KEENE'S POINTE WINDERMERE FLORIDA HOME TO SPORTS STARS

One of the most desirable places to live in Florida maybe one of the best in the USA. Home of NFL, NBA, PGA, Premier League Footballers, and could be your home also. Homes range from $400,000 to $5m but facilities are shared by all home owners. Check it out at http://www.cc-keenespointe.com/

Keene's Pointe Realty will be launching a 10,000 square feet masterpiece later this year and we hope to carry lots of photos of the construction process for this magnificent new home.

TIME TO BUY

It's good to see that the £UK is getting stronger against the $US. It certainly helps overseas owners who have found it getting a bit pricy to keep a second home. Today's mid market price of around $1.61 pounds to the dollar is certainly better than the $1.45 rate in May 2010.

The cost of living is cheaper than the UK VAT at 20% v Sales tax at under 7% makes a huge difference. However we have noticed big increases in Homeowners Association Fees along with food, fuel and even a day hopper pass to Disneyworld costs over $100 so if you are considering buying a second home research the cost of ownership.

We think that a great deal of confidence has returned to the sales market, average prices have dropped because a large percentage of sales are bank arranged or owned. We have noticed that the bargain homes are fewer than a year ago but still available but for how long...

The homes purchased and rented were taken by long term tenants almost immediately and after paying all expenses a return of 6% is available and we feel that the prices of those homes has increased in the last 12 months.

Another home in Summerport Windermere 34786 is under contract comprising 3450 square feet under heat and air and 4300 with garaging. This home was previously sold for $577,000 and has swimming pool with solar heating, large deck and pool screen, in a gated community with residents access to a ski lake all for just $280,000. That's just £40 per square feet and that includes the heated pool and screen.

UK TOURISM TO ORLANDO IS DOWN

An interesting article in the Orlando Sentinel claiming that the number of British visitors has declined for a third consecutive year, various reasons for this are offered ranging from the demise of two package airlines, confusion about how to get to Orlando, visitors being counted at the first USA port of call as flights are often indirect. My view is that the world economy, rising flight prices, airline taxes and a poor rate of exchange just means that the vacation has just out priced itself especially for return visitors. Still even last year Orlando did have 715,000 visitors from the UK. However everyone who visits Orlando does have a great time.

NOW'S THE TIME TO BUY

Even throught he £ is at 9 month low against the dollar, we don't think that you will see a better time to buy a second home in Orlando. Prices are low, the above home sold for less then half the new price of three years ago and the bargains are selling. In the UK prices have dropped but by a fraction compared to some of the prices that can be found in Orlando and the only thing that has changed is the price.

These are truely wonderful properties with swimming pools, air conditioning, vaulted ceilings and of course day after day of sunshine.

We can advise you about the best places to look and put you in contact with a Realtor.

The home shown above is in the popular Suimmerport sub division in South West Orlando and well located for downtown and the Disney Theme Parks and was sold this week for a great price.

STUNNING WINDERMERE FLORIDA

As the chill in the UK continues our thoughts are with those lucky enough to have been in Florida over the last two months. As we approach Easter which is possibly the nicest time to be in Orlando its hot but not humid. Perfect golfing, fishing and boating weather.

As the economy drifts along here with no real purpose the cost of enjoying Florida for us is rising. The dollar is getting stronger and as our pound weakens the cost of flights is bound to rise.

On the bright side, the outlet shopping in Orlando is brilliant Prime Outlets and Premium Outlets are the biggest and best and have various designer shops and outlets for Nike Adidas Timberland and my favorite TAG, to name just a few. Go on line and sign on for extra savings coupons and a full list of stores.

Enjoy!!!

SOME ORLANDO HOME BUYING IRRITATIONS

As this is a personal blog of our own experiences in dealing with Real Estate or home purchase in Orlando. Generally we are overwhelmed with the efficiency of the system, we have to point out some minor irritations also which as Brits we would not normally encounter when buying at home.

