Daytona Beach Real Estate Blog: June 2007

Whether you're moving to Florida, or you're already here, anyone who has spent any time in Florida during the summer, knows how sweltering the heat can feel. But the feel of the heat should be the least of your concerns. Here's some important information that everyone should know; even those who are long-term residents of Florida.

• If you're going to spend any time in the sun, you may want to invest in a good pair of sunglasses, to protect your eyes.  Large lenses will protect your eye lids and the surrounding skin. Polarized lenses are usually recommended by opthamologists, since they will deflect the glare. You should ask if this is embedded in the lens, rather than just coated on them, as it will last longer.
• Skin cancer is at a record high, with more than one million new cases reported each year (these are nationwide statistics, not only in Florida) As a Florida native, I've known this for many years, but for some reason, the media doesn't do enough coverage on this subject. It only takes one serious sunburn, with blisters, as a child, to double your risk of skin cancer.
• All sunblocks are not created equally! You need both UVA and UVB protection! Many only carry UVB protection, while UVA is actually the most damaging.
  
• Your best course of prevention is to stay out of the sun, but that is really not even possible, considering the damaging rays enter through your car windows, your clothing, and even your sun block. Dermatologists recommend a minimum SPF of 15. I personally wear a minimum of 45, just to go out and show houses.

Now for the good news. There are many people who are able to enjoy our warm climate and many outdoor activities without concern. You just need to take a few precautions. Follow the links I've included in the post, to learn more about the different types of sun's rays and how to protect yourself. There is even a special type of fabric that will give you even more protection from the sun's damaging rays.

One more tip. For those of you who have heard that the sun is a source of vitamin D for our bodies, you are correct with that information. However, it only takes 10 minutes a day to get all the vitamin D your body needs for that day, and that doesn't even include what you get from your food.

Don't let this information stop you from making your move to Florida. Where else can you find the warmth, friendliness, theme parks, culture and more, that Florida has to offer? I was born and raised in the Daytona Beach area, and have no intention of moving. But I do feel that it's part of my job to help educate my potential clients, on all the things they may want to know, as they make this important decision to buy a house in Daytona Beach Florida or the surrounding areas.

Can you do business without your computer? Well can you? I'll tell you unequivocally, as a full-time Realtor (r) I can't! Now pay attention! (I'm feeling bossy today)

I really put a lot of strain on my systems. I create my own listing video tours, I store tons of photos, I create spread sheets, word documents, charts, Power Point presentations, check my e-mail, blog, update my web site, download more clipart, layout my real estate advertising, etc. Needless to say, it takes many different programs to run all these processes, and these programs don't always play nicely together. (Oh! I forgot to mention the video games!) So this weekend, as it seems to happen about once a year, I once again had to re-format my hard drive and start over. 

I've gotten smart about it though, so I thought I'd share some valuable tips that I've learned the hard way.

1. Get an external hard drive! This way you have all your data separate from the machine, if it crashes.
2. Get a PDA/Smart Phone. Make sure it has a way to automatically synchronize your contacts with your primary PC, without having to do any double-entry. If your system crashes, you won't lose all your contacts!
   
3. If at all possible, have a 2nd computer; IE have a desktop PC and a laptop. In addition to not losing your data, you need to be able to keep working while one system is down.
4. Invest in a couple of USB jump drives/flash drives. I have one 4 gig and one 2 gig USB drive. (There are now much bigger memory cards available than these.) I also have a couple of CF and XD cards in my camera. These are always good for transferring information in a pinch. You can use any of these memory cards/drives to transfer information from one system to another. These are great for me since I work from home a lot and keep most of my information on my desktop PC, which is much more comfortable to work with than my laptop. But since I take the laptop to the office and on appointments, I have to get some of the information transferred between the two.
5. Keep your anti-virus, internet security, worm protection etc. up to date. And please don't tell me you don't have any anti-virus protection. I might have to reach through this screen and wring your neck.
6. Most importantly of all, BACK UP YOUR INFORMATION! I know that as you're reading this, you're questioning how long it's been since you backed up your system. All the external & portable drives in the world cannot do this for you. And it only takes one mishap for you to regret not taking this information to heart.

