All closed real estate transactions between January 1, 2011 through August 31, 2011.

Data provided by Real Data Strategies, Inc., an independent consulting company.  The above representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the referenced Multiple Listing Service and it’s member associations of REALTORS®.  Neither RE/MAX, the Multiple Listing Service, nor the member associations of REALTORS® guarantee or are in any way responsible for data accuracy.  The data includes all reported listings sold and closed for the referenced area, county or city.  The data may not reflect all real estate activity in the marketplace. This is not intended to solicit property currently listed with any other broker.  This chart cannot be altered in any way; it must be shown in its original format. Any changes are strictly prohibited. Each RE/MAX office is independently owned and operated.

The Avon Park Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has a great incentive to invest in Avon Park. 

After purchasing a business or residential home, a buyer may qualify for free money or matching funds to improve the exterior of the property. I cannot say enough about this fantastic opportunity offered by the CRA. There are many great deals on commercial building, residential homes and rental/investment properties within the three CRA districts of Avon Park. Speaking from my personal experience, I was able to take advantage of the CRA matching grant for business owners. After purchasing a commercial building Main Street in downtown Avon Park, my husband and I qualified to receive a CRA Matching Grant.

As a past member of the Avon Park City Council and now property owner on Main Street, I believe in Avon Park and take pride in making our city better. For businesses, matching grants are available for the improvement of storefronts. This is the grant my husband and I applied for. Total allowable funds per business are 50% of costs up to a maximum of $5,000. Last year, after purchasing a foreclosed office building on Main St., which is now home to Carl Cool Engineering and Main Street Professional Offices, we applied for a grant. This grant paid half the costs for repairing stucco, exterior paint, adding stacked stone to the building front and a new awning. Carl and I are very proud of our office building and have received so many compliments with what we have done with the building.

Also available are Free Home Facade Grants for homeowners who meet very low, low or moderate income requirements. Homeowners who qualify can receive funds up to $2,500 per owner occupied homes every two years. For homeowners who do not qualify for the Free Home Facade Grant, a Matching Facade Grant is available. The total allowable funds for this matching grant are 50% of costs up to a maximum of $2,500 per residence per year. The homes do not have to be owner occupied.

Just as job hunters may wonder what top employers want to see on a resume, prospective borrowers may be curious about what lenders look for on a loan application.

The four C's

The answer may be summed up with a mnemonic called "The four C's,"

•    Capacity, which refers to the adequacy of the borrower's income to cover the interest and principal due on the loan, plus property taxes and homeowners insurance.
•    Character, which refers to the borrower's track record of paying debts, as evidenced by his or her credit history and credit score.
•    Capital, which refers to the borrower's down payment (or equity) as a percentage of the current value of the home.
•    Collateral, which refers to the safety and soundness of the home and the value of the home as determined by an appraisal relative to the agreed-upon purchase price.
Today’s mortgage broker might use a quadrant with "income," "credit," "assets" and "property" in the four corners, but his point is the same as that of the four C's:  What lenders like to see is strength and stability in all four areas.

Maybe your credit score has some dings or you need a stated-income loan.  Borrowers who are qualified but whose down payment will be less than 20% of the purchase price of the home must withstand a second level of scrutiny. That's because mortgage insurers also have to approve such loans, and they have "completely different qualification ratios”. Borrowers in this situation should discuss their options with a loan officer who is familiar with lenders' and insurers' guidelines.

Have paperwork in order

Be able to back up your word. Lenders rely not on the borrower's say-so but on a pile of paperwork to verify and document the borrower's financial position. At a minimum, most borrowers are required to submit the following:
•    One month of paycheck stubs.
•    Two years of W-2 forms.
•    Three months of bank account statements.

Additional paperwork also may be required:
•    If you're self-employed or earn more than 25% of your income from commissions or bonuses, you'll need to hand over two years of income tax returns.
•    If you're divorced, the lender will want a copy of your settlement to ascertain how much alimony or child support you're obligated to pay or are entitled to receive and the duration of those payments.
•    If you've filed for bankruptcy protection within the past seven years, you'll need to show your bankruptcy papers.
•    If you've deferred repayment of student loans, you should provide your deferral agreement as well.

If you have a student loan that is going to be deferred for at least 12 months, that may help you qualify. So definitely bring in the account numbers for those loans. Student loans are considered debt, but deferral of payment could possibly strengthen your application.

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In this fun filled event, cyclists will ride 25, 50, 100 or 200 kilometer routes around the southern shores of Lake Okeechobee to raise funds and awareness for the Coalition and its mission.

