Altamonte Springs, FL Real Estate News

Home builder confidence in the newly-built, single-family housing market is down for the third straight month this month. After reaching a 3-year high just 90 days ago, the National Association of Homebuilders' Housing Market Index is now at a multi-year low. It's since dropped by almost half. As an economic indicator, the HMI's goal is to......   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Home Builder Confidence Falls Again; Home Buyers Gain Leverage? 08/17/2010

Sometimes, a backed-up sink is too big of a job for a bottle of Drano. To clear the clog, you have to get your hands dirty. But what do you do?  This quick, 2-minute video from Lowe's is an excellent tutorial. The video starts with.......   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: How To Unclog A Sink That Won't Respond To Drano 08/16/2010

For the second time this year, the FHA is modifying mortgage insurance. Beginning with FHA case numbers issued on or after October 4, 2010, the FHA is changing its upfront and annual mortgage insurance premium structure. Under the new terms, assuming a 30-year fixed rate FHA mortgage with at least 5 percent........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Higher (And Lower) FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums Start October 4, 2010 08/15/2010

For the second time this year, the FHA is modifying mortgage insurance. Beginning with FHA case numbers issued on or after October 4, 2010, the FHA is changing its upfront and annual mortgage insurance premium structure. Under the new terms, assuming a 30-year fixed rate FHA mortgage with at least 5 percent........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Higher (And Lower) FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums Start October 4, 2010 08/15/2010

For the second time this year, the FHA is modifying mortgage insurance. Beginning with FHA case numbers issued on or after October 4, 2010, the FHA is changing its upfront and annual mortgage insurance premium structure. Under the new terms, assuming a 30-year fixed rate FHA mortgage with at least 5 percent........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Higher (And Lower) FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums Start October 4, 2010 08/15/2010

Foreclosure filings rose 4 percent nationwide last month versus June, according to foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac.com. For the 17th straight month, total filings topped 300,000. A foreclosure filing is defined as default notice, scheduled auction, or bank repossession. As with most months, just a handful of.....   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: How Big Is The Foreclosure Market? It Depends On Where You Live, Of Course. 08/12/2010

Orlando real estate market statistics for the month ending July 2010 have been released by the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.  Here is a direct link to the detailed report . Below is a breakdown of these numbers. This covers Orange County & Seminole County, including the cities of Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Apopka, Ocoee, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary, Sanford, Casselberry, and Oviedo Florida.                  Inventory    New Listings    New Pendings   Under Contract     Closed    Days on Market July 2009      17,831        4158                 3696                 7713                 2299          101 Apr 2010       15,766        5116                 5221                10,832               2644           81 May 2010      15,963        4304                 3669  ... 08/12/2010

Today, in its first meeting in 6 weeks, the Federal Open Market Committee voted 9-to-1 to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged.  The Fed Fund Rate remains at a historical low, within a prescribed target range of 0.000-0.250 percent. In its press release, the FOMC said that,......   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: A Simple Explanation Of The Federal Reserve Statement (August 10, 2010 Edition) 08/11/2010

The Federal Open Market Committee holds a one-day meeting today, its fifth scheduled meeting of the year, and sixth overall since January. The FOMC is the government's monetary policy-setting arm and the group's primary tool for that purpose is an interest rate called the Fed Funds Rate.  The Fed Funds Rate is the prescribed rate at which banks borrow money from each other and, since December 16, 2008, the Federal Reserve has voted to......   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: The Fed Is Meeting Today. Should You Float Or Lock Your Mortgage Rate? 08/11/2010

Just because the expiration date has passed, that doesn't mean that the food is spoiled. It's a deep-seated misconception that results in the average American household wasting 14% of all food purchases. The estimated cost of...... Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Are You Throwing Out Food Before It Goes Bad? 08/09/2010

According the Federal Home Finance Agency's Home Price Index, home values are now off just 12.5 percent from their April 2007 peak nationwide.  This, after a half-percent monthly increase in prices in May, on average. Given the state of the market since April 2007, the Home Price Index results are a positive for both the housing market and the economy, but we have to remember that........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Home Values Within 12.5 Percent Of April 2007 Peak, Nationwide 08/06/2010

