During the period June 2007 to June 2008, the Average Price Per Sq Ft of homes sold in Orange and Seminole counties have been trending down, going from $179 and $168 in the respective counties to $144 and $141. Reflecting this deteriorating trend during the same time period, the Average Days on Market for sold homes have increased from 91 and 86 to 124 and 113 in the respective counties. Homeowners who have to sell must pay particular attention to price, and position their properties at least 5% to 10% BELOW the current market value in order to stand out and attract the most buyer traffic possible. Homeowners who don't have to sell should also heed this necessity and avoid placing their houses on the market just to test the waters. The waters have been tested. They're luke warm! On the ... 07/21/2008

Loan Application Checklist This is a list of documents required in order to process your mortgage application. Verification of income Earnings statements: W-2 forms, recent pay stubs and tax returns for the past two years; If you are self-employed: profit and loss statements and tax returns for current year and previous two years; Additional income: social security, overtime bonus, commission, interest income, veteran's benefits and so on. Verification of your assets List of bank account numbers, the address of your bank branch, checking and savings account statements for the previous 2-3 months; List of savings bonds, stocks or investments and their approximate market values; Copies of titles to any motor vehicles that are paid in full. Information about the purchase Copy of the ratifi... 07/21/2008

  (click images to enlarge) The following are the market sales statistics for Oviedo, Seminole County, Florida for June 2008.  Oviedo is made up of the zip codes of 32765 & 32766, which is partly considered Chuluota.  For purposes of this analysis we are only splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas. There needs to be a disclaimer here.  These stats are only as good as telling us what it being purchased and happening at a certain period in time.  Additionally, it needs to be fully understood that not only is real estate local, but it is hyper-local.  What this means is that the trends that we hear about are overall.  Let's put it this way, what's happening in one neighborhood may not be realized in the neighborhood next door.  It is all ... 07/12/2008

That's the question thousands of homeowners in Central Florida have been asking themselves.   Even The Nicest House Won’t Sell Without a Steady Flow of Qualified Buyers Touring It Going from Listed to Sold isn’t SOLELY about having a showcase house priced to sell. It’s about reaching buyers everywhere they’re looking.  Homeowners won’t be able to sell their house unless buyers actually see it.   Here’s why the average homeowner has been so frustrated No doubt about it, this is a challenging market. Because it is, real estate agents can’t merely list a house and sit back, waiting for buyers to knock on the homeowner’s door. They must actively work with the homeowner to market and sell the house using ALL the tools at the agent’s disposal. The sad part is, if the homeowner doesn’t know wh... 06/18/2008

Clifton Financial Services, Inc 670 N. Orlando Ave, Suite 101 Maitland, FL 32751   Ask about our USDA Insured Rural Housing Loans Finance up to 102% of the appraised value 30 Year Fixed Rates lower than conventional No Minimum Credit Requirement No Mortgage Insurance Finance In Closing Costs and Prepaid Items No Maximum for Seller Contributions Not Subject to Declining Market We are also offering FHA Financing using the Ameridream Program where we get the SELLER to PAY your Closing Costs and Down Payment. Apply online at www.LowestFloridaRates.com www.SKIPtheBULL.com 407-448-7759 Richard Shuman P.A.   Subject to change without notice. 06/16/2008

  (click images to enlarge) The following are the market sales statistics for Oviedo, Seminole County, Florida for May 2008.  Oviedo is made up of the zip codes of 32765 & 32766, which is partly considered Chuluota.  For purposes of this analysis we are only splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas.   There needs to be a disclaimer here.  These stats are only as good as telling us what it being purchased and happening at a certain period in time.  Additionally, it needs to be fully understood that not only is real estate local, but it is hyper-local.  What this means is that the trends that we hear about are overall.  Let's put it this way, what's happening in one neighborhood, may not be realized in the neighborhood next door.  It is al... 06/14/2008

Oviedo Florida is one of the best values for homes in the Orlando area. You can still buy a home in an area with great schools for $250,000 - $500,000. Oviedo is located in Seminole County Florida. The census of 2000 shows there are 26,316 people, 8,556 households, and 7,178 families residing in the city. I think it's one of the best places in Florida to live. 06/07/2008