The first time I reformatted a hard drive, about 10 years ago, it took me 2 weeks to get everything back up and running. Now it takes me less than 2 days. And to be honest, that time could be even shorter if I would use my external hard drive properly and take a "snapshot" of my whole system. I'm just too impatient to wait for it to process; especially when I can just keep working on my laptop while the desktop is undergoing surgery.

So that's my lecture for the day. I hope it helps someone.

(BTW, this picture is the new Seagate, 1 terabyte hard drive. I'm salivating!) 

 Port Orange FL MLS Listings

I recently found out some information that left me dumbfounded. I wanted to share some of it and find out if any of you have heard of this, and what ideas you may have to help with this situation.

According to the Federal Reserve, as many of 1 in 12 families in the U.S. do not have a bank account. And their reasons are...

1. They don't write enough checks to warrant having one.
2. They don't like dealing with banks.
3. They don't have enough money.

Now here's the irony. A survey by the Consumer Federation of America found that on average, the people without bank accounts are paying $24.45 to cash a $1,002 Social Security check, and blue-collar workers are paying $19.66 every week to cash a $478.41 handwritten check, through check-cashing companies. Wow! Talk about needing to educate people on how much better it would be to have a bank account! 

It's probably safe to assume that these same people don't have any credit lines either, and as a result, are probably paying through the nose for many other services as well.  This is obviously a segment of the population that is unable to own a home either.

To elaborate further, the reasons many people are forgoing traditional financial institutions is because of mistrust, cultural barriers, language barriers, and a belief that by the time all the bills are paid, there will be nothing left, so why bother having an account? Which also means they're paying for money orders, or driving to the utility companies and spending the gas money to get there.

I'm left thinking about the "First Time Home Buyers Fair" that was held in Daytona Beach last weekend. The turnout was unbelievably low. Knowing now that so many people don't even have a bank account, it seems to me that we're missing a few steps. These people would be the first time home buyers! But they first need to be educated on how to get their finances in order. I'm sure they believe that owning a home is not even in the equation. And with no accounts or credit, it's not! Holding a First Time Home Buyers Fair is a leap too far.

So my mental wheels are spinning. How do we reach this element of the population? How do we help educate them? Any ideas?

Buy a home in Daytona Beach Florida 

In July of 2005, Daytona Beach area pre-construction condo sales hit a record high, according to the Florida Association of Realtors. And one year ago, 2 dozen condominium complexes were under construction in Volusia and Flagler counties, while at the present time, 16 of them are in various stages of completion.

According to Daytona Beach city planners and developers, only a handful of new condos projects will be launched in 2008, as investors are reluctant to risk further millions of dollars, while new sales lag, and growing numbers of condo buyers are forfeiting their existing contracts.

The good news is, condo buyers now have the opportunity to purchase these units for much lower prices, if the developer has retained the deposit of a pre-construction buyer who has chosen to walk away, instead of signing the final loan documents.

As real estate has done through decade after decade, the pendulum is still swinging. As always, it's only a matter of time before the market rebounds; Especially when that market is real estate in Daytona Beach, Florida. We will always have our share of northerners who want to get out of the cold. And now, with the Florida property tax situation looking brighter, and real estate prices no longer shooting through the roof, our snow birds will once again be able to buy a house or condo in Daytona Beach and enjoy the warmer climate and friendly people.

For more information on how you can buy your condo in Daytona Beach, visit my web site today.

Make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

Have you heard the nightmare stories from people who bought a home that was located by a greenbelt, preserve, conservation area, or something of that nature, only to have that area developed into a noisy, ugly monstrosity at a later date? Or perhaps it's happened to you.

There are few things more disappointing or heart-breaking than buying your dream home because you fell in love with its' peaceful location, then losing that peace and not being able to do anything about it.

So how do you keep this from happening to you? Unfortunately, if you've already bought a house in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, or any other area of the country, there's not much you can do now. But I'm hoping this post will keep you from having to worry about this problem in the future. Here are a few things you can do, to make sure that preserve or conservation area behind the house you're considering, will stay just that! (Check with your Realtor, regarding the laws in your area, as my expertise is for real estate in the Daytona Beach area.

