Hunters Creek is a great place to raise a family. As a matter of fact, in 2011, the writers at both “CNN/Money” as well as “Money” magazine were soo impressed with Hunters Creek as a neighborhood that they both ranked it the 21st best place to live in the whole US on their top 100 list.
The criteria that was used to make this determination included housing, education, financial, quality of life, weather data and also leisure and culture.
Because I live and work in Hunters Creek, I can tell you first hand that Hunters Creek absolutely backs up all the hype and in my opinion, it should be even higher on that list of the best places to live in the US. I’ve always found it impressive how the planners were able to fit so many great things into one neighborhood. From the A schools to the parks and nearby shopping all nestled in untouched conservation areas that are home to just about every species of Florida wild life.
Housing in Hunters Creek
Because of my profession as an Orlando real estate Broker, I’m very familiar with the Hunters Creek real estate market. Even through the housing market of 2007, Hunters Creek didn’t suffer as much as some other less desirable Orlando neighborhoods. And having sold hundreds of Hunters Creek homes throughout the years, I can tell you that whenever I get a listing in the Hunters Creek area it won’t last for very long. Hunters Creek property values are almost back where they were back in 2006 mainly because it seems that everyone wants to live here… I can’t say that I blame them.
The Parks at Hunters Creek
Parks located in Hunters Creek are very well laid out and are fully equipped to entertain today’s young families.You can find the following amenities in just about any of the several parks located in Hunters Creek.
Community center with game room for kids
Fishing docks
Kayaking
Soccer fields
Baseball / softball fields
Basketball courts
Volleyball courts
Racquetball courts
Tennis courts
Golf Course
Multi-purpose fields
Picnic tables
Restrooms
Walking paths
Tot lot (shade structure)
Dog parks
Shuffleboard
Hunters Creek Schools
Whether you have a newborn or a teenager as well as everyone else in between, the Schools in Hunters Creek have you covered across the board. One of my favorite things about this neighborhood is that I can walk both of my sons to an A rated elementary to school every morning. Then once they’re ready for middle school, it’s only just a few more blocks away.
Here’s a list of schools located in Hunters Creek
Pre-Kindergarten-Primrose School of Hunter’s Creek
Elementary schools-Hunter’s Creek Elementary School
Endeavor Elementary School
West Creek Elementary School
John Young Elementary School
Middle SchoolHunter’s Creek Middle School
Freedom Middle School
High schoolsFreedom High School
In addition to everything mentioned above, Hunters Creek hosts several events throughout the year such as “Bunny in the Park” during Easter where they turn Osprey Park into a mini amusement park for both kids and adults providing games, rides, activities, raffles, food and live
entertainment. Another popular event that’s just around the corner is “Hunter’s Creep Nights” haunted house and hayride. This is a Halloween activity where kids can go through a haunted house as well enjoy a scary hay ride throughout Osprey Park. The event also allows children from the community to not only participate and be part of the haunted house but also constructing it.
If you’re looking to buy or sell a property in my favorite neighborhood- Hunters Creek, it would be my pleasure to help you accomplish your goals. Just contact me, Jenny Zamora at https://orlandorealtyconsultants.com/ or call 407-902-7750.
A recent ZipRealty report has put Orlando real estate in the No: 5 spots in a list of booming real state locations in the United States. All of the 10 markets featured in this list have been hand-picked for their excellent public schools. Orlando owes its 5th position to the highly reputed Seminole County Public School which holds a score of 7.8 on a scale of 1 to 10. The ZipRealty report also indicates that Orlando home prices have witnessed a 26% year-on-year rise to nearly $145,000.
Accessibility to good schools has always been a top priority consideration for home buyers who are looking to relocate and Orlando clearly has what it takes in this respect. Companies hoping to recruit the cream of the available talent often highlight the excellent schooling available to attract skilled employees to its ranks. This could be great news for sellers who are looking for good Orlando short sale opportunities since it means that more buyers may be viewing this location favorably. In fact, the appearance of Orlando on this top 10 list can make the job easier for short sale realtors representing sellers.
