Orlando Real Estate

Many potential first-time home buyers feel it is necessary to save money to buy a home.  This is a great step towards home ownership but you may miss out on today’s opportunities.  With gas prices on the rise, house prices at an all time low, great interest rates, FHA and multiple down payment assistance programs there is no need to wait.  Why not purchase now with someone else paying your down payment for you?  No need to pay someone elses mortgage where they have a tax advantage, pay your own and have a tax write off especially since driving has hit you a little harder in the pocket! 

Down payment assistance programs are here to help you become homeowners today!  You can take advantage of these tax savings, and call your house a home!  Where do you go for accurate and reliable Down Payment Assistance Information?

Benchmark Real Estate Group, Inc. has experience and expertise to help you achieve your homeownership dreams!  Our professional team has put together the information for you!

• Down Payment Assistance Overview
• Home Buyer Education Information
• Live and Online Classes
• Predatory Lender Prevention
• Access to all of the Down Payment Assistance Programs Available
• Resources for Credit Repair
• Access to Lenders with Expertise in Down Payment Assistance

Contact Us Now to find out How

These questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for an Orlando Real Estate Investment Home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, it’s a sign that you may be ready to move.
 1. Have you built substantial equity in your current Real Estate Investment Home?
Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out. Usually, you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as monthly payments are mostly interest, but if you’ve owned your home for five or more years, you may have significant, unrealized gains.
 2. Has your income or financial situation improved?
If you’re making more money, you may be able to afford higher mortgage payments and cover the costs of moving. 
 3. Have you outgrown your neighborhood?
The neighborhood you pick for your first home might not be the same neighborhood you want to settle down in for good. For example, you may have realized that you’d like to be closer to your job or live in a better school district. 
 4. Are there reasons why you can’t remodel or add on?
Sometimes you can create a bigger home by adding a new room or building up. But if your property isn’t large enough, your municipality doesn’t allow it, or you’re simply not interested in remodeling, then moving to a bigger home may be your best option.
 5. Are you comfortable moving in the current housing market?
If your market is hot, your home may sell quickly and for top dollar, but the home you buy also will be more expensive. If your market is slow, finding a buyer may take longer, but you’ll have more selection and better pricing as you seek your new home.
 6. Are interest rates attractive?
A low rate not only helps you buy a larger home, but also makes it easier to find a buyer.Benchmark Real Estate Group, Inc. believes it is very important to remain educated and make decision based on facts. Selling your home and moving into a larger home is very exiciting. Informed decision make that moving up experience a magical experience.

1. W-2 forms — or business tax return forms if you’re self-employed — for the last two or three years for every person signing the loan.
2. Copies of at least one pay stub for each person signing the loan.
3. Account numbers of all your credit cards and the amounts for any outstanding balances.
4. Copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements for both checking and savings accounts. 
5. Lender, loan number, and amount owed on other installment loans, such as student loans and car loans.
6. Addresses where you’ve lived for the last five to seven years, with names of landlords if appropriate.
7. Copies of brokerage account statements for two to four months, as well as a list of any other major assets of value, such as a boat, RV, or stocks or bonds not held in a brokerage account.  
8. Copies of your most recent 401(k) or other retirement account statement. 
9. Documentation to verify additional income, such as child support or a pension.  
10.  Copies of personal tax forms for the last two to three years.  

