Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Ormond Beach deals!

Ormond Beach homes for sale starting from $60,000 -wow very affordable.
Home prices offer the opportunity for affordable vacation homes or and great deals for anyone interested in moving her permanently.  From ocean front homes to golf course homes or river front homes area real estate go to http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Friday, March 25, 2011

River view condo just a short walk to the beach.

Two bedroom, two bath condo remodeled with stainless appliances, high end cabinets in move condition.
Sold furnished great value ... three units to select from:  http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Home Sales Growing in Volusia-Flagler Counties, Florida

March 24th, 2011 — 3:26pm - Volusia and Flagler Counties Populations and Home Sales Growing

The latest Census data was release recently. Our area newspaper, the Daytona Beach News-Journal, recently reported on the growth and its tie to the housing market. The statistics are very interesting.
Both markets showed excellent growth over the past ten years. The challenge with associating the trend with the housing market is that the activity we’ve seen in terms of price and sales over the past ten years has fluctuated both ways during that time. Between 2000 and 2005 we had a tremendous upswing in both the number of housing transactions and the average price of those properties. From 2006 until 2010 there has been a dramatic decrease in price. Without seeing the year to year fluctuations it is effectively impossible to draw any conclusion between the two sets of data.

However, it is fantastic to see the growth over these periods and it certainly supports the return of the housing market that is currently being forecast. As people continue to move to this area, they will need to find housing.








For more information of homes for sale in the Greater Daytona Beach area and surrounding communities of homes for sale on the ocean, golf course, or river front.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

River front building with a dock.

Four units for sale in a river front building only two blocks from the beach.
Three units have a river view and are remodeled sold furnished.
One unit also remodeled sold furnished located on the ground floor.
Fish for your dinner or use the dock for daily boat launch.
Major shopping near by and the beach.
For more real estate information of the Greater Daytona Beach area and surrounding communities go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Read before you choose your next kitchen counter!

Tempting though it is to choose a countertop based on looks alone, a material's durability, maintenance and, of course, cost are also important factors to consider when making a selection for a kitchen remodel.
Find a good fit
Homeowners have to assess the way they live before settling on a countertop surface, says Jeff Cannata, past president of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and president of Designer's Showcase Kitchens & Baths Inc. in Carol Stream, Ill. "If they have three kids and they're making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the countertops every day, they might not want to go with that white granite."
Countertop choices
The good news is if homeowners have their hearts set on a certain look, but the material just doesn't match with their lifestyle, odds are there's another material that does.
Granite, the top choice in countertops, is available in a variety of shades such as blacks, whites, greens, corals and beiges, and no two pieces are exactly the same. Granite is available in two finishes. A polished finish results in a shiny look and often darkens the appearance of the stone, while honing is soft and matte. Costs for granite depend on many variables, including color, finish and origin of the stone.
"If you pick a granite that's relatively easy to get, it could be affordable. If you pick a granite that I have imported from Zimbabwe, and [it] only ships once a year, that can be pretty expensive," Jeff says.
Other natural stone materials, like marble, limestone and soapstone, are softer than granite and require delicate use and greater care. All stone countertops must be sealed periodically.
Engineered stone countertops come in a wider variety of colors than natural stone countertops, are more durable and are a cinch to maintain. They're "just bulletproof," Jeff says. However, engineered stone won't save any money over granite: the two materials cost roughly the same.
Solid surface countertops have a lot of appeal. They come in countless colors, are seamless, resist stains and scratches can be buffed out. One word of caution, though: Hot pans can damage solid-surface countertops.
Concrete countertops, which can be completely customized with pigments, are gaining popularity. Concrete is available in several different finishes: trowel (smooth), ground (sanded to expose the sand aggregate) and pressed (a tool is used to reveal marblelike veining). Extreme or abrupt changes in temperature may cause concrete to warp or curl, damp sponges left on the counter can cause discoloration and acidic spills may etch the surface. To keep a concrete countertop looking its best, it's advisable to seal them it to four times per year and wax with a paste every two to three months.
Wood countertops, like butcher block, instantly warm up a kitchen. They are easy to clean and any scratches can be sanded out. Water damages butcher block quite easily, though, so wood countertops must be oiled frequently to seal the surface.
Laminate is the most affordable countertop material on the market and comes in an array of colors and designs. Laminate can scorch if a hot pan touches the surface and has a reputation for scratching easily. However, the product has made strides in scratch-resistance in recent years, Jeff says.
On the edge
Square edges are standard on most countertops, but decorative edges like radius, bullnose, bevel, egg and ogee — while a bit more expensive — are another way to customize a kitchen. Availability of edges varies based on countertop materials.
Mix and match
Can't decide on just one material? Then mix and match surfaces. In her designs, Sarah Ann Busby, owner of Sarah Busby Designs in Elk Rapids, Mich., often uses a different material on islands than the rest of the countertops to differentiate the space. Another option is to inset another material into a countertop for specific tasks. Butcher block is common for chopping as is marble for baking.
Before making a decision on countertop material, see the surface in person, whether that means visiting a showroom or viewing samples in-home.
Resources
National Kitchen & Bath Association, www.nkba.org
For more information of homes for sale in Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach real estate of homes for sale, ocean front homes, river front homes, golf course homes and condominiums go to
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

