Category: Orlando Realtors

Is Now A Good Time To Buy Or Sell a House in Orlando?

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

A recent report by the Orlando Regional Realtors Association, states that right now is a good time to buy or sell a home in Orlando, FL. Although there is a shortage of inventory, mortgage interest rates remain extremely low which continues fueling high demand for housing in Central Florida.

Many Realtors in Orlando… including myself, thought when the pandemic started, it would be devastating for real estate professionals. Since real estate agents work solely on commissions meaning… if you don’t close a deal, you don’t get paid. Realtors, for the most part, aren’t eligible to collect unemployment like in a normal 9 to 5 job.

There’s no denying the Coronavirus pandemic slowed down many businesses and even caused some to close, but the Orlando real estate business isn’t one of them. I can tell you that my own brokerage Orlando Realty Consultants, is even busier than we were this time last year.

There’s no doubt in my mind this is largely due to people moving from larger cities up north wanting to live in more spacious suburban surroundings. More and more businesses are offering their employees a way to work remotely so they can live wherever their hearts desire.

Orlando is home to some of the best suburban neighborhoods in the state of Florida. Neighborhoods like Hunter’s Creek which was voted the 21st best place to live in the US by CNN’s Money Magazine. These great communities combined with gorgeous year-round weather make living in Orlando attractive to anyone and everyone.

Orlando Home Sales Up 20% Since Start Of Pandemic

The greatest issue home-buyers are confronting is that low housing inventory is driving an enormous demand. With historically low-interest rates, homes are vanishing off the market.

Even if you are not interested in buying or selling, real estate agents in Orlando say now is an excellent time to refinance. It does not hurt to see what your options are. You could end up shaving hundreds of dollars a month on your mortgage payment if you refinance.

Can We Expect To See More Foreclosures In 2021

Most homeowners that have been affected financially by the pandemic have been able to get through these hard times. Thanks to forbearance agreements, unemployment checks, and stimulus money people who know how to “trim the fat” have been able to keep up with their bills. But what happens when all these temporary solutions come to an end?… and they will end at some point. I believe many homeowners may have to take out home equity loans at some point and use them to keep up with their mortgage payments while others will elect to sell their Orlando home to cash in on the current seller’s market.

Right now, it’s too early to tell how this will all play out because many people are still receiving unemployment benefits and our new president is promising another round of stimulus checks to all tax-paying Americans. Hopefully, the world will get back to being close to normal, the economy will bounce back, and the housing market will continue to boom.

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How To Extend Your COVID-19 Mortgage Forbearance

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

If you received a mortgage forbearance due to COVID-19, your payment suspension could be about to expire. If so, you must request an extension before the initial forbearance agreement expires. It’s important to know that a forbearance extension through CARES isn’t guaranteed. The CARES Act [aka] Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
was signed into law on March 27th of 2020. If you aren’t sure, contact an experienced Orlando Realtor to assist you.

The act granted homeowners who were financially affected by the coronavirus a 6-month temporary suspension with no penalties. That means the first forbearance agreements began to expire at the end of October 2020.

The CARE Act also allowed for a 180 forbearance extension… as long as the homeowner requests before the initial agreement expires.

MAIN POINTS

  • The CARES Act provides up to 360 days of mortgage payment forbearance for homeowners with a federally backed loan.
  • The initial forbearance can be for up to 6 months with one 6 month extension.
  • You must request the initial forbearance from your bank as well as the extension. Neither one is automatic.
  • To apply for an initial forbearance or an extension, contact your lender.
  • Typically, forbearance freezes delinquency, which also stops foreclosure.
  • Most lenders offer COVID-19 related forbearance. For private lenders rules and conditions vary.

What Loans Qualify for Forbearance Under the CARES Act?

