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

Ask yourself why havent you bought a home and what's holding you back. Maybe I can answer some of those reasons. 

1) I pay $1000 a month in rent could I really get a place for less then what I paying in rent?

First time home buyers do I have a treat for you. Fantastic deals on new construction town homes in Lake Mary and Sanford. I can get you into these places for as little as $850 a month (payment includes: mortgage payment, interest, hoa, taxes & insurance). That's right less then what most people pay for rent. 

2) I dont have money for a down payment or I do have the money but then wont have anything else.

Dont have money for a down payment no problem, ask friends, family, church members for a small gift of less then $4500. Or better yet take advantage of the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit. Have the money in the bank but dont want to depliete your funds. With the tax credit not only will you be able to put the money back in your account, paying nothing for your home, but you will also make another $3500 you didnt have before.

3) I want my first home to have granite counter tops, a garage, all new appliances, upgraded flooring and a patio for entertaining. Oh yeah and in a great location, bet you can't do that.

Done, Done and Done. The deals I have negotiated with local builders will get you all of the above and for less then rent.

Paying your mortgage is no different then paying rent every month, except your landlord is making money off of you, instead of you investing in yourself.

If you are ready to make the move to purchase your first home I can help. I specialize in working with first time home buyers and have many references from past clients like you, all of which would be happy to speak with you about their experience with me and helping them purchase their first home.

You can reach me at Heather@heathertherealtor.com (watch for the new site coming in March) or text/call me at 407-810-6304 or Lake Mary First Time Home Buyers hop online to Im me.

You have probably heard about the first time home buyer credit. The old rules were you received $7500 tax credit that needed to be repaid over 15 years on your taxes. To me that's a interest free loan versus a true credit. Well home buyers you asked for it and now we have it.

If you are a first time home buyer and purchase prior to December 1, 2009 you will received $8000 in free money. That's right free, no repayment.* Now you are probably thinking I dont want to have to wait until I file my taxes next year to get that $8000. Even better news, you dont have to.

That's right if you have purchased the home prior to April 15, 2009 you can contact a CPA to have them amend your 2008 taxes and get you that $8000 as soon as you close on your new home. Already purchased a home this year and need help amending your 2008 taxes? Contact Gail Joubran your Orlando CPA, Certified Public Accountant at beancounter15@hotmail.com or 407-324-6181

So lets see what can you do with that $8000 of free money, purchase furniture for your new home, remodel the new home, go on a trip, borrow money from your parents for a down payment and repay them right away with your tax credit. Want more creative ways on how to apply this $8000 to lower your payments on your new home? Then contact your Orlando & Lake Mary area First Time Home Buyer Specialist, Heather Joubran Heather@heathertherealtor.com or call at 407-810-6304.

* You must keep the home for 3 years otherwise you must repay the funds.

As a first time home buyer specialist I can help you find down payment assistance, find that perfect financing that meets your needs and find that perfect house to call your first home. 

Remember that feeling of scoring the winning goal, or Acing that mid-term. Today I had that feeling when I triumphed over the builder in negotiations for my buyers today. My buyers were out this weekend viewing townhomes in Sanford and Lake Mary and told me which development was their favorite and which unit they wanted. They spoke the builders rep and received information on pricing and units available. The builder tried to tell them they would receive a better deal not using their Realtor (me), but they didnt listen.

They contacted me and told me what it would take to make them happy and get them into that home. And being the ball buster that I am I got them just that deal and they couldnt be more excited. The builder offered to take $6000 off the price and pay $9000 in their closing costs. Bringing the price from $160,730 to $154,730. In my negotiations, which consisted of only 2 calls to the manager to get the deal done. I helped achieve home ownership for my buyers by getting them a deal of $151,500, all closing costs paid($9000+), plus got them to throw in a brand new washer and dryer and refrigerator which wasnt included before. Oh and I didnt have to cut my commission. All parties involved are happy.

Keep in mind the builders agents insisted since they were doing a sales promotion that weekend and they couldnt do anything better then what they were offering. In the end I saved them an additional $3300 on price then what the builder would have offered them without me, all new appliances and all closing costs paid!

In the end after the buyers left I had the agent tell me "I never dealt with an agent who was such a tough knuckled negotiator." Made my day to see my clients happy and to score the winning goal.