Buying or Selling? One Call Does it ALL!! Rick Belben Direct (407) 341-1706 Are you looking for an experienced real estate professional who knows the Orlando Real Estate market and can get the results you desire? Let me put my knowledge, experience, and dedication to work for you. Give me a call today, and I will immediately get to work for you - satisfying your real estate needs. Buying a Home? I'll take the time to listen to your needs and desires, and find your dream home. Your total satisfaction is my number one priority. Selling a Home? I will get your home sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. My online and offline marketing programs will give you the edge you need to sell your home. I don't want to just list your home, I want to sell it! Fast! Relocating to the Orlando Flor... 05/26/2008

  (click to enlarge images) The following are the market sales statistics for Oviedo, Seminole County, Florida for April 2008.  Oviedo is made up of the zip codes of 32765 & 32766, which is partly considered Chuluota.  For purposes of this analysis we are not only splitting the data according to zip codes, but also single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas. 32765 - Single-Family Homes 36 homes sold during the month of April. The average sales price, which is the total sold volume divided by the number of homes sold is $272,694 with 168 days on the market. The median sales price, which means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less, is $218,825. The most expensive home sold for $647,500 and was on the market for 380 days.  It was a 4 bedroom... 05/11/2008

 The following are the market sales statistics for Oviedo, Seminole County, Florida for March 2008.  Oviedo is made up of the zip codes of 32765 & 32766, which is partly considered Chuluota.  For purposes of this analysis we are not only splitting the data according to zip codes, but also single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas.32765 - Single-Family Homes30 homes sold during the month of March.The average sales price, which is the total sold volume divided by the number of homes sold is $293,966 with 131 days on the market.The median sales price, which means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less, is $267,950.The most expensive home sold for $700,000 and was on the market for 89 days.  It was a 5 bedroom, 5 bath, 3-car garage in 4592sf ... 04/14/2008

 The following are the market sales statistics for Oviedo, Seminole County, Florida for February 2008.  Oviedo is made up of the zip codes of 32765 & 32766, which is partly considered Chuluota.  For purposes of this analysis we are not only splitting the data according to zip codes, but also single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas.32765 - Single-Family Homes34 homes sold during the month of February.The average sales price, which is the total sold volume divided by the number of homes sold is $292,137.The median sales price, which means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less, is $250,000.The most expensive home sold for $620,000 and was on the market for 160 days.  It was a 5 bedroom, 4 bath 3300sf home with a 3-car garage, a screen enc... 03/11/2008

Whenever you see an unbelievably low price on a short sale or foreclosure property “subject to 3rd party approval”, it’s important to understand that the listing price has probably NOT been approved by the lender. A listing price is never approved by the lender. And because it is not pre-approved by the lender through its loss mitigation department, neither the buyer’s agent nor the buyer should much faith in it. That doesn’t mean the buyer WON’T get the house at or below the listing price. He or she may. But nothing is guaranteed, and the listing price is by no means reflective of the lender’s intent. The lender will consider the price at which it is willing to sell the house ONLY AFTER it has received a properly executed Sale & Purchase Contract, signed off by both seller and buyer, a... 01/23/2008

  As of Sunday, 12/16/2007 Oviedo Florida Housing Market Update In Oviedo, Florida which is located in North East Orlando, within 30 minutes of downtown Orlando, 50 minutes to Walt Disney World, and 45 minutes to Cocoa Beach Florida (Orlando’s Beach) and Cape Canaveral. Oviedo is unique due to its proximity to the University of Central Florida, while at the same time being within Seminole County, which is known for its high performing education system. Oviedo was once thought of a small farming community, has lost a lot of land to development of new construction homes, but has maintained the integrity of a small community. One of the great features of the city of Oviedo is the law enforcement. The Oviedo Police Department is well known not only for its responsive nature but also the int... 12/16/2007

