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

Looking for the finest home money can buy in Lake Mary, FL? Look no further then this stunning home located in Lake Club. You can be Dwight Howard's next door neighbor.

Impressive in stature and welcoming in feel, this home is sheer elegance with expansive two-story windows over-looking the lake. Designed for entertaining, majestic wet bar and wine room, gourmet kitchen, adjacent pub room with full gentleman's bar, theater room, outdoor living with fireplace and summer kitchen/ grill.

Dramatic, two- story master bedroom with morning vestibule and kitchen with Frenh doors spanning the back wall. Adjacent to the master is a private library with spiral staircase leading to cozy retreat. Sweeping onyx leads to the second story, but no worry the elevator wil work just as well. Sophisticated music room over- looking the living room and grand fireplace. Children's room adjoined by a Jack-n-Jill bath.

Separate quarters ideal for nanny or housekeeper. The creative learning center includes art area, study station and performance stage. Graceful arches lead to the pool and expanisive outdoor living area. A unique firepit, statues and tiered gazebo encases the spectacular spa with an unparalled view.

Featuring new technology, the Smart House System will not only turn the lights on and off, adjust your temperature, videap survellaince, but you can even order dinner to be delivered. The myPad system connects the home to local resources, smart living at it's finest. This home was designed, so that you can enjoy life! 

This home is the last street of dreams home available.

Listing Courtesy of Custom Builder Realty, LLC

If you are looking for a truly lavish lifestyle then contact me today to schedule your private tour of this estate.  Heather Joubran  heather@heathertherealtor.com 407-810-6304

Lake Mary's Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing

Every wonder what Tiger Wood's house looks like or maybe Chris Kirpatrick from NSync? Here's a quick tour of some of Central Florida's celebrity homes. About 5 years ago I did hang out at Chri Kirkpatrick's house I will say he has a great below grade walk out bar area, pool and view of the lake.

Enjoy!

Annika Sorenstam

John Travolta

JJ Redick "Orlando Magic"

Chris Kirkpatrick

Joey Fatone (has a large theme park style pool) Jealous

Grant Hill - Orlando Magic

Rashard Lewis

Ken Griffey Jr

Carrot Top

Dwight Howard - Orlando Magic

A few weeks ago I was approached by a reporter Amy Hoak who had done a google search on First Time Home Buyers and she felt by reading my information that I was knowledgable about the topic. We scheduled a time to speak and she conducted an interview. I am proud to say that I was featured in last Sunday's Wall Street Journal and had the closing statement.

Please read the article below, it's very helpful for those thinking about selling to First Time Home Buyers in the Orlando area.

A federal tax credit of up to $8,000 is nudging many Americans into buying a home for the first time -- good news for those trying to sell one.

Still, selling a home isn't easy in most markets today. To get the typical first-time buyer to bite and submit an offer, a house has to stand apart from the competition -- and there's a lot of it, including foreclosure homes that are selling at hefty discounts.

One big thing working in favor of the traditional seller: A lived-in, maintained home is easier for buyers to imagine themselves living in than a vacant foreclosure. That has great appeal for someone buying a home for the first time, for practical and financial reasons

"First-time buyers are skeptical of buying homes that need improvement. Sellers certainly don't need to remodel the kitchen, but they want to make sure that their home showcases very well," said Eric Mangan, a spokesman for ForSaleByOwner.com.........

While foreclosures that are in severe disrepair can be a huge turnoff for a first-time buyer, some banks will make improvements to their foreclosure stock, fixing them up so that they meet FHA standards and a buyer's needs, said Chuck Whitehead, of Coldwell Banker Associated Brokers in Southern California. These homes can be stiff competition for the rest of the for-sale inventory.

Never fear; there are still ways to outshine other homes on the market. Assuming you've priced the home correctly, here are five ways to lure a first-time buyer:

1. Maintain and stage.

A home that has been taken care of throughout the years will offer a stark contrast to a vacant, empty foreclosure. "If someone is living there, the landscaping is not dead," Mr. Whitehead said. "There is warmth in the home," and that can go a long way in selling a property. "It's all about the emotion, of having the ability to see what they can have."

As with any home, a fresh coat of paint, decluttering and the removal of unpleasant odors can go a long way to making a good first impression. But be careful not to over-improve the home, because the investment might not be worth the cost.

2. Mention that you'll help pay closing costs.

Whether it's in the marketing material or in the listing, this could be an extra motivator to reel in a buyer. Generally, there's a good chance they'll ask for closing cost help anyway, but it might pay off to be proactive and offer it at the beginning, said Heather Joubran, a real-estate agent with Re/Max Central Realty in Lake Mary, Fla.

If rising mortgage rates have your buyer spooked, consider paying mortgage points to bring the rate down, Mr. Mangan said. But consider a buyer's timeline for staying in the home before deciding if this is the most effective way to help; paying points generally makes sense for those staying in a home for more than a few years.

3. Offer a home warranty.

First-time buyers are often coming from a rental, and they are used to calling a landlord when there's a problem. To help them more easily transition into homeownership, provide them a warranty that covers major systems when problems arise, Ms. Joubran said.

4. Offer a buyer mortgage protection.

In some cases, it might make sense to address buyers' fears by purchasing insurance so they can keep up with their mortgage even if after losing a job. Coldwell Banker has such a program through its parent company, Realogy.

Basically, the plan will make several months of mortgage payments in the event that the buyer becomes unemployed. "There are people with secure jobs who are still nervous. This can give them just a little more comfort," Ms. MacKenzie said.

5. Don't snub low offers

Buyers know prices have fallen, so they're being aggressive in their offers -- sometimes extremely aggressive. But even if they come in with a shocking lowball offer, don't scoff at it.

"My rule of thumb is every offer deserves a counteroffer," Ms. Joubran said. "At least counter them back. It gets the conversation going."

You heard me right, you dont need a Realtor, if your a buyer. Why would a Realtor be saying such a thing. I mean isnt that what the commercials are always telling us how much you need a Realtor. Well it's true you dont need a realtor to pull you listings of houses and to see what's on the market. You dont need a realtor see how much the previous owner paid for the house or how much they owe. You dont need a Realtor to see the interior of the home with today's photos and virtual tours or to drive you around to the neighborhoods and point out the nifty little things. You dont need a Realtor for crime statistics or to find the nearest sex offender to the home you like. Heck you dont even need a Realtor to comp up with a fair market value for the homes you are interested in.

If you are currently working with a Realtor and that is what they are doing you have nothing more then a Tour Guide. In todays techonology drivin world you dont need an agent to perform all these tasks they are right there at your fingertips as a potential buyer. I recently had a client leave his Realtor and start working with me because that is what he Realtor was doing.

However, you do need a Realtor to educate you on the pitfalls and financial rewards of home, to negotiate the contracts, to educate you properly on the current state of the market and where it's heading. How a 10% decrease in price but a 1-2% increase in interest rate can effect you. You need a Realtor to efficiently represent you you in a transaction and ensure that you get the best possible price and terms for the property. There are many reason you do need a Realtor but none of them have to do with the first paragraph.

If you are ready to work with a professional who truly specializes in working with buyers, then call me today. I have a list of references of past and current clients in the Orlando area that can tell you the pros and cons of working with me.