When you buy a home in Orlando you will be asked to sign a contract in order for your offer to be submitted. Don’t do this without reference to a Licensed Professional because you are signing an AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE make no mistake whatever you are told it is a legal document.

Usually, the document contains conditions so that if the home has hidden problems or you fail to obtain finance you can pull out but could lose any deposit that you put down.

Americans often only give a deposit of one or two thousand dollars right up until the day of completion so don't be drawn into leaving very large sums as a deposit unless you have been properly advised

Also be careful of contracts that are headed 'As Is'. They are normally for homes that are being sold by or in the control of banks and you will have less recourse than with standard contracts.

So, what's irritating? Well we are buying a home this week and unlike in the UK a majority of legal documents need to be notarised or witnessed. If we need to get a witness in the UK we can go to a solicitor and we do have Notaries in the UK who charge maybe £40 for a signature but in this case we have been asked to get the signature witnessed at the US Embassy and that is the only form acceptable.

We will have to sign many documents and these also arrive very late from the closing agents so we’ll have to Fedex all our documents

So Mr efficient USA will cost us £100 and a day into London this week and we still don’t know why

Welcome

1 Feb 2010


I have been getting reports back from friends holidaying in Europe. They cannot believe the price of food and drink. A bottle of water on the beach in the South Of France can be as much as 11 Euros, with tip that’s up to £10 or $16. May people are just not going to Europe this year for holidays because of the steep rise in prices and the weakness of currencies compared to the Euro.


Even if it has got a bit pricy in Florida compared to the days when we had two dollars to the pound. Restaurants have always been great value and my favourite is a simple Burger and Fries chain called Five Guys who have locations in Central Florida one in Dr Phillips and the other at Fowler Grove in Winter Garden which is a new shopping district highly recommended and the Florida Mall. The fries or chips to us Brits are the best I’ve ever had fried in Peanut Oil and Idaho potatoes. The bill for a Burger fries and as much soda as you can drink should be less than $10. Check out there Website www.fiveguys.com






2 February 2010


I have had feedback that some of our friends looking for homes inOrlando do not understand the extent of the service provide by Licensed Realtors and Brokers in Orlando. In the UK you would typically register with numerous Estate Agents and have to search through masses of homes which may or may not fit your brief. If you are lucky enough to find what you are looking for the agent will usually do the minimum to get the sale completed. I have myself gone into an Estate Agents office to collect keys on the day of completion and got the usual ‘heads down’ from the staff, pretend to be on the phone and had keys thrust into my hand. That’s it goodbye and don’t bother us again.


The service in Orlando is somewhat different and can be hard to adjust to as I have again found from experience. Realtors it could be argued do too much for you but my advice is sit back and enjoy the ride.


Firstly, and most important difference is that a Realtor has to be licensed and follow very strict regulations about conduct and money. If you buy a property the funds are held with a ‘closing agent’ and they should carry insurance and be licensed.


In the first instance your Realtor has access to every home available in the area you are looking via a system called ‘ The MLS’. That is Multiple listing system so you have no need to register with numerous agents. The agent that you are using will accompany you on every visit and if you are still in the UK do what they call a preview of homes and pick the best out to show you which saves valuable time to get some sun.


Once you have negotiated a price for the home the Realtor will work on every aspect for you from contracts to surveys mortgages furnishing if required and stay with you right up to and beyond the closing process. The Realtor is paid through the seller so the service costs you nothing. You become a priority to the Realtor as they know you will usually buy the priority is to find the right home at the right price . And that is how I met Ray Venditti and his wife Catherine who is a main Realtor at the Keene's Pointe sales office my favourite community, they put me first and I liked it.
This applied also when you are selling. The job of the Realtor is to get your house looking it’s best even if they have to cut the grass themselves and because of the MLS list your home to every potential buyer in the area.


Travel Tip of the Day


Visitors are required to apply for a VISA known as an ESTA which needs to be done on line at least several days before you travel to the USA