Dream Home Alert in Preserve at Astor Farms: this is without a doubt one of the most unique and stunning homes in the entire neighborhood so we thought we’d let you all know that we just listed this gem for sale!

Adding to the gorgeous curb appeal of this dream home and a true highlight on the exterior is the circular driveway with semi-enclosed brick carport.

Just before entering this amazing home located on an oversized lot you will also notice a private access door to the right which leads to an attached space, ideal for a home office “away from home”.

As you enter you will immediately be impressed by the open foyer that connects directly to the formal living and dining room. From here you will also get a good view of the gorgeous pool.

Throughout the first floor you will enjoy beautiful hardwood floors. Continuing your tour to your left you will walk into the gourmet kitchen with quartz counter tops, dark cherry wood 42 inch cabinets, an elegant cooking island and backsplash. The kitchen overlooks the dinette and cozy family room which connects to the screen enclosed large covered patio and pool with stunning water views.

The unique resort style pool with spa, waterfall and stone elevation turns your patio into a true oasis. Spending your time here after work will be very relaxing and entertaining will be a pleasure. There is also plenty of space for a summer kitchen.

On the other side of the home you will find the oversized master suite and bath with his and her closets, double sink vanities, glass enclosed shower stall and garden bath. French doors open up to the pool area. Through the master bath you can enter the private home office located next to the entrance of the home.

The upstairs offers 3 good-sized bedrooms and two baths, one of them a Jack & Jill bathroom. The large loft/bonus room combo is perfect as playroom or for entertaining.

This home is ready to move in – it is not a short sale or bank foreclosure!

The Preserve at Astor Farms is a desirable gated community surrounded by a large nature preserve. But don’t be fooled by this country like setting: while you live peacefully in this gorgeous neighborhood you are also only minutes away from all the things this area has to offer: great shopping and dining at the Seminole Town Center and surrounding plazas, I-4, 417, Colonial Town Park with great entertainment, restaurants/bars and shopping and the Lake Mary business corridor of International Parkway.

The Central Florida Zoo, the Sanford Marina & Riverwalk and beautiful Historic Sanford are also just a short drive away!

• $419,000 – 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths + loft + home office w/ separate entrance
• Square Footage: 3,390
• Year Built: 2004
• Call/text Jose Rodriguez at 407-340-6458 for more information!

The post Dream Home for Sale in Astor Farms appeared first on Sanford FL Realtors - Seminole County Real Estate.

The Sanford Riverwalk (Phase I) was completed in 2004 and won an award by the International “Making Cities Livable” (ICML) organization for it’s innovative achievements. With its start in Spring of 2013, the project is projected to be completed by the beginning of 2014.

Even though we don’t live within walking distance of the Riverwalk, we still can’t wait to take our boys for an extended walk along Lake Monroe :)

This extension will make downtown Sanford even more popular and the subdivisions of Venetian Bay (90 homes) and Riverview Townhomes (205 town homes) even more attractive. Riverview Townhomes is in fact turning into a very desirable subdivision: not only will residents be connected to the Sanford Riverwalk but also, Riverview is the only subdivision from which residents will be able to walk to the Sunrail commuter train (which will be starting its service in the Spring of 2014).

We wouldn’t be surprised to see value go up in these neighborhoods due to the extension: just imagine being able to walk or bike right from your doorstep to beautiful historic downtown with all its restaurants, bars, galleries and antique stores. You could also walk or jog down to Ft. Mellon  Park and freshen up at by the huge splash pad, all while enjoying beautiful and idyllic views of Lake Monroe.

It’s a dream come true for anyone who loves historic Sanford but wasn’t willing to “sacrifice” their lifestyle of owning a garage, living in a gated subdivision, and most of all, living in a newer home that doesn’t constantly need fixes. Now about 300 families will be perfectly connected to the very desirable urban lifestyle and growing community of Historic Sanford Downtown.

There might also be a part 2 to this Phase II Riverwalk extension if funding allows: about 1,100 feet from Monroe Road to the Central Florida Zoo entrance. This gives us lots of hope that Phase III (which will hopefully be started a lot sooner than another 10 years) might connect those two pieces. So Preserve at Lake Monroe home owners might get really excited at this point because that will definitely make their subdivision a hot one as well.

