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Saint Cloud, FL Real Estate News

By Aryn Nichols
(Time Savers Virtual Assistants)
September Marketing Ideas What are you doing next month to market your business? You don't have to spend a lot of money for your marketing to be effective. Here are some low cost and out of the box ideas to help you with marketing in September. The calendar and special days are a great source of marketing ideas. September is Be Kind to Editors and Writers Month - take this opportunity to write a thank you letter to a few of your favorite editors. You never know they may publish the kind words which would give you some great exposure. You don't have to limit this to print publications - try some of your online publications and write to them. At the very least you will most likely make their day. September is also National Organic Harvest Month - use this as a chance to write up a list of...
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By Aryn Nichols
(Time Savers Virtual Assistants)
I hope everyone is having a great weekend! I know mine has been wonderful! Today I want to talk a little bit about blogging and how it can be helpful if you do it effectively. Each time you create a blog entry it's just like you were creating another web page out there. Which means more chances for you to be shown in web results, more chances someone will stumble upon your page and more chances you will get leads!! The important parts of an effective blog are: Content and Keywords - If you create blog that people want to read then people will keep coming back. Find out who your audience is and what they want to know. Then blog about it. Blogs should be educational, informative and easy to read. Your keyword density should be 2-4% You don't have to be a great writer to create a great blo...
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By Aryn Nichols
(Time Savers Virtual Assistants)
Good Morning! I hope everyone is having a fabulous day! I want to touch a little bit on Facebook Fan pages today. Do you have a Facebook Fan Page? Are you updating your Fan Page? Are you posting content that your audience wants to read? Or are you spamming them with listings? Or does the thought of creating and maintaining a fan page make you run? A few statistics about Facebook: Over 500 million users, if they were a country they would be the 3rd largest, they are the number ONE visited website (Google is second), 50% of users login to facebook at least once a day, the average number of friends each person has is 130. Those are some pretty powerful numbers. All you have to do is show up and you've got an audience. If you're not there you're missing out! Some ideas on a fan page: Create...
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By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
A DECADE OF DAMAGE- ITS YOUR CREDIT, WHICH IS BETTER A SHORT SALE OR A FORECLOSURE? Homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments experience a wide range of emotions. This is a horribly stressful time. An unexpected illness, loss of a job, reduction of income, or a divorce are all financially life changing situations which are hardships.  Add to that the constant bill collector calls, and having to make difficult decisions of which bills can be paid and when, can make thinking clearly even more difficult.   Compassion does not come easily for lenders attempting to collect on bad debt. The downturn in the housing market, home deflation, and foreclosures at historic high rates mean distressed homeowners are not alone. There are literally millions of them and more coming int he nea...
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By Aryn Nichols
(Time Savers Virtual Assistants)
Rain Camp was an amazing experience. Ben Kinney was a wealth of knowledge on Social Media. If you don't have an online presence these days, you may as well be non-existent!I want to share with you some of the highlights in what I learned!  Did you know that Facebook has over 400 million users? If Facebook was a country it would be the THIRD largest based on population. Do you have a Facebook?If you do have a Facebook: Are you using it properly? Do you know HOW to use it properly? A recent study was done and 67% of the people contacted preferred to be contacted through Facebook over Email.87% of peopl e will trust a one on one conversation with someone over a critics review. 1 word of mouth conversation has more impact than 200 TV ads.Consumers spend an average of 32.7 hours online and o...
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By Carey Light, Light Team of Wemert Group Realty
(Wemert Group Realty)
What a lovely home in gorgeous gated East Lake Reserve.  This home is offered as a traditional sale...so a no hassle, quick closing is possible.  131 Rachel Lin Lane is located on a corner lot with a large sweeping circular drive. This Four bedroom, three and a half bath boasts over 3200 square feet!  Perfect for a large or extended family.  Huge bonus room is the only upstairs space.  Loads of upgrades throughout and full of warmth and charm.  Located in charming St. Cloud along the shores of East Lake Toho and near the Lake Nona Medical City.  Call Carey for more information or to schedule a privea showing.
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By Aryn Nichols
(Time Savers Virtual Assistants)
I took 20 pages of detailed notes yesterday at Rain Camp. I thought I knew a lot about Social Media - I manage multiple fan pages, twitter accounts, craigslist posts, and the like. I went in thinking it would be a refresher course, but boy was I wrong! There was so much information that I had no idea about! I can't tell you how excited I was to bring it back for my clients! So what am I doing today for my current clients? Between myself and my clients I am brainstorming for a total of 8 companies - varied from real estate to jewelry to sports leagues. I'm sitting down with my 20 pages of notes and 8 blank sheets of paper and I'm making a marketing plan for each company based on what I learned yesterday. I'm not billing any of my clients for this information - like I always tell them bra...
