30 Year Fixed Rates Drop Below 4% This Week..   Here’s the scoop on mortgage rates for the week ending Nov. 10: 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.99 percent with an average 07 point, down from last week’s 4 percent average. The last time the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped below 4 percent was Oct. 6 when it averaged 3.94 percent. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 4.17 percent.  15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.30 percent with an average 0.8 point, dropping slightly from last week’s 3.31 percent average. Last year at this time, 15-year rates averaged 3.57 percent.  5-year adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 2.98 percent, with an average 0.6 point, rising from last week’s 2.96 percent average. A year ago at this time, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.25 percent.  ... 11/11/2011

Banks are now offering incentive to struggling homeowners to short sale their homes in Florida. Just last month, Bank of America quietly began a Florida-only campaign that gives homeowners up to $20,000 for a short sale rather than letting their homes linger 676 days of the Florida foreclosure process. A few years ago this would never have been consider nonetheless offered to a defaulting homeowners. But, foreclosure have come to cost lenders so much money by way of dropping home values, deteriorated properties and on top of legal fees it is only to their advantage to execute a short sale.    Short-sale incentives are an expansion of, "cash for keys" programs offered by lenders and real-estate companies. Also, the U.S. Treasury Department has tried to increase their amount of short sale... 11/11/2011

About 84 percent of Florida foreclosures are more than 18 months in arrears. In January 2010, just 19 percent of Florida’s foreclosures were 24 months or more delinquent. A new report from Jacksonville-based LPS Applied Analytics found that as of September, 56 percent of Florida’s mortgages in foreclosure are 24 months or more behind in payments, compared with 39 percent nationwide.With those stats in mind, banks are trying another option to save time and money, with an incentive, program for defaulting homeowners to "short sale" their homes instead of enduring a foreclosure, which can take years. Last month, Bank of America quietly began a Florida-only campaign that gives homeowners up to $20,000 for a short sale rather than letting their homes linger.Wells Fargo and J.P. Morgan Chase ... 11/11/2011

For our sons 7th birthday we drove up to West Palm Bch. Which is a short drive from Miami, to go on an adventure at Lion Country Safari.. Never in a million years did we think we would witness the birth of a baby giraffe... A truly an amazing moment.. Worthy of sharing....     10/27/2011

  Here’s the scoop at rates for the week ending Oct. 13.  30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.12 percent, with an average 0.8 point, moving up from last week’s record-hitting 3.94 percent average. A year ago at this time, 30-year rates averaged 4.19 percent.  15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.37 percent with an average 0.8 point--that’s up slightly from last week’s low of 3.26 percent average. Last year at this time, 15-year rates averaged 3.62 percent.  5-year adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 3.06 percent, with an average 0.6 point, and inching up from last week’s 2.96 percent. Last year at this time, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.47 percent.  1-year ARMs: averaged 2.90 percent with an average 0.6 point, a drop from last week’s 2.95 average. A year ago, 1-year ARMs averaged ... 10/14/2011

  Guess what?  It is that time of the year again, for the 2011 Miami Lakes Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkin Patch Opens:  October 7 - 31, 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Where: Miami Lakes United Methodist Church           14800 NW 67th AVE          Miami Lakes, FL          Florida 33014    The truck containing over 2000 pumpkins of all sizes and the pumpkins weigh over 43,000 lbs has arrived and the second truck will be on Monday, 10/10/11 at 5pm the whole community is welcome to join in an unload the trucks.  Call ahead to let them know you are coming to help 305-821-7274  The whole community is invited for fun and photo opportunities and, of course, the opportunity to purchase pumpkins! The fall festival always has lots of activities for the kids. Last year there was a bounce house, pony rides, face paint... 10/10/2011

Here is a short video from the National Association of Realtors with a few quick tips when facing a short sale... Regardless of your situation, there are several options available to you... Contact me for your confidential consultation...     Disclosure: Stephanie Leon with Avanti Way Realty is not associated with the government and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan. If you stop paying your mortgage, you may lose your home and damage your credit rating. 10/03/2011

