Your Orlando Realty

Author: Your Orlando Realty Admin

  • Best Private Schools in Orlando

    So many home buyers today are looking for alternatives to the public schools. These people are always asking about private schools in Orlando before they decide to buy a home. And with all the new residents moving to Orlando, in addition to the families already here looking for a new home, they frequently ask, “What are the best private schools in Orlando?” Determining the best private schools in Orlando can be very important to those home buyers with school-age kids still at home. In fact, many prospective home buyers choose the part of Orlando to live in based on the quality of the private schools.

    However, finding the best private schools in Orlando can be an extremely difficult task. Mostly because not everyone shares the same requirements of what makes a private school one of the best in Orlando. Some are looking for a private Christian school, or a private Catholic School. While others want a private non-religious school. Whatever their desires, Orlando has many private schools to choose from. Thus, the question of which are the best private schools in Orlando is not going to be answered the same for everyone.

    But we have to start somewhere. We have researched the private schools in Orlando and have listened to many sources. Although there is not an official rating system, there certainly is a consensus of which private schools in Orlando are considered among the best. We have listed below a non-exclusive list of private schools that many people consider to be among the best private schools in Orlando.

    The First Academy (Pk – 12), 2667 Bruton Blvd., Orlando, FL 32805

    Pine Castle Christian Academy (PK – 12), 7101 Lake Ellenor Dr., Orlando, FL 32809

    One Accord Christian Academy (K – 10), 7301 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32810

    Bishop Moore Catholic High School (9 – 12), 3901 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804

    Lake Highland Preparatory School (PK – 12), 901 N. Highland Ave., Orlando, FL 32803

    Azalea Park Baptist School (PK – 12), 5725 Dahlia Dr., Orlando, FL 32807

  • Foreclosure Houses in Florida

    Foreclosure Houses in Florida

    If you are thinking about foreclosure houses in Orlando, then now is the time to act. As you all know, Orlando was one of the hardest hit areas when the real estate market started going down a few years ago. Now that the real estate market seems to have stabilized, many people are now, once again, shopping for houses throughout the Orlando area. And fortunately, it is still a buyers market.

    Part of the reason that the current Orlando market is so favorable to buyers is because of the large inventory of houses available for sale. During the market decline, which lasted about 6 years, many houses were still being built. This was primarily because the plans and financing were already in place once the downturn started. Also, over the past few years, many people have either had their house foreclosed by the lender, or have just moved out voluntarily to seek out more affordable rental properties. All this has contributed to the large inventories of houses for sale in the Orlando area market. Of these, the largest group seems to be the foreclosure houses.

    Banks are now holding vast numbers of foreclosure houses in their inventories and are not too interested in holding on to them much longer. For this reason, banks are willing to rid themselves of their foreclosure houses for lower than fair market prices. This is why there are so many foreclosure house in Orlando and why one can find good bargains on foreclosure houses.

    But don’t get too excited yet. Although good bargains exist, not all foreclosure houses are being put up for sale at less than fair market prices. As the general real estate market here in Orlando begins to head up, this buyers market will soon start to phase out. As this happens, you will start to see the foreclosure houses disappear. The bottom line? If you are looking for a foreclosure house in Orlando, now is the time to start looking.

    Please contact us today if you have any questions about the real estate market or foreclosure houses in the Orlando area.

  • What Every First Time Home Buyer Needs to Know

    What Every First Time Home Buyer Needs to Know

    You’ve probably wondered many times if you can afford to buy a home, especially for the very first time. Did you know that continuing to make rental payments may be more expensive in the long-run? When you make rental payments, the money is gone forever. When you make mortgage payments, however, you build equity in your home. The longer you own your own home, the larger your equity becomes. Your home may also appreciate in value, usually at a rate faster than the rate of inflation. In addition, property taxes and mortgage interest paid on your personal residence are usually 100% tax deductible. There are numerous advantages to owning a home. Here are some things that a first time home buyer needs to know.

    Obtain Your Credit Report

    Get a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, Trans Union) and review the information. Most lenders will get a credit report for you and review it with you as part of their pre-approval process. The sooner you do this the better. If your credit report contains items which need correcting, it’s easier to attend to them well before you make an offer.

