Monday, February 28, 2011

Florida climate...easy livin!

Live - play - or work here!

Although Florida is known as a generally flat state, there is enough variety in its landscape to satisfy everyone. World-renowned for its gorgeous golden beaches and crystal-clear ocean waters, Florida also has its fair share of forests. The marshy Everglades have long been the source of inspiration for writers and poets, and the many different lakes provide an amazing opportunity for affordable waterfront living. With its diverse landscape, Florida truly does have something for everyone.
A tropical climate is dominant in Florida, making weather warm and sunny nearly year-round. However, there is wide variation. Parts of Florida are decidedly cool, even in the summer months, and northern cities tend to have a much less tropical feel than their southern counterparts. Even during the hottest months, though, Florida residents take comfort in the brief rains that come to cool everything down and make outdoor activities fun and manageable.
For more information of real estate for sale of homes, condos, land and more go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

Ocean front condo great value!

Tiffany Condominium in Ormond Beach.
Handsome building with rounded corners offers a balcony over 50 feet in length.
Living room has six windows in a curved shape.
From the minute you walk all you see is the Atlantic Ocean.
Sold furnished. Great value $239,000 2 Bdrs/2Bas

For more information on area real estate of homes for sale in the Greater Daytona Beach area and surrounding communities of river front homes, golf course homes, ocean front homes and condominiums go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Homes by the beach are a bargain.

Now is the time to buy a vacation home in walking distance to the beach.
We have them for sale in the Greater Daytona Beach Area.
Homes from $70,000 plus just a short stroll to the beach.
For more information of homes for sale near the beach go to: http://www.beachomesdaytona.com

Ormond Beach Real Estate

Halifax Golf community is calling your name.
Fantastic value this 4 Bdr/ 3 Bas home on a large corner lot which offers
a side entry garage and two master suites. Breakfast nook and spacious
laundry room. Master bedroom is approximately 13x23 and has a large
walk in closet. Great house, great area with so many amenities and great price.
For more information on area real estate for the greater Daytona Beach Area
of homes for sale, ocean front homes, river front homes, foreclosures and condominiums
go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Hot New Neutral Has Home Owners Feeling a Little Gray.

 Home Trends 
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
Gray kitchen_backsplashSo that reddish pink Honeysuckle hue may be stealing all of the glory as far as being the “color of the year,” but more home owners also are seeing gray.
Gray has become the hot new neutral, and a popular choice particularly in kitchens for backsplashes, countertops, flooring, and cabinetry, according to a recent article in Newsday by Kristin Taveira, “The Grays of Our Lives: Moody and Mod, It’s a Hot Color in the Kitchen.”
“The white kitchens never go out of style–you see them everywhere– but gray is the new white,” Jennifer Mabley of Mabley Handler Interior Design told Newsday. “Gray gives you dimension and depth, and helps to tie in the natural colors in the stone countertops. Sometimes, when you have a white kitchen and granite, there’s a disconnect. The gray helps tie in a natural color.”
Designers in the article note gray can:
  • be easily adaptable and paired with any shade for a pop of color, such as yellow, for more drama, or you can use it to help soften another hue.
  • enhance the look of stainless steel and granite.
  • create a sense of permanence. It can ground a long space, whereas white may make it appear that it goes on forever.
For more information on area real estate for Daytona Beach homes for sale, ocean front, river front homes, golf course homes and condominiums go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

Ormond Beach, Florida

Wow, 82 degrees today it feels like summer is upon us.
Great real estate opportunites in our market from condominiums to single family homes to land for sale.
We offer approximately 30 miles of coast with a variety of properties for everyone's budget.
Go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/ and search "properties" to find what fits your budget.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

WOW!!! Very affordable beach condo

Walk to the beach from this condo with 2 bdrs/2bas only $60,000.00 Wow very affordable vacation get-a-way residence.  Call me today.
For more information of homes for sale in the Greater Daytona Beach Area go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

Friday, February 18, 2011

7 Steps to Take Before You Buy a Home

By doing your homework before you buy, you follow these steps to ensure your home search is fun and productive.

Most potential homebuyers are a smidge daunted by the fact that they’re about to agree to a hefty mortgage that they’ll be paying for the next few decades. The best way to relieve that anxiety is to be confident you’re purchasing the best home at a price you can afford with the most favorable financing. These seven steps will help you make smart decisions about your biggest purchase.