1. Don't take the word of the seller! I'm not saying the seller is lying to you. I'm saying they may not have all the facts. You need to do your own research!
2. Find out who owns the land and how they intend to use that land.
3. Take it a step farther. Find out what uses are allowed for that land. Just because the owner doesn't intend to do anything different with it, doesn't mean they can't change their mind in the future.
4. After finding out what uses are allowed, find out if zoning variances are a possibility. Let's say the seller does not intend to change the use of the land; and all allowable uses of that land are acceptable to you. What if the seller changes their mind and applies for a a zoning variance in the future?
   

At this point, you may run into a road block, because zoning changes are not always something that are pre-planned. (Real estate zoning in Daytona Beach has seen many changes in recent years) You may have to decide if you want to proceed with your sale, in spite of the possibility that you may lose your quiet little preserve in the future. 

The upside to this is, what may be a horrible idea to you, might be a fantastic idea to someone else. For example, a developer who has owned a large parcel of land behind the neighborhood where you're buying, or already live, may in the future decide to develop that land instead of keeping it as a preserve. They may even apply for zoning variances and fight with tooth and nail for those changes, and they may win.

But what if they decide to build a high-rise condominium with a golf course, tennis courts, security, clubhouse, etc? Or what if they decide to develop a newer section in your own community, with estate homes? These changes could drastically raise your property value. So even if you decide to sell your house and move to a location that's more desirable to you, you could have a much higher property value and be able to afford your next dream home.

Of course I'm speculating on the possible uses of the land, and there's never any guarantee as to what a land owner will do with a piece of property if the city allows it; Which brings me back to my opening line, as well as the title of this post. Do everything in your power to protect your most valuable assets, before you buy! Follow the steps I've outlined, and anything else you can think of before you rush into a costly decision. Your Realtor can help you find the information you need.

Many counties now have mapping systems in their parcel records. If you're in Volusia county Florida, you can go to the tax assessors web site to view aerial maps and zoning information for most of the county. And local Realtors have additional software to help you fill in the blanks.

If you're considering moving to this area and are in need of help with these services, make a Smart Choice today. Just go to my web site to get started right away. 

Daytona Beach Real Estate for sale 

This past weekend, our local newspaper, the Daytona Beach News Journal had an article about how invading plants are destroying the native plants in New Smyrna Beach, FL.

As a REALTOR®, it's always a concern when anything in my work area is having a problem. New Smyrna Beach is only 10-15 minutes south of my office, and I sell houses there quite frequently.

I thought I'd share some of the information I gleaned from the Daytona Beach News Journal, as well as add some of my own findings. In 2004, when hurricanes destroyed much of the Florida coastline, New Smyrna lost the most shoreline in this area. There were areas where you couldn't even walk on the beach, because so much erosion had occurred. The water came all the way up to the sea walls of the oceanfront hotels. I had a house listed in New Smryna Beach that was about one block from the ocean and my sellers were no longer able to enjoy their evening walk on the beach.

Now back to the plant problem. Beach erosion can be limited when there are enough native plants and shrubs growing in the sand. There are signs on New Smyrna beach that say "It Is Unlawful to Pick Sea Oats". Sea Oats are the best natural prevention of beach erosion. And this is one of the plants that is in jeopardy.

On the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's list of Category 1 invasive plants, can be found

Lantana which originated in the West Indies

Wandering Jew which originated in Tropical South America,

 Brazilian Pepper which originated in South America

Para Grass which originated in Africa

 
Australian Pine which has it's origins in Australia, the South Pacific Islands & Southeast Asia.

The Council also has a Category 2 list with another 67 plant species that are not as big of a threat, but are still invasive. Both lists are updated every 2 years. Each of these Category 1 plants is a threat to other native plants in New Smyrna Beach because these particular plants cause ecological damage not only by displacing native species, but by actually changing the ecological functions of our native plants and by hybridizing with native species. And experts say that each of these plants have some kind of mechanism that makes them out-compete other plants. A chemical reaction occurs in the soil that prevents other plants from growing there. So the city of New Smyrna Beach has now placed these plants on a "Banned List".

The good news is, local nurseries are doing their part to educate their customers as to why they will no longer sell these plants, and are offering alternative landscaping. These local nurseries are also continually educating themselves, through the Florida Native Plant Society, which takes a holistic approach to educating consumers.