    Don’t assume you can’t buy a home because your credit isn’t perfect. There are numerous lenders and loan programs designed for people with less-than-perfect credit, especially for a first time buyer. Contact several lenders to discuss your options. In the unlikely event you don’t qualify for a loan, determine what steps to take to improve your credit standing and qualify in the future. Being a first time buyer doesn’t mean you have to qualify for the first home you want to buy.

    Determine How Much Home You Can Afford

    Many web sites offer calculators that help you determine how much home you can afford. These tend to be very popular with the first time home buyers. A good calculator will give you a range of affordability. Many of these calculators use standard debt ratios of 28/36. This means that your housing payments cannot exceed 28 percent of your gross income and that your total debt cannot exceed 36 percent of your gross income. However, there are a wide range of programs, some that directly target the first time home buyer. Depending on your assets, credit history and earning potential, you may be able to qualify for more than what the standard debt ratio calculations would indicate. Contact a lender to determine of how much you can afford.

    Understand The Cost Of Home Ownership

    In addition to your mortgage payment, you will also pay for property taxes and home owners insurance. If you buy a condominium or townhouse you’ll likely pay a monthly home owner’s association fee. It is important that you understand the full cost of owning a home in addition to the tax benefits, whether you are a first time buyer or not. Many real estate agents and lenders can help you analyze the cost of owning a home. You may also want to consult with a financial planner or real estate attorney to determine how purchasing a home will help meet your financial goals.

    Determine How Much Money You Will Need

    Most loan programs require cash to pay for the down payment and closing costs. Many loan programs allow 100 percent financing. In today’s market most lenders offer a variety of programs and down payment options. Even if you have less-than-perfect credit, you may be able to buy a home for the first time with a limited down payment. Many first time home buyers mistakenly assume they need to save 10 or 20 percent of the purchase price before they can buy a home.

    Determine How Long Your Home Will Meet Your Needs

    What home features do you require today? When and in what way might your requirements change? Will you have a larger or smaller family in the near future? Will you some day need a home-office or work area? A two-bedroom home, for example, may serve the needs of a couple, but may not be roomy enough for a growing family. What will be required to convert the garage or basement into additional work or living space? Consider how your needs may change before you buy. As a first time home buyer you need to remember that this first home may not be your last.

    If you have any more questions about the home buying process, please contact us today.

  • Best Real Estate Website

    Best Real Estate Website

    What is the best real estate website? Of course, that is a very difficult, if not impossible, question to answer. It certainly depends on what the home buyer or seller is looking for. With thousands of real estate websites in Orlando and the Central Florida area, the prospective home buyer or seller has many options. With the massive growth of the internet many home buyers and sellers are now turning to real estate websites to begin their search, before contacting a real estate agent. Many websites allow the home buyer to search virtually every house that is listed for sale. They also allow the home seller to post his or her house so that the entire world can see it.

    We believe that the best real estate websites share certain qualities and content that set them above the rest. If you are thinking to buy or sell a home or real estate and wish to begin the process by searching for a real estate website, here are some things that you should look for in that website. Only after giving careful thought to this list of items can one start to think about which is the best real estate website for him or her.

    1.  Access to the full MLS – Any good real estate website will provide you with full access to the Multiple Listing Service for that market. This search engine will allow you to see the details of any and every house that is listed for sale.

    2.  Easy-to-understand search engine – Just having access to the full MLS is not sufficient if it is not easy to use. Most search engines give the user the ability to search using many different parameters. It must be easy to understand.

    3.  Ability to save search results – Most people who search the MLS on a good real estate website will search many different homes and neighborhoods. The best real estate websites will allow the user to save those search results so that he or she can come back later and pull up again the homes that they like.

    4.  Provide future similar properties – The best real estate websites will also have the ability to capture the user’s preferences and be able to identify future listings that match the user’s preferences – thereby providing the user with all new listings that fit the user’s profile without the user having to go back in and do a new search every day.

    5.  Eye appeal and ease of navigation – A good real estate website will always be pleasing to look at and will provide ease of navigation throughout the site. A user should never have to “search” for where to go next.

