Best Dr. Phillips’ homes priced in 300’s

Buyers have come to know Dr. Phillips real estate  by the gated communities that line Apopka Vineland boulevard along with the high prices attached to the homes, but this past year has sprouted a nitch for buyers looking for a great location and homes  modestly priced in the 300’s.

Dr. Phillips located within the city limits of Orlando, Florida has a niche of it’s own rubbing shoulders with a neighbor like Windermere “The town among the lakes” which features estate communities and a quaint down town definitely help home values. 

Usually Dr. Phillips Homes are associated with the high end estate  communities like Phillips Landing, Turtle Creek, Vizcaya and Cypress Point but also have a few established neighborhoods in the heart of Dr. Phillips for buyers looking in the 300’s.  Sometimes overlooked is an established community Bay Vista Estates. Towering Southern Pines and tree covered streets engulf this community featuring unique style homes with brick and stone elevations and some beautiful curb appeal. 

The Bay Vista Estates community is lakefront to Big Sand Lake with a boat ramp, dock and tennis courts for its residents.  Also, convenient to Restaurant Row, Dr. Phillips Park, Disney World, major highways and much more make this prime real estate!  A friendly, well-kept community.

Two homes came on the market this past week for buyers  looking in the 300’s.   The first one is a two story traditional brick home with four bedrooms, two full and two half baths and over 2,500 square feet.   Screened enclosed swimming pool with streaming fountains and a brand new brick paved lanai situated on an oversized private yard with beautifully manicured mature landscaping.  There was lots of hard work and the pride of ownership that went into this  home…

NEW hardwood floors, NEW carpet, NEW double oven & cook top ‘09, NEW microwave, NEW dishwasher, NEWkitchen counter tops, NEWkitchen tile back-splash, NEW A/C units, exterior painted and bricks sealed in ‘05, master bath shower/updated tile in ‘04, NEW hot water heater ‘07, updated 2nd floor bath in ‘06, pool resurfaced, NEW electric pool heater, NEW roof in ‘02 and an upgraded Hurricane Rated garage door.  You will be impressed!

Bay Vista Estates has another new home hit the market in the low 300’s.  Also a traditional brick home which is move-in ready and available for new owners.  Updated and upgraded with four bedrooms and three bathrooms and over 2,400 square feet of living space.  Make no mistake this home is ready for the pickiest buyer.  The foyer welcomes you with cathedral ceilings, a formal living and dining room. 

An inviting Family room features a double sided wood burning fireplace and French doors that open to the tranquil setting of the screen enclosed patio, all overlooking wonderfully matured & professionally manicured landscaped backyard, no rear neighbors.

Sellers are original owners and have taken such unbelievable care of their home, starting with, NEW exterior doors, NEW hot water heater in ‘09, NEW granite kitchen countertops ‘05, NEW Kitchen cabinets, NEW cook top range, NEW microwave, NEW refrigerator, NEW dishwasher, NEW tile floors in Kitchen & Bathrooms, NEW bathroom sinks, NEW A/C units and air handlers ‘03-’08, NEW screen door, NEW light fixtures ‘08, NEW ceiling fans ‘07, NEW roof  ‘06, NEW patio, NEW tile on back patio, patio re-screened and a NEW septic tank installed in ‘03.  This home has it all; home improvements, large lot size, location, “A” rated schools, solid construction and is close to Restaurant Row, Dr. Phillips Park, attractions, Downtown Orlando, I-4 and other major highways.  This home is perfect and will not stay on the market for long!

View all of the Estates at Bay Vista homes and tell a friend!

2009 Parade of Homes Orlando

It’s time again for the Parade of Homes in Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties.  This year marks the 56th annual and will be open to the public from May 3rd, 2009 through May 17th; noon till 6:00pm everyday except Saturdays will start at 10:00am.  With median home prices finally affordable for every budget, this is an ideal time to tour through many custom built home, single-family home, town homes, condominiums and new communities with some focusing on green, energy efficient building.  Every price range will be represented in this year’s Parade of Homes ranging from $100,000 to over $4,000,000.

Whether you are in the market for a new home or just looking to remodel your existing, builders and contractors have their work showcased for you to explorer different options.  Saturday and Sunday, May 9th and 10th, 2009 from noon till 5:00pm, there will be homes open featuring remodeling and design specialties.  View beautiful craftsmanship from the outside to the inside, featuring new elevation ideas, kitchen and bathroom remodels, landscaping, painting, cabinetry and countertops.

Property in Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Winter Park and others are among some of Central Florida’s finest and are listed on the Parade’s tour map.  If you are in search of your next paradise home, don’t miss the opportunity to preview homes in the exclusive KEENE’S POINTE golf community, new lakefront community VENEZIA and the famous BAY HILL Country Club.

Contact TeamConnect at 407-516-1000 to inquire about any of Central Florida’s properties and find out how to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit for home buyers.

Central Florida Bank Owned homes flying off the shelf

Bank owned homes in Central Florida are creating a frenzy among home buyers lately.  With investors landing at OIA daily you end up with a little not so friendly competition for buyers looking for bargains. 

