Special offer

Saint Cloud, FL Real Estate News

By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
  Do we measure our life's accomplishments by what we have amassed or is it a historical look through the looking glass?  An encapsulated version of the life we have made, and memories forever preserved. Packing ones parents requires diplomacy, sensitivity, and fortitude. It requires understanding, compassion, and respect.  As a parent ages, they feel torn between the past, and the present. Adult children can play a vital role in this transformation. It is a rare opportunity to learn about all the things you did not know. When one parent passes, the remaining parent has the arduous task of deciding which momentos are important, or significant, and need to be taken along and which ones should be cast aside.In half a century of living in one place, one amasses a lifetime of memorabilia.  ...
Comments 15
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
  The average arm is about half the length of your height. Did you know it is possible to stretch out your arm 1300 miles?   Taking a referral one step further, going to meet them. In our business, we email, telephone, fax and in many ways maintain our distance.  We use FTD to send flowers, but what about FTF?  Face to Face.The positive impact made when meeting an Agent you worked a referral with has immeasurable value in solidifying a long term relationship.  Yet no one really does it.  For less than the price of a good dinner out, you could be fortifying your referral network and stretching your hand shake thuosands of miles.  While Real Estate may be local in nature, the referral network has infinite possibilities.  You may do a deal, but how many could you have done if you had actua...
Comments 9
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
 It is simple physics folks.  No need to panic.  Since the 1880 Real Estate has been tracked and charted. While it is true, that the American Economy heavily weights it economic health on the well being of the Real Estate Market, and experts are now suggesting that the next growth cycle will be delayed until 2009.  It is not a question of whether the Real Estate merket WILL recover it is now only a question of WHEN.The HISTORY OF HOME VALUE IS VERY REVEALINGSource: "irrational Exuberance" 2nd edition By Robert J. ShillerAccording to Robert J. Shiller, Yale economist who created this index of American housing prices dating back to 1980 and adjusted to today's dollars-this chart reflect exisiting home sales. Excluding new construction.Of particular interest is the reduction in home prices...
Comments 5
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
 The Community Home Owners Association has a no sign policy. The house has been sitting empty for months.  The Realtor® has tried everything to attract buyers but nothing seems to be working.  How about "Pimping Your House" for the holidays!   There are a few select occasions where it is okay to display decorations.  Halloween being one of them.  Organizing a "Haunted House" on a vacant listing with the owners permission, may be a great way to get folks through it.  It's a lot of fun, and each candy bag should have: A listing sheet.  Highlighting the special features of the home. A business card  Candy.   It can be done easily and inexpensively.   You can even wear a costume.  Keep records of the amount of bags you distributed.  Often adults accompany the kiddies and it is a great way t...
Comments 9
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
 Home Ownership- The American dream. Many would-be homeowners are sitting on the side lines waiting to see what the market will do. The best deals will pass them by, not because they cannot afford it, because they were not aware of some of the programs being offered to Low Income, and Moderate Income Homeowners.  In addition to the added benefits of tax credits for owning your own home, assistance is available in Osceola County, Florida. Homeowners who are eligible may recieve a one time grant to help pay for property taxes or homeowners insurance. There are guidelines for income and household size  available at the official site As prices continue a downward trend, many apartment dwellers are considering purchasing a home for the first time.  Down payment programs do exist, some requir...
Comments 1
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
  With so many houses on the market, finding the right one for a buyer is a liberating experience. Sort of like running naked in a field of flowers.  Through diligent search efforts, and process of elimination, as the field of possibles narrows, the excitement builds.  Ones that are vacant, are much easier to show, and there is no shortage of them!  We have close to 7000 properties for sale in Osceola County.  We have many armchair shoppers near and far watching, waiting, and monitoring the Real Estate Market.  The time has come for many, and calls are coming in while interest rates are favorable, and there is money available for mortgages.  What we are seeing in the buyer pool at present, are well prepared, knowledgeable buyers, who have been doing their homework.  Most are prepared to...
Comments 4
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
 A semantical battle is brewing. Are consumers, clients or customers?  Some Realtors differ in their opinion.  It has been said that in cases where single agency is involved the consumer is then referred to as "A Client"  However, if transaction brokerage applies, then the same consumer would be considered a "A Customer".  Digging a little deeper, the dictionary defines them both equally. One providing services, or goods.  Even the Real Estate Glossary lacks definition on the term Client or Customer.  A Principal is a customer who has single agency with a Realtor. A fiduciary obligation or duty exists. As a Transaction Broker no fiduciary duty exists.  Limited confidentiality is applied.So technically Realtors have no clients, they have only principals or customers.  Realtors are entrus...