The CARES Act forbearance applies to mortgages backed by the federal government:

  • Loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration
  • Loans insured under section 255 of the National Housing Act.
  • Loans insured under section 184 or 184A of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992.
  • Loans insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • Loans insured or made by the Department of Agriculture.
  • Loans insured by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporations (Freddie Mac) or (Fannie Mae)

Apply For Your Extension Through Your Lender

If your loan forbearance is about to expire and you still can’t make the payments, contact your lender immediately. Check your mortgage statement for the contact information of your mortgage servicer.

Your lender should notify you before the expiration of your current forbearance. Don’t take a chance! If you’re not sure when your current forbearance expires then call your servicer to tell them you need an extension. If you’re unsure or need some help, feel free to contact us at https://orlandorealtyconsultants.com/ for immediate assistance.

Before you contact the lender, visit their website for any mortgage relief options available.

The CARES Act only requires that you request an extension and by law… you shall receive one.

Get It In Writing!

Although the law doesn’t require your forbearance request to be written, it’s a good idea to ask your lender for documentation detailing the terms of your agreement.

Things to keep in mind:

  • To get the extension, you don’t need to submit additional documentation. Only your claim to have a coronavirus-related financial hardship will be required.
  • During the time of your forbearance, additional fees, penalties, or interest will be waved.
  • You have the option to shorten the forbearance and continue to make payments at any time. Let your lender know of the change.

If you still haven’t asked for your mortgage forbearance, don’t worry… you may still be able to as long as the emergency declaration is still in effect. You can check with your local Orlando real estate agent to get informed.

What About Private Lender Forbearance Agreements?

If you have a mortgage through a private lender you’ll have to contact them and see what they’re offering. Because your lender will have their own set of terms and conditions, you’ll need to pay close attention to the fine print. For example, some private lenders may want you to pay a balloon payment for missed payments and interest.

During Your Forbearance

During the time of your Forbearance, while preparing for life after your forbearance expires, there are a few things you should be doing…

  • Maintain copies of ALL written documents pertaining to your forbearance agreement.
  • Check your monthly mortgage statements carefully to make sure there are no mistakes.
  • Pause auto-payments for your mortgage during your forbearance.
  • Carefully monitor your credit report for any errors and make sure your lender is reporting your status correctly
  • Prior to your forbearance expiring, be sure to have a plan in place with your lender for you to repay what you owe.

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Orlando Realty’s “Easy Exit” listing agreement.

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

When somebody lists their house with a real estate agent, they always worry that the agent won’t perform as promised and they will be stuck with them until the listing agreement has expired costing your home valuable time and exposure on the market.

Most real estate agents require you to sign listing agreements that have a cancellation fee of several hundred dollars when the homeowner wants to terminate the contract with the agent they hired to represent them.

It’s for this reason that I use an “Easy Exit” listing agreement. This takes the risk out of listing your house and having to worry about us not performing.

When you list your home through our INSTANT AMNESTY Listing Agreement, there’s no risk to the homeowner. We are so confident that you’ll be happy with the results that we get you that you can cancel your listing with us at any time and NO CHARGE! There is NO cancellation fee in our listing agreement.

• You can cancel your listing anytime.

• You can relax, knowing you won’t be locked into a lengthy contract.   

• Enjoy the caliber of service confident enough to make this offer.
   In my 8+ years as an Orlando realtor, the few times that someone has wanted to cancel a listing agreement with me was because they decided to keep the house instead of selling, it has never been for non-performance. When it comes to real estate, my skills and work ethic are among the best in Orlando and I have the track record to prove it. My confidence comes from thousands of successful real estate transactions and thousands of happy clients. The fact that most of our business comes from referrals from past clients says it all.

Whether it’s a traditional listing or an Orlando short sale, I get the job done no matter what.

Tired of your realtor not performing and wasting valuable time on the market? Give us a try, you have absolutely nothing to lose. Visit us at https://orlandorealtyconsultants.com/ or call us at 407-902-7750 so that we can discuss your best options. Jenny Zamora Lic. RE Broker

Orlando Vacation Homes

 

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What Do Real Estate Agents Charge?

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

If you need to hire a real estate agent to help you buy or sell a house, keep in mind these real estate professionals get paid through a real estate commission. So how much does it cost and why? Can this be negotiated?