For more information about promoting literacy at Okeechobee call 305-385-4010 or email events@excelsportsevents.com.

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As you are preparing to

Debt-to-income ratio is the comparison of the money you earn to the money you owe.  The debt included is credit card debt, existing mortgages, auto loans and any other personal debt.

Your mortgage lender will look at your Debt-To-Income (DTI) to evaluate your ability to afford your new mortgage. It is a good idea to know what your DTI ratio is before you approach a lender or consider buying a new home.

You ultimately want to achieve a low DTI ratio. A high number means that you have less disposable income and less ability to maintain the home once you purchase it. With foreclosures at an all time high, lenders are not willing to assume any additional risk in lending.

Most lenders seek DTI ratios in the 20-36% range or lower, with no more than 28% of debt dedicated to the mortgage itself. While some lenders will consider higher ratios, DTIs in the upper 30% range are considered high risk.

There are several different calculators available online to help you determine your ratio, and you can always check with your financial institution for guidance on determining your DTI ratio.

Here’s a simple formula:

• Add all your monthly payments (mortgage or rent, car, credit cards, any other debt payments)
• Add your gross income (before taxes), bonuses, alimony, or any other outside income and divide by 12
• Then divide the total number in (1) by the final number in (2)

The result is your DTI ratio. In this difficult economy lenders are tightening lending requirements so learning your DTI is important whether you are purchasing a home or just want to keep up on your financial health. When you know what your numbers are you can learn what to do to get the ratio lower and get closer to becoming debt free.

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Everyone is ready for spring!  So check out the Springtime on the Mall this weekend in

Avon Park Chamber of Commerce is hosting an Arts, Crafts, & Folk Music Festival in Avon Park.  Friday and Saturday, March 25-26^th. 

More than 100 vendors have signed up to participate featuring various arts and crafts items such as woodworking, jewelry, photography, lawn ornaments and handcrafted items.

Folk music artists.will perform 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday at the main stage located underneath the traffic signal at the intersection of Main Street and Lake Avenue.

The scheduled performers are: 10-11 a.m. - A2J; 11 a.m.-noon - Country Grass; noon-1 p.m. – Frank Thomas; 1-2 p.m. – Jerry Mincey and 2-3 p.m. – Blue Harmony.

For more information please call 863-453-3350.

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There are many different types of home loans available and you need to know which one will work best for your individual situation before you actually purchase a home.

I often get many questions often from potential Highlands County buyers who are confused and often overwhelmed by the home mortgage process. Getting a home loan doesn't have to be an ordeal if you do your homework first. A qualified real estate agent can assist with a list of local lenders and information resources to make your life easier. So just ask!

I recommend that you do two things right away, even before you start house hunting for that perfect Highlands County Home:

1) Get your credit reports from the “Big Three” credit reporting agencies. Lenders will review these reports, and you need to know what they contain--and where you stand. Don’t be surprised by “red flags” when negotiating with a lender. Take action beforehand to correct or explain the negatives.

Under Federal law, you’re entitled to one free report from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion each year. Visit here to learn more.

2) Get pre-qualification from one or more lenders on a possible loan amount. That way you’ll have a good “guesstimate” of the loan amount you would qualify for--and how much house you can afford. Once you’ve chosen a lender, you can even get pre-approved for a loan. Knowing your mortgage limit up front will be a tremendous help in your search for the right home.

When you are looking for a mortgage loan, you need to know there are many resources available for you to learn more about the basics and the best way to work with lenders. 

There are many resources available out there for you to learn more about mortgage loan basics and the best way to work with lenders. One resource I like is Looking for the Best Mortgage, it is a free, easy-to-understand booklet you can download from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. You’ll get a “shop, compare, negotiate” strategy:

* How to get loan information from more than one lender
* How to get rate and fee information that you can compare
* How to get your “best deal”

This publication also includes a glossary of common mortgage loan terms and a handy worksheet you can use when talking with lenders. The worksheet is great. You’ll find yourself saying, “I didn't even think of that!” And that’s why it’s such a valuable resource: It keeps you organized and on point.

The first step in buying your dream home is getting the home loan. So it is very important you do the legwork ahead of time.  Learn what you need to know to start with and make the process of getting approved for your home loan a lot smoother.

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Enjoy race day at the

Sebring International Raceway is America's premier sports car racing facility. Nestled among the orange groves and cattle ranches of central Florida, it is the oldest permanent road racing track in North America, evolving from a World War II air base.

