After seeing modest attendance gains in 2010, Florida theme parks have high hopes for 2011 and going into next year. Indirectly, this is good news for real estate investors and second home owners, with better attractions and new venues in the area, resort style communities will surely be in higher demand.

Many of Central Florida’s main destinations have added new attractions this year. Disney’s Hollywood Studios revamped its Star Tours ride with a 3D Star Wars theme. Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers an add-on experience which allows guests to join a small group on a guided expedition to see the park’s wild animals on foot and by special vehicles. Sea World features a new whale show called “One Ocean.” An hour away in Tampa, Busch Gardens is touting its new…

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Foreign buyers are eyeing property in the US now more than ever with a $16 billion surge this year in international purchases. Total residential international sales in the US amounted to $82 billion in the year ending in March 2011, up from $66 billion in 2010.

“The U.S. has always been a desirable place to own property and a profitable investment,” said NAR President Ron Phipps. “In recent years we have seen more and more foreign buyers coming here to take advantage of low prices and plentiful inventory. In addition to the advantageous market conditions, REALTORS® in this country have a global perspective and experience in working with clients from different cultures and real estate practices, helping them bring value to their international clients.”

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News gets better in the housing market as foreclosure filings dropped to over a three year low in April.  This is great as fewer home owners are losing their homes. It is said that the slowdown is coming from delays in processing foreclosure paperwork but optimists believe the end of the crisis may be near as inventory level reduces and sale numbers rise in many areas of the country.

The numbers don’t lie.  Foreclosure filings (notices of default, scheduled auctions, and bank repossessions) sank 34 percent from a year ago last month, making the lowest it’s been since December of 2007.  8.6 percent less homes were repossessed in April than in March and that’s a 32 percent drop from last September’s high point.

Hope of improvement is present; with the…

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The market may be struggling to recover in America overall, but there are a few markets that are currently seeing good conditions for buying and rising sales. We're happy to say that Orlando is improving faster than most places, and it looks like a great time to buy.

Consider the facts: According to the Florida Realtors latest housing figures, home sales increased by 12 percent in March compared to last year with over 18,522 total homes sold across the state. Condo sales are doing even better and are up 24 percent across the state in the same period. Seventeen metropolitan areas reported higher home sales.

But, even though sales are up, it's an excellent time to be a buyer because prices are down from last year. The median price for homes in March…

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So what has been going on with interest rates lately? It is important to know that according to all relevant surveys and expert opinions, mortgage levels will see little change in the current rates. The 30-year fixed mortgage rates tend to fluctuate in unison with the yield on the ten-year treasuries. This is not to be confused with the Prime Lending Rate that typically receives the most press. Ten-year treasuries are used to partially fund the national debt in the United States. Since the debt continues to grow, we have to continue to attract more overseas capital to fund our debt. When this capital starts to seek other safe havens and begins to dry up, the interest rate on the ten year notes start to climb in an attempt to attract more capital. The old…

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At last there are rebounds in the real estate market… Vacation Home sales have been reported at soaring levels that have not been seen since the days of the housing boom, according to The Wall Street Journal. Deep discounts and cash purchases are the reason according to analysts, in various areas across the country, and certainly the rise has been felt here in Florida.

What does that mean for you? It means that now is the time for ACTION. If you are looking to buy or wanting to sell Vacation Properties, then we should be talking today.

Sales across Florida are rising, for example in Palm Beach there has been a nearly 40 percent increase over the past year from 2009. Buyers are coming off the sidelines and stepping up to the plate to take advantage of…

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Every day, we are bombarded with loud advertisements telling you ways of attaining your score and offering services to improve it if it is unfavorable. What does this all mean? Where can you turn to get sound advice? Many do not know, but the federal government has agencies, bureaus and commissions to handle and address any issue, including consumer credit.

Although the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is not mentioned in any of those ads, it does provide the most comprehensive source of information to help you unravel the many mysteries associated with your credit score and the legitimate steps you can take to correct bad credit. Until you view all of the information the government has to offer, here are some helpful tidbits to get you going.

To be clear, …

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happyholidays_450The message from this classic holiday favorite is so very true. Each of us at Carlos German & Team know that our mission is to help you and your family find that one special place to call home, or a home away from home! It is so heartwarming at this time of year to think of all the families we have worked with who are happily creating new memories to cherish for years to come. We would like to wish you all the warmth and joy that this holiday season brings! It is a pleasure and a privilege to help each of you open the door to your home and we thank you for your business as we wouldn’t be here without you.

“If you want to be happy in a million ways…” we are here to help! This time of year there are indeed millions of ways to help those in need and we hope…

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In the world of New-Home sales, the future is beginning to brighten up. Surpassing expectations, the government reported that sales of new homes increased by nearly 7 percent in September. But you’re thinking, what should I expect if I’m looking to sell my current home? Recent reports show that sales of existing homes rose 10 percent, leading experts to believe the housing demand is again on the rise after it bottomed out in late summer.

While this is good news, new-home sales are still 21.5 percent below where they were last year. The first-time homebuyer tax credit is much to blame for this difference. Prices are rising slowly, but rising nonetheless. Barclays Capital economist, Nicholas Tenev says that it looks like new home sales have finally…

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You wouldn't believe how many questions I receive from Canadian residents interested in purchasing properties in Florida and other parts of the United States. There are certain things to consider as a Canadian resident interested in purchasing property in the US, but they aren't anything that can't be overcome without some help from your realtor.

  • One of the questions that frequently comes up is simply "Can a Canadian resident like myself purchase a house in the US?" Yes. You pay for the house and receive a title, just like with any local purchase. Residents of Canada interested in financing a home in the United States as opposed to paying cash, should look towards Canadian banks that have branches in the United States.

  • Another concern many Canadian…

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