Dream Builders Realty Real Estate Newsletter - December 2018

IN THIS ISSUE

DECEMBER 2018

• 12 STEPS OF SELLING A HOME IN CENTRAL FLORIDA - PART 2 • HOW TO DECORATE FOR THE HOLIDAYS WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME • THE LATEST REAL ESTATE MARKET DATA

12 STEPS OF SELLING A HOME IN CENTRAL FLORIDA - PART 2 When a home is placed on the market, sellers always want to know, “How long will it take before someone buys it?” The short answer is, of course, we know the average time it takes to sell a home. The long answer is that each transaction is different. There are about 200 steps your REALTOR® will take when selling your home in Central Florida, but we’ve consolidated them in this newsletter. Here are the next six steps in the home selling process.

overcome to receive the coveted CLEAR TO CLOSE from their lender. Likewise, there is a very important term in your contract you will want to pay close attention to - it is the Conditional Loan Approval deadline. Sadly, most lenders don’t pay attention to this important provision of the contract and, as the seller, that leaves you at a disadvantage. It is imperative you understand this time period in the contract and know what it means to your transaction if it isn’t achieved.

Step Seven: Execute Your Contract After you’ve worked with your REALTOR® to negotiate favorable terms, it’s time to execute your contract. During this stage, it’s important to make sure all parties understand the terms of the agreement; not just the agreed upon sale price, but also details like contingencies, inspections, title implications, and who will pay for which closing costs - among many other aspects of the contract. Remember, the contract is the agreement between you, the seller, and the buyer, and it is the document that sets the ground rules for how to move forward with the transaction.

Step Eleven: Title Commitment Before transferring the deed of your home to its new owner, you will be required to show there is a clear title to the property.

Customarily, the seller will have a title search and examination conducted by a qualified professional to determine if the property has a clear, marketable and equitable title. At that time, a title insurance company will be willing to ensure the title against defects and future claims and will issue a title commitment outlining the terms of the policy. Although very few people think about this part of the transaction, it is a vital step in the process and can make or break any real estate transaction.

Step Eight: Inspections For buyers, due diligence is key! During this stage of the process, the buyer will conduct a series of inspections in an effort to ensure the home meets their standards and expectations. There are a plethora of inspections that can be conducted and, as the seller, you will want to ensure you understand the impact each inspection can have on your sale. Your REALTOR® will work to have everything properly arranged and coordinated. If all goes well, this will be a major milestone in the process. If problems arise, you will want to have an experienced and competent REALTOR® on your side to navigate the complexities associated with less than desirable results.

Step Twelve: Time for Closing!

You’re not done, just yet! Bear in mind, before the closing takes place the buyer will likely conduct a final walk-through of the property. At this time, they are verifying that the property has been properly maintained since the time of the contract, that all personal items, including contractually agreed upon appliances, are still in the home and that they are getting what they agreed to purchase from you some 30 to 60 days earlier. From there, we finally get to the closing table and can actually begin the formal process of closing on your home.

Step Nine: Plan Your Transition As your transaction continues to clear major milestones, don’t forget to consider all of the details required to successfully plan your transition to your new home. Believe it or not, this part of the process can often be overlooked during the selling process and can become a major source of stress and anxiety in a move. A seasoned REALTOR® will have helped many people through this process and can serve as a great resource for you.

Working with a REALTOR® that really understands these steps will put you in the best position possible to sell your Central Florida home and may give you a better understanding of what's to come once you decide it’s time to put your home on the market.

Step Ten: Conditional Loan Approval Most homes are purchased with some type of financing and chances are your buyer will be obtaining a loan too. It is important you know about the hurdles your buyer has to

LEARN HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME! CHECK OUT OUR FREE RESOURCES FOR HOME SELLERS. VISIT DREAMBUILDERSREALTY.COM/SELLING

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HOW TO DECORATE FOR THE HOLIDAYS WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME Staging your home to sell is key. Proper staging can help potential buyers feel like your house truly is their dream home and may even sway them to sign on the dotted line. But selling your home during the holiday season can leave you wondering, what is the best way to decorate with holiday cheer without turning off potential buyers?

Here are a few easy ways to decorate for the holidays when selling your home.

Keep outdoor lighting simple.

