RTS Orlando Homes

Welcome to RTSOrlandoHomes.com!

Is a Refinance Necessary?

I have fielded a number of calls recently from homeowners who are seeking my opinion regarding their needs to refinance.  In the majority of cases, these people are distressed by what they are reading about mortgage woes.  For most of them, no refinance is necessary. 

If you are wondering if refinancing is right for you or would just like some peace of mind, call me for a brief review of your mortgage terms and the perils, if any, that face you.  In most cases, the homeowners that have called me are running from something that is not even chasing them.  They just need to hear it from a professional.

Mickey Carlton
Thomas Mortgage
(one of the preferred vendors of RTSOrlandoHomes.com)
407-788-5100

NOTE:  Please tell Mickey that you heard about him from RTSOrlandoHomes.com.  If you are a past or current client of David Gallup or Len Hardison, please let Mickey know that as well.

It's October...Celebrate!

Reformation Day, a remembrance of the Reformation on the anniversary of Martin Luther's posting of his 95 theses on the doors of a Wittenberg church, is celebrated on October 31st.  In addition to being the month in which the Reformation is celebrated, October has a number of interesting 'holidays' that you may not have heard about.

Some days of note:

• Name Your Car Day -- October 2nd
• Columbus Day -- October 8th (second Monday of the month)
• Curious Events Day -- October 9th
• Moldy Cheese Day -- also, October 9th
• Moment of Frustration Day -- October 12th -- arrgh!!
• National Bologna Day -- October 24nd
• Plush Animal Lovers Day -- October 29th

And some weekly observations...

• National School Bus Safety Week--  To focus attention on school bus safety for bus drivers, students and the motoring public.  For information visit www.napt.org.   
• Customer Service Week
• Mental Illness Awareness Week --  To increase public awareness for the causes of, symptoms of, and treatment for mental illnesses.  For information visit www.psych.org.

And all October, it's. . .

• Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month --  To promote the adoption of dogs from local shelters, sponsored by the ASPCA.  For information visit www.aspca.org.   
• American Pharmacist Month
• Apple Jack Month
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• Clergy Appreciation Month -- Remember to do something special for your pastoral staff; an encouraging note, a voicemail telling them how you see the Lord using them, etc. 
• Computer Learning Month
• Cookie Month -- a great excuse to do some baking. 
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month
• Eat Country Ham Month
• International Drum Month
• Lupus Awareness Month
• National Diabetes Month
• National Pizza Month -- go ahead, order one!
• National Vegetarian Month
• National Popcorn Popping Month
• Sarcastic Month
• Seafood Month

 

"No-Doc" Loans

I recently consulted with a prospective home buyer who had sold his business, taken a year off from work and, just recently, opened a new business. This borrower obvously could not verify income or current employment (meaning a two year uninterrupted history).  He needed a true "no-doc" loan.  The current furor over mortgage financing has resulted in the withdrawal from the market of most such loans. I was able to find two "no-docs" after an extensive search among my many wholesale providers of mortgage financing. These two identical products (from the borrower's perspective) featured widely disparate pricing. The experience suggests how few "non-conforming" products remain in the market and how carefully such products need to be researched by an experienced mortgage specialist.

Mickey Carlton with Thomas Mortgage
(one of the preferred vendors for RTSOrlandoHomes.com)

Habits that Defeat Diets

Trying to lose weight and live a healthier life?  These days who isn’t?

But often people find that their weight loss attempts are not panning out.  If you’re trying to shed pounds but you’re finding it more difficult than you thought it would be, you might be participating in some unhealthy habits that are giving your pounds their staying power.

According to registered dietitian Frances Largeman there are seven habits that many people fall prey to that keep them from losing weight:

Not eating breakfast.  You’ve heard it before, but people who eat breakfast are generally thinner than those who skip.  Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight.  In fact, according to many studies, it will actually help you gain weight.

Eating when you’re distracted. People who eat while engaged in other activities often overeat.  That means you shouldn’t eat at your desk, in your car or while you’re watching television.

Not counting calories. If you aren’t paying attention to proportion with foods like pasta or burritos, the calories can add up quickly.  Drinks can also be high calorie traps – soft drinks can add 180 to 240 calories to your meal.  And smoothies, though made from healthy ingredients, can pack on the calories as well.

Not instituting a regular exercise program. Merely cutting back on calories is not likely to do the job.  You might lose weight in the beginning by merely dieting, but it will be hard to keep off and maintain your new weight without exercising.

Snacking.  Lots of people stick to their diets during meal times, but then go off track when they’re watching television and break out the chips and ice cream.  One solution:  Keep healthy snacks like baby carrots and yogurt on hand.

The no-fat dilemma. If you reduce your fat intake too much, you also reduce your satisfaction level and might become more prone to indulging in too many low-fat, high-calorie snacks.

Cheers.  Alcohol is loaded with calories.  If you partake of alcohol, you'll want to keep your limit to one or two drinks per occasion.  And you’ll be better off avoiding sugary, tropical and frozen drinks.