1. Decide how much home you can afford

Generally, you can afford a home priced 2 to 3 times your gross income. Remember to consider costs every homeowner must cover: property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and community association fees, if applicable, as well as costs specific to your family, such as day care if you plan to have children.

2. Develop your home wish list

Be honest about which features you must have and which you’d like to have. Handicap accessibility for an aging parent or special needs child is a must. Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances are in the bonus category. Come up with your top-five must-haves and top-five wants to help you focus your search and make a logical, rather than emotional, choice when home shopping.

3. Select where you want to live

Make a list of your top-five community priorities, such as commute time, schools, and recreational facilities. Ask your REALTOR® to help you identify three to four target neighborhoods based on your priorities.

4. Start saving

Have you saved enough money to qualify for a mortgage and cover your downpayment? Ideally, you should have 20% of the purchase price set aside for a downpayment, but some lenders allow as little as 5% down. A small downpayment preserves your savings for emergencies.

However, the lower your downpayment, the higher the loan amount you’ll need to qualify for, and if you still qualify, the higher your monthly payment. Your downpayment size can also influence your interest rate and the type of loan you can get.

Finally, if your downpayment is less than 20%, you’ll be required to purchase private mortgage insurance. Depending on the size of your loan, PMI can add hundreds to your monthly payment. Check with your state and local government for mortgage and downpayment assistance programs for first-time buyers.

5. Ask about all the costs before you sign

A downpayment is just one homebuying cost. Your REALTOR® can tell you what other costs buyers commonly pay in your area—including home inspections, attorneys’ fees, and transfer fees of 2% to 7% of the home price. Tally up the extras you’ll also want to buy after you move-in, such as window coverings and patio furniture for your new yard.

6. Get your credit in order

A credit report details your borrowing history, including any late payments and bad debts, and typically includes a credit score. Lenders lean heavily on your credit report and credit score in determining whether, how much, and at what interest rate to lend for a home. Most require a minimum credit score of 620 for a home mortgage.

You’re entitled to free copies of your credit reports annually from the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Order and then pore over them to ensure the information is accurate, and try to correct any errors before you buy. If your credit score isn’t up to snuff, the easiest ways to improve it are to pay every bill on time and pay down high credit card debt.

7. Get prequalified

Meet with a lender to get a prequalification letter that says how much house you’re qualified to buy. Start gathering the paperwork your lender says it needs. Most want to see W-2 forms verifying your employment and income, copies of pay stubs, and two to four months of banking statements.

If you’re self-employed, you’ll need your current profit and loss statement, a current balance sheet, and personal and business income tax returns for the previous two years.

Consider your financing options. The longer the loan, the smaller your monthly payment. Fixed-rate mortgages offer payment certainty; an adjustable-rate mortgage offers a lower monthly payment. However, an adjustable-rate mortgage may adjust dramatically. Be sure to calculate your affordability at both the lowest and highest possible ARM rate.

More from HouseLogic

Learn how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages can help you save on financing

Learn more about the costs of homeownership

Other web resources

Homebuyer counseling resources
Get a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting bureaus
G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who has thrice survived the homebuying process. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics


Read more: http://buyandsell.houselogic.com/articles/7-steps-take-you-buy-home/#ixzz1EMhcj13F
For more information of homes for sale in Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach homes for the area go to:

The road to good credit.

Very few people have perfect credit. If you, like most prospective home buyers, have a few trouble spots on your credit report, her are some suggestions to repair the damage.
First examine the credit report thoroughly to make sure it's accurate. If there are mistakes on the report, contact the credit report agency immediately, and ask to have removed.
Second step is to make sure you pay your bills on time and in full. If the due date is the 5th don't wait to mail on that day. Mail prior to the 5th or pay on line the day before.
Use only two credit cards so that you can keep track of expenses and avoid over spending.
Third step is to keep a separate checking and savings account. Force yourself to save a minimum of ten percent of what you bring home every month.
Keeping a job for more than two years also looks great on your credit. 
For more information on real estate in Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach and Port Orange of homes for sale, ocean front homes, river front homes, golf course homes and foreclosures go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Tackling projects around the house.