                                                              Being from Florida I was so excited to read this Wonderful news. I am glad to see Miami # 1 on this list….  So, I just had to share with all…    Daily Real Estate News | Friday, September 23, 2011   Prices are rising in Florida: Florida cities have had the largest year-over-year increases in average list prices, according to the latest real estate data from Realtor.com. Florida cities make up 9 of the top 10 places for highest year-over-year list price spikes, based off of August data of 2.2 million listings in 146 markets. Nationwide, the average list price is $320,325, up 2.36 percent year-over-year. Here are the top 15 cities boasting the highest percentage of year-over-year increases in average list prices.  1. MiamiAvera... 09/23/2011

Here’s the scoop on mortgage rates for the week of 9/23/2011.30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 4.09 percent, matching last week’s record-hitting average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 4.37 percent. 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.29 percent, marking a new all-time record. Last week, 15-year rates averaged 3.30 percent, and a year ago at this time, it averaged 3.82 percent.5-year adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 3.02 percent this week, up from last week’s 2.99 percent average. Last year at this time, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.54 percent. 1-year ARMs: averaged 2.82 percent, up slightly from last week’s 2.81 percent. A year ago, the 1-year ARM averaged 3.46 percent.Source: REALTOR® Magazine Daily News   09/23/2011

According to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.Sales activity and median prices for Florida’s existing home and existing condo markets rose in August 2011.Existing home sales increased 15 percent last month with a total of 16,206 homes sold statewide compared to 14,131 homes sold in August 2010. The statewide median sales price for existing homes last month was $137,500, up 2 percent from the year-ago figure of $134,900. August’s statewide existing home median price was also slightly higher than it was in July.“Over the past few months, it appears that home prices have been stabilizing in many local markets across the state,” said 2011 Florida Realtors President Patricia Fitzgerald, manager/broker-associate with Illustrated Properties in Hobe Sound and Mariner Sands ... 09/23/2011

Foreclosure filings, defined as a default notice, auction sale notice, or bank repossession show a 4 percent decrease in July from June, and a 35 percent decrease from the same period a year ago, according to RealtyTrac's July 2011 Foreclosure Market Report. 10. Wisconsin Rate: One in every 571 households Change from June 2011: 43.34% Change from July 2010: -8.11% 9. Illinois Rate: One in every 498 households Change from June 2011: -3.51% Change from July 2010: -45.79% 8. Idaho Rate: One in every 417 households Change from June 2011: -17.49% Change from July 2010: -42.02% 7. Michigan Rate: One in every 417 households Change from May 2011: -15.67% Change from June 2010: -42.15% 6. Florida Rate: One in every 396 households Change from June 2011: -5.86% Change from July 2010: -56.60% 5. U... 09/22/2011

Fla. foreclosures could bypass court system. Gov. Scott and GOP:  Want to take courts out of foreclosure process to speed it up the process and boost the economy. Supporters of this concept already used in nearly 30 states – say it will speed foreclosures, get houses back onto the market and boost the economy. Non-Supporters- say it puts property owns at the mercy of the banks. Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Dean Cannon and Senate President Mike Haridopolos all say they are interested in considering legislation to change Florida laws so judges won’t have to referee foreclosures.And the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on Tuesday heard a presentation on foreclosures detailing states that include courts in the process versus those that don’t. Bottom line: Foreclosures take longer and are... 09/22/2011

  Selling your home via a short sale can be a viable option if you are a homeowner facing foreclosure. The process of a short sale can be a bit challenging and frustrating without the proper guidance.  For the best results, you should work with Real Estate agent that can guide you successfully through the selling process.  Navigating a short sale is complex in nature however; the Seller’s benefits outweigh the complexity. Why Short Sale? When you fall behind on your mortgage payments, or the value of your home is less than the balance owed, a short sale may be an option. With a short sale, you sell your property for a reasonable discounted price acceptable to your lender. Once the sale is complete, the lender will remove the existing mortgage. It is up to the lender to accept any short ... 09/19/2011