Click here for tickets and for a copy of the schedule click here.

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These tips and suggestions can help you make the best possible impression on any lender so that you can purchase your dream home in Highlands County.

Below are some of the top things that lenders are looking for.

The four C's

The answer may be summed up with a mnemonic called "The four C's,"

•    Capacity, which refers to the adequacy of the borrower's income to cover the interest and principal due on the loan, plus property taxes and homeowners insurance.
•    Character, which refers to the borrower's track record of paying debts, as evidenced by his or her credit history and credit score.
•    Capital, which refers to the borrower's down payment (or equity) as a percentage of the current value of the home.
•    Collateral, which refers to the safety and soundness of the home and the value of the home as determined by an appraisal relative to the agreed-upon purchase price.

Today’s mortgage broker might use a quadrant with "income," "credit," "assets" and "property" in the four corners, but his point is the same as that of the four C's:  What lenders like to see is strength and stability in all four areas.

Maybe your credit score has some dings or you need a stated-income loan.  Borrowers who are qualified but whose down payment will be less than 20% of the purchase price of the home must withstand a second level of scrutiny. That's because mortgage insurers also have to approve such loans, and they have "completely different qualification ratios”. Borrowers in this situation should discuss their options with a loan officer who is familiar with lenders' and insurers' guidelines.

Have paperwork in order

Lenders rely not on the borrower's say-so but on a pile of paperwork to verify and document the borrower's financial position. At a minimum, most borrowers are required to submit the following:
•    One month of paycheck stubs.
•    Two years of W-2 forms.
•    Three months of bank account statements.

Additional paperwork also may be required:
•    If you're self-employed or earn more than 25% of your income from commissions or bonuses, you'll need to hand over two years of income tax returns.
•    If you're divorced, the lender will want a copy of your settlement to ascertain how much alimony or child support you're obligated to pay or are entitled to receive and the duration of those payments.
•    If you've filed for bankruptcy protection within the past seven years, you'll need to show your bankruptcy papers.
•    If you've deferred repayment of student loans, you should provide your deferral agreement as well.

If you, the borrower, have a student loan that is going to be deferred for at least 12 months, that may hel you to qualify. So you will want to bring that information as well, to your lender.  Student loans are considered debt, but the deferment of the repayment could possibly strengthen your application.

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The weather will be perfect this weekend and on Sunday, March 13^th  join

This event draws lake pilots and enthusiasts from around the world. This event takes place on Lake Jackson behind the Sunset Grill Restaurant in Sebring.

 Bring the whole family for an exciting time! Food will be served all day.

For more information contact Bill Schmalz at 954-427-7158.

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When you are ready to sell your Highlands County home, it must be prepared to sell BEFORE putting it on the market. The current real estate market and sluggish economy had made the competition tough but many sellers are successful if they  do their homework. work.

Location continues to be a very important criteria for success. It enhances the demand and desirability. Successful sellers tend to have the perfect “recipe” of exceptionally good pricing, extremely good condition and presentation and professional marketing.

Another option to consider is to hiring a home stager, which is an accredited professional who is trained to assist homeowners in getting their home in tip top show room condition. I can recommend someone for this as well.  This is a service that many agents provide to their prospective clients. 

To arrange a time to meet or for a recommendation to a local home stager, please feel to contact me by email or phone. 

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Make plans to go back in time and learn how pioneers lived! This exciting event runs from March 2^nd through March 6^th,  

The Florida Frontiersmen will be conducting daily demonstrations on Pioneer living at its best. Activities will include dutch oven cooking, wood burning, basket weaving, pioneer toys, how to make and play a native American flute, wood burning and several other 1800s era activities.

There will be a flea market area where 491 flea market booths that sell items from old tools to arts and crafts. All this wonderful family entertainment and taking a stroll down memory lane for the low cost of $2.00 daily admission or $5.00 for the weekly pass.  For more information visit http://www.hardeecounty.net/ or call 863-773-2161.    

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In a buyers market you want to do everything you can to get your

The first step is to clear out excess clutter. If you have already planned to sell your home, start making some necessary preparations. Start by removing all knick knacks and large decorative fixtures. You want the potential home buyer to see the potential in your home not your decorative collections. Excess clutter can make your home feel smaller as well as make buyers feel uncomfortable and you want them to picture themselves living in your home.

Eliminate odors! The smell of animals, musty smells or even strong cleaning agents will leave a bad impression on buyers. You want the home to be clean but not smell like cleaning chemicals or even strong air fresheners. Do a throughout cleaning and burn a simple candle like vanilla to give the home a comfy and clean aromatic environment.