    6.  Easy, no-obligation contact – The best real estate websites will make it very easy for you to understand how to contact a real estate agent for more information – with no obligation!

    As you can see, it can be very difficult to determine what is the best real estate website for any given user. However, by asking the right questions, and looking for the right things, one can quickly learn what is the best real estate website for them. Your real estate and legal team at YourOrlandoRealty.com take these factors very seriously and are proud to provide one of the best real estate websites!

  • Best Orlando Realtor

    Best Orlando Realtor

    Who is the best realtor in Orlando? That obviously is a very complex question and the answer depends on what the home buyer or seller is looking for. With thousands of realtors in Orlando and the Central Florida area, the prospective home buyer or seller has many options.

    However, we have determined that the best realtors share certain qualities and characteristics that distinguish them from the rest. If you are thinking to buy or sell a home or real estate in Orlando, here are some things that you should look for in a realtor. Only after considering these factors can one determine who is the best Orlando realtor for him or her. And do not ever be afraid to ask questions. The “best realtor in Orlando” will always be honest with you.

    1.  Knowledge of the neighborhood – The Orlando real estate market is too big and diverse for any one realtor to be knowledgeable about each and every part of it. If you’re thinking about buying, selling or renting a home in the Orlando area, then you need a licensed realtor who has extensive knowledge and experience in the area where you are planning on buying, selling or renting a home.

    2.  Negotiation skills – An experienced realtor will negotiate a much higher price than their fee takes away and will reduce the stress of buying or selling your home.

    3.  Willingness and ability to market your home – All too often, a realtor who represents a seller of an Orlando home will list the home for sale on the MLS system and then do nothing else to sell the home. A good realtor will also actively market the home for sale. Marketing the home includes brochures, flyers, open houses, listing in local publications, speaking with other realtors, and so on.

    4.  Legal skills – Buying or selling a home in Orlando can include a myriad of legal forms and procedures. Although your Orlando realtor is not required to know all the laws associated with buying or selling a house, you may want to work with a realtor who is also trained as an attorney. Having a realtor who is also an attorney at law could greatly aid you as you search for your home or real estate in Orlando.

    5.  Honesty and Integrity – A good realtor will always be honest with you and put your interests above his or hers, even if that means encouraging you to not use that realtor. The best Orlando realtor is a professional and will always act like one.

    As you can see, it would be nearly impossible to determine who is the best Orlando realtor. However, by asking the right questions one can quickly learn who is a very good realtor for them. Your real estate and legal team at YourOrlandoRealty.com take these factors very seriously and are proud to call themselves one of the “Best Orlando Realtors”.

  • Foreclosures Orlando

    Foreclosures Orlando

    Foreclosures in Orlando have been among the highest in the country over the past few years. No neighborhood or community in the Orlando area didn’t have any foreclosures nearby. Foreclosures just seem like they are now a normal part of the Orlando real estate market. And they are.

    If you drive around Orlando looking at homes for sale you will see so many for sale signs in the front yard with the word foreclosure on it. Or if you are searching online for homes for sale you will see so many of them listed as foreclosures. For a home owner, the word foreclosures is not a nice thing to hear. But to a home buyer this can be a wonderful word.

    When most of us think of foreclosures, in Orlando or elsewhere, we tend to think of the negative implications. However, foreclosures can provide great opportunities to anyone looking to buy a home in Orlando. These Orlando foreclosures could provide your family with their dream home.

    When a lender decides to foreclose on a home they normally buy it back at a very reduced price at the foreclosure sale. Once they become the official owner, they can do whatever they want with the home. It would seem logical that the lender would want to put it back on the market for the fair market value and wait for a home buyer who can make a reasonable offer. And sometimes this happens.

    However, with so many foreclosures here in Orlando, the lenders now have a large inventory of foreclosure homes. They are not in the business of selling homes. Thus, they do not have the time, patience or desire to let the foreclosed home sit on the market for a long period of time. For this reason, lenders like to get rid of the foreclosed homes quickly. This is why there can often be bargains with foreclosures.

    So if you are in the market for a foreclosure in Orlando, please visit us at www.YourOrlandoRealty.com for more information.