Chinese Show Interest in Orlando Properties
A recent trend also indicates that buyers should view Orlando’s properties favorably. International investors appear to be keen on buying real estate here. The Chinese, in particular, who have been investing in key locations across the United States in recent times, are also adding Orlando to their list of possible investment destinations.
In fact, a Hong King based firm, Gaw Capital Partners has plans to raise $500 million to invest in commercial property in Orlando among other places. The fund’s manager describes Orlando as an ‘innovation center’. If investors like these increase their attention on Orlando properties, the housing recovery is bound to get impetus and in turn, prices are likely to move upwards. For sellers in need of a short sale, achieving a reasonable price for their property may become easier in such circumstances.
An increase in Flood Insurance Premium may Impact Housing
On the negative side, analysts are worried that the increase in flood insurance premiums may dampen the enthusiasm for properties in low-lying areas across Orlando. Many have predicted that the rate hike will subdue housing recovery here and/ or cause a decline in property values. In the words of Governor Risk Scott, the unfair consequences of the National Flood Insurance Program reforms could devastate real estate values across all of Florida. However, as experts point out the rate hike is likely to impact only specific pockets within Florida where the wealthiest of the State’s denizens reside.
Recent studies by the National Association of Realtors show signs of promise for today’s real estate professionals. For the second year in a row, business activity rose for real estate agents since 2011. The gross median income for an Orlando realtorin 2011 was $34,900.00 and in 2012 it shows that realtors made an average of $43,500.00. The numbers aren’t in for 2013 yet but you can bet that the average Orlando realtor’s income is even more than it was in 2012. This is great for the industry because more agents will be able to continue working as agents instead of having to find another job because of market conditions, as was the case in 2007-2008 when soo many agents just weren’t making enough money to survive.
Real estate agents that have been at it for a while of course make considerably more. Agents that have been in the business for more than 8 years showed an average income of $58,300.00 for 2012. It’s like anything else in life, the more work you put into it, the more reward you will get from it. On the opposite end of the scale are newbie realtors [2 years or less] who only averaged $$9,700.00. For these agents, they are facing an uphill battle and more than half of these newer agents will get frustrated and eventually seek employment elsewhere.
Realtors Working twice as Hard for the Same Money
Studies also show that a realtor back in the most recent peak of the Orlando real estate market in 2006 was making twice the amount of money for the same amount of work. Now the tables have turned. A realtor these days has to work double-time in order to make the same income they were making 7 years ago. With all the new laws and regulations in place, realtors have to really know what they’re doing. Not too many transactions are easy to get closed, there seems to always be an obstacle or two or three, especially when you’re trying to close on a short sale. Real estate transactions these days require skill, competence as well as patience to get them closed.
Before you apply for a mortgageto buy your dream home, check your FICO score. It is a key determinant of the interest rate that lenders are likely to offer you. A good FICO score makes you a less risky borrower in the eyes of lenders. Naturally, they’re willing to earn your business by offering you a competitive rate of interest. A lower interest rate translates into savings amounting to thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. So, pause, and think if you should improve your credit score to become a favored borrower, or go right ahead as your credit history is nothing short of impeccable. To make this decision, these tips may come in handy.
–A credit score of less than 550 makes you a deep subprime borrower; you may find it hard to get a mortgage or bear a high-interest rate and stringent and/or inflexible terms and conditions
–A credit score between 550 and 620 makes you a risky, sub-prime borrower
–A credit score between 680 and 740 makes you a less risky, prime borrower
–Any score over 740 makes you a super-prime borrower; you are highly likely to be offered the lowest mortgage rates available.
If you’re looking for a home in Orlando, Fl then you should hire an experienced Orlando Realtor to help in your search. We dedicate ourselves to helping people buy and sell Orlando, Fl real estate.
