Before you start looking for homes in Orlando, you need to decide whether to rent or buy. Each of these options has its own advantages and disadvantages. You need to look at your situation and decide which is best for you.
To help you with that decision, here’s an examination of the pros and cons of renting and buying homes in Orlando:
• Pros of Renting. Maintaining a home properly takes a certain level of time and commitment. When you rent, you are not responsible for the lawn, major repairs or maintenance. If you have to leave the area on short notice, you won’t be tied down to a home that needs to sell in order for you to move.
• Pros of Buying. Because of low interest rates and house prices, many renters find that their current rent payments are similar to what their mortgage payments would be. Unlike rent payments, mortgage payments add up and create equity in your home. Additionally, owning your own home provides tax deductions.
• Cons of Renting. The most significant con of renting is the fact that you get no tax deduction. If you have to move suddenly, you may have to pay extra money to break the lease. You may even have decorating restrictions, like not putting nails in the walls.
• Cons of Buying. To buy a home, you will need a down payment, which can be difficult for some people to acquire. There’s also the possibility that you may lose money on the home if you have to sell it before you’ve built equity in it or if your local market declines in value. Also, it can take considerable time and money to maintain homes in Orlando.
After you’ve considered all the pros and cons, there’s one more tool I recommend to help you make an informed decision: Use a free online rent versus buy calculator.
If you’d like help deciding whether buying or renting is right for you, give us a call today at 407-876-5771. We will put together some current home prices to help you determine what your house payments would be, and we will also help you figure out what you can afford.
Friday, May 7, 2010
How to Deal with Problem Neighbors Near Your Orlando Home
We’ve all had to deal with problem neighbors near our Orlando homes. The trouble might be a loud late night party or a dog that is always barking at odd hours. It can be hard to fix the problem without causing a lasting rift in the neighborhood. Here are a few tips for getting a peaceful resolution:
Bring it Up Gently
It may be that your neighbor doesn’t realize there is a problem. Try to wait a day or two after the problem occurs and tactfully bring up the trouble you are having. Be sure to speak in a calm and reasonable manner.
If your partying neighbor is not receptive to making a complete change, suggest that they let you know ahead of time when a party is scheduled. Sometimes being able to plan for a disruption can make it easier to bear.
A dog that barks at all the wrong times is harder to fix. If you have a specific reason for needing the dog to be quiet, for instance, you work nights and need to be able to sleep in your Orlando home during the day; a gentle reminder that the dog is barking excessively may do the trick.
Ask For Help
If you’ve talked with the problem neighbor nicely and are still getting nowhere, try recruiting others in the neighborhood to help solve the dilemma. Sometimes it’s easier to get results when a group is asking for change. The disapproval of the entire neighborhood isn’t something that most people are willing to risk.
Occasionally, there might be that stubborn person who simply refuses to be courteous to anyone nearby. It may seem that you have no options left. Before you give up hope, check with your homeowner’s association, they may have the ability to enforce a change that you cannot.
If at any time you feel that your neighbor is trying to force a confrontation, and may become dangerous, call the local police and ask for help.
Trying a few of these suggestions can be an easy and effective way to bring the peace back to your neighborhood.
Want to find an Orlando home in a peaceful neighborhood? We can help. Call us today at 407-876-5771.
Bring it Up Gently
It may be that your neighbor doesn’t realize there is a problem. Try to wait a day or two after the problem occurs and tactfully bring up the trouble you are having. Be sure to speak in a calm and reasonable manner.
If your partying neighbor is not receptive to making a complete change, suggest that they let you know ahead of time when a party is scheduled. Sometimes being able to plan for a disruption can make it easier to bear.
A dog that barks at all the wrong times is harder to fix. If you have a specific reason for needing the dog to be quiet, for instance, you work nights and need to be able to sleep in your Orlando home during the day; a gentle reminder that the dog is barking excessively may do the trick.
Ask For Help
If you’ve talked with the problem neighbor nicely and are still getting nowhere, try recruiting others in the neighborhood to help solve the dilemma. Sometimes it’s easier to get results when a group is asking for change. The disapproval of the entire neighborhood isn’t something that most people are willing to risk.
Occasionally, there might be that stubborn person who simply refuses to be courteous to anyone nearby. It may seem that you have no options left. Before you give up hope, check with your homeowner’s association, they may have the ability to enforce a change that you cannot.
