Latest Articles by Lee Cameron

Orange County Giving Away Money!

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

If you are currently trying to sell your home in Florida and it is around the two hundred thousand dollar mark, you may be interested in a new piece of legislation brought in to Orange County. They are going to give away money to certain first time buyers wishing to buy a house in this price range. Lower income groups have the best chance and the home must not be over two hundred and nineteen thousand dollars.

This incentive is more about keeping the young people in Florida than it is about the condition of the Florida real estate market. Eight hundred people a day can't be wrong about moving to a better life in Central Florida. That is how many people are trekking there each day to enjoy the good life, but many of them are already retirement age.

Real estate is still moving in Florida. Developers are still building new homes and there are even the odd builders offering incentives such as paying closing costs or offering big bonuses. These deals are an attempt to cash in on what is suspected to be the last few chances at the low mortgage interest rate.

Not only are mortgage interest rates expected to rise soon, but the spring time is the usual time for people to buy a new home. This means that these 'deals' may not last for long, especially with an influx of first time buyers eagerly looking to spend government money.

Florida is offering help to first time buyers by paying the down payment on their home. The purchase price of the home cannot exceed a certain amount, and you must stay in the home for a minimum of fifteen years without re-financing. If you do wish to move, then it is easy to do so, but the interest free loan must be paid back straight away.

This is also good news for anyone who wishes to sell a modestly priced house in Florida, and if that is you then this government deal can work in your favor.

Ask your real estate agent to get all the information that is needed from the department concerned, and keep the paperwork available in your home. When your prospective buyers come and look at your home, it may mean the difference between a sale or not!

This is a smart move on behalf of the government of Florida, and it follows a recent report on population changes in Boston, Massachusetts.. Boston has recently announced that its house prices are so high that a mass exodus of young people from Boston has put the city in the position of having a very low man power base in terms of the future.

As 17% of Florida's population is in the retirement bracket, it is a smart move for Florida to ensure that it is not left in the same dire straits. It is also great news for anyone who was thinking of putting their house on the market at under the $219,000 price range.

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Lee Cameron is one of the top real estate agents in the Orlando real estate market. Lee has over 13 years of experience in the industry, and can guide you in the process of finding Apopka and Orlando luxury homes.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

What Does Your Dream Vacation Home Feature?

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

What wanders across your imagination when thoughts of your dream vacation home come into your mind? I don't suppose it is location, location, location - but that is what we are told is the number one thing we must consider.

There are several prime vacation home areas that you can choose from if you are toying with the idea of a second home. Part of it depends on whether you want to sun, ski, sail or stalk Mother Nature in the wilderness.

Some things about vacation homes are generic - whatever the location - and some similar features are always sought after. One of the big things, although not always affordable, is a room with a view. If you can buy a vacation home with a view, it will always be one of the first ones to sell if you need to sell it.

Everyone likes to look out onto sparkling blue water or beautiful green parks, or peaking white mountain tops. In order to fully appreciate the view, a large deck or balcony is preferable. Spaciousness on a deck is a must; many of us entertain via barbecues on our patios and the more room you have, the more guests you can invite!

If you are really only going to use your vacation home as a twice-annual place to go to for a holiday, you will not mind if it is far afield. However, if you are semi-retired and could see yourself going to your vacation home on and off all through the year, you might want to consider the convenience of traveling to it.

Such details as the closeness of the airport to the home and frequency and cost of flights will become important. Perhaps you will plan to drive there - in which case the considerations may be slightly different.

Normally in a vacation home we consider whether or not there are enough restaurants nearby for dining out. However, when that gets expensive you will appreciate having an efficient kitchen in your vacation home. A modern kitchen is something we take for granted in North America, so double check that you have all the appliances you need in your vacation home.

Eating at home means that for the first couple of days you can ease your stomach carefully into the gastro-delights of your vacation environment. It is also very 'homey' to have meals around the table when / if your family joins you for vacation.

The question of families raises the question of activities: do you want to be near to some recreation? If the answer is yes, you will need to check out the conditions at the local golf course and ensure that guest members are okay. If you are interested in horse riding, sailing or whatever your preference, this will have to be investigated in the place of your choice, before you sign on the dotted line.

