Orlando Real Estate

Keep you Plumbing in good shape – it could cost you thousands!

2008-12-13T15:36:00.000-05:00

Good information from Brenda DeArmond

Never put dairy products, fats, oil, grease or greasy foods down the garbage disposal or drain.

If you have oils to dispose of, mix them with kitty litter or coffee grounds, put it in a container with a lid and put it in the trash. Save old margarine/butter tubs for this or empty cans.

You can freeze fats, oils and grease in a container with a tight-sealing lid and then throw in the trash.

If you have a large container or fats or oils, you will need to call your local household hazardous waste collection facility or sewage treatment plant for guidance for disposal.

Unless you dispose of these items property, you could be costing yourself not only money, but unpleasant sewer blockages and overflows which means a big mess.

1% Interest Rate

2008-12-03T07:20:00.004-05:00

Good information from Brenda DeArmond

Yes, you heard it right. You could be getting a very low interest rate if the situation is right. This is called the USDA Rural Housing Mortgage Direct Loan. This is a mortgage program that gives 100% financing, including, if necessary, the funding fee, closing costs, and prepaids. If the house you are interested qualifies as a rural area, and you make under a certain amount, you could qualify for one of these loans.

In order to qualify for the Direct Loan, you would have to go directly to the provider rather than a mortgage broker. This is a Government loan. The name of the loan is Section 502 Direct Loans. You must be considered low income. If you are between 50% and 80% of the area median income, you would be considered low income. If you are below 50% of the area median, you are considered very low income.

These loans are for up to 33 years or even 38 years for those with incomes below the 60% mark and can't afford a 33-year loan. The interest rate is based on what it cost the Government and is modified by payment assistance subsidies.

You may not get a 1% interest rate but would you pay 3%?

As we progress through this credit crisis, you are going to see more and more of new mortgage plans develop. Stand by.

Call me at 1-800-504-6066 for more updated information.

Tankless Hot Water Heaters

2008-11-20T11:04:00.002-05:00

Good information from Brenda DeArmond

In order to be more energy efficient you may want to consider purchasing a tankless hot water heater. Contact a plumber before deciding which model to purchase that best suits your home. Some may think that tankless hot water heaters do not provide enough hot water for the entire family. The heat exchanger technology used in tankless hot water heaters is designed to provide a full flow of heated water to an entire household. With tankless you are able to provide enough hot water for 2-3 showers at a time. You could save approximately 12% if you convert to tankless. Tankless are generally more efficient because they heat only when the water is needed. So do something good for the environment and good for yourself.

Go Green

2008-11-16T11:41:00.002-05:00

Good information from Brenda DeArmond

You keep hearing about going green. Just what does that mean? It means we need to be more environmentally friendly when building and remodeling. How can you do this? Start with your bathroom by installing low-flow toilets in addition to showerhead and faucet aerators. Toilets account for up to 28% of water usage in your home. If you have a toilet that was installed prior to 1994, your toilet could be using twice as much water as a modern toilet. Newer models instantly save water and money. This savings could be up to $500/year.

Using a low-flow showerhead could also save approximately $250/year. The lowest flow showerhead averages1.2 to 1.4 gallons per minute -- means you use about half the water you normally would use. Some even have a soap button which you can push and is stops the flow of water while you soap us. Pretty nifty! It only takes a couple of minutes to install and the cost is under $15.

So, what you you waiting for. Let's all go Green!

Looking to List Your Home?

2008-11-01T10:17:00.002-04:00

Good information from Brenda DeArmond

When considering a REALTOR®, ask if they offer the following:

1. Complete multiple listing service.
2. Enhanced listings on www.realtor.com.
3. Exposure in a real estate magazine
4. Exposure in a real estate magazine's website which is viewed by millions of people per month
5. Virtual Tour on all listings
6. Exposure on your local newspaper web site
7. A link on your agent’s web page
8. Attend all closings and review all paperwork
9. Many years in the real estate business
10. Full time in the real estate business

You need as much exposure as possible in this market. If your REALTOR® does not offer all of this, perhaps it’s time for a change. Please give me a call at 1-800-504-6066.

1031 Exchanges

2008-10-17T08:26:00.001-04:00

Good information from Brenda DeArmond

Own an investment property? Did you know you can defer any capital gains? This is done through a 1031 Exchange. When using the 1031 Exchange you will defer any such gain until sometime in the future. As long as you purchase another investment property of “like-kind” of equal value, you will qualify. This is a definite time line that you must follow. Once your first property is sold, you have 45 days to identify a replacement property. The exchange must be completed by the date that is 180 days after the transfer of the relinquished property, or the due date of the taxpayer’s federal tax return for the year in which the relinquished property was transferred, whichever is earlier.
You will need to contact a qualified intermediary. There are several companies that specialize in 1031 exchanges. The intermediary cannot be the taxpayer. The intermediary acquires the relinquished property and transfers it to the buyer. Then the intermediary holds the sales proceeds to prevent the taxpayer from having receipt of the funds. The final leg of the transaction the intermediary acquires the replacement property and transfers it to the taxpayer.
Timelines are very important. For further information, contact an intermediary of your choice of feel free to give me a call or email me.

Polybutylene Pipes

2008-10-03T09:13:00.002-04:00

Good information from Brenda DeArmond

Poly leaks have made havoc in some homes. You could be out for the evening and a pipe could burst in their homeand destroy your home. Polybutylene was installed in more than six million homes during the 80's and early 90's. Pipes leaked in thousands of homes across the United States. Lawsuits were filed. Many of these suits were grouped into a Class Action. In 1995, two manufactures of the raw material used to make polysettled a case and agreed to a $950 million settlement. A third manufacturer settled the case by establishing a fund that may provide a 10% reimbursement for property owners with acetal insert fittings, and a leak is not required.

What do you do if this is in your home? Check for a gray plastic pipe under sinks or in exposed areas in the basement or attic. Call a plumber if you are not sure or if you suspect you have this in your home. The cost to replumb a home is just a few thousand dollars and it takes less than a week.

I ran into this situation recently here in Florida and found out that a lot of insurance companies will not insure a home if they know it contains polybutylene.

Reverse Mortgages

2008-09-14T09:59:00.002-04:00

Good information from Brenda DeArmond

Did you know once you reach the age of 62 years old you are eligible to get a reverse mortgage? Did you also know that you can purchase a home with a reverse mortgage? This has become a great tool for seniors to obtain another home using the equity from their previous home. Criteria is that everyone on the mortgage must be over the age of 62. For example, based on a loan with an interest rate of approximately 9% and a home qualifying for $100,000, a 65-year-old could borrow up to 22% of the home's value; a 75-year-old could borrow up to 42% of the home value; and, an 85-year-old could borrow up to 58% of the home's value. These percentages do not include closing costs because these charges can vary.

If you would like to use a reverse mortgage to purchase a home through Brenda DeArmond Realty, please contact me at 1-800-504-6066. I am not a mortgage professional, however, I will refer you to someone you will assist you in this endeavor. I work closely with mortgage professionals in order to make a smooth transition when purchasing a home.

2008-08-26T13:56:00.000-04:00

Good information from Brenda DeArmond

The House and Senate recently passed broad-based housing legislation which was signed into law by President Bush on July 30, 2008. It includes the creation of a strong regulator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, changes in conforming and FHA limits, a modernization for FHA, and the Hope for Homeowners plan, which may help distressed homeowners by refinancing with FHA. These should all be effective January 1, 2009. The FHA limits are set per county so be sure to check with your mortgage professional as to the limits for your county. The minimum downpayment will increase from 3% down to 3.5% down.