Monthly Archives: September 2015

Investing in Lake Mary real estate- why it is a viable option

Lake Mary, a suburban city in Seminole County, Florida, was ranked 4# best place to live in America as per Money magazine in the year 2007. The best part of the city is that it does not let its small town like feel vanish while embracing growth progressively in the last few years. For those, looking to buy a home in Florida, Lake Mary real estate cannot be overlooked.

Let’s have a look at a few reasons why should one consider investing in Lake Mary real estate:

An ideal location

Lake Mary is just 40 minutes of some of the state’s beautiful beaches, 25 minutes from downtown Orlando. Also, it is in proximity to locations like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, St. Augustine and lot more. By investing in the city, you will find yourself in the center of it all.

Educational opportunities

Lake Mary houses some of the best schools of the region. It was also recognized as one of the top 100 school districts by Money magazine. There are seven public schools, one college and state college and one library in the greater Lake Mary Area. Also, there are reputable elementary, middle and high schools in the region.

Business and industry

The American Automobile Association is the largest business employer in the city. Also, located in there is the new Verizon Financial Center and Mitsubishi Motors. There are also many other companies that operate in the city, including Convergys, Fiserv, The Bank of New York Mellon, AIG, Symantec, AT&T Mobility and Well Fargo Home Mortgage and lot more.

Recreational activities

It is home to a number of golf courses and parks. Also, there are many museums and theatres in there. With more than 50 restaurants in the area, the food lovers won’t find any issues in locating the eating places to go and enjoy a hearty meal.

Government

Since Lake Mary is incorporated, so it is served by its own local government and services where the residents have a say in what happens.

Population

Although Seminole County is the 10th largest in the state in population, Lake Mary enjoys low profile. It is the reason, the people can enjoy the small-town-like atmosphere. There are no traffic hustle bustles like big cities.

Housing options

There is a variety of residential areas that are unexplored for the new residents to call home. Housing options vary from highly planned luxurious communities to middle-class neighborhoods. It has everything for every budget.

Also, in the past few years, the property values have seen impressive rises. There is no sign of slowing down. So your investment seems secured.

For more information Lake Mary real estate, get in touch with All Florida Title. We can help you with mortgages, home buying, title and escrow services. Call us for details.

FSBO Florida – few tips

So you want to sell your home in Florida? FSBO (for sale by owner) can be a daunting task if you do not know what to do. Here are the few tips that make FSBO Florida easy and convenient.

Price the home correctly

It is very important to research and place the correct price tag on your property. Educate yourself with the current housing market conditions. There is an extensive list of books available online that caters to the needs of the first-time for sale by owner home-seller. Read the relevant material and you will understand all the intricacies.

The next step is to prepare your house to put up on the market. It is always good to update your home like appliances and landscaping. It will help you get the desirable price.

Use your time efficiently

It may take long to sell your home on the market. So if you have a deadline to meet, start marketing it well before time.

Marketing your property

Use different methods to market your house. It does not always require you to invest much money. Just simply putting for sale by owner sign in your yard with contact details will work. Also, get some brochures printed and put them on the front of your home so that passers-by can read it. You can also talk to a local newspaper to place an ad in the paper. These methods will surely help you. You can also consider hosting an open house.

Highlight the best attributes of your property

You know what is best in your home and what not. So make sure you highlight the best of it to the potential buyers. If it needs you to make some repairs, get them done. The exterior of the house must look appealing. Also, update the interior a bit. Make sure you keep the garden and garage area clean.

Get the help of a mortgage company

Make sure the buyer is pre-qualified before considering any offer. You can take the assistance of your mortgage company. They are not realtors but they can help you with many aspects of selling your house. Their sphere of knowledge also includes contracts, settlement companies, realtors, sellers and buyers.

Also, you would need their help for the loan of your new place. They can help you pre-approve a mortgage.

All Florida Title can help you with FSBO Florida. We are a reputable mortgage company in the region. Get in touch with us for more details or email us your queries.

All you need to know about Escrow

After all the searching, your offer has been accepted and you are just close to own a home!!! Hold on! Do you know about escrow?

What is escrow?

It is a legal agreement by which the money, property titles and other securities are kept with a third-party during the transaction. During real estate deeds, the money is placed in an escrow account. The account holds funds that are intended for insurance premiums and real estate taxes that have been paid in advance to use at the later stage.

Relevance of escrow account

It is required prior to closing a real estate deal. Mortgage lenders require an account to make sure all the costs are met during closing. It is because the agent cannot release funds until all the conditions of the sale are fulfilled, both the parties have completed the paperwork and all other matters are settled. The account holder protects everyone’s interest during such transactions.

The role played by the holder

  • He/she makes sure all the terms and conditions are met before releasing the funds.
  • The professional prepares the instructions, title search and purchases the title insurance.
  • He/she also reviews the requirements needed for the transaction to make sure everything ends up well.
  • The expert also examines tax, interest and other payments required during the deal.
  • When all the instructions are completed, he/she closes the account and necessary paperwork.
  • The account holders cannot advise buyers and sellers. Their status is neutral.

Choosing an escrow company- questions to ask

  • Know their experience. How long have they been working in the field?
  • What are their working hours? If you need, can they stay late?
  • How do they handle the account?
  • What are their fees?
  • What kind of support and co-operation do they expect from you?

Once you are done with the search process, choose an agent that you feel comfortable working with. Your choice of a professional is the most crucial decisions you make as a real estate investor.

It is very relevant to use escrow so that the interest of both the parties is protected. It also protects you against fraud and also guarantees that expenses like property taxes and insurance are made on time. As a home buyer, you will be secured to know that the money is going where it should.

For details on escrow, get in touch with All Florida Title. We will be happy to help you.

How a mortgage broker can help you?

Purchasing a home is a very big step. However, finding the right mortgage is not easy, though. Every year, the government brings loads of changes to loan rules and regulation. Therefore, getting one can be really confusing, especially for those who are amateur about financial planning. Therefore, speaking to a mortgage broker can help you find the right loan as per your situation. The professional assistance also improves the chances of approval.

Let’s have a look how a mortgage broker can help you:

The experts assess your financial condition

A broker inquires about your requirements and circumstances. It gives them an idea which type of loan is the most suitable for the borrower. It makes the entire procedure very easy. He/she will also demand your identification documents. Once they have a complete understanding of your finances, they will discuss the different products available.

Help you find a suitable loan type

He/she search loan products from the different lenders including banks, credit unions and independent lenders. Also, they access to different types of loan products that you will not get anywhere else. After gathering all the data, they will recommend you the right type of credit depending on your situation.

Manages the whole procedure

Property buying is a complicated process. The assistance of a specialist helps complete all the paperwork and liaise with the lender on your behalf. Their services also include completing and submitting the application and they act as an intermediate between all the parties involved in the process.

You get expert advice at every step

They offer advice on finances at every step starting from getting pre-approvals to the final settlement. They make sure the process gets completed smoothly. Also, they help with your refinancing needs.

It is highly beneficial to use the services of a mortgage broker. Their services include the initial consultation to assess your financial situation to the final settlement. Also, they have sound knowledge regarding the current home loan market. Their expertise helps them pick the right deal for you. They also assist you with filling the application forms.

If you choose to work with a reliable and reputable professional, there is a greater chance you complete the process efficiently and smoothly. All Florida Title is the best mortgage company in Lake Mary, Florida. We have been working in this industry from 1996. Call us for help or email us your queries online. We will be happy to assist you with all your needs.