Comments 4
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
 "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn".  The Real Estate Market has most certainly seen better days.  Like Scarlett, plowing barren soil, solid closings are far and few between for many Real Estate Professionals.  But all is not lost.  While the days of rapidly escalating prices may be "Gone With The Wind", Tara in all its glory faced challenges from the tax man-much in the same way we see so many properties now.  What is old is new.  How we see opportunity may need to change with the market.   1)  Trimming back the fat.   Excessive inventory which has been langishing on the market way to long are niw prime for picking for buyers.  Large homes can be purchased for moderate home prices. Consumers are able to buy more home for less money.2)  The mortgage process has become a little more ...
Comments 3
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
 Real Estate runs in cycles.  In Osceola County, as well as everywhere else, there is a shroud of uncertainty pertaining to the Real Estate Market. As we approach the end of the year, speculation on what the Market will do still remains cloudy. In the horizon however, something appears to be crystal clear.  There is money to be made. The expansive road projectsunderway, are a good indicator St. Cloud, Kissimmee, and the surrounding areas are expected to achieve higher than normal growth in the near future.  The 2006 Census reported 244,000 people live in Osceola County, Florida making it the 17th fastest growing countyin the United States-that is good news for the people already living here.  As the Real Estate climate is ever changing according to Wipedia, the median income is $44,000 ...
Comments 2
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
 Turbulent times, market conditions, and changes of circumstance are all factors in Real Estate.  Too often we fail to venture outside of our comfort zones, break our routines or change our patterns.  But it is those changes, which can alter the course of our destiny or that of someone else.   I went to check on a customer's house. Too many unanswered voice-mails had me a bit concerned. The signs I had placed at the house, were now gone.  The grass was long and uncut, and there was a eerie feeling when I pulled into the driveway.  As I approached the back door, there was a debris field of personal items and a strong sense something wasn't right. I peered through the window of the kitchen I noticed the cabinets had all been left open, dirty dishes in the sink, and from the corner of my e...
Comments 18
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
 Newcomers to an area have a myriad of questions. Some of which we as REALTORS® are qualified to answer, and some we are not.  Being the source of the source can be most helpful to customers. Learning where to find the answers to customer questions rather than being the source of the answer can save a relationship and build credibility in the process.  Speak only of what you know. Babbling on about zoning, future land usage, school ratings, and other areas where you do not have documentation can be a problem if a customer bases purchasing a property on that information.  "Can I split this lot and build another house here?"  Whoa!"That is question only the Planning and Zoning/Building Department can answer with any certainty. Here is the Number""Did this school get the highest grade in F...
Comments 32
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
 We, buyers, sellers and Realtors are in the game. The objective is to win.  It is all about possession and territory. Football and Real Estate are basically played the same way.   This little EZ Guide may help explain how. Real Estate is about location, delivery, and completion. Gaining Ground. Going the extra yard  to score a sale. The win is shared by the customers and Realtors who service them.There is some strategy required. It begins with "the huddle". (Office Meeting)               First comes the "Huddle", it is either an office meeting with staff or prospect. The "huddle" is the time when issues like financing, needs and wants are organized and a game plan is formulated. Rushing to view properties without the benefit of the "huddle" reduced greatly the chances a transaction wil...
Comments 9
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
Anywhere you can live work and play is home. Osceola County is home to many newcomers. With over 13 million people a year visiting in our back yard, many are attracted to the new low prices and great variety of homes available for sale.  Kissimmee over the past twenty years has blossomed from the "boonies" to major artery and tourism hot spot.  Attractive hotel room rates make Kissimmee a desireable alternative to International Visitors looking to enjoy the parks, but not the chaos of staying "in town".  Just to the east, and twenty miles from the parks is the quiet town of St. Cloud.St. Cloud, originally a retirement community, St. Cloud has experienced massive growth, and comprised of four separate zip codes 34769. 23771, 34772, and 34773 St. Cloud, offers everything from quaint lakes...
