“The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found those dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.”

Vincent van Gogh, Dutch painter (March 30, 1853 – July 29, 1890)

http://www.vangoghgallery.com/

Artists take risks. They pursue their vision, often without financial security, facing long odds while stewing in their own self-doubt. When the world tells them “it’s not safe,” they listen to their own voice despite “prevailing wisdom.” They have a vision and they pursue it.

Occasionally, if they’re very lucky, they get to look back on their life and see the path that lead them to create a masterpiece. At the time, the path wasn’t easy, yet in retrospect, it looks very much like the only possible path they could take.

I think in twenty years or even ten years, we’re going to hear the collective sound of people kicking themselves because they did not buy a home this year. As their teenage sons and daughters graduate and enter the future job market and begin searching for their first home, they’ll turn to their parents and say, “Seriously? You’re telling me when I was in middle school, you could get a 30-year fixed for under 5%?”

Too many remain terrified by the last great storm in the housing market. They stand now on the shores of incredible opportunity, but can’t shake the vision of all those values sinking into oblivion.

Think about the future. Who might need a home? Is there an opportunity to “be the bank” when the time comes? The descendants of those savvy collectors who bough a Van Gogh painting for mere dollars in 1885 are surely grateful for their grandparents’ eyes today, aren’t they?

Yes, there is uncertainty, but this is the calmest water you’re ever going to see. Set sail now and buy a home. Those that do will certainly be rewarded. As for the masterpiece? It will be the satisfaction of looking back and realizing they bought at just the right time.

There’s certainly no risk to exploring the opportunity. I’d love the opportunity to sit down with you and plot a possible course to the best investment you could make. Contact me today at: lindahutchinson@msn.com or 407.925.7721 (Cell or Text).

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 14,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 5 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

I am so happy to still be in the business of selling real estate in Central Florida. No one can predict the future, not me, not the Mayans, and certainly no one from Cassadega. But it doesn’t matter because we need to remember to live fully in the present.

It has been a challenging few years in real estate and whether the market has bottomed or not…I see brighter days ahead. I look forward to sharing the good news with you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR friends and here’s to a great future.

The most distressing things for most homeowners is that their homes are so UNDERVALUED that they will NEVER see a time when their home will be worth what they owe on it. It’s a reality and it is discouraging. Banks can start to turn the economy and housing around by going to people who are not in distress and beginning the process of re-evaluating value and re-negotiating outstanding balances to make home ownership attractive. To ignore this is fact is going to result in increased defaults and more short sales and foreclosures. It’s going to happen!

Recently, Moody’s released the following statement on the sale of foreclosed homes: They found that on average, a foreclosed property will be valued about 18 percent lower than average home prices, and will be subject to an additional sales discount of about 15 percent.

The banking industry is creating the depreciation of home values when they are personally responsible for the sale of homes at 30% less than fair market rate resulting in the downturn in value on surrounding homes. Banks are making a bad situation worse. I am shocked that no one seems to address this issue in the media or in Congress.

Who wins? Investors. Who loses? Everyone else – especially the American public.

If this fact is true then why not reduce the principal balance on underwater loans by 30% thereby rewarding homeowners who choose to stay in their homes and pay their mortgages. Does anyone really think that people are going to pay their loans out of a sense of obligation and responsibility? Seriously? I predict a mass exodus as people figure out that they are better off renting and getting out from a debt they can never actually pay off and for which their home will never be worth.

Let’s get serious about solutions to real estate and the housing crisis. Do I think this is going to happen? Hell, no. We have a government that is ineffective and impotent and a banking industry getting rich on investments. The American public continues to struggle with no one reaching out a helping hand. Is there anyone out there who can make a stand for the people?

By: Krista Franks 12/06/2011

I had made a pact with myself that I would not read all the negative real estate news this year and I broke my own agreement. The result – I think too negatively about this business that I love. 

Numbers, declines, foreclosures, and loss of jobs…these are all real and troubling issues in challenging economic times. But to dwell on them creates a mindset of defeat. It can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

I have to remember to think of the bright spot. Homes ARE still selling and people ARE still buying. It may not be as easy as it once was but after 20+ years in the business – you just have to stick one foot in front of the other and hunt down some deals. 

The numbers are mind boggling but there is always hope and always a chance to make a difference in someone’s life with the purchase of real estate. Details be darned – I’m moving full steam ahead.

My Mom always said…if you don’t have something nice to say – don’t say it. So I have been quiet for a while about the condition of the real estate market in Central Florida. I thought I would update you as we enter the final part of 2011.