Attention: Homeowners Until the recent downturn in the economy the thought of doing a short sale was unheard of but in today’s world, it’s one of if not the best way to get your family’s financial status back on track. In the past couple of years, banks were reluctant to work with a homeowner to allow a short sale to take place or they made it very difficult creating hesitancy among buyers to go through the process of buying a short sale. That’s changing, banks are now offering aggressive short sale programs with terms, and conditions sellers are seeking, these programs are quickly gaining buyers attention with them placing offers with more enthusiasm turning away from the multiple bidding process of foreclosures. I can help! I am an experienced Short Sale negotiator who is helping home... 09/08/2011

  In this market, more and more people are attempting to sell homes. Modern homes are the latest craze that potential buyers are looking for. However, there are other ways to make your home a more successful sale, even if it isn’t very modernized. Here are a few tips that will rank you higher in the range of possibility.     1.      Keep the house and lawn tidy   2.      Turn on all the lights, and burn a scented candle   3.      Remove wallpaper and add a fresh coat of paint on the walls   4.      Keep the home clutter free       08/24/2011

According to the recent reports taken on August 19th here’s the weekly update on the all-time low mortgage rates: 30 year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged at 4.15 compared to last week’s 4.32 percent. (The previous all-time-low record was 4.17) 15 year fixed-rate mortgages: dropped to 3.36 percent this week, from last week’s 3.50 percent. 5 year adjustable-rate mortgages: decreased to 3.08 percent this week, from last week’s 3.13 percent. 1 year ARM: decreased to 2.86 percent this week, from last week’s 2.89 percent Source: “Mortgage Rates Lowest in Over 50 Years,” Freddie Mac (Aug. 18, 2011) 08/24/2011

Mortgage rates continued to move lower as investor concerns over the health of the US economy increased, reports mortgage rate research website, ForTheBestRate.com. Interest rates advertised on the site have dropped to near their lowest point of 2011 for most products, with the 15 year fixed reaching historical record lows. On August 4th 15 year mortgage rates as low as 3.250% were posted (APR: 3.387%, Lender: Gateway Bank Mortgage.) The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage has fallen to a record low, leading to an increase in refinancing applications. But cheaper loans are unlikely to lift the struggling housing market or boost the weak economy.The rate on the 15-year loan, a popular refinancing option, dropped to 3.54 percent this week from 3.66 percent last week, Freddie Mac sai... 08/08/2011

Previously, married couples held the majority in households. In 1960, they owned 75% of households in the United States. However, according to recent US Census data, they aren’t anymore – dropping a total of 48%! The new leaders, who have increased dramatically, are family-households and non-family households. John Burns Real Estate Consulting has found the desire that these owners typically have, that caused their rates to soar: Smaller home size: Non-family households tend to want less space than a family household–opting for a home under 2,500 square feet. A recent survey also found that more than two-thirds of non-family households tend to want no more than three bedrooms in a home too. Location is key: Non-family households want a good location near work, entertainment, and shops. ... 08/02/2011

According to a study done a few years back by the American Economic Review, a pattern is shown between lower divorce rates and declining home prices. The data shows that divorce rates declined to 46% in 2009, from 50% in 1996. Therefore the American Economic Review claims that “It is more likely to divorce when equity gains make it possible for them to put money down on separate homes. But a decrease in residential values and the high cost of divorce proceedings have prompted some couples to stay together.”   Source: “Divorce Rates Decline Alongside Home Prices,” Realty Times, Carla Hill   08/02/2011

Hackers are outsmarting people every day. If you aren’t careful enough, you are exposing all business or personal information to these hackers by simple ways that could be easily protected. Don’t broadcast this information and create more problems for yourself. Just simply follow these four tips by RISMedia to prevent these occurrences: 1.       Lock your phone. 2.        Be cautious of apps that ask for too much extra information 3.        Be sure to log out of all Web services once you’re finished. 4.       Check reviews of apps   Source: “The 8 Best Ways to Protect Smartphones,” RISMedia 08/01/2011