Another month, another piece of evidence that the housing market is in recovery. Existing Home Sales surged in October as the nation's homebuyers took advantage of low mortgage rates, low list prices, and, for some, a generous tax credit. Home resales are 23 percent higher versus a year ago and home supply is down to 7 months nationwide. Inventory hasn't been this low since February 2007. The news shouldn't be surprising, however.  The same real estate trade group that produces the Existing Home Sales report also publishes a monthly report meant to predict future home sales called the Pending Home Sales Index. Pending Home Sales have been throug...... Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Existing Home Sales Blow Past Expectations   ---------------------------------------------------   Chri... 11/23/2009

APR is an acronym for Annual Percentage Rate.  It's a government-mandated calculation meant to simplify the comparison of mortgage options. A loan's APR can always be found in the top-left corner of the Federal Truth-In-Lending Disclosure. Because APR is expressed as a percentage, many people confuse it for the loan's interest rate.  It's not.  APR represents the total cost of borrowing over the life of a loan.  "Interest rate" is the basis for monthly mortgage repayments. The main advantage of APR is that........ Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Simple Real Estate Definitions : APR   --------------------------------------------------   Chris is Florida's #1 FHA Mortgage Broker and a syndicated mortgage blogger. He is regular contributor to the three leading industry blog-fronts includ... 11/16/2009

The following are the market sales statistics for Sanford, Seminole County, Florida for October 2009.  Sanford is made up of the zip codes of 32773 & 32771.  For purposes of this analysis we are only splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas.   A couple of definitions are in order. The median sales price means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less during a certain period of time - in other words, it's the midpoint of sale prices. So basically what this means, is that the median sales price is showing market activity in that it's specifically indicating which price range is more active.   The average sales price, as opposed to the median sales price, is the total volume of sold properties divided by the nu... 11/13/2009

These statistics should give you a feel for what’s happening in the luxury segment of the Orlando FL real estate market. Street Date Sold Original List Price Sold Price Beds Baths Sq Ft Pool MARKHAM BEND 10/26/09 $1,497,000 $955,000 5 5 5300 Y FAWN HILL 10/26/09 $1,099,900 $720,000 4 3 4468 Y SATIN LEAF 10/23/09 $755,500 $556,500 5 3 3468 Y VISTA CLUB 10/30/09 $749,000 $650,000 4 3 3756 Y BASSETT 10/26/09 $550,000 $430,000 5 4 3990 Y CARDINAL POINTE 10/22/09 $549,900 $455,000 4 4 3545 Y   Properties have been listed and sold by various MLS members. Data drawn from the My Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service.   A few tidbits of note ... Homes listed above $500,000 often take longer to sell than properties priced at the lower end of the market. While many houses priced below $500,000... 11/11/2009

Despite the economy's improvement and prodding from Congress, banks don't seem ready to open their purse strings just yet. Nationally, mortgage approval standards are tightening. The data comes from a quarterly survey the Federal Reserve sends to its member banks.  The Fed asks senior bank loan officers around the country whether "prime" residential mortgage guidelines had tightened in the last 3 months. For the period July-September 2009: Roughly 1 in 4 banks said guidelines tightened Roughly 3 in 4 banks said guidelines were "basically unchanged" Just one bank said its guidelines had loosened. Combine the Fed's survey with recent underwriting updates from the FHA and from Fannie Mae and it becomes clear that mortgage lenders are much more cautious about their loans than they were, say... 11/11/2009

The following are the market sales statistics for Sanford, Seminole County, Florida for September 2009.  Sanford is made up of the zip codes of 32773 & 32771.  For purposes of this analysis we are only splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas.   A couple of definitions are in order. The median sales price means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less during a certain period of time - in other words, it's the midpoint of sale prices. So basically what this means, is that the median sales price is showing market activity in that it's specifically indicating which price range is more active.   The average sales price, as opposed to the median sales price, is the total volume of sold properties divided by the ... 10/14/2009