According to Lowe's Creative Ideas magazine, 2010

Which projects offer the most bang for the buck?
"The kitchen is huge, along with the master bedroom and bathroom. These can boost your resale value and attract buyers who want a space that's  move-in ready.  If you can stand not being able to cook for a little while, the investment can come back to you in a big way".
For more information on area homes for sale in Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange homes for sale, ocean front homes, golf course homes and river front homes and condominiums go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Interesting Facts About Florida

     Sources: Fl. Dept. of State; Visit Florida; US. Census Bureau; Bureau of Economic  Business Research (University of Florida); State of Florida.com


   1,000 People move to Florida each day
12 International Airports
1,200 Miles of Sand Beaches
1,250 Golf Courses
1,800 Miles of Coastline
14 Deepwater Ports

For more information of homes for sale in the Daytona Beach Area of homes for sale, ocean front homes, river front homes, golf course homes and condominiums and vacant land go to:http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

Florida real estate is getting warmer!

ORLANDO, Fla. – Jan. 20, 2011 – Sales of existing homes and condominiums in Florida rose in December, a positive trend also reported at the close of 2010 as statewide sales activity posted gains over the previous year, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.
For more information on area real estate of homes for sale in the Greater Daytona Beach area of ocean front homes, river front homes, golf course homes and condominiums go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

What's hip and happening in home design today!

Pest-unfriendly insulation

What is it and why?
Cellulose-based insulation that sends pests running, crawling or flying.

Why?
A three for -one insulation that conserves energy and keeps out pest and is made from recycled paper. It's easily applied on top of exiting insulation in an attic by many of the company's best-know pest-control services. "It's 32 percent more efficient than fiberglass because its R-value is higher, and it only needs to be applied once", says William N. Turk founder of Pest Control Insulation Systems in Homer, GA., which manufactures the Themal Accoustic Pest Control product.
Something for all homeowners to think about...being clever and saving money.

For more information on area real estate of homes for sale in Daytona Beach, Port Orange and Ormond Beach of ocean front homes, golf course homes and river front homes go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Homebuyer Videos

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ( HUD ) partnered with NAR ( National Association of Realtors ) to produce a series of videos to educate consumers about the home buying process. The ghree videos cover topics including how to find a home you can afford; how to find a mortgage you can sustain; and what to expect when you go to a closing. Look for "Shopping for Your Home, Shopping for Your Loan and Closing the Deal at www.youtube.com/HUDchannel.

For more information on area homes for sale in the Greater Daytona Beach Area of homes for sale, golf course homes, ocean front homes, condominiums go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

Curb appeal what is it worth?

Thinking about remodeling, but don't know which projects will give you the most bang for your buck?
Check out the results of the latest "Cost vs. Value" report by Remodeling magazine.
One surprising - but faily easy change is to replace the garage door, which on the average costs $1,291.00.
According to the report, more than 80 percent of the cost is recouped during a resale.
Other renovations and remodels worth their price tag include a steel  entry door replacement ( 102.1 percent cost recouped).  A minor kitchen remodel (72.8 percent cost recouped) and replacing wooden windows (72.4 percent cost recouped).
What does the report then focus on? The report suggests that the most profitable return on investment is to concentrate on the exterior.
For more information on area real estate of homes for sale in the Greater Daytona Beach Area go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

Friday, February 11, 2011

Is real estate still a good investment?

All of us want a home or condo or an estate to call our own.
The freedom to paint any color on any wall we desire and to play our stereo as loud as we want.
Depending where you live in the United States your real estate market may have had a steady increase
in property values through the years.  In Coastal areas like Florida we had a huge increase in values from 2002 to 2005.  I sell real estate in the Greater Daytona Beach Area. From Ormond Beach to Ponce Inlet.
Our market values have now adjusted to a level that allows more families to purchase their first home and for anyone retiring to afford a luxury condominium on the ocean.
For the past two days, I showed 15 ocean front condominiums to a couple wanting to purchase a retirement residence.  We looked at some beautiful condos with private balconies and spacious floor plans.
My clients decided to purchase a condo unit in a building that offered units not yet lived in.
Real Estate is still a good investment when the right conditions come together. Price, location and condition.
For more information of homes, condos and golf course homes, ocean front homes go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Friday, February 4, 2011

Invest in Ormond Beach real estate.

Ormond Beach is located to the North and adjacent to Daytona Beach, Florida. From ocean front to river front homes and golf course communities we have it all. Condominiums to estate homes there is a wide variety of real estate for anyone's price range and lifestyle choice.
John D.Rockefeller felt the same and built a summer home in the early 1900's. The home has been well preserved since the city of Ormond Beach took it over and made into a museum.
To search for Ormond Beach real estate area of homes for sale go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Why do I sell real estate?