Local builders have also been notified of the problem and are now cooperating with city officials to plant only native plants when landscaping the new houses they sell. One local builder has said that they don't anticipate any problems with finding alternative landscaping. And home owners who are looking to replace existing plants, trees & shrubs will now be educated on this problem and will be given alternative options that in addition to correcting these existing problems, will also cut down on water usage, since native species also use less water.

Moving to New Smyrna Beach Florida? Make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

I just read Broker Bryant's post called Look Me in the Eyes when you Talk to Me. It's an excellent post and story about making eye contact with the sellers, when you're on a listing presentation. I agree completely that we have to Connect with the sellers if we hope to develop a trusting relationship with them.  I'll let you read his post, and the many related comments.

But I wanted to share my experience about how I incorporate my Power Point Presentation into my Listing Presentations, and still make eye contact and connect with my sellers.

I have to admit, I had planned to use a Power Point Presentation a couple of years ago, and never could find a way to make it feel comfortable and had abandoned it until a few months ago. The computer can definitely be a distraction; keeping you from focusing your attention on the sellers. AND, it's definitely not for every seller!

The first part of my presentation has not changed since even before I got my real estate license and was selling manufactured homes. When I first enter the home, I look for the kitchen or dining room table, where I can place my things and get out my notepad. Because before we ever sit down, I need to see the house and have the sellers tell me all about it. The only difference now is, I setup my laptop while I'm getting out my notepad. Then I ask the sellers to show me their home.

As we walk through the house, I take detailed notes about every room, and ask questions as they come to mind. This not only allows me to familiarize myself with the house, but I'm getting to know the sellers as well. We usually end up stopping and talking about their pets and family along the way. I've never timed it, but I would guess this tour takes a minimum of 15 minutes and a maximum of 30 minutes, depending on how much chatting we do. A lot of "face time" takes place during the tour. By the time I've seen the house, we're usually pretty comfortable with each other, and I have a good idea of their priorities and needs.

When we get back to the table, I give the sellers the small notebook of information that I'll be leaving with them, and answer any questions they have at this point (the laptop is on but pushed mostly closed). I go through some of the information in the notebook with them, and it's usually around this time that we start to discuss pricing. It's not until the sellers start asking about the overall market, or advertising that I open the laptop.

Now my laptop came with a little remote control for the DVD player, which also works with the PPP, so I'm not limited to the exact order of the slides in the presentation. I can skip forward or backward to specific slides, in order to answer the seller's specific questions. This also allows me to position the screen so everyone can see it, and each other at the same time. (It's usually beside me since I don't need to look directly at it.) Most of the time, we go straight to the bar graphs I created, showing the monthly activity over the last couple of years as the listings have increased and the sales have decreased. Then I quickly flip through the advertising slides. I end by showing them one of my video tours and/or some photos of my other listings. I like to emphasize quality photos and video, and offer them proof of this! Then it's time to sign the paperwork and get it sold!

So that's the overview of my listing presentation and how I incorporate a computer into it, without compromising the most important part of the process which is, building a relationship!

Daytona Beach real estate

Port Orange real estate

I have to share this story of how a sale that got way off track, a few years ago, due to an appraisal problem on a house I sold in Port Orange FL.

It started with the Port Orange listing I had for a family I have known for many years. The buyer for their house was someone who went to church with them. After many twists and turns in her financing, she was finally able to close.

On the flip side, I was also working with the family whose listing I had, to help them buy their next home. We found them a nice house with some acreage, so they could start breeding horses. Negotiations went smoothly and the financing was going OK. But as things progressed, I was finding it more and more difficult to reach their mortgage brokers  (husband and wife team). I would leave them specific messages, as the time frame for each contingency drew near and we seemed to be slowly pushing the bolder of the hill. 

Then we got the appraisal. (Bear in mind, this was several years ago.) The sale price for the house was $225,000. The appraisal came in at $235,000!  I have no idea why the appraisal came in so high, but the next thing that happens is, this out-of-state lender, decides to call for a 2nd appraisal. The 2nd appraiser is from out of the area and has no clue as to what our real estate market is doing. Now the appraisal comes in at $215,000!  What the heck is going on?!?!