If you are thinking about purchasing a new construction home from a builder in Orange or Seminole County remember to use the services of an agent, that the builder will never give you a better deal when not using a Realtor. Make sure that Realtor has a track history of scoring their buyers deals and has the skills and determination to get you there.

Looking for something to do on Saturday, Febraury 28? Visit Mead Gardens in Winter Park, FL for the Annual Great Duck Derby.

The Great Duck Derby will feature a series of rubber duck races and a full day of family activities sponsored by the City of Winter Park and the Friends of Mead Garden. Anyone can participate by purchasing a rubber duck.

Prizes will be awarded for the swiftest ducks. In addition, a full day of family activities will take place at every point in the Garden including...garden-wide scavenger hunt, artists-at-easels painting and selling their work, musical performances and animal encounters at the outdoor amphitheater, “Duck-o-Ration” duck painting for the children, hayrides, extraordinary plants for sale, enchanted walkabout tours.

Sounds like a great day of fun for the whole family, hope to see you there.

Ok so maybe I am partial since my boyfriend is one of the masterminds behind this site, but it's one of the most amazing sites and I think you will really like it. Even though you may have seen it before you have never seen the site like this.

Go visit the all new Smokey Bones Website.

This past Friday I had a chance to visit my favorite sub shop, Jimmy Johns. Jimmy Johns recently opened their newest location in Downtown Orlando in the old Rythm and Flow building on the corner of Central and Orange ave. For years this has been one of my favorite lunch spots in Michigan and I am happy to see it just a few blocks from my house.

If you visit Jimmy Johns during the business lunch time you will see a line down the block of hungry patrons, but dont let that scare you. In a matter of 5 minutes or less you will place your order and have your sub made to your specifications, order completed correctly and with a friendly smile. Gives a feeling of being in a New York deli. It's my favorite place for a quick and great lunch. Sorry subway step aside.

If you are looking for a new place to eat in Downtown Orlando make sure to check out Jimmy Johns Subs.

This is a story of a Sanford area Short Sale that went arye. I have been working with a great couple. They are newly weds and newly expecting. This couple found their dream home in downtown Sanford historic district. A stunning 3 story home full of charm and history built in 1901. At the time the list price was $165,000 and had been on the market almost a year. It needs work but has huge potential.

Buyer's just because the house is listed at one price and you offer full price this means absolutely nothing. The bank did not set the price and rarely ever do in the short sale process.

We made a full price offer on this Sanford Short Sale and willing to wait the long haul, unfortunately the agent doesnt have the buyers sign the contract which means the house remains on the market to amass more buyers. They then lowered the home to $139,000 and received too much interest so put the price back to $165,000.

I had explained to them short sales are anything but short and often times takes months just to receive an answer, but this house was so perfect for them that they were willing to wait. So we did just that, we waited and waited and waited some more. Through numerous bpo's and asset managers. Finally the day came last week over 4 months after our initial offer was placed.

In some strange world this home's appraisal came back at $230,000. I was shocked and cant find the comps they used to obtain that price. The asset manager is dead set that they will accept nothing less that that price. Are you kidding me? At $165,000 they only received one other offer besides ours and they want $230,000. We maybe currently down but we arent out. The buyers wanted to have a home inspection in hopes of swaying the asset manager with the list of repairs needed to be done to the home.

Buyers remember when looking to purchase a short sale in Orange & Seminole County.....

You must have tons of patience four months for an answer to your offer isnt out of the ordinary, be prepared to possibly spend more then the offer you submitted and depending on the listing agent continue to compete with new offers that come in on that property.

Ok so maybe the money isnt missing, but might be left making more money for the IRS if you missed any tax deductions. Don't leave it up to chance and do your own 1040. With all the new tax laws and incentives out there for people who have recently purchased or home or sold a home, it makes sense to consult a CPA.

If you live in the Orlando or Lake Mary area call Gail Joubran, CPA. She has over 25+ Years of tax experience, estate planning and trust and worked for many years as an internal auditor. If you or your company is looking for a CPA (certified public accountant) or auditor make 407-324-6181 the last number you call for all your tax needs.

Realtors we are notorious for thinking we can deduct more then we can and I know a few agents who have found themselves audited. She has proudly been serving the Lake Mary area Realtors and helping them find all their applicable deductions and avoid audits.

Experience, speed and low prices!

Gail Joubran, CPA  beancounter15@hotmail.com  407-324-6181