Port Orange Area News: Softball Brawl at the Beach!!

What a great opportunity to see some Major League Baseball Players and some area athletes compete for Charity , here in Daytona Beach at the Brawl at the Beach Charity Softball Event.

Three Winners of the Amateur Home Run Derby from this past weekend will compete against some of the Pros on Friday Night at 7 P.M. . The Amateur competitors are :  Gary Malphurs, Chris Gatewood, and Roger Huff .
The two Amateur Teams that will compete for the chance to play the Big Leaguers are: 7th Inning Villains, and Giles Electric. They will play at 1 P.M. on Saturday with the winner facing off against the MLB Martians (pros) at 3 P.M. .

Where  : Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
Tickets : $10 Adults, $5 Children 4-13 for Home Run Derby  -  $15 Adults, $5 Children 4-13 for Softball Game ; Children 3 and under are free
               
The Home Run Derby and Softball Game are benefiting Foundation -4, the charity of St. Louis Cardinals Catcher:  #4 Yadier Molina.

LOOK HERE !!
For an Additional $15 - There is an Autograph Session Friday and Saturday , before the events. Limited Tickets available.

Thinking of Moving? Use Our Website to Search for Homes or to keep track of Homes in your Neighborhood with Subdivision Search.

Port Orange Real Estate News: Tax Relief for Short Sales !

Along with the Fiscal Cliff facing the Nation at the end of the month, is the end of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act effective since 2007. Most people won't be affected by the scheduled end of this Act. The people that will be affected the most are those that could afford it the least.

When a home is Sold through Short Sale, the bank is accepting a payoff for less than they are owed. They are "short" on their income. They have to show that forgiven amount as an income to the seller to the IRS. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act basically said that homeowners selling their homes through short sale would not have to pay taxes on the Forgiven Debt. This amount could be as big as $100,000.00 or more, which would be a big Income Tax Bill at the end of the year.

 An extension is included in the Family and Business Tax Cut Certainty Act of 2012 that recently passed out of the Senate Finance Committee with bipartisan support. If this Act does not get passed by Dec. 31, 2012 , then all home owners selling through Short Sales will be paying taxes on their sale.

Thinking of Moving? Use Our Website to Search for Homes or to keep track of Homes in your Neighborhood with Subdivision Search.

Daytona Beach News: Greek Festival !

 The 36th Annual Greek Festival will unfold Nov. 8-11 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church located at 129 N Halifax Ave. in Daytona Beach.

There will be traditional, live Greek music, dancing, Greek beer, wine, ouzo and incredible selections of Greek cuisine. The family oriented event also offers the chance to learn how to dance to Greek music and take a tour of St. Demetrios Church to discover Greek religious traditions.

Schedule:
Thursday – Saturday     from   11 am – 10 pm
Sunday                          from    12 am – 8pm
Location: 129 N. Halifax Ave Daytona Beach Fl

Due to Limited Parking , there is a Free Shuttle Bus and FREE Parking at OUR LADY of LOURDES : 201 University Boulevard Daytona Beach, FL 32118.

Don’t miss the 36th Annual Greek Festival.

Thinking of Moving? Use Our Website to Search for Homes or to keep track of Homes in your Neighborhood with Subdivision Search.

Daytona Beach News: 52nd Home Show !

 

     The Ocean Center was a flury of workers on Thursday as they set up for the 52nd annual Fall Home Show. The Home Show is presented by The Daytona Beach News-Journal, at the Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach.

     The event, which runs Friday through Sunday, will feature more than 300 exhibitors, demonstrations, seminars, giveaways, a Wellness Zone, a Fun Zone, Pink Booth for breast cancer awareness, and appraisals by Dr. Lori of Discovery Channel's "Auction Kings." According to Dr. Lori's Website , she will be doing appraisals at 3PM Friday and Saturday, and at 2PM on Sunday.

      Times are 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. today and Saturday and 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Sunday. The event is free. Parking is $5 at the Ocean Center's west lot and parking garage.

Search for Homes without signing in. Search by Subdivision or style.

 

Daytona Area Real Estate News: Biketoberfest!!