If at any time you feel that your neighbor is trying to force a confrontation, and may become dangerous, call the local police and ask for help.
Trying a few of these suggestions can be an easy and effective way to bring the peace back to your neighborhood.
Want to find an Orlando home in a peaceful neighborhood? We can help. Call us today at 407-876-5771.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Where Can I Find XYZ On the Orlando Real Estate Market?
If you’re like me and other real estate agents, home sellers, homebuyers and homeowners, you’re always looking for a great resource for information on the Orlando real estate market. You have questions and you want answers.
• What are the mortgages like in this area?
• What are the current selling prices for homes?
• What’s a specific neighborhood like?
• Is there anything besides the economy affecting the Orlando real estate market?
For instance, you want to know current market trends. Are they stabilizing? Are things still sliding down hill? Is there a buying trend sellers can take advantage of to market their homes? While a professional real estate agent will help you sell or find a home, it doesn’t hurt for you to do some research on your own to become more knowledgeable. Who knows, you may come up with some ideas we haven’t thought of!
So where can you find reliable information on the real estate market? On the Internet, there are thousands, perhaps millions, of informational sites. Below are just a few of my personal favorites:
CNNMoney.com (real estate) – The information on CNNMoney.com has no bias in terms of convincing you to sell or buy. Where are home prices falling? Where are they strongest? What information do you need to know as a buyer or seller? From mortgages to pricing and market stability, you can find it here.
RISMedia.com – If you can’t find it on CNNMoney, you can most likely find it on RISMedia. Home improvement, financing and foreclosure information are just a few of the topics. As well, because RISMedia is actually involved in real estate, you can find the latest market information.
DQNews.com – DataQuick provides real estate data on a state-by-state basis or on a specific area. While the information can be a little technical for the non-real-estate-professional, if you want to know how the Las Vegas region is doing for home sales, or the average mortgage rates in Missouri, DQ can help. Depending on your area, you may have to pay for the data, but it’s fairly inexpensive and can give you great information.
If you’re interested in the Orlando real estate market in any way, bookmark this blog and the listed sites for easy reference. The more you know, the better you can prepare for upcoming trends, good or bad!
If you’re trying to sell your home, or are looking for your dream home to buy, we can help. Call us at 407-876-5771 for more information.
• What are the mortgages like in this area?
• What are the current selling prices for homes?
• What’s a specific neighborhood like?
• Is there anything besides the economy affecting the Orlando real estate market?
For instance, you want to know current market trends. Are they stabilizing? Are things still sliding down hill? Is there a buying trend sellers can take advantage of to market their homes? While a professional real estate agent will help you sell or find a home, it doesn’t hurt for you to do some research on your own to become more knowledgeable. Who knows, you may come up with some ideas we haven’t thought of!
So where can you find reliable information on the real estate market? On the Internet, there are thousands, perhaps millions, of informational sites. Below are just a few of my personal favorites:
CNNMoney.com (real estate) – The information on CNNMoney.com has no bias in terms of convincing you to sell or buy. Where are home prices falling? Where are they strongest? What information do you need to know as a buyer or seller? From mortgages to pricing and market stability, you can find it here.
RISMedia.com – If you can’t find it on CNNMoney, you can most likely find it on RISMedia. Home improvement, financing and foreclosure information are just a few of the topics. As well, because RISMedia is actually involved in real estate, you can find the latest market information.
DQNews.com – DataQuick provides real estate data on a state-by-state basis or on a specific area. While the information can be a little technical for the non-real-estate-professional, if you want to know how the Las Vegas region is doing for home sales, or the average mortgage rates in Missouri, DQ can help. Depending on your area, you may have to pay for the data, but it’s fairly inexpensive and can give you great information.
If you’re interested in the Orlando real estate market in any way, bookmark this blog and the listed sites for easy reference. The more you know, the better you can prepare for upcoming trends, good or bad!
If you’re trying to sell your home, or are looking for your dream home to buy, we can help. Call us at 407-876-5771 for more information.
Buena Vista Development Services - Business Lead Generation
Buena Vista Development Services
Buena Vista Development (BVD) Services is headquartered in Orlando, Florida. It's owned and operated by a small group of seasoned entrepreneurs with decades of business and marketing experience.
BVD Services uses cutting edge business and marketing systems, that are generating incredible success for themselves and those fortunate clients who have partnered with them.