For those of you interested in living in a neighborhood along Phase II of the Sanford Riverwalk Extension, here are available homes in Venetian Bay and Riverview:

Venetian Bay Sanford, FL Homes for Sale

Showing properties 1 - 1 of 1. See more Venetian Bay.
(all data current as of 6/20/2013)

1. $160,000 : 258 Venetian Bay Cir, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,229 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,002 sqft

   Year built: 2004

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 251

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Riverview Sanford, FL Townhomes for Sale

Showing properties 1 - 1 of 1. See more Riverview Sanford Townhomes.
(all data current as of 6/20/2013)

1. $151,210 : MLS # R4599942 in Sanford
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,635 sq ft

   Lot size: 1,834 sqft

   Year built: 2013

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 31

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

The post Sanford Riverwalk Extension appeared first on Sanford FL Realtors - Seminole County Real Estate.

This post is part of our Best Neighborhoods of Sanford series.

As residents of The Preserve at Astor Farms we are very familiar with the neighborhood and have listed and sold more homes than any other Realtor in the subdivision since 2007. If you are interested in learning more about The Preserve at Astor Farms, feel free to contact us anytime and we’ll be happy to introduce you to our beautiful neighborhood.

Click here to receive updates on recent sales in Astor Farms Sanford

Below are the Top 5 reasons why home buyers choose Astor Farms above other communities of Sanford and Lake Mary and why this beautiful community is such a great place to live.

Top 5 Reasons to live in Preserve at Astor Farms in Sanford FL

1. Nature: The Preserve at Astor Farms is located inside a preserve providing its residents with the ultimate nature experience available in the area. The Black Bear Wilderness Area and the Lower Wekiva State Preserve are regions designated by the state as a protection area for wildlife and their habitat. So don’t be scared – you might see a bear every once in a while. Other than that, you will most likely see deer and all kinds of birds, including the American Bald Eagle. The picture in the gallery was provided by a home owner who was lucky enough to take a picture of this beautiful animal by one of the idyllic ponds.
2. Unique Home Styles: Astor Farms is the only subdivision in Seminole County and one of the few in the entire Central Florida area that features Tudor style homes. Many of the homes have beautiful details, inside and outside, which makes them resemble custom homes.
3. Location: Even though the neighborhood offers a secluded and private feel, you will be only within minutes of I-4, 417, the Seminole Town Center Mall and the bars and restaurants of Colonial Town Park.
4. Astor Farms Social Events: Take the Astor Farms Wine Club for example. At this monthly gathering organized by residents (rotating another home every month), you will get to meet your neighbors while sampling some great wine. The Wine Club tradition was started in 2007 and is still a big hit among residents. Other social events in the neighborhood include, the annual Halloween Parade in October and Santa Hayride in December.
5. Impressive community entry: When turning from Orange Boulevard into North Maryland you will be impressed with the drive that leads to beautiful Astor Farms. As you approach the rotunda with a beautiful palm, white fences on each side of the road create an atmosphere of country living. Upon entering through the gate you will be greeted by a pond with fountain. From here you can also already spot the preserve at surrounds Astor Farms.

Have another reason you want to add? Post your comment below and we’ll be happy to add it!

Visit the Astor Farms HOA Web site to learn a bit more about The Preserve at Astor Farms in Sanford FL.

Homes for Sale in The Preserve at Astor Farms Sanford FL:

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 5. See more Astor Farms.
(all data current as of 6/20/2013)

1. $308,000 : MLS # O5128224 in Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,268 sq ft

   Lot size: 8,577 sqft
2. $309,000 : 1667 Astor Farms Pl, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,261 sq ft

   Lot size: 9,439 sqft
3. $375,000 : 4806 Cains Wren Trl, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,499 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,682 sqft
4. $389,900 : 4763 Cains Wren Trl, Sanford
   
   5 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,307 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,618 sqft
5. $419,000 : 1690 Astor Farms Pl, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,390 sq ft

   Lot size: 15,834 sqft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

The post Top 5 Reasons to live in Preserve at Astor Farms in Sanford appeared first on Sanford FL Realtors - Seminole County Real Estate.

