The following are the market sales statistics for Altamonte Springs, Seminole County, Florida for May 2010.  Altamonte Springs is made up of the zip codes of 32701 & 32714.  For purposes of this analysis we are only splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas. A couple of definitions are in order.  The median sales price means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less during a certain period of time - in other words, it's the midpoint of sale prices.  So basically what this means, is that the median sales price is showing market activity in that it's specifically indicating which price range is more active. The average sales price, as opposed to the median sales price, is the total volume of sold properties div... 06/12/2010

According to foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac.com, bank repossessions reached record levels for the second straight month in May, topping 93,000 properties nationwide. As compared to May 2009, all 50 states now show an increase in annual REO activity. Data like that won't surprise today's active home buyers in.......   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Bank Reposessions Reach Record Levels For The Second Straight Month 06/10/2010

Mortgage rates may be dropping, but mortgage costs are not. According to Freddie Mac, the average required discount points on a conforming mortgage rate are higher by 0.1 percent since early-May. A "discount point" is........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Conforming Loan Costs Are Rising, Says Freddie Mac 06/09/2010

A new loan quality initiative from Fannie Mae is making it harder for Lake Mary home buyers and refinancing homeowners everywhere to close on a mortgage. Beginning June 1, 2010, with all new applications, Fannie Mae wants lenders to..........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Fannie Mae's Loan Quality Initiative : Repulling Your Credit Just Before Closing 06/08/2010

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas found in combustion fumes, stoves, gas ranges and heating systems.  It's poisonous to humans because carbon monoxide binds to red blood cells, preventing the flow of oxygen through a person's bloodstream. There's a bevy of CO sources in........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: How To Mount And Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors In Your Home 06/07/2010

On the first Friday of each month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its Non-Farm Payrolls data from the month prior.  The release is more commonly called "the jobs report" -- a major factor in..........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST: May 2010 Jobs Report Gives A Temporary Boost To Home Affordability   06/06/2010

The Pending Home Sales Index shot higher in April as low mortgage rates and a soon-to-expire federal tax credit spurred home buying in Lake Mary and across the county. A "pending home sale" is a.........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Pending Home Sales Data Shows Great Deals On Homes Are Getting Harder To Find     06/03/2010

The Consumer Confidence Index is rising, a potentially double-edged sword for residents of Longwood and for Americans, in general. According to The Conference Board, economic confidence is as high as it's been since August 2007 -- 4 months before the start of the recession.  Americans ar...........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST: Consumer Confidence Hints At Higher Home Prices And Higher Mortgage Rates, Too   06/02/2010

After moving into a new home in Lake Mary , you should immediately replace its deadbolt locks.  It's not just the home's former residents that have the key, after all, but so might a relative, a friend, a neighbor, a dog-walker, and others. You may call a locksmith for.......   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: How To Replace Your New Home's Deadbolt Locks   06/02/2010

The supply of newly-built homes for sales plummeted in April, a positive indicator for the Orlando housing market as we head into the summer months. It's no wonder that homebuilders are breaking new ground at the fastest clip in 2 years.  At the current sales pace, the nation's complete supply of new homes would be sold in just 5 month's time.  That's more than.........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST: The Supply Of New Homes For Sale Just Dropped Off A Cliff       05/31/2010

Because of strife in Greece, Spain and North Korea, conforming mortgage rates are back to all-time lows. They're at levels not seen in 50 years.  For homeowners that missed the Refi Boom of November 2009, it's a second chance. In this well-presented, 3-minute video from NBC's The Today Show, you'll get tips.........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?   05/27/2010

Home values rose in March, according to the Federal Home Finance Agency's most recent Home Price Index. Values were reported higher by 0.3 percent, on average, from February. We use the phrase "on average" because the Home Price Index is broad-reaching, national housing statistic. It ignores the dynamics of neighborhood real estate markets............   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Home Price Index Rises 0.3% in March 2010 05/26/2010

Sales of existing homes rose in April, buoyed by an expiring home buyer tax credit and exceptionally low mortgage rates. As compared to March, April's Existing Home Sales rose by 410,000 units nationwide -- the second straight month of large gains. An "existing home" is a...........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST: Home Supplies Tick Higher, Creating An Opening For Today's Home Buyers     05/25/2010

From one pot to a lush garden, we all have plants for which to care in our lives. But are they getting the right amount of water?  Too little water and the plant dies. Too much water and root rot sets in. In general, plants want.......   Read the complete BLOG POST HERE: Video : The Right Way To Water A Garden 05/24/2010

With home prices still relatively low and mortgage rates trolling near their all-time best levels, it's no surprise that home affordability is extraordinarily high in Orlando and most U.S. markets. According to the quarterly Home Opportunity Index as....... Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST: Home Opportunity Index Ranks 225 Metro Areas For Affordability   05/23/2010

After starting the day in the red, mortgage rates rebounded Wednesday afternoon after the Federal Reserve released its April 27-28, 2010 meeting minutes. It's good news for home buyers and would-be refinancers in Orlando.  Mortgage rates continue to troll along multi-year lows. "Fed Minutes" are lengthy, detailed recaps of Federal Open Market Committee meetings, not unlike the.......   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: The Fed's April Minutes Push Mortgage Rates Even Lower   05/20/2010

As lenders tighten mortgage guidelines for Longwood home buyers, minimum downpayment requirements are increasing.  Several years ago, you could finance a home with nothing down. Today, most conventional mortgages require at least 10 percent. Anecdotally, guideline changes have led to...........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: The Right Way To Take A Cash Gift For Downpayment       05/18/2010

With the Oxo Salad Chopper, making chopped salad for the family and/or friends is both faster and safer.  Using a dual-blade roller knife similar to a pizza cutter, the ergonomic Salad Chopper cuts lettuce, vegetables, fruits, meats and nuts with just a few rolls.  There's no need for.............   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST: A Dual-Edged Roller Knife To Make Your Chopped Salads Easier   05/17/2010

A mortgage approval is never final until it's funded. A host of things can "go wrong" while your home loan is underway. Some are in your control, many more are not.  And just being aware of some potential pitfalls could help save your.........   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Your Mortgage Approval Isn't Final Until It's Funded     05/14/2010

The national foreclosure rate is finally falling. According to foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac.com, the number of foreclosure notices dropped 2 percent between April 2009 and April 2010. 2 percent may not seem like much, but it's the first time in the history of the RealtyTrac report that the annual foreclosure rate has dropped. To be sure, foreclosure rates remai.......   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Foreclosure Activity Slows For The First Time In Several Years     05/13/2010