     Its time for our Northern friends to come down for one last ride before storing their Bikes; and the Locals get to enjoy the festivities of Biketoberfest!
    The Daytona Area is a collection of individuals who celebrate life together, and the Motorcycle Community is no Exception. Most Cycle Enthusiasts prefer to ride single, as that is the way to enjoy a motorcycle the most. That is how they ride all year. Now they have a chance to go with friends to events for them.
     There are several Destinations around the Daytona Area to celebrate the coming of Winter. From Main Street Daytona, to the Cabbage Patch, to The Loop in Ormond.

Enjoy the Weather and the Scenery! Ride Safe !

Search for Homes without Logging in. Search by Category and look for homes that fit what you want or need. Contact Us and we can e-mail a custom Search for Property.

Port Orange News: Cheer Competition!

The Ocean Center will Play Host to the East Coast Conference Pop Warner Cheer Competition this Sunday, October 21, 2012. The event will feature competitors ages 8 to 15 from across the state.

The event will run from 8A.M. until 5P.M. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children age 5 to 17.

No logging in to use Our Site for searching for homes. Use our Subdivision Search and keep track of your neighborhood.

Port Orange Real Estate: Wings and Waves Air Show!!

The Forecast for this Weekend is for High Speed Passes and Clear Skies with the occassional Airplane!  Oct. 13-14 are the dates for Embry-Riddle’s Wings & Waves Air Show.
The show will be over the water in front of the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort. It is a free event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

The Air Show is host to three jet demonstration teams including the world-renowned U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, returning favorites The Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the only civilian-owned team in the U.S., the Black Diamond Jet Team. There are several other performers scheduled including Skydiver Cheryl Stearns ( the first female member of the U.S. Army’s elite parachuting team, the Golden Knights), The Plunkett WWI Aviation Collection, and more.


On the shore, Embry-Riddle will host the “Education Zone” in the Bandshell featuring student robotic and environmental group demonstrations, athletics, Alumni Relations and the Jet Dragster.

There is also a reserved seating area available on the board walk.

Use our Website to Search for Homes and keep up with what is current in your Subdivision.

Port Orange News : Cypress Head Golf Club is 20 Years Old !!!

It is hard to believe that our Golf Course is 20 years old. I have enjoyed playing there with friends and family. It has a nice practice range with putting green and bunker area. It is still a challenging course to play. The Course has always been well maintained and the Grounds Crew keep hard at work. It is also a Great Community to Live In !

The homes in Cypress Head range from Town homes to Estate Homes. Parts of the Community are gated, while much is open. It also has a fine Club House and Community Pool.

There are several homes for sale right now. Our Listing in Cypress Head is a Great Buy under $200K. Much of the Interior has been Beautifully Re-done by current owners. All it needs is you.

You can keep track of homes in your Neighborhood by using our Subdivision Search. No log in and Search all you want. If you would like some information or to go see a home, please call or Contact Us .

If you would like to play a round, you can Book it On-line .

Port Orange News : Lease Purchase !!

What is a Lease Purchase Option?
If a Seller has a home sitting vacant on the market, and they want to get a certain dollar amount out of a house, they have only a few options:
    1-- They can rent the home and wait for the market to improve. This can be risky. If they are paying two mortgages, and a renter walks away, they have a small deposit to cover them. If the renter quits paying, they have to follow rules for eviction. Then get another renter. If they fall behind on payments, foreclosure proceedings get started.
    2-- They can do a short sale. This can hurt their credit. If they are not already in another home, it could make it difficult to rent or buy.
    3-- They could let it go into foreclosure. This will really hurt their credit. ... For a long time.
    4-- They can do a Lease Purchase .

This is what a Lease Purchase entails:
    1-- They list their home on the market with Lease Option Available.
    2-- A potential Buyer puts in a contract to purchase a year later.
    3-- A lease option is drawn up by an attorney.
    4-- Usually a sizable NON-REFUNDABLE deposit is requested. The deposit is the only money applied towards purchase, monthly lease payment does not.
    5-- At the end of Lease period, the buyer should close on property.

During the Lease Purchase Term, the home owner must keep up with Mortgage payments , HOA if required, Taxes, and home insurance. The buyer now bears responsibility for the property itself and is required to get insurance for their contents.

If you hare considering a Lease Purchase, make sure you understand the lease and the responsibilities.

We have a beautiful Home in Summer Trees of Port Orange with a Lease Option Available!!
Feel free to use our Subdivision Search and keep track of the home prices in your neighborhood.