  • Green Homes for Sale

    Green Homes for Sale

    As consumers increasingly search for friendly, green homes for sale, constructing green homes is becoming a priority for many home builders throughout Orlando and the Central Florida area. Home builders are now constructing homes that are greener and friendlier for the environment and more cost effective for homeowners. Green homes can decrease your carbon footprint, can save the homeowner on monthly utility costs, and could retain their value much more in the future.

    Energy Star is known to most people. Most of us are familiar with this term as we see it listed on new appliances for sale. But this government program also certifies new home construction that is eco-friendly. Energy Stars are given to newly constructed homes that meet certain federal guidelines for energy efficiency, making Energy Star homes 20-30% more efficient than traditionally constructed homes. To qualify for an Energy Star, builders must work closely with an independent Energy Star rater, who works with the builder throughout the construction process to ensure that appropriate features – such as high-value insulation, efficient HVAC systems and Energy Star-rated appliances – are incorporated into the home. This is a voluntary process for the builders, and they have to meet minimum standards in order to be considered “partners” of the program.

    The United States Green Building Council’s LEED Certification is another certification that you may find during your search for green homes for sale in Orlando and the Central Florida area. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) specifications measure a home’s energy and water efficiency, its indoor air quality, the sustainability of building practices used in its construction, as well as the impact of the construction on the surrounding community and environment.

    The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) also has a certification program. Becoming “Green Certified” by the NAHB Research Center requires builders to work with a third-party rater, who in turn certifies that the builder’s project meets the requirements of National Green Building Standard (NGBS). The NGBS sets guidelines for green construction and land development in six different categories:

    • Lot & Site Development

    • Resource Efficiency

    • Energy Efficiency

    • Water Efficiency

    • Indoor Environmental Quality

    • Homeowner Education

    Green homes are becoming more and more popular with both the builders and the prospective homeowners. If you are for looking for green homes for sale in Orlando, you will have many different options. Seek the help of a qualified real estate agent who can assist you with your search for green homes for sale in Orlando.

  • Save Thousands on Interest and Taxes

    Save Thousands on Interest and Taxes

    Purchasing a home can save you money very quickly. FIRST, you’ll save on taxes because the interest on your home mortgage is tax deductible. If you rent, your landlord gets the break. SECOND, you’ll save on interest payments while keeping the great tax advantage.

    For example, if you are paying $900 per month in rent, you are paying a portion of this towards your landlord’s property taxes and mortgage loan interest. Your landlord can write this amount off. You derive absolutely no tax break. When you own a home, you now reduce your taxes for the mortgage interest and for your property taxes. Your interest is always the highest during the early years of your loan, so your overall write-off is largest during these early years.

    Paying rent is like throwing your money out the car window each month. You pay it out and never see it again. With home ownership you receive loan interest write-off, and gain money over the years from the increased value of your home. Over a ten year period, on an initial purchase price of $100,000, you could gain over $100,000 in tax advantages and appreciation based on an 8% mortgage interest rate and 5% per year increase in home values.

    On both the 15 year and 30 year loans, your interest deduction is highest in the first few years of the loan, so your tax deduction is highest then, too. Remember, if you plan to move or refinance after 5 years, you will maximize your tax deductions. Keep in mind that as you pre-pay part of your loan to reduce the interest expense, you also reduce your tax deduction. How long you plan to keep your current mortgage loan can help determine which type of loan, and which payment strategy, is ideal for you.

    For more information on how to save on interest and taxes, consult with a qualified real estate agent and/or licensed attorney at law.

  • Tips for Buying a Home in Orlando, Florida

    Tips for Buying a Home in Orlando, Florida

    Now that you’ve determined what price range you can afford as you begin the process of buying a home in Orlando, Florida, and your real estate agent is ready to show you homes, how do you decide what home to buy ? We have put together a few tips that should help you in buying your home.