6 Do-It-Yourself Updates That Can Increase Home’s Value By More Than $10,000

February 7, 2011 by Melissa Tracey ·
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
Simple, affordable do-it-yourself projects such as cleaning and decluttering and just adding lighting can help increase a home’s resale value, according to HomeGain’s annual home improvement and staging survey.
HomeGain, an online real estate marketing resource, surveyed nearly 600 real estate professionals in creating a list of the top do-it-yourself home improvement projects that offer the biggest return for your buck.
Overall, the home improvement projects that boasted the highest price returns were updates to the kitchen and bathroom–an estimated $3,435 price increase for resale. Painting the outside of the home ($2,222 price increase) also offered one of the highest returns, according to HomeGain’s Home Sale Maximizer study.
Here are six do-it-yourself projects–all under $1,000–that made HomeGain’s list, as well as the estimated increase to the home’s price at resale for each project.
1. Cleaning and decluttering: Remove any personal items, unclutter countertops, organize closets and shelves, and make the home sparkling clean.
Cost: $290
Estimated return: $1,990
2. Light and bright: Clean all windows inside and out, replace old curtains, update lighting fixtures, and remove anything that blocks light from the windows.
Cost: $375 cost
Estimated return: $1,550
3. Staging: Rearrange furniture, bring in new accessories and furnishings to enhance rooms, including artwork and playing soft music in the background.
Cost: $550 cost
Estimated return: $2,194
4. Landscaping: Punch up the home’s curb appeal in the front and backyards by adding bark mulch, bushes and flowers, and ensuring current plants and grass are well-cared for and manicured.
Cost: $540
Estimated return: $1,932

5. Repair electrical or plumbing: Repair any leaks under the bathroom or kitchen sinks, remove any mildew stains, and ensure all plumbing is in good working condition. Update the home’s electrical with new wiring for modern appliances, fix any lights or outlets that don’t work, and replace old plug points with new safety fixtures.
Cost: $535
Estimated return: $1,505
6. Replace or shampoo dirty carpets: Steam-clean carpets, replace any worn carpets, and repair any floor creaks.
Cost: $647
Estimated return: $1,739

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

6 Do-It-Yourself Updates That Can Increase Home’s Value By More Than $10,000

February 7, 2011 by Melissa Tracey ·
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
Simple, affordable do-it-yourself projects such as cleaning and decluttering and just adding lighting can help increase a home’s resale value, according to HomeGain’s annual home improvement and staging survey.
HomeGain, an online real estate marketing resource, surveyed nearly 600 real estate professionals in creating a list of the top do-it-yourself home improvement projects that offer the biggest return for your buck.
Overall, the home improvement projects that boasted the highest price returns were updates to the kitchen and bathroom–an estimated $3,435 price increase for resale. Painting the outside of the home ($2,222 price increase) also offered one of the highest returns, according to HomeGain’s Home Sale Maximizer study.
Here are six do-it-yourself projects–all under $1,000–that made HomeGain’s list, as well as the estimated increase to the home’s price at resale for each project.
1. Cleaning and decluttering: Remove any personal items, unclutter countertops, organize closets and shelves, and make the home sparkling clean.
Cost: $290
Estimated return: $1,990
2. Light and bright: Clean all windows inside and out, replace old curtains, update lighting fixtures, and remove anything that blocks light from the windows.
Cost: $375 cost
Estimated return: $1,550
3. Staging: Rearrange furniture, bring in new accessories and furnishings to enhance rooms, including artwork and playing soft music in the background.
Cost: $550 cost
Estimated return: $2,194
4. Landscaping: Punch up the home’s curb appeal in the front and backyards by adding bark mulch, bushes and flowers, and ensuring current plants and grass are well-cared for and manicured.
Cost: $540
Estimated return: $1,932
For area information of homes for sale in the Greater Daytona Beach area, ocean front homes, golf course homes, river front homes and condominiums and best buys go to http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

Monday, March 21, 2011

You may qualify for government funds.