Port Orange News : Time on Market Down !!

According to the National Association of Realtors, the amount of time a home is on the market has been reduced. InJuly of 2011, the median time a home was listed for sale on the market was for an average of 98 days. In July of 2012, that time dropped to 69 days. This means we are in a more balanced market.

There is always a relationship between time on the market and demand. That is common sense. During a balanced market, a price increase of 1-2% above inflation is normal. During the hey-day of 2004-2005, the time listed for sale was down to 40 days or less.

We are in a good market where sellers are getting a fair market price. We just need the appraisers to keep up with the market.

Keep track of the active listings in your neighborhood by using Subdivision Search on our Website. You don't have to Log-In.

Information for this BLOG were taken from NAR NewsReleases

Daytona Area Real Estate News: Short Sale News!!

On August 21, 2012, FHFA ( Federal Housing Finance Authority ) issued new guidelines for loans where the investor is Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The changes are intended to help homeowners hit by financial hardhip, moved by military, have a second mortgage, or have to move more than 50 miles for a job.

The FHFA News Release gives more details about how the changes are intended to help.

Use our SUBDIVISION SEARCH and keep track of the market in your Neighborhood. Or use our MLS Search to find the Home you want.

Ormond Beach Real Estate : Local inducted to Surfing Hall of Fame!

Photo by; Ken Blevins

On Wednesday Night, Mimi Munro became the first woman to be inducted into the Surfing Legends of the East Coast Surfing Champioships Hall of Fame.  This is the third induction for her as she is already in the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame and the Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach.

She represents all the Locals who have ever paddled out after school, on the weekend, or in between jobs. The waters off our coast are special to us, and something that can't be taken away.

So Congratulations to a Local who still inspires others to do better for themselves and the people around them.

Mimi also operates a Surf Camp , for those that are interested.

If you are looking for a Home in the Area, you can Search by Subdivision in the city you prefer. We can also send you automatic updates for homes when new ones come on the market. Just Contact Us and we will help, and you don't have to Log-in. Just Search for Homes on Our Website.

Source : Daytona Beach News-Journal , Brian Linder, Aug 19, 2012 .

Port Orange Real Estate: Julia Childs 100th Birthday!!!

Just a quick homage to Julia Childs.  The lady that brought French Cuisine to the U.S.  She made us more aware of the joys of food and wine.

A toast from the gastronomes :
     " -Bon appétit!"

Thank you Julia, and Happy 100th Birthday!

Port Orange Real Estate: Gluten Free Food !!

Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance, and links to Autism. These were the reasons why people tried to follow a Gluten Free Diet. Wheat is now required to be on the packaging Label for foods ( near the bottom for allergens), and it has become easier at the super market to find GF (gluten free) food.

Gluten Free Food has become a topic of interest in the Food World more recently, with a Gluten Free Diet for losing weight. People that had never thought of Gluten are now showing interest.

Finding restaurants that are able to provide GF without cross-contamination is still difficult. Most restaurants do have a seperate GF Menu, but it is mostly where some items are held back from the plate. (croutons from salad, crustini, etc.).

Here are a few Area Restaurants that do have GF food:

Alfredo's - located on Clyde Morris and Herbert (PO)- GF Pasta available , salads , etc.

Fresh Healthy Cafe -  located in the Pavilion (PO)- Have a GF Wrap , as well as Smoothies and Salads.

Red Brick Pizza - located at the Pavilion (PO)-  Have a GF Pizza , and salads, wings, Gelato , etc.

BJ's Brewhouse - located on International- have a GF Pizza, Pazooki , GF Ciders and Beer, and Menu.

Vanilla Bean Cupcake Bakery- Clyde Morris and Herbert (PO)- to order GF cupcakes , cakes , etc.

Olive Garden - located in the Pavilion - has GF pasta dishes available, Menu available .

There are several Restaurants that are GF friendly, meaning they will accomodate and try to make the dishes GF, but the chances for contamination are higher. Some Restaurants have not made GF Menus due to cross contamination possibility, although some of the dishes are naturally GF (ie: grilled fish and veggies with rice at La Fiesta  or similar dishes at Malibu Beach Grill)



Keep track of Homes in your neighborhood of interest by Searching by Subdivision. Or Contact Us for a daily E-mail of properties in your neighborhood. We can also E-mail a list of homes that have sold. You don't have to log-in to use Our Website, so feel free to peruse listings.

