw in a scenario or two to see how that agent might react. You are spending your hard earned money on your new home and want to make sure your agent is working hard for you!

 

 

Heather Joubran   407-810-6304   Heather@HeathertheRealtor.com  www.HeatherTheRealtor.com

Just listed a new investment property in Clermont on the shores of Lake Minneola. This great REO property has 7 buildings and 9 rental units ranging from 1/1 to 2/1 units. All units have fresh paint and new carpet. In the past the 2/1 units have rented for as much as $1000/mo however a more realistic average is $600. Property is also a great investment for later tear down and rebuild as most homes that sit along this shore are million dollar properties.

This bank owned property is listed at $425,000 and the bank is looking for an offer. If you are looking for a 10% cap rate then this is the property for you.

 

Contact me for more information   Heather@HeatherTheRealtor.com  or 407 810 6304  or visit www.HeatherTheRealtor.com

 Have you dreamed about living in Oviedo? Looking for new construction? 

New Construction Town Homes in Oviedo for less then you pay in rent.

I have negotiated a deal with a local builder who is trying to sell off their inventory right here in Oviedo. There is a limited quantity of these units availble at this pre-negotiated price. These are NOT condo conversions and are newly built town homes.

Community features a pool and playground, easy access to 417, UCF and all that Oviedo has to offer.

All monthly payments include (HOA, Taxes, interest, insurance and mortgage principle), all you need is $6000 to move in. Or better yet qualify for a $5000/$7500 free government Bond Down Payment Program. With this home purchase you qualify for the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit available to Oviedo First Time Home Buyers.

 

Unit A   3 Bedrooms/2.5 Bathrooms  1 Car Garage - Covered Patio, 42" Cherry Cabinets, Silestone Countertops, SS appliances $162,900 or $1397/mo

 

Oh yeah forgot to mention.... ALL CLOSING COSTS PAID 

 Using the bond program and closing cost assistance it's possible to move into this home for as little as $1700 and get $8000 back from the Government

If you are an Oviedo First Time Home Buyer looking for a steal of a deal, then look no further, contact me today and start packing!

Heather Joubran   407-810-6304   Heather@HeathertheRealtor.com  www.HeatherTheRealtor.com