Things are pretty rough and that is putting it mildly. I know everyone says we should be positive and optimistic and believe me…I am. But the realities are that (a) we have the lowest number of homes available in recent history for sale with so many of them short sales (b) lenders are still making it very difficult to obtain loans and (c) when you do get an offer on a home – appraisers have become the enemy. The low-ball appraisals are causing the cancellation of many contracts.

It’s hard times. In fact, in some areas of Central Florida…I see home prices rolled back to 1980′s price range and can’t believe it. This is the LOWEST price for listed home that I have seen in some time. That says something.

What does this mean to you? If you have CASH and want to buy – there will probably NEVER be a better time to pick up some bargains. Buy now at the LOW point and lease out your properties…it’s a wise move. For those of you who own your home free and clear – HOLD A MORTGAGE. This is a no-brainer. Sell your home with OWNER FINANCING and you will realize a higher return on your property with a 7% mortgage than putting it a volatile stock market. Take a reasonable but good sized down payment and hold the balance on a seven year balloon. You will watch your money and investment grow.

When will things change? No one knows. But I don’t look for things to get better in the immediate future. However, the wise investor or buyer knows that NOW is the time to buy and that’s good news.

Recent statistics presented by our local #Orlando real estate board as well as national statistics reflect a decrease in foreclosure sales and an increase in “normal” sales.

According to the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association, “The big news for Orlando housing statistics in May was the percentage of “normal” sales. This sale type has risen for four consecutive months and has increased to 37.47% of all transactions”.

I know these figures sounds like a good thing and I hate to sound pessimistic but the reason that these numbers have increased and foreclosures have decreased is simply because of some serious flaws in the system.

First, the courts have a backlog of old foreclosure lawsuits that they have not been able to work through and finalize. I have homeowners who have been in foreclosure for THREE years with no end in sight as to when they will be forced to return their house to the bank. With State budget cuts (in all of the US) there is a shortage of available judicial staff to process the foreclosure case work.

Secondly, with the former robo-signing legal scandal resulting in illegal processing of past foreclosures – there is now a slowdown in foreclosures until everyone figures out how to properly and legally process foreclosure sales. No more speedy foreclosures with the current judicial requirements.

Finally, the government IS trying to help homeowners stay in their homes by short-term modifications. While they don’t typically work – it does slow down the process.

When added up though – this is not a good thing. Slowing down and in effect, stopping the foreclosure market will only drag out the inevitable for YEARS. It’s the proverbial Band-Aid on a gaping wound. Far better that we fix the system, get all foreclosures through the legal process and move on to a better and more prosperous future. Our economy needs to heal but for that to happen – we have to get these foreclosures finalized so that they may be sold to new credit-worthy homeowners.

Real estate  is constantly changing and for me…that is a good thing.

I like change and while sometimes it can seem daunting and scary, it also forces me to re-focus my energies into what is important and what will make me AND my clients happy. The old days are gone and a new day is here. Not everyone is going to make it in this new world order. Why? Because they are unwilling to change.

One of the biggest changes I see is the return to smaller homes. I remember when everyone thought bigger was better and tried  to keep up with their neighbors. If these economically challenging times have taught us anything – it’s to tighten your belt and live within our means. No more super-sized anything. It’s time to live large in smaller spaces.

When I say that glamour comes in all sizes – I am seeing it on a daily basis when showing homes. Small homes are VERY popular and as baby-boomer enter new phases in their lives and careers, they will look to downsized. The smaller home will be the desired size for many. Even Gen X, Y and whatever would agree that to be “green” today means to keep our homes at a manageable size. Families live within their means and within a more “defined” living space. It’s cool to be cozy.

I’m looking forward to our future – I think we are getting smarter and we are coming to terms with what is important in life. Size doesn’t matter – but charm, character, personality and a home with glamour will never go out of style. Live large but in a smaller space! Be willing to change.

I recently had the pleasure of taking an out of state buyer to look at properties in Central Florida. I was ALARMED (sorry for the pun) at the number of homes without electronic lockboxes.

The alternative that is used is often a “locker-style” lockbox where the agent enters an alphanumeric code such as A-B-C  to open the box and obtain a homeowner’s house key. The problem with that system is that any prospective and attentive buyer can watch you use the code and gain access to your home in the future. While I don’t think break-ins are increasing – it is still a security risk. These lockboxes are cheaper but not safer for the homeowner.

I highly recommend the electronic lockbox (no cost to the seller – just to the agent) because they LOCK at night and no one can gain access to your house unless they use a Board of REALTOR’s issued lockbox key which records via an electronic keypad the showing agent who is going in and out of your home. All this information is downloaded daily to the listing agent via the internet. These lockboxes are safe and effective.

In my business the customer comes first and the customer’s safety is of the utmost importance to me. Be smart.