While your neighbors might have gone all out with a beautiful light show set to Christmas carols, it’s best to keep your outdoor lighting simple when you’re trying to sell your home. A string of white lights draped around your home is a tasteful way to look festive, but not overdone. Remember, you want potential buyers to remember the best features of your home, rather than your decorations.

Use decor to highlight key features.

A beautiful entryway can be accentuated with a festive wreath and mistletoe hanging in the doorway. Use this as an opportunity to draw potential buyers’ eyes to the best features in your home.

Be mindful of space.

Before putting up your Christmas tree, take stock of how much space you have. A spacious living room can instantly be dwarfed by an oversized tree. Consider removing the coffee table or loveseat to maintain floor space.

Selling your home during the holidays can be hectic, but when in doubt, it’s better to do less than more. The key to successfully staging your home - in any season - is to keep things simple.

You want potential buyers to see your home, not your decorations, regardless of how beautiful they may be.

Consider your current decor.

If your current interior decor features a lot of personal touches like artwork or a decorative theme like nautical, think about how your holiday decorations fit or clash with what is already in your home. A green and red garland might not be complementary to an abstract painting or light blue walls. White snowflakes or silver tinsel are probably the safer bet.

Try using scents.

A candle scented like a balsam fir or cinnamon apple cider simmering on the stove can give your home a warm and inviting feeling, while also being a subtle way to bring Christmas cheer.

LEARN HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME! CHECK OUT OUR FREE RESOURCES FOR HOME SELLERS. VISIT DREAMBUILDERSREALTY.COM/SELLING

WHAT IS DREAM BUILDERS’ HEROES? Dream Builders’ Heroes is a program created to say “thank you” to the people of our community that are truly considered heroes. Who may that be?

• Military • Police/Fire • Teachers • Doctors/Nurses • Clergy Do you fit one of those categories? If so, Dream Builders Realty wants to help you save money in return for all you do!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROGRAM, VISIT WWW.DREAMBUILDERSREALTY.COM/HEROES

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WE GET RESULTS

SOLD

PRIVATE BOAT DOCK WITH LAKE ACCESS

1211 TERRALAGO WAY KISSIMMEE, FL 34746

5 BED | 5.5 BATH 5,428 SQ FT $610,000

This beautiful five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom home is a boater’s dream, located in the premium gated community of Bellalago.

This house is not only beautiful on the inside with its large kitchen, two laundry rooms, a formal living and dining room, and a 4-car garage, but it is amazing on the outside. With a covered patio on the first floor and a screened-in balcony on the second floor, this home has a beautiful view of Lake Tohopekaliga with its very own dock where you can park your boat.

While you have all of these amazing features right at your own home, you will also have access to a resort-style pool, fitness club, and endless outdoor activities. What more could you ask for with this true Florida living property? Contact Dream Builders Realty today to schedule your private home tour!

WANT TO SEE YOUR HOME FEATURED HERE? CALL 407.847.5428 FOR MORE INFORMATION

IN THE KNOW IMPROVEMENTS TO HOAGLAND BOULEVARD Osceola County began construction on October 15th to create faster and more efficient travel between John Young Parkway and 5th Street. This construction is a $38.2 million project that will be completed in two simultaneous phases, with plans of being finished by mid-2021.

Phase 3 will consist of building a four-lane divided roadway with 6-foot to 7-foot wide bike lanes on each side and 5-foot to 8-foot wide sidewalks on each side. This phase will also include reconstruction to the existing Shingle Creek Bridge and construction of a new Shingle Creek Bridge.

Phase 2 will be a realignment of Hoagland Boulevard from just north of the Shingle Creek Bridge to the existing four-lane section at 5th Street. There will be a four-lane divided roadway, 6-foot wide bike lanes, and 6-foot to 10-foot wide sidewalks along the roadway. This project will also include a new bridge spanning the railroad tracks of the SunRail.