We are all so 'techno' these days, so look for homes built with high-speed and wireless Internet connections. Also check for an adequate number of phone outlets and computer stations.

If you are buying a condo, be very careful with sight-unseen choices. They could be very beautiful but very isolated! Also with condo buying, check the in-house rules that every resident has to live by; very important!

For instance, if you plan on renting it out for the summer - make sure that rentals are allowed as this is not always the case. Also, if you plan on doing your own renovations make sure that this is allowed as, once again, it is not always the case. Do read the management rules of the condo unit and have them signed into your legal sale contract; this protects you too.

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This article was provided by the writing team of Lee Cameron, one of the top REALTORS® in the Orlando real estate market. Lee has over 13 years of experience in the industry, and can guide you in the process of finding Orlando and Maitland FL real estate.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

A Woman's Work is Done - New-Look Kitchens

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Even kitchens, it seems, are reflecting the modern day trends when it comes to renovating.

Most of us will shamefacedly admit that we tend to give the kitchen a facelift either when we move out or when an appliance breaks down from old age! This implies that we tend to live with 'less than perfect' kitchens for a long time!

It makes sense to renovate the kitchen before you sell the house, a new look kitchen can make or break the realty deal. But how many of us have taken a last wistful look as we close the door on our old house, and wished that we could have had the pleasure of the new kitchen that we had created? So, how about remodeling now and enjoying the kitchen just for your own pleasure?

With more and more men getting their hands into the kitchen sink, and more and more couples having fun cooking together, kitchen design experts are suggesting that these domestic changes be subtly factored in to a modern kitchen, or when giving a kitchen a makeover.

For instance one of the recommendations was that instead of the age old idea of the 'working triangle' of fridge, stove, sink, being set up for one person, it should now be expanded for a two person set up.

Some of the functional parts of the kitchen are changing, for instance induction ovens may catch on, and steam dish washers are becoming more popular. If we want to be extreme in our make-over, then there are now floors on the market that can actually recognize the footfall of the walker, and adjust the floor temperature to that person's liking!

Incredibly, there are now counter tops with a micro-chip in them that allows you to change the color according to the cook's mood! (If it is a dull, rainy day you could click in a nice bright yellow counter top!)

Although we are encouraged to update the kitchen, design experts also warn us of following a fad and looking dated again very quickly. This is especially true of fad colors.

Another suggestion has been to incorporate more 'smart home' appliances that are governed by computers and have remote control. However, the suggestion of remote control does not mean that we will be cooking from afar.

Indeed, the future forecast for kitchens predicts that it will not only continue to be a social gathering place, but in fact, even more so. In the future it should become an even more social area, the room of choice to entertain.

Whatever you decide to do with your kitchen, the experts predict that it is becoming less a place of isolation for a woman, and more a place of social interaction used by the whole family. If this is the case, it deserves a new coat of paint!

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Provided by the writing team of Lee Cameron, top Orlando REALTOR®. Lee has had over 13 years of experience in the industry, and can guide you in the process of buying or selling Orlando real estate.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

The Interest in Interest Rates

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Lately we have all become more curious about interest rates and the effect they have on our lives. Our main interest, of course, is to get the most for our money, and as most of us borrow money for a house purchase, part of this involves finding a good interest rate for our mortgage loan.

Many of us who are shopping around for financing are not strong enough about negotiating a lower interest rate. Perhaps we feel that we are not in a position of strength, but in fact, we often represent hard cash to the person negotiating the deal for us.

In many cases, this person will be a mortgage broker. The different types of mortgages vary so much that one short article cannot explain them all. However, once the mortgage broker knows all the facts about your finances. then he/she will know the best type of company to place you with.

If you are unable to get financing from your bank, there are still options out there. Folks who have a less than perfect credit rating can often still find mortgages through a broker. There are also such things as an equity mortgage, this is where you can use an existing property to raise money for a second property. Your broker can help you with many different scenarios.

