No Comments

Buying A Home Online

buying-a-home-online

Buying a home is always a stressful period, even if you are doing it locally. It definitely can be an exciting time, but there are so many variables and therefore so many things that you have to think about almost constantly that it can become overwhelming very quickly. However, if you think buying a home when you can go and look at it in person and speak face to face with a real estate agent is stressful, think about buying a home online. Online home buying is becoming more and more prevalent.
Read more

No Comments

Relocating to Florida: Personal Paradise Begins With Realtor Lorraine Valdes

realtor-lorraine-valdes

Florida has long held the reputation as the retirement capital of U.S. – but, not all 55+ communities are the same. It’s not just about home size, location, amenities, or the color of the walls. When you are looking to relocate to Florida, the active adult community you choose has to have the right balance: one that feels like home, and one that provides comfortable and safe environment to embrace your retirement years. This is where a like Realtor Lorraine Valdes can help.
Lorraine Valdes specializes in the Orlando, FL and Kissimmee, FL areas, so she can help you navigate through the many types of 55+ + “active adult” communities, and help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Communities like Solvita, Bella Lago, Bella Pointe, Champions Gate, Reunion, and Waterview are some of the most popular locations. For those who are not familiar with the Florida area, however, Lorraine is your perfect resource to help you find the ideal winter getaway, or get you established in a permanent residence. Either way, it’s important to note that Lorraine cares about her clients. She will walk you through the entire process, so buying a home becomes an uncomplicated, exciting escapade, rather than a stress-filled experience.
If you are looking for the premier community in Central Florida, the one who has received the most accolades is Solvita. Whether your preferences lie in outdoor activities like hiking, boating, bocce, tennis, or golf, or whether you are interested in yoga, clubs, chess or Zumba, there are so many pursuits to occupy your time, you may find your interests develop in so many new hobbies, that you find you’re busier in your retirement than you ever were before. The best part, however, is that they have affordable homes for people at every price point, with resale homes available in the ranges of $90,000 to $475,000, and long term rentals beginning at around $900 per month.
Tuscan-inspired, the ambience Solvita projects is reason enough to settle in, but it offers so much more. Complete with twin 18-hole championship golf courses, breathtaking wooded preserves, and spectacular sparkling lakes, its 4,300 acres offers everything you would expect in a Mediterranean village, including charming old-world streets, fully appointed clubhouses and a number of distinctive gathering spots to enhance the community’s charm. The exceptional planning and amenities available are some of the many reasons Lorraine has become the go-to Realtor of choice when it comes to Solvita real estate properties, and she can help you find your dream home, too.
Though it’s possible to find a home on your own — whether new construction or otherwise – tackling the job on your own can become a painstaking process. This is why having the right Realtor is essential, and it is particularly important for older couples who are either retired or close to retirement, as it is a major factor in finding the right property. But, how do you know who the “right” Realtor is for you?
The right Realtor to handle your real estate needs is easy to recognize when you know what you’re looking for, and Lorraine Valdes possesses every quality and element that a good Realtor should hold. She provides not just the exceptional knowledge and service you deserve, but her attention to detail and her ability to connect with her clients make her hands-down one of the top agents in all of the Kissimmee and Orlando areas. As your real estate professional, Lorraine knows the communities that support an active adult lifestyle like the back of her hand, but she also has spent years representing buyers and sellers of all types of property as well. This means that she understands that all her clients are different, and that whether you’re looking for your first home or your last, her vast real estate expertise makes her shine.
Given that she specializes in 55+ adult communities, whether you’re on the brink of retirement, or even if you’re already there, you should consider having realtor Lorraine Valdes assist you. Her website features an abundance of information to assist buyers and sellers of all kinds, it allows you to search the MLS for new listings, and you can even visit her blog for a free buyer’s guide. Lorraine Valdes takes the challenge out of buying a home, and turns it into an exciting adventure. Your own personal paradise is waiting, and she can help you find it.

No Comments

Why We Fall in Love—With Houses!

