Winter Garden In the Spotlight

Central Florida Housing Update

Winter Garden in the Spotlight

"A charming little city with a juicy past."

Whether you are looking for a place for your family to begin, a vacation home, or a wonderful place to retire, Winter Garden has plenty to offer. It is well-known for its historic downtown area, fantastic recreation department, biking and walking trails, community garden, farmer's market, kid's splash pad, parks, community events, and shopping areas. It's the small town feel people desire within easy reach of all that Orlando has to offer.

Historic Downtown Area

The quaint, brick paved, historic area of plant street offers restaurants, small boutiques, The Winter Garden Theatre, The Heritage Museum, The Central Florida Railroad Museum, and the kid's splash pad.

 

 

Splash Pad

Had a Foreclosure or a Bankruptcy and Want to Buy a New Home?

Many Americans have suffered a foreclosure, bankruptcy, or a short sale or they know someone who has. As our economy improves, families are wondering when they will be able to revisit the American dream and purchase their next home. There is a certain amount of anxiety that people face when thinking about qualifying for a loan or speaking with a loan officer. Remember you are not alone there are others currently in the same boat. Every lender is different but many can qualify for a new home loan in as little as three years. If you are ready to move from being a renter into a home owner, it is important to realize that the first step is to locate a lender and apply for a loan. Many people are finding that they already qualify to take that next step into homeownership. Through our partnership with Sunbelt Lending, we have been able to help many families get their home wishes back on track. Now is a good time to buy as interest rates are still historically low and prices are climbing. And of course, it would be my pleasure to assist you in your search.

Love, Marriage and Real Estate

Today, more and more young adults are spreading their wings and enjoying life before choosing to settle down. The savvier have moved away from monthly rent and are taking advantage of the real estate market. As a result, it is not uncommon to see new marriages in which both the bride and the groom enter the union with a dowry that includes real estate! So, what to do with an extra house? Perhaps the first temptation is to immediately sell one and use the proceeds to fix up the other house or buy something different altogether. A good idea, and one that will set you up with a nice down payment when it is time to purchase a larger house for a growing family. This is not the only option for newlyweds with two homes. According to the professionals at Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation, another good idea is to keep one house as a rental unit. The tax codes allow you to immediately depreciate the value of the building over 27 years, and any taxes, insurance, visits to your property and fix-ups are all write-offs. With this approach, both homes are investments and you build equity in each. Or yet another suggestion is to sell one of the homes and buy a condominium to turn into a rental unit. No matter which option you choose, consult with a knowledgeable real estate sales associate before making any big decisions. A good realtor will know the market and be able to counsel you on the type of cash flow you may expect with a rental in your particular neighborhood or whether a straight sale is the better way to go. If you choose to rent, seek the advice of a good accountant to help you navigate the various tax advantages to being a landlord.