At this point, the lender decides they don't want to do the loan! My buyer owns his own business so needless to say, the loan process is not the fastest for this family. Now bear in mind, their home is sold and their buyer is ready to close. And now they have to start over with their financing, with mortgage brokers who don't like to return my calls.

They quickly obtain approval from another lender (same mortgage brokers) and are told they can close in 2 weeks. Do you think that happened? Of course not! It ended up being another 30 days. The seller is getting really nervous with all this lost market time! But she finally signs the extensions (there were several!).

In the interim, their buyer has closed on my buyers/sellers house and had previously told them she could wait the 2 weeks. But as the process continues to drag out and we're continually given a different closing date, she finally decides she can't wait any longer and wants to move into the house she has already bought.

Now my family of 5 is living in a 5th wheel, in the back yard of a friend, and of course, they all come down with the flu, while waiting to close.

We finally closed and everything worked out fine. And yes, I'm still friends with that family =), But what a stressful 2 months that was!

The moral of this story? Please, please, please make sure you're absolutely positive your broker or lender is responsible enough to return phone calls, and for crying out loud, don't use an appraiser who doesn't know your local real estate market! 

BUY HOUSE OR CONDO IN DAYTONA BEACH OR PORT ORANGE 

When choosing a licensed real estate agent, or a Realtor *(member of the Association of Realtors, and subscriber of the Code of Ethics) to market and sell your house, you'll want to get the best service possible. And more importantly, you want to get your home or property sold! If you're considering selling a house in the Daytona Beach area, you should communicate with the licensed real estate agents and Realtors you interview, exactly what you'll expect from them.

Unfortunately, you can't always be sure of what you're getting, before you sign on the dotted line. So I thought I'd share some pitfalls you'll want to avoid, just based on what I've seen recently, while working with people who want to buy real estate in the Daytona Beach area. 

A couple of weeks ago, while showing houses to someone who wanted to buy a house in Ormond Beach, and then again last week while showing houses to someone who wanted to buy a house in Port Orange or Daytona Beach Shores, I found that some very important information had not been included in the Daytona Beach area MLS by the listing agent. Here are some examples..

• One had no mention of the garage !?!
  
• One had only 3 photos of a gorgeous home, when our Multiple Listing System holds 12.
• One had no mention of the pool ??
• One had no mention of the new granite counters, solar hot water heater, and place to store your boat behind the side-yard fence.

It was good for these sellers that I had chosen to show these particular houses, based on my personal knowledge of the areas.  Considering the fact that our inventory is at an all-time high, the MLS (and other real estate web sites) should have as much information as possible. This information, or lack therof can make or break a sale.

I can understand if it's a real fixer-upper and the listing agent is having trouble finding some positive light to shed, but these were upscale, beachside (meaning on the peninsula) single family houses for sale. Just walking through, I found plenty of  things that should have been mentioned; not to mention how important some good photos would have been.

While many real estate agents are OK with providing sub-standard service to their sellers, I'm not! I am a professional and I take my job seriously. I want to do my best to sell my listings.  My future real estate business depends on me doing a good job today.

As a real estate professional in the Daytona Beach area, I consider the things I have just mentioned, to be the minimum level of service. I owe it to my sellers who are trusting me to sell their houses or condos, to do EVERYTHING in my power to present their most valuable possession in the most positive light and provide the maximum level of service!

The first thing I do upon entering a potential new listing, is to walk through the entire home with the sellers, and take notes while they tell me all the features of the house, condo or town house they want to sell. I also ask questions about things I notice. Once it has been decided that I will be listing that particular property, I then measure and photograph each room. And to make sure my listings make the best impression upon a potential buyer, I require that the sellers remove ALL clutter. (The photographs and video footage that will be taken, will magnify any clutter.) It's worth it to get rid of, or at least hide anything that's not an absolute necessity.

For more information about me, my clients, my business, the Daytona Beach area, or general real estate information, visit my web site here Buy House in Daytona Beach or Port Orange FL If you're considering selling real estate, and are looking for a professional Realtor who will present your home in the best possible manner, make a Smart Choice and call Lisa Hill today!