As a real estate agent in Orlando, FL since 2004, please let me explain everything you’ll need to know about real estate commissions.

How much are real estate commissions?

Instead of getting paid by the hour or weekly salary, real estate agents only get paid if the real estate transaction goes through.

Some brokerages will charge a flat rate for their services, most agents work off a percentage of the sale once the sale has gone through. The exact percentage can vary however, most real estate commissions are usually between 5 and 6% of the sale price. So on a $100,000 home, a 5% commission would be $5,000.

This might seem like a lot of money, but keep in mind that the real estate commission gets split between the listing agent and buyer’s agent. Also, real estate agents don’t receive a penny until the deal has gone through… a process that can take weeks and even months of work depending on the deal.

Who pays the real estate commission?

Usually, the seller of the home pays the entire amount of the commission for the service of both the listing agent as well as the buyer’s agent… unless the agent is representing both buyer and seller.

The two agents typically split the real estate commission 50/50. If a home sells for $100,000 at a 5% commission, each real estate agent will walk away with $2,500. However, this can also vary in certain situations such as if the listing agent was only offering 1% to the buyer’s agent. Everything in real estate is usually negotiable.

Dual Agency Explained

If the same real estate agent is representing both the buyer and the seller, the agent then becomes a “dual agent” and receives the entire amount of the real estate commission. That’s why listing agents love it when they also find the buyer in addition to representing the seller. [Talk about a huge payday!]

As an Orlando real estate agent, this has happened to me countless times. However, many real estate agents don’t like representing both parties because it puts them in the awkward situation of having to work for both the buyer which could at times become a conflict of interest.

What Exactly does real estate agent commission cover?

Homeowners certainly have the option of selling or buying their home “For Sale By Owner”, but when they find out the tremendous amount of time and work that it requires, they usually end up hiring a real estate agent. Real estate agents provide a whole wide range of services like; pricing the home correctly, marketing the home [on the Multiple Listing Service, social media, etc.] negotiations, and even guiding homeowners through the closing.

An experienced real estate agent can help you get top dollar for your home while handling all the stress that comes with selling a home. I can tell you from experience… good real estate agents earn their money!

Need proof? Check out these numbers… A recent National survey done in 2019 found that a typical FSBO home sold for $195,000 compared to $245,000 with the assistance of a real estate agent, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

That means that homes listed for sale with a realtor sold for $50,000 more than without an agent. Maybe that’s why a whopping 92% of homeowners used a real estate agent to sell their home.

Are real estate agent commissions negotiable?

As my first ever real estate teacher used to say all of the time “everything in real estate is negotiable”. Although a 5% to 6% commission is the norm here in Florida, there aren’t any state or even federal laws that set commission rates.

This means that if you want to sell your home, you can certainly ask your real estate agent to reduce their commission however, they aren’t obligated to do so.

One thing to consider is this: Your listing agent must pay for marketing your home from the commission they receive after the closing, less commission could mean a lower marketing budget for your home which could mean more time on the market.

With that being said, it won’t hurt to ask your agent to lower their commission. Most real estate agents won’t be offended [who cares if they are?] and the worst they can tell you is no. If you are tight on the numbers, you may ask them to charge you a flat fee for helping you list the home, communicate with buyers, and write the contract, but you won’t get a full service from the agent or brokerage with a flat fee. Most agents don’t offer a flat fee listing agreement, so you’ll have to shop around a bit, and be prepared to do some of the heavy lifting yourself.

Buying or selling a home will probably be one of the largest financial transactions of your lifetime, so make sure to find an experienced real estate agent that you can trust to do a great job. This isn’t the time to hire your nephew who just got his license 3 weeks ago…

Other Things You Should Know About Real Estate Commissions

Every detail about an agent’s real estate commission must be outlined in the listing agreement [contract] that you signed when you hired the agent. A typical listing agreement should also state how long the agent will represent you. Usually, a listing agreement in Florida lasts between 90 to 120 days.