In the case of house buying, your realtor will often be able to recommend a broker. Sometimes the recommended broker will go the extra mile to try and get you the financing, because he has a deal with the realtor to get a small percentage of the commission on the sale. This is a logical step for the realtor, as a house sale will often fall through because of the financing and then the realtor loses the deal.

It is in your favor to have a broker who is pulling out all the stops, so it is worth trying a broker recommended by the realtor, as well as one you may have in mind. The broker's fee is paid by the finance company who eventually finance you, so having more than one working for you is not uncommon.

The interest rate is negotiable right up to the moment of preparing the document for signing. Your mortgage broker can go back to the financier at any time. Even one quarter of a percent will save you hundreds of dollars.

Some advice from a group of independent mortgage experts reads as follows: When dealing with your lender, it is advisable to have the same steely determination as you would when dealing with a used car salesman!

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Written on behalf of Lee Cameron. Lee works in the Orlando real estate market, and is an agent you can count on. Discover the life you were meant to live, in your brand new Orlando luxury home.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

How to Save for that Home and Survive Christmas

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

So you're saving for a home, and at the same time the holiday season is approaching. It seems that every year you're left with a mountain of debt at the end of the season. Don't despair; you are not alone. The American economy is relying on you to over spend this year; in fact according to the National Retail Federation, holiday shopping in November and December is projected to reach $438.5 billion. That amounts to 20 percent of all retail sales in 2006.

With some planning and a little resolve, you can avoid this discouraging post Christmas epidemic. Here are some tricks for celebrating the holiday and staying out of the red.

Create a Budget

I know this sounds like you're taking all the fun out of Christmas, but this is something that will go a long way to keeping you out of debt this season. Get an estimate of all your holiday expenses, including gifts, entertaining, cards, postage, gift wrap, food and beverages. Once you have a realistic amount, work with this total and stick to your budget.

Open a savings account in January and schedule an automatic transfer every month to begin saving for next year.

Be a Smart Shopper

Do you have one of those large families where everyone buys for everyone? Maybe it's time to suggest drawing names for a gift exchange with a pre-set spending limit; your family will thank you for it.

Shop early in order to help spread out those expenses, avoid holiday crowds, and to take advantage of bargains throughout the year. Be forewarned; don't fall into the trap of spending twice as much when the Christmas spirit overtakes you in December.

Redeem credit card reward points or frequent flyer miles for gift certificates wherever possible. I save points from my local grocery store and get my turkey for free every year.

Make shopping lists and actually stick to them.

Be Organized

Get at least 4 gift ideas for each person you're buying for. This will ensure you're buying people exactly what they want and what you can afford.

Make lists of all your "to do's" for the holiday. It's a big event, especially if you plan on entertaining or baking, there are a lot of expenses and details to account for.

Get Creative

Gifts don't always have to come from a store. Homemade gifts can help you stay out of debts, but you need to start early and plan for it. Themed baskets full of home baking or crafty items are always well received.

This applies to decorations as well as gifts. I still remember many a Christmas season sitting around the table as a family making funky gift tags or wreaths.

Walking away from the holiday season debt-free is not easy; you have to be committed to making it work. Think back to your fondest Christmas memories; are they full of expensive gifts and extravagant spending? For most people, they include holiday dinners with family and friends, and enjoyable time spent together. It's so easy to spend money on useless items simply because you've gotten caught up in the holiday hype. A debt-free season doesn't just mean being frugal, it means spending your hard earned cash on things that really matter.

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This article was submitted by the team at Watson Realty, serving Orlando Florida. Their professional realtors can assist you with all of your Orlando FL real estate needs. Be sure to check the many area listings, including Winter Park FL real estate.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Buying: Think About Location

Tue, 29 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500

There is one credo that has always held true in the world of real estate: location, location, location. The same home in different locations can have a selling value that is vastly different, in either direction. For example a home that is in a new development area, with quiet, yet convenient surroundings will easily sell for more than the exact same home in a run down area with a lot of traffic passing through it.