Falling in love can be wonderful—and finding the perfect house can make a house-hunter weak in the knees.

A survey by Realtor.com shows that falling head-over-heels for a house is fairly common—69% of respondents reported that they have had a home crush. House-hunters with a “home crush,” as defined in the survey, are drawn to the same house again and again. Realtor.com surveyed 1,082 individuals from Jan. 9 to Jan. 20 who reported having had a home crush.
Read more

No Comments

Top 5 reasons you should consider choosing one of Central FL's gated communities.

Have you ever considered living in a gated community? There are so many benefits to picking a luxury gated community over any other type of neighborhood. Here are the top 5 reasons you should consider choosing one of Central FL’s best gated communities.

1. Exclusivity
People are attracted to the exclusivity and prestige a gated community provides them. In order to enter a gated community, you need to enter a security code in a keypad or be allowed in through a security guard. Your gated community will not have everyone in Central FL driving around in your neighborhood for no reason. Most people see living in a gated community as a privilege. You should take pride in your home and your gated community.
Read more

No Comments

Nearly 2 million homeowners no longer 'seriously' underwater on their mortgages

Surging home prices have helped nearly two million homeowners get back above water on their mortgages over the past year.

During the first quarter, 9.1 million, or 17%, of homeowners were seriously underwater on their home, meaning their debt exceeded the home’s value by 25% or more, according to RealtyTrac. That’s down from 10.9 million, or 26%, of all properties a year earlier.
States with the highest percentage of seriously underwater homes included Nevada, Florida and Illinois.
Read full article at CNN

No Comments

Your Guide to a Smooth-Running Construction Project

Imagine walking into your newly built or remodeled home and seeing it exactly as you had imagined it at the start of construction: the windows are all in the right places, the flooring is the right color, and the kitchen cabinets are a perfect fit.

Now allow me to pinch you on the arm, because for most people, reality is often different from that idyllic scenario. You might see missing trim around the bedroom doors or wonder why that small change in the kitchen cost so much. Looking back, you might ask, “And why did we have to hire another subcontractor to finish the bathroom?”

Of course, there are things you just can’t plan for, but there’s plenty that you can. Costly changes and additional time-consuming work can be kept to a minimum if you fully understand what you are building before you start. By understanding the construction process, being part of the team and keeping a firm grip on the budget, your construction project can result in the home of your dreams.

Read the full article at Houzz.com

No Comments

5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing Where to Retire

Are you facing retirement soon? Are you trying to decide between staying near family or choosing real estate in Central Florida, or elsewhere? Should you sell the home you are currently in to give yourself some freedom? You have a lot to consider when it comes to making a decision. The five questions below are great ones to ponder if you are considering a move.

First, how far are you willing to move?

Making a move of any kind is both exciting and challenging for any person, especially those past the age of retirement. It is important to consider just how far you are willing to move. Are you ready for a big change?

Second, where have you always wanted to live?

What’s your dream? Is the Florida sunshine where you have always wanted to spend your retirement? Or do you love the changing seasons? Do you want a home by the ocean? Or is a golf community the priority? How do you want to spend your days?

Third, how close do you want to be to your loved ones?

If you decide to make a long distance move, it might mean having a substantial distance between you and some of your loved ones. This can be refreshing! But it can also be a challenge. Are you willing to put distance between yourself and your children or grandchildren? Would you like to divide your year and live in two places?

Fourth, how much money are you able to spend?

Once you have decided where you want to live, it is time to determine just how much you can afford to spend. This needs to be decided before you can start to find a place to live. Work on your budget and determine just how much you will be able to use toward this move and toward your future home. If you are moving away from family, remember to include money in your budget for going back to visit them.

Fifth, do you want to own or rent?

This is something that needs to be considered carefully. When you move, do you want to get into a condo or apartment, or would you rather own a little home of your own? Do you want the responsibility and freedom of a home, or do you want to relax in a maintenance-free place?

Take your time to answer these questions, decide where to retire. Then take the leap and make every day count wherever you are!