Make sure you choose a REALTOR® who will provide top-notch service and meet your unique needs.  
 1. How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job?
While experience is no guarantee of skill, real estate — like many other professions — is mostly learned on the job.  
2. What designations do you hold?
Designations such as GRI and CRS®, which require that agents take additional, specialized real estate training, are held only by about one-quarter of real estate practitioners. 
3. How many Orlando Real Estate Investment Homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year?
By asking this question, you’ll get a good idea of how much experience the practitioner has. 
4. How many days did it take you to sell the average Orlando Real Estate Investment Home? How did that compare to the overall market?
 The REALTOR® you interview should have these facts on hand, and be able to present market statistics from the local MLS to provide a comparison.  
5. How close to the initial asking prices of the Orlando Real Estate Investment Homes you sold were the final sale prices?
This is one indication of how skilled the REALTOR® is at pricing homes and marketing to suitable buyers. Of course, other factors also may be at play, including an exceptionally hot or cool real estate market.  
6. What types of specific marketing systems and approaches will you use to sell my Orlando Real Estate Investment Home?
You don’t want someone who’s going to put a For Sale sign in the yard and hope for the best. Look for someone who has aggressive and innovative approaches, and knows how to market your property competitively on the Internet. Buyers today want information fast, so it’s important that your REALTOR® is responsive.  
7. Will you represent me exclusively, or will you represent both the buyer and the seller in the transaction?
While it’s usually legal to represent both parties in a transaction, it’s important to understand where the practitioner’s obligations lie. Your REALTOR® should explain his or her agency relationship to you and describe the rights of each party.   
8. Can you recommend service providers who can help me obtain a mortgage, make home repairs, and help with other things I need done?
Because REALTORS® are immersed in the industry, they’re wonderful resources as you seek lenders, home improvement companies, and other home service providers. Practitioners should generally recommend more than one provider and let you know if they have any special relationship with or receive compensation from any of the providers.
 9. What type of support and supervision does your brokerage office provide to you?
Having resources such as in-house support staff, access to a real estate attorney, and assistance with technology can help an agent sell your Orlando Real Estate Investment Home.
 10. What’s your business philosophy?
While there’s no right answer to this question, the response will help you assess what’s important to the agent and determine how closely the agent’s goals and business emphasis mesh with your own.
 11. How will you keep me informed about the progress of my transaction? How frequently?
Again, this is not a question with a correct answer, but how you judge the response will reflect your own desires. Do you want updates twice a week or do you prefer not to be bothered unless there’s a hot prospect? Do you prefer phone, e-mail, or a personal visit? 
 12. Could you please give me the names and phone numbers of your three most recent clients?
Ask recent clients if they would work with this REALTOR® again. Find out whether they were pleased with the communication style, follow-up, and work ethic of the REALTOR®.

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection.
Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.  
2. Organize and clean.
Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.  
3. Get replacement estimates.
Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.   
4. Find your warranties.
Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.  
5. Spruce up the curb appeal.
Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your Orlando Real Estate Investment Home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments?

This luxurious custom built home is situated on almost a 1/2 acre of land with boat access to the Butler Chain of Lakes. Enjoy the serenity of a tropical oasis by the koi pond with fruit bearing banana trees or enjoy a relaxing evening on the oversized deck facing the water. There is plenty of parking space with a side entry garage and even separate parking for a boat!  This split floor plan has crown molding, tile, laminate wood floors, and carpet throughout.  There are 2 large master suites and the primary master bath has a separate jetted tub and shower with dual sinks.  Both master suite bathrooms have private entry doors leading to the backyard.  The spacious eat-in kitchen is a chef’s delight and has beautiful maple cabinets, a breakfast bar, and plenty of counter space.  It is perfect for entertaining or relaxing as it is open to the living area where you can enjoy your favorite music with the pre-wired surround sound outlets!  Close to the beach, Daytona,

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.

2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.

5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments.

The Orlando Real Estate market is very lucrative for International buyers.  The devalued dollar gives foreigners more for their money than their own native lands.  This means luxury homes are on the top of their list.  A report based on a survey of 986 respondents who closed 1,844 home sales transactions to non-U.S. residents from May 2004 to May 2005 stated that 22% of homes purchased by foreigners is over $500,000.  The Euro for instance, is worth twice as much as the US Dollar.   How does this bode for Orlando?

Traditionally, foreign buyers have favored South Florida, particularly Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Naples.  The tide has turned to Orlando due to more affordable home prices.  

What does this mean for Sellers?

When sellers are looking to market their properties they should consider Real Estate Agents that work with international buyers and advertise to international markets.  The doors would be open to millions of additional buyers.