Click here to receive updates on recent sales in Lake Forest Sanford

Facts about Lake Forest:

• Built starting in the 1990s, some lots are still available for custom home construction.
• Approximately 800 single family homes (many of them custom homes).
• Award winning community in Central Florida and South Eastern US.
• Even though today you can find homes priced as low as $250,000 inside Lake Forest, the neighborhood is considered one of the luxury home subdivisions of Sanford with many homes selling way above $1 Million.

Top 5 Reasons to live in Lake Forest:

1. Security: The community is 24/7 guard gated. There are also plenty of bike and pedestrian safe walkways inside Lake Forest.
2. Community Amenities: One of the most beautiful community pools – a junior size olympic pool in an idyllic outdoor setting overlooking the lake. Lake Forest offers its amenities to all residents at a relatively low rate (e.g. when compared to other planned subdivisions like Heathrow).
3. Social Factor: In Lake Forest there are lots of activities organized by residents that make it easy to meet your neighbors. Several social clubs based on interest have developed over the years. On top of that there is a good chance that you will meet your neighbors when visiting the club house to enjoy the gym or tennis courts.
4. Nature: Lake Forest is one of the few communities where builders have preserved the beautiful trees and nature. Even though the back part of the subdivision did not preserve as many trees as the front, you will still experience nature when driving through Lake Forest. Moreover, there are lakes connected by little canals inside the subdivision that can be crossed via romantic bridges. This unique setting is often referred to as “waterscape” and has earned Lake Forest the “The Best Community in the Southeastern United States” and Parade of Homes’ Grand Award for “Best Community in Central Florida”
5. Location and Convenience: Lake Forest is located just off Highway 46 in Sanford and offers easy access to I-4, 417, the Seminole Town Center Mall and the bars and restaurants of Colonial Town Park. Within minutes you can be in anywhere in the Sanford/Lake Mary area.

Have another reason you want to add? Post your comment below and we’ll be happy to add it!

Homes for Sale in Lake Forest Sanford:

Showing properties 1 - 9 of 17. See more Lake Forest.
(all data current as of 6/20/2013)

1. $439,000 : 680 Broadoak Loop, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,105 sq ft

   Lot size: 13,896 sqft
2. $445,000 : 5138 Majestic Woods Pl, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 4 full baths

   Home size: 2,910 sq ft

   Lot size: 10,324 sqft
3. $445,000 : 649 Broadoak Loop, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,767 sq ft

   Lot size: 15,773 sqft
4. $629,900 : 5247 Vista Club Run, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,593 sq ft

   Lot size: 18,731 sqft
5. $750,000 : 5331 Vista Club Run, Sanford
   
   5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 4,442 sq ft

   Lot size: 25,605 sqft
6. $699,990 : 870 Isle Pt # 685, Sanford
   
   5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 4,564 sq ft

   Lot size: 16,126 sqft
7. $585,000 : 793 Whooping Crane Ct, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,288 sq ft

   Lot size: 16,605 sqft
8. $399,837 : 837 Edgeforest Ter, Sanford
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,155 sq ft

   Lot size: 14,932 sqft
9. $420,000 : MLS # O5146959 in Sanford
   
   4 beds, 4 full baths

   Home size: 3,426 sq ft

   Lot size: 11,657 sqft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

The post Top 5 Reasons to live in Lake Forest Sanford appeared first on Sanford FL Realtors - Seminole County Real Estate.

More about the Victorian Houses of Sanford:

Possibly one of the most beloved architectural home designs in the USA is the Victorian. With its brightly colored paint, and extravagant detailing, this style of home is reminiscent of what most would consider “the good ol’ days”. A time when life seemed to move just a bit more slowly, and chatting with the neighbors over a glass of lemonade was a typical way to spend an afternoon. Perhaps, it is this type of nostalgia that draws people to the Victorian home.

Victorian Homes where built during the reign of Queen Victoria or roughly between 1850-1915. Their design was largely inspired by the industrial revolution that brought with it great advancements in architecture and design. Due to these advancements home design was able to utilize more complex details, shapes and angles that previously would have been too complicated for the average homeowner to afford. It was during this period (1850-1915) that the Victorian home design became a popular choice.

Victorian Home design borrowed details from other famous design movements, resulting in at least 7 different types of Victorian homes.

• Victorian Gothic – Featuring pointed windows, gingerbread details and an asymmetrical floor plan.

• Victorian Italianate – Featuring a mostly square shape, balconies built on top of existing porches, and sometimes having up to 4 stories.