The following are the market sales statistics for Seminole County, Florida for August 2009.  For purposes of this analysis we are only splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas.   A couple of definitions are in order. The median sales price means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less during a certain period of time - in other words, it's the midpoint of sale prices. So basically what this means, is that the median sales price is showing market activity in that it's specifically indicating which price range is more active.   The average sales price, as opposed to the median sales price, is the total volume of sold properties divided by the number of properties sold.   The sales to list price ratio is just ... 09/21/2009

The following are the market sales statistics for Sanford, Seminole County, Florida for August 2009.  Sanford is made up of the zip codes of 32773 & 32771.  For purposes of this analysis we are only splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas.   A couple of definitions are in order. The median sales price means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less during a certain period of time - in other words, it's the midpoint of sale prices. So basically what this means, is that the median sales price is showing market activity in that it's specifically indicating which price range is more active.   The average sales price, as opposed to the median sales price, is the total volume of sold properties divided by the num... 09/21/2009

These smart homeowners didn’t have to lose their houses to foreclosure. Instead, they hired a real estate agent to help them sell their house as a Short Sale. By finding a ready, willing, and able buyer, they were able to stop foreclosure proceedings in their tracks and walk away with a clean ‘financial’ bill of health. In some cases, they may have had to sign a promissory note for a percentage of their total obligation. The important thing, however, is that they were able to salvage the ruinous credit rating they would have incurred with a foreclosure. Better yet, in as little as two years — or even less — they’ll be able to purchase a new home with a conventional mortgage. Street Date Sold Original List Price Sold Price Beds Baths Sq Ft Pool BELGIAN 08/31/09 $259,900 $145,000 4 2 1955... 09/06/2009

The following are the market sales statistics for Seminole County, Florida for July 2009.  For purposes of this analysis we are only splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas.   A couple of definitions are in order. The median sales price means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less during a certain period of time - in other words, it's the midpoint of sale prices. So basically what this means, is that the median sales price is showing market activity in that it's specifically indicating which price range is more active.   The average sales price, as opposed to the median sales price, is the total volume of sold properties divided by the number of properties sold.   The sales to list price ratio is just th... 08/17/2009

The following are the market sales statistics for Sanford, Seminole County, Florida for July 2009.  Sanford is made up of the zip codes of 32773 & 32771.  For purposes of this analysis we are only splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas.   A couple of definitions are in order. The median sales price means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less during a certain period of time - in other words, it's the midpoint of sale prices. So basically what this means, is that the median sales price is showing market activity in that it's specifically indicating which price range is more active.   The average sales price, as opposed to the median sales price, is the total volume of sold properties divided by the numbe... 08/17/2009

Why Sanford Florida is a great place to live and work and buy your new home! I've lived in Sanford since 1995, and have had my office here for about 3-4 years now, and I love it! Like to network and help out the community?  Sanford has a very active Chamber of Commerce as well as 2 active Rotary chapters.  There is also a monthly event downtown called "Alive after 5" which is always a ton of fun and you can meet some great local businesses. Love a peaceful afternoon stroll?  Come on down to the Sanford marina and stroll past the boats then take a walk up to 1st street which is the main drag through downtown Sanford then stop for a bite to eat at Angelo's pizza or the Willow Tree if you like authentic German food.  Or go really wild and go out for a cruise on the Rivership Romance that l... 07/27/2009

The following are the market sales statistics for Sanford, Seminole County, Florida for June 2009.  Sanford is made up of the zip codes of 32773 & 32771.  For purposes of this analysis we are only splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas.   A couple of definitions are in order. The median sales price means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less during a certain period of time - in other words, it's the midpoint of sale prices. So basically what this means, is that the median sales price is showing market activity in that it's specifically indicating which price range is more active.   The average sales price, as opposed to the median sales price, is the total volume of sold properties divided by the numbe... 07/17/2009

 Crepe Myrtle Trees In  Sanford-Florida are Abloom! After a late summer, the crepe myrtle trees are now in full bloom and make Sylvan Lake an even prettier site than it usually is.  There are few different pictures to share with you to allow you enjoy the beauty of this neighborhood.  Lake Sylvan Preserve has the peacefulness of a community with a mall, a zoo, another lake and more just down the road.  It is centrally located and close to I-4. If you would like to know more facts about this area you may e-mail me at monikadepalo@adamscameron.com.  Any comments or questions are welcome.  I'd love to show you around the neighborhood and the surrounding area if you reside in another country or state. See you soon! 06/26/2009