Port Orange Real Estate: Home Inspections!!

An important part of real estate transactions today, is the Home Inspection. If you are thinking of buying a house, you should have it inspected by an experienced and impartial professional home inspector.

What is a home inspection?

A home inspection is a non-invasive examination of the physical structure and systems of a home. (the walls are not opened and systems are not taken apart) They operate the systems that can be operated and determine their condition. When an item is found inoperable or damaged, it is noted and reported. Often, a WDO (wood destroying organism) inspection is done simultaneously.

Who benefits from a home inspection?

Everyone. The buyer : can determine some future costs/needs as well as immediate costs for repairs. The seller : benefits from the unbiased documentation of their homes condition and of any problems that need immediate attention. The real estate broker: ensures that their buyer is aware of the condition of the home and of any defects that need to be addressed.

What next?

The Home Inspector will generate a report from the inspection with physical notes and photos. The failing parts of the inspection will be noted seperately.  Depending on how the contract to purchase was written, you have a few options. Please, talk to your realtor for advice on how to proceed. 

Inspectors are getting paid to find the faults of the home. There may be a long list of small items (outlets, lightbulbs, faucet drip, etc) or a short list with one big item ( Roof age). The purpose of the inspector is not to scare the Buyer away from their purchase, but to make them aware of the condition the home was kept.

you can Search by Subdivision , Foreclosures, and by several MLS Categories. You don't have to sign in on Selling Daytona Homes , so enjoy your House Hunting. If you have any Questions or would like to see a home, please Contact Us .

Port Orange Real Estate: Luxury Home with Theater Room!

6627 Merryvale

This Beautiful, Lakefront, 3 Car Garage, Pool Home is located in the Gated Community of Covendale! This Saratoga Model is a One-of-a-Kind, featuring a State of the Art $40,000.00 Theater Room with 120 inch screen. Formal and Family areas, a Luxurious Master Retreat, Screened Pool with Paver Decking, Split Plan with 2 Guest Rooms, Custom Granite Counters and Gourmet Kitchen. Many Designer Details, 3 Total A/C Systems, 2 Total Hot Water Heaters, Crown Moulding, Stone Accents, etc. ... and Best Lakeview with Fantastic Sunsets.  Zoned for top rated schools, close to shopping, dining and much more!!
All Information and Measurements are Approximate, believed to be correct, but not Guaranteed.

To view more information on this Home follow, PORT ORANGE LUXURY .
Keep track of Homes in your neighborhood of interest by Searching by Subdivision. Or Contact Us for a daily E-mail of properties in your neighborhood. We can also E-mail a list of homes that have sold. You don't have to log-in to use Our Website, so feel free to peruse listings.

Port Orange Real Estate : Port Orange Night Out Against Crime !

It is time for the Port Orange Police to host the 8th Annual  “National Night Out Against Crime”. The Block Party will be on August 7th from 6 to 8 PM at the Port Orange City Center.

This event was designed more than 29 years ago and meant to heighten drug and crime prevention by strengthening police-community partnerships. Originally, the “night out” was front porch vigils and outside lights turned on to make unwanted persons aware that they were being watched. Since its earliest renderings, it has become events throughout the United States.

Our Local Police Department has organized their event to include Canine Officers, Traffic Division, Marine Unit, Emergency Response Team, Police Volunteers, and Police Explorers.  The Port Orange Fire Department will also have their “Fire Smoke Trailer” on hand for demonstrations.

For more Information , contact : Crime Prevention Officer – Serena Besuden at 386-506-5822.

Source: http://www.port-orange.org/calendar/

Keep track of Homes in your neighborhood of interest by Searching by Subdivision. Or Contact Us for a daily E-mail of properties in your neighborhood. We can also E-mail a list of homes that have sold. You don't have to log-in to use Our Website, so feel free to peruse listings.

Port Orange Real Estate : Short Sale News

One of the problems with Short-Sales has been having to deal with Second Liens. They wait to respond, ask for more money from first lien holder, or money from homeowner, and often want them to take line of credit to repay balance. They stall and often kill the first offer on a Short-Sale.