There are several considerations that you should be thinking about when you buy a home and location is one of the most important. Take an hour or so and drive around the area you are considering, making notes as you go. At the end of the drive, take a look at the list that you have created. What's on it? There should be divisions of things in terms of their proximity to the home. If there are things like police stations, fire halls and hospitals in the area; are they close enough to cause problems with the noise that these places are known for? Of course we all want these things to be close enough for a quick response time if necessary, but its nice to have them far enough away so that we aren't constantly being woken by sirens.

The next part of your list should be a detailed description of the services and amenities in close range of the home. This is things like sports facilities, shopping centers and other day to day needs of the average homeowner. One other thing that you should also make note of is school locations. If you are going to have, or do have a family then schools will be a huge part of the decision to move to a certain area. Will there be adequate education within close proximity of the home for all levels of need? An area with elementary and high schools is highly preferable as it will keep transporting kids to and from school to a minimum. The final consideration should be what kind of commute to work is there from the home? A short commute to your place of business is highly preferable, and it is great if there are no major points of traffic congestion between them. Be in the know about what is around your home before you choose to buy.

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Lee Cameron is a professional REALTOR® serving the Orlando real estate market. Lee has consistently proven his talent and knowledge in the real estate business and is known to his flair the business and the care with which he treats his clients. For more info on homes & properties in Orlando contact Lee today.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

The Costs of Closing

Tue, 29 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Whether you are buying or selling, closing a sale can be costly. There is a lot to think about above and beyond what the mortgage payments will be.

Firstly, there's the down payment. The more you can afford, the less your loan will be, but while the standard minimum required used to be about 10%, many new programs are available that allow the buyer to have only 0-5% down. Keep in mind that with no money down you will need to have an amazing credit rating and Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) will be required. For the lending institution to determine your credit, you must pay a fee of around $50. A tax company may be contacted to verify that you have payed your taxes, and this is another roughly $75.

Sometimes there is a lenders fee, roughly 1-3% of the total loan, so talk to your loan agent about this. If you need the home you are buying appraised so that your loaning institution can determine the loan amount, this appraisal fee can be at least a few hundred dollars and sometimes as much as $1000. If you are assuming the sellers mortgage, there may be an assumption fee of a couple hundred dollars or up to 1% of the total loan amount.

Whether buying or selling, you may want the home to be inspected for various things. The advantage for sellers is that this is reassuring to buyers and can speed the selling process. The advantage for buyers is that they will then know exactly what they are getting, and their lending institution may require it before granting the loan, or as part of the market evaluation. Some examples of what may need inspecting are property inspections, including a check of the foundation, construction, plumbing and electrical system. These generally cost a few hundred dollars. A roof inspection is often done seperately for about $100 or less. If the area the home is located may be on a fault line or a landslide area, geological inspections are recommended. You may also want to have the home inspected for pests such as termites or carpenter ants, things that threaten the structural integrity of the home. This can generally run around $100 or more if the home is very large. If the home is on a septic system, it is a good idea to get this checked as well. Septic inspections are surprisingly expensive, running at an average of a few hundred dollars. But imagine the alternative of discovering a problem after you've moved in.

If the home is older, testing for asbestos, radon or lead may be important. You want to ensure your home is as safe as possible for your family.

Then there are various insurance costs. In addition to mortgage insurance, you might consider extended title insurance. This covers any liens that may have been unrecorded, and may be required by lenders. It is based on a percentage of your loan amount.

Don't forget the various taxes. Your municipality may have a tax based on the final price of the home. If you are a veteran you should be exempt from this tax.

While all of the prices listed above are relative, it is important to keep in mind that there will be extra fees associated with the closing process. If you are buying, you may be able to negotiate with your real estate agent to have the seller pay closing costs. However there may be a limit that they are willing to pay, so make sure this is negotiated completely beforehand, and realize any inspections you decide to conduct after your negotiations will be at your expense. This is one reason for a thorough examination of the home before you make an offer.

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Lee Cameron is a professional REALTOR® serving the Orlando real estate market. Lee has consistently proven his talent and knowledge in the real estate business and is known to his flair the business and the care with which he treats his clients. For more info on homes & properties in Orlando contact Lee today.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com