For more information about this area, check out these other articles I've posted

House for Sale in Port Orange FL

Buy Daytona Beach Condo for sale

Port Orange FL-A Great Place to Live 

Daytona Beach condo projects

Buy DaytonaBeach or Port Orange Real Estate For Sale

Yesterday I posted a blog about the problem with Florida's property taxes and the Save Our Homes Act.

I just received an e-mail from our local Association of Realtors (Daytona Beach area), and the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR). Asking us to go to FAR's Call-to-Action System and make our voices heard.

One of the new proposed amendments to reduce our property taxes is the Florida Super Homestead Exemption, which would phase out the Save Our Homes Act.

Florida Realtors are being asked to go to the Florida Association of Realtor's Call-to-Action system and request relief for all non-homesteaded and commercial properties. At this point, we would like to see Florida commercial properties re-assessed, based on their "present use" and not on their "highest and best use". This is just common sense and would at least be a step in the right direction.

Stay tuned. I'll keep you updated as we progress.

Go here for Daytona Beach FL real estate information.

Florida home buyers need relief from high property taxes!

This is a statement we've heard far too often in recent years.

In 1992, the state of Florida enacted the Save Our Homes act, for home owners who call Florida their primary residence. Under this act, home owners are able to claim the Homestead Exemption on their property taxes. With this exemption, $25,000 is deducted from the assessed value of a home, before taxes are calculated. And for the entire length of time that a home owner calls a particular home in Florida their primary residence, the taxes on that home cannot be raised more than 3% per year. This act enabled many people to "save their homes" by not losing them to rising Florida real estate taxes, as Florida property values rose. This tax benefit has been a tremendous help for Florida home owners who have stayed in a home for several years.

However, if someone has lived in their home for many years with this exemption in place, and surrounding homes have recently sold, you'll see a drastic difference in the taxes that are being paid from house-to-house. Although, when one of the homes that has been protected by the Save our Homes act is sold, the taxable value of the home is adjusted to the new market value. And Florida home buyers who will be calling this home in Florida their primary residence may apply for the Homestead Exemption. They then can deduct the $25,000 from their assessed value (the price they paid) and their property taxes will not rise more than 3% per year for the entire time they're in the house. But they could still be paying 5 times the amount of property taxes as their next-door neighbor, if that neighbor has been living in their house for the last 20 years. (just an example)

While it's pretty much irrelevant who is paying what, since this exemption is desired for the most part, by everyone who makes Florida their home, and was originally voted into law by an overwhelming majority, it leaves each county in Florida with the problem of not knowing how much revenue they can depend on from the property taxes each year. 

Now let's look at the bigger picture.

• Florida property values have risen drastically
• Florida property taxes will be calculated on these much higher property values, when a home is sold.
• Banks/Lenders have limited the number of programs that are available to many home buyers.
• Florida home owners insurance has skyrocketed due to hurricanes in recent years.
• We're now in a buyer's market and many buyers cannot afford to purchase when you calculate all of these new factors.

So now the population is demanding tax reform. While several options have been placed on the table, our elected officials are unable to come to an agreement on how to fix the problems. 

We must also bear in mind these factors...

• The salaries of our school teachers are dependent on these tax dollars.
  
• The income level for many counties in Florida, is far too low to afford to buy real estate.
• The income level for many counties in Florida, is far too low to even rent, since the property owners are passing these added expenses through to the tenants.

I'll post another blog as soon as some of the options are eliminated, as our officials continue to deliberate and try to come up with a solution to this harrowing problem.

Daytona Beach FL houses for sale

Residential Real Estate Sales Data for Volusia County, from the Daytona Beach Area Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service (MLS), for April 2007

 For all your real estate needs, make a Smart Choice and call Lisa Hill today or click here Daytona Beach FL MLS listings

Just a follow up to my last post about the phone solicitor who lied to me about the Do Not Call rules.

In case there's anyone left who does not know this, cell phone numbers were made public this year! If you have not already done so, you need to register your cell phone number on the Do Not Call Registry. Just follow the link. It's really easy to do.

And read my last post for good measure!

(Sorry if I'm being a pest about this. I don't want Woo Hoo Sally to come after me for double posting!)