This is done with the knowledge that they will get no money if the home is foreclosed and they will have to sue the homeowner for balance. This, in turn, forces the homeowner to file bankruptcy.

"Why cause the delay and unneccessary hardship? Just make the decision and get on with it." This may be what U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Calif. was thinking when he proposed The Fast Help for Homeowners Act.

By eliminating the delays, first liens may be more willing to negotiate with second lien holders. If nothing else, it will improve response time. The Act will give second liens on Federal Mortgages 45 days to respond, and on the 46th day will have to accept the deal.

If nothing else, this Act will make second lien holders respond faster.

If you are thinking of Buying or Selling in the Port Orange Area, contact us at Selling Daytona Homes. Use our site to look for homes in the Area and see what some of the Cities have to offer.


Source: “Evasive Second-Lien Holders Thwarting Short Sales,” HousingWire (July 25, 2012)

Port Orange Real Estate : Appraisals in Today's Market

   In spite of Rising Home Prices across Florida, a concern of many Realtors is that low Appraisals are delaying or stopping closings. They have to negotiate deals or buyers walk away. There are a few ways to help the Appraisal process.  Now, while the Dodd Frank Act helped to reform the Appraisal process, it is still an art. They can only work with what is available to them and the actual numbers. There are steps that home sellers and agents can take to ensure a fair and accurate appraisal.

1) - Don't Overprice-  While every homeowner wants as much as possible, it can be tricky when pushing the edge of the Market. Make sure that your Realtor gives you accurate Comparables of your home when pricing it. ( Sold in last 6 Months, Square Footage, etc. ) Use this information and price accordingly. While we can hope for a Cash Buyer that won't ask for an Appraisal, it might not happen.

2) - Be Accomodating - Agents cannot pick the Appraisor, but they can be helpful to them. Making themselves available to Open the House and any Questions they may have. There should be no pressure put on the Appraisor, so it is reccomended that Homeowners not be there. This is particularly helpful if the Appraisor does not have access to MLS or Lockboxes in your area.

3) -Provide Information- It has become frequent that many of the Appraisors are from out of the area. They may not know everything about your area. The Realtor can provide the comparables from the area as well as any community information and Dates and types of repairs done to improve the home.

While there is no Guarantee that your home will Appraise, these tips should help. Pricing in the Market is the biggest factor, but being pro-active by providing information will be helpful.

If you are thinking of Buying or Selling in the Port Orange Area, contact us at Selling Daytona Homes. We will help you find the right home, or sell yours. Use our site to look for homes in the Area and see what some of the Cities have to offer.

Port Orange Real Estate : "Scraping" , Taking Real Estate info !!

Web scraping is when information is taken from the internet and used for a purpose other than originally intended. There is software available to do this. Most of the time, it is used for informational purposes, statistical data, etc. . There are always those people who will misuse information, often for monetary gain.

"Scraping" may be new to some people, but most Realtors have had their run in with it. "Scraping" in Real Estate is when somebody takes information from a website and uses it as their own. It is typically used for rental scams. We have had at least three of our listings "scraped". The info was put on Craig's List as an unhappy seller who has decided to rent. We eventually get phone calls because prospects find our listing and become confused. We made our sellers aware and they resolved problem. Some people are not that lucky and lose their money by sending a check to a Fake owner to rent a property.

Realtor.com has implemented steps to prevent this act on their website. They have dramatically reduced the number of attempts on their website. This act is very common and very inexpensive for a Cyber-criminal to do. 

There are some writers who have been downplaying the attention "scraping" has been getting. I'm not sure if they understand the implications of "scraping". This is not a way for Realtor.com to garner attention. People have been renting houses and getting evicted due to these scams. Homeowners now are subject to litigation to protect their rights.

Suggestions:
1- try to use known sources for information.  (from MLS, a Real Estate Company site, or one that takes from MLS like realtor.com)
2- check for copies of information. (if it is on more than one sight with different information)
3- arrange for a showing. (if its real, this will be easy)

Most people will never feel the effects of "scraping". Those that have, feel a lack of trust in the information available. If in doubt, call a Realtor and ask questions.

All information on our Website is deemed to be correct, but not guaranteed. Source for listing info is directly from area MLS. To Search for Rentals on our Site, use the MLS Search in the Quick Search box by selecting RENTAL under property type. You can also request an automatic daily search for rentals or properties.