As the home seller, you want a real estate agent who will fetch you the highest and best sales price and the terms you want, but the best real estate agents aren’t cheap. Like the old saying goes with most things in life… you get what you pay for.

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Should I Stage My Orlando Home Before Selling?

Posted on by Jenny Zamora


Is it Worth the Hassle to Stage My Orlando Home?

Shakespeare once said that “all the world’s a stage”… this also includes the house you want to sell for top dollar.  As a Realtor in Orlando, I can’t tell you enough how much of a difference it can make to set the stage before revealing your home to the world.

Unless you’re an interior designer, staging a home is not a do-it-yourself type of task. Staging involves hiring professionals with talent and skillsets for interior design. A good stager will give your house a makeover that will make you think twice about selling. By using temporary furnishings and décor, your house will get more than its share of “oohs… and aahs…” from potential buyers doing their walk-through.

Quality staging is not like an insurance policy by any means and there’s no guarantee that your home will sell for more money because of it. However, It is a great and powerful marketing tool. Great staging should present your home in its most flattering light and will keep you at the higher end of the comps in your area. Have you ever heard of the saying “dress for the job you want, not the one you have”? When selling a house… when want it to be dressed to the 9’s to get the price you want.

Staging helps potential buyers to visualize what their life could look like living in such an elegantly decorated home.

Staging Leads to Great Listing Photos

Great photography is a must when marketing your home for sale. By having pics of a staged home instead of an empty or messy home, you’ll increase your chances of finding an online buyer 10 fold. Especially these days the majority of home buyers start their search by looking through online listings before hiring a Realtor in Orlando, FL.

Before Hiring Stagers Consider This

In addition to being Realtors, we are also Orlando real estate investors, we’ve bought and rehabbed many houses over the years. I can tell you from my own experience that staging does help. Like… a lot. There’s always one or two buyers that ask if they can also purchase the furniture and decorations.

But don’t just take our word for it. Recently, a survey from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® revealed that:

Almost 80% of buyers’ agents claimed staging makes it easy for the buyer to imagine the property as their future home. It’s kind of like helping the buyer to dream it to achieve it so your real estate agent can make the sale.

40% of Orlando listing agents say that a staged home spends a lot less time on the market compared to an empty house. For you the seller, time saved could mean more money in your pocket and being able to move out sooner. Listing agents also claimed that staged homes will fetch a higher dollar amount… between 6-10%!

Some listing agents in Orlando will offer staging services to their clients but most of the time you’ll have to hire someone and pay for the staging yourself.

Professional home stagers will usually charge according to how many rooms you want staging. We pay roughly $700 per month when we stage a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house which includes everything from the furniture to décor.

What about staging the house yourself?

If you’re on a tight budget, then hiring a professional may not be an option for you. If this is the case, check out some Youtube video tutorials on the subject to help guide you. If you have a friend or relative with really nice décor in their house, you may want to ask them for some staging ideas.

Declutter and clean at the very least

No potential buyer is going to enjoy walking through a messy or dirty house. Take the time to declutter and clean it like it’s never been cleaned before. Move some furniture into the garage if you have to, organize household items out of sight, and remove anything that makes a room look smaller. You should also change out any burnt light bulbs and have the carpets shampooed.

Keep the closets neat and organized

Make sure they can see the space, buyers always want to check out the closets. Remove some things if you need to rather than having that “stuffed full” look. Consider putting away personal items like family photos, religious pieces, and maybe some artwork to make the house look more neutral.

Only focus on rooms that count the most

You don’t have to stage your whole house to impress buyers. We find that staging rooms where people spend the most time will make the biggest impression on buyers. Staging the kitchen, Living room, Dining room, bathrooms, and Master bedroom is more than enough to make a buyer take notice.

Don’t forget to stage your yard

Curb appeal is super important for getting potential buyers through the front door. Make sure your yard looks the best it can. A freshly cut yard, manicured bushes, and some colorful plants can make a huge impact on buyers and set the stage for what the inside looks like.

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