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By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
St. Cloud Florida Home Communities-The Difference Between them. Newer homes like those found in Chisholm Estates,  Chisholm Park,  Ashton Park and Turtle Creek most typically have Home Owner Associations, which charge fees to maintain the common areas, parks and playgrounds these communities have for resdients.  THERE ARE RULES There are also certain restrictions governing what can and cannot be done to property within the guidelines of the Home Owners Association rules. Fences are one example. Paont and landscaping restrictions are other examples. Each Community sets declarations on what  Some communities allow then and others do not.  Before purchasing a home in any community, it is a wise idea to contact the HOA (Home Owners Association) and find out in advance of making your offer, ...
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By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
It looks like a GREAT house, needs a little finishing, and it is now foreclosed.  Priced far below market value, are your eyebrows raised just a little?  What Impact do the hidden Impact Fees have?    There is no sellers disclosure. The listing agent makes no mention of the unpaid Permit Fees and Impact Fees which have not been paid either, and buyers are submitting offers in rapid succession because this home has a desirable address. The listing price is $100,000 less than it should given the area, comps, and the all important location, location, location.  So is it too good to be true?  You betcha.  The sum of the unpaid fees is about 20% of the asking price which of course become the buyers burden. Due Diligence has never been more important, than it appears to be today- this gem, a ...
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By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
BAY LAKE RANCH REAL ESTATE OFFICE OFFERS SHORT SALE HOMEOWNERS FREE HELP- St. Cloud Florida Bay Lake Ranch is not your typical development. It one of the few equestrian zoned communities in Osceola County. This unique development is located on the east side of St. Cloud Florida, off the main corridor Hwy192 which runs east/west from Melbourne Beach to the Disney area. Homes in Bay Lake Ranch range in price from a modest $121,000- 1.3 Million dollars.   Of the dozen (+/-) homes in Bay Lake Ranch currently available for sale about a half a dozen are distressed properties.  Allison Stewart, owner of St. Cloud Homes & Land, LLC is offering free help for Bay Lake Ranch homeowners who may in jeopardy of losing their homes.  "This community is unique" Stewart said, "homeowners need help in und...
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By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
Indian Lakes- St. Cloud Florida Where living is easy and homes are affordable. There was a time these homes in Indian Lakes Sub division were untouchable. Back in the building boom typically these homes commanded upwards of $300,000 now about half of that will buy you a beautiful home. Living just minutes from one of the finest Golf courses in St. Cloud Florida located on Michigan Avenue, just off the main artery of Hwy 192 (Irlo Bronson Hwy) which is the main east west corridor between Disney and Melbourne (beach)  St. Cloud has always been a bedroom community. Reknown for its lush landscape, wide open spaces, equestrian communties and distinctly decided lack of tourism, St. Cloud Florida is a steeped rich with history dating back to the 1900's. Named after St. Cloud Minnesota, St. Clo...
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By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
ST.CLOUD REALTORS® SEE A BRIGHTER FUTURE IN THE HOUSING MARKET.  Summer sales were up 9% over this same time last year.  Several Communities in the St. Cloud Florida area are showing improvement. After nearly a three year long hiatus in the housing market buyers are back.  Not all however seem to understand the uptick means homes are achieving on average 99% of the listing price.  Price reductions are common place. When a home hits market resistence the asking price is reduced in hopes of attracting an offer.  Recent sales are indicating that the reductions seem to be yielding bigger dividends than they did a year ago.  WHY ARE PRICES ON THE RISE? A reduction in the glut of foreclosed homes, is one reason, under new mortgage modification programs required mediation and lenders working m...
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By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
FINDING THAT MAGIC NUMBER- PERCEIVED VALUE VS REAL VALUE.  There are a lot of REALTORS® who when taking a listing from a seller, will often agree to list the home at the price the seller has determined to a "real value".  Without the benefit of knowing what the competing homes are selling for. Perceived Value is what they think it is worth, as opposed to what it may actually achieve in terms of a closed sale which is their objective.  Sadly, they come to realize that the perceived value is not shared with the many buyers who will evaluate their homes against others that are similar and may be priced more attractively. As a result, inevitably they will have to lower both their price and expectations in order to attract a ready willing and able buyer to make an offer on the property. Real...