Unlike short sale which can take up to seven to eight weeks for a response, bank owned real estate tends to be priced very attractive and response time on offers is usually under a week. 

Just this weekend looking through the Florida MLS  (Multiple Listing Service) of Mid Regional I was taken back on all the pending sales (homes under contract).   Searching town homes in Dr. Phillips for a buyer that’s interested in The Vistas at Phillips Common, nice gated community off of Wallace, there are only 4 active homes (with one of them signing a contract Monday) 12 pending sales and the activity is not just in this community.  

Working with a couple of investors from Canada and another from Connecticut this past month for condominiums we are seeing the same kind of activity.  The Hamptons at Metrowest, whether you like this area or not the pending sales are piling up with 40 pending and 69 units for sale and that’s just in the Hamptons.  

Buyers tired of the short sales of past and the inability of getting an accepted offer are turning to bank owned.  An increase in bank owned homes this past year are increasing because of the short sale process of 2008.  The process was not streamlined with the understanding in a buyers market buyers are not going to wait around for a couple of months waiting for an initial response to an offer.  If short sales don’t work they usually end up at the court house steps and turn into bank owned and that’s what we are seeing in 2009.   Even sought after Dr. Phillips real estate  has it’s share of bank owned homes being picked through and seeing multiple offers within days on the market.

Is that the bottom I see

Central Florida’s real estate market is starting to see some real activity but don’t just take it from me.  If there is one thing I think we learned going through these rough economic times is  “Trust but verify”  - President Regan.  

Let’s look at the numbers from the Orlando Regional Realtors Association…

New Listings in Central Florida

The decline in new listings is good, less homes being offered for sale will help bring the Central Florida market closer or I should say headed toward, equilibrium. 

New Listings

Under Contract

Contracts pick up this time of year going into Spring but these types of increases so early in the year are indications buyers are seeing value after two years of declining home prices.

New Contracts

 
Total Under Contract

Total pending sales (under contract) shows a dramatic increase of homes that are headed for the closing table.  Less homes on the market and financially healthy buyers in them again will help stabilize the housing market.

Total under contract

While inventory levels may be declining Central Florida still has too many homes for sale keeping  us in a buyers market through out 2009. 

There was a special aired in the United Kingdom this past week which tells us a little about where Central Florida real estate market is in regards to hitting bottom and starting the slow climb up. 

The special was talking about the Florida real estate market and particularly about the Dr. Phillips real estate, community.  After talking to many of the buyers that logged on to our web site (which saw an increase of 306% reported by google analytics) there were two that thought the special was a rerun looking at the prices, but soon figured out the special was about today’s real estate market and prices.   After a busy week getting back to UK buyers we know the United Kingdom consumers see value in Dr. Phillips communities and the Central Florida’s real estate market and we welcome them back

CENTRAL FLORIDA MLS

SEARCH

Dr. Phillips’ newest lakefront community honors TeamConnect

Lee Clark (Venezia), Paula Hemani (TeamConnect), Judy Hamrick (Venezia) & Robert Schott (TeamConnect) Lakefront to Big Sand Lake

Congratulations to Paula Hemani and Robert Schott of Century 21 TeamConnect for having their real estate expertise honored in Dr. Phillips’ newest luxury community, Venezia!  Custom builder Reiche & Silliman recently displayed their appreciation to Paula and Robert by acknowledging Century 21 TeamConnect as one of Dr. Phillips’ top team of real estate agents.  With the team’s high ranking on website search engines Google, Yahoo and MSN, combined with other traditional methods of advertising,  TeamConnect maximizes home exposure and invariably sells homes!

Paula Hemani is available at 407-694-7420 to provide all of the updated information on the new floor plans and great prices at Venezia!  The real estate market is rapidly changing and new opportunities present themselves every day.  Call today for pricing on the two, inventory pool estates recently reduced or one of the few remaining lots availalbe with views of the community pond or Big Sand Lake in this beautiful new luxury community.  Dr. Phillips’ listing specialists at Century 21 TeamConnect are eager to assist in finding the perect lakefront home or Mediterranean estate for you and your family, call us today!

TeamConnect sells in Dr. Phillips' newest luxury lakefront community, Venezia!

Local real estate activity picking up

The Estates at Phillips Landing

Sure we’re in a strong buyers market with so many homes for sale in Central Florida and add the struggling economy.   But we are noticing with the decline in home values the past two years buyers are starting to jump off the fence and into the local communities and attractively priced homes.

Dr. Phillips real estate has always been a sought after area in Orlando Florida and it doesn’t hurt having award winning schools and a great location to boot.  One community in particular Phillips Landing off of Apopka Vineland has seen a number of homes already go under contract this year.   As of this writing Phillips Landing had 30 homes on the market with 9 of them pending (under contract).  A few years ago trying to find alla home in Phillips Landing in the $400,000’s was not possible but with the decline in prices buyers are finding this community very attractive. 

