The Poinciana Crane

Poinciana Home Joins Forces with NAHREP

We recently joined the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals or NAHREP, because we believe that everyone has the right to own a home.  We support NAHREP's goal of equal access to homeownership for all Americans.  NAHREP has helped Hispanic families achieve the American dream by delivering knowledgeable, culturally sensitive, bilingual services to the community.

Over $1 Million for Osceola Homeless

Ready or not? Apparently, Osceola County's human services department has received $1,041,569 federal assistance for housing, and they don't even have an application ready.  That's why they're only accepting "voice applications" for those who would like to be placed on their mailing list to receive an application ... later.  (Where have I heard that before?)  To get your name on the mailing list, contact Lania Crouch at (407) 742-8411 or by email at Lcro2@osceola.org.

The grant is targeted to individuals and families who are homeless, living in a hotel/motel, nearly homeless, or about to lose their housing because of eviction or foreclosure.  The program is being administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Rural Loans for Lower Income Buyers

If you are in a lower income bracket but you're ready to buy now, Poinciana offers one thing that many other established communities cannot offer: rural loans.  Commonly called Section 502 loans, the program offers some advantages for those who are unable to obtain conventional financing. A few advantages include:

• No minimum credit score.

Spring Time's Credit Report Time

Even if you've made an effort to keep those credit cards in your wallet, your credit score may be lower than it was a year ago due to changes in the credit market.   The vernal equinox (Spring time!) is an excellent time to review your report.

Since June 2005, Florida residents have been entitled to one free "personal credit report" every 12-month period.  You must pay extra for your score, but you can get the three major reports: Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union; all in one place. Order yours at AnnualCreditReport, a secure web site, or you can order yours direct from each of the three main credit bureaus. Following are the centers that serve the Poinciana area:

2006 Redux: The Change Remains the Same

The bad news first: According to recent data from the MidFlorida MLS, foreclosures reign supreme in Poinciana.  Nearly 90% of all current sales are properties in some state of foreclosure, like short sales, bank-owned, and foreclosing properties. 

Other than that, Poinciana begins the new year like it was 2006.  With 79 sales in the month of January, a dip from 92 in December 2008, yet it is almost exactly how we started 2006.  (Click on image to see a close-up of the statistics.)

To widen the good news, the market is still getting rid of foreclosures and Poinciana is showing a five-month trend so far towards improvement in both sales and reduction of supply.  The percentage of existing homes in some state of foreclosure decreased, but by only 4% over the last 60 days.  A small change but heading in the right direction.

The number of homes on the market fell below 1,000 ... finally ... to 991 properties.  Barring another wave of foreclosures, Poinciana is headed in the right direction again.  Ready to buy?  Write us.

The Recovery's Landed

Long before many realized that the housing bubble had burst in 2006, I had asked my broker at RE/MAX Executive Group, "What happened to home buyers?"  Buyers were cooling and far too many homeowners were suddenly asking about short sales.  To serve these owners I asked RE/MAX leadership, "When are you going to schedule a short sale training for staff?"

But apparently business leaders had no clue of what was about to burst by 2007 and refused to offer training ... at first.  About six months later, they closed their Kissimmee doors without warning. 

That's about the time I began keeping statistics on Poinciana's housing demographics through the MidFlorida Regional Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  Today, after years of keeping track of Poinciana's MLS sales, inventory, and, now, foreclosures, I say with great relief that I've got good news.

We are at the beginning of a recovery!

APV Emails

Need to get in touch with the Association of Poinciana Villages (APV) high-tech-like? Here are the emails of some of their personnel.

• Jeanette Coughenour - jeanette@apvinc.net

• Valentin Ramos - vramos@apvinc.net

• Benny Gonzalez - csd1@apvinc.net

If you'd like to help make our APV HOA transparent, email us at Home@PoincianaHome.net with your concerns or information you'd like to share.

Watch Out, Predators!

If you like to get a lot of punch from your reading, are a homeowner or if you plan to be soon, you must check-out the "Are you having problems paying your mortgage?"  Originally published in 2007, it was written to anyone with a vested interest in residential real estate. 

A joint effort of the Center for Responsible Lending NeighborWorks® America, the National Association of Realtors®, and The Voice for Real Estate, this publication, about five pages, is long for a brochure but well worth the read.  Basically it's "Watch Out" list against predatory lenders and is an excellent checklist for today's buyer looking to avoid their own credit crisis.

Homes for Vets

Veterans across America now have expanded homeownership opportunities, thanks to the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008. The bill includes housing provisions for veterans who are already homeowners and those who aspire to homeownership.

Ripe for Investments

Want to find out more if moving to Florida is a good move for you?   Ready to find out the real story on Florida's housing market? 

A 56-page report released by Florida Association of Realtors has some answers. Researched by their parent, the National Association of Realtors, the report, "Effect of Policy Changes on Homeownership - Focus: Florida," provides an overview of housing's impact, both nationally and in Florida.  It also analyzes possible changes the Florida Legislature could consider.  It covers issues such as transfer taxes, business receipt taxes, property taxes and general housing taxes.

4/2 for Only $800

Home for rent in Poinciana. Four bedrooms with two bathrooms. Near the busline at the intersection of Walnut and Country Club. Only $800/month.

VA Ceiling Raised

According to the Florida Association of Realtors, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is raising ceilings on its no-downpayment home loans from the current $417,000 to as much as $729,000. The VA increases went into effect immediately under legislation enacted under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.

Stop Credit Card Junk

If you are one of those with improving credit, you've probably noticed an increase in the amount of junk mail you receive from credit card companies, mortgage and car companies, or almost anyone trying to sell your good credit to the devil. If you've said, "Enough!" then consider calling:

888-567-8688

By calling this one number, you can have your good name removed from creditor marketing lists.  If you've suffered from identity theft, calling this number is a great way to help ensure your credit safety.

Downpayment Assistance

If you're looking to buy in Poinciana, two more down payment assistance programs to consider:

• Orange County Housing Finance Authority: Offers up to $10,000 in down payment.  It is available for Osceola County home.  They feature 30-year fixed rate programs for maximum sales price of $304,875.
• Florida Housing Finance Corporation: Provides up to $10,000 in down payment assistance and offers below-market interest rate for fist-time home buyers.

Osceola SHIP Arrives

Osceola County has a downpayment assistance program, although only available for eligible first-time homebuyers.  It's called SHIP and stands for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership.   From helping buyers to find homes who were qualified through this program, I heard that it is not a difficult program to understand nor too difficult to complete.  And for upwards of $69,900, it's likely to be worth your time.   Maximum sales price is $240,000 within Kissimmee city limits, which includes both sides of Poinciana.

Homes 4 Teach

HOME Investment Partnerships Act, you may find assistance if you are a teacher. If you are a teacher and are looking for assistance buying a home in Poinciana, look no further than the Florida teacher downpayment assistance programThen call me, Poinciana's premier real estate agent for the best deal in the area.

Loans for Veteran’s

Interest rates have not been this low since the last century! Now's the time to buy, especially in Florida. If you served in the U.S. military some time in your past, did you know that you might be qualified to obtain a VA loan to buy a home? Contact the VA or go to their website to request a Certificate of Eligibility. Then call your Poinciana Realtor.®

Department of Veterans Affairs VA Regional Loan Center 9500 Bay Pines Blvd. St. Petersburg, FL 33708 (Mail:  P.O. Box 1437, St. Petersburg, FL 33731) http://www.vba.va.gov/ro/south/spete/rlc/index.htm

1-888-611-5916 (out of state) 1-800-827-1000 (in FL)