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By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
Is Now Really the The Time To Buy?  A question I hear all day long.  The recent surge in sales activity suggest the answer would be "YES". Florida was in the forefront of the housing market crash six months before the nightly news reported we had a problem.   At one point Osceola County was the fastest growing county in Florida- that was back in 2005.   As prices surged due to a low inventory of existing homes and an anbundance of building new homes, and creative financing, no money down loans, stated income loans, and 125% financing- buyers were frantically trying to cash in on what seemed to be the endless media feed of the fast moving housing boom.  The boom soon went Ka-Boom when predictably the market crashed.Opening the flood gates to a massive tidal wave of loan defaults and deli...
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By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
NUMBERS SHOW- WAITING TO BUY A HOME IN ST. CLOUD, FLORIDA - WILL COST YOU MORE The housing market in St. Cloud, Florida appears to be making gains, albeit slowly.  Buyers interested in cashing in on historically low mortgage interest rates, availability of credit from lenders and the supply of sharply discounted distressed properties collectively, appear to be driving the prices of existing homes in St. Cloud up.  What a difference a year makes.  2010 compared to 2009 The average sales price in St. Cloud, Florida has risen from $126,750 to $140,000.   That is a significant gain. After years of home prices declining to meet buyer demand, it appears the buyers are becoming more aggressive in their quest to purchase well priced homes. As a result, of shrinking inventory, and price reductio...
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By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
ARMING YOURSELF WITH THE FACTS TO MAKE THE RIGHT OFFER- ARE YOU LOCKED AND LOADED OR SHOOTING BLANKS? The business of buying a house is no easy task.  There are Purchase Agreements, Addenda (usually more than one) Offer submission forms, and verification of credit worthiness. There are inspections, surveys, and handling the escrow funds. The process of finding the right home, and then submitting an offer which is likely to be accepted, require having the right ammunition. ARE YOU LOCKED AND LOADED OR GOING OFF HALF COCKED?   Arming yourself with the current sales is effective ammo.   Too often a number comes to mind, or a buyer will try to make a higher priced home fit into their budget.  While there are bargains to be found, offering less than 50% of the asking price is not likely to r...
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By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
 Who hasn't seen a distressed property that was really bad?  Not all short sales are crap, in fact, some are quite nice and what we call turn key homes. A turn key home needs little to no repair, and is basically move in ready.   Such was the case today, when we listed an immaculate home in Indian Lakes, in St. Cloud Florida.  $166,000- 4 bedroom 3 bath Home, with valuted ceilings, formal living room, dining room, and spacious kitchen which overlooks the Great Room. The rear patio (lanai) is perfect for entertaining, and it boasts of a comfortable sitting porch. The home was built in 2006, and has been well cared for. Unlike some of its counterparts, there are no anger issues here. The seller is short because the market is not what it was when he purhcased the home a few years ago. This...
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By Bryant Tutas, Selling Florida one home at a time
(Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC)
This wasn't the easiest Short Sale but after 14 months and 5 buyers we finally got it closed. Another Florida Short Sale success story. The property: 3 bedroom 2 bath single family home located in Saint Cloud Florida. It was bought new in 2006 for $253,500. The owner was transferred almost immediately and was never able to move in. It has never been lived in. Liens: Mortgage with Bank of America for $235,000 HOA lien for $3,800 County lien of $300 for mowing Hardship: Loss of income Issues: This property was placed on the market in March of 2009. It was actually a referral from an ActiveRain member. The biggest issue was that the community this property is located in has a CDD (Community Development District). The annual "fee" for this CDD is $2,700 a year. This is on top of the taxes ...
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By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
PRICE REDUCTIONS- WHAT IS THE REAL DEAL?In this economy everyone is looking to save money. So when trying to sell your home often the Real Estate Professional you hire will evaluate the current market conditions and recommend a price based on what has recently SOLD, what is currently for sale and what is under contract.  Most times that number is disappointing.Crunching numbers is what Real Estate Professionals do.The competition for available buyers in certain price ranges is fierce.If what you think the property is worth, and what the Real Estate agent think it is worth are greatly different, the end result usually the property will not sell.SHOULD THEY TELL YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR?It is better to hear the truth than to list your home, receive no offers, and later be told you have t...
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By Allison Stewart, St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
(St.Cloud Homes )
BAY LAKE RANCH- ST. CLOUD FLORIDA - Let's face it, Banked Owned Properties and Short Sales are not for everyone.  Bank Owned properties often need repairs, or in some cases major renovations. Turn key (move in ready) properties are rare in the bargain category. There are of course some exceptions, but the great majority of homes are going to need some work.  Little is known about Real Estate Owned properties, which are held by lenders who have foreclosed. There is no seller's disclosure. They have not seen the property personally so they cannot attest to its soundness. Many lenders are shifting fees onto the buyers such as Title Insurance, and Doc Stamps. This is something to be mindful of when calculating your closing costs as a buyer. So is a "Bargain"really a Bargain? Sometimes not. ...
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