Author: John Conde

Cash buyers fueling Orlando Real Estate market recovery

Posted on by John Conde

The Orlando Real Estate market recovery continues on a positive path and some Orlando realtors claim that the tidal wave of cash deals is behind the recovery. “Florida realtor” studies show that fifty-one percent of single-family home sales are all-cash deals. Cash buyers have a huge edge over buyers that need to qualify for a mortgage and they are preferred over traditional buyers by sellers as well as listing agents.

One reason is that cash buyers have their own money and don’t have to wait on any mortgage company for anything. Also,  sellers know that a cash deal means a quick closing, this can mean big savings for the seller who has to make another mortgage payment for every month that their home is on the market. These days a cash offer doesn’t always mean a low ball offer anymore, investors are aware of the competition and a low ball offer could mean losing the deal.

As Orlando realtors,  we are seeing more cash offers for the full listing price of properties than ever before.

Lower-end properties [under 100k ] are being devoured by investors because of the huge demand for rentals right now. Cash investors are able to buy more of the less expensive properties and turn them into monthly cash cows. And although lower-end properties are also being bought and then re-sold for a modest profit, for the most part, we are seeing them end up as rental properties.

Other investors buy properties with the sole intention of flipping them. They want nothing to do with being a landlord and are only interested in getting in and out of a property as quickly as possible.

These buyers usually have to do some rehabbing in order to see some substantial profit and this means that they are usually pretty limited on how many they can do at once. I have investor clients that will buy one or two properties and then have to wait until the houses are renovated and sold before moving on to the next deal.

So what does this all mean for the Orlando Real Estate market?

I believe that all the cash purchases that are happening right now are driving up prices as well as home values in the Orlando real estate market. And the healthier the market is, the less risk there is for lenders to approve more mortgages for traditional buyers. This is all great news for now and hopefully will be for several years to come.

What worries me is that if home prices continue to rise to unjustifiable degrees, banks will then start giving mortgages to people that can’t afford them, then…2007 all over again!

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Benefits of Living in a Planned Community

Posted on by John Conde

  An Orlando home buyers must have list is based on a number of factors, but most lists generally consist of the same expectations. They want an updated kitchen, open floor plan, nice size bedrooms, and walk-in closets. However, above anything else, there is one requirement that is on every home buyer’s wish list – location, location, location.

 

The area in which you live is important for many reasons, including:

 

·         Proximity to friends and family

·         Proximity to schools for kids

·         Commute to work

·         Convenience to stores and restaurants

·         Hobbies and interests

 

This is just a shortlist of reasons why location is a top priority for home buyers. Land developers understand the value of location and convenience and that’s why some build master-planned communities on the land they own.

 

Reasons to Buy  

In addition to location, there are countless perks of buying a home in a planned community. Factors like parks, amenities, and quality of the home are major influences in the overall landscape and architectural design of such developments. Here are seven reasons to buy in a planned community:

 

1.       Convenience – Possibly one of the biggest reasons to buy in a planned community is convenience. You simply can’t beat being five minutes away from the grocery, restaurants, and shops – many of which are walking distance from your house.

 

2.       Amenities – Planned communities allow residents to enjoy all the luxuries in life, including access to a gym, golf course, and swimming pool. Other amenities like new schools, parks, and trails add to the perks of living in a planned community.

 

3.       Sense of Community – There’s nothing better than living in an area where neighbors gather and plan activities together. Residents of planned communities take pride in where they live and support others who live there as well.

 

4.       Social Life – This is part of the shared sense of community. Regardless of your personality or hobbies, neighbors automatically feel a bond because of where they both call home. Everybody knows everybody in planned communities and because so many places are within walking distance, it’s common for families to plan meet-ups on a regular basis.

 

5.       Security – Planned communities offer something that most neighborhoods can’t and that’s a sense of safety. Regardless of whether the community is gated or not, residents of planned communities feel safer because of their relationship with their neighbors. They look after each other and most importantly they trust each other.

 

6.       Maintenance – Planned communities are typically associated with homeowner’s associations that ensure the community’s landscape remains clean and maintained. Some communities take care of gardening, mowing, and other landscaping duties because it’s included in the cost of living in the community.