    Tip #1: Neighborhood Research

    When you are buying a home, you get the neighborhood and all that’s in it. Be sure you’ll be happy in your home and neighborhood. Orlando has many diverse neighborhoods to choose from. Whether you are buying a home in downtown Orlando or in one of Orlando’s suburbs or surrounding areas, important considerations when researching a neighborhood include proximity to, or information about, the following:

    • fire department

    • police department

    • shopping

    • parks / recreation

    • transportation

    • freeway access

    • school location and quality of learning

    • crime statistics

    demographics

    Much information is available online. The local Orlando area chamber of commerce, police station, library and real estate agent will have much of this type of information available. There is no substitute for spending time walking and driving around the neighborhood during different times of day. Pay attention to noise sources and levels (thoroughfare, freeway, airport, park, business, etc.). Talk to your potential neighbors. The more people you talk to the better you’ll understand the community. Buying a home is a big step so you need to have all the facts.

    Tip #2: How Much Should You Offer?

    When you find a home you’re interested in buying, part of your real estate agent’s job will be to determine its value. If a recent property appraisal exists, your real estate agent should be able to obtain a copy of it for you. If the property of the home is customized, or otherwise hard to appraise, your approval of a professionally prepared appraisal should be considered. If the home is in a tract of similar homes, your real estate agent can prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). A CMA is a survey of relevant, recently listed, sold and unsold (MLS-expired) properties. It includes comparable property data and valuation adjustments relating to the home you’re considering buying. Can you offer more or less than the market value suggested in an appraisal or CMA? Yes. But without knowing the value of the home you’re thinking about buying, you’ll likely pay too much for it.

    Tip #3: Where In The Neighborhood Is Best?

    Desirable home locations include cul-de-sacs and interior streets. These are subject to the least amount of traffic. It’s hard to avoid every potentially adverse condition, but here are a few to consider. The closer you are to arterial streets (neighborhood entrance), the more traffic there will be. Corner lots may be larger, but have traffic on two sides. Is the home you’re buying too close to a school, park, recreational area, business, airport, flight pattern, thoroughfare or freeway? Any train or trolley tracks near by? Additional considerations may influence your choice of unit in a Planned Unit Development (‘PUD’–condominium, town home, co-op).

    A unit overlooking a pool or courtyard may be subject to excessive noise. A ground- or top-floor unit may be quieter than a unit sandwiched between floors. End units are generally quieter. Views command higher values. A low-rise PUD may require the use of stairs – a challenge when carrying groceries. This short list of important considerations is designed to get you thinking when buying your home.

    There are numerous other tips one should consider when beginning the buying process for a home in Orlando. Buying a home in Orlando is a big and important decision. So make sure to look for a real estate agent who will represent you and your best interests. You, the home buyer, pay nothing for a professional real estate agent. The fees are paid for by the seller.

    Click here to contact us today and find out how we can help you find the most house for the best price.

  • Orlando Short Sale Realtor

    Orlando Short Sale Realtor

    Short sales are plentiful now in Orlando. Any Orlando realtor can confirm this. It seems like on every block there is a home for sale as a short sale. Like so many cities around the country, the Orlando real estate market hit the skids a few years ago, causing home prices to plummet. Fortunately, the real estate market now appears to have stabilized. However, there are still many houses that are worth less than the debt on them.

    For this reason, you should be able to find a short sale in the area of Orlando that you are looking for. But be weary of the short sale process. It’s not always an easy path to follow. The short sale process can take months, with  many communications going back and forth from the buyer to the seller to the bank. Banks play a major role in the short sale transaction. So, please consider working with an Orlando short sale realtor who understands this area. An Orlando short sale realtor is not just a realtor that can help you buy or sell a short sale home, but instead is a realtor who competently understands the real estate and legal complications of the short sale process.

    Many realtors in Orlando claim to be short sale experts. But this is not always the case. Many of these Orlando short sale “experts” do nothing more than show you short sale homes from the MLS. That’s not sufficient. Be sure to ask questions regarding their experience with short sales to be sure that they indeed have specialized knowledge. Legal training is always a strong benefit when hiring a realtor to help you with short sales. We at YourOrlandoRealty.com have a licensed attorney and realtor available to answer any questions you may have on the short sale process. Feel free to contact us today to tell us how we can help you with your new short sale in Orlando or the Central Florida area.

Skip to content