Mortgage rates have been falling since April but that momentum could reverse tomorrow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the July jobs report at 8:30 A.M. ET Friday. With a stronger-than-expected reading, mortgage rates should rise, harming home affordability in Florida. Jobs are a.......   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Nervous About Mortgage Rates Rising? Lock Thursday -- Ahead Of Friday's Jobs Report   08/05/2010

The Pending Home Sales Index failed to rebound from a cliff-dive in May, falling by another 3 percent more in June.  The index remains at record-low levels. A "pending home sale" is a home under contract to sell, but not yet closed. The data is culled from local real estate associations and large brokers and accounts for.......   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: As The Pending Home Sales Index Falls, Home Buyers See Dollar Signs 08/04/2010

Florida Wholesale Realty Corp - New State of the Art Facility in Altamonte Springs - Covering most of Central Florida including Seminole, Orange, Osceola, Lake, Polk & Volusia County, 860 North S.R. 434 Suite 1005 Altamonte Springs FL 32714 Full Service Residential Real Estate Company - Agents available 7 days a week. It's hard to believe but as the market shifted, all of our REALTORS have dedicated more and more time to their clients and improving their marketing and real estate skills. Our new facility has the space needed and the technology and tools available to help our agents produce more and serve their clients even better than before. We are expanding as others are closing their doors. All of us at Florida Wholesale Realty Corp and American Mortgage refuse to take part in a rece... 08/04/2010

The fiscal responsibility of a homeowner -- in Lake Mary and everywhere else -- extends beyond the mortgage's basic principal and interest repayments. Homeowners are also responsible for the real estate taxes on the home and its insurance premiums, too. Failure to pay taxes can lead to......   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: What Does It Mean To Escrow Taxes And Insurance? 08/04/2010

Summer is in full swing and with it so many of the great summer deals.  July, as with most summers, was prime time selling season.  Check out a few of these great Central Florida real estate deals that closed last month.                  North Lane                               Magellan Drive                       Moss Park Ridge Dr 1. North Lane, Orlando, FL 32808.  This property was in the Signal Hill neighborhood in Northwest Orlando.  Bank owned REO needing some fix up but in okay shape.  3 bed / 2 bath / 1-car garage block home.  Sold for $40,500. 2. Arley Drive, Windermere, FL 34786.  This was a fix and flip deal.  Seller bought this house, fixed it up nice, and it went pending in just 9 days after hitting the market.  4 bed/2.5 bath newer home in a great location.  Sold for $210,... 08/03/2010

This week marks the start of August, a popular vacation month for Americans. Maybe you're among the many in Lake Mary that will leave town for a few days -- or a few weeks.  But, before you leave your home, make sure you don't leave clues for......   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Ex-Burglars Share Tips On Protecting Your Home From Break-Ins   08/02/2010

Richard Shuman is now part of two great companies, FLORIDA WHOLESALE REALTY Corp and visit www.SKIPtheBULL.com for all you real estate and mortgage needs in Central Florida. Mortgages available throughout Florida. We are available 7 days a week to help you purchase, sell, finance or refinance a home. it's hard to believe home prices and interest rates are as low as they are. If you are renting, it could be cheaper to buy than to pay rent. Ask about the tax savings benefits from owning your own home! call or visit www.SKIPtheBULL.com/ContactUs or visit our office 860 North S.R. 434 Suite 1005 Altamonte Springs, FL 32751         08/02/2010

No doubt you've heard that mortgage rates are low. They're lower than they've ever been in history.  The news is everywhere. Just check out some of.......   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: 30-Year Mortgage Rates Make New Lows, But Look Ready To Spike   07/31/2010

For the second consecutive month, U.S. consumer confidence is plunging. July's official reading is its lowest since July of last year and the figures run in stark contrast to just two months ago, when the index touched a multi-year high. According to The Conference Board, July's figures are reflective of a more pessimistic consumer; one concerned about "business conditions and the labor market". Falling confidence numbers are.........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Falling Consumer Confidence Helps Drag Mortgage Rates Lower. For Now. 07/29/2010