I was just reading a post by Jim Crawford about a scam call he received on his cell phone and it prompted me to write this post.

Since cell phone numbers were made public, I made sure to register mine on the Do Not Call Registry. Since it is used for business, I had my cell phone number on my web site. But I kept getting solicitations from miscellaneous real estate services who were trolling the internet for suckers, I mean Realtors to harrass. Each time I received one of these solicitations, I told them they were calling a number on the Do Not Call Registry, and unless they were calling to buy or sell real estate, they needed to stop calling me. And each time, they would apologize and hang up, immediately. 

But here's a new story. The last one that called me informed me that the rules of the Do Not Call Registry do not apply when calling from business to business, when the number is posted in an advertisement or on a web site.

So the next time some fool calls and wastes your mobile minutes, then feeds you a load of crap, you can inform them that their information is false, and refer them to this web site, or you'll report them so they can pay an $11,000 fine!

Man, I hate it when someone lies to me! I abide by the rules and so should they!

As you're probably realizing, although I'm a REALTOR® who sells real estate all over Volusia County, I'm quite partial to Port Orange. I love living in Port Orange. I specifically love my own neighborhood in Countryside.

This is my second post about the smaller subdivisions within the upscale Port Orange Florida community called Countryside, where residents can enjoy the community lakes, pool, tennis courts and clubhouse. My last post focused on The Hunt Club in Countryside, which is the brick section of this community.

This time we'll focus on Steeplechase in Countryside, which is the section that feels like you just entered a South Florida, luxury location. All the homes in Steeplechase are bright, open floor plans, with soft, pastel colored stucco exteriors, and many of these homes have tile roofs to add to the elegance of the neighborhood.

As in most of Port Orange, you'll find sidewalks where families are encouraged to walk, cycle, skate, skateboard, etc, in accordance with the theme of the entire city, where the motto is "Unique by Choice, not by Chance".  You'll find a different link to Port Orange information in my last post titled Paradise in the Heart of the City. 

For more information about the Daytona Beach area and it's close proximity to the surrounding cities, read my post titled Daytona Beach Florida - A Comprehensive Distinction Between the Surrounding Cities.

www.PortOrangeRealEstateSales.com

www.PortOrangeRealEstateBlog.com or CountrysideNews.com

For MLS listing information on real estate in Port Orange FL, and all the surrounding areas, visit my web site at PORT ORANGE HOUSES FOR SALE

This post is for real estate buyers and sellers who might be interested in The Hunt Club in Countryside, located in beautiful Port Orange, Florida!

9 years ago, we decided to buy a house in The Hunt Club in Port Orange, FL. There are many reasons this neighborhood was my first choice. The main reason I wanted to buy a house in this particular neighborhood was because of the the clean, elegant look of this all-brick, gated neighborhood. But even better is the convenient location.

While many new homes in Port Orange are being built to the west of Interstate 95, this gem of a community is located with convenient access to everything!  I can ride my bike to the beach, or walk to shopping.

This Port Orange neighborhood is a community within a community, with Countryside being the surrounding area. We have a community pool, clubhouse, tennis courts and many beautiful lakes. In accordance with the focus of the city of Port Orange, there are sidewalks to encourage families to walk, cycle, skateboard, skate and just enjoy life.

I'll be posting several blogs about the other neighborhoods in Countryside, like Steeplechase, which has a tropical, South Beach feel, as well as Lake Point, Silver Lakes, and The Meadows, which feature patio homes that are perfectly situated for privacy, while keeping your maintenance to a minimum. There is also a section of townhomes that are always in high demand!

Check back for more information on all these fabulous communities, located in this desirable Countryside location, in Port Orange, FL. For suggestions on how to spend an evening, read my post titled Plan A Fun Outing in Port Orange.

If you're not sure of the difference between Port Orange and Daytona Beach Florida (Port Orange is just 5 miles south of Daytona Beach), read my post titled Daytona Beach Florida-A Comprehensive Distinction Between the Surrounding Cities

Go here for Port Orange and Daytona Beach FL MLS Listings 

View Port Orange real estate MLS listing video tours

I thought I'd offer a little toast to a few of the helpful folks I've found here on Active Rain. I guess I'm feeling magnanimous today.