Port Orange Real Estate : Low Ball Offers are not GOOD !

Often, buyers test the market when they first start looking for a home. When the Market first started to fall and there was an explosion of Short Sales and Foreclosures, Low Ball offers made sense. There were so many homes on the market that you had the time and opportunity to make the Best Buy you could.

With the Market starting to claw its way back up, the time advantage is not there. Short Sales are closing much faster, making them much more attractive to all buyers and not just investors. Banks have started refurbishing some REO homes with paint, carpet and some appliances. The investors are starting to get pushed out of the market, and the serious buyers are stepping in.

Homes that have been priced correctly in the Market, are going under contract quickly. The contracts are coming in much closer to the asking price, often with more than one offer. Is there room to negotiate? Yes. If the seller has priced the house above the market, it will be on the market longer and the Low Ball offer will correct the difference.

Suggestions :
Buyers-
1- Make a serious offer if you are interested in a property.
2- Watch the community you are looking in and see what the other homes are going for.
3-  Be prepared, have a preapproval letter from a Lender and know what price home you can afford.
4- When a home goes on the market in your area of interest, make an appointment and go see it.
Sellers-
1- Speak to your Realtor about a fair price.
2- If you have not gotten an offer in 2 weeks, consider a Price Reduction.
3- Keep track of the sales in your neighborhood.
4- Keep track of new listings in your neighborhood.

Keep track of Homes in your neighborhood of interest by Searching by Subdivision. Or Contact Us for a daily E-mail of properties in your neighborhood. We can also E-mail a list of homes that have sold. You don't have to log-in to use Our Website, so feel free to peruse listings.

Port Orange Real Estate : Short Sale Improvement Here !!

In the last week, there have been a few changes to the Short Sale Process that will be a welcome relief to buyers and sellers. Buyers won't have to wait months for an answer on a home they want to move into now. Sellers won't have to wait as long to know that they aren't getting foreclosed on, aren't damaging their credit more, and can move on.

First BOA (Bank of America) has made a few changes to the Equator System to try and streamline their already improved system. They have made response times shorter and provided forms for Realtors so that there is less confusion.

Second, the FHFA ( Federal Housing Finance Agency ) directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to streamline the process for : Short-Sales, Deeds-in-Lieu, and Deeds-for-Lease. Servicers will be required to do the following:
 review and respond to requests for short sales within 30 calendar days from receipt of a short sale offer and a complete borrower response package;
 provide weekly status updates to the borrower if the short sale offer is still under review after 30 calendar days;
 make and communicate final decisions to the borrower within 60 calendar days of receipt of the offer and complete borrower response package.

 Short Sales have become a part of Real Estate Business. The stress for Buyers, Sellers, and Realtors has been tremendous. Maybe, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

If you have Questions about Short Sales and how they can help you, Contact Us .

Source : © 2012 Florida Realtors® : Freddie Mac sets new short sale timelines, Fannie to follow

Port Orange Real Estate : REO "Gold Rush" in Florida ?!

       As of late, there has been comparisons of the REO Market ( foreclosure homes ) to the "Gold Rush" of California. Florida is one of the particular comparisons as our market has shown signs of recovery compared to some of the other areas inundated with foreclosures.
       I don't think that is a fair comparison. Yes there is a lot of opportunity for investors to make money, but it isn't throwing everything you have into the opportunity. Typical "Gold Rush" entreprenours left everthing to make their money finding gold with no amount of certainty inn their investment. The opportunity provided by the REO market has a lot more security. There are investors that are : buying REO's, renovating them, renting them, and selling them as a package to other investors. There are Real Estate companies that are buying the foreclosed homes and flipping them for small profit, but in large quantity. Most investors are buying the foreclosures and using them as income properties ( rental ).
      This is not a market that will benefit foolish or impulsive actions. Abusing purchase power provided by Lenders is why we have so many foreclosures now. Informed investors, are going to make informed purchases and not make "rush" decisions.

Search for Forclosures on our Website. Contact us and we can also provide an automatic update of Foreclosure properties in Our Area. You can also compare homes by searching by subdivision .

Port Orange Real Estate : Gas Prices Have Peaked !!

