This duplex is located in Spring Lake in a golfing community.

This unit offers a great opportunity to live in one side and rent the other. One unit has a 15x30 caged pool and fenced backyard. The other side is the same floor plan and a screened porch. The floor plan is identical on both sides. The unit with the pool has tile throughout the living area and new carpet in the bedrooms. A sliding glass door opens from the family room to a screened porch. The kitchen has a pass through to the family room. Both units are in move in condition. 7737 new carpet throughout, tile in the kitchen and baths and the decor is fun colors.

You will enjoy this beautiful lakefront home on the clear, clean sand bottom lake of Dinner Lake located close to all the quaint and fun activities of downtown Sebring. 

Tucked away in a private setting on over 1 1/3 acre, this updated charming home has so much to offer including beautiful lake views from all the main living areas.   Enter into a large living room with plenty of place for a pool table.  Large windows looked out onto the deck and lake.   As you walk through the home you will immediately notice all floors are tiled for easy maintenance. The eat-in kitchen is all new with cabinets, counters and appliances and opens to a family room.  The family room is flexible and could make a large dining area.  French doors on both sides, one opens to the deck and the other set open to a large screened porch with brick paver floors, the perfect setting for entertain friends after a fun day on the lake.  Located just off the kitchen is a bonus room -- another area for entertaining. Make this space into a bunk room for overnight guests or just use your imagination or leave it as the present use another space for friends and family to gather.  The master bed bedroom is roomy with a private bath that has been updated and has a step in shower.  The split floor plan home has two guest bedrooms separated by a guest bath.  Now step outside to your large backyard with stately old oaks and walk down to you private dock with two lifts and you are ready for a day on the lake either for good fishing, boating and water sports or just sitting there relaxing and enjoying the view.

This home is the perfect home if you are looking for a move in ready home, tastefully decorated and with lots of detail and upgrades.

The minute you walk up to the front door you will notice how beautifully maintained this home is. It is freshly painted and the landscape is well manicured. Upon entering into the great room, you will love the open feel with high ceilings and plant shelves. The open space offers flexible uses. The current owner has separated it for a dining room/living room combination. French doors open to a large screened porch for additional year round living space. The custom built home by Ron Handley has a well thought out floor plan for maximum use of space. Upgrades included laminate wood floors throughout, plantation shutters on the windows and crown molding. The step counter/bar is a great spot for casual meal or for guest to sit while entertaining and it conveniently separates kitchen from the great room. You will love the plantation shutters in this space. The laundry room is directly off the kitchen and opens to the garage. The master bedroom is spacious, with more planation shutters, a private bath and step in shower. The guest bedrooms in the split floor plan are charming. One has a bay window with planation shutters; the other overlooks the backyard which is currently the owner’s home office. The corner lot offers a large fenced backyard and the vegetable garden is already started for you! Double gates off the side street offer access for boat or RV storage in the backyard. The garage is oversized with a side entry garage with a circular drive attached to the side driveway. Located in a newer area of homes and close to Hidden Beach, the current owners enjoy the walking trail on Lake Jackson. You are a short bike ride to the quaint and charming Circle of downtown Sebring.

This charming home is located in a country setting near Lake June in Placid Lakes. 

The home is well maintained and has an open floor plan.  As you enter the front door, you will immediately notice how light and bright the home is with the high vaulted ceiling throughout the home.  The dining area opens to a patio (great for entertaining and grilling out) with sliding French doors.  A peninsula separates the dining area from the kitchen and is a great spot for casual meals.  The kitchen is large with a pantry, newer appliances, wood cabinets and lots of detail.  The split floor plan has a large master bedroom with private bath which includes a soak tub and step in shower.  The additional two bedrooms offer a guest bedroom and opportunity for a home office as the current owner has done.  The home has been freshly painted and has an upgraded irrigation system.  Curbing lines the flowerbeds.  The home also includes a 10x16 workshop for additional storage or for the handy person!  The AC is new.  This home is move in ready and waiting for you! 

Beautiful building lot in area of large homes located on the 12th Tee of Harder Hall Golf Course and close to club house.

This lot has city water and sewer available. Not much clearing is need. This is a great opportunity to buy low and hold the lot until you are ready to retire and build. You are a short cart ride the Sebring Municiple Golf Course. This area is truly golfer's heaven. Lot 43 on the north property line is also available at the same price.  ATTENTION: Owner will consider financing!

Come see this great lot in a beautiful location with golf course frontage on the 12th Tee of Harder Hall Championship Golf Course.

Water and sewer is available. This is a great time to purchase a great home site at below market value. If you are not ready to buy or retire, buy now and hold for future use. Lot 44 is also available at the same price. ATTENTION: Owner will consider financing!

Beautiful Golf Course Building lot located on the 4th tee of Harder Hall Executive Golf Course and driving range.

Water and Sewer is available. You are only a short golf cart ride to Harder Hall Golf Course and Sebring Municipal Golf Course. Now is the time while land prices are low and build in the future when you are ready to spend the winters in Florida. There are 12 other golf course lots available. Owner will consider a package deal. ATTENTION: Owner financing available!

A must see lot located on Harder Hall Executive Golf Course overlooking the 5th fairway.

Nice building lot that does not require much clearing. City water and sewer is available. Buy now at rock bottom prices and build your dream home when you are ready. Or buy for investment hold and sell at a later date. Golfer's Paradise close to 3 golf courses --- short cart ride to Sebring Muni and Harder Hall Course. 12 lots are available, buy one or buy as a package. ATTENTION: Owner will consider financing available!

A must see lot located on Harder Hall Executive Golf Course overlooking the 5th Fairway.

Nice building lot that does not require much clearing. City water and sewer is available. Buy now at rock bottom prices and build your dream home when you are ready. Or buy for investment hold and sell at a later date. Golfer's Paradise close to 3 golf courses --- short cart ride to Sebring Muni and Harder Hall Course. 12 lots are available, buy one or buy as a package.  ATTENTION: Owner will consider financing available!

A must see lot located on Harder Hall Executive Golf Course overlooking the 5th hole.

Nice building lot that does not require much clearing. City water and sewer is available. Buy now at rock bottom prices and build your dream home when you are ready. Or buy for investment hold and sell at a later date. Golfer's Paradise close to 3 golf courses --- short cart ride to Sebring Muni and Harder Hall Course. 12 lots are available, buy one or buy as a package.  ATTENTION: Owner will consider financing available!

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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