Vacation-home sales recovered in 2009 while investment sales fell sharply, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

NAR’s 2010 "Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey," covering existing- and new-home transactions in 2009, shows vacation-home sales rose 7.9 percent to 553,000 last year from 513,000 in 2008, while investment-home sales fell 15.9 percent to 940,000 in 2009 from 1.12 million in 2008. Primary residence sales rose 7.1 percent to 4.04 million in 2009 from 3.77 million in 2008.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said, “The typical vacation-home buyer is making a lifestyle choice, with nine out of 10 saying they intend to use the property for vacations or as a family retreat. Investment buyers primarily seek rental income, with…

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Juan Carlos German, REALTOR®, ABR®, e-PRO®, and team leader at Carlos German & Team, has been selected as one of 50 semi-finalists for REALTOR® Magazine's "30 under 30" feature! If chosen, Carlos’ profile will appear in the June 2010 issue, along with profiles of a diverse group of practitioners from around the country. Carlos was chosen for his strategic vision, deep commitment to clients, outstanding leadership, innovative uses of technology, and active community involvement.

REALTOR® Magazine reaches more than 1.3 million readers and it is published by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

I want to thank REALTOR® Magazine and the judges for selecting me as a semi-finalist for the “30 under 30” feature. I can’t tell you how excited I am about the…

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For the first time in years, the number of people facing foreclosures is declining.  This means that the end of the crisis is in sight.  There is a long road back to stability ahead of us, but it does not look like things will get worse. 

This long road ahead is due to the fact that the housing values have dropped to roughly half of their peak.  These deeply discounted houses will put pressure on home prices for years to come.  Mike Larson, a real estate analyst with Weiss Research said, “Housing is on a path to recovery but it’s going to be a very long, gradual process.”

The good news is that it has begun to change.  The percentage of borrowers who missed just one payment on their home loans fell to 3.6 percent in the October-to-December quarter from 3.8…

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Sales of existing single-family homes in Florida rose 44 percent in fourth quarter 2009 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest housing statistics from Florida Realtors®. A total of 43,926 existing homes sold statewide in 4Q 2009; during the same period the year before, a total of 30,610 existing homes sold. It marks the sixth consecutive quarter that Florida has seen higher existing year-to-year home sales, according to the state association.

Statewide sales of existing condominiums in the fourth quarter rose 93 percent compared to the same time the previous year. This marks the fifth consecutive quarter for increased statewide sales in both the existing home and condo markets compared to year-ago levels.

To gain insight into…

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I guess when Governor Charlie Crist said in 2007, that he wanted taxes to “drop like a rock”, he was not kidding! Florida property taxes dropped by $2.28 billion, or 7.5 percent, over the past three years because of tax-cutting measures approved by the Legislature and voters!

What initially prompted the tax cut was that the overall property tax collections nearly doubled from 2000 through 2006, triggering an outcry from taxpayers that resulted in the tax-cutting measures that started in 2007. Later that year a law was passed to roll back and cap property taxes and then put a constitutional amendment on the January 2008 ballot that voters adopted for additional tax savings.

One reason property taxes haven’t dropped even more is because of the Save…

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Fantastic vacation home! The location is perfect for a visit to Disney – it’s less than 10 miles away! Or take a relaxing and rejuvenating soak in the enclosed south facing heated spa and pool. The property is situated within walking distance to the Windsor Hills playground, and also nearby the state of the art clubhouse.

This beautiful vacation villa offers an open floor plan with high ceilings, arches, and a spacious great room. With 6 bedrooms, 3 baths and 2,469 feet of living space, it’s large enough for family and friends.

This could also be a rental property! The booking history shows a solid rental record with repeat customers calling every day. With Sea World, Discovery Cove, Kennedy Space Center and many more area attractions,…

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Haven't seen just what you want in a home? Do what many people are doing and consider building your own! The recently-adopted federal tax incentives are spurring new home construction – in fact, 174 new residential and vacation home communities in our area report that building is occurring right now! Prices are in a great range from affordable family houses to luxurious estates.

The same rebound is happening all over the country. Construction companies KB Homes and Lennar Corp. both posted fourth-quarter profits this year for the first time since 2007 – and are still purchasing land for building.

Building your own home can be as simple as picking a floor plan or as detailed as you like, with choices of layout, flooring, counters, cabinets –…

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When building, renovating or repairing a swimming pool in Florida, homeowners must use a licensed contractor. It’s illegal to hire an unlicensed contractor, and a contract with one is not enforceable under law; that means owners have no legal recourse if they do not fulfill the agreement. In addition, unlicensed individuals may not be insured, with homeowners insurance forced to pay any work injuries.

Getting a pool license requires a background check, experience and/or education, and insurance. Certain core courses and a number of elective courses must be taken every two years to renew a license. If owners have a problem, they can file a complaint against the contractor’s license. A pool contractor’s license number can be checked at…

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Here’s something we can all be cheer about – Florida home sales are up and have been increasing steadily each month for the past 15 months!

2009 Florida Realtors President Cynthia Shelton states that, “Housing affordability is at its peak and the highest on record: Along with still-low mortgage rates, it means that the buying power of a typical family has never been better.” Interest rates for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.88 percent last month, a significant drop from the average rate of 6.09 percent in November 2008, according to Freddie Mac. Becoming a homeowner is now easier than ever!

The news is not only good for buyers, but also sellers are finding it a good opportunity as the market is beginning to balance.

The National…

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Happy Holidays From Carlos German & Team

Everyone loves the holiday season – the music, the parties, the jovial moods, and of course, the food! We here at Carlos German & Team would like to wish you health and happiness this holiday season!

As you prepare to visit family and friends, take the extra time and effort to ensure that your holiday season is a safe and memorable one. This is also the time of year for spreading joy and caring, so don’t forget to send good cheer to those less fortunate. Take the time to smile at a stranger, give what you can to those in need during this time, and give thanks for your blessings and the simple pleasures of being with family and friends. And please remember our troops who are unable to be home for the holidays – keep them in your thoughts.

As…

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