We can all breath a little easier ! I've been dreading going to fill the gas tank for the last month. We are lucky that they did not go as high as last year. ( National Avg of $3.99 in 2011 - only up to $3.92 National Avg this year )

"By the behavior of the market, things are just running out of steam," said Patrick DeHaan, senior analyst for price tracker gasbuddy.com. "Barring any major event — refinery problems, Iran — I think prices have peaked."

Typical peak is shortly before Memorial Day. Maybe we can all take the Vacations we were worrying about, and enjoy the Drive.

Searching for Foreclosures is a breeze on our Website. With the Market starting to slowly rebound, it is time to Start Looking for investments.

Source: "Gas prices, now averaging $3.92 a gallon, may have peaked" By Gary Strauss, USA TODAY

Port Orange Real Estate : Foreclosure Settlement Approved !!

The $26B Foreclosure Settlement over Foreclosure Errors that was announced over a month ago, has finally been approved by a Federal Judge.
What does this mean for you?

The settlement includes: guidelines for banks in compensating homeowners who may have been wrongfully foreclosed upon, mortgage modifications for delinquent borrowers ( including principal reductions), refinancing mortgages for borrowers who are current on their payments, compensation to borrowers who lost their homes to foreclosure ( with errors in process ), paying federal and state fines, stricter standards in foreclosure processing.

The Banks that abide by the terms of the Settlement will also avoid future Fines related to Foreclosures from this time period.

If you think you may be eligible for any of these programs or compensations, contact your Bank.

For easy Subdivision Searchs in Port Orange and Foreclosure Searchs . No Signing in on our Website.

Source: “Court Approves $26 Billion Foreclosure Settlement,” CNNMoney

Port Orange Real Estate : Population increase in Florida !!

          Florida has long been known for Population Growth. This was not so the past few years. After the Real Estate Collapse, Florida was in a state of Contraction. As our economy has started to return to normal, so has our Population Growth. It may not be as dramatic as before, but growth is beneficial.

          Last Thursday , the Census Bureau reported that the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach area was the 6th largest increase in the Country with almost 92K residents (1.7% increase) moving into the area. Tampa-St. Pete was second in the State with an increase of almost 37K residents.
          Retirees seem to be returning as well with an increase of 4.6% in the Population of The Villages.

What does this mean for us? It means Home Prices start to increase. Gradually!! Rental Prices start to go up. Gradually!! New Construction, Jobs, Wages, and anything tied to our local economy starts to go up. Gradually!! A Controlled growth will be much more beneficial because our whole economy will grow together rather than one sector.

Parts of this were refernced from Florida Cities Rebounding .

If you would like to keep track of what other houses in your neighborhood are doing, Searching by Subdivision might help. For assistance, please contact us .

 Source: News Service of Florida, Michael Peltier

Port Orange Real Estate : Housing Market to Improve !?

In a new Semi-Annual survey of leading real estate economists and analysts, the prediction is given for an increase in the overall housing market. However, further reading of this article is not as cheery. These Analysts are making these predictions off of current economic indicators and explain that changes in the world economy could affect these predictions. They also indicate that areas hit hard by the Real Estate Collapse ( Florida, Arizona, etc.) may not have as dramatic an improvement.
The current trend locally has been one of an increasingly stable market with improvement in unemployment. Home prices have been increasing slightly, more so when not including distressed-sales. The local indicators are favorable for our economic future. This trend of market improvement should continue, though we may lag behind the national average.

sellingdaytonahomes.com is available for you to look at the Real Estate Market here. Compare prices of other homes in your neighborhood.  No log-in required.

Port Orange Real Estate : Keep an Eye on Your Credit!!

If you are considering buying a home, you need to start thinking about your credit. Your Credit Rating will effect your Rate and how much you can borrow. Not having Credit due to not using it is like having bad credit. You have to approach Credit wisely and keep track of your Rating.

-Check your Credit. You are allowed, under a law called the Fair Credit Reporting Act, to get a free copy of your credit report every year from each of the big nationwide reporting agencies noted above. Remember that getting a free credit report does not include your credit score. That may cost you a couple of Dollars, but it could be worth it.

-Fix your Credit. FICO is the Company that does the math for your Credit report, and they have a lot of tips for fixing and improving your credit raitng. They also have a link for help for disputing errors in your credit history.

Your Credit is important. It can take time to build Good Credit, but can be ruined very quickly. Develop good habits and stick with them.