 Rumblings in the darkness is beginning to become a familiar sound around the historical section of Downtown Oviedo.  Last night, the continuing fight to save another piece of Oviedo history took place when the Spencer House was repositioned to it's new home.  Realizing the importance of preserving local architecture, residents would rather pay for the house to be moved than destroying a part of history.  The wood frame cypress siding house had been located at 359 Lake Jessup Avenue since it was constructed in 1940 and had recently been purchased by the First United Methodist Church to be razed.  A local family had negotiated with the church in order to remove the house intact and place it on a vacant site on King Street, adjacent to another historical home, Kings Manor Bed & Breakfast,... 12/12/2007

A colleague had recently urged me to take a look at Altos Research, a real estate research company that produce real estate market trend reports.  Altos claims to offer "Real Time Real Estate Research" for various MSA's that seemed to have merit from only a high altitude.  There full product appears to be much more robust, but also a bit more more expensive as well!  Although I am unsure where the company gets their actual "real time" data, the few times I have pulled a free report on Oviedo zip codes (32765 & 32766), the numbers were not far off to what I am currently seeing through my typical sources. The Altos reports are only based on single family residential units and do not include condominiums or townhomes.  Be careful not to rely solely on the price per square foot chart as it ... 11/28/2007

   November 2, 2007The Seminole County Supervisor of Elections has posted the final results in the election for Oviedo's Mayor.   With eight of 8 precincts reporting:Mary Lou Andrews       1,021    56.9% Tom Hagood                     702     40.7% Although both of the candidates were viewed as highly qualified, the past mayoral experience of Mary Lou Andrews apparently wasviewed by many as the swing in the election.  Tom Hagood will remain in the political scene with Seminole County government where he has served as the chair of the Seminole County Code Enforcement Board. 11/09/2007

This is the continuation of the previous market analysis post on Oviedo Real Estate.   These numbers are taken from the local MLS (as of 10/31/07) and do not include any FSBO or private builder transfers.   The extracted figures and graphs help to visualize trends over time and illustrates what the market may be reacting to.  Live Oak Reserve is a large master planned community within the borders of the City of Oviedo.  The current builder, Engle Homes, is trying to build out the last phase of the development, and many new home construction sales are not included in these figures.  The new construction homes have minor differences in upgrades and amenities while a small portion of the sales are actually lakefront sites in the Lakeshore Village, which would be typically be broken out fro... 11/06/2007

 Water - The most basic element of life.  We currently enjoy a relative free access to water with thirsty green lawns, backyard gardens, and ornamental trees and bushes, but in ten years, living in Central Florida may be a much different experience than it is now.   Drought conditions have been an annual occurrence in Florida for the past several years. Many homeowners have tried in vain to keep a high maintenance landscape healthy during these dry spells. In many cases, it comes down to whether or not you can afford to water while water wells in the area are going dry.  The recent explosion in growth of our population and the unwise development over former wetlands have put the domino theory in effect. Last week the Oviedo City Council had discussed the proposal by city staff to offer ... 10/30/2007

Oviedo experiences two great outdoor festivals each year, "Taste of Oviedo" in the spring and "Great Day in the Country" each fall.  Each year on the second Saturday in November (November 10th, 2007) over 300 booths filled with local artists, crafts, food vendors, and local organizations comprise an event that draw thousands of people from surrounding cities and as far away as Tampa and Kissimmee to Oviedo  The proceeds of the event is used to help fund many philanthropic projects in an around the Oviedo area.Great Day in the Country, which this year occurs the day before Veterans Day, the event organizer/Oviedo Woman's Club is partnering with the City of Oviedo, American Legion Post 243, Seminole Area Veterans Advisory Council (SAVAC), Central Florida Tuskegee Airmen and U.S. veterans ... 09/27/2007

Interested in Oviedo Florida real estate?Oviedo real estate has been attracting many homebuyers, and it's also a popular relocation destination for businesses. It is one of the hottest real estate markets in Central Florida! Oviedo boasts many lakefront communities with an abundance of ski-lakes and fishing-lakes, as well as amazing neighborhoods featuring spectacular amenities such as community aquatic parks, tennis courts, equestrian facilities, walking trails, fitness centers and more!Oviedo is located East of downtown Orlando in Seminole County, Florida. The city has a small town feel, yet it's close to everything Orlando has to offer.  It has a population of some 33,000 people, with a median age of about 35 years. The city has great weather with no snow, though residents have to fa... 09/22/2007