Some studies have shown that most of the buyers look for homes that are ready to move in. Make sure to fix all the damaged areas of the house from both small and large problems. Even a broken door handle can leave buyers wondering if there are more issues that may be lurking. Touch up all old and peeling paint, fix all leaky faucets and have the carpets cleaned. Small touches can make a big difference.

While selling your home, it is important that every room must be able to display what is expected of it. For example, your dining room should be shown as a dining room, so it should contain some dining tables and a few chairs. If you have been using it for a make shift office or storage it can turn off buyers. 

If you have just purchased a new home or are going to be

The price of a Home warranty  can vary but they are normally inexpensive usually ranging from $250 to $600 annually, depending on the coverage you choose.  Each company will have their own different policies and requirements but most tend to operate the same way.  For example, if an appliance or item covered breaks or stops working, the home owner just calls the home warranty company. The home warranty company  then calls a provider with which it has an arrangement and they contact the homeowner to come out to fix the problem. Typically if the problem can be fixed per the contract coverage than the warranty pays the contractor directly.

Each company is different in what items they cover but below are some typical systems and appliacnces that are covered and what are not typically considered to be included.

 Typically Covered

• Air conditioner system/ Furnace / heating
• Dishwashers
• Doorbells
• Water heater
• Garbage disposals
• Inside plumbing stoppages
• Ceiling fans
• Electrical systems
• Range and oven

Typically not covered

• Outdoor items such as sprinklers, or pool filters/spa systems
• Not all plans pay for refrigerators, washers & dryers or garage door openers
• Spa or pools, unless specific coverage requested

Keep in mind that pre-existing conditions are not covered. The home warranty company will start with a clean sheet and they require the home owner to fix any pre-existing issues before the new policy becomes effective. It is a good idea to get the home inspection done before you sign the contract so that you have proof if necessary.

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Entry fees are $25 and students with current I.D. may register for $15.  Every participant receives a Dri-Fit long-sleeve shirt.

Registration is 7-7:45 AM on race day in the SFCC Panther Gym at 600 West College Drive in Avon Park. The race begins at 8AM on a route that travels past the SFCC Theatre for the Performing Arts and the Tower of Enlightenment, around the Health and Science Education Center, past the SFCC Public Service Academy, down to Memorial Drive, and then returns to its starting point.

Awards will be presented to the first three finishers in each age and gender category as well as Overall and Masters. For more information call 453-3133.

The weather is going to be great, come out and join!

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Buying a home can be confusing and can leave even seasoned buyers with questions. Below is some more information and clarification on the buying and selling process!

Settlement begins once you’ve signed a buyer’s purchase contract to sell your home. Settlement, or closing escrow, is the process of transferring ownership, title, of the home from seller to buyer.

The real estate agents involved in the sale often take care of these arrangements. But the buyer and seller are the ones ultimately responsible for making sure they are taken care of correctly. Here are the basics:

Buyer’s Responsibilities

     Buyer gets a loan.

The buyer must first secure the financing to buy the house. Usually this means taking out a mortgage loan. Most lenders require a complete financial picture, including income and expenses, and a credit check. In addition, most want an up-to-date appraisal of the home, a survey of the property and, often, some inspections (for pests, radon gas, flood plain, etc.). Some lenders specify which service providers they want the borrower to use. Once all the paperwork is in, the borrower should keep in touch with the lender until receiving a loan commitment.

Obtain homeowner’s insurance.

The buyer needs to purchase a hazard insurance policy in advance for the new home. The buyer is also required to purchase title insurance policy – usually at settlement – to protect the lender. If the buyer wishes to bring an attorney to settlement, arrangements should be made 30 to 60 days in advance.

Receive Good Faith Estimate.

A few days before settlement, the buyer should receive a Good Faith Estimate of settlement costs. In addition to the loan commitment letter, the buyer must bring a certified or cashier's check for the down payment and any other costs due at settlement. These costs include mortgage interest from the closing date to the first payment due, escrow for property taxes and insurance, and various taxes and recording fees.

 Seller's Responsibilities

     Select closing agent.

The seller typically designates the settlement agent, usually 30 to 60 days before closing. The seller and listing agent work together to arrange inspections and appraisals and to provide needed paperwork such as a housing plat map, previous title insurance information and any prior inspections.

     Give loan payoff notice.