The success of any business venture boils down to the following timeless principles of marketing.
1. To increase the number of customers
2. To increase the average number of orders
3. To increase the frequency of orders
The Buena Vista Development team are the smart ones who have taken advantage of the power of the Internet to accomplish the above business goals. They are a new breed of business entrepreneurs, enjoying the maximum leverage the internet produces. They have solved the secrets and have unlocked the internet gene's mysterious powers.
Orlando Real Estate, Buyers and Technology
Technology has improved our lives over the last ten years, but it’s also caused some problems along the way for Orlando real estate buyers.
As a buyer, you naturally want to take advantage of every tool and service available to make it easier to find the home of your dreams. However, the Internet, which is one of the most common places for people to shop for Orlando real estate nowadays, has also become a place where the unscrupulous hang out. You can’t believe everything you read online, even when it comes to shopping for homes online.
If you’re trying to find a home, here are two things you need to be aware of:
Home Valuation Sites
Many potential buyers find an interesting home and then research the home value. This is commendable and just plain good sense. You want to make sure you’re not overpaying. Thanks to the Internet, we have sites like Zillow and Realtor.com that provide home valuations.
The problem is that these sites hardly ever agree on the home value. They can differ as much as 20% or more. While home valuation sites are an excellent place to get a ballpark estimate, you shouldn’t base your buying price on their information alone. Hire a reputable Orlando real estate agent who knows the surrounding area and recent sale prices.
Dream Home or Nightmare
One of the best things to happen for real estate agents and sellers alike is the ability to post digital photos and walk-through videos of the homes they’re selling. This is also great for you, as the buyer, because you can view the homes without going anywhere.
Unfortunately, many buyers take those images and videos at face value. Thanks to some high-tech graphics programs, however, you can’t guarantee that what you see is what you get. Videos and images can both be manipulated to show you the best face of any piece of property.
Any time you see a home online that you’re interested in, it’s a good idea to check Google Maps and use the Street View option. At the very least, you can usually see the front and sides of the home. If you’re still interested, visit the home in person, or, if that’s not possible for some reason, ask your Orlando real estate agent to visit the home and take pictures for you.
If you’re trying to find your dream home, we can help. Call us at 407-876-5771 for more information.
As a buyer, you naturally want to take advantage of every tool and service available to make it easier to find the home of your dreams. However, the Internet, which is one of the most common places for people to shop for Orlando real estate nowadays, has also become a place where the unscrupulous hang out. You can’t believe everything you read online, even when it comes to shopping for homes online.
If you’re trying to find a home, here are two things you need to be aware of:
Home Valuation Sites
Many potential buyers find an interesting home and then research the home value. This is commendable and just plain good sense. You want to make sure you’re not overpaying. Thanks to the Internet, we have sites like Zillow and Realtor.com that provide home valuations.
The problem is that these sites hardly ever agree on the home value. They can differ as much as 20% or more. While home valuation sites are an excellent place to get a ballpark estimate, you shouldn’t base your buying price on their information alone. Hire a reputable Orlando real estate agent who knows the surrounding area and recent sale prices.
Dream Home or Nightmare
One of the best things to happen for real estate agents and sellers alike is the ability to post digital photos and walk-through videos of the homes they’re selling. This is also great for you, as the buyer, because you can view the homes without going anywhere.
Unfortunately, many buyers take those images and videos at face value. Thanks to some high-tech graphics programs, however, you can’t guarantee that what you see is what you get. Videos and images can both be manipulated to show you the best face of any piece of property.
Any time you see a home online that you’re interested in, it’s a good idea to check Google Maps and use the Street View option. At the very least, you can usually see the front and sides of the home. If you’re still interested, visit the home in person, or, if that’s not possible for some reason, ask your Orlando real estate agent to visit the home and take pictures for you.
If you’re trying to find your dream home, we can help. Call us at 407-876-5771 for more information.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Helping Your Orlando Real Estate Agent Get You into a New Home
Buying a home is often considered one of the most stressful things you will do in your life. Unless you're a real estate investor, you will most likely experience home buyer stress.
You can help your Orlando real estate agent find you a home, and successfully close the deal, if you are as prepared and knowledgeable as possible. Here are a few tips to help you be ready and make your transition as painless and stress free as possible.
Have all of your financial records in order. This includes:
• Income records: You usually need two recent pay stubs. If you are self-employed, it will get trickier. Want to be even more prepared? Get pre-approved for your mortgage.