Comments 3
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
 What we have occuring in the  Real Estate Market at present is paramount to a Black Hole in space. The Event Horizon is the point at which the gravitational pull of a black hole will consume everything in its path including light.  The implosion of the Secondary Mortgage Market, created a ripple effect throughout the Real Estate World and lead to the creation of a Black hole.The foreclosure rate has increased 36% in August. Over 100% from the preceding year.  A Black Hole.   Sucking in properties, banks, mortgage lenders, realtors and everything else in its path. The law of physics is basically simple- it states that every action has a reaction.  An implosion within the banking industry, and subsequent collapse of the secondary mortgage market (Sub-Prime) and set into motion the ripple...
Comments 3
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
 Chris Gardners Story "The Pursuit of Happyness", is one man's struggle from homelessness to affluence. Gardner attributes his success to one simple word. Passion. Gardner went from seeking shelter in the bathroom of a subway to becoming a multimillionaire. He believed in his ability, and worked tirelessly to achieve his goals.American families are struggling.  They are coping with increasing mortgage rates, property tax increases, low paying jobs, higher gas prices, and making ends meet. This presents a unique opportunity to buyers entering the home market. Not only do they have more choices, they could potentially purchase a larger home at a reasonable price.  In Osceola County, there are 2,148 foreclosures on the market, according to Realty Trak.                            There are ...
Comments 0
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
Real Estate.  The ultimate purchase. Designers handbags are a status symbol amoung successful women. With so many working women choosing to marry later, and establish their careers first, it is no surprise they make up 18% of today's buyers.  In working with these women, is image everything?  Is what you carry definitive of how successful you are?  Look around.  The chances are you can on any given day see the average woman at the grocery store, dry cleaners, gym, or at school and on her arm will be a "Brand Name" designer handbag.  Last year it was a sea of brown LV's.  This year it is Coach.  Back it in the 80's it was Gucci and in the 90's it was Fendi. On college campuses the Generation X crowd has rediscovered Chanel. Buyers today are holding onto their wallets tighter than ever be...
Comments 6
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
There is a resurgence of curiousity seekers wondering if foreclosures make good investments. In the wake of the sub prime melt down, and investors taking record setting losses on speculative homes purchased before the housing bubble burst and subsequently thereafter some interesting things come to light.The bulk of foreclosures coming to market at present are a result of "creative finanancing" and borrowers inability to keep up with adjustable rate mortgages, interest only, or teaser rate mortgages which are resetting; in tandem with property taxes and home owners insurance increases.While by appearance a home may be offered at an incredible price as a foreclosure, there are certain stipulations which may make it a little less appealing.Banks typically take a very long time to decide if...
Comments 3
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
As we near the begining of fall, the changing of the leaves, the seasons, the mortgage market, and the Real Estate Market. Prices like the leaves have begun to fall. Hopes and expectations have turned to barren realization that values will not be realized. The opportunity for many buyers has begun. Those looking to capitalize on the devalued properties, obtain larger homes at reduced prices, see colorful possibilities as vibrant as the changing leaves of fall. As professionals, we counsel our customers on the market conditions, give them sage advise and help them by educating them as to what potential problems may exisit in the sale or acquisition of Real Estate. As the market changes, we need to change with it. The season to buy is here, and sales are being achieved. Rents are rising,...
Comments 8
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
Was Jim Cramer right?  Was the Fed Asleep?  On August 7th, Jim Cramer had some very poignant and soul felt remorse regarding the Mortgage meltdown and what is happening to the Home Owners in America.  His impassioned pleas to Bernanke and others to "call someone" and "do something" are seen here Click here: Panicked Jim Cramer Calls On Bernanke To Stem The Subprime Meltdown Cramer is right about one thing for sure: "It is a different Market".  People are losing their homes. Yes, there are speculators and investors tied up in this mess as well, but it is the average working family that concerns Cramer and guys like him at present.Mortgage Forgiveness is a necessary tool in this "new market".  For the average American family who purchased a home in 2004-2005 and is facing higher property ...
Comments 8
By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
 Are you stuck in the trenches lying in wait for things to get better, or are you aggressively seeking to gain more ground as the market begins its turn around?  Sellers frustrated by stagnate sales, have been chasing the market for months, trying to figure out when it will hit rock bottom. As a result there are some really well priced homes finally available.  Savy buyers are finding them.Agressive sellers who have not over financed their properties and can still put them on the Market at an obtainable price and will in time, see it sold. Not so, for the thousands of people of hard working folks who grabbed teaser rates in the last 2-3 years.  They are waist deep in the mire and likely will lose their homes, under the financial pressure and collapse of the sub prime mortgage market. Ev...
Comments 2
Explore Saint Cloud, FL