 

7.       Investment – If all other perks of owning a home in a planned community don’t persuade someone to buy, the pure investment of purchasing should. Buying a home in an upcoming planned community is typically a great investment as housing prices usually rise as the development becomes more established. If you happen to buy when the community is already developed, homeowners can feel safe in knowing that their property won’t depreciate in value.

 

It’s clear that planned communities have perks that most Orlando home buyers strive to find. It’s a relaxing environment that offers more convenience than anyone could ever dream of having.

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What’s a short sale package? | Orlando Realtors

Posted on by John Conde

Orlando Realtors- What’s a short sale package?  Video Transcript https://orlandorealtyconsultants.com

Hello Everyone, my name is John Conde with Orlando Realty Consultants Y, Yo Hablo Espanol. Today I’m here to explain exactly what goes into a short sale package.

First question…The young man with the Puerto Rican Flag

Audience – “What makes up a complete short sale package?”

“Great question,… there are many different components that make up a complete short sale package and it’s crucial that your agent gets it right the first time around….    Now before we get into the details of a  short sale package it’s important to know why your bank is asking you for all of this documentation.”
“You see, you’re trying to prove to your lender that you can no longer afford to keep the property and you’re asking them to “pretty please” let me sell it for what it’s currently worth so that I can get out from under this huge debt that I owe you.”

“Next question…. Older Gentleman with the headphones”
Audience – “What’s a hardship letter?”

“OK a hardship letter is a letter explaining to the lender the story of why you’re in the situation that you’re in…. Now when you write a hardship letter,.. remember… this letter will be read by another human being so you really want them to feel compassionate about you and your situation…so keep that in mind when you’re writing it and the more details, the better.
Now there are some negotiators that have a very robotic approach to their job and it won’t make a difference at all, but it’s worth a try.”

Some other items that they will ask you for are things like
– 2 years of tax returns…bank statements…-financial worksheet …-paystubs, etc.

Audience -“What if you don’t want to give them your personal financial information?”

John Conde- “Well if you don’t want to give them you’re financial information then your short sale file will be closed and foreclosure proceedings will continue…and that holds true for all lenders. In my 8 years of doing short sales I’ve never had one where the lender doesn’t require the homeowners financial information. So that’s just the nature of the beast.”

OK folks, I have to go…if you have any more questions about what goes into a short sale package just contact our office… feel free to take a card, visit our website or just call us at the number at the bottom of your screen…. Thank you

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How to Protect Common Items Stolen During a Home Burglary

Posted on by John Conde

Unfortunately, thousands of homes get robbed each year. As a matter of fact, as many as one in every thirty six homes are robbed annually. That means there is a good chance your home will be a target sometime during your life, whether it is a full-fledged home robbery or a bike getting stolen from your garage. However, there are things you can do to protect the items in your home. Take a look at these four items that are commonly stolen during home burglaries and what you can do to protect them.

Cable Lock Your Computer to Your Desk

Computers are commonly stolen during burglaries because they are expensive. Plus, they often contain personal information that burglars can use to steal your money or even your identity. For instance, you might have passwords saved on your computer or use an auto-complete app to quickly fill out personal information on websites.

You can protect your desktop from being stolen by securing it to your desk with a cable lock. These are readily available at office supply stores. They are great at deterring burglars because they require burglars to take your entire desk along with the desktop computer since they are inseparable, which is annoying and difficult to do. To protect smaller computers like laptops and tablets, you should store them out of sight when they’re not in use. A burglary can happen anytime, so you’ll have to be vigilant about not leaving them out.

Store Your Expensive Jewelry Separately

Burglars also target jewelry boxes because they often contain expensive items. Burglars can sell jewelry to pawn shops for cash or sell them for their metal or precious stone value, making quite a bit of money. So, if you want to protect your jewelry from thieves, you should store your expensive jewelry in a safe box or some other safe place in your home. You should do the same with any jewelry that has sentimental value. Keeping your expensive jewelry separate means that burglars won’t necessarily know to look for it, too.

Do What You Can for TVs, Game Systems, and Other Electronics

Just like computers, TVs and video game systems are commonly stolen during home burglaries. You can protect them the same way — with locking cables, when possible. It also helps to store accessories like remote controls and video games separately from your entertainment system because burglars don’t always know to look for them, and you at least make the accessories harder to find. Putting your name on things also deters burglars because it makes it easier to identify stolen items.