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GET RESULTS FOR YOUR HOME SO

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FRENCH COUNTRY ARCHITECTURE

12910 CANOPY WOODS WAY WINTER GARDEN, FL 34787 $909,000 5 BD / 5 FULL AND 2 HALF BA 4,388 SQ FT

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ONE-OF-A-KIND 601 SOUTH DILLINGHAM AVE KISSIMMEE, FL 34741 $301,600 3 BD / 2 BA 1,612 SQ FT

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LAKE NONA DREAM 10921 SAVONA WAY ORLANDO, FL 32827 $841,100 6 BD / 5 BA 4,921 SQ FT

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LUXURY STYLE 3540 SOUTHWOOD BLVD KISSIMMEE, FL 34746 $502,900 7 BD / 5 BA 5,516 SQ FT

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OPEN FLOOR PLAN 4611 CYPRESS FOREST LANE ST. CLOUD, FL 34772 $335,000 4 BD / 3 BA 3,087 SQ FT

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FLORIDA STYLE LIVING 3847 SPIRITED CIRCLE ST. CLOUD, FL 34772 $250,000 4 BD / 2 BA 1,859 SQ FT

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PEACEFUL LIVING 2606 CORSINI LANE KISSIMMEE, FL 34746 $230,000 4 BD / 2 BA 2,137 SQ FT

YOUR HOME HERE WANT TO SEE YOUR HOME FEATURED HERE? CALL 407.847.5428

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WE GET RESULTS

SOLD

LUXURY LIVING

911 SPINNAKER WAY KISSIMMEE, FL 34746

5 BED | 5.5 BATH 5,428 SQ FT $580,000

This luxurious, five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom home has many impressive features including a Roman-style master suite tub, beautiful granite countertops in the kitchen, 10’ ceilings in the den and master bedroom, and a four-car garage with a brick driveway. This home is located in the beautiful Bellalago community, only 20 minutes south of Walt Disney World Resorts, with community access to a 1,300foot boardwalk with a gazebo and over 300 acres of inland lakes and waterways. This house has every dreamy feature you are looking for when it comes to choosing your next home! Contact Dream Builders Realty today to schedule your private home tour!

WANT TO SEE YOUR HOME FEATURED HERE? CALL 407.847.5428 FOR MORE INFORMATION

INTEREST RATES Finding the best interest rate possible for your personal home loan will be a primary objective when borrowing money. As well it should be! Advertisements on the web, radio, television, and even billboards have highlighted the importance of interest rates. With all the information available out there, it’s easy to become confused. For example, an advertised interest rate may only be available for a short period of time, or reserved only for qualified borrowers for specific mortgage programs.

My team and I are here to assess your personal loan situation to ensure you are advised on the most suitable loan programs for your needs. Once we’ve narrowed down some financing options, we’ll quote the best rate possible. We’ll also advise you on when it’s best to “lock” that interest rate so that it is secured through your closing date.

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Harry Urban Branch Manager

P: 407.931.3800 x 103 hurban@butlermortgage.com www.butlermortgage.com NMLS# 189233

THE ALTA HOMEOWNER’S POLICY –

PROVIDING GREATER COVERAGE

An owner’s title policy is intended to protect you from defects and liens in your title before the deed is recorded. To continue the protection even after the deed is recorded, you have the option of investing in a homeowner’s policy.

The homeowner’s policy is an extended coverage that can protect against many common, frustrating problems – building permit violations, supplemental taxes, subdivision laws, zoning coverage, automatic coverage increases and more – that would otherwise be costly.

It also safeguards your investment for as long as you or your heirs legally own the home.

To help protect against these types of risks and safeguard your investment, upgrade to a homeowner’s policy.

For extending coverage on your investment, contact Rhonda Owen with the Stewart Title of Celebration office at 407.964.3551.

The content in this flyer is intended for general information purposes. It is not intended as legal advice and is subject to change without notice.

© 2018 Stewart.

All rights reserved. | 207542176

MARKET TRENDS IN OSCEOLA COUNTY MEDIAN HOME PRICE

NEW PENDINGS

down 2.0% since last month up 7.6% since last year

down 4.1% since last month up 49.6% since last year

CLOSED SALES

860

$225,325

As of September 2018

646

down 13.2% since last month up 36.3% since last year

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET

SOLD PRICE TO LIST PRICE RATIO

ACTIVE LISTINGS

54

96.0%

2,109

WHAT’S MY HOME’S VALUE?

VISIT DREAMBUILDERSREALTY.COM/MYVALUE

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Residential Customer 809 Mabbette Street Kissimmee, FL 34741

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID EDDM RETAIL

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CONNECT WITH US!

Tim Weisheyer Broker/Owner

407.847.5428

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