Hojin’s Southwest Orlando Real Estate Scoop

It looks like the Dr. Phillips and Windermere areas are finally gaining some prominence on Google Maps. They’ve recently added the super cool Street View feature for much of SW Orlando. It seems like they’ve covered most of the area, but the gated communities are excluded.
You can virtually walk through any street with this feature […]

Popularity: 11% [?]

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Here’s the latest sampling of the real estate blogosphere in Orlando.

Conway Blog: FCAT Scores Are In: Which Conway Schools Are Best
Sand Dollar Realty Blog: Florida’s Brand New Foreclosure Fraud Law
East Orlando Life: Florida Parents Not Doing Their Job
Blog About Orlando Real Estate: Why Should Anyone Buy a Home In This “Down” Real Estate Market
Orlando Realty […]

Popularity: 9% [?]

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Now that we’ve dispelled the myth of wood frame construction being inferior, we’re now going to be focusing on how to figure out if a home is wood frame or concrete block construction although it really shouldn’t matter that much. With homes here in SW Orlando, you can usually tell by looking at exterior windows […]

Popularity: 16% [?]

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Today is the first day of hurricane season and we already have a named tropical depression called Arthur.
When Orlando experienced 3 hurricanes in 2004, the greatest real estate boom ever took place in Central Florida as well as around the country when all the supposed experts were predicting a severe downturn in the real estate […]

Popularity: 7% [?]

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Homes in SW Orlando are either built with concrete block construction or wood frame construction. Many buyers prefer concrete block construction but is this preference valid?
Actually, wood frame construction is more labor intensive and requires more skill with framing and trim work. It also provides better insulation and you don’t get those pesky settlement cracks […]

Popularity: 10% [?]

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I don’t want to report this, but I think it’s pretty important. Orlando ranks 13th in the nation for foreclosure filings according to a report released on Tuesday by Realtytrac. Foreclosures increased by 250% in the first quarter of 2008 meaning 1 out of every 88 households were facing losing their home. There was an […]

Popularity: 11% [?]

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Barbara Corcoran has been showing up quite a bit lately on the Today Show with some great tips for real estate. In this segment, Corcoran suggests that a beautiful backyard can add 11% to a home’s value. I wish I agreed with her on this one, but I think she’s exaggerating here. Sure a nice […]

Popularity: 12% [?]

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The List Maven Blog has lists for just about everything you can think of. It makes David Letterman’s Top 10 look like a joke. I believe lists help us make decisions. I often suggest home buyers rank properties they’ve seen and creating a list to aid in the decision process of buying a home. Here’s […]

Popularity: 9% [?]

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School District Zoning is one of first questions most home buyers ask when looking for a new home, yet the Mid Florida Regional MLS does not require agents to include it on home listings.
Personally, I think it should be a requirement. After all, school districts do have a significant impact on a home’s value. I’d […]

Popularity: 12% [?]

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Barbara Corcoran recently provided some great home selling advice to Lester on the Today Show. Her message was that homes sell even in this market provided the price is attractive enough and the buyers know that your home is for sale.
Even the lowest bargain basement price will not work if no one knows about it. […]

Popularity: 10% [?]

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