You can view homes in PORT ORANGE on our Website without logging in. Or Contact us for an Automatic Mailing from our area.

Port Orange Real Estate : Go Tapeless for Hurricanes !!

Taping windows for Hurricanes has been reccomended by Weathermen and News Agencies for years. No More. The National Hurricane Center is now trying to persuade people to not tape windows. The fear is that by taping the windows, the glass is being held together making larger shards. These larger shards of glass could inflict much more harm on someone near the window. For more of this story, read the original posting by: Mike Schneider .

For more information on how to be prepared for the storm season, the Hurricane Center has lots of tips that will help to keep you safe.

For more Port Orange Houses, use Our Website.

Port Orange Real Estate : Open Houses !!

We are having TWO Open Houses this Sunday, April 1st.

 They will be from 2 til 4 PM.

The First Open House will be at  54 CROOKED PINE in Summer Trees. This home is in the 55+ part of the community.

The Second Open House will be at 1809 TARA MARIE in Waters Edge.


To Search for more homes you can also use OUR WEBSITE.

Port Orange Real Estate : 2 Bed Townhome in 55+ Community for $99K !!!

This is an Open and Bright 2 Bedroom Townhome with a 2 Car Garage in Summer Trees. It is restricted for 55+. Walking distance to Shopping and Dining, minutes from I-95 and I-4 Corridors, and the Beaches. For more Information about this Listing visit 54 Crooked Pine . You can also use our Website to Search for Homes, without signing in.  Go to sellingdaytonahomes.com and use our MLS Search feature or by city.
If you would like more Information or would like to schedule a showing, you can contact us through our Website or call.

Port Orange Real Estate : "Freedom" Model at Waters Edge !!

This is the "Freedom" Model by ICI. This Model Features a Great Room and a Wall of Windows that lets the outside in. View this Freedom Model on our Website. You can also Search for Homes by Subdivision or by Style . Visit our Website for more Information and Homes. Don't miss your chance to Buy this Great Home.

Port Orange Real Estate : 4 Bedroom Pool Home on Lake !!!

Located in Waters Edge Subdivision in Port Orange. This is the Westminster Model  by ICI.  4 Bedrooms with a Pool on the Lake. Follow 4 BED POOL HOME to view our Webpage for more information and Photos of this property. You can also use our Website to view other properties (without signing in) by going to  SELLINGDAYTONAHOMES. If you have questions about this or other properties, please inquire through our Website.

Port Orange Real Estate : 5 Acre 3 Car Garage Home in New Smyrna for $255K !!!

This is a Gorgeous Home with a Kitchen a Chef would enjoy! 5 Acres with 2 Ponds and some wooded Privacy. Bring and KEEP your Toys here. Located off of S.R.-44 past the New Smyrna Racetrack. Follow THIS PROPERTY LINK to view our Webpage for more information and Photos of this property. Our Virtual Tour Site has a Map option which you can follow THIS TOUR LINK to view. You can also use our Website to view other properties (without signing in) by following THIS WEBSITE LINK . If you have questions about this or other properties, you can inquire through our Website.

New Smyrna Real Estate : 5 Acres 3Car Garage Pool Home Only $255K!!!

This is a Gorgeous Home with a Kitchen a Chef would enjoy! 5 Acres with 2 Ponds and some wooded Privacy. Located off of S.R.-44 past the New Smyrna Racetrack. Follow THIS PROPERTY LINK to view our Webpage for more information and Photos of this property. Our Virtual Tour Site has a Map option which you can follow THIS TOUR LINK to view. You can also use our Website to view other properties (without signing in) by following THIS WEBSITE LINK . If you have questions about this or other properties, you can inquire through our Website.

New Smyrna Real Estate : 5 Acres 3Bed 3 Car Garage Pool Home !!!

This is a Gorgeous Home with a Kitchen a Chef would enjoy! 5 Acres with 2 Ponds and some wooded Privacy. Located off of S.R.-44 past the New Smyrna Racetrack. Follow THIS PROPERTY LINK to view our Webpage for more information and Photos of this property. Our Virtual Tour Site has a Map option which you can follow THIS TOUR LINK to view. You can also use our Website to view other properties (without signing in) by following THIS WEBSITE LINK . If you have questions about this or other properties, you can inquire through our Website.