This really is a great community of people helping people. There are always a few personalities that are a little bit more difficult than others, but the truth is, we have a choice as to where we focus our attention. We can choose to focus on the negative, or we can choose to focus on the positive. (I'm preaching to myself here)

Focusing on negativity will always have an adverse effect on your attitude and ultimately, your production.

Focusing on the positive will keep you heading in the right direction, and will ultimately, boost your productivity.

I'd like to mention a few Rainers that I've noticed, who seem to always be able to find the silver lining in every cloud, and even take the time to leave encouraging comments on other people's posts.

• "Woo Hoo" Sally Cheeseman
• Bob Sloop
• Rick & Ines (well, it's really just Ines) :P
  
• Stephanie Edwards
• Alexander Harb

These are just the ones in my subscription list that I thought should receive an honorable mention from me, for not only their positive attitudes, but their encouraging natures as well.

I'd also like to mention a couple of Rainers who have my utmost appreciation, for the obvious thought, effort and time they put into their posts, that help to educate and bring a higher level of professionalism to our industry. And both of these gentlemen, as busy as they are, have also taken time to answer my specific questions when I asked them.

• Jeff Turner
• Broker Bryant

So this is my personal thanks to the many bloggers who contribute so much to this community.

Why don't you share yours as well? We could start a chain of positive communication and keep this community at it's best.

I've only been here a couple of months (I think) and I'm constantly learning new things about the system, sometimes through trial and error.

A lot of what I learn is by reading a post that another blogger has written, that explains something that I probably already made the mistake of doing. While this can be very humbling, I'm writing this post to encourage the newbies to not let the fear of mistakes hold you back from posting your blogs.

For the most part, I've found that folks around here understand that with everything in life, there is a learning curve, and they don't hold it against you for making a mistake.  Just jump in! Write something....Anything!

There is no person, no job, no hobby, no career that was ever started with perfection. And even the experts are not perfect; they never will be. As humans, we make mistakes. So overcome your fears and just do it!

I'll look forward to reading your new posts.

 Daytona Beach FL Realtor 

If you're looking to buy a house in Port Orange, look no further!

No need to exaggerate. This home is absolutely gorgeous, with spectacular lake views! This is the lowest priced home in the neighborhood, in the beautiful Port Orange community.

 
The front, galley-style kitchen with built-in microwave has new disposal & dishwasher and is completely remodeled. Oak cabinets have plate racks and 1 glassed front section. Counters are solid-surface with seamless backsplash; sink is seamless with restaurant-style pull-out faucet; the perfect pantry has roll-out shelves. Also note the matching built-in desk.

Both bathrooms have new hickory cabinets and seamless sinks. Master bath has jetted tub with marble shower enclosure and marble counter. Guest bath has step-in shower and granite counter.

The 27.5 x 12 foot pool has beach area and therapeutic jets, auto-cleaning system, and solar panels are under warranty until 2009. Pool furniture and equipment conveys. 

Note these fabulous extras!

New front storm door and fiberglass door, new screen on garage door, new rear French doors to pool with enclosed blinds-all with stainless steel hinges-won't rust! Beautiful wood-laminate flooring in main living areas. All closets have built-in, adjustable shelving. Alarm system is monitored by Brinks. A/C handler and compressor are 3 years new, with electrostatic filter system-vents recently cleaned and sanitized. Home exterior just painted in fall of 2006. Termite bond has been maintained. New vinyl fence in back yard. Rear auto-sensor lights for security.

 For plenty of photos, go here Buy House is Port Orange FL

 Full video coming soon! 

Here's the latest market information (May, 2007) from the Florida Association of Realtors. More information can be found about some of these statistics, by clicking on the numerical number, next to it's corresponding description. 

Click here, to view an in-depth market report.

Housing Market Indicators through May, 2007:

Florida existing home sales:  -26%
Florida existing condo sales: -19%
Florida existing home median price: $237,800
Florida existing condo median price: $215,500
Florida consumer confidence: 86
National existing home sales: -2.6%
National existing home median price: $212,300
National (Freddie Mac) mortgage rate: 6.37%

Go here for more information on the Florida Housing Market and be sure to check back frequently, as many updates are constantly added.