The sellers also need to check with their lender to get up-to-date figures for the payoff of the mortgage, and to learn if any rebates are due for pre-paid taxes or insurance.

Joint Responsibilities

     Stay on top of details.

Both the buyer and seller need to give the settlement agent all pertinent information requested. And, since many long and detailed forms are usually signed at settlement, consider requesting copies of the basic settlement forms several days in advance to pre-read them if practical. The focus at the settlement table is on checking the exact figures to be sure they are accurate.

     Designate legal representative.

If either the buyers or sellers cannot come to closing, they should notify the settlement agent well in advance so a Power of Attorney form can be prepared. The person named on the form can act as the signer’s legal representative.

Once all the papers are signed and money paid, the keys are handed over to the buyer and the sale is complete.

Our professional experience can help you go to closing with extreme confidence. Call or e-mail us for more information on how to make the sale go smoothly.

Are you buying or selling? What questions do you have about this process?

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Check out this trombone duo

Bill Allred is a former Disney and Rosie O’Grady musician and he leads the Bill Allred Classic Jazz Band and other projects making him the busiest trombonist on the jazz scene today.

Dave Steinmeyer was a musician in the US Air Force for 28 years, playing lead trombone with the world famous Airmen of Note. 

The quintet includes Jeff Phillips on keyboard, Charlie Silva on bass, and Eddie Metz Jr on the drums.

This performance, called Kai, J.J. and More, begins at 7:30pm on Saturday, February 19^th at the South Florida Community College of Performing Arts on 600 West College Drive in Avon Park. 

What's your favorite jazz tune?

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The Pre-approval Letter

Your friends and family may know you to be reliable, dependable and someone who pays bills on time, but all others in a real estate transaction will require you to prove it. That’s where preapproval comes in. A preapproval letter is more reliable than a pre-qualification letter. In the preapproval process, a lender will examine your finances and will make a preliminary statement on the size of the loan for which you’ll qualify.

Preapproval is an involved process. The lender will take all pertinent information regarding your finances and perform an extensive check on your current financial status. This procedure will ultimately give you the exact loan amount that you will be eligible for (depending on what type of loan you decide to select.) Being preapproved lets the seller know that you have gone through an extensive financial evaluation and there should be no unexpected obstacles to buying the home. It makes your offer much more powerful.

Preapproval gives you a very good indication of:

• How much down payment you’ll need

• Your closing costs

• Your monthly payment (including PITI: principal, interest, taxes and insurance)

• The type of loan for which you qualify and which best suits your needs; and,

• Special programs for which you may be qualified, including those for veterans, first-time buyers, teachers, etc.

• To become pre-approved you will need to provide a lender with the following:

• Your employment and income history (including recent pay stubs)

• Your monthly debts

• The amount and source of cash available for the down payment and closing costs

Pre-approval letters are not binding on the lender, they are subject to an appraisal of the home you want to purchase and are time sensitive. If your financial situation changes, interest rates rise or a pre-determined date passes, the lender will review your situation and recalculate your maximum mortgage amount accordingly. You can research lenders yourself and ask them to pre-approve you.

The big day has finally come. Inspections have been completed,

You may have depleted some or all of your savings in the home buying process. There is so much more you want to do now that you are moved in. It is easy to do more than you can afford or budgeted for. Don't be tempted. Before you make this mistake, here are some easy tips to help you build your savings back up.

1. Your first priority should be to rebuild your emergency savings. Homeownership brings unexpected expenses. Fund should be available to take care of the unexpected. This is more important than updating or redecorating your new home.

2. Do make a list of the updating and decorating you want to do. It is tempting to buy new things for your home. But, spend only the money you have budgeted. It is easy to splurge and charge lots of pretty things. Don't be tempted.

3. Keep your great credit score that made it possible for you to buy your home. Automate your payments. Late payments are more damaging to your credit now than ever before.

4. Keep good records of your home, especially repairs, replacements and warranties. Your HUD statement from closing may be needed at tax time for tax deductions. It is easier to keep good records than trying to reconstruct your deductions at tax time.

5. Don't forget to file for Homestead Exemption. The deadline for filing is March 1.

6. You may have gotten a great deal on your new home. But, in this crazy market, home values could still decrease. In the Fall when the new tax values notices are mailed, you will have a window of opportunity to appeal the tax value of your home. If you ever have a question about the tax value of your home, contact me at http://www.mysebringhomevalue.com.

Remember, I have a many service professionals that can help you with improvements and updating for your home. In addition if you need a list of professional for taxes, insurance or other services, please call me anytime for recommendations.

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