Home about 23 min from RTS

This lovely home in Sanford located (according to Google Maps) about 23 minutes from RTS via the Greeneway.  While its mailing address is Sanford, it is located just outside Lake Mary, rated as the #1 place to live in the South by Money Magazine (see our archives for the full article about Lake Mary)

New FHASecure loan program - will it help me refinance?

One of my former clients e-mailed this morning and asked whether the new FHASecure loan program would be appropriate for her to use in refinancing her ARM.  I expect that many Realtors will get similar questions from clients who've purchased homes with them as this new program gets more exposure in the media.  And it WILL get more exposure as politicians try to convince the public that steps are being taken to alleviate the "mortgage mess". 

This program will help a few people but will not be the silver bullet that solves all problems.  In fact, most people who are in trouble with their ARM loans will not even qualify for the program.   In the case of my client mentioned above, she does not need, nor does she even qualify for the program because her loan has not started to adjust (as required by the current guidelines).  In addition, as is the case with all FHA programs, this one carries upfront mortgage insurance plus a monthly ongoing mortgage insurance.  My client is not currently paying mortgage insurance of any kind so this loan would actually increase her monthly housing expenses. 

In addition to being exposed to the media coverage of this loan, homeowners are going to get all sorts of direct mail and telephone solicitations offering refinances.  As a mortgage consultant, I continue to take steps to ensure that the clients who trust me are not "taken" by people who are just trying to make a quick dollar.  This loan, while being salvation for a few, will not be appropriate for most people. It's best to talk with a trusted mortgage expert about your specific situation for advice in this matter.

-- Mickey Carlton, Mortgage Consultant with Thomas Mortgage (a trusted vendor of RTSOrlandoHomes.com)

Let the Buyer be Aware

Here’s a quick post to let you know how we can help you or anyone you might refer to us.

As we’ve watched a seller’s market turn into a buyer’s market, we find ourselves thinking of the large inventory of homes for sale and the large number of people who have been thinking about making a move or an investment.  But do they understand the importance of taking action now, before the market changes again — as we know it will? 

Over the past few months, our team has helped two young couples purchase their first home; a growing family buy a larger home with a wonderful backyard; a husband and wife purchase two rental properties; and a student buy the townhouse he’d been renting near his college.  Some or all of these purchases might not have been possible for our clients a year ago, but now the timing is right — for buyers who are aware of the opportunities.

David Gallup & Len Hardison, Your Friends in the Real Estate Business   

P.S. Who’s the next person you know who’s thinking of purchasing their first home, a move-up home or an investment property?  Please give us a call to discuss how we can let them know about our services.

Home for Sale in Waterford Lakes

Please take the video tour of this 4 bedroom home with a swimming pool located in the popular neighborhood of Waterford Lakes that we've recently listed for sale.  The travel time from RTS to this home is approximately 19 minutes.

Solutions that Save

There are a number of things you can do to lower your electric bill.  But to save the most energy and money, FLP (Florida Power & Light Company) recommends these top 10 tips:

1. Cool your home at 78 degrees or warmer with the thermostat fan switch on 'auto.'  For additional, savings, raise your thermostat to 82 degrees or warmer when you're away from home.
2. Heat your home to 68 degrees or cooler with the thermostat fan switch on 'auto.'  To save, even more, lower your thermostat to 65 degrees or cooler at bedtime or when you're away from home.
3. Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically and maximize your energy savings.  It also helps to maintain a comfortable temperature when you wake up or return home. 
4. Clean or replace your A/C filter every month to trim your cooling costs and help your unit run more efficiently.
5. Turn off your ceiling fan when you leave the room.  A fan that runs all the time costs about $7 a month. 
6. Avoid pre-rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.  It can save up to $70 per year.
7. Limit the time you run your pool pump:  Summer - 6 hours a day, Winter - 4 hours a day.
8. Adjust the water level on your washing machine to match the load size, especially when using hot water.  Always use a cold rinse.
9. Clean the lint filter in your dryer before every load to dry your clothes faster and save money.
10. Use the auto sensor function on your dryer, if you have one, to conserve energy by not over-drying your clothes.

Oviedo Residences

The map below shows you the locations of a number of Oviedo apartment, townhome/condo and single family home communities so you can get an idea of some of the types of living situations in the immediate area around RTS.  Please use the Oviedo Residence links in the left sidebar to learn more about each community. 

This is not an exhaustive list of all of the neighborhoods in Oviedo.  If you would like to get further information about the neighborhoods on this site or learn about additional communities, please email us at: David@davidgallup.com 

Click on the thumbnail photo below to see a larger image

The neighborhoods noted on this site were chosen either because a number of RTS students have lived in them in the past and/or it is representative of the area.  The inclusion of a neighborhood on this website is for your convenience, and does not connote an endorsement of the neighborhood or specific homes within the neighborhood by RTS, David Gallup, Len Hardison or RE/MAX 200 Realty.