To find out if you qualify for government assistance to purchase your first home go to:
http://www.floridahousing.org

For area  real estate information of homes for sale in the Greater Daytona Beach Area in all price ranges
go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Fantastic Value!!!

Totally remodeled one bedroom one bath sold furnished condo only $68,900
River dock for daily use or fish for your dinner. Gorgeous water front location to escape all the stress of your daily life.  Or walk to the beach from this location. Want more...http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com
Click on properties

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Ormond Beach, Florida Celtic Music Festival

http://www.ormondcelticmusicfest.com/

Great music, dancers, food and fun for all.
For more Ormond Beach area information real estate of homes for sale, ocean front, river front, golf course homes go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Fourplex for sale near the beach.

Great investment 4 unit apartment building two blocks from the beach.
All units are 2bdr/1ba located in the vacinity of Daytona Beach, Florida.
Asking price $139,900 Concrete block construction.
For more detailed information go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/
Click on "listings" to see details

Saturday, March 12, 2011

TWO GREAT IDEAS TO GET HELP WITH A DOWNPAYMENT!!!

1. Investigate local, state, and national down payment assistance programs. These programs give qualified applicants loans or grants to cover all or part of your required down payment. National programs include the Nehemiah program, www.getdownpayment.com, and the American Dream Down Payment Fund from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, www.hud.gov.
2. Explore seller financing. In some cases, sellers may be willing to finance all or part of the purchase price of the home and let you repay them gradually, just as you would do with a mortgage.

For more information on area real estate of homes for sale on the river, ocean front homes or golf course homes for sale in the Central Florida Area go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Take the stress out of Homebuying

1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality.
2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there’s no perfect time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer — you risk losing out on the home of your dreams. The housing market usually doesn’t change fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.
3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will make it much harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family — the people who will be living in the home.
4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. If it’s in the right location, the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a list of your top priorities and focus in on things that are most important to you. Let the minor ones go.
5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price or by refusing to budge on your offer may cost you the home you love. Negotiation is give and take.
6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself — room size, kitchen, etc. — that you forget about important issues as noise level, location to amenities, and other aspects that also have a big impact on your quality of life.
7. Plan ahead. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate home insurance, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.
8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.
9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big financial commitment. But it also yields big benefits. Don’t lose sight of why you wanted to buy a home and what made you fall in love with the property you purchased.
10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually over from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is to serve as a comfortable, safe place to live.
For more information of area homes for sale in the Greater Daytona Beach Area of ocean front homes, river front homes, golf course homes go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Florida real estate.

Anyone out there "thinking" of owning a second home near the beach or condominium now is the time to buy with interest rates still low and prices just beginning to inch upward.
For area homes for sale in the Greater Daytona Beach Area of homes for sale, ocean front homes, river front homes, golf course homes go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Affordable vacation home near the beach.

For a list of homes that are in walking distance to the beach in the Greater Daytona Beach Area and surrounding communities go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/  then go to properties or my listings.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Affordable get a way condo

Totally remodeled 1 brd/1ba with fishing dock and only two block from the ocean.
check it out on http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Walk to the beach!!!

Only $68,900 for one bedroom, one bath totally remodeled, tiled floors sold furnished.
River front building with boat dock for daily use or fish for your dinner.
Large community pool overlooking the pool.
For more area information of area homes for sale, ocean front, condos, or foreclosures go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

Fish for your dinner!!!

http://www.homesandland.com/EZTour?16574131&EZTourId=1308435&width=720&height=540

Super affordable 1Bdr/1Ba condo in move in condition two blocks from the beach and major shopping.
Assigned parking space. No pets allowed.

For more area information of homes for sale in the greater Daytona Beach Area go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

What can a realtor do for you!

n
get you pre-qualified so you’ll know the price range that works for you
n
e-mail you listings of only the homes that fit your criteria
n
   know if the asking price of each home is realistic and on target
perform a market analysis of the areas you’re interested in so you’ll
n
provide information on the neighborhood, school district and more
n
suggest home inspectors
n
suggest real estate attorneysn

For area information of homes for sale on the ocean, river or golf course go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/
guide you through the entire closing process

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

One more try!

http://www.floridahousing.org/

For information on programs to assist first time home buyers.

htt://www.beachhomesdaytona.com
For more information of current homes for sale.

Local Housing Programs.

Local Housing Programs !!!

Local Housing Programs !!!

Ways to leap over the down-payment hurdle.