• A clean credit report: Make use of those free credit reports and check for errors, outstanding debts, and a high debt-to-income ratio. If you find any errors, it's worth your time to get them fixed prior to applying for a loan or searching for a home.
• Know what you want: As unusual as that seems, not knowing specifically what you need and want in a new home can prolong the search and have you and your agent running in circles trying to find the right home. Price is only one of the considerations. Know how many bathrooms and bedrooms you need. If there are specific amenities you desire, let them be known. Don't wait until you've traveled all over the countryside looking at homes to tell your Orlando real estate agent you absolutely must have a sunken tub.
Read up on everything you can find that will help you understand the options available to you and what you need to get financing and you will be your own best asset in finding the perfect home. Making your Orlando real estate agent work smarter, not harder, is the way to a beneficial arrangement for you both.
If you’re looking for the home of your dreams, we can help. Call us at 407-876-5771 for more information.
You can help your Orlando real estate agent find you a home, and successfully close the deal, if you are as prepared and knowledgeable as possible. Here are a few tips to help you be ready and make your transition as painless and stress free as possible.
Have all of your financial records in order. This includes:
• Income records: You usually need two recent pay stubs. If you are self-employed, it will get trickier. Want to be even more prepared? Get pre-approved for your mortgage.
• A clean credit report: Make use of those free credit reports and check for errors, outstanding debts, and a high debt-to-income ratio. If you find any errors, it's worth your time to get them fixed prior to applying for a loan or searching for a home.
• Know what you want: As unusual as that seems, not knowing specifically what you need and want in a new home can prolong the search and have you and your agent running in circles trying to find the right home. Price is only one of the considerations. Know how many bathrooms and bedrooms you need. If there are specific amenities you desire, let them be known. Don't wait until you've traveled all over the countryside looking at homes to tell your Orlando real estate agent you absolutely must have a sunken tub.
Read up on everything you can find that will help you understand the options available to you and what you need to get financing and you will be your own best asset in finding the perfect home. Making your Orlando real estate agent work smarter, not harder, is the way to a beneficial arrangement for you both.
If you’re looking for the home of your dreams, we can help. Call us at 407-876-5771 for more information.
Choosing the Right Orlando Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home
Choosing the right Orlando real estate agent for you is a vital task. This is someone who will be inside your home, interacting with your family and working with one of your most valued possessions—your home. You need to find someone you trust to take care of you and give you the best advice. So what should you look for in an agent?
• Personality. You need to get along with your REALTOR®. Interview Orlando real estate agents. Get to know them. Do you trust them? Can you ask them questions? Are you comfortable around them? Be honest as you answer these questions. If something doesn’t feel right to you, trust your instinct.
• Work Ethic. Does your real estate agent return your calls within a reasonable amount of time? Do they answer your questions without making you feel foolish? Do their office hours fit with your schedule?
• Environment. REALTORS® either work for brokers at a large franchised real estate agency or for brokers with a small boutique agency. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. This is your own personal preference. Choose which you think will work for you.
• Experience. Agents with years of experience tend to understand more about market fluctuations. On the other hand, newer agents don’t always have as many clients at one time, so they may be able to provide more individualized care.
• Specialization. To get the best advice, find an agent who specializes in selling homes in your community.
We may be the Orlando real estate agents for you. Call us today at 407-876-5771 to find out more about my experience and areas of specialization.
• Personality. You need to get along with your REALTOR®. Interview Orlando real estate agents. Get to know them. Do you trust them? Can you ask them questions? Are you comfortable around them? Be honest as you answer these questions. If something doesn’t feel right to you, trust your instinct.
• Work Ethic. Does your real estate agent return your calls within a reasonable amount of time? Do they answer your questions without making you feel foolish? Do their office hours fit with your schedule?
• Environment. REALTORS® either work for brokers at a large franchised real estate agency or for brokers with a small boutique agency. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. This is your own personal preference. Choose which you think will work for you.
• Experience. Agents with years of experience tend to understand more about market fluctuations. On the other hand, newer agents don’t always have as many clients at one time, so they may be able to provide more individualized care.
• Specialization. To get the best advice, find an agent who specializes in selling homes in your community.
We may be the Orlando real estate agents for you. Call us today at 407-876-5771 to find out more about my experience and areas of specialization.
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