Phillips Landing in Dr. Phillips is a guard gated community lakefront to Big Sand lake and consist of three sections, Bay Harbor, Heritage Bay and million dollar luxury homes in The Estates at Phillips Landing.  Homes feature title roofs, brick paver drives and many of these Mediterranean style homes have beautiful views of Big Sand Lake, peaceful ponds or lush courtyards.

Search Dr. Phillips Homes

The new stimulus package will take a couple of months if not longer to get into the market to make a difference.  We already are seeing value return to many communities now it’s the economy and lending institutions that are holding the housing market down.  This Spring will be a good indicator as to where consumer confidence is and early returns are promising.

Come get your $8,000 new home buyers

The economic stimulus Bill President Obama signed on Tuesday included a tax credit of $8,000 for first – time home buyers on their 2008 or 2009 taxes.  The National Association of Realtors were hoping for the $15,000 that was being talked about.

If you already purchased you could still qualify for the credit, purchases must be made between January 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009 and buyers may not have owned a home for the previous three years.  The home must be their primary residents and they must live in the home for three years or are obligated to pay back the credit.  Additionally Buyers income must be less then $150,000 for couples and $75,000 for singles.

To apply for the tax credit just claim it on your income tax return.  If you already filed your 2008 return you can file an amended return. 

For new home buyers this is a great incentive along with the great deals that are on the market.  TeamConnect is planning a first time home buying seminar where we can answer all your questions about the Central Florida real estate market. 

Orlando homes and Dr. Phillips real estate have had their share of declining home prices and investors and buyers alike are starting to see real value in the housing market, Happy hunting!

Dr. Phillips Real Estate ready for Spring Market

Balloons and streamers are in place and the party is ready to start.  Dr. Phillips real estate is ready to open its doors to buyers that will be looking and purchasing Dr. Phillips homes this Spring.  

Sure it’s a buyers market, inventory levels are still very high with 186 single family homes in Dr Phillips (32836 Wallace to 535 Disney) but buyers are seeing value. 

This weekend helping buyers looking for a newer built home with 3300 to 3700 square feet in the $400,000’s price range we were going into community that a few years ago were off limits.  Gated Phillips Landing and Turtle Creek both had two homes to show that where priced very attractive.  Buyers are pleasantly surprised by what their dollar can purchase today, they are seeing value.

Windermere’s unique Luxury Homes

Isleworth Windermere Florida

Home buyers looking at Luxury homes in Windermere communities most likely are searching this area for the larger home sites, mature landscaping with tree cover streets, water views and unique homes with a lot character. 

During the 2000 real estate boom in Central Florida builders were putting homes on smaller lot sizes to take advantage of the strong sellers market.  More homes closer together equals more homes built and increases in profit.  Today’s buyers are purchasing in just the opposite kind of market, a strong buyers market and because of that want more.  

The past two years Windermere’s Luxury homes have had their share of declining home values just like the rest of Florida and the nation for that matter.  Luxury home prices are starting to look attractive and are falling into a new set of  buyers that maybe didn’t think they could enter the luxury market. 

Just looking at Tildens Grove in 2005 homes with 4,000 plus square feet where in the $800,000 to $900,000 and today you can get one of these newer constructed homes in the $700,000’s.  Gradual decreases in price until value comes back. 

A few popular luxury communities with great locations are off of Park Avenue.  Butler Bay, Chaine Du Lac and Windermere Country Club to name a few.  For buyers don’t rule out communities on past perception, the real estate market’s decline the past few years has taken no prisoners, have fun searching.

Post super Bowl starts real estate market

Sooo Close!

Watching only the last quarter of the Super Bowl this year I missed the over the board pre game fluff and enjoyed just
the exiting finish.  What I really was waiting for was the end of the game and the beginning of the spring real estate market to start.  The week after the Super Bowl is a good indicator of buyer activity and how the spring market will shape up. 

Early returns show buyers are seeing value in the Central Florida real estate market.  Just this past weekend I was talking to a couple that were looking  to sell because they always wanted a lake front home in a  Windermere community.   We figured out they would need to bring $10,000 to the closing table in order to sell their home but on the other end buying a lake front home at a great deal. 

This is an example of only one seller but are the types of converstions the team has been having with homeowners, they want to sell so that they can buy.  The couple looking for a Luxury Windermere home are basically paying $10,000 to be a buyer in today’s real estate market.  A good investment?  I know they would have their pick of some attractively priced Windermere lake front homes.  Another area I recommended they look at is the New lake front community in Dr. Phillips, Venezia.   Fifty three Mediterranean style homes with twenty two of them being lake front to Big Sand Lake. 

With more investors entering the real estate market and first time home buyers feeling it’s time to jump off the fence this is yet another stream of buyers the market desperatly needs.  Basic economics is gradual decrease in price until value returns.  The activity from our web sites and showing request on the team’s listings is telling us buyers definitely are seeing value in the market. 

Like trying to predict a Super Bowl many uncontrollable variables come into play.  Early predictions on the 2009 real estate market will see starts and stops which is normal for a market trying to find it’s bottom.   Home prices have been declining the past two years, value is coming back if not here in some areas.  For 2009 we’ll even take an Arizona comeback that was “ALMOST”!