Today is a frustrating time for renters who want to buy homes but who haven't saved much for down payments. Mortgage rates are on the rise, houses aren't getting cheaper and it seems like time is running out.
"It would take me at least another year or two to save another $10,000 to $15,000, and, frankly, I want to purchase a house before the costs are out of reach," e-mails a reader from Long Island, where the median house price rose more than 20 percent last year.
He has more options than he realizes. There are myriad ways to leap the down-payment hurdle. Some strategies are for people who have some money saved up somewhere, and other strategies are for people who are practically broke.
It has been a long time since home buyers were required to come up with 20 percent down. Some lenders will lend 100 percent of the purchase price or even 103 percent. More commonly, lenders underwrite mortgages with 3 percent or 5 percent down. The question becomes: How do you come up with that 3 to 5 percent?
Gifts from the family, FHA type loans or a one time loan from your IRA.
Visit bankrate.com to learn more.

For area information of homes for sale go to http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

Get preapproved, not just prequalified.

Get preapproved, not just prequalified


Once you've determined how much house you can afford, why not take the next step and get pre-qualified and pre-approved for a home mortgage loan?
Not only will you know your housing budget to the dollar before you start looking for a home, you'll also have more negotiating leverage because the seller knows you've already got a loan virtually in your pocket.

Pre-approval
Pre-approval takes pre-qualification one step further. The lender will contact your employer, your bank and others to verify your income, assets, debts and credit history, and then issue you a letter stating that your mortgage is approved for a certain amount within a certain timeframe. You may be charged a small fee to cover the cost of your credit reports and your application, often refunded at closing.
For more information of area real estate of homes for sale go to:  http://www.beahhomesdaytona.com/

How much of a monthly payment can you afford?

http://www.bankrate.com/

Go to this website and use the chart to calculate an approximate monthly payment.

For more information on area real estate of homes for sale in the Greater Daytona Beach Area of homes for sale go to: http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/

7 Reasons why you should be a home owner.

1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.
2. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 percent each year from 1972 through 2005, and increased 88.5 percent over the last 10 years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing.

3. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.
4. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.
5. Predictability. Unlike rent, your fixed-mortgage payments don’t rise over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will increase.
6. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.
7. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.
Online resources: To calculate whether buying is the best financial option for you, use the “Buy vs. Rent” calculator at www.GinnieMae.gov.

For more information on area real estate of homes for sale go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/




Special Rules for Members of the Military, the Foreign Service and the Intelligence Community

What you should know about theHomebuyer Tax CreditSpecial Rules for Members of the Military, the Foreign Service and the Intelligence CommunityRecognizing their unique circumstances, Congress approved exceptions that give qualified members of the military, foreign service and intelligence communities an extra year to buy a home and claim the federal homebuyer tax credit. The exceptions apply to both the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers and the $6,500 tax credit for existing homeowners who purchase another home. Extension of Tax Credit Rules• The homebuyer tax credit extension is available for qualified purchases with a binding sales contract in place on or before April 30, 2011, and closed by June 30, 2011. Qualified service members (and if married, the service members’ spouses) who served on official extended duty outside the U.S. for 90 days or more at any time between Jan. 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010, are eligible.
• A person forced to return to the U.S. for medical reasons before completing an assignment of at least 90 days of qualified official extended duty outside the U.S. may also qualify for the one-year extension.
Exemption from Tax Credit Recapture RulesTypically, homes that are sold or that cease to be used as a principal residence within three years of the initial purchase are subject to recapture (repayment) of the tax credit. However, qualified service members who sell or move from a tax credit home within three years of the initial purchase due to official extended duty assignments are exempt from the recapture rule. Definitions: Qualified service member means a member of the uniformed services of the U.S military, a member of the U.S. Foreign Service or an employee of the intelligence community. Official extended duty means any period of extended duty outside the U.S. for at least 90 days during the period between Jan. 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010. Note: Only one spouse must be overseas on official extended duty for the requisite amount of time for either spouse to be eligible for the 2011 extension to purchase a principal residence and claim the credit.In Florida, no one knows the housing market like a Realtor®. Learn more about the tax credit and other homebuyer opportunities from this Florida Realtors® website:www.floridarealtors.org/AboutFar/homebuyer
center/index.cfm
NOTE: This document is for informational purposes and
should not be construed as tax or legal advice. For specific advice on their own tax situation, consumers should always consult a qualified tax professional.
For more information on area real estate of homes for sale in the Greater Daytona Beach Area and surrounding communities of ocean front homes, river front homes, golf course homes go to:
http://www.beachhomesdaytona.com/