Protect Anything that is Pretty or Looks Expensive

You should try to protect anything in your home that is pretty or draws attention because if you like something, chances are good that burglars are going to like it, too. You can put alarms on pictures and several other items. However, burglars typically avoid stealing trinkets, lamps, and other fragile items because they don’t have the space or time to handle them. But, they don’t think twice about breaking them, so protecting items physically is a good idea, too.

Taking measures to protect the items in your home is a great way to deter burglars and keep more of your stuff.

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How to Turn Your ‘Man Cave’ into a Stylish Bachelor Apartment

Posted on by John Conde

Bachelor pads have a reputation for either looking cold and clinical or being a cluttered mess. However, somewhere in between these two extremes is a homely, stylish and masculine home.

Your home is an extension of you and as a result, it should reflect your individuality. The ‘bachelor pad’ is synonymous with the idealised life of a young, trendy man, so your apartment should be fun, stylish and functional.  It should also be a place where you can relax, as well as a social space for entertaining others.

As a woman, I’ve never lived anywhere that could be described as a ‘bachelor pad’ although I feel I can offer a feminine perspective on what is a very manly space. The most important thing is that your home should have a personality – yours!

Liven Up Your Walls

Nothing feels less homely than bare walls. It makes a room feel unfinished and that is why it’s probably good a starting point for this guide. There is a huge variety of framed prints online ranging from landscape photography to old advertisements, and from abstract painting to graphic design. There is something to suit any person and any room, so pick out a canvas or two that reflect your personality or interests.

Another great addition to a wall is a mirror. It brings in light and makes the room look bigger.

Let Things Grow in Your House

And I don’t mean mould. Pot-plants add a bit of life to a room and help it feel fresh. If you’re worrying that your green-leafed friend may die, then you could always try a cactus, as they are very hard to kill! Bamboo requires infrequent watering too, so if you’re a bit forgetful that’s another stylish but low-maintenance option.

Add a Bit of Colour

A colour scheme that works can really alter the mood of a room. It is important to think about which colours you like and what mood they would create. You may love bright orange but it would be hard to relax in a bright orange cube, so it’s not the best colour for your bedroom!

Good, masculine colours are blue, grey, brown, green, white and deep red. Think about combining two colours that work well together, like a bold red with a muted grey.

Lighting: From Functional to Fun

Lighting can make a real difference to how you use a space. You can make the same room fun or relaxing in the flick of a switch.

Try adding ‘feature’ lights to a living space that allows you to turn off the main lights and create a different atmosphere. Swapping your overhead pendant for some dimmed wall lamps creates a warm, romantic environment – perfect if you’ve got a date round!

Striking Design

You don’t have to fill your home with unique designer furniture in order to get a striking look. Just pick one or two pieces that are a bit unusual and they will draw the eye, such as quirky bookshelves or a uniquely-shaped armchair in the corner.

If your budget can’t stretch to new furniture then you can liven up a room in many other ways, such as reupholstering your sofa in a more eye-catching color or, as I mentioned before, installing a large artwork on the wall (IKEA art is cheap and looks good!).

Create a Social Space

Whether you want to invite friends over or a girlfriend, you want to feel like you have a place where people would actually want to visit.

This involves some thinking about how best to use your space. Try arranging sofas and chairs so that they create a circle or a right angle, providing a place to socialise. No one likes to be left sitting at the end of a straight line in a group of people!

You’ve also got to consider whether you have space for dining with friends. If you do, an elegant glass dining set could add a sophisticated touch to your bachelor pad. If this isn’t for you, another great social space would be a pool table. I’ve heard it is on every man’s wish list, and this one is particularly special as it is shaped like a car!

Simple Yet Stylish

The most important thing to remember is to keep it simple. It’s better to have a few great items that really work, than a whole apartment cluttered with wonderful (yet hidden) things.

When designing your bachelor pad remember that you can have decorative items, which provide a masculine and stylish look – not all trimmings are feminine! And in not decorating at all, your apartment could easily become a genderless and generic box.

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