Buyers

Buying a rental investment in Orlando   Having a rental investment in Orlando is good for landlords.  Long Term Rental rates increased 4% over last year, and are expected to continue upwards.   The down turn in the housing market and economy has created more renters than home buyers.  Rental vacancy rate is low, as demands are high. Being a landlord in a renters market is considered desirable.   Short Term Rental occupancy (vacation rentals)  remains strong, as the ec...

The reason that an Orlando home seller lies is because they can.   The rule for an Orlando home seller is that they must disclose all material facts to the home buyer.  While the disclosure is not required to be in writing, most of the time it is.   A sellers disclosure is a mufti page questionnaire that the home seller fills out, which clarify any issues about the property and discloses any problems.     But sometimes it is easier for the Orlando home se...

In 1992, I became an Exclusive Buyer Agent   I opened up an Exclusive Buyer Agency office during an era where every agent represented only the seller.  Being an "Exclusive Buyer Agent" was unheard of by consumers and hated by regular real estate agents.   After all, up until now, both agents represented the sellers so they could get by with anything.  Now there was someone like me, an Exclusive Buyer Agent, who was watching out for the buyers best interest, and not th...

Meth Homes in Florida are a growing problem   A meth home is a residential, secret, and illegal drug lab which is used to create the street drug called methamphetamine.   Labs in Meth homes in Florida are growing in popularity due to the ease and low cost of making these drugs.   There have been 84,000 seized meth labs nationwide since 2004.   Homes that have been used as meth homes in Florida  have long term toxic effects causing numerous health ...

Occasionally Home Buyers will tell us they want to "steal" a property.   Oh how we hate to hear that!   No, not because the thought is awful but because buyers who believe that they can get a "steal" on Orlando Real Estate will be disappointed.   My first question is "what do you consider a "steal"?   The common answer is something like this:  A nice house in a good neighborhood for about 20% under market value.   Ouch! Seriously, if that was for real...

International Home Buyers are a large part of our business...   Orlando is a big draw for International Home Buyers due to Florida  being an affordable vacation market. The perfect weather, fun of Disney, shopping and dining only adds to the desire for International Home buyers to own a piece of the Sunshine State.   International Home Buyers usually do their homework and understand that an ordinary Florida Transaction Broker cannot give them the representation that...

I have been in the business long enough to... ...see all the influences on the home purchase.  Parents, in-laws and friends top the list...when the dog picks the house, not so much.   Here's the kind of people advice home buyers get: "I know you can get more for your money"" " Why are you not looking on Park avenue?" "Boy, that needs a lot of work" "OMG this house is overpriced" "Well...if you really like it...hmm.   Every one without a real estate license...

Orlando Buyer Broker submits buyers offer   My buyer client made an offer on one agents listing.  Frankly, the listing agent came unglued.   Listing agent could not believe by clients offer, which she thought was way too low. (Yes, the listing agent works for the seller).  She added that obviously I did not consider the sellers feelings...   She then reiterated how much money the seller spent on remodeling the home and staging it.  What has that got to do with ...

Lets talk about home inspections and home inspectors.   A few years ago there was a change for Florida Home inspectors.  Now all  home inspectors must be licensed with a whole new set of rules.  That may be a double edged sword.   While it is a good thing that some fly by night home inspectors are no longer in business, the state also limits the items that home inspectors MUST inspected.   Some new home inspectors choose to follow the short list which is a sho...

What is the difference between Orlando Townhomes vs. Condos? 1) Legal Description   Traditionally, Orlando townhomes are usually a 2 story unit (upstairs and downstairs), and condos are usually one level in a multi-level building (like an apartment).   Many times you cannot spot  the difference between Orlando Townhomes vs. Condos because sometimes the condos look just like the townhomes!  This can be confusing until you look at the legal description.   Even though Orlan...