Coming from a background of interior design, I was already helping families make their home attractive and comfortable to fit their lifestyle.  Every customer had a different budget for me to work honor.
Sometimes to help make the renovation possible the homeowner had to invest some sweat equity to make the numbers work.  In the end the project was completed and the homeowner was pleased.
Moving into real estate was a smooth transition.
I still have to honor a client's budget to help them accomplish their dream. It's not unusual for clients to start out wanting specific criteria and after looking at several homes decide that they want something entirely different. That's OK!
It can be a process of self discovery.  I understand and find the task enjoyable because in the end they have to live in the home not me. It has to be just the right house for them to call home.
That's why I like what I do.  Help families find just the "right" home.
For area information of real estate in Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach homes for sale, vacation homes, golf course homes, ocean front homes, river front homes and new homes go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Experienced mortgage originator.

MILES REYNOLDSCONTEMPORARY MORTGAGE SERVICES, INC PROFILE Serving Volusia and Flagler Counties and all of Florida. In business since 1985 with over 2 billion dollars in mortgages funded. We offer Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, FHA renovation loans and more. We have multiple lenders that we can send a borrower’s loan to for loan approvals. Rates competitive with banks. Zero point and zero origination fee loans available. Free mortgage counseling, prequalification and preapprovals by phone or in person. MILES REYNOLDS, MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER PROFILE Has originated mortgages in this area since 1992 for Brokers and large banks. Has originated and closed well over $100,000,000 in residential mortgages. Specializes in FHA, Conventional and USDA Rural Housing Guaranteed loans. Has done hundreds of Realtor seminars, presentations and office meetings. Available evenings and weekends for applications or to answer mortgage questions. Please call me, Miles Reynolds, for all of your mortgage needs.
Cell: 386-290-6661. Office: 386-238-1511
A Licensed Mortgage Lender
CONTEMPORARY MORTGAGE SERVICES, INC. is a Proud Equal Housing Lender. Credit restrictions may apply. Programs and Rates are subject to change.

For area information of homes for sale in the Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach real estate homes for sale:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Mortgage rates.

Mortgage rates remain at an all time low. This is the best time to invest in real estate in Florida.
Single family bank owned homes from little as $65,000.
For more information of homes for sale in the Daytona Beach area or Ormond Beach area of ocean front homes, river front homes, golf course homes and homes for sale Daytona Beach area go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

Newer ocean front home bank owned.

Wow!
Built in 2008 modern home on the beach.
4 Bdrs / 3 Bas
Living Sq.Ft 2720
Two car garage.
Gourgeous granite couters and upscale appliances.
Direct ocean front to the beach location.
$899,000 Bank Owned - make an offer!

For area information of homes for sale in Daytona Beach, of area homes for sale, vacation homes, golf course homes, river front homes, ocean front homes,area homes for more information go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

River front pool home bank owned for sale.

What a fantastic deal! Wow!
5 Bdrs / 4.5 Bas/ River front home.
 Spacious pool, cabana house and much more.
Exception lot approximately 150x355
Boat dock and boat house.
Bank owned home $1,249,000 Make an offer.

For more information on area homes for sale in the greater Daytona Beach area of homes for sale, vacation homes, golf course homes, ocean front homes go to:http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

How is your credit?

In the United States your credit score is your lifeline to purchasing big ticket items as well as a potential employer will also look at your report to see how well you manage your finances before they consider giving you the job.
Have your report pulled once a year by a reputable source and see what is going on with your score.
You may find some charges that could surprise you and this will give you a chance to correct errors and or have old issues removed.
Protect your score like you protect your identity.
Before you shop for a big ticket item check yourself first to prevent any embarrasement later.
Especially when considering shopping for a new home.
For real estate information in the area of Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach area of homes for sale near the beach or the river, condominiums, golf course homes and ocean front homes visit:
http://beachhomesdaytona.com/

Rent verses buying?

Trulia's Q1 2011 Rent vs. Buy Index provides guidance to help you make a smart decision on whether it is better to rent or buy in each of America's 50 largest cities by population. The Rent:Buy Ratio is calculated by using the median list price compared with the median rent on two-bedroom apartments, condos and townhomes listed on Trulia.com. Click here for the full methodology.

Click on the tabs above the interactive map to see the differences between renting for a year and buying a similar property. To check out current rental listings and homes for sale, go to Trulia.com.

For area information on homes for sale in Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach area of real estate go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/