  An  Opportunity Knocks There are many vacant land deals right now!  Kiplingers even mentions the stock market (not day traders)and bonds have the same long term capital gain appreciation.  Land does not depreciate.  Land is the original homestead investment when they diviided all into tracts.  So the gain will be evident over time.    So write me a comment if you wish for me to locate land for you or your family to pay for retirement, college and the like.  This is a buyer's market and thee is a good amount of inventory for you to pick from to get land that will meet your needs.  Land is not as shaky as the banks and CD rates, etc.  As a licensed real estate consultant I'm here to assist you in meeting your investment goals.  Stocks are not always as honest or forthright as land. 06/19/2009

The following are the market sales statistics for Sanford, Seminole County, Florida for May 2009.  Sanford is made up of the zip codes of 32773 & 32771.  For purposes of this analysis we are only splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas. A couple of definitions are in order. The median sales price means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less during a certain period of time - in other words, it's the midpoint of sale prices. So basically what this means, is that the median sales price is showing market activity in that it's specifically indicating which price range is more active. The average sales price, as opposed to the median sales price, is the total volume of sold properties divided by the number of ... 06/16/2009

How many of these metal bridges are left? Sort of reminds me of Bridges of Madison County and brings back yesteryear.  Wouldn't it be something to have a wedding on this bridge or propose to your loved one? Make it a party, bring a picnic basket, and the boat ramp is right here! Talk about wining and dining...this would be Rhine-ing and dining...like being on the Rhine river in Paris which is quite wonderful.   So, this preservation from the 1930's seems worthwhile to preserve history for future generations. Engineering and CAD pc programs have probably made bridge designing much easier. This probably also benefited the steel industry and provided work for people to feed their families and be able to buy homes, cars and the like to enable us to live in a good economy.     It didn't seem... 06/07/2009

 Does this Tug of War  statue  evoke any emotions within  you?  We have all been there.  What was your situation if you can share it with others? Sometimes it can be a family member, a friend, a buyer or seller, or just kids playing around. It can be challenging no matter who it is with.  In this statue they all look evenly matched so that makes the fight a little less easy to call. This statue is in Sanford, Florida in Seminole county in the Sylvan Lake Preserve church and meeting hall at the entrance.  It is a good theme for a church since we all wrestle or tug with things at times. Yes, in Central Florida Orlando Magic is having a bit of a tug of war too.  Just participating in the game sometimes can bring out the team spirit we were all born with and do not always use.   Whatever te... 06/05/2009

  Doesn't this look inviting?  Lake Monroe & 188 acre Lake Sylvan in Sanford, Florida (FL) offer many water sports activities including the Rivership Romance cruise and walking, jogging, bicylcing, inline skating, fishing and more.  Sylvan Lake park has six soccer fields, picnic area, playground, tennis court, racquetball, sand volleyball, fishing, walking/jogging trail, in a natural setting. 9,406 acre Lake Monroe, on the south side of Sanford, Florida (FL) is the eighth largest lake  in the Orlando Metro area.  On the north side is DeBary and Deltona, Florida (FL) so it is on the border of Seminole and Volusia counties.  It is one mile north of I-4 on Route 17/92.  The historical swinging bridge is used as a fishing pier.  Weddings and special parites evets are held here because the a... 06/03/2009

ff  If you are relocating...and want to avoid some of the  coastal hurricanes, then Heathrow, Florida or Sanford,   Florida might be made for you.  There are lakes, parks, trails, canoe areas, kayaking, bicycle lanes, shopping, fine and casual dining, theaters, and much more.  Heathrow, Florida is home to a famous basketball player who just won a championship, I won't mention any names!  It is gated so he has security so please let him have some privacy.  Sylvan Lake and Lake Monroe are nearby. Just a short drive from Healthrow, Florida is Sanford, Florida and the picture below is the downtown area.   Sanford, Florida has a pleasant downtown.  It has the old fashioned charm of yesteryear combined with a modernized cleaner streetscape.  The attorneys offices and the courthouse is located... 06/01/2009