On Location: Tuscawilla Golf & Country Club

 On our journey to cover everything around town that makes Winter Springs and

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Oviedo jive, we are making a stop in the heart of Tuscawilla. The Tuscawilla community began development in the early 1970's and the Country Club and Golf Course were built in 1973. Since this point in time the community has thrived, drawing residents from all over the country. 

    Having lived in the area for nearly 20 years I, personally have never golfed at the course but have been there for weddings and like events throughout the years. The country club has taken a strong role in marketing to new homeowners in the area and has teamed up with us at Coldwell Banker by giving 6-month memberships to new homeowners effective from the purchase date on their new homes. From what I have seen during the interviews and tours of the course, they will continue to attract new members because there is nothing not to like about the facility.  


The course has breathtaking views as you drive through the unexpected rolling-

Florida hills, there are activities for everyone, and a great staff as you will see in the video. If you are interested in more information or a tour of the course and facilities or having an event held on site let me know and I will gladly put you in touch with Lindsay Kaye, the Membership Director, or Kelly Besser, the Catering/Event Manager. 

Enjoy! 

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Closing Day...

Now Is The Time!

Starting the first quarter of 2010 we have had an incredible push forward to continue the strength of the housing market from the fourth quarter 2009. Prices, in Orlando area, have continued to slowly rebound and stabilize, and the average days on the market has continued to fall. Buyers are becoming wisely competitive and sellers, in many cases, have resolved to a stark understanding of pricing. In Seminole County we are seeing a supply of home around 7.7 months of inventory. For comparison purposes, in “Boom” times the Orlando Regional Realtors Board (ORRA) reports a low of 1.15 months in April of 2005, and a high of 31.64 months in January of 2008. Undoubtedly, we are heading in the right direction. 

Now the sobering subject of availability of funds. The funds have been readily available for the last year for credit worthy borrowers. This packaged with the homebuyers tax credit and low rates have been a now brainer for many borrowers. With this availability accompanied with consumer confidence continuing to rise, as well as prices still falling slightly, borrowed funds are forced to rise. It goes back to the basic laws of supply and demand. There is simply not enough funds for every American to buy property with 4.5% interest rates. Interest rates are the hedge against this type of predicament. 

Freddie Mac is projecting rates to move from just over five percent today for 30-year loans to over 6 percent or higher later in 2010. The Federal Reserve has also scheduled a phase-down of its multi-billion dollar purchases of mortgage backed securities. The point of all this is to note that if you are considering purchasing, or selling, you need to get serious now. Buyers will see a tremendous increase in cost, and sellers will see a decrease in buyers due to availability of funding. Now is the time to purchase or sell while rates are low and prices are stabling. Competition is low between sellers and everyone benefits from the new extended and expanded tax credit. Lock down your financing now and don’t wait. 

Location, Location, Location?

There have been three key words that have surrounded the world of real estate since its beginning. They have defined good investment decisions, home buying decisions, and become a rule of thumb for everyone from first time homebuyers to billionaire tycoons. Location, Location, Location has been the keystone for every real estate purchase. Now, with the tides changing to a slower marketplace in a down economy these words have also begun to evolve. In our current residential marketplace in Central Florida those words have become Price, Price, Price.

We have seen time and time again, great homes, in great locations sit vacant for months and months. On the flip side, we have seen subpar homes, in mediocre neighborhoods receive three and four offers the first day on the market. This has become a trend that is carrying across all price ranges in all neighborhoods. There are a few reasons for this trend. First, buyers are more educated now than they ever have been in the past. The internet has allowed buyers to search through all the available homes on the market without ever leaving their couch. By the time they get out and begin physically looking at properties they are so aware of what it is they are looking for that they are much quicker to write an offer. The key to getting these offers is to have it priced at a point where they are willing to schedule a physical showing. Secondly, investors are a pocket of buyers that have not previously been competing with residential home buyers. Investors can smell value before it hits the MLS and are prepared to write an offer, sometimes, sight unseen.

With all this being said, if you are attempting to sell a home you need to be aware of the circumstances. Pricing for a quick sale does not mean a cheap sale. Well educated buyers are willing to pay market value for a home. Often times sellers price a home with “negotiating room” which leads to them losing much of their buyers market and ultimately taking less for their property due to a lack of demand. Weary sellers can’t negotiate well and never will. Get the most out of your sale by competitively pricing your home.

Keep the new rule of thumb in mind. PRICE, PRICE, PRICE!