• Mansard Victorian – Inspired from the architecture of Paris during 1848-1870 these homes usually have a more flat roof line, Juliette balconies, and wrought iron detailing.

• Victorian Stick – Often pulling from medieval architectural designs these Victorians use half-timbering (Or stick work) for embellishment purposes only and almost always use wood siding.

• Folk Victorian – These are probably the most simplistic of the Victorian designs. Built by people who could not afford extravagant details, this square design utilizes mass produced trim work and spindled porches.

• Shingle Victorian – Mostly to help protect the home from coastal storms, this type of Victorian is covered from roof to floor in shingles.  Aside from the shingled siding, these homes are recognizable from their asymmetrical shapes, tall windows, and irregular rood lines.

• Victorian Queen Anne – The quintessential Victorian. This design utilized all of the features expected in a Victorian home. Elaborate trim work, steep roof lines, curved towers and large porches all are identifying characteristics of a Queen Anne Victorian. 

As mentioned above, in Central Florida, examples of these types of homes can be found in older established cities, such as Sanford, Winter Park, and Mount Dora. If you are interested in more information, please visit the web site of the Sanford Historical Society here.

Interested in Sanford FL? Visit Claudia’s Blog Sanford365 – Life in Sanford FL

Below is a list of Victorian Homes for Sale in Sanford FL:

Showing properties 1 - 4 of 4. See more Historic Homes Sanford.
(all data current as of 6/20/2013)

1. $169,900 : MLS # O5163213 in Sanford
   
   2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,466 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,850 sqft
2. $289,900 : 1313 S Park Ave, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths

   Home size: 3,214 sq ft

   Lot size: 11,700 sqft
3. $149,000 : 211 S Elm Ave, Sanford
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,622 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,669 sqft
4. $295,000 : 621 S Park Ave, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,172 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,669 sqft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

The post Historic Sanford Real Estate – Victorian Homes appeared first on Sanford FL Realtors - Seminole County Real Estate.

The home is situated on one of the desirable conservation lots  on Cains Wren Trail and offers a large and very private fenced backyard with fire pit, spa and plenty of space to build the pool of your dreams.

Upon entering the home you will immediately notice the elegant dark wood laminate floors in all main living areas except the kitchen. This meticulously maintained home offers a great layout for entertaining with the kitchen overlooking the family room, large dinette and porch – so be prepared for lots of dinner parties and weekend barbecues with your friends and loved ones ;)

The kitchen features a kitchen island, breakfast bar, tiled backsplash and beautiful wood cabinets. All appliances are included. Another great benefit of the home is the 3-way split floor plan that offers great privacy. The spacious Master bedroom with access to the large screened porch is located in the front of the home, while 2 bedrooms and a bath are located on the other side behind the kitchen. The 3rd bedroom at the back of the home makes the ideal guest room. From that corner you also have access to the backyard, turning the adjacent 3rd bath of the home into the perfect pool bath.

The Master bath offers a large glass enclosed shower, garden bath, two marble sink vanities and a large walk-in closet.

Here a quick summary:

• 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car garage
• 2,278 square feet
• built 2006
• 3-way split floorplan
• conservation lot
• fenced backyard with jacuzzi and fire pit
• screened porch
• HOA: $75/month – gated community
• NOT a short sale or foreclosure

This home is ready to move in – it is not a short sale or bank foreclosure! No time wasted waiting on an approval, just make your offer today!

The Preserve at Astor Farms is a desirable gated community surrounded by a large nature preserve. But don’t be fooled by this country like setting: while you live peacefully in this gorgeous neighborhood you are also only minutes away from all the things this area has to offer: great shopping and dining at the Seminole Town Center and surrounding plazas, I-4, 417, Colonial Town Park with great entertainment, restaurants/bars and shopping and the Lake Mary business corridor of International Parkway. The Central Florida Zoo, the Sanford Marina & Riverwalk and beautiful Historic Sanford are also just a short drive away!

Read more about Sanford on Claudia’s Blog about Sanford (Sanford365.com) and stay updated on Sanford’s events by liking her facebook page about Sanford.

But who am I to bore you with words, just check out this video and see for yourself why you might just fall in LOVE with this home…

4835 Cains Wren Trail Virtual Tour

And here is the complete picture gallery. Enjoy :)

Currently for Sale in Astor Farms:

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 5. See more Astor Farms.
(all data current as of 6/20/2013)

1. $308,000 : MLS # O5128224 in Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,268 sq ft

   Lot size: 8,577 sqft

   Year built: 2006

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 232
2. $309,000 : 1667 Astor Farms Pl, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,261 sq ft

   Lot size: 9,439 sqft

   Year built: 2005

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 70
3. $375,000 : 4806 Cains Wren Trl, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,499 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,682 sqft

   Year built: 2005

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 14
4. $389,900 : 4763 Cains Wren Trl, Sanford
   
   5 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 3,307 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,618 sqft

   Year built: 2003

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 162
5. $419,000 : 1690 Astor Farms Pl, Sanford
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,390 sq ft

   Lot size: 15,834 sqft

   Year built: 2004

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 36

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

The post Tudor Style Home for Sale in Astor Farms appeared first on Sanford FL Realtors - Seminole County Real Estate.

We just listed it for $240,000. 4 bedrooms, 4 baths on over 2,800 square feet. Built in 2003.

Dream Home might very well be an understatement: this home will wow you – guaranteed!

Elegance meets functionality. Built by Shoemaker Construction this home is located on a quiet cul-de-sac with private water and conservation views.

The Dakotas is a small one lane gated subdivision located only minutes from I-4, 417, the Seminole Town Center and world class shopping, dining and entertainment.

The lovely curb appeal as you drive up to this 4 bedroom home with upgraded landscaping, elegant driveway pavers and stone elevation is only the beginning. Upon entering through the impressive double entry doors you will be greeted by a beautiful old-fashioned wooden staircase and sparkling marble floors, which extend throughout the entire living areas on the first floor.

High ceilings and designer details throughout give this home a luxurious feel. The inviting and bright dining and living room combo accentuated by designer columns will draw you in.

A highlight of this home is certainly the gourmet kitchen with extensive upgrades.  Granite counters, a huge kitchen island with electricity that can serve as eating space for up to 8 people, 42 inch wooden cabinetry and a down draft exhaust fan make this kitchen not only functional but also simply to die for.

The kitchen overlooks the spacious family room with cozy fireplace while French pocket doors lead to the downstairs bonus room. From here you can step onto the tiled, oversized, screened in porch. This layout makes a wonderful space for entertaining: just imagine having your friends over for a BBQ or hosting an elegant dinner party.

Backing up to conservation the large private backyard has plenty of space to build the pool of your dreams. Citrus fruit trees lend a traditional charm to this Florida backyard.

Downstairs you also will find a full bedroom with bath that also connects to the bonus room, making it a very functional in-law suite.

The gorgeous upstairs landing with wood floors leads to the large master suite that can be accessed through beautiful French doors. Relaxing and unwinding will come easy in this luxurious suite and master bath featuring a large walk in closet, his and her marble sink vanities, a Jacuzzi tub and glass enclosed shower stall.

The oversized second bedroom upstairs stands out with its unique and versatile layout. The home also offers lots of storage throughout making it not only luxurious but also functional!

Grounds maintenance is included in the HOA of this community. All appliances stay and the alarm system stay.

This is not too good to be true –but act fast because this home will sell quickly!

Click here to view the complete listing info including real estate data and a complete picture slideshow.

Related Posts:

The Sanford FL Neighborhood Guide

Article by Claudia Mundlos, Claudia on Google+

The post New Listing in The Dakotas Sanford appeared first on Sanford FL Realtors - Seminole County Real Estate.

Only 3 Weeks Left to Apply!

Only homeowners whose short sales are submitted for approval to Bank of America on or before November 30, 2011 will qualify. The homes must have no offers on them already and the closing must occur before August 31, 2012. So eesentially, if your loan is with Bank of America and you list your home for sale by the November deadline, you qualify for the program.

Here is how the payout amount will be calculated:
Unpaid Principal Balance X 5%.
The maximum payout is $20,000*, the minimum payout amount is $5,000.

Why are banks doing this?

They want to avoid dealing with all those vacant, half destroyed properties that sit in the market for up to 2 years as foreclosures before finally selling. The foreclosure process costs banks far more than a short sale. When lawyers get involved the foreclosure process can be even extended to 4 years! On top of that some frustrated homeowners have been known to steal appliances and other fixtures, or damage the home to get back at the bank. Most banks easily put in $20,000 to fix up a foreclosed house before selling it and it’s a no brainer for banks to offer this incentive to homeowners.
With this “bribe” Bank of America wants to make sure the borrower leaves the house in good condition and in an orderly fashion.

No wonder banks are being creative these days – and you, the homeowner, can finally take advantage of this real estate market. The banks biggest motivation is to get homes off the books – quickly!

Best of all, similar to the HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives) program, which offers $3,000 in relocation assistance, the Bank of America program may also waive a homeowner’s deficiency judgment (the difference between what the house sells for and what is still owed on the loan) at closing.
On all of our recent short sales we were able to negotiate those terms for our customers so there truly is a very good chance that you will walk away completely debt free! It will be as if you had never owed your home.

Does that mean you will be able to take advantage of the incredible low prices and mortgage rates here in Central Florida and purchase a new home right away?

If any financing is involved in the purchase of your new home, you will have to wait 2-3 years.
However, there are private lenders who wil lend money already after 6 months (in some cases less). The rates though are high, currently around 11%, and you will have to put a minimum of 35% down.
Obviously, if you were to buy your new home cash, you can do that anytime!

Bank of America’s plan excludes Ginnie Mae, Federal Housing Administration and VA loans.

Your mortgage is not with Bank of America? Do not worry, Wells Fargo and J.P. Morgan Chase have similar short-sale programs! In fact, Chase announced a bonus payment to home owners of up to $35,000!

We will be able to give you the details on those programs on a case to case basis because more conditions apply. Please contact us about that at 407-340-6458 or by simply entering your questions in the comment box below and we will be in touch!

About our Short Sales Team:

We have been helping distressed home owners in Sanford/Lake Mary for several years now. Since 2008 we have sold over 40 properties as short sales – some of our past clients in fact have already purchased a new home since short selling their old one.

Jose has been certified by the industry’s most renowned organizations. He holds the CDPE (Certified Disressed Property Expert) designation and the Equator Platform Platinum and Short Sale Agent Certification which less than 1% of all agents have completed. Over the years he has worked wiht all major and dozens of the smaller banks and lenders.

The post Finally a Way Out of Foreclosure? Orlando Home Sellers can receive up to 20 K from Banks! appeared first on Sanford FL Realtors - Seminole County Real Estate.

On April 5, 2010

If you are a home owner, unable to pay your current mortgage and struggling to find a solution, this may be the solution!

To find out all of the important details of the plan and how it differs from a traditional short sale read below:

Why is this so HUGE?

In the past the lenders have tried to settle hardships with borrowers by modifying their loan. If the borrower did not qualify for a modification or was still unable to pay after a modification was granted, the home would either be listed as a short sale or eventually go into foreclosure. In these situations the lender is able to come after the borrower for the remaining dollar amount. (For example: a borrower’s mortgage amount is $200,000 the home is sold as a short sale for market value at $135,000. The lender holds the borrower responsible for the $70,000 difference.)

With the new HAFA program, the lender guarantees total debt forgiveness. They promise to NEVER come after you or hold you responsible for the remaining balance.

What’s in it for you?

In addition to the lender guaranteeing total debt forgiveness and  pre-approving the short sale terms (so you can move on with your life more quickly and avoid foreclosure!), Cash for Keys is the only program that offers you up to $3,000 cash in relocation assistance. The HAFA program is also probably one of the least credit damaging options available. In a traditional short sale your credit gets hit each month you miss a payment, with the process taking so long it can add up to over a year of missed payments. And the lender can still hold you responsible for the difference.

The new program requires that the entire process take no more than 5 months, there-by minimizing the damage on your credit report and releasing you from future liability.

Find out if you qualify for HAFA today:

Simply fill in the form below or call one of our Certified Distressed Property Experts at 407-340-6458 and find out if you could and should consider this program!

Cash for Keys (or HAFA) is designed for borrowers who are facing a hardship and cannot pay their mortgage. A lender participating in the program must consider borrowers for this new program if they qualify. After filling in the form you will receive all the details about the program via Email and find out if you qualify.  For a more immediate response please call one of our CDPEs at 407-340-6458.

How will this affect the real estate market?

Part of the problem currently affecting real estate is the flood of homes on the market. Traditional short sales take up much of this inventory. Because the negotiation process with the lender is so slow, these homes can sit for months after an offer for purchase has been made. The vacant home begins to show neglect and eventually prices in the community drop even further spurring more short sales and prolonging the instability of the market. In addition the prospective buyer may get tired of waiting for a response and finally move on to another property.

With the new Cash for Keys program the lender pre-approves the short sale terms and promises to respond to offers with in 10 days. The simplification of the process and a rapid response to offers helps the market stabilize more quickly and reduces the number of homes available for sale.

What’s the First Step to get started?

If you want to participate in the HAFA or any short sale program your home will have to be listed with a Realtor. Please remember that there will be absolutely NO fees for you – we will be paid by your lender! Our team has been trained in all aspects of successful short sale completion and we are CDPE certified and have attended the HAFA training of the Certified Distressed Property Institute! You can rely on our expertise and professionalism to help you with the successful sale of your home.

Please contact us today at 407-340-6458 (or fill in the contact form on the top left of this page) to schedule a confidential consultation so we can inform you about your options. This is a free service and there is absolutely no obligation!

The post HAFA Short Sale Program – Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives appeared first on Sanford FL Realtors - Seminole County Real Estate.

The good news is that almost everyone can qualify! The tax credit is basically FREE money the government is giving away just to get you into a home! The most important thing you need in order to qualify, is to not have owned a home (or had interest in a home) in the past 3 years.

The even better news is that there is still time for you to cash in!! Buyers have until April 30, 2010 to be under contract on a home (the home must close by June 30, 2010). So if don’t want to miss out on all this cash then it’s time to get serious about the house hunt! But how do you get started? What do you need to know before house hunting? Despite the vast information available online it can get quite overwhelming for today’s first time home buyers, not only in Orlando. Therefore we have decided to provide help for Orlando’s first time home buyers:

Together with Watson Realty in Lake Mary we will offer two FREE first time home buyer seminars on Thursday April 1st and Saturday, April 3rd. During the seminar we will cover important topics and answer important questions such as:

• How can I claim my $8,000 from the government?
• How can I find and save $$$ on Bank Owned Homes and Foreclosures (Free Foreclosure lists will be available upon request)?
• How can I buy with only 3.5% down?
• Where in Orlando can I still buy a home with Zero down?
• What can I expect at the closing of my first home?

Refreshments and cookies will be served. Reserve your spot today and invite your friends/family.

After the presentation, break out sessions will be held on the specific subjects so you can ask detailed questions, set appointments with our mortgage lender to get pre-qualified (same day if you wish) or meet with one of our neighborhood experts to determine the neighborhood of your choice and set up a search. We will also show you how to best utilize your free private home search page so you won’t miss out on the market’s hottest real estate deals.

First Time Home Buyer Planning Tip:

Remember that from the start of the house hunt to date of closing can take up to two months and that is for a “traditional” sale. Unfortunately the majority of homes on the market right now, are “short sales”. Despite the name, these types of sales are anything but short! A short sale can take anywhere from 2 – 5 months to close (sometimes even longer or not at all!).

So right now it is important to figure out if you want to take advantage of the tax credit and only consider bank owned homes and regular listings that can close by June 30, or if you want to take your time and consider any home in the market, including short sales. You may even find that there simply is not a single home out there right now that fits your needs. We have had customers deciding that they will wait on a short sale right now rather than looking any further because they feel that they finally found their dream home. That is completely understandable if you absolutely love the home you put a bid on – and if you can live with the consequences of the risk you are taking. Worst-case scenario is that you miss out on both your dream home and the tax credit. Therefore our advice: only move forward with a short sale right now if you can live with the worst-case scenario!

There are still lots of homes available that can be under contract by April 30th, and close by June 30. If you can’t make it to our seminar but are interested in obtaining a list of these homes, feel free to contact us at 407-340-6458 or email us at info@realestatewall.com. We have helped many first time home buyers find their first home and walk away 8k dollars richer, now it’s your turn!

PS: In case you are not a first time home buyer (as defined above), you may qualify for the $6,500 move up credit. Contact us today to find out if you do!

The post Free Orlando First Time Home Buyer Seminars in Lake Mary